Doug Ford says he hopes some First Nations will come to support controversial mining bill

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is defending his bill that would create “special economic zones” where provincial laws – including labour or environmental regulations – could be suspended to accelerate mining or other development, saying he believes some First Nations vowing to fight it will eventually come onside.Ontario’s Bill 5 was before a legislative committee this week when Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations across Northern Ontario, called the proposals an “attack.” He said First Nations have not been consulted and told reporters he expects confrontations on Indigenous land if the bill passes. Speaking to reporters on Friday in Orillia, Ont., Mr. Ford said First Nations would be consulted. He said the bill is needed to speed up Ontario’s mining approvals, which he said can take 15 to 17 years. Those delays, he warned, cost Ontario billions in investment and hamper its hopes to mine critical minerals in its remote northern Ring of Fire region.