Dear Minister Pirie, Bingwi…

Dear Minister Pirie,

Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation supports the mining industry, not only for the economic opportunities it brings to our community but more broadly for minerals harvested and what that can provide for the green economy. BNA’s community vision statement is “To grow BNA's economy and become recognized as a sustainable and supportive community where businesses succeed, members thrive, and culture is celebrated". We support resource extraction but not at the price of our lands and waters. Due to the risk of these values being compromised by changes to policy, we are concerned about the proposed Building New Mines Act 2023.

Firstly, it is unacceptable not to reclaim lands altered due to mineral extraction to the full original definition of the term. The proposed change to the definition of “reclamation” completely changes the outcome, rendering it meaningless. Allocating affected land to different land uses under different conditions where infrastructure can stay indefinitely is not reclamation.

Secondly, this proposed new Act proposes that a “competent person” could submit closure plans and that these plans could be conditionally approved by the Minister. Is this taking the place of an expert in the subject? This lack of oversight and consultation is unacceptable, especially while Canada drafts the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. We do not trust the industry to regulate itself after watching resource extraction having a profound negative impact on our region’