Gravelle defends Far North Act

News — 12 October 2010

Michael Gravelle, Minster of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, jumped to the defence of the Far North Act, Bill 191, amidst a flurry of controversy from First Nations and opposition political parties last week.

The legislation was passed by the provincial government on September 23, 2010 with a resulting vote of 46 to 26 in favour of the Act.

“The Far North legislation is very much about First Nations and the government working together to make significant decisions about conservation, and economic development opportunities,” says Gravelle. “First Nations will be, as a result of this legislation, certainly in a position to have an extraordinarily significant say in how they want to see their communities, their land and their traditional territories used in the future.”

The Far North act is intended to protect approximately 50 per cent, 225,000 square kilometres, of the land north of the 51st parallel. The Ministry of Natural Resources defines the Act as enabling a community-based land use planning process that gives First Nations a leadership role.

“I can tell you that we are working very closely with our First Nations, and despite the controversy and what appears to be very strong opposition, we are extremely open to continuing those discussions, and we’re having those discussions,” states Gravelle.

“I think it’s very significant that myself as Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry and my colleague Linda Jeffrey, the Minister of Natural Resources who is responsible for Bill 191, recently signed a letter of intent with Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation.”

Jeffrey says the letter of intent reaffirmed a commitment to work together on economic development and land-use planning in the Far North, including development of the mineral-rich deposits in the Ring of Fire.

“For those who fear that the legislation related to the Far North is going to impede development, the goal of many First Nations is to protect and respect their land and at the same time, take advantage of some of the economic development opportunities.”

Gravelle feels it’s unfortunate that the discussions have been as controversial as they have been, but says the government is extremely committed to maintaining and building a very close relationship with the First Nations which includes discussions of economic development and conservation.

“Despite the controversy, I believe that those relationships are strong and that we will continue to work together with the First Nations to make those decisions,” relays Gravelle. “The fact is that the Far North Legislation itself basically and very clearly allows the First Nations to make decisions related to how they want to see their lands either developed or protected and those decisions will be made.”

By Ally Dunham

Related News

Opposition targeting Far North Act

By Ally Dunham MPP for Nipissing, Vic Fedeli renewed the Ontario PCs call for Dalton McGuinty to undo his legislation and repeal Bill 191, which received Royal Assent on October 25, ...

Outrage over Far North Act

Despite no shortage of regional opposition, the province of Ontario passed Bill 191, the Far North Act on Sept. 23. Focused on northern land development, the Act has been passed in ...

Ontario Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle appeared in Dryden, April 10, visiting the Northwest Regional Fire Management Centre. Photo by Chris Marchand

Fire resources at the ready, says Minister Gravelle

By Chris Marchand Ontario Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle ushered in an early beginning to the forest fire season with a visit to the Northwest Region Fire Management Centre, April 10. “I ...

City of Dryden Economic Development Manager James Harvey. Staff Photo

James Harvey named to economic development post

By Chris Marchand James Harvey’s introduction to the community was a memorable one, Monday night, as city council introduced the newly hired Economic Development Manager, gesturing to a suddenly empty chair ...

Gravelle moves to MNR

By Ally Dunham Thunder Bay MPP, Michael Gravelle, formerly the Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry (MNDMF), has taken a new position with the provincial government as the Minister of ...

OFIA: Forestry cutbacks will harm small contractors

The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry (MNDMF) have announced a cut in funding for the Provincial Roads Funding Program which currently offers $76 million in funding for the ...

Gravelle confirms Aspenware remarks following controversy

Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry (MNDMF), Michael Gravelle has confirmed he was the source of remarks echoed to the media by Dryden Mayor Craig Nutall on the wood ...

Domtar fares well in wood supply competition

Following the long-awaited results of the Ontario Wood Supply Competition, Dryden’s Domtar mill has come out a winner with 626,000 cubic metres per year of wood fibre. The wood allocation to ...

No wood for Hudson mill

The McKenzie Forest Products idled Hudson mill is feeling the impact from the negative decision of the Province of Ontario and the Provincial Wood Supply Competition.Having received notice that the ...

‘What growth plan?”: The province’s vision for Northern Ontario inspires derision from opposition

The Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry have released the long awaited Growth Plan for Northern Ontario on March 4, 2011. The Growth ...