“COO will be considering the resignation of the Ontario Premier and the ensuing legislative break as an opportunity for parties in the Province to determine and discuss with First Nations how they are to be meaningfully engaged—in a manner that goes beyond political platforms,” said Beardy. “The next chapter in political relationships with First Nations must be different than the past 9 years, the need for renewal premise on which this action was based, must be applied to relationships with First Nations.”

A number of provincial political parties have announced that they would be connecting with Ontarians on prorogation and ideas for the economy, commitment must be made to have First Nations in Ontario at the forefront of this. “Any party’s desire to make Ontario a more progressive province needs to include an agenda to attack poverty in First Nations. First Nations in Ontario don’t want hand-outs but a fair share of the Province’s economic base from revenues derived from natural resources. The agreement at Treaty time on the fiscal relationship has gone awry from its original roots and needs to be reviewed in order to cultivate real hope for the next First Nation generation—and for Ontarians alike,” said Beardy.

The Chiefs of Ontario is a political forum and secretariat for collective decision making, action and advocacy for the 133 First Nation communities located within the boundaries of the province of Ontario.