The Supreme Court of British Columbia has given the Province (specifically, the Chief Gold Commissioner (“CGC”) – the decision-maker under the Mineral Tenure Act (“MTA”)) 18 months to design and implement a process that provides for consultation with Indigenous groups adversely affected by the system of issuing mineral claims under the MTA in their ...
The Supreme Court of Canada has confirmed in Mikisew Cree First Nation v. Canada (Governor General in Council) that there is no duty to consult Indigenous groups in the development of legislation.
At issue in Mikisew was whether the Government of Canada had a duty to consult the Mikisew Cree First Nation on the development of environmental legislation that Mikisew said had ...
The Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) rendered its decision in Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forest, Lands and Natural Resources Operations) on November 2, 2017. This decision has important implications for both project proponents and Aboriginal groups in Canada.
Background
The Ktunaxa National Council represents the four Ktunaxa communities in Canada ...
Introduction
In Fort Nelson First Nation v. British Columbia (Environmental Assessment Office), 2016 BCCA 500, the B.C. Court of Appeal recently considered three issues involving the Reviewable Projects Regulation under B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Act:
- whether a letter from the Environmental Assessment Office (“EAO”) confirming a proponent’s ...
Does the granting of subsurface mineral rights trigger the duty to consult with Aboriginal groups? In Saskatchewan, the short answer is “no”. The possibility of impact on Treaty 10 rights from the disposition of subsurface oil sands exploration permits is determined to be “too speculative” by the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal in Buffalo River Dene Nation v ...
Today, the Supreme Court of Canada released another important Aboriginal law decision, Keewatin v. Ontario (Natural Resources), 2014 SCC 48. The decision confirms the power of Ontario, along with other provincial governments, to manage natural resources over lands subject to numbered treaties. Treaty 3 is one of the historical, numbered treaties entered into between ...
On May 9th 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Behn v Moulton Contracting Ltd, 2013 SCC 26. The decision provides important commentary on the Crown’s duty to consult Aboriginal people.
Background
Moulton Contracting Ltd., a forestry company, was granted two timber sale licences and a road permit (the “Authorizations”) by the British Columbia ...
On December 27th, 2012, the Court of Appeal for Yukon released its decision in Ross River Dena Council v. Government of Yukon, 2012 YKCA 14. The case dealt with the Yukon Government’s duty to consult with First Nations when allowing mineral claims to be recorded on land with asserted Aboriginal rights and title claims. The case arose as a result of the “open entry” claim ...
On September 25, 2012, the BC Court of Appeal released its reasons in Neskonlith Indian Band v Salmon Arm (City), 2012 BCCA 379 dismissing an appeal by the Neskonlith Indian Band (the “Neskonlith”) seeking, inter alia, a declaration that the City of Salmon Arm (the “City”) had a duty to consult with the Neskonlith. The case involved a judicial review brought by the ...
On August 9, 2012, the BC Court of Appeal released its decision in Adams Lake Indian Band v. Lieutenant Governor in Council, 2012 BCCA 333 in which it reversed the BC Supreme Court’s finding that consultation by the Province with the Adams Lake Indian Band in respect of the incorporation of Sun Peaks Mountain Resort as a municipality was inadequate. On appeal, the Province ...
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Lawson Lundell's Environmental, Indigenous and Natural Resources Blog focuses on environmental, indigenous and natural resources law, as well as related litigation. Included are summaries of significant cases from Canadian appellate courts, changes in the legal framework governing resource development including energy and climate change policy, and key decisions from the more influential regulatory bodies in Canada.
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