Ontario government reviewing, possibly repealing Far North Act

After nineyears, the Ontario government is reviewing the Far North Act with the goal of reducing the red tape and restrictions on what itconsiders important economic development projects in the north.

In 2010, when the act first came into effect, theLiberal government hoped it would protect some ofthe lands in northern Ontario.

However, many First Nations have been vocal intheir dislike of the legislation, saying that they were never properlyconsulted in the first place.

On Monday, the provincial governmentannounced it will be reviewingand seeking input on repealing the act.

The proposal has been posted on the Environmental Registry for a45-day consultation period.

It is inviting Indigenous communities and other stakeholders to share their thoughts on the Far North Act andhow to collaborativelyopen the north for business.

First Nations, environmentalists react

The Nishnawbe AskiNation issued a statement on the review.

"We strongly oppose theFar North Actand are encouraged that Ontario is taking a second look at this controversial legislation. TheActwas enacted without meaningful consultation to legislate our territory under the control of the province and threatens the inherent, Treaty and Aboriginal rights of our people," saidGrand Chief Alvin Fiddler.

However, a not-for-profit environmental group is worried about losing any semblance of a process to determine the appropriate use of land and water in consultation with First Nations and the Ontario government.

"What is going to be the role of community land use planning, will it still survive going forward? That's not clear to me,"said AnnaBaggio, the Director of Conservation planning for the Wildlands League.

Baggio saidshe's concerned that repealing the act will take away some powerful leverage that First Nations in the north currently have.

She said she understands why some First Nations want to see the act repealed, but with no plans in place for when it is repealed, she worries that the land will lose all protection.

"Certainly some of the otherambitious objectives that talked about enshrining some ecological and cultural values, those will all be gone if the act is repealed," she said.

She's concerned that the provincial government is only viewing the Far North Act as a restriction to economic development. She said she hopes to see some meaningful consultation with the First Nations moving forward if the act is repealed.

"If the rules around development from a provincial standpoint are just going to be the mining act, that doesn't really give communities a lot of options in terms of having a say in their lands. So are communities just going to have to fight like they've always done to have a say in their lands?"

However, Finance Minister andNipissingMPP VicFedelisays the review is needed.

"We think this will open up large areas of northern Ontario while still retaining the approved land use plans that have been done. This will open up opportunities for exploration, for logging, for growth in the north." saidFedeli.

Fedeliwas the Mayor of North Bay when the act first came into effect.

He said he never agreed with it andone of his mostfrequentcriticisms of the previous government was its decision to create the Far North Act.