(October 27, 2021 – Toronto, Ontario) Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare issued the following statement welcoming all new and returning federal cabinet ministers and urging immediate action on First Nations priorities:

“Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled his new Cabinet for the House of Commons for the upcoming session of the 44th Canadian Parliament, set to kick off on November 22, 2021,” said Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare.

“I am pleased to see Prime Minister Trudeau achieve gender parity and diversity within his Cabinet. On behalf of the Chiefs of Ontario, I offer my congratulations to the Prime Minister and the new Cabinet. I would like to acknowledge returning Minister Marc Miller for his new role as Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and congratulate Minister Patty Hadju on her new appointment as Minister of Indigenous Services.

This is an opportunity for the federal government and all cabinet ministers to establish a new and collaborative approach to working with First Nations leadership and to take immediate action on addressing our priorities and outstanding issues. We have made steady progress in addressing some of the inequalities First Nations face in Ontario, but much work remains to be completed.

In particular, fulfilling the 94 calls to action outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Report, addressing climate change and the impacts of climate change on our traditional lands and waters, and enhancing economic prosperity for First Nations and an equitable post-pandemic recovery. Priorities, all of which require action by all ministers and departments in partnership with First Nations leadership and based on a renewed relationship and full commitment to moving our shared priorities to the forefront.

I look forward to meeting with the Prime Minister and his Cabinet as soon as possible to deliver action on our shared priorities as outlined in the Towards a New Relationship document, as well as, meeting with the new ministers to begin charting collaborative strategies forward with the federal government.”

Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare

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The Chiefs of Ontario supports 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.

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Genna Benson
Communications and Public Affairs Manager
Policy and Communications Sector
Chiefs of Ontario
Telephone: 416-523-4020
Email: Genna.Benson@coo.org