I want to thank the honourable member for his question and welcome his guests to this place today.

Mr. Speaker, that’s precisely what we’re doing. We take our responsibilities through section 35 of the charter very seriously. They’re affirmed, and they necessarily involve consultation and engagement with Indigenous communities across all of Ontario, in fact. That’s why, for example, with the Far North Act, we heard the communities loud and clear, through one of the most extensive consultations for the Far North Act. That was modernized with my colleague at the time, Minister Yakabuski as he was, and reflected a consensus-based model on all aspects and any aspects of development in the Treaty 9 area consumed or subsumed by the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation. We will continue to act in that fashion.

There are leaders here who represent communities that are still deriving their electricity from diesel. I can’t help but think that the honourable member stands against that. The Watay Power connection and other legacy pieces of infrastructure, including companies owned and operated by Indigenous people, stand ready to supply good, clean energy to those northern communities, roads to improve their health, social and economic access to programming. That’s what this government does best and that’s what we’ll continue to work on.

Meegwetch, Speaker. Remarks in Anishininiimowin. Good morning. We would like to welcome the leadership and community members of Treaty 9, who are visiting here today: from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Chief Donny Morris and Jacob Ostaman; from Eabametoong First Nation, Chief Solomon Atlookan, Councillor Charlie O’Keese and their staff; from Neskantaga First Nation, former Chief Peter Moonias, former Chief Wayne Moonias, Councillor Kelvin Moonias and Dayna Scott; from the traditional territories of these lands, the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, Chief Stacey Laforme—meegwetch for joining us; from Mushkegowuk Council, Grand Chief Alison Linklater and her staff; and from Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Deputy Grand Chief Victor Linklater.

Welcome to our House. Meegwetch.

My question is, is Ontario prepared to agree that all proposed mines in the Ring of Fire region will be designated to need provincial comprehensive EAs, and actually involve the nations who will be impacted?

Despite the pro-mining posturing, this government hasn’t actually set up any real progress in the Ring of Fire. First Nations and mining companies know that nothing is happening there until real partnerships occur.

Will Ontario recognize that it has abused the treaty promises, and that continued efforts by the Premier to bulldoze the north will lead to conflict and stall any real partnerships?

Will Ontario commit to negotiating in good faith with the First Nations and Canada to develop a new decision-making regime for the north that can actually encourage some development by ensuring First Nations have real authority to say yes or no to major developments in their homelands?

Interjections.

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?