Some First Nations are prepared to take a legal route to keep mining companies out of their traditional territories.
They say some are conducting exploration activities near communities without proper consent.
They are worried about the environmental risks.
Sachigo Lake Councillor Eugene Tait cites one firm working near his community.
“There are several concerns, reports that there are hundreds of barrels of fuel that are lying around. There’s contamination to the land,” says Tait.
“There are also concerns with the labour force there. For this exploration company to operate, they were given a permit by the province of Ontario. The province did not seek our consent to work in our territory.”
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler echoes the sentiments of TAit.
He says First Nations are not against development, but senior levels of government are obligated to follow Treaty and constitutional requirements that ensure proper consultations.
“They want Ontario and Canada and industry to respect the relationship that they have with the Crown,” says Fiddler.
“They’re here to offer solutions to industry, Ontario, to Canada, solutions that will lead to predictability and stability in the north.”
Tait says if the exploration company near his community refuses to leave, they will do what they can to have them removed, including taking a legal route.
Fiddler notes several First Nations have already gone to court over Bill 5, the legislation that helps fast-track developments such as mines.
The provincial government is putting forward new thinking to the importance of critical minerals in Ontario.
It has released a new strategy that builds on one released in 2022.
That documented focused a lot of attention on the electric vehicle market and the need for clean technologies.
Mines Minister Stephen Lecce says much has changed since then, and the new document recognizes that.
“I think our strategy is about broadening our economic focus to include sectors like defence, aerospace and advanced manufacturing that are highly consequential both to our sovereignty, to our economy and to our workforce.”
Lecce says the province will continue to support the EV supply chain.
He says Ontario has already captured tens of billions of dollars of foreign investment.
“That’s a great success story. What we’re announcing today, and I think what we’re signalling to the world, is we’re broadening our focus.”
The new strategy also includes two minerals being added to the list of those considered critical.
Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, speaks about new Critical Minerals strategy, March 3, 2026. Government of Ontario/YouTube screen shot
Lecce says the inclusion of high-purity iron and aluminum is important to several sectors.
“High purity iron is essential when it comes to building out military and defence applications, as well as helping us electrify the electric arc furnaces we’re building in northern Ontario,” says Lecce.
“Aluminum underpins Ontario’s world-class automotive, our aerospace, and defence sectors.”
The government is inviting feedback on the document to ensure it responds to a rapidly changing world, while bolstering Canadian self-reliance, jobs and supply chains.
The Ontario Mining Association welcomes the updated strategy.
“As this work advances, sustained and meaningful engagement with industry, Indigenous partners, and stakeholders will be essential, alongside policies that firmly position mining as a strategic priority,” Priya Tandon, the Association’s president.
“Taking continued action and a whole-of-government approach to advance the mining sector will strengthen Ontario’s prosperity, security, and innovation leadership for the benefit of all Ontarians.”
There are currently 37 active mining operations in Ontario, with the majority located in northern Ontario.
If all goes well, sometime this year, a tribute to one of Saint John’s most famous residents will be unveiled.
Stompin’ Tom Connors, the man behind Canadian classics like “Bud the Spud,” “The Hockey Song” and “Sudbury Saturday Night,” was born in the Port City Feb. 9, 1936.
But other than a portrait on Canterbury Street in the city’s uptown, one among a handful of other famous residents like Donald Sutherland and Louis B. Mayer, there isn’t much to let people know a Canadian musical legend spent his early years in Saint John.
Now, a group of four Saint Johners are working to put a statue of Stompin’ Tom somewhere in the city.
“The idea of honouring Tom in this city … has been a conversation that’s been going on for years,” said Greg Hemmings.
Hemmings mentioned the portrait as a nice tribute.
“But Sudbury, Ont., has a massive bronze statue of Tom,” Hemmings said. “And, yes, Tom spent time in Sudbury, but he wasn’t born there.
“Skinner’s Pond in P.E.I. takes claim of the hometown of Stompin’ Tom. And that’s fine because he did live there for a little bit before he ran away from home and started his life on the road.
“He was born here.”
Hemmings said the difficult childhood Connors had growing up in Saint John – a single mother, a stint in an orphanage because his mother had to be jailed for stealing food to survive – certainly influenced his later work.
