Just a quick hit on the PM's First Nation Summit.
Looking at the agenda, I have questions. I wonder how this is going to go....
EDITED and UPDATED: when I posted this an hour ago, my last word from the PCO was no media planned. Then a few minutes ago, we got an email from the press gallery saying they’d been infomed there will be a scrum with the PM and his remarks tomorrow would be open to the public. I have changed the copy to reflect that.
Prime Minister Carney’s 2 day summit with First Nations leaders is today and tomorrow -June 16-17 at the Museum of History in Ottawa. Mark Carney will briefly scrum with reporters in the morning on the 17th, and his opening remarks will be streamed. There are 2 press conferences today and several chiefs and some grassroots people want to talk.
Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs were not invited - at least one is coming anyway. Some chiefs extended the invite to grassroots activists - I am not sure they be allowed in. The PCO who is organizing made it clear there was very limited space.
Nine First nations have already filed lawsuits over the breach of consultation - required by law- in how Bill C-5 was passed. Carney called this meeting to try and calm things down, but the agenda does read like a very controlled meeting.
You can read my latest on this: Facing legal challenges and leaders demanding a repeal of Bill C-5, will the prime minister’s summit with First Nations mark a turning point? Whether it leads to reconciliation or confrontation remains to be seen. at APTN for free.
Here is the agenda
