Canada Nickel Company Inc V.CNC

This is why the Ring Of Fire may never be developed!

[NiNorWesOnt]

No Ring of Fire without consent': First Nations confront Doug Ford on mining claims at Queen's Park

Leaders say Ford government granted thousands of mining claims without their consent

Author of the article:

Naimul Karim

Published Mar 30, 2023  •  Last updated 18 hours ago  •  2 minute read

8 Comments

Noront Resources Ltd.'s Esker camp in the Ring of Fire region of the James Bay Lowlands in Ontario. PHOTO BY SUPPLIED/SUNMEDIA

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Two First Nation leaders were asked to leave the gallery of the Ontario legislative assembly after they interrupted question period on March 29, a sign of strain between Doug Ford’s government and some Indigenous groups that could hamper efforts to boost the province’s critical minerals sector.

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“No Ring of Fire without consent,” chanted Neskantaga chief-elect Chris Moonias and current chief Wayne Moonias as they were escorted out of the gallery.

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The leaders were referring to a mining project the province wants to develop situated in northern Ontario’s James Bay Lowlands, about 500 kilometres from Thunder Bay. 

 

“Premier Ford and investors hear us,” Wayne Moonias said at a press conference ahead of the question period protest. “You will not cross the Attawapiskat River without our consent. If you get on your bulldozer, our people will meet you on the land. There will be no road to the Ring of Fire without our consent.”

 

Ford’s government is working to build an all-season road to the Ring of Fire, which the province says has “multi-generational potential” to produce minerals in high demand amid the shift away from fossil fuels, such as nickel and copper.

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Two Indigenous groups support developing the Ring of Fire. But other First Nations oppose it, including Neskantaga, insisting the area needs a stricter environmental assessment.

 

Ottawa is also cautious about exploiting the region, which includes peatlands that can capture carbon. Earlier this month, Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said that the attention the Ring of Fire tends to obscure other Canadian mining projects that are closer to producing critical minerals.

 

Without consent

 

Demonstrating the seriousness of the issue, dozens of members from five First Nations travelled thousands of miles to Toronto to mount the Queen’s Park protest over proposed legislation that would speed up mining processes.

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Leaders of Neskantaga, Grassy Narrows, Wapekeka, Muskrat Dam and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nations said the Ford government has granted thousands of mining claims without their consent.

 

Ford’s proposed changes would give the province’s mining minister more power to make decisions linked to the permits required by miners to explore deposits and build mines. They would also update the mine closure plan that miners must submit before they can begin construction, a process that takes several years.

 

NDP lawmaker Sol Mamakwa used Question Period to ask whether Ford would meet the First Nations and resolve the issues that they raised.

 

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In response, Ontario’s minister of Indigenous affairs, Greg Rickford, said the government was focussed on “consensus and relationship building” when it comes to resource projects.

 

“We meet very regularly with indigenous leaders from across this province,” said Rickford. “Those meetings are focussed on building consensus. They are about ensuring that resources extracted from northern Ontario are distributed fairly and most importantly under the resource sharing agreements to ensure that indigenous communities are involved in the benefits.”

 

This is the second time in two months that the group of First Nations have raised their concerns. The five Indigenous communities are part of the First Nations Land Defence Alliance, a group formed in February.

 

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[PCGuy10]

Viable Deposit debates notwithstanding, at least Mark got this one right be bringing them on board from day 1. Not only that, never mind buying "duty free" booze gas and tobacco. Having the local First Nation buy and own the heavy equipment is pure genius!

[CravingProfits]

Pcguy....great remark. And from what I hear, Timmins is in dire need of First Nation support from the community and all Gov t agencies. They might end up with more loans and grants than Cnc will. ...plus cheaper diesel unless they go all electric. Glta ---------------------------------------—---------------- Timmins and Mushkegowuk Council officially renewed a Memorandum of Understanding as