The Ontario Mining Association (OMA) has come out in support of legislation introduced on June 2 to protect Ontario's Far North.
This legislation is a step towards permanent protection of about half, or 225,000 square kilometres, of Ontario´s Far North through a network of conservation areas.
This new bill proposes to enable community based land use planning involving First Nations in the determination of areas to be protected and areas available for sustainable economic development, to conserve habitat for a number of animal and plant species and to assist climate change efforts by ensuring much of Ontario´s Far North landscape acts as a giant carbon sink.
“On behalf of OMA members, we favour an open and transparent approach in which information is shared," said OMA president Chris Hodgson. "Adding greater certainty to the process in a timely fashion assists in business related and investment and employment decisions. We look forward to working with Minister Cansfield and her staff to help advance the Far North land use planning process."
However, the legislation has already received criticism from the Nishnawbe Aski Nation in northwestern Ontario, which says the legislation doesn't give Aboriginals full rights over their traditional lands.
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