Wynne wins Liberal race for Ontario premier

Kathleen Wynne was named Ontario’s new premier after winning the Liberal leadership race to replace Dalton McGuinty.
Wynne served as Ontario’s Minister of Aboriginal Affairs before stepping down to run for leader.
Over the course of her campaign Wynne addressed a number of issues pertaining to First Nations people, including the treaty relationship, impoverished living conditions on reserves and resource revenue sharing.
“It doesn’t make me comfortable that there are (First Nations) in Ontario who are living in these conditions,” Wynne said during the campaign. “I don’t think any of us can accept that it’s appropriate.”
On resource revenue sharing, she has gone on record saying a “government-wide approach” to revenue sharing is needed.
“It’s important to make sure that the communities that are affected also benefit from resources initiatives,” she said.
And on treaties, Wynne has said a conversation needs to take place to educate the public of the importance of the treaties.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation offered its congratulations to Wynne following her victory, but cautioned that treaty implementation and revenue sharing must be a priority for the new premier.
“Treaty and resource revenue sharing are key to addressing the pressing and dire challenges facing the remote First Nations of northern Ontario,” said NAN Grand Chief Harvey Yesno in a press release. “Our treaty partners, Canada and Ontario, must come to the table to address these issues, and not just to dialogue or discuss but strategize and implement. NAN First Nations need the process for formal agreements to get underway.”