For immediate release: March 1, 2023
QUEEN’S PARK—Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, on the 17th anniversary of the Douglas Creek Estates land occupation, asked the Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford, with whom Haldimand County should be consulting at Six Nations.
“Would-be investors and developers are scared away from Haldimand County because they aren’t sure what the rules are…Haldimand County asked the minister for clarification at ROMA, and no answer was given,” stated Brady.
The local MPP then pointed to the fact that the Ford government was at Six Nations on February 10th to announce the Oneida energy project.
“Speaker, the minister was part of the entourage, and he was asked by a reporter with whom the government consulted on this project,” said Brady. “Was it the elected council, the Haudenosaunee Development Institute, or both? The minister didn’t answer the question.”
MPP Brady doubled down and reminded Minister Rickford that Six Nations Chief Mark Hill has made it clear he believes his elected government is the one with which consultations must occur. Knowing this and having a good working relationship with Six Nations, Haldimand County sought clarification at ROMA in January. Still, it was denied an answer or any clear and concise policy framework.
Brady explained that the Crown has a duty to consult, and the province has handed that duty down to the county in the absence of a framework. Municipalities are told by the province to engage Indigenous communities but attempt to meet a non-defined standard.
Of note was that Brady emerged from the House incensed by the minister’s disrespectful inference that she does not understand the situation’s complexities.
“The person I think didn’t understand the issue was the minister who spoke about the Oneida energy project and not the question at hand, and twice he did not answer the question I asked. This type of deflection and disingenuous behavior is frustrating for all those wanting to work toward common goals and fostering good relationships,” Brady concluded.
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For more information, contact MPP Bobbi Ann Brady at [email protected] or 519-428-0446, 905-765-8413, 1-800-903-8629