Yesterday, Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse attended the provincial Speech from the Throne to open the first session of the thirty-ninth Parliament of Ontario. “The Speech from the throne was positive. I am pleased that Ontario again expressed a clear commitment to work with First Nations on the implementation of the recommendations contained within the Final Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry” stated Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse.

The Regional Chief indicated that the Ipperwash Inquiry Final Report provides a unique opportunity, and the momentum necessary, to make real progress on key issues that are integral to the First Nations-Provincial relationship. Chief Toulouse emphasized that First Nations want to see government move beyond the rhetoric to concrete action. “Ontario has the opportunity to follow through on the commitments made in the Throne Speech by taking concrete steps to demonstrate the sincerity of their commitment to forging a stronger relationship with First Nations” stated Chief Toulouse.

Chief Toulouse specifically mentioned the recommendation calling for the establishment of an Aboriginal Reconciliation Fund as an example of a tangible step that could be taken. Premier McGuinty announced the creation of an Aboriginal Relationship Fund on June 21, 2007. He further indicated that First Nations in Ontario see what has taken place in British Columbia between the provincial government and First Nations in recent years. “The BC government has committed $100 million to a First Nations Relationship Trust. The expectation of the First Nations in Ontario is for a minimum investment of $100 million. This is consistent with what has taken place in BC, and especially when one considers that the First Nation population in Ontario is the largest of any other province or territory in Canada” said Chief Toulouse.

The Regional Chief said that Ontario could also demonstrate their commitment to building a stronger relationship by establishing a Treaty Commission of Ontario as called for in the Final Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry. “I was encouraged to see that Ontario committed to working toward accelerating the settlement of long unresolved land claims. I believe that the Ipperwash Inquiry Final Report was clear in calling for reform to both the federal and provincial processes for settling land claims. There are key recommendations in the Ipperwash Inquiry Final Report that call for federal, provincial and First Nation cooperation in addressing this issue” said Chief Toulouse. He pointed out that the federal initiative with respect to Specific Claims reform clearly ties in with recommendations in the Ipperwash Final Report.

The Speech from the Throne included a commitment to work with all Aboriginal peoples to improve quality of life and expand economic opportunities for Aboriginal people in the province, including greater opportunities for Aboriginal youth. Chief Toulouse indicated that opportunities for youth, including quality, accessible education, and infrastructure needs in First Nation communities remain examples of some of the issues requiring joint discussion and the development of comprehensive plans to address.

“Overall I found the Speech from the Throne to be a positive basis upon which to move forward. There is cause for some cautious optimism but the key will be for this government to follow through on these commitments and First Nations – and I believe all Ontarians – expect this government to fulfill the commitments that they have made” indicated Chief Toulouse.