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The New Brunswick regional chief for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) asked several cabinet ministers Thursday where First Nations rank in the federal government’s priorities.
The AFN advocates for more than 630 chiefs across Canada and has been meeting in Ottawa for its annual winter assembly this week. Chiefs and delegates had the chance to ask questions of two separate panels of federal ministers on Thursday.
“Former Prime Minister Trudeau’s commitment was that nothing was more important to him than First Nations in Canada, so we are curious to where First Nations initiatives currently rank on your list of priorities,” Joanna Bernard asked the ministers.
She said she would also like a written response from the prime minister. Mark Carney addressed the assembly Tuesday, but was not able to take all questions, leaving some chiefs frustrated and demanding more time from the prime minister.
“In respect to priorities, I think actions speak louder than anything,” said Finance Minister Francois-Phillipe Champagne in response.
“I hope, chief, you see in what we put in the budget but also in the action we’re taking, the seriousness that we want to engage into partnership.”
Champagne was part of the first panel to address the assembly, along with Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty and Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty.
This was the first assembly attended by a federal finance minister, according to the AFN.
Last month, the Carney government’s first federal budget projected $2.3 billion in cuts to Indigenous Services and Crown-Indigenous Relations by 2030. It has been criticized by Indigenous leaders for a lack of new investments and for a lack of clarity on what happens to funding programs set to run out in the spring.
Mississauga First Nation Chief Brent Niganobe told CBC Indigenous he appreciated the ministers coming to the assembly, but whether he believes First Nations are a priority for the government is another question.
“Welcome to First Nations politics, where we’re always on the back burner,” Niganobe said.
“So hopefully they can make some changes.”
Major projects concerns
Many Indigenous leaders have expressed concerns around Carney’s Building Canada Act and major projects office meant to fast track projects in the national interest.
First Nations have argued this legislation does not provide enough protection for their constitutional right to consultation.
On Tuesday, assembled chiefs and delegates unanimously approved an emergency resolution proposed by B.C. chiefs calling for the withdrawal of the memorandum of understanding signed by the federal government and Alberta last week.
Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation Chief Greg Sarazin asked the ministers whether the government would commit to proceeding with major projects only after First Nations consent was secured.
He also asked whether the government would commit to closing the infrastructure gap for First Nations using the same mechanisms to expedite project development.
Gull-Masty said the major projects office is an investment strategy and major projects are not funded by federal dollars.
“This investment strategy, for it to succeed is not only about attracting capital, it’s also making sure that a project can be executed and part of that really speaks to social acceptability,” Gull Masty said.
She said the consultation process is there for that purpose.
A second panel included Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski, and Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand.
