The provincial Liberals, it seems, are about the only people in Ontario in favour of Bill 191, the proposed Far North Act.
Within the last week the legislation has been soundly rejected by the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, the opposition Conservatives, the Ontario Prospector’s Association and all 49 communities that make up Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
The act, if passed next month at Queen’s Park, would set aside 50 per cent of Ontario’s north as park land, essentially closing it to development of any kind.
The province’s First Nations are furious, saying it violates their treaty rights and hampers their ability to generate economic stability.
They’ve threatened action if it goes through as written.
Minining companies say the uncertainty of where they will and won’t be allowed to explore and excavate, together with accessibility questions, mean they might look to other jurisdictions to invest in.
While it is important to have protections in place to preserve wildlife, arbitrarily deciding half the province’s land should remain pristine is over the top and detrimental to the economic stability of the North.
As it stands, the region is not in danger of becoming a giant strip mine. There are enough protections in place to ensure that. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Within the last week the legislation has been soundly rejected by the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, the opposition Conservatives, the Ontario Prospector’s Association and all 49 communities that make up Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
The act, if passed next month at Queen’s Park, would set aside 50 per cent of Ontario’s north as park land, essentially closing it to development of any kind.
The province’s First Nations are furious, saying it violates their treaty rights and hampers their ability to generate economic stability.
They’ve threatened action if it goes through as written.
Minining companies say the uncertainty of where they will and won’t be allowed to explore and excavate, together with accessibility questions, mean they might look to other jurisdictions to invest in.
While it is important to have protections in place to preserve wildlife, arbitrarily deciding half the province’s land should remain pristine is over the top and detrimental to the economic stability of the North.
As it stands, the region is not in danger of becoming a giant strip mine. There are enough protections in place to ensure that. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
