Alessia Passafiume

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Alessia Passafiume.

Key ministers address Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa after Hodgson is bumped

Key ministers address Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa after Hodgson is bumped

OTTAWA -- Several key federal cabinet ministers addressed the Assembly of First Nations gathering in Ottawa Thursday, including Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.

Key federal ministers address Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa as Hodgson bows out

Key federal ministers address Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa as Hodgson bows out

Several key federal cabinet ministers addressed the Assembly of First Nations gathering in Ottawa Thursday, including Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne. But Energy Minister Tim Hodgson -- who is helping to advance Prime Minister Mark Carney's major projects agenda -- has been taken off the agenda, despite being previously scheduled to appear Thursday.

Key federal ministers address Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa as Hodgson bows out

Key federal ministers address Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa as Hodgson bows out

OTTAWA -- Several key federal cabinet ministers addressed the Assembly of First Nations gathering in Ottawa Thursday, including Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.

Key ministers to address Assembly of First Nations gathering in Ottawa today

Key ministers to address Assembly of First Nations gathering in Ottawa today

OTTAWA -- A handful of key federal cabinet ministers will address the Assembly of First Nations gathering in Ottawa today, including Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.

Indigenous Services minister to address Assembly of First Nations gathering today

Indigenous Services minister to address Assembly of First Nations gathering today

OTTAWA -- A group of Ontario chiefs said Wednesday the federal government should immediately reintroduce the clean drinking water legislation that failed to pass before the election was called last spring.

Carney vows to meet Coastal First Nations after chiefs vote against pipeline to B.C.

Carney vows to meet Coastal First Nations after chiefs vote against pipeline to B.C.

Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to meet with Coastal First Nations after chiefs voted unanimously Tuesday to press the government to uphold the oil tanker ban off the northern British Columbia coast and withdraw an agreement signed with Alberta last week that clears a path for a new oil pipeline. B.C. Regional Chief Terry Teegee, speaking to Carney during the...

Carney vows to meet Coastal First Nations after chiefs vote against pipeline to B.C.

Carney vows to meet Coastal First Nations after chiefs vote against pipeline to B.C.

Ottawa -- Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to meet with Coastal First Nations after chiefs voted unanimously Tuesday to press the government to uphold the oil tanker ban off the northern British Columbia coast and withdraw an agreement signed with Alberta last week that clears a path for a new oil pipeline.

Carney says First Nations clean water legislation will come next spring

Carney says First Nations clean water legislation will come next spring

Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government will introduce clean drinking water legislation in the spring, delaying a bill that had been promised to come this fall. Carney promised to revive the legislation during an address to the Assembly of First Nations gathering in Ottawa today, saying he will host a joint meeting with federal, provincial, territorial and First Nations...

Carney says First Nations clean water legislation will come next spring

Carney says First Nations clean water legislation will come next spring

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government will introduce clean drinking water legislation in the spring, delaying a bill that had been promised to come this fall.

CP NewsAlert: Carney says First Nations clean water legislation will come next spring

CP NewsAlert: Carney says First Nations clean water legislation will come next spring

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government will introduce clean drinking water legislation in the spring, delaying a bill that had been promised for this fall.

Chiefs vote to reject changes to B.C. coastal oil tanker ban

Chiefs vote to reject changes to B.C. coastal oil tanker ban

OTTAWA -- First Nations chiefs voted unanimously Tuesday to press the government to uphold the oil tanker ban off the northern British Columbia coast and withdraw an agreement signed last week that clears a path for a new oil pipeline to the B.C. coast.

Chiefs vote to reject changes to B.C. coastal oil tanker ban

Chiefs vote to reject changes to B.C. coastal oil tanker ban

OTTAWA -- First Nations chiefs voted unanimously today to press the government to uphold the oil tanker ban off the northern British Columbia coast.

Chiefs vote to reject changes to B.C. coastal oil tanker ban

Chiefs vote to reject changes to B.C. coastal oil tanker ban

First Nations chiefs voted unanimously Tuesday to press the government to uphold the oil tanker ban off the northern British Columbia coast and withdraw an agreement signed last week that clears a path for a new oil pipeline to the B.C. coast. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed a memorandum of understanding on Nov. 27 to...

Carney to address Assembly of First Nations gathering in Ottawa

Carney to address Assembly of First Nations gathering in Ottawa

Prime Minister Mark Carney will address hundreds of First Nations chiefs gathered in Ottawa today for the December meeting of the Assembly of First Nations. Carney's appearance before the chiefs could be a tense moment, coming just days after Ottawa signed a pipeline agreement with Alberta, which some First Nations leaders have condemned over a lack of consultation and environmental...

