TORONTO—The Chiefs of Ontario (COO) are making several demands of the provincial government after the findings of Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk’s Special Report on Changes to the Greenbelt, which highlight actions taken by the government of Ontario that are concerning to Ontario First Nations.
“COO will continue to work with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) but will cease any current relationships with Minister Steve Clark until an adequate resolution of this issue has been confirmed.” The COO will also be requesting an urgent meeting between leadership council and Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford to discuss both COO leaderships stance on this issue as well as demands that must be met in order to rebuild a working relationship with the province.”
The demands that will be put forward by COO to the premier and Minster Rickford include: the immediate resignation of the MMAH Chief of Staff Ryan Amato (that demand has been realized) and that Minister Clark either resign or be removed as the Minister of MMAH; Premier Ford to commit to the 15th recommendation from the Auditor General’s Report and return the removed land parcels to Greenbelt immediately; A complete repeal of Bill 23 and an immediate reinstatement of environmental protections for the Greenbelt; a written commitment to seek consent from First Nations before any further changes are made to the Greenbelt; and an extension of the engagement deadline for the land use planning policy change (EROnumber 019-6813) by at least one year to allow for fulsome engagement from First Nations on the proposed changes.”
“COO will be undertaking an advocacy campaign to support these efforts and will be drawing on support from civil society and the public at large to ensure that the province hears our demands,” the release continues. “Further, the leadership council will be launching a formal request to the Ontario Provincial Police and Integrity Commissioner to undertake an official investigation into this matter.”
“As the COO continue to monitor this situation, it has become glaringly clear through the auditor general’s report findings that the processes in which these events took place were not transparent or fully informed, nor did they consider the need for consultation with First Nations before taking actions that directly affect First Nations inherent, treaty and constitutionally protected rights.”
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe said they are disappointed in the recent findings that the Ontario government’s plan to encroach on the portions of the protected Greenbelt were found to be favourable to specific developers and contractors. Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk released a special report on August 1, highlighting a number of concerns with the proposed development plan, particularly that it favoured certain developers and landowners.
“It is disappointing the Ford government has not only been preferential to developers but ignored the duty to consult with First Nations rights holders,” said Grand Council Chief Niganobe. “Large swaths of the greenbelt span throughout Anishinabek territory. We are invested in the protection of these lands for the benefit of everyone in the province of Ontario.”
Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk stated in the report, “Provincial government actions in 2022 to open parts of the greenbelt for development failed to consider environmental, agricultural and financial risks and impacts, proceeded with little input from experts or affected parties, and favoured certain developers/landowners.”
Further, the special report indicated a total of 15 land sites that were removed from the greenbelt allocation, could see upwards of more than a $8.3 billon increase to the monetary value of their property. In an alarming response to the report, Premier Ford stated that “no one received preferential treatment.” The Premier indicated his government would act on 14 of the 15 recommendations, disregarding the recommendation to re-evaluate the process of changing the greenbelt’s boundaries.
“This instance of inappropriately managing the Greenbelt highlights repeated oversight of our traditional ecological knowledge systems,” said Grand Council Chief Niganobe. “We believe this will lead to a broken relationship and potential legal challenges. Ontario’s approach must evolve, recognizing that meaningful engagement mandates First Nations’ involvement in these processes from the outset from design to finish. We can no longer be merely consulted after decisions are made and especially when incredibly sensitive wetlands and ecosystems are at stake.”
“The Anishinaabe principles, which are grounded in centuries of stewardship, is not just about recognizing land, but honouring and protecting it, ensuring that our air and waters remain clean,” said Grand Council Chief Niganobe. “As we find ourselves in a rapidly changing world, now more than ever, it’s imperative that our decisions are collective, future-centric and rooted in the profound responsibility we bear towards Mother Earth and our future generations. We urge the Ontario government to recognize this and act accordingly.”
Chief Hare called for the resignation of Minister Clark and his plea was met with thunderous applause from the audience of elected municipal mayors and councillors. In fact, Minister Clark’s chief of staff, Ryan Amato, did resign his position later in the day of Chief Hare’s (and others) calls for action.
