No money in federal budget to improve consultation with First Nations on natural… – APTN
April 21, 2015
No money in federal budget to improve consultation with First Nations on natural resource development
It is one of the biggest irritants between First Nations and Ottawa and the subject of two reports issued by a special federal representative appointed by both Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt, but it is barely mentioned in the federal budget tabled Tuesday.
The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled on it repeatedly. First Nations, the provinces and industry have repeatedly called on Ottawa to meet its responsibility on the issue. But in Budget 2015-2016 consultation with First Nations on resource development projects gets a mere passing mention, folded into a $35 million measure, over five years, to boost the Environment Assessment Agency’s approval process.
The money, however, is not specific to consultation with First Nations, which is a Constitutional requirement solidified by successive high court rulings. The money will “allow the agency to consult with Canadians, including Aboriginal peoples, enabling them to participate in the environmental assessment of projects.”
Read More: http://aptn.ca/news/2015/04/21/45404/
