Province encouraged by federal interest in Churchill, First Nation leaders say they’ve been left out

Premier Wab Kinew says he’s encouraged by Ottawa’s renewed interest in Churchill, even though the port wasn’t on the federal government’s first list of nation-building projects. But First Nations leaders here say northern development must include them.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government announced the first five projects under the new Building Canada Act, including expansions to pipelines, mines, nuclear power, and shipping in other provinces.

While the Port of Churchill wasn’t included, Ottawa says it remains under consideration, with plans that it could see major upgrades.

“To see our federal government talk about Manitoba having a potential project of national importance, I don’t know if we’ve had that since confederation,” said Kinew.

“The end goal is to make Manitoba a have province, and this is just the first two steps of a multi-step process of bringing home that opportunity to Manitoba.”

Kinew says the mention of Churchill is a positive sign, adding that investment is ALSO needed to build all-weather roads in the north and grow Manitoba’s economy.

“If we’re constructing the next generation of port and other infrastructure, if we’re building an energy corridor, we’re talking about billions of dollars of investments now, all of a sudden, a $5 billion road network is possible,” said Kinew.

Grand Chief Kyra Wilson, of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, adds, “When I think about any projects coming through Manitoba, you will have to talk to our First Nations leadership first before you enter into our territories.”

Grand Chief Wilson’s comments come as First Nations leaders in Manitoba express frustration over being left out of Ottawa’s new Indigenous Advisory Council, created to guide the Major Projects Office.

The Manitoba Métis Federation was given a seat, but no First Nations leaders from this province were invited, which Wilson feels is a mistake.

“Having one representative from the Metis here in the region that voice does not speak for First Nations, so we need to be heard at every table,” said Grand Chief Wilson.

Grand Chief Jerry Daniels, of the Southern Chiefs Organization, says, “We’ve always been proactive and even with the Hudson’s Bay we saw 77 per cent Indigenous workforce and I think that’s a great example that shows why SCO should be included in these kinds of advisories.”

Kinew adds, “I think it is a missed opportunity to not include a Manitoba First Nations representative on this Indigenous Advisory Council.”

Ottawa says the council reflects a cross-section of Indigenous leadership and will ensure meaningful consultation; however, the Premier says he will be bringing this issue up with federal leadership.