A true partnership

The Ontario government partners with Indigenous communities to ensure they are involved in — and benefit from — the economic opportunities available in natural resource sectors such as:

  • mining
  • forestry
  • green energy

Examples of this partnership include:

  • being involved in managing land and natural resources
  • building capacity and tools to take full advantage of sustainable resource development opportunities (e.g., the New Relationship Fund)
  • sharing the economic benefits of developing natural resources in a fair way

Mining and minerals

Ontario’s Mining Act lays out the rules and regulations that apply to mining in the province.

The act:

  • explicitly recognizes Aboriginal and treaty rights
  • incorporates Indigenous consultation in legislation and regulations
  • addresses significant Indigenous cultural sites
  • describes online mining claim registration
  • speaks to resolving disputes involving Indigenous consultation and mining
  • requires that prospectors complete training on Aboriginal and treaty rights and consultation requirements

Forestry

Ontario has rules and regulations that set the price of — and govern the competitive sale of — Crown timber in the province. These are set in the Forest Tenure Modernization Act.

Under this system, two models exist for harvesting wood from Ontario forests:

  • Local Forest Management Corporations, which manage Crown forests and oversee timber sales in a given area
  • Enhanced Shareholder Sustainable Forest Licences, which bring together a group of companies to form a new company to manage Crown forests under a licence issued to them

Through this system, Indigenous and local communities have more opportunity to be involved in the industry.

Nawiinginokiima Forest Management Corporation

In June 2012, the first Local Forest Management Corporation was created.

The Nawiinginokiima Forest Management Corporation (Ojibway for “working together”) is managing and overseeing the sale of timber within an area northeast of Lake Superior.

Indigenous communities are involved and will benefit economically.

Green energy

Ontario consults with First Nation and Métis communities to ensure their voices are heard when it comes to Ontario’s energy future. Through these programs, Indigenous communities can leverage the economic benefits of the green energy sector:

Indigenous Energy Partnerships program

A program that supports First Nation and Métis communities who participate in developing renewable energy.

Aboriginal Loan Guarantee program

A program that supports Indigenous participation in new transmission and renewable energy generation projects, such as wind, solar and hydroelectric.

Métis Voyageur Development Fund

The Métis Voyageur Development Fund is a Métis owned and controlled economic development fund.

Year launched: 2012

Funding amount: the fund provides grants and loans of up to $500,000  to Métis entrepreneurs and Métis-owned businesses in the resource sector.

Apply for funding at www.mvdf.ca