Ontario Throne Speech does not impress

Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy of the Assembly of First Nations said the Ontario government’s Throne Speech, delivered Feb. 19, offered little to signal a genuine change of course in the First Nations and provincial government relationship. “There were some promising statements in the Throne Speech but nothing new to signal that Premier (Kathleen) Wynne and this government will act to make the fundamental changes that need to be made to address First Nations priorities and to improve our relationship,” said Beardy. The Throne Speech reiterated a commitment to work to ensure that Aboriginal communities have access to the tools and training to fully participate in the economy and to share in the benefits derived from resource development, and also pledged to work with Aboriginal communities to “close the gap” between First Nations, Métis and Inuit children and their non-Aboriginal peers. Beardy said while he appreciates the intent of Wynne and the provincial government to work toward a more fair society, he emphasized the need for both levels of government to consider those factors that have contributed to the Idle No More movement and its popularity. “First Nations have a unique relationship with governments as defined by our treaties and we must be dealt with on the basis of our treaty relationships and our constitutionally-protected rights,” said Beardy.