Latest news with #IndigenousEngagement
CBC
7 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Carney defends Bill C-5 amid court challenges by First Nations
Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking from Hamilton on Wednesday, says his government is now engaging with First Nations before any specific projects are being discussed.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Building Canada Act leaves much open to interpretation on Indigenous consultation, says lawyer
An Anishinaabe lawyer says "fuller," "meaningful" engagement needs to happen with Indigenous Peoples if the federal government wants to make the right decisions on projects under the new Building Canada Act. Sara Mainville, a partner at JFK Law and former chief of Couchiching First Nation in northwestern Ontario, said under the Building Canada Act, once a project is deemed in the national interest, it would be difficult to roll it back. The act was passed last week and aims to speed up projects of national interest, including energy development projects, by allowing special designated projects to bypass some federal laws. Mainville said under the legislation, Indigenous groups potentially impacted by a project should be part of the process deciding if it is in fact of national interest. "They have to make the right decision each and every time," said Mainville. "They could only do that with fuller engagement, meaningful engagement with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people." The bill says that among factors that may be considered in deciding if a project is within the nation's interest are whether it advances "the interests of Indigenous peoples" and if it contributes "to clean growth and to meeting Canada's objectives with respect to climate change." Mainville said this leaves a lot to be interpreted. "Advancement of Indigenous interests is such generic language, like what does that mean in a real way?" she said. "This is really going to be for the courts to decide, unfortunately, unless there's some real markers put in place." Mainville said if processes are not in the legislation, there's no guarantee they will happen. "This idea of 'just trust us, we're gonna get this right,' it's asking too much of First Nations with real interests in this area that potentially is going to be impacted by this pipeline," said Mainville. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith spoke to CBC Radio's The Early Edition Wednesday about reviving a plan to build a pipeline to bring oilsands crude to B.C.'s north coast for export to Asia, with the endpoint in Prince Rupert, B.C. An organization representing the Gitga'at, Gitxaała, Haida, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo Xai'Xais, Metlakatla, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv First Nations told CBC Indigenous last week that they wouldn't be in favour of any new pipelines in their region. Smith said on The Early Edition that bitumen, the type of petroleum mined in the oil sands, is the single most valuable product in Alberta, worth about $9 trillion. "No one leaves $9 trillion in the ground; we have to find a way to get it to market," said Smith. Smith said it would be essential for any linear infrastructure project to have Indigenous ownership across the line. "I would just ask for people to have an open mind and see that if we can identify the issues that are causing concern, work through them one at a time, I think that we would be stronger as a country," said Smith. Rashid Sumaila, a professor at the University of British Columbia and Canada research chair in interdisciplinary oceans and fisheries economics, studies the overall cost of projects like pipelines on society, taking into account impacts on the environment and societal implications now and for future generations. In 2012, Sumaila estimated that a major oil spill cleanup on B.C.'s North Coast could cost up to $9.6 billion, and cost the region's commercial fisheries, port, ferry transportation and tourism industries more than $300 million. Sumaila said other costs are intangible, like the impact on First Nations culture if there is a reduction in salmon. "What's the value of that? That doesn't go into the big company calculations," said Sumaila. Sumaila said there are benefits to projects like pipelines in the short term, like profit and jobs for individuals, but the long term negative costs are usually left to the larger society to deal with. "I think we need to zoom really sharply on the fact that there's usually a disconnect between those who gain and those who bear the cost," said Sumaila. Mainville said cumulative impact is a tool First Nations in B.C. could potentially use to stop unwanted resource developments. A B.C. Supreme Court decision in 2021 found that cumulative impacts of extensive industrial resource development unjustifiably infringed on Blueberry River First Nations' treaty rights, leaving its members unable to exercise their rights on much of their traditional territory. As a result the court ordered the province to prohibit further development in the area that would infringe on Blueberry First Nations' treaty rights. "Similar thing can happen along these coastal regions where there's just too much development," said Mainville. The federal government has said the prime minister will meet with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in the coming weeks, with the first meeting happening on July 17 with First Nations.