“It’s interesting that so much good came out of the man as far as shaping Canadian identity through his songs,” Hemmings said. “And so much of that was informed by his early ages, living in this blue-collar, hard-working, lower income city when he was young.”
At some point, Hemmings said he had a chat with his buddy Scott Gogan, a local musician.
“He knows I’m involved with different community events and he was like, ‘Why don’t we have a statue of Stompin’ Tom on the waterfront?’ and I was like, I don’t know,” Hemmings said.
Hemmings said he suggested speaking to someone at City Hall and see what the next steps might be.
Eventually, Mike Bravener got involved in the project.
Bravener is a musician in New Brunswick, perhaps best-known for his Elvis Presley impersonation.
But he also shared a similar upbringing to Stompin’ Tom, Hemmings said.
“It’s a very similar story, lived kind of a lower-income experience in the south end, brought up by a single mother,” Hemmings said.
And Bravener has a Stompin’ Tom tribute show. Hemmings said Bravener dresses up like Connors and plays his songs.
Bravener hosted a birthday party for Stompin’ Tom on Feb. 9, what would have been the musician’s 90th birthday.
Hemmings said he went to Fredericton for the festivities, along with Gogan and Hemmings’ friend Jason MacLean.
“We realized how special Tom is to New Brunswickers,” Hemmings said. “People showed up. We had birthday cake, sang ‘Happy Birthday.'”
He said MacLean is a big Stompin’ Tom fan, and during a concert at what was then Harbour Station, the man himself pointed MacLean out in the audience, asked him to stand and proclaimed MacLean one of the biggest Stompin’ Tom fans in Canada.
“So Jason had to be part of this,” Hemmings said.
The four got together and asked the question: What can we do to make this work?
“The first step is getting the blessing from (Saint John) Common Council,” Hemmings said.
On Feb. 23, the four attended what ultimately became a virtual council meeting because of a snowstorm.
A short presentation followed, the highlight of which was a tribute song to Stompin’ Tom performed by Bravener.
Mayor Donna Reardon said the group had everyone associated with the City excited about the project.
“Everything is happening already,” she said.
Coun. Joanna Killen said she was sobbing during Bravener’s performance.
“I don’t think the world needed a song like that more than they do right now,” Killen said. “The world is hard and Stompin’ Tom is still here, through you.”
Councillors voted on a motion that common council support the project in principle, and refer to the civic commemoration standing committee for guidance, and that the city work with Hemmings’ company, Hemmings House, to determine a location for a statue.
They voted unanimously in favour of this tribute.
The next step will be to raise funds for what Hemmings said is currently planned as a bronze statue.
“We’re not sold completely on bronze, but we just know it’s going to last forever,” Hemmings said. “It could be wood, it could be another material, it could be much more affordable than what we’re thinking it’s going to be, depending on the material.”
He said the plan will be to raise enough money to make sure there’s a fund to keep the statue in top condition for years to come.
A location is still to be determined, though Hemmings said he had several ideas, including anywhere along the Harbour Passage, somewhere near Market Square, or possibly on the site of the Barbour’s General Store at the base of King Street.
“There’s so many great places where it could go,” he said.
For now, the planning will continue in order to honour a major piece of Saint John’s history.
“It’s time to really celebrate the Canadians that really helped bring us together as a nation and Stompin’ Tom is one of those folks,” Hemmings said.
“Not only to honour him, but to inspire our community and inspire a new generation of artists and citizens in general who care about our country.”
Many from across Nova Scotia stood in solidarity with the Mi’kmaq in Halifax to protest after hundreds of cuts were tabled in the spring budget.
When Acadia News arrived Tuesday afternoon, Police cars were blocking traffic around parts of Granville Street where crowds had gathered. People were holding signs and chanting alongside Indigenous land protector and speaker Michelle Paul.
“I feel the sense of uncertainty. All these thousands of jobs that are being cut. When we first designed and created this rally, it was at first for the Crown Lands Act and the attack on the environment. But this last week has been a doozy,” says Paul. “Since then, there’s been more cuts to our arts and culture, the very root of who we are as Nova Scotian’s.”
