Bill 191 under debate in Ontario legislature

Bill 191, the Far North Act, is being debated in the Ontario Legislature with a vote likely to be held Sept. 23.
“If Bill 191 passes Third Reading, NAN will not recognize it,” said Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin in a Sept. 22 press release. “We will not compromise our 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 First Nations in the Far North will maintain their position of firm opposition to Bill 191. If the bill is passed into law this week, 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 honour their commitments to the people of NAN, we have no other choice,” Metatawabin said. “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 First Nations were not properly consulted on Bill 191, despite the province’s continued attempts to state otherwise. According to resolutions passed by the NAN chiefs-in-assembly, the legislation will be opposed by any and all means necessary.
Harold Wilson, president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and the chief operating officer of the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce, stated his concerns in a Sept. 22 press release about the negative impact Bill 191 will have on the northern Ontario economy.
“Following my participation last week (during the Sept. 15 Kill the Bill! No to Bill 191 – The Far North Act rally), it became clear that the misinformation about what the Far North Act means was gaining momentum,” Wilson said.
“This is about withdrawing 50 per cent of the Far North – 21 per cent of all of Ontario – from possible development, and holding the rest of the area subject to an MNR-led quagmire. I am working until the last minute to identify how this incredibly significant, harmful legislation will negatively impact our northern economy and our business community. We need the government to be aware of how business investment will be hindered and opportunities shelved.”
The Thunder Bay Chamber represents over 1100 businesses in Thunder Bay. NOACC represents 2300 businesses throughout the region.
Timmins-James Bay MPP Gilles Bisson said the Liberals have failed the North once again in a Sept. 22 press release.
“There will be no development unless the community puts forward a land use plan,” Bisson said. “That can’t happen if most of the NAN communities are not on side.”
Bisson said if the vast majority of NAN does not participate in the process, then the land in NAN territory won’t be up for development.
“The government has done nothing but reinforce uncertainty and will force First Nations to protect their interest,” Bisson said. “That wasn’t necessary. The government could have done the right thing and adopted legislation that would have satisfied everyone.”
Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Stan Louttit said the province controls the entire planning process.
“What happened to Dalton Mcguinty’s promise to begin a new relationship with First Nations,” Louttit said. “The government can proceed with any development with or without our participation and consent. That doesn’t sound like a new relationship.”
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton had delivered three petitions signed by 600 band members from the communities of Kingfisher Lake, North Spirit Lake and Wunnumin Lake during the Sept. 16 session of the Ontario Legislature.
“McGuinty needs to consult with First Nations first before making decision on what to do with their lands,” Hampton said. “This is a complete lack of respect for the First Nations treaties. It is a violation of their rights.”
Hampton said all First Nations across Ontario oppose Bill 191.
“The McGuinty government needs to initiate a respectable government-to-government dialogue with NAN First Nations rather than ramming through legislation that First Nations are unanimously opposed to,” Hampton said.
During question period in the Ontario Legislature Sept. 16, Bisson said mayors and chambers of commerce from across northern Ontario have also expressed opposition to Bill 191.
“Premier, nobody buys it,” Bisson said. “First Nations don’t buy it, community leaders in northern Ontario don’t buy it and chambers of commerce in northern Ontario don’t buy it.”
Since Bill 191 was first introduced in June 2009, Nishnawbe Aski people have maintained their united position that it does not respect Aboriginal and treaty rights nor the inherent rights of First Nations.