CBC
03-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Building Canada Act leaves much open to interpretation on Indigenous consultation, says lawyer
An Anishinaabe lawyer says "fuller," "meaningful" engagement needs to happen with Indigenous Peoples if the federal government wants to make the right decisions on projects under the new Building Canada Act. Sara Mainville, a partner at JFK Law and former chief of Couchiching First Nation in northwestern Ontario, said under the Building Canada Act, once a project is deemed in the national interest, it would be difficult to roll it back. The act was passed last week and aims to speed up projects of national interest, including energy development projects, by allowing special designated projects to bypass some federal laws. Mainville said under the legislation, Indigenous groups potentially impacted by a project should be part of the process deciding if it is in fact of national interest. "They have to make the right decision each and every time," said Mainville. "They could only do that with fuller engagement, meaningful engagement with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people." The bill says that among factors to be considered in deciding if a project is within the nation's interest are whether it advances "the interests of Indigenous peoples" and if it contributes "to clean growth and to meeting Canada's objectives with respect to climate change." Mainville said this leaves a lot to be interpreted. "Advancement of Indigenous interests is such generic language, like what does that mean in a real way?" she said. "This is really going to be for the courts to decide, unfortunately, unless there's some real markers put in place." Mainville said if processes are not in the legislation, there's no guarantee they will happen. "This idea of 'just trust us, we're gonna get this right,' it's asking too much of First Nations with real interests in this area that potentially is going to be impacted by this pipeline," said Mainville. Impacts of pipelines on B.C.'s north coast Alberta Premier Danielle Smith spoke to CBC Radio's The Early Edition Wednesday about reviving a plan to build a pipeline to bring oilsands crude to B.C.'s north coast for export to Asia, with the endpoint in Prince Rupert, B.C. An organization representing the Gitga'at, Gitxaała, Haida, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo Xai'Xais, Metlakatla, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv First Nations told CBC Indigenous last week that they wouldn't be in favour of any new pipelines in their region. Smith said on The Early Edition that bitumen, the type of petroleum mined in the oil sands, is the single most valuable product in Alberta, worth about $9 trillion. "No one leaves $9 trillion in the ground; we have to find a way to get it to market," said Smith. Smith said it would be essential for any linear infrastructure project to have Indigenous ownership across the line. "I would just ask for people to have an open mind and see that if we can identify the issues that are causing concern, work through them one at a time, I think that we would be stronger as a country," said Smith. Rashid Sumaila, a professor at the University of British Columbia and Canada research chair in interdisciplinary oceans and fisheries economics, studies the overall cost of projects like pipelines on society, taking into account impacts on the environment and societal implications now and for future generations. In 2012, Sumaila estimated that a major oil spill cleanup on B.C.'s North Coast could cost up to $9.6 billion, and cost the region's commercial fisheries, port, ferry transportation and tourism industries more than $300 million. Sumaila said other costs are intangible, like the impact on First Nations culture if there is a reduction in salmon. "What's the value of that? That doesn't go into the big company calculations," said Sumaila. Sumaila said there are benefits to projects like pipelines in the short term, like profit and jobs for individuals, but the long term negative costs are usually left to the larger society to deal with. "I think we need to zoom really sharply on the fact that there's usually a disconnect between those who gain and those who bear the cost," said Sumaila. Mainville said cumulative impact is a tool First Nations in B.C. could potentially use to stop unwanted resource developments. A B.C. Supreme Court decision in 2021 found that cumulative impacts of extensive industrial resource development unjustifiably infringed on Blueberry River First Nations' treaty rights, leaving its members unable to exercise their rights on much of their traditional territory. As a result the court ordered the province to prohibit further development in the area that would infringe on Blueberry First Nations' treaty rights. "Similar thing can happen along these coastal regions where there's just too much development," said Mainville. The federal government has said the prime minister will meet with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in the coming weeks, with the first meeting happening on July 17 with First Nations.