Shoulder to Shoulder: We Are All Treaty People rally in Halifax. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
This is the second Shoulder to Shoulder rally that Paul has helped organize. The outrage was sparked by rippling negative feelings throughout the province since last weeks provincial budget was addressed. She says the Mi’kmaq community wants people to know that collective action can spark real change.
An example Paul used was their rally against Alton Gas, a company widely known in the province for their plan to develop an area around the Shubenacadie River that’s sacred to the Mi’kmaq. She reminds people that the proposal fell through because Nova Scotian’s, Indigenous or not, stood together in solidarity like they are.
“I don’t know if you guys remember about Alton Gas, but look that up too, because that was an eight-year long solidarity action that was successful!” Paul yells as the crowd cheers. “And the reason why it was successful is because we stood shoulder to shoulder in unity!”
Shoulder to Shoulder: We Are All Treaty People rally in Halifax. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
Paul tells people to throw away their fear and to “let this moment be a sign of hope”, reaffirming their commitment to ongoing advocacy and public awareness across Mi’kma’ki.
Premier Tim Houston was in Toronto Tuesday, for an announcement alongside federal Minister Tim Hodgson. Protester’s plan to be back at Province House Wednesday at noon and various other locations around Nova Scotia for their next rally: Arts, Heritage, and Culture Under Threat.
A Thunder Bay tech company is showing off its cutting edge mining technology to potential clients from around the world this week.
Teleco was invited to the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s International Convention in Toronto. The week-long convention is the world’s premier gathering for the mining industry, projected to attract over 27,000 attendees from 125 countries.
Known for cybersecurity and IT services, Teleco says its surveillance cameras can break new ground in mining.
Representatives from Teleco are showcasing live, hands-on demonstrations of AI-powered PPE detection, thermal imaging, and portable camera systems that can improve safety and efficiency in mineral extraction. Visitors are able to experience real-time safety alerts, see thermal imaging in action, and explore how modern camera technology can support smarter mining operations.
The presentations are held at the Northern Ontario Mining Showcase (NOMS) pavilion, funded by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor). It’s the largest pavilion at the conference — Teleco is one of 112 businesses and organizations representing the region.
“NOMS highlights the wealth of products, services and investment opportunities the region has to offer,” FedNor said in a press release. “Designed to showcase northern Ontario, a recognized region of mining excellence, NOMS helps businesses in their efforts to scale up, increase sales and exports, and create high-quality jobs.”
Two of Lakehead University’s brightest student athletes are being recognized with RBC Athlete of the Month honours.
Lakehead Athlete of the Month Haley Florell (Jacob Henriksen-Willis/March 3 2026)
Second‑year Nature-Based Therapy student Haley Florell won a silver medal at the national wrestling championships hosted at Lakehead last weekend. She competed in the women’s 76‑kg division, the same category in which she won gold last year.
She said the energy from the home crowd at Lakehead was incredible.
“(Competing in front of a home crowd) definitely came with a different level of pressure,” Florell said. “For me personally, coming from a small town, I’ve never competed in front of a home crowd ever. I thought I was going to be a lot more nervous about it, especially with everyone asking questions and getting excited for me, but really it just added to it and I got to give a little bit of a show.”
Florell says she has struggled with nerves in the last two years, but she’s developed pre-match routines to keep herself centered.
“Usually the night before or the morning of, I’ll write down everything I know about myself in ‘I am’ statements. I am strong. I am balanced. I am confident. I do breath work just to really feel myself in my body and be present in the moment. And then, of course, for my warm-ups I also dance around. Just as a reminder to have fun with it,” she said.
Her advice to young wrestlers is to let loose.
“Don’t be scared of failure and embarrassment in trying things for the first time. You’re going to fail. Just have fun with it. Find the joy in what you do, and others will be gravitated towards that. People will want to hop on that ride with you.”
Lakehead Athlete of the Month Stephen Hudec (Jacob Henriksen-Willis/March 3 2026)
Third year nursing student Stephen Hudec broke the school’s record in the 200m on Valentine’s Day.
Hudec ran the 200m in 21.99 seconds at the David Hemery Valentine’s Invitational at Boston University.
He said the first thing that crossed his mind when he finished was how he could have improved.
“I thought I could have been a bit more relaxed in my upper body before I came through,” Hudec said. “I could have had a slightly better time. (Laughs). I shouldn’t think that way (…) I’m still happy with it either way.”
Hudec has a tightly regimented training schedule to improve form and speed.
“The most important part is really every single day that you train, you should be thinking, ‘What am I focusing on today?’ What am I really trying to improve?’ so you’re not just going through the motions, but you’re consciously thinking about what you’re doing in training,” he said.
Hudec’s advice for young athletes is not to lose sight of their goals even if they feel improvement has stagnated.
“Even if it feels like you’re not improving, you’re always improving in one way or another,” Hudec said. “Hard work always leads to results.”
The Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) are together putting more than $1.4 million towards mineral exploration initiatives.
$1 million from the NOHFC will be used to create a five-year Industrial Research Chair for mineral exploration.
Dr. Peter Hollings, Professor and Chair of the Department of Geology, will assume the five-year position.
Hollings and his team will work with the Kinross Gold Corporation to explore the gold deposits of the Great Bear Project near Red Lake, and also other viable locations.
The remaining $440,948 in funding will come from FedNOR, and go towards a microanalytical research lab.
The Industrial Research Chair will also receive an additional $1 million in funding from Kinross Gold Corporation and Lakehead University for about two dozen positions for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and fieldwork assistants.
The NDP is making a road trip through northern Ontario.
Their northern Ontario members intend to raise awareness of the need to improve highway safety.
Kiiwetinoong’s MPP Sol Mamakwa says the tour will shed light on what northerners experience daily.
“It’s also a chance for us to listen to first responders, people across the north who have been affected by collisions on these highways,” says Mamakwa.
“And it is our hope that the government hears them too.”
The NDP have put forward several requests, only to have Private Member’s Bills rejected in the Legislature.
The wish lists have included commitments to twin sections of Highway 11 and 17, transferring the responsibility of winter road maintenance from private contractors back to the Ministry of Transportation, better training of transport drivers and stronger enforcement of the commercial vehicle regulations.
NDP leader Marit Stiles intends to participate in part of the tour.
“Safety issues on northern highways are a day-to-day issue,” says Stiles.
“This is an issue that we in the Ontario NDP and my colleagues standing with me and others who are not here with us today have been raising for years. But the situation has become more than critical.”
Using figures obtained from the MTO, the NDP members say that the risk of getting into a collision in northern Ontario is as much as 10 times greater than in southern Ontario.
Mushkegowuk – James Bay MPP Guy Bourgouin says northern Ontario should not have to suffer through what he calls second-class conditions.
“We have the right to have secure roads like the rest of the province,” says Bourgouin.
“That’s why we are going to listen to people and take that testimony to prove to the people in the south of what they don’t understand, because it looks like the government is not understanding. We want to bring the North’s perspective so that the government understands what we’re living with daily.”
The MPPs plan to make several stops along the way, including in the communities of Kapuskasing, Timmins, Thunder Bay, Kenora, Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie.
They plan to document their tour on social media and on video for presentation to the government at a later day.
The Salvation Army is the beneficiary of over $10,000 from the Safeway store in Fort Frances.
The money was raised through donations and corporate contributions received during the store’s Holiday Food Bank campaign, which ran last December.
It nearly matches the money raised in the 2024 campaign.
Store Manager Kiefer Childerhose is appreciative of the customers’ support.
“It’s amazing seeing how generous the customers are in Fort Frances,” says Childerhose.
“It’s nice to see that they’re willing to donate to such a great cause in our community.”
The Salvation Army will use the funds in its food bank.
Auxiliary Captain Arthur Heathcote is thankful to Safeway and its customers.
“It really speaks to people feeling the pinch this year, but still stepping up,” says Heathcote.
“We’re really grateful for Safeway for the amount of community partnership that they engage with the community.”
Heathcote notes that the store donated nearly 15,000 pounds of food to the Salvation Army’s food bank in 2025.
Childerhose says it has come in the form of non-perishables, meat and bread.
Customers have also lent a hand.
“We have our food bank bin at the front of the store. Whenever they can purchase, we have hampers that they can purchase all year round, and that goes towards everything that we donate to the Salvation Army.”
Food bank hampers on display at Safeway store in Fort Frances, March 3, 2026. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia News
