Media Centre

Press Releases

2009

Ontario introduces planning law for Ontario’s northern Boreal region

Toronto, June 2, 2009: The Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) welcomes the introduction today of new legislation affirming Premier McGuinty’s July 2008 commitment to establish a First Nations-led land use planning process across Ontario’s Far North and mandating a balanced approach to conservation and development for this globally significant region.

"This is an important step towards securing a sustainable future for the northern Boreal region of Ontario,” said Larry Innes, executive director of CBI. “We commend the government for recognizing that planning for environmental protection and economic prosperity is best accomplished in partnership with First Nations.”

In July 2008, the Government of Ontario announced it would advance First Nations-driven land use planning across the north. The province committed to working with local communities to plan for an interconnected system of conservation lands across more than 50% of Ontario’s Far North region, while identifying priority areas for resource development. The government also committed to obtaining First Nations approvals for major developments through the planning process and to resource revenue sharing with Aboriginal communities.

Ontario’s northern Boreal region extends north from 51 degrees, and covers more than 40% of the province. It is one of the largest intact ecosystems on earth. It is the homeland of many Aboriginal communities and supports a rich diversity of wildlife. The region's natural wealth sustains hundreds of Aboriginal communities and supports thousands of jobs. As part of the world’s largest land-based natural storehouse of carbon, Ontario’s Boreal region stores an estimated 49B tonnes of carbon, most of it in peatlands and wetlands, and absorbs about 12.5M tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere every year.

“Finding the right balance has never been more important. Given the immensity of this region, and the scope and scale of the planning work that will need be undertaken, significant investments in capacity, knowledge, process, and regional coordination will be required,” stated Innes. “Those have been critical elements of successful land use planning in other parts of Canada’s north.”

“The first priority should be to ensure that funding and effective regulatory mechanisms are place to ensure that the planning process empowers First Nations to fulfill their roles as stewards of their traditional territories, while enabling them to take advantage of long-overdue opportunities for economic prosperity. We look forward to help advance those goals as this draft legislation is further refined over the coming months,” concluded Innes.

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The Canadian Boreal Initiative brings together diverse partners to create new solutions for Boreal conservation and sustainable development. It acts as a catalyst for on-the-ground efforts across the Boreal forest region by governments, industry, First Nations, conservation groups, major retailers, financial institutions and scientists.

CBI supports the Boreal Leadership Council of leading conservationists, First Nations, resource companies and financial institutions, who together endorse the Boreal Conservation Framework and its balanced vision to protect at least half of Canada’s northern Boreal region with the remaining lands under world-class sustainable development, in a manner respecting and accommodating Aboriginal rights.

For more information, please contact:
Suzanne Fraser, Director of communications
Canadian Boreal Initiative
sfraser <at> borealcanada ca
T: 613.232.2530 or 613.552.7277 (mobile)

 

From the Ministry of Natural Resources

• Protecting The Far North: McGuinty Government Provides New Leadership Role for First Nations