I have the honour today to introduce chiefs and community members: from Apitipi Anicinapek Nation, Chief June Black; from Constance Lake First Nation, Chief Ramona Sutherland; from Aroland First Nation, Councillor Mark Bell; from Attawapiskat First Nation, Chief Sylvia Koostachin-Metatawabin and her community members; and the legal team for Treaty 9 First Nations, Kate Kempton and Tara McDonald of Woodward and Co.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Today, several Treaty 9 First Nations and their law firm are here to announce their legal case to end unilateral crown decisions. For years they have been ignored, denied their decision-making rights, and they’ve had enough. It is imperative for this government to respect Treaty 9 and start working with and alongside First Nations to ensure growth and prosperity like the rest of the province.

To the Premier: Will this government ensure pre-informed consent for equal opportunity and collaboration at the decision-making level going forward with all First Nations?

Wake up, Premier. These First Nations are suing your government. The First Nations are here and they are saying this government is not collaborating. We’ve seen it time and time again: Attawapiskat extension to full reserve: The community cannot expand because they’re landlocked—think about this—on their traditional territories; boil-water advisories for 30 years, and it’s still happening; Kashechewan relocation: Not even the road built, and nothing has moved forward, and yet again they’re being evacuated; and not to mention: the opioid crisis, the lack of health services, housing, and much more that First Nations are facing.

I ask again, will this government respect First Nations rights and get consent?

Interjections.