‘We need to be at the table’: Lennox Island First Nation chief discusses meeting with prime minister

Chief Tabatha Bernard from Lennox Island First Nation discusses the recent meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Chief Tabatha Bernard from Lennox Island First Nation on P.E.I. says Prime Minister Mark Carney seems willing to work with First Nations peoples on major projects.

Bernard attended a summit between the prime minister and First Nations groups in Gatineau, Que., last week, which focused on the Building Canada Act (a new law that gives cabinet the ability to expedite approvals for big energy and infrastructure projects deemed to be in the national interest).

“He was there, he was listening, he wanted to hear what we had to say, he was engaged,” Bernard told CTV News Atlantic’s Todd Battis on Tuesday.

Bernard, who was elected chief of Lennox Island First Nation last month, said she raised concerns about smaller communities who might not have the capacity to fully benefit from fast-tracked projects.

“We need to be at the table, we need to be considered,” she said. “It’s our recommendatios that First Nations must be required to be beneficiaries by default on projects involving land or water. He was willing to move towards that.”

Bernard said Lennox Island could be heavily involved in wind and energy projects going forward.

“Whatever projects get on that list, we need to be at the table,” she said. “It will provide our members with employment opportunities. I want to move projects forward, I want to work with the government.

“How do we work together? Our community’s growing. I want to continue that growth.”

-With files from CTV News’ Rachel Aiello

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