“It is essential that Canada address the basic infrastructure needs of First Nations. Today’s meeting on Bill C-5 is only a starting point for this conversation.” – Grand Chief Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 17, 2025
UNCEDED ALGONQUIN TERRITORY, QUEBEC — On behalf of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO), Grand Chief Jerry Daniels joined Chiefs, Grand Chiefs, the National Chief, proxies, and other First Nations leaders from across Canada as they met with Prime Minister Mark Carney and his government on the unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation.
Grand Chief Jerry Daniels shares the following:
“Today, I joined leaders from across Canada to at a historic meeting to discuss Bill C-5, ‘One Canadian Economy: An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act.’
While it is significant for the Prime Minister to call a meeting with all First Nations Chiefs, one day of discussions is not enough. This event does not constitute ‘consultation.’ It is simply engagement. I encourage the Prime Minister and his Ministers to travel directly to First Nations to meet with leaders and to see the local realities firsthand.
It is clear there are many concerns from the Chiefs about Bill C-5. This law has been passed without any consultation and consent from First Nations. One of our major concerns is the potential environmental impact of resource development.
In Manitoba, thousands of citizens are impacted by the worst wildfire season we have seen in my lifetime. Traditional knowledge shares the importance of maintaining balance in our relationship with Mother Earth, her resources, and her ecosystems—upon which our survival depends.
I encourage all Canadians to pay attention to the fires decimating forests in Manitoba—these fires not only displace thousands of people of all ages; they also impact our ability to breathe clean air. Canadians should make themselves aware of the floods that are happening around the world and the lives being lost due to this extreme weather. This volatile weather is absolutely connected to climate change.
At SCO, we were touched to witness an overwhelming response from Manitobans who wanted to help the thousands of citizens impacted by wildfires. The caring and supportive response shows me that there is much hope for us to work together with non-First Nations citizens to address climate change. I encourage all Canadians who are concerned about this to join us in expressing to the Government of Canada that we absolutely must proceed with caution and care when we are developing resources.
This meeting was challenging because there was no opportunity for everyone to share their views and knowledge. I personally did not have the opportunity to ask any questions. Many participants noted there was no opportunity for an actual dialogue with the Prime Minister. Some leaders left the meeting early due to their dismay with the event.
If I had the opportunity to pose questions to the Prime Minister about Bill C-5, I would ask: What guarantees do we have that there will be a true balance between infrastructure development and prosperity, and environmental protection in terms of sustainable development? And what guarantees do we have that the First Nations of our respective ancestral territories will be able to fulfill their role as stewards of the land for future generations by exercising their ancestral and Treaty rights?”
As First Nations, we are not opposed to economic development and prosperity. However, our lived experience is that there has been a real lack of resource sharing with First Nations. Our Chiefs have rightfully raised the issue of reconciliation—how can they trust that any upcoming and future resource development will benefit the Nations when they have not benefitted us in the past? In fact, in many cases, resource development has caused significant harms to our citizens.
How can we focus on developing resources when First Nations continue to lack basic infrastructure such as safe housing, clean drinking water and effective wastewater systems, along with a lack of Internet access? Why are we having these discussions when many of us are seeking answers on what is happening with Jordan’s Principle? Our children, youth, and families deserve to have answers.
I encourage the Prime Minister and his government to move forward with developing this basic infrastructure for First Nations and for reinstating funds to support the work of Jordan’s Principle before we start major developments that do not help to level the playing field for First Nations citizens of all ages from coast to coast to coast.
One cultural teaching that has come up in discussions around Bill C-5 is the importance of thinking of the next seven generations. As First Nations, we are not only responsible for the people who are alive now. We are also responsible to care for the coming generations. It is with this knowledge that our Chiefs have gathered to advocate for their Nations.
It is my hope that the Prime Minister leaves his meeting today with clarity that we must work together in a good way to ensure any developments support a healthy earth with clean air and safe drinking water for the health and benefit of our future generations.”
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 32 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
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Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca