Statement of the Chief of Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation
I make this statement as the Chief of Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation (“MON”) on behalf of the membership of my Nation. Our Nation is located at the gateway to the North.
Our traditional territory is rich in mineral resources and is the gateway for accessing Ontario’s critical minerals. We have a long history engaging with industry and government regarding the development of these resources. As Chief, I am compelled to state that MON shares the concerns of other First Nations in the province about, and opposition to Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025. In its current form, Bill 5 threatens to fundamentally impact our Aboriginal and treaty rights by taking away the protections which we rely on when considering whether to provide our consent for new development impacting our Nation. MON is open to responsible development. We work frequently with proponents in our Traditional Territory. We are negotiating and have reached dozens of mutually beneficial agreements which allow for natural resource developments to proceed with certainty alongside safeguards that the environmental integrity of our Traditional Territory will be maintained. This requires both (i) individual agreements with proponents, and (ii) a strong regulatory framework to protect the environment, archaeology, and species at risk. This strong framework will be upended by Bill 5.
The imposition of “Special Economic Zones” and the proposed changes to the Ontario Heritage Act and the changes to the Endangered Species Act threaten to reduce consultation while also giving a green light to developers to destroy sites which are important to our culture and to the species with whom we have a strong, reciprocal relationship. I want to be very clear. Absent legislative protection, we will defend our land. Bill 5 will not make resource projects move faster. It will create adversarial relationships between First Nations, proponents, and the Crown. If Ontario is interested in speeding up development, introducing regulatory confusion and inviting litigation based on the protection of our rights is the wrong way to go. Bill 5 fosters an environment conducive to conflict. Ontario should instead be laser focused on fostering environments conducive to consent, replicating what they have done so successfully in the renewable electricity generation and transmission sectors. Indeed, we have seen with both renewables and electricity transmission development that creating regulatory environments conducive to consent is the fastest path forward to seeing new projects proceed. The Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project, a Project with deep respect for First Nation protocols and environmental integrity, runs directly through our territory, adjacent to our reserve. Mishkeegogamang is a proud partner. It is these opportunities that are before Ontario now, and they must not be squandered. But Bill 5, and the type of development it seeks to foster, will only lead to adversarial engagement, lengthy court challenges, and a stagnant investment climate. That is not what Ontario needs right now. MON wishes to encourage responsible development. We are also willing to take any necessary steps to protect our lands and our constitutionally protected rights. It is us and the lands and natural resources in our Traditional Territory who will ultimately bear the brunt of irresponsible and uncontrolled development. We agree with the Chiefs of Ontario that Bill 5 must be repealed, and Ontario must consult with First Nations – including MON – before proposing replacement legislation.
Chief Merle Loon
For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca