Illegal airport strips economic opportunities

Webequie may lose potential benefits from Ring of Fire region: Matawa CEO
An airstrip built illegally in the Ring of Fire will strip some economic opportunities away from Matawa First Nations said David Paul Achneepineskum, chief executive officer for Matawa First Nations.
Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Gord Miller released his annual report Sept. 22 and noted the Ontario government is turning a blind eye on illegal construction of mining-related projects in the Ring of Fire.
Miller said the Ministry of Natural Resources halted a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process in September 2009 after a fly over inspection of a site west of McFauld’s Lake revealed the construction of a mining camp and airstrip.
Despite being served with a warrant under the Public Lands Act, the mining company was allowed to continue the Class EA process in mid-October 2009.
Achneepineskum said communities like Webequie lose the benefits of being a hub.
“(Webequie) was a jump off point to the claims,” Achneepineskum explained.
Mining exploration companies used the community’s airport for storage and as an aircraft base. The communities also provided accommodation and food.
And it’s those provision of services that helped bring much needed money into the communities that sit within or near the largest chromite deposit in North America. Chromite is used to make stainless steel.
Achneepineskum foresees the illegally built airstrip becoming the epicentre for a small town.
“So our community’s airstrips are going to be bypassed for any kind of economic benefits,” he said.
The annual report released by the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario contains nothing new for Matawa First Nations.
“The issues and concerns that the commissioner brought up have always been expressed by our chiefs.”
And while Miller had strong recommendations for a revamped Mining Act, Achneepineskum said any changes to the Act would do nothing to benefit First Nations.
“Really, will modernizing the Mining Act change anything at all?” he asked.
“It’s nice that Aboriginal and treaty rights are mentioned in the document but it really doesn’t have any kind of foundation or footing. They’re just nice words that are put there.”
And Achneepineskum said any changes that do happen to the Mining Act won’t touch mining companies actively working in the Ring of Fire now.
“They’re going to be exempt from (any new regulations) until those regulation are in place, maybe in 2011 sometime. It’s really going to be too late.
“I think the Ontario government has really been very disrespectful of our communities,” Achneepineskum added.
Miller said the Ontario government’s planned mining regulation update should require exploration plans and permits to include environmental impact assessments.
“The environment is an afterthought when the government regulates mining in Ontario,” Miller said.
“We need to consider the environment upfront and during all stages of mining activity, including the planning of areas where mining is inappropriate.”