Premiers Clash Over Treaty Consultation

When Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew clashed with Alberta’s Danielle Smith over a court ruling requiring consultation with First Nations before citizen petitions proceed, tensions flared in a fiery exchange. Smith labeled the decision “antidemocratic,” but Kinew firmly defended it, stressing that governments—not petitioners—must consult when treaty rights are at stake. Justice Leonard’s ruling found Alberta’s election officials had failed to consult Indigenous communities, a finding Kinew backed, noting that even a hypothetical Alberta separation would impact hunting and fishing rights. Smith countered that courts exist precisely to resolve such disputes. The debate, punctuated by Kinew’s joke about treaty rights keeping hockey star Connor McDavid in Canada, reveals deepening divides over Indigenous rights and governance in Canada. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/08b0893022e16569