(Toronto, ON – September 22, 2023) The Ontario Regional Chief supports Premier Doug Ford in his decision to reverse the changes made to the Greenbelt and his commitment to ensure it remains a protected and conserved area. It remains to be seen, however, what precise measures the Province will take to give effect to that announcement and the details of those measures may be of great significance in determining how well protected the lands those lands will be. The Chiefs of Ontario and Ontario First Nations Leadership will all be following developments closely.

In addition to the 15th recommendation from the Auditor General’s Report and return the removed land parcels to Greenbelt, the Ontario Regional Chief calls for the complete reversal of the regulatory and legislative changes that were made with respect to the Greenbelt in December 2022. This includes a complete repeal of Bill 23 and an immediate reinstatement of environmental protections for the Greenbelt. Further, the Ontario Leadership Council is demanding a written commitment to seek consent from affected First Nations before any further changes are made to the Greenbelt.

The Chiefs of Ontario will also be requesting an urgent meeting between Leadership Council and Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Greg Rickford, to discuss both Leadership’s stance on this issue as well as demands that must be met in order to rebuild a working relationship with the Province.

The full list of demands put forth to the Premier and Minister Rickford were as follows:

  1. The immediate resignation of the MMAH Chief of Staff, Ryan Amato and that Minister Clark either resign or be removed as the Minister of MMAH;
  2. Premier Ford to commit to the 15th recommendation from the Auditor General’s Report and return the removed land parcels to Greenbelt immediately;
  3. A complete repeal of Bill 23 and an immediate reinstatement of environmental protections for the Greenbelt;
  4. A written commitment to seek consent from First Nations before any further changes are made to the Greenbelt; and
  5. An extension of the engagement deadline for the land use planning policy change (ERO number 019-6813) by at least one (1) year to allow for fulsome engagement from First Nations on the proposed changes.

The COO looks forward to raising these concerns and demands directly with the Premier and his staff to ensure that First Nations voices are heard and that substantial action is taken to rectify the situation and reinstate the trust of all Ontarians to have a transparent and trustworthy government.

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The Chiefs of Ontario support all First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction and their chosen expression of nationhood. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @ChiefsOfOntario.

 

Media Contact:

Christopher Hoyos

Director of Policy and Communications

Policy and Communications Sector

Chiefs of Ontario

Telephone: (416) 579 4998

Email: Chris.Hoyos@coo.org