Far North Act passed into law

Nishnawbe Aski Nation will not recognize Bill 191, the Far North Act, despite being passed Sept. 23 in the Ontario legislature.
Shortly after the bill was passed, NAN Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin said the Ontario government cares little for the concerns of First Nations and northern Ontarians.
“It is a disappointing day for all of us who spent tireless hours opposing Bill 191 as our opposition was obviously ignored,” Metatawabin said. “As we have stated time and time again, NAN First Nations and tribal councils do not and will not recognize this legislation on our homelands. We will continue to uphold our Aboriginal and treaty rights and jurisdiction over our land. The real fight is just beginning.”
Despite the opposition, the Ministry of Natural Resources touted the legislation saying First Nation approval of land use plans is now required by law, a first in Ontario history. An MNR press release said First Nation communities can now identify and approve the areas in the Far North that require protection as well as those areas suitable for economic development.
“With the Far North Act, we have accomplished something ambitious, something exceptional,” said Natural Resources Minister Linda Jeffrey. “Together we are entering a new era of social prosperity, economic certainty and environmental protection in the Far North. It is our responsibility as global citizens to make wise land use decisions for this vast and unique part of the province and the world.”
The government said land use plans are key to developing the Far North, including the region known as the Ring of Fire, which contains one of the world’s largest deposits of chromite, a key ingredient in stainless steel.
The Ontario New Democratic Party voted against Bill 191, stating the Liberals’ decision to “ram” the Far North Act through the Ontario legislature is a big step backward for relations between First Nations and the provincial government.
“The premier went back on his pledge to First Nations leaders that he wouldn’t move ahead with the Far North Act without their consent,” said NDP leader Andrea Horwath. “Despite committing to a new relationship, the McGuinty Liberals think they know better than the First Nations who have lived in the far north for thousands of years. The attitudes displayed in the passing of this bill were supposed to be the attitudes of the past.”
Timmins-James Bay MPP Gilles Bisson said the Far North Act remains deeply flawed.
“The act gives the government blanket powers to override local First Nations’ land use decisions and does not respect Aboriginal rights to accommodation,” Bisson said.
All the NDP MPPs voted against the bill, but it passed with the support of the Liberal majority. Notably absent from the vote were Premier Dalton McGuinty and Thunder Bay Liberal MPP Bill Mauro.
Bisson said the problems with Bill 191 go beyond the issues with First Nations.
“Chambers of Commerce, prospectors and developers, mayors, ... and business owners have all spoken out against the Far North Planning Act. So if everyone is against it, why are they proceeding with it?”
Metatawabin said in a Sept. 22 press release that NAN communities will not compromise their rights as treaty people.
“The law can be passed by the province of Ontario, but this does not promise industry free access to our lands,” Metatawabin said, noting that NAN will maintain its former statements that uncertainty and unrest are imminent.
“This is not what we want, but given the province of Ontario and the premier’s refusal to honor their commitments to the people of NAN, we have no other choice. First Nations in the Far North have voiced their concerns over and over again regarding this Bill, and yet the premier of Ontario remains unmoved. If there is conflict, if will be up to the province to answer as to why. This government has been given ample opportunity to work with us, but chooses otherwise.”
NAN said its First Nations have not been properly consulted on Bill 191, despite the province of Ontario’s continued attempts to state otherwise.