Carney to address Assembly of First Nations gathering in Ottawa

Carney to address Assembly of First Nations gathering in Ottawa

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney will address hundreds of First Nations chiefs gathered in Ottawa today for the December meeting of the Assembly of First Nations.

Generations of Indigenous leaders brace for a new battle over another pipeline

Generations of Indigenous leaders brace for a new battle over another pipeline

OTTAWA -- For some First Nations leaders, the prospect of conflict with provincial and federal governments over plans to send another pipeline to the B.C. coast brings back vivid memories of years past.

Elections Canada says protocol wasn't followed in Nunavik during federal election

Elections Canada says protocol wasn't followed in Nunavik during federal election

OTTAWA -- Elections Canada says voting services in Nunavik during the spring federal election were "significantly hindered" by a lack of planning and oversight that caused some polls to close early.

Peace Tower to be covered with Canadian steel scaffolding as renovations continue

Peace Tower to be covered with Canadian steel scaffolding as renovations continue

OTTAWA -- Visitors to Parliament Hill won't be able to see the iconic Peace Tower by the end of next year, once it's covered with Canadian steel scaffolding to enable renovations and repairs.

Court dismisses lawsuit accusing Manitoba Metis leader of wrongdoing

Court dismisses lawsuit accusing Manitoba Metis leader of wrongdoing

OTTAWA -- The Manitoba Metis Federation is celebrating an Ontario Superior Court decision that found its president did not breach his fiduciary duties while serving as finance minister for the Metis National Council.

Court clears Manitoba Metis president of wrongdoing in case launched by national body

Court clears Manitoba Metis president of wrongdoing in case launched by national body

OTTAWA -- The Manitoba Metis Federation is celebrating an Ontario Superior Court decision that found its president did not breach his fiduciary duties while serving as finance minister for the Metis National Council.

First Nation looks to develop 'wealth fund' for major projects investments

OTTAWA -- A First Nation in Ontario is looking to create what it's calling a "sovereign wealth fund" to bypass government and move major projects forward faster with Indigenous participation.

New legislation could expand First Nations status -- here's what you need to know

New legislation could expand First Nations status -- here's what you need to know

OTTAWA -- Senators have passed sweeping amendments to a bill that would simplify the transfer of First Nations status between generations, but it's not clear yet if those changes will pass the House of Commons.

Senators amend legislation to make it easier to pass on First Nations status

Senators amend legislation to make it easier to pass on First Nations status

OTTAWA -- Senators have passed sweeping amendments to a bill that would simplify the transfer of First Nations status between generations, rejecting the federal government's advice to limit its scope.

Senate passes amendments to First Nations status bill; MPs still need to vote

Senate passes amendments to First Nations status bill; MPs still need to vote

OTTAWA -- Senators have passed sweeping amendments to a bill that would simplify the transfer of First Nations status between generations.

Chief finds missing jacket adorned with honours, family history in Montreal airport

Chief finds missing jacket adorned with honours, family history in Montreal airport

OTTAWA -- A Mi'kmaw hereditary chief's missing jacket has been found after an extensive search of the Montreal airport where it was misplaced.

Calls for justice system reform follow release of man who killed two Indigenous women

Calls for justice system reform follow release of man who killed two Indigenous women

- A woman whose cousin was killed says the release last week of a man who killed two women is another outrage from a justice system that victimizes Indigenous women and girls.

Calls for justice system reform follow release of man who killed two Indigenous women

Calls for justice system reform follow release of man who killed two Indigenous women

OTTAWA -- A woman whose cousin was killed says the release last week of a man who killed two women is another outrage from a justice system that victimizes Indigenous women and girls.

Chief asks for help locating missing jacket adorned with honours, family history

Chief asks for help locating missing jacket adorned with honours, family history

OTTAWA -- A Mi'kmaw hereditary chief is pleading for help from the public to return his chiefs jacket he lost in the Montreal airport last week.

New major projects list has some Indigenous buy-in, Carney says OKs still needed

New major projects list has some Indigenous buy-in, Carney says OKs still needed

After an initial round of referrals to the new Major Projects Office that saw no Indigenous-led projects chosen, the second list of referrals includes some with Indigenous support, ownership or backing -- including a liquefied natural gas project. The list of projects earmarked for fast-track approval includes the Crawford nickel mine in Ontario, the Ksi Lisims LNG project on B.C.'s...

New major projects list has some Indigenous buy-in, Carney says OKs still needed

New major projects list has some Indigenous buy-in, Carney says OKs still needed

OTTAWA -- After an initial round of referrals to the new Major Projects Office that saw no Indigenous-led projects chosen, the second list of referrals includes some with Indigenous support, ownership or backing -- including a liquefied natural gas project.

