OTTAWA — Several key federal cabinet ministers addressed the Assembly of First Nations gathering in Ottawa Thursday, including Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne.

But Energy Minister Tim Hodgson — who is helping to advance Prime Minister Mark Carney’s major projects agenda — has been taken off the agenda, despite being previously scheduled to appear Thursday.

Hodgson’s office said he is still taking part in a midday meeting with B.C. chiefs but will not be speaking on the panel he was initially slated to join. His office said that decision was made by “organizers.”

AFN officials said they would never prevent a minister from addressing chiefs and they were not given an explanation for Hodgson’s withdrawal.

Hodgson found himself in hot water last week when he brushed off concer

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