Ontario First Nations Challenge Bills Allowing Development Without Proper Consultations

A group of Ontario First Nations has filed a constitutional challenge of recent bills passed by both the province and the federal government aimed at speeding up mining, pipelines, and other projects. They claim the legislation allows development to be pushed through without meaningful consultations with Indigenous people.

Lawyers representing nine Ontario First Nations have filed an application in Ontario Superior Court challenging the province's Bill 5 and the federal government's Bill C-5. They argue that these bills violate the constitutional obligation of the Crown to advance reconciliation and want them struck down.

The First Nations are seeking a court injunction to block both bills immediately pending a final ruling on their constitutional challenge. The Indigenous groups involved in the challenge include Attawapiskat First Nation, Aroland First Nation, and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug.

The legal filing states that the bills allow governments to approve projects without meaningful Indigenous consultations and skip legislated processes that involve First Nations consultations. The federal and provincial governments have not yet responded to the constitutional challenge.

The federal government has previously stated that Indigenous groups affected by potential projects will be consulted at key stages of the process. Prime Minister Mark Carney has committed to engaging with First Nations, Inuit, and Metis about the implementation of Bill C-5.

The Ontario government has mentioned plans to consult First Nations over the summer about Bill 5 and before declaring any special economic zones. They argue that the bill is necessary to speed up the approval of mines in the face of economic challenges.

According to the source: The Globe and Mail.