The actions of the Prime Minister and three premiers make a lie out of what they say about reconciliation
The actions of the Prime Minister and three premiers make a lie out of what they say about reconciliation
INDIGENOUS WATCHDOG: HAMILTON – January 22, 2026
Hypocrisy is not a desirable trait for anyone, especially a politician, for whom trust in what they say about important issues is paramount. Or so you would think. But what happens when what they say and do contradicts what they said earlier.
Consider the following statements and subsequent actions from our elected leaders:
PM Mark Carney
In September, 2025 Prime Minster Mark Carney announced the “Indigenous Advisory Council membership for the new Major Projects Office to ensure meaningful consultation with Indigenous people. A law that “honours Section 35 of our Constitution and the duty to consult….”
Prime Minster Carney did NOT consult his own Indigenous Advisory Council before signing an MOU with Alberta on Nov. 27, 2025 to build a pipeline to the northwest coast of BC – despite almost unanimous opposition from First Nations across the country before the MOU was signed.
Premier Doug Ford
In June, 2025 Ontario Premier Dog Ford stated: “Nothing moves without First Nations consultation — respecting the duty to consult and making sure we work together,”
In December, 2025 the province of Ontario moved to quash an Ontario Superior Court case brought by eleven Treaty 9 First Nations in the Ring of Fire “to have the court order that the Treaty guaranteed the First Nations’ continued right to govern over their territories.” The province is attempting to prevent the First Nations from presenting any evidence or legal arguments in support of their claim.
Premier Danielle Smith
On May 13, 2025 Premier Danielle Smith of Alberta stated in a letter she sent to the leaders of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 that she is “committed to protecting, upholding, and honouring the rights of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people. This includes ensuring that any citizen-initiated referendum, if passed, must uphold and honour Treaties 6, 7 and 8.”
Alberta passed Bill 14 on December 11, 2025 with amendments to the Citizen Initiative Act that overruled the Alberta Court of Kings Bench decision issued on Dec. 4, 2025 which affirmed that a referendum would violate Treaty Rights, Section 35 of the Constitution Act,1982 and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In other words, the Alberta separatist referendum question was allowed to proceed even though it is against the constitution and treaty rights.
Premier David Eby
On May 13, 2025 Premier David Eby stated in the legislature, “You cannot fast-track a project in Canada unless you have the support of First Nations”…citing federal and provincial commitments to recognizing Indigenous Rights and Title.
On January 20 2025, at a Natural Resource Forum, Premier Eby said B.C. will be amending the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People’s legislation (DRIPA) to scale back court power over Indigenous rights (CBC News): a statement made in response to the BC Court of Appeal decision on Dec. 5, 2025 ruling that the current Mineral Tenures Act was “inconsistent with UNDRIP”. The complete absence of any obligation to Duty to Consult was the catalyst behind the initial court challenge that started in September, 2023.
The other driver behind Premier Eby’s objective in changing the DRIPA legislation is the Cowichan decision that affirmed Aboriginal title to their traditional lands that had been stolen in the latter half of the 19th century.
Add this to the court case in Ontario (Aboriginal title) and the court decision in Alberta (also including Aboriginal title) and the broader implications of the Carney decision to bypass the Indigenous Advisory Council to advance a pipeline against First Nations objections (also about Aboriginal title) and the pattern is a repeat of the colonial habits of expropriation of Indigenous land and resources carried out since 1867 and continuing despite court cases affirming Aboriginal title: Delgamuukw, Tsilhqot’in, Nuchatlaht and Quw’utsun (Cowichan).
Is this the current status of reconciliation?
Truth is ultimately revealed by words and actions. But you have to pay attention to what is being said and what is being done. In that context, what is the truth behind what Prime Minster Carney and Premier Ford, Premier Smith and Premier Eby are actually doing and saying.
The answer speaks the truth loud and clear.
Maintain the status quo. Keeping things the same is in the best interests of everyone. Except Indigenous people of course.
Some things never change.
