Cat Lake First Nation Files Court Injunction to Stop First Mining Gold – NetNewsLedger
February 23, 2024
Cat Lake First Nation (CLFN) has filed for an injunction in the Divisional Court of Ontario seeking to stop First Mining Gold (FMG) from constructing a new access road using Permits issued by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry (OMNRF). This is against the wishes of CLFN on whose ]territory the new road is being built. The road construction is underway at a fast pace and Ontario and FMG have refused to stop construction.
The permits allow FMG to construct an 18 km road through Cat Lake’s traditional territory (440 Km NW of Thunder Bay). The successful injunction would halt FMG’s construction until the resolution of Cat Lake’s application for judicial review.
Cat Lake First Nation Chief Russell Wesley stated, “Ontario’s actions here fall far below their constitutional duty to consult and accommodate Cat Lake’s rights.” He went on to say, “Ontario’s decision and actions was made in defiance of a well-documented Moratorium on mining in the Cat Lake Territory and numerous public statements of opposition. Recently, I predicted in media interviews that the OMNRF would issue the permits despite Cat Lake First Nation’s concerns. This has happened, the OMNRF has forced Cat Lake First Nation into the courts.”
