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MINEFIELD — Facing fierce blowback from Indigenous leaders, the Ford government is capitulating on parts of its hot-potato mining legislation.

Changes incoming: Energy and Mines Minister STEPHEN LECCE says the PCs are open to amending Bill 5 — the one that guts environmental assessments and creates “special economic zones” — but Oppo critics aren’t buying it.

NDP Leader MARIT STILES says the bill belongs in the shredder and the PCs should “go back to the drawing board.”

Lecce wasn’t specific on what amendments the government would introduce during clause-by-clause consideration at committee, but trampling Indigenous treaty rights has been a major bugaboo about Bill 5, to say the least. Another clue: Lecce did mention ongoing talks with First Nations leaders.

In the North, NDPer SOL MAMAKWA is warning of potential blockades if Queen’s Park doesn’t budge. One Grand Chief even called Ford’s latest comments re: Indigenous consultation “idiotic.”

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