Ontario Premier Doug Ford has issued an apology for comments that were slammed as “racist” by First Nations leaders.

TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford has apologized for saying First Nations should not keep coming "hat in hand" to the government if they say no to mining projects, a comment many First Nation leaders called racist.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is willing to give First Nations what they want for their support in developing mines, but they cannot keep coming hat in hand all the time to the government for more money. Ford is set to meet Thursday with several dozen chiefs who are part of Anishinabek Nation, which represents 39 First Nations in the province.