3 First Nations chiefs warn Ontario's premier Treaty 9 lands are 'not for sale'

Three Treaty 9 First Nations chiefs say they will challenge a proposed Ontario law to implement "special economic zones" to speed up development, if passed.

Chief Donny Morris of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, a community around 580 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, said Wednesday his response to Bill 5 is the same as Premier Doug Ford's response to U.S. threats of annexation.

"Canada and Ontario lands is not for sale. It's the same perception we have, too," he said.

"Just flip it around and face me. You'll hear the same words you're telling the president of the U.S." 

The Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, also known as Bill 5, would make changes to just under a dozen laws aiming to accelerate mining projects in the province, including in an area dubbed the Ring of Fire — a vast mineral-rich area of Treaty 9 land.

Ford said at an April news conference he wants to remove "red tape" around exploration projects to help protect Ontario and Canada's economy against U.S. tariffs.

Morris, Chief Sylvia Koostachin-Metatawabin of Attawapiskat First Nation and Chief June Black of Apitipi Anicinapek Nation, said in a news release last month they will challenge Bill 5 if it's passed.

"If tariffs is pushing this government to take shortcuts, to try and override our communities, our homelands, that's not the way to go," Morris said.

"We gotta work together whether you like it or not."

The three First Nations are among a dozen Treaty 9 First Nations suing the province over the way resource and land management decisions are made in the region. 

Kate Kempton, the lawyer representing the First Nations in the lawsuit, said the province using tensions with the U.S. as a reason to table legislation to streamline the approval of resource extraction projects is "a joke."

"The tariffs are just an excuse to rampantly run over the environment in First Nations to get a bunch of money into the coffers of the provincial government," said Kempton.

She said it would take around two years for Ontario to approve and build the roads for a mine and nearly a dozen years to build one, so it's not an immediate solution to stabilize the economy against tariffs. 

"Nobody's against this sort of development per se, but we're against unilateral, reckless development that pays no regard to the environment or to human communities," Kempton said.

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations in Ontario, and the Mushkegowuk Council, which represents seven First Nations on the James Bay coast and inland, have also expressed their opposition to the bill.

'Ontario must remain competitive,' says province 

In a written statement, a spokesperson for the province said it is focused on creating conditions to allow businesses to confidently invest in Ontario.

"In the face of growing global economic uncertainty and ongoing U.S. tariffs, Ontario must remain competitive in attracting and securing job-creating investments," wrote communications co-ordinator Meaghan Evans.

"The proposed legislation is about unlocking Ontario's true economic potential. The duty to consult will not be compromised as part of this process."

Bill 5 passed second reading on Tuesday and will now be studied by a committee before moving forward.