Premiers lay out priorities for meeting with Carney next week

Premiers lay out priorities for meeting with Carney next week

- Canada's premiers say infrastructure investments and the state of U.S.-Canada trade negotiations are high on their agenda for an upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Carney will host a virtual meeting with the nation's provincial and territorial leaders on Monday and the premiers laid out their priorities in a letter to the prime minister this morning. They are...

Premiers lay out priorities for meeting with Carney next week

Premiers lay out priorities for meeting with Carney next week

OTTAWA -- Infrastructure investments and the state of U.S.-Canada trade negotiations are high on the agenda Canada's premiers have for an upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Indigenous Services minister says community shouldn't worry about zeros in budget

Indigenous Services minister says community shouldn't worry about zeros in budget

OTTAWA -- The Indigenous Services minister says community leaders shouldn't worry about zeros in the recent federal budget for programs their members rely on.

Judge says $510M in fees for lawyers in treaty case was unreasonable

Judge says $510M in fees for lawyers in treaty case was unreasonable

OTTAWA -- In a scathing decision, an Ontario court judge has ruled a $510 million legal fee for lawyers who worked on a First Nations treaty rights case was unreasonable -- and has ordered the fee scaled back to $23 million.

Tories call on all parties to back tougher sentences for intimate partner violence

Tories call on all parties to back tougher sentences for intimate partner violence

OTTAWA -- Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on other parties to support legislation he says would combat intimate partner violence.

Audit finds federal department couldn't account for 132 Indigenous artworks

Audit finds federal department couldn't account for 132 Indigenous artworks

OTTAWA -- An internal audit says more than 130 Indigenous artworks were unaccounted for in a collection managed by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.

Chief says he's offended by mandatory federal branding on Orange Shirt Day funding

Chief says he's offended by mandatory federal branding on Orange Shirt Day funding

OTTAWA -- The chief of James Smith Cree Nation says he's offended by Ottawa's requirement that promotional materials for Orange Shirt Day events funded by the federal government carry government branding.

Business sector not sounding alarm after Trump ends trade talks over ad campaign

Business sector not sounding alarm after Trump ends trade talks over ad campaign

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce says it isn't alarmed after U.S. President Donald Trump announced he is halting trade talks with Canada over an ad campaign run by the Ontario government. Chamber CEO Candace Laing says the trade talks are "3D chess," and no one should lose sight of the bigger picture in negotiations with the U.S.

Business sector not sounding alarm after Trump ends trade talks over ad campaign

Business sector not sounding alarm after Trump ends trade talks over ad campaign

OTTAWA -- U.S. President Donald Trump's sudden termination of trade talks with Canada over an Ontario government ad campaign is not cause for alarm, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce CEO said Friday.

Assembly of First Nations says it's talking to Vatican about returning sacred items

Assembly of First Nations says it's talking to Vatican about returning sacred items

OTTAWA -- The Assembly of First Nations says it's talking to the Vatican Museum about repatriating a number of sacred items currently in its collection.

AFN says it's talking to the Vatican about returning sacred items

AFN says it's talking to the Vatican about returning sacred items

OTTAWA -- The Assembly of First Nations says it's talking to the Vatican Museum about repatriating a number of sacred items from its collection.

Indigenous Services failing to improve critical First Nations services, audit says

Indigenous Services failing to improve critical First Nations services, audit says

OTTAWA -- Indigenous Services Canada is falling far behind on its efforts to address long-standing health and infrastructure problems in First Nations communities, the federal auditor general said in a report released Tuesday.

Indigenous Services failing to improve critical services for First Nations, AG finds

Indigenous Services failing to improve critical services for First Nations, AG finds

OTTAWA -- Indigenous Services Canada is falling far behind on its efforts to address long-standing health and infrastructure problems in First Nations communities, the federal auditor general says.

National chief calls for federal government to deem First Nations policing essential

National chief calls for federal government to deem First Nations policing essential

OTTAWA -- The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is chiding the federal government for failing to deliver on its promise to introduce legislation to declare First Nations policing an essential service.

Top aide to former PM Harper rips Poilievre's comments about RCMP and Trudeau

Top aide to former PM Harper rips Poilievre's comments about RCMP and Trudeau

A top aide to former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper has lashed out at Pierre Poilievre over his leadership of the Conservative party and his recent comments attacking the RCMP's treatment of Justin Trudeau. In a recent interview with a YouTube channel called Northern Perspective, Poilievre called the leadership of the RCMP "despicable" and said many of former prime minister...

Liberal MP warns senators against further Indian Act changes without House of Commons input

Liberal MP warns senators against further Indian Act changes without House of Commons input

OTTAWA -- A Liberal MP is warning senators on a committee studying proposed changes to the Indian Act that they might do more harm than good if they pursue changes to the law that were never endorsed by members of Parliament.