Globe and Mail
16-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Osisko Development Appoints Susan Craig to Board of Directors as Independent Director
MONTREAL, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osisko Development Corp. (NYSE: ODV, TSXV: ODV) (" Osisko Development" or the " Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Susan Craig as independent director to the Company's board of directors effective immediately. "We are very pleased to welcome Susan to our board of directors," commented Sean Roosen, Founder, Chairman and CEO."Susan brings a wealth of experience in environmental stewardship, Indigenous and community engagement, and permitting across a range of jurisdictions and of note in British Columbia. Her leadership in navigating high-profile projects through regulatory frameworks, combined with her deep understanding of community dynamics and governance, aligns with our values and strategic direction. Susan's ability to bridge technical, social, and regulatory considerations will be an asset as we advance our projects. Her track record of forging enduring partnerships with Indigenous nations and commitment to responsible mining practices will further strengthen our Board as we enter the next phase of growth." Ms. Susan Craig is a geologist with over 35 years of experience in the mining industry, with a strong focus on regulatory, environmental, social, Indigenous, and community relations. Her career spans projects in Yukon and British Columbia across all stages of development, from exploration and permitting to production and closure. She has worked extensively with publicly listed mining companies, various levels of government, Indigenous communities, and industry associations. Ms. Craig has also held senior leadership roles, including serving as President & CEO and Director of Northern Freegold Resources. Ms. Craig has played a pivotal role in advancing several high-profile projects through complex environmental assessment (" EA") processes. She was instrumental in the 2004 EA process for NovaGold's Galore Creek project as well as in establishing a landmark Participation Agreement with the Tahltan Nation. Earlier in her career, while at Viceroy Resources, she was part of the team that permitted and developed the Brewery Creek gold mine and collaborated with the First Nation to implement one of Canada's first socio-economic accords. More recently, she supported Indigenous negotiations and environmental assessments for the Kemess Underground and Kutcho Copper projects. In addition to her technical and project expertise, Ms. Craig brings deep governance and advisory experience. She has served as a director of the Yukon Energy Corporation, the Yukon Chamber of Mines, the Mining Association of BC, the BC Association for Mineral Exploration, and currently chairs the Advisory Board at Lakehead University's Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining & Exploration. Ms. Craig has received multiple industry awards recognizing her leadership in sustainable development, including the 2017 Canadian Women in Mining Trailblazer Award, and the Yukon Women in Mining Champion Award and has been a longstanding advocate for responsible mining practices. ABOUT OSISKO DEVELOPMENT CORP. Osisko Development Corp. is a continental North American gold development company focused on past-producing mining camps located in mining friendly jurisdictions with district scale potential. The Company's objective is to become an intermediate gold producer by advancing its flagship permitted 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project, located in central B.C., Canada. Its project pipeline is complemented by the Tintic Project in the historic East Tintic mining district in Utah, U.S.A., and the San Antonio Gold Project in Sonora, Mexico—brownfield properties with significant exploration potential, extensive historical mining data, access to existing infrastructure and skilled labour. The Company's strategy is to develop attractive, long-life, socially and environmentally responsible mining assets, while minimizing exposure to development risk and growing mineral resources. For further information, visit our website at or contact:
CTV News
05-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Hotel Sask. unveils addition of Indigenous flags, painting by local artist
The Treaty 4 and Métis Nation flag are now positioned next to the provincial flags and Progress Pride flag at the Hotel Saskatchewan. (Mick Favel / CTV News) In the spirit of truth and reconciliation, the Hotel Saskatchewan unveiled a few new additions to their building. Hotel specialists and guests gathered for a ceremony held on the front walk of the hotel on Wednesday to reveal the inclusion of two Indigenous flags on the building. The Treaty 4 and Métis Nation flag are now positioned next to the provincial flags and Progress Pride flag. 'We felt it very important to raise the Treaty 4 flag and Métis Nation flag to show we [are] a welcome place for all,' Ashley Pelechytik, director of sales and marketing for the Hotel Saskatchewan, said. A piece of art created by Harley Sinclair was previously unveiled but will soon be installed at the front doors of the hotel. The painting depicts a Saskatchewan sunset. Harley Sinclair Local artist Harley Sinclair's painting depicting a Saskatchewan sunset will soon be installed at the front doors of the Hotel Saskatchewan. (Mick Favel / CTV News) 'I wanted to create a piece that really reflects the vastness and that place we all call home,' Sinclair explained. 'I want that piece for people to resonate with and be caught in and feel that warmth of a secure warm place that they call home,' he added. The two endeavors were led by the Hotel's Indigenous Engagement Committee who were in planning for over a year. Communication with Sinclair was roughly a year before the reveal. 'To be able to partner with an up-and-coming Indigenous artist, and providing that opportunity, I think it's our responsibility as a business to create those pathways,' said Pelechytik. The painting will be installed in the near future. The new flags are now on display. Pelechytik said the Indigenous Engagement Committee has other announcements planned for the future.
