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Public Consultation Begins On Cat Lake and Slate Falls Land Use Planning
Process
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TORONTO, Nov. 13 /CNW/ -
NEWS
Cat Lake and Slate Falls First Nations invite the public to participate
in a community-based land use planning process, developed in partnership with
the Ontario government, for a 1.5 million-hectare area located 150 kilometres
north of Sioux Lookout in Ontario's Far North.
The land use planning process supports Premier McGuinty's commitment to
protect at least half of Ontario's vast Far North boreal region.
Community-based land use planning gives Far North First Nations a
leadership role in determining how and where resource development may occur.
The process encourages greater economic self-sufficiency for First Nations and
supports the Ontario government's Far North planning goals of ecosystem
conservation, Aboriginal community involvement and environmentally sustainable
economic development. The Cat Lake and Slate Falls proposal includes
conservation of woodland caribou habitat, addresses climate change and
recognizes the essential cultural connections between Aboriginal people and
the land.
The terms of reference for consultation are posted on the province's
Environmental Registry (http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/) at
ontario.ca/environmental registry
(http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/), Registry Number 010-4061, until
January 16, 2009. Information centres to welcome public participation and
provide information will be held in early December in Cat Lake, Slate Falls
and Sioux Lookout.
QUOTES
"The Cat Lake and Slate Falls First Nations demonstrate leadership by
identifying local economic development opportunities that benefit their
communities; all while balancing environmental protection and traditional
uses," said Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield
(http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/About/2ColumnSubPage/226953.html).
"Community-based land use planning is one of the cornerstones of Ontario's Far
North strategy. It's key to a fair deal for First Nations communities and a
strong, sustainable northern economy."
"Working in partnership with our First Nations in the land use planning
process will not only help provide for greater economic development
opportunities, but ultimately help improve the quality of life in First Nation
communities," said Aboriginal Affairs Minister Brad Duguid
(http://www.nativeaffairs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/minister.htm).
Cat Lake and Slate Falls community leadership said: "Our communities are
leading this land use planning initiative to maintain our Anishnawbe
relationship to the land and to maintain the Anishnawbe way of life in harmony
with new land use activities. These new activities will be integrated with
traditional land uses in a way that is guided by our traditional values and
principles. Cat Lake First Nation and Slate Falls Nation are collectively
working in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources on this
important planning initiative."
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QUICK FACTS
- Ontario's Far North represents 43 per cent of Ontario's land mass, and
is defined as all lands north of a line running from the Manitoba
border in the west to James Bay in the east, several hundred
kilometres north of Red Lake, Sioux Lookout and Cochrane.
- More than 24,000 people live in 33 First Nations communities in the
Far North, representing more than 90 per cent of the area's
population.
- The vast boreal landscape of Ontario's Far North plays an essential
role in mitigating effects of global climate change because of its
capacity to absorb and store greenhouse gasses.
- Ontario's Far North offers significant economic development
opportunities in the form of renewable energy, mining, forestry and
tourism.
LEARN MORE
- Read the proposal posted on the province's Environmental Registry
(http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/)
(ontario.ca/environmentalregistry)
(http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/), Registry Number 010-4061, and
send
in your comments.
- Learn more about Ontario's boreal forests
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Forests/2ColumnSubPage/240961.html)
(ontario.ca/forests) (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Forests/).
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Disponible en français
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For further information: Ivan Langrish, Minister's Office, (416) 314-2212; Barry Radford, Communications Services Branch, (416) 314-2123
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