Ontario Nature’s Position on the Far North Act

In partnership with other leading conservation organizations, Ontario Nature supports the Ontario government’s Far North Act (Bill 191), which enshrines Premier McGuinty’s promise that ecologically significant landscapes in the northern boreal region will be protected and that the principles of sustainable land-use planning will guide development.

In 2007, more than 1,500 scientists from Canada, the U.S., and around the world signed a petition urging Canadian policy makers to recognize the importance of the boreal region and their responsibility for its protection.

Ontario Nature recognizes and respects that First Nations are opposing Bill 191 because of outstanding treaty and governance issues. The concerns voiced by these communities can only be resolved through meaningful and ongoing dialogue between First Nations and the Province, on a government-to-government basis. We also recognize and respect the unique rights of First Nations associated with the landscape and its resources. To realize the principles outlined in the Far North Act and ensure that cultural values are protected as well, First Nations communities that live in the northern boreal must be the lead in determining how their lands and waters are used. (www.ontarionature.org/protect/campaigns/PDFs/WorkingWithFirstNations.pdf).

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