Doug Ford Low-Key Apologizes to First Nations Leaders After Dropping a Sus Comment 😬

The Deets

So, check it: Doug Ford, the Premier of Ontario, had a major "oops" moment. He was at some event in St. Catharines and was chatting about how he treats First Nations "like gold." But then he said some sus stuff about how they "can't just keep coming hat in hand all the time to the government." Like, seriously, who says that out loud? 💀

Naturally, First Nations leaders were BIG mad. Like, demanding-an-apology-level mad. They were like, "That's straight-up disrespectful, no cap." So, Ford had a sit-down at Queen's Park with Anishinabek Nation leaders to try and smooth things over.

Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige said Ford's apology seemed "sincere," and that the meeting felt like a "new day going forward." Apparently, the whole convo wasn't even about Bill 5 (more on that in a sec) but about bigger treaty rights. But not everyone's convinced. 🤔

Now, about that Bill 5. It's this law Ford's government passed to speed up mining projects. Basically, it lets them create "special economic zones" where they can kinda bypass certain laws. First Nations groups are stressing because they think it could mess with their treaty rights. They're even talking about blockades if Ford doesn't repeal it. 😬 Ford, on the other hand, is saying he's willing to help First Nations with mining stuff but doesn't want them constantly asking for cash while rejecting projects. Yikes! 😬

Debassige said the Anishinabek Nation is still not feeling Bill 5, and Ford promised he'd keep talking to First Nations about their rights. We'll see if that actually happens or if it's just more cap. 🤷