MP warns senators against further Indian Act changes without House of Commons input

MP warns senators against further Indian Act changes without House of Commons input

OTTAWA -- A Liberal MP is warning a Senate committee studying proposed changes to the Indian Act that it might end up doing more harm than good if it pursues changes to the law that were never endorsed by MPs.

Liberal MP warns senators against further Indian Act changes without House of Commons input

Liberal MP warns senators against further Indian Act changes without House of Commons input

A Liberal MP is warning a Senate committee studying proposed changes to the Indian Act that it might end up doing more harm than good if it pursues changes to the law that were never endorsed by MPs. The committee is studying legislation that would eliminate some gender inequities in the Indian Act, allowing some 6,000 people to become eligible...

MP warns against further Indian Act changes before proper study in House of Commons

MP warns against further Indian Act changes before proper study in House of Commons

OTTAWA -- A Liberal MP is warning a Senate committee studying changes to the Indian Act that it might end up doing more harm than good if it pursues changes to the Indian Act that were never endorsed by MPs.

From sculpture to olive oil, a look at some of the gifts Carney received as PM

From sculpture to olive oil, a look at some of the gifts Carney received as PM

OTTAWA -- Mark Carney has received more than a dozen gifts from world leaders since becoming prime minister -- everything from Hermes ties and crystal bowls to a sculpture of Winston Churchill.

Indigenous Peoples grapple with claims downplaying the history of residential schools

Indigenous Peoples grapple with claims downplaying the history of residential schools

OTTAWA -- As Indigenous Peoples marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this week, they also had to confront a persistent problem: public figures claiming the history of residential schools has been exaggerated or falsified.

Carney marks 'devastating legacy' of residential schools in Ottawa event

Carney marks 'devastating legacy' of residential schools in Ottawa event

The federal government will "match remembrance with responsibility," Prime Minister Mark Carney promised on Tuesday, as he addressed the crowd assembled on Parliament Hill to mark the fifth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Sept. 30, known as Orange Shirt Day or the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, is meant to honour survivors of the residential school system...

Carney marks 'devastating legacy' of residential schools in Ottawa event

Carney marks 'devastating legacy' of residential schools in Ottawa event

OTTAWA -- The federal government will "match remembrance with responsibility," Prime Minister Mark Carney promised on Tuesday, as he addressed the crowd assembled on Parliament Hill to mark the fifth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Events in Ottawa, Toronto planned for 5th annual Truth and Reconciliation Day

Events in Ottawa, Toronto planned for 5th annual Truth and Reconciliation Day

Today is the fifth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation -- a day where Canadians reflect on the legacy of residential schools and remember the survivors and those who never made it home. The residential school era refers to a period between 1857 and 1996 where 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend church-run, government-funded schools where they were barred...

Events in Ottawa, Toronto planned for 5th annual Truth and Reconciliation Day

Events in Ottawa, Toronto planned for 5th annual Truth and Reconciliation Day

OTTAWA -- Canadians are marking the fifth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Tuesday, a day meant to reflect on the legacy of residential schools.

Events in Ottawa, Toronto planned for 5th annual Truth and Reconciliation Day

Events in Ottawa, Toronto planned for 5th annual Truth and Reconciliation Day

OTTAWA -- Canadians are marking the fifth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Tuesday, a day meant to reflect on the legacy of residential schools.

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon says major projects push can coexist with reconciliation

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon says major projects push can coexist with reconciliation

OTTAWA -- Gov. Gen. Mary Simon says reconciliation hasn't returned to the back burner as the country pushes forward to develop major projects.

Audit of Saskatchewan First Nations group questions millions of dollars in spending

Audit of Saskatchewan First Nations group questions millions of dollars in spending

OTTAWA -- A forensic audit of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations says more than $34 million of the organization's spending between April 2019 and March 2024 was "questionable," unsupported or ineligible.

Carney's globe-spanning travel schedule draws both criticism and praise

Carney's globe-spanning travel schedule draws both criticism and praise

Prime Minister Mark Carney is back in London this week -- his 13th foreign trip since taking office in March -- and his globe-trotting schedule is drawing both criticism and praise. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has taken to social media to needle Carney over his travel habits. In a recent post, Poilievre said Carney was "back on his taxpayer funded...

Carney's globe-spanning travel schedule draws both criticism and praise

Carney's globe-spanning travel schedule draws both criticism and praise

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney is back in London this week — his second visit to the British capital among 13 foreign visits since March — and his globe-trotting schedule is drawing both criticism and praise.