A trio of local First Nations are taking legal action, accusing the Ontario government of mismanaging forests and the environment.
A release from the three Ontario Treaty 9 First Nations - Chapleau Cree, Missanabie Cree, and Brunswick House - notes Treaty 9 "stretches across two-thirds of Ontario", and their action "aims to force Ontario to make meaningful changes now before harms are irreversible to the detriment of the boreal forest, all Treaty 9 First Nations, and all Ontarians".
They emphasize that the Supreme Court's made it clear the Crown "must act honourably when implementing its treaties with First Nations" but that honour "is not upheld when First Nations' concerns about environmental protection and forest management and the safety of the foods and waters on their territories are not addressed", specifically citing the widespread spraying of glyphosate herbicide as an issue, adding "the result [of extensive industrial and forestry activities authorized by Ontario without the full participation of the First Nations] has been rampant landscape fragmentation, degradation, and contamination of traditional territories over time."
The First Nations also warn "the pace of degradation has been increasing, resulting in decreasing forest cover and lower forest resilience", noting "these are known contributors to climate change".