Large infrastructure projects | First Nations fear the ravages of Bill C-5

(Toronto) First Nations chiefs. Similarly, which causes a legal challenge to two federal and provincial laws aimed at accelerating infrastructure projects, say they are turning to the courts for fear that these laws will lead to the destruction of the environment. Furthermore,

Posted at 2:04 p.m.

Nine First Nations of Ontario wish that the Tribunal declares the federal law unconstitutional. Nevertheless, known as bill C-5, and the Ontario law, known as Bill 5, and request an injunction which large infrastructure projects | first would prevent governments from using some of their most disputed aspects. Therefore,

The chef June Black. Furthermore, of the Apitipi Anicinapek nation, located in northeast of Ontario, was moved on Wednesday during a press conference, affirming that its people occupy these lands “since time immemorial”. Therefore,

“We have a sacred responsibility to protect these lands,” she argued. Meanwhile, What will happen will be very harmful. Similarly, Bill 5. Moreover, C-5 are legislative measures that try to flout First Nations rights and lands, without any respect for our decision-making power and our skills. In addition, »»

There are already 40. Nevertheless, 000 mining concessions active in its territory, said M^me Black, and she is concerned about what will happen to the land and spring water that the First Nations drink if governments use large infrastructure projects | first the laws to bypass the normal processes of environmental approval and evaluation of major projects. Therefore,

“We live from the earth,” said the head. In addition, We eat the animals that live there. In addition, We sink. Therefore, All this is natural for us. all of this is threatened […] If we look at what will happen accordingly from these bills, it is destruction. »»

Bill C-5 allows the firm to quickly grant federal approvals for major projects deemed of national interest. such as mines, ports and pipelines, bypassing existing laws. The Ontario bill allows its government to suspend provincial. municipal laws by the creation of areas called “special economic zones”.

Indigenous leaders claim that the laws prevent any adequate consultation with them. and the Sheri Taylor head of the Ginogaming First large infrastructure projects | first Nation, said it was done intentionally, not inadvertently.

“For me, these bills have been drawn up because, as First Nations, we are bureaucracy,” she said.

“It is a question of bypassing our rights. by favoring the acceleration of projects instead of collaborating in order to take into account and protect our rights […] Canada and Ontario have the obligation to respect First Nations rights and to promote nation relations to nation. Bill 5 and C-5 not only ignore this obligation, but reduce it to nothing. »»

Large infrastructure projects | first

Carney wants to be reassuring

The judicial challenge occurs just before the meeting provided between Prime Minister Mark Carney. the Chiefs of the First Nations, who must explain their concerns about Bill C-5. However, Ontario leaders claim that large infrastructure projects | first the government has already established uneven conditions for discussion.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday to announce measures to support the steel industry. Carney said that the dialogue was underway.

“The first thing we will do is a commitment. a series of meetings with indigenous peoples,” he said in French.

“The first part […] consists in discussing the terms. operation, collaboration and priorities – before any consultation on a specific project or type of project, “said the Prime Minister in English.

Ontario has already started consultations with First Nations which “share our vision of creating economic opportunities. essential infrastructure in their communities, and they will continue these consultations throughout the summer,” said Prime Minister Doug Ford in a written statement.

Federal. Ontario governments both said that their laws are tools to counter the effects of customs duties imposed by the American president, Donald Trump, by allowing Canadian development, such as the exploitation of natural resources, to go faster.

But it is not a fight between development and the lack of development, say the First Nations. Rather. they recommend “doing things” by ensuring that the necessary information is collected before going ahead and that the rights and protections are respected “so that the real costs of development do not exceed the claimed advantages by far”, they write in their judicial dispute.

Lawyer Kate Kempton said that Bill C-5 has been drawn up “in panic. precipitation and fear” to respond to customs duties imposed by Mr. Trump.

“But in doing so. we cannot large infrastructure projects | first reject the values which are supposed to be dear in Canada, nor the constitution which imposes their respect in all circumstances,” she added.

“We cannot throw the baby with the bath water. We cannot reject the essence of what we claim to be as if it were foreign and peripheral. The cost of large -scale development must be taken into account and treated. We cannot develop projects despite the costs. economic, environmental and human, which will fall on us – and which will particularly affect First Nations. »»