The provincial government is standing firm despite calls from the opposition to scrap legislation aimed at speeding up mining development.
Many First Nations argue it tramples their rights and is an attempt to circumvent the province’s duty to consult.
At Queen’s Park on Wednesday, the Ford government faced several questions during Question Period from the opposition.
“You have a bill before us here that is going to tie this government and these projects up in the court for years,” says NDP leader Marit Stiles.
“This isn’t going to help. It’s not going to speed anything up. It’s just going to make everything take longer.”
Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford sees the bill helping to create new economic and socio-economic opportunities for First Nations.
“We believe if we work in full partnership with First Nations communities to build out the critical infrastructure that is the face of developing critical minerals and mining sites, we think we have a fair, responsible and reasonable way for us to have common goals and common interests to create a brighter future for the First Nations communities in this province that need it,” says Rickford.
Rickford also insists that the government and companies will continue to consult with First Nations.
“Under no circumstances will we compromise Treaty rights or the duty to consult,” says Rickford.
“In fact, it will be a sharpened focus with First Nations who’ve approached us about some of their economic interests.”
The government also sees the bill helping improve Ontario’s economy and making it competitive in attracting new investment.
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedli says 184 companies have invested $30 billion in the last two years and created 18,000 new jobs.
“That’s what happens when you cut red tape and lower costs across the board,” says Fedeli.
“Now, we are going to build on that progress, but we have to recognize that we need to move faster. The competition for investments is going to be unlike anything we’ve ever, ever seen. If companies have to wait 15 years to get shovels in the ground, they’re going to invest in other jurisdictions.”
While the government answered questions from the opposition, a legislative committee was reviewing the proposed bill line-by-line, with the intent to return it back to the legislature for a final reading.
