Gravelle responds to Madahbee

Earlier today we posted an Anishinabek Nation news release in which Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee said he has asked Minister Michael Gravelle, Ontario's Minister of Northern Development and Mines, to postpone the mandatory implementation of the new mining regulations.

Gravelle (shown) subsequently issued the following statement:

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“We remain committed to promoting mineral exploration and development while respecting Aboriginal and Treaty rights.

Our goal is to provide clarity to industry by encouraging early engagement and ongoing relationship building with Aboriginal communities.

These new rules enhance notification and consultation with Aboriginal communities and private landowners potentially impacted by proposed exploration activities, they help protect sites of Aboriginal cultural significance and new provisions for exploration site remediation reduce the impacts of early exploration activities.

I was certainly grateful to have the opportunity to discuss these changes directly with Grand Chief Madahbee just last week, and reaffirmed our commitment to establish a bilateral table on mining.

Modernization of the Mining Act, and now the supporting regulations, is the result of comprehensive consultations.

Between January 1, 2010 and January 31, 2012, over 70 discussions and consultation sessions were undertaken with Aboriginal groups and communities, industry stakeholders, environmental organizations, and municipal representatives.

Following a five-month voluntary period, new regulations for exploration plans and exploration permits came into effect April 1, 2013.”

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