Aboriginal Consultation Approach for Mineral Sector Activities

Media

• February 22, 2007 - Ontario Government Engages With Aboriginal Communities On Mining-related Consultations

Aboriginal Consultation

This Discussion Paper is available in the following languages.

• English
• French
• Cree
• Oji Cree
• Ojibway

Minister's Message

I am delighted to introduce the first issue of our Update on Aboriginal Engagement – Developing A Consultation Approach for Ontario’s Mineral Sector Activities (PDF).

We have launched this newsletter to enhance the way we share information with Aboriginal communities in Ontario and to keep participants up-to-date on progress being made in our Aboriginal Engagement initiative.

In February 2007, my ministry issued a discussion paper and launched public discussions on improving Aboriginal consultation for mineral sector activities. We are currently engaging with Aboriginal communities and organizations, as well as mineral sector stakeholders, to seek input that will help us develop a consultation approach that works for everyone -- Aboriginal communities, Ontario and the mineral industry.

Throughout this process, we have listened carefully to what we have heard. We are also taking note of the direction we have received from the courts.

As a result, we are introducing a transitional approach to consultations that builds on what we’ve learned and allows us to address some key concerns of Aboriginal communities, such as enhanced information sharing regarding claim staking and exploration activity, and withdrawal of important heritage and cultural sites. In addition, we will undertake improvements to our own internal processes and enhance the information we provide to minerals industry clients on when and how to engage Aboriginal communities.

The newsletter provides further details on our transitional approach.

I want to emphasize that measures implemented under this approach are first steps only – they will not narrow the options considered as we continue to collaborate on the development of improved approaches to Aboriginal consultation. They will, however, allow us to improve on existing consultation activities.

Over coming months, as we continue to gather input on our discussion paper and engage communities through our workshop sessions, we will issue regular Updates.

I hope you will enjoy following the progress of our engagement process in this and coming issues of the newsletter. In addition, I urge you to join in the process of building a strong consultative framework by reviewing and commenting on our discussion paper, either electronically or by mail.

Contact us for more information by email at herbert.shields@ontario.ca, telephone at
(416) 327-0650
or facsimile at (416) 327-0634.  You may also write to us at:

Towards Developing an Aboriginal Consultation Approach for Mineral Sector Activities
Room 5630, Whitney Block
99 Wellesley St. West
Toronto, ON M7A 1C3

Michael Gravelle

Minister of Northern Development and Mines