Ghislain Picard wins 11th mandate, 30th year as AFNQL Chief, looks ahead to political year in Quebec
One of Quebec's most longstanding leaders was re-elected Tuesday, saying he plans to charge forward and take advantage of the political window created by this year's upcoming provincial election.
Ghislain Picard won his 11th mandate as Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, earning 74 per cent of the vote.
This year will mark his 30th heading up the organization, as he was first elected in 1992.
Challenging him in this election was Serge Simon, who served as Chief of Kanesatake for 10 years.
In a statement after the results, Picard thanked Simon for putting himself forward and participating in the democratic exercise.
He said he's full of energy for the coming mandate, including building on environmental achievements. The assembly quoted from an interview he gave during the campaign, saying he wants to leverage the election to gain more for Quebec and Labrador First Nations.
"Considering the coming provincial election, we must seize the opportunities to influence every aspect of the political agenda," he said in the interview.
Federal Justice Minister David Lametti was among those to congratulate Picard on Tuesday, posting a picture of them together.
Picard is Innu and originally from the communit of Pessamit. He spent his earlier career working in communications, helping found a community radio station, and managing the Quebec network of Native Friendship Centres.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
Crypt near Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner could fetch US$400,000 at auction
A one-space mausoleum crypt in the vicinity of Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner will go on auction Saturday, when it is expected to reach between US$200,000 and $400,000.
This Toronto restaurant is no longer accepting tips. Here's how it's going
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff – tipping is no longer accepted.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Premiers not being truthful about carbon tax, Trudeau says while sparks fly in Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Conservative premiers across the country are 'not telling the truth' when it comes to the carbon tax. Trudeau's comments came as fresh sparks were flying in Ottawa at a recalled House of Commons committee.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.
What new auto insurance reforms will mean for Ontarians, if they get introduced
Ontario has among the highest rates for auto insurance premiums in Canada -- just below Alberta and Nova Scotia -- however, the introduction of an insurance reform in the provincial budget could soon lower prices.