Prospectors, environmentalists, lodge owners and Northerners can give Ontario politicians an earful on the amendments to the Mining Act (Bill 173) and the McGuinty government's Far North Act (Bill 191).
The McGuinty government is bundling the two acts together for public hearings that will have a huge impact on the future direction of natural resource development in Ontario most northerly regions.
A standing committee will be holding the first public hearing starting in Toronto Aug. 6, before taking to the road in Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay, Chapleau and Timmins during the week of Aug. 10.
Those wanting to make an oral presentation on Bill 173 and Bill 191 should contact the clerk, Trevor Day, at 416-325-3509 by July 23. Written submissions will be accepted until Sept. 4.
In late April, Queen's Park released the new-look Mining Act. The bill has passed second reading in the Ontario Legislature.Last summer during the first round of consultations, claim staking and Aboriginal consultation proved to be huge issues voiced by all groups.
Bill 191 proposes to set aside 225,000 square kilometres of land in Ontario's Far North up to Hudson Bay.
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