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The Premier of Ontario has apologized to Anishinabek Nations for hurtful comments he made about Indigenous peoples June 18.
On June 19 in front of the media at Queen's Park in Toronto, the seat of the province’s government, Premier Doug Ford said his meeting with the First Nations that make up the Anishinabek Nation was very productive.
With Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige standing by his side, Ford said “I get pretty passionate, and I just want to say I sincerely apologize for my words, not only if it hurt all the chiefs in that room, but all First Nations.”
In an address to media June 18 about the upcoming meeting with the Anishinabek Nations, Ford said about First Nations' resistance to Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, Ontario was handing First Nations an opportunity on a silver platter with equity funding to invest in major projects in exchange for their support for access to their territories’ resources.
But they cannot "keep coming hat in hand all the time to the government" for more money, he said, adding he had been treating them “like gold”.
“But there's going to be a point that you can't just keep coming hat in hand all the time to the government. You've got to be able to take care of yourselves… you literally have gold mines, nickel mines, every type of critical mineral that the world wants, and you're saying, 'No, no, I don't want to touch that, by the way, give me money' — not going to happen."
A chastened Ford said he wants prosperity for First Nations, their children and their grandchildren. He said he had mentioned in the meeting that “when we work together, ourselves, being the province, First Nations communities, and the federal government, we’re unstoppable.
“And there’s one person we need to stop and that’s Donald Trump.”
He repeated his apology before the glare of the cameras.
“We’re going to work together. We’re going to get through this.”
He said he respects treaty rights and the duty to consult. “Without First Nations, we can’t get critical minerals out of the ground. We can’t have the energy that we need, that the whole world wants. So, again Miigwetch. Appreciate everything,” said Ford.
He acknowledged that “nothing moves without First Nations consultation and respecting the duty to consult.”
Anishinabek Nations Grand Council Chief Debassige said she understood the media’s interest was to continue to breathe life into “perhaps what some people would call racist comments that were expressed.” Ford looked uncomfortable hearing those words.
“I can confirm that before the meeting started that the premier has indeed and did indeed apologize to First Nations rights holders at that table today,” said Debassige. “Our chiefs felt today that the apology was sincere. We are looking at today as a new day going forward.” She said that they would take back the meeting discussions to chiefs that were unable to attend the meeting.
While the meeting was not exclusively about Bill 5, Debassige said the premier had agreed to continue the dialogue with rights holders to move forward in a good way. She made sure the media understood that the meeting was not considered consultation on Bill 5.
“I agree with that,” said Ford.
While he has apologized to Anishinabek chiefs, “I know the premier knows there is more to do in this regard. And I believe his words,” Debassige said.
The Anishinabek Nation remains opposed to Bill 5 “and the speed at which Bill 5 was entertained”, said Debassige. This had been communicated to the premier. The First Nations have proposed ideas and solutions. And the premier has made commitments that she wasn’t willing to reveal until other nations are informed, she said.
“We are not here to perpetuate a circus… We remain steadfast in the rights of our nations and supporting those rights.”
“Everyone really poured their hearts out,” in the meeting, said Ford, but he said time was of the essence. “And there’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, once in a generational opportunity to move forward and make sure that everyone prospers.”
Media pushed on the inappropriateness of Ford’s comments.
“I sit back, I get passionate because I want to help people, that’s what it is. And I speak from the heart and sometimes my words don’t come out properly, which I think you’ve all seen over a number of years. I’m never too shy to go up and say it in front of the cameras, stand in front of the… (chiefs)… and say ‘my words that came out yesterday….I sincerely apologize if that has offended anyone.’”