First Nations chiefs ‘frustrated and concerned’ about exclusion from first ministers’ meetings

As Canada’s premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney discussed tariffs, infrastructure and trade in Saskatoon Monday, First Nations chiefs decried their exclusion from the meetings, saying it’s unacceptable and disrespectful. 

“Let’s be clear, any conversation about internal trade, tariffs, pipeline, all major projects must include First Nations,” said  Dutch Lerat, second vice-chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), which represents Saskatchewan’s First Nations.

“Our chiefs are very frustrated and deeply concerned.”

His comments came during a lengthy FSIN news conference Monday morning, held as first ministers and Prime Minister Carney started their meetings.

One-after-another, chiefs from Manitoba and Saskatchewan took turns lambasting Ottawa and the provinces for not including them in the meetings.

“These are all critical matters that directly impact our inherent treaty rights and constitutional rights, including rights to our lands, waters, medicines and all living things,” Lerat said.

“We are unseated. These tables are ours. Government and industry must realize this,” Chief Erica Beaudin from Cowessess First Nation said.

In particular, chiefs expressed frustration they weren’t included in the discussions expected to focus on fast-tracking approval for “nation-building” projects like pipelines.

Those kind of projects will go through treaty land and First Nations must be included in all discussions, Lerat said. 

“It also raises serious concerns about how First Nations’ rights are being protected when speed and certainty are prioritized. While First Nations want to be part of the economy, this cannot be done at the expense of our rights,” Lerat said.

Moe optimistic about Carney’s energy plans

Heading into the meeting, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he’s encouraged by Carney’s commitment to building Canada into a global energy super power, but said Ottawa needs to commit to regulatory and policy change for that to happen.

“How are we going to join as a provincial government with the federal government, and oftentimes municipalities, on publicly funded infrastructure that is going to provide the services that, at the end of the day, Canadians expect their governments to work together on?”

Moe was also questioned about the meeting’s focus on energy production, while wildfires rage out-of-control across the Prairies, something scientists say is a direct result of climate change.

“By developing Canadian products we are doing right not only by our Canadian economy and Canadians by creating jobs in our communities, but we certainly are doing right by the environment as well, in particular when it comes from a climate change perspective.”

Moe said that’s because Saskatchewan has focused on reducing its carbon footprint on agriculture and energy products.

“Our potash produced in this province has half the carbon content on a per-tonne basis than the next largest producers, which are Russia and Belarus, and I would say there’s maybe some ethical concerns with purchasing products from those countries as well.”

Sask. Opposition NDP MLA  Aleana Young said Canada needs to invest in rail lines, pipelines and power lines. 

“This is a critical moment, critical moment of consensus, where we can focus on the future and get generational projects built now. At the same time, Prime Minister Carney has committed to a new approach and we’re hopeful that there will be real and immediate action to get the job done.”

Conference will focus on tariffs

After a throne speech that was heavy on symbolism and touched on economics and sovereignty, one expert says there is no doubt Carney will want the agenda to be focused on the threat of tariffs. 

“When you’re in a conflict with the United States, it helps to have kind of broad national unity, to have the backing of a wide range of different regions,” said Daniel Westlake, an assistant professor of political studies at the University of Saskatchewan. 

Westlake believes Carney and Moe will view this event as politically beneficial — Carney can use the conference as an opportunity to extend an olive branch to a Western Canada that felt aggrieved with his predecessor. Moe can tout the federal government as being attentive to the province’s needs. 

While the choice of Saskatchewan as the location for the meeting stands out — these conferences are normally held in Ottawa — Westlake doesn’t believe the core conversations will change because of that.

“At the end of the day, the prime minister and each of the premiers are each going to have their agenda, and they’re going to talk what they want to talk about,” he said. 

Westlake believes the benefit to getting everyone in the same room is that it can get everyone on the same page. 

There will be plenty for the premiers and the prime minister to talk about, including developing a common strategy to deal with American tariffs, said Westlake.

However, he’s doubtful there will be a serious policy announcement emerging from Monday’s meeting. 

“They have important stuff to talk about. I’m just not sure it’s the stuff that yields large scale agreements,” he said. 

Resetting the Sask.-Ottawa relationship

Moe spent this spring’s eight-week legislative sitting dealing with the threat of tariffs and a late push on the topic of western separatism. 

While the province did not build tariff contingencies into its budget, Moe has made it clear he believes the path forward is to create new economic opportunities within Canada or internationally. 

“I don’t know that I have ever seen such a economic opportunity available and lying at the feet before Canadians than I do today,” Moe said on Thursday. 

Last month, the Saskatchewan premier called for a “reset” on the relationship between Ottawa and Saskatchewan, by releasing a list of 10 changes he believes Ottawa “must make.”

Moe’s demands included: 

• The immediate launch of negotiations with China in order to remove tariffs on agricultural food products, a reference to the 100 per cent tariff China has placed on Canadian canola oil and peas. 
• The end to a number of federal policies meant to lower carbon emissions, such as the industrial carbon tax and clean electricity regulations.
• Changes to the Criminal Code to address bail reform and the introduction of harsher penalties to combat “new street drugs.”
• Expansion of pipeline capacity across Canada and the opening of rail and port capacity. 
• Reduction of federal “red tape” in order to streamline federal approval of infrastructure projects and reduce “infringement” into provincial jurisdiction

Moe confirmed last month that he would raise those issues at the first ministers’ meeting in Saskatoon. 

But with a federal government that appears to be tightly focused on tariffs and the economy, Westlake doesn’t believe there will be any serious desire to move on the concerns raised by Saskatchewan.

However, he does think there will be a desire for Ottawa to not alienate Saskatchewan.

“They probably want to show that they’ve listened. Scott Moe will want to show that he’s voiced these views to the prime minister, and so there’s probably grounds for a conversation there,”  said Westlake. 

“I don’t know that we get much further than that.”