It took about 170 years to get it done, but members of the 21 First Nations impacted by a fiscal injustice will now see the governments of Ontario and Canada step up to make things right, or at least more right than they were before.
Canada and Ontario announced a $10 billion dollar settlement to address a situation where First Nations had been ignored, and some say outright cheated, when it comes to an agreement signed way back in 1850. The Robinson-Huron Treaties committed the federal and Ontario provincial governments to providing impacted First Nations with a per capita annuity tied to resource revenues generated on their land.
It started out well enough and in good faith. At first, the annual annuity was $1.70 per person, and was raised once, and only once, in 1875, to $4.00 per person. And that was the last time that number moved, despite a huge increase in revenues from resources extracted from Native lands.
The proposed out-of-court settlement will be shared equally between Ottawa and Queen’s Park.
The Ontario Superior Court ruled in 2018 that the federal and provincial governments had a legal obligation to increase annual payments to the First Nations under the terms of the Robinson-Huron Treaty to accurately reflect the value of the resources coming out of their territories.
The co-operation between the federal and provincial governments on such an important issue is a great example of how government could and should work, joining forces collaboratively regardless of political stripe. The federal Liberals are in charge in Ottawa, while Doug Ford’s Tories are in power in Ontario. And while they don’t necessarily agree on all things, they have demonstrated a willingness to work together to get positive things done.
The two governments have co-operated on numerous major files, like the Stellantis factory in Windsor, the new, huge Volkswagen factory in Woodstock, the trucker protest and occupation of Ottawa and border crossings, COVID-19 responses, and others. Say what you want about Doug Ford, but he’s more than once demonstrated a willingness to “roll up the sleeves” to work with his federal counterparts, and, when it happens, the people of Ontario benefit.
With this announcement, 21 Robinson-Huron First Nations will have a much needed infusion of cash to help them deal with chronic issues in their communities, issues often not addressed or not adequately addressed due to a lack of available funds.
In a time of shouting, finger-pointing political polarization, it’s refreshing to see political leaders demonstrating political maturity when it comes to solving problems. Sadly, I believe it to be more the exception than the rule.
Map accessed from Sudbury.com
NEWSMAGRENFREW 