Day 3, Thunder Bay: Miners Support Protection in Far North

The third day of Ontario government hearings on the Far North and Mining Modernization Acts focused mostly on the Mining Act (Bill 173), with presentations from the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) and Pic River First Nations, as well as the Métis Nation of Ontario, Grand Council for Treaty 3, and municipal and conservation groups. A common theme heard in today’s meeting was the need for the full consent and accommodation of communities affected by mining exploration. Prospecting organizations were also present, again arguing for less regulation of their industry.

The main discussion regarding the Far North Act came from Chris Hodgson of the Ontario Mining Association (OMA). Hodgson says the OMA supports Bill 191, but would like to see the recommendations of the Far North Advisory Council incorporated into the legislation. Those recommendations suggest that the Ontario government should establish an independent board, with equal participation from the Province and First Nations, to oversee and coordinate the implementation of a regional strategy for land use planning. Hodgson also stated that economic objectives should be made explicit in the Far North Act, and that the government must made adequate funding available for land use planning – two other recommendations made by the Far North Advisory Council which have also been ignored by the government.

Hodgson’s statement counters the assumption that only conservation groups support protection in the Far North. When asked if the Premier’s vision for protection would jeopardize economic development, Hodgson replied that the 50% protection contained in the Act would in no way threaten the development of the mining industry, as long as clear rules and guidelines are established during the land use planning process. In response to Randy Hillier’s suggestion that only “environmentalists” were consulted about the Premier’s Far North initiative, Hodgson responded that the OMA was also been consulted in the lead-up to the announcement.

While Bill 191 needs to strengthened to ensure independent oversight and meaningful partnership with First Nations, it is telling that the largest industrial stakeholder in the Far North – the mining industry – believes that with a strong Act, conservation and economic development in the Far North can be mutually compatible.

Tomorrow’s hearing is in Chapleau, where the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) is also holding its summer assembly. Tune in to find out if NAN participates or boycotts the hearing.