News 
COMMUNITY NOTICE: SECURE CERTIFICATE OF INDIAN STATUS & CROSS BORDER UPDATE
5/16/2012
As of April 2012, approximately 35,000 secure status cards had been issued in total (23,000 of the domestic and 12,000 of the border crossing format). Intake began in border communities in 2009, with the first cards issued in December 2009. The cards are only available at a few locations, due to setbacks the government has incurred in implementing the system in which the cards are rolled out.
Two formats of the Secure Certificate of Indian Status are available. A border secure format (with machine-readable zone) and a standard, domestic format of the SCIS are available. The new cards is a more reliable and secure form of identification and can be used to access federal programs and services such as non-insured health benefits and treaty annuities. The new secure CIS card will replace the existing laminated card. The existing laminated cards will still be valid until the expiry date has lapsed and the new secure status card becomes available.
PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES - JOINT STATEMENT RE: DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY
5/9/2012
PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES
Eleventh session
New York, 7-18 May 2012
Agenda Item 4(a): Implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Speaker: National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo
Joint Statement of Assembly of First Nations, Chiefs of Ontario, Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee), Amnesty International, Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers), Union of BC Indian Chiefs, National Association of Friendship Centres, Treaty 4 First Nations, Amistie internationale Canada francophone.
The Doctrine of Discovery: its enduring impact on indigenous peoples and the right to redress (article 28 and 37 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples)
ONTARIO REGIONAL CHIEF ANGUS TOULOUSE STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF CHIEF RANDY KAPASHESIT
4/26/2012
Toronto (ON) – As many First Nations leaders, councillors and citizens met yesterday in Toronto we were deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Chief Randy Kapashesit of the MoCreebec Council of the Cree Nation. Throughout his distinguished career, Chief Kapashesit was committed to improving the lives of First Nations people --- locally, nationally and internationally. The protection of the environment was a key priority of Chief Kapashesit and he dedicated much of his time to working with other First Nations in Ontario and environmental NGO’s on many initiatives of critical importance in this area.
SWEEPING VICTORY FOR FIRST NATIONS IN CHILD WELFARE CASE
4/20/2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Toronto, ON – On April 18, 2012 the Honourable Madam Justice Mactavish of the Federal Court issued her judgment and reasons for judgment in the matter of the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) challenge to federal under-funding and under-servicing for First Nation child welfare on reserve. On several fundamental issues the judgment supports the positions taken by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the Chiefs of Ontario (COO), and Amnesty International.
In 2007 the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and the Assembly of First Nations filed the original human rights complaint against the federal government for underfunding and substandard child welfare services on reserve. The Commission referred the complaint to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal for a full hearing. In accordance with Chiefs Assembly Resolution # 09/21 “First Nations Child and Family Services-Canadian Human Rights Complaint”, COO intervened to ensure consideration due to the uniqueness Ontario First Nations have with the 1965 Welfare Agreement.
TREATY IMPLEMENTATION REMAINS THE PRIORITY FOR THE FIRST NATIONS IN ONTARIO
3/30/2012
Toronto, ON - The federal budget released on March 29th, 2012 does not signal to the First Nations in Ontario that Ottawa is prepared to make a shift in its relationship with the indigenous peoples who have already contributed much to Canada’s prosperity, shared Regional Chief Angus Toulouse.
“On January 24th, the Chiefs in Ontario issued clear recommendations to Prime Minister Harper about how First Nations and the federal government could move forward together on priority matters -- by committing to Treaty implementation.” said the Regional Chief, indicating that this budget falls short of that vision.
ONTARIO REGIONAL CHIEF TOULOUSE RESPONDS TO GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO BUDGET
3/28/2012
Toronto, ON - Yesterday, Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan presented the provincial budget which was described as a five year plan to keep Ontario on track to balance the budget by 2017-18. The budget proposes to reduce spending by $17.7 billion over the next three years while increasing revenues by $4.4 billion without raising taxes.
Ontario Regional Chief Toulouse indicated the provincial budget contained no new spending announcements targeted for the First Nations population but that it outlined specific priorities in several areas that are of concern to the First Nations in Ontario. “Clearly the focus of this budget is on cost containment and finding ways to generate new revenue. The First Nations in this province understand the financial realities but we are disappointed that there was no new investment,” stated Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse.
BULLETIN: PROVINCIAL BUDGET 2012
3/28/2012
TO: All First Nations, Tribal Councils & Provincial / Territorial Organizations
FROM: Regional Chief Angus Toulouse
DATE: March 28, 2012
RE: Provincial Budget 2012
Overview
- Title: “Strong Action for Ontario: A Plan to Balance the Budget, Create Jobs, Protect Education and Health Care”
- Release date: March 27, 2012 by Finance Minister Dwight Duncan
- Implements some Drummond recommendations
o Average annual growth in program spending held at 0.9% - Close to Drummond’s .8% recommendation
o Background: Drummond made broad recommendations to undertake spending decisions based on evidence, amalgamate/integrate certain public services, recoup lost sources of revenue, privatize and centralize services when feasible, and increase and introduce user fees.
- Eliminate deficit by 2017-18
- Summary of Budget: As promised, taxes will not be raised and the corporate income tax rate will remain frozen. Public pensions are being reassessed, and wage freezes occurring for public sector employees/execs. They will look to new revenue sources and explore new areas to diversify economic development opportunities. Previous education promises will remain.
PLANNED CHANGES TO ONTARIO’S FEED-IN TARIFF PROGRAM SUPPORT INCREASED FIRST NATIONS PARTICIPATION IN RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR
3/22/2012
TORONTO - Today, the Ontario Minister of Energy outlined planned changes to the Ontario governments’ Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program following its’ first review. The FIT program was enabled by the 2009 Green Energy and Green Economy Act and provides a guaranteed pricing structure for renewable energy production.
The original FIT program rules included two provisions to support the development of Aboriginal projects, including reduced security payments and an additional price incentive. These two provisions have been maintained with minor changes. A new “set aside” for projects that have greater than 50 per cent Aboriginal equity ownership was announced in addition to a new points system that will be used to prioritize FIT applications. For instance, a project with minimum 15% Aboriginal equity ownership will receive three points, and projects applications that include First Nations Band Council resolutions will receive two points.
INTERNATIONAL WORLD WATER DAY REMINDS US OF THE NEED TO ENSURE THE PROTECTION OF WATERS
3/22/2012
Toronto, ON - March 22 has been designated by the United Nations as World Water Day and is recognized and celebrated each year across the globe. The intent of World Water Day is to raise awareness on the state of the world’s waters and to encourage action to protect water worldwide every day of the year.
In 2008, the 133 First Nations in Ontario unanimously approved the First Nations Water Declaration as the statement outlining their perspectives and values with respect to the waters. “As First Nations we have a duty to care for the waters in our territories. The First Nations Water Declaration re-affirms our collective rights and also makes clear that we will honour our responsibilities,” said the Regional Chief.
ONTARIO REGIONAL CHIEF WELCOMES NEW ONTARIO ABORIGINAL PROCUREMENT STRATEGY
3/20/2012
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Government has introduced a new two-year pilot Aboriginal Procurement Strategy that will require provincial ministries to consider Aboriginal procurement preferences for the delivery of goods and services in specific circumstances. “The announcement of this strategy is welcome and one that First Nations have been advocating for many years. We have a young, growing population that is focused on business development and entrepreneurship, and this strategy will assist existing and new businesses to grow and expand,” stated Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse.
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