Statement on the Swearing-In of the Ontario Cabinet

Kenora, ON – Today Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh, Grand Chief of Treaty 3, delivered the following statement:

“Congratulations to Premier Doug Ford and the incoming members of the Ontario Executive Council. We look forward to building a positive relationship with Premier Ford, and to continuing to develop the nation-to-nation relationship initiated under the previous government.

“I also wish to recognize Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora-Rainy River, on his appointment as Minister of Energy, Northern Development, and Mines and Minister of Indigenous Affairs. This is without doubt a challenging and large portfolio in which Minister Rickford will be tasked with addressing a wide range of issues faced by many people in our region.

“While we are very pleased to see that an MPP for part of Treaty 3 territory holds the Indigenous affairs portfolio, we are equally concerned to see that it is no longer a stand-alone ministry. Making Indigenous Affairs a stand-alone Cabinet post was a key recommendation of the Ipperwash Inquiry Report, which we hoped future governments would adhere to.

“We look forward to hearing from the government about how it will balance and reconcile the demands of these busy ministries in order to give due attention to the priorities of Indigenous people. We also look forward to meeting with Minister Rickford to update him on our priorities and projects.”

 

Contact:
Janine Seymour
Phone: 807-548-4214
Direct: 807-464-1261 
Email: political.advisor@treaty3.ca