First Nations in the North are seeking opportunities for economic development in the energy sector and need to be involved in provincial plans for hydro generation, says Grand Chief Stan Beardy of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN).
Ontario and Manitoba premiers Ernie Eves and Gary Doer announced earlier in June intentions to move forward hydro generation plans between the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba. The premiers agreed to launch a $2-million joint study into the feasibility of building a power generating station in Manitoba to supply power to Ontario.
Beardy wants to ensure that First Nations interests are appropriately represented and the proposed project does not reach a future impasse due to a lack of consultation.
“First Nations are not opposed to such discussions, but need to know where they fit in,” Beardy says.
He says that in these discussions, Aboriginal rights and the energy needs of NAN’s First Nations should also be playing an important role.
“When regulatory regimes related to land and water use come into play, there will be significant impact to Aboriginal and Treaty rights, and that this has been affirmed time and time again through federal Supreme Court of Canada rulings,” Beardy says.
First Nations want to be involved right from the start because they are looking for economic development opportunities, he adds. To date, Beardy says NAN is disappointed with the lack of consultation, and would like to see this change.
In instances where First Nations are left out of the process, they are forced later to take actions such as legal challenges, he adds.
