Canadians Overwhelmingly Vote Against High-Risk Shift to Political Right: FNLC Congratulates Liberal Government

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) looks forward to working closely with the returning federal Liberal government on recognition of First Nations’ inherent title and rights and advancing justice and equity broadly, as well as the climate emergency.

Votes are still being tabulated, but as of now Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals won a minority government with 168 seats and approximately 43.5% of the popular vote, with the federal Conservatives winning 144 seats and 41.4% of the popular vote. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre lost his seat after 20 years but says he will stay on as party leader. The Bloc Quebecois won 23 seats, and Canada’s New Democrat Party won 7 seats, the lowest number of seats since its founding in 1961, and 5 seats short of the 12 seats needed to have official party status. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh did not win his seat and announced he would step down as party leader as soon as an interim leader could be identified. The Green Party retained 1 seat, leader Elizabeth May’s stronghold of Saanich-Gulf Islands.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President:

“Only months after the federal Conservatives were dangerously poised to win by a landslide, I am greatly relieved that Pierre Poilievre, with his message of division and obsessive focus on accelerated resource exploitation, has not won. We are ready to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney as soon as possible to discuss our mutual priorities and chart a path forward. To avoid being subsumed under the menacing shadow of Mr. Donald Trump’s imperialist vision, many New Democrats made a difficult decision to vote for the Liberals in this election, leading to an incredibly disappointing result for the NDP. Jagmeet Singh, you are a true ally for Indigenous peoples and a true friend. Your legacy includes leadership on pharmacare and dental care, and your unwavering commitment to equity. We thank you for your 8 years of service as NDP leader and we wish you and your family the very best.”

Regional Chief Terry Teegee, BC Assembly of First Nations:

“I sincerely congratulate Prime Minister Mark Carney on his election and acknowledge this moment as an essential opportunity to renew partnership and dialogue grounded in respect for First Nations rights, cultures, and governance. I am optimistic the new Liberal government will demonstrate strong leadership and a steadfast commitment to reconciliation and justice. With this new leadership comes the responsibility to urgently address the ongoing priorities faced by First Nations communities: fully enact the UN Declaration Act (UNDA), ensure First Nations voices lead decision-making on development projects affecting our territories, advance policing and justice reform, address socio-economic inequities, and safeguard the revitalization and preservation of First Nations languages and cultures. Meaningful progress on these and other challenges will require meaningful and genuine partnership, respect for First Nations laws and traditions and sustained action.”

Robert Phillips, First Nations Summit Political Executive:

“Congratulations to Prime Minister Carney on a well fought election. We are confident his government will continue to work with First Nations to take concrete actions with measurable outcomes in an effort to close the disparate socio-economic gaps faced by our communities. We also recognize a priority for his government will be to continue response to the Trump tariffs and the resulting economic uncertainty the tariffs will cause. However, we reiterate that the federal government must ensure that any response, respects and upholds the inherent and constitutionally protected title and rights and jurisdictions of First Nations. Now is the time for Canada to focus on international and domestic trade, and to also work with First Nations to grow our economies in rural, isolated, northern and coastal First Nations communities for the prosperity and benefit of all Canadians”.

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The First Nations Leadership Council is comprised of the political executives of the BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN), First Nations Summit (FNS), and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC).

For further information, contact:

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President: 250-490-5314

Robert Phillips, FNS Political Executive: 778-875-4463

Annette Schroeter, BCAFN Communications Officer: 778-281-1655

FNLC website: https://www.fnlc.ca/

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