First Nations representatives are raising concerns about regulations in the Mining Act and they’ve only been mandatory for a day.
As of April 1, once-voluntary regulations under the act came into full effect. Changes include exploration permit approval, exploration plans and completion of a Mining Act awareness program that includes Aboriginal consultation requirements.
The Anishnabek Nation issued a news release Tuesday asking Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle to delay the mandatory implementation.
“We would like the chance for our leadership to meet with their citizens to discuss concerns with regulations that did not go through a proper consultation process,” Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee said in the release.
Gravelle said he met with Madahbee and others from the Anishnabek Nation for an hour last week and told him that he couldn’t delay the regulations.
“We spent a great deal of time phasing it in, significant time on consultations as well, over about a two year period of time,” Gravelle said. “I think we came to an understanding that indeed these discussions need to continue.”
There is also an upcoming bilateral mining discussion between the province and nation that Gravelle hopes will take place in the next couple of months.
“To get this table on mining set up as soon as possible,” he said.
