(Toronto – Ont. Feb. 23, 2026) – The Chiefs of Ontario is calling on the federal and provincial governments to take steps to improve safety along critical northern highways following a several recent deadly collisions. On January 31, 2026, a collision on Highway 11 west of Hearst tragically claimed the lives of Darrel (Jackboy) Taylor,
(Toronto, Ont.–Dec. 9, 2025) The Federal Court handed down two decisions on Friday that make clear the federal government has a fiduciary and legal duty to provide safe drinking water and adequate housing to First Nations. The decisions are related to two class action lawsuits, one about drinking water launched by Shamattawa First Nation and
(Ottawa, Ont.–Dec. 3, 2025) After years of unacceptable delays, Chiefs of Ontario is demanding the Government of Canada stop delaying implementing the 2021 First Nations class action settlement agreement. First Nations Leadership collectively representing tens of thousands of First Nations people and hundreds of thousands of kilometres of Treaty lands went to the House of
(Ottawa, Ont.—Dec. 1, 2025) Nearly a third of First Nations in Ontario are currently under a short- or long-term drinking water advisory. On Wednesday, December 3, Chiefs of Ontario will hold a media event to draw attention to this troubling and ongoing national scandal. The press conference will also serve as an opportunity to highlight
(Toronto, Ont.–Oct. 6, 2025) Opioids are killing and harming First Nations people in Ontario at an alarming rate much higher than non-First Nations people in the province, according to a new report released today. The rate of opioid-related deaths for First Nations people in the province tripled between 2019 and 2022, according to the report
(Toronto, Ont.–Aug. 28, 2025) Aerial glyphosate spraying that was planned for Lake Huron’s North Shore area has been cancelled, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and media reports. The campaign was to begin earlier last week and would have seen several First Nations and non-First Nations communities impacted but was cancelled following widespread opposition
(Toronto, Ont.–July 30, 2025) There is no documented evidence of a Métis presence in the territory of six First Nations represented by Wabun Tribal Council, according to a new report published last week by the council. The report looked at over 100 historical documents spanning more than a century leading up to the signing of
(Toronto, Ont.–June 14, 2025) The Chiefs of Ontario have issued a clear and urgent response to Bill C-5, the federal government’s proposed One Canadian Economy Act. Following an emergency meeting today, the Chiefs of Ontario Leadership Council passed a resolution strongly opposing both the content of the bill and the undemocratic process being used to
Twenty-five years after Walkerton, a water crisis persists (Toronto, Ont.–May 20, 2025) The Chiefs of Ontario have issued the following statement on the 25th anniversary of the Walkerton water crisis: “The Walkerton water crisis was a preventable tragedy. We remember and honour those who died or became ill. This horrific event has had a profound
(Toronto, Ont.–May 12, 2025) Today, the Chiefs of Ontario, in partnership with the First Nations policed under the Ontario First Nations Police Agreement (OFNPA), are releasing a report highlighting the dire situation faced by First Nations officers in Ontario and the urgent need for increased resources to support their mental health. The study surveyed the
