After meeting with 39 Anishinabek Nation chiefs, Ontario Premier Doug Ford reversed his position and pledged that no mining or development projects in First Nations communities — including in the Ring of Fire — will move forward without their consultation.
The meeting follows weeks of growing resistance to Bill 5, with First Nations leaders saying it was passed without meaningful consultation and warning the law violates treaty rights. Some have signalled potential blockades of roads, railways and mining sites if the province proceeds.
Ford had warned such actions would not be “wise,” saying, “They need to move on or they’ll be dealt with appropriately,” but following his meeting, his tone shifted significantly.
In a joint press conference on Thursday with First Nations leaders, Ford said the meeting with the chiefs was “productive” and added that critical mineral development — a key part of Ontario’s economic strategy — cannot happen without partnership with Indigenous communities.
“Nothing moves without First Nations consultation — respecting the duty to consult and making sure we work together,” Ford said. “We're going to get through this, and we're going to have a great collaboration.”
First Nations leaders who attended the meeting said the premier’s apology was welcome, but did not change their position. “Our nations remain opposed to Bill 5,” said Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige of the Anishinabek Nation. “This was not a consultation — it was our first conversation.”
Ford also intends to visit First Nations communities to hear their needs directly — whether related to water, long-term care, or infrastructure. “When First Nations prosper, Ontario prospers,” he said. “And when Ontario prospers, Canada prospers.”
Ford also apologized for remarks he made on Wednesday, when he said First Nations were coming “hat-in-hand” for money from his government while rejecting resource development.
At the heart of the legislation is a provision that allows the provincial cabinet to create “special economic zones,” where selected projects and developers could be exempt from environmental regulations and planning laws — undermining First Nations consultation. The government has already signalled its intent to designate the Ring of Fire as a “special economic zone” under the new law.
Tools for consultation
Debassige said the meeting focused on broader treaty responsibilities, but not on the legislative substance of the bill. “Our First Nations have said, and continue to say, that we are not opposed to development; however, it must be done with us as true partners.”
She added that the Ontario government has now officially recognized that lands and resources are not theirs to give, exploit or regulate as economic corridors.
Laura Bowman, a lawyer with Ecojustice, says the Ford government’s approach to consultation under Bill 5 falls far short of constitutional obligations. “You can’t fulfill the duty to consult after removing the tools needed to do it,” she said. “The duty to consult requires more than just meetings … It requires information-sharing, clear regulatory frameworks and enforceable mechanisms to accommodate First Nations’ rights.”
Bowman says by exempting certain projects from environmental assessments and planning laws, the province is depriving First Nations of critical information — such as how development may affect local wildlife, water or culturally significant lands — and removing the legal tools needed to negotiate protections or alternatives.
“The government has passed a law without telling communities how it will be used, what projects will be exempt or what safeguards will remain,” she said. “That’s not consultation — that’s bypassing the entire process.”
Bowman told Canada’s National Observer the province needs to change the special economic zone provision of the bill to include clear rules for consent, environmental oversight and real engagement.
Sara Mainville, an Anishinaabe lawyer, said many First Nations are exploring legal avenues to challenge the bill.
“Right now, the idea that we should just trust them is a non-starter for First Nations,” she said. “There’s no trust right now.”
NDP MPP: ‘We are not stakeholders. We are treaty partners.’
Sol Mamakwa, the NDP MPP for Kiiwetinoong and the only First Nations member of the Ontario Legislature, said Ford’s change in tone is welcome — but not enough.
“The premier seems to have realized that this can’t move forward without First Nations,” Mamakwa said. “But let’s be clear — this wasn’t consultation. And we’re not stakeholders. We’re treaty partners.”
Mamakwa told Canada’s National Observer Bill 5 backs Indigenous communities “into a corner” and warned that the only recourse left may be legal or direct action. “If we’re not part of the decision-making from the start, it’s not reconciliation. It’s just politics.”
Mainville told Canada’s National Observer the government must be transparent about how it plans to fulfill its constitutional duty to consult First Nations and Métis peoples — especially since Bill 5 exempts major projects from key legislation that would normally trigger such consultation.
“Without a clear regulatory path, what’s left is political promises,” she said, “and First Nations have seen how those can shift.”
Abdul Matin Sarfraz / Canada’s National Observer / Local Journalism Initiative
Comments
What about all those abandoned wells all across the country that the o&g left for the tax payers to clean up. What about those mines that still haven't been cleaned despite all the Federal money given to Alberta. That is exactly why when Federal money is given for something it should be proven by the provinces that it has been spent on that project. Something seriously wrong with just handing Premiers money to do as they wish with it despite their promises.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/non-producing-oil-gas-wells-mcgill-1.75…
I feel that Indigenous leaders were overly generous in their remarks following the conversation with Premier Ford, given the callous, naive and ill-informed comments he made prior to it, not to mention his flawed proposals. Comments like that coming from an elected leader can set the whole truth and reconciliation process back by years. This, just at a time when public service organizations have implemented a range of educational opportunities over the past few years to reveal and increase the understanding of Canada's 'true' history, making progress toward fulfilling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action #57, which addresses public servants and their role in reconciliation.
"It mandates education and training for all levels of government employees on Indigenous history, the legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Treaties, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. It emphasizes the need for skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism."
I think a lot of government employees are getting it now. How about our elected leaders?
Ford’s actions and tone are eerily similar to NS’s Premier Houston’s approach to ramming through resource extractions, including uranium. He is doing this despite longstanding bans and public outcry based upon detailed science. He calls the objectors “fearmongerers” and “special interest groups” who are obstructing NS’s “progress”. Would love to see journalists tackle this “Trumpian” approach by Canada’s premiers. Good grief!
The federal obstructionist Opposition (so they call themselves) and the Con premiers have damaged Canada in the last 10-15 years and it is time for them to be voted out and real 'Progressives' (not overly progressive but actually progressive) need to step forth and take a chance on governing. These right wingers, hard right wingers, have scared real progressives from the politics of the day. Time for them to care about Canada and fellow Canadians enough to do the work and help us all. Look what Mr. Fanjoy did in poilievre's riding. Slowly but surely he had the meanie sent packing. Trouble is he just won't take a hint and leave. Who the heck is encouraging him to stay or has he got the goods on some of them. Very curious that he won't leave like all others before him that lost their seat (this guy lost a supposed confirmed election for them) and he's still staying. What gives. Are they drinking his kook aide. Say no thanks.
If you create legislation that removes the duty to consult Indigenous communities to obtain free prior and informed consent (FPIC), then promise you will consult in spite of what your legislation states, how should that be interpreted? I would call it BS.