Saskatchewan First Act bill passed following final reading inside Legislature
The province passed The Saskatchewan First Act, also known as Bill 88, following its third and final reading in the Legislature on Thursday.
Over 100 First Nations and Métis leaders watched from the public gallery as the government passed the act. They rose to their feet in silent protest as the speaker called for a count of MLAs opposed to the bill.
The legislation is intended to assert provincial government control over resources in the province. The Indigenous leaders say they weren't consulted and the bill infringes on treaty and Métis rights.
“Our assembly was clear and unanimous on rejecting the Sask. First Act because of, it infringes upon our section 35 rights as Metis people in this province,” Michelle LeClair, vice-president of Metis Saskatchewan said.
“We have 80,000 Métis people in this province and their rights are being disrespected.”
Premier Scott Moe said the act would protect all Saskatchewan people’s opportunity to grow.
“This is very indicative of the ongoing conversation that has to happen around Bill 88 protecting our ability to provide that growth,” he said.
“This bill is not a division between that relationship and protecting treaty rights, this is a bill that is protecting our opportunity in this province from federal infringement.”
First Nations leaders point to a current auction of Crown land as an example of their rights not being respected.
“It’s abrupt and it has continued to cause disruptions within our own communities, especially where we are trying to manage lands,” said Rod Belanger, member of Ochapowace Chicksaw First Nation.
The act was introduced into the legislative assembly last fall.
The act will go to the Lt. Governor for royal assent but will likely face legal challenges. The Federation of Sovreign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) says it will go to court because the bill infringes on inherent treaty rights.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Joly touts 'private' diplomacy as Mexico criticizes Canada's culture, trade
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is not escalating a war of words with Mexico, after the Mexican president criticized Canada's culture and its framing of border issues.
Singh won't support Conservative non-confidence motion that uses his own words
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he won't play Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's games by voting to bring down the government on an upcoming non-confidence motion.
Calgary man who drove U-Haul over wife sentenced to 15 years
A Calgary man who killed his wife in 2020 when he drove over her in a loaded U-Haul has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
Canada Post strike: Kids no longer need to mail their letters to Santa by the end of the week
Canada Post says it has removed the deadline for its Santa Claus letter program amid an ongoing national workers' strike that has halted mail delivery leading up to the holiday season.
Opposition leaders talk unity following Trudeau meeting about Trump, minister calls 51st state comment 'teasing'
The prime minister’s emergency meeting with opposition leaders on Tuesday appears to have bolstered a more united front against U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
Another case of 'zombie deer' disease confirmed in B.C.'s Kootenays
Health officials have confirmed a fourth case of chronic wasting disease in B.C.’s Kootenay region, prompting calls for a swift cull to prevent further spread.
Man severely injured saving his wife from a polar bear attack in the Far North
A man was severely injured Tuesday morning when he leaped onto a polar bear to protect his wife from being mauled in the Far North community of Fort Severn.
Video shows 'completely unprovoked' stranger attack in Vancouver, police say
Police in Vancouver are searching for witnesses after a seemingly random and unprovoked assault was captured on video in the city's downtown core.
South Korea lifts president's martial law decree after lawmakers vote against it
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's government early Wednesday lifted the martial law he imposed during a tense night of political drama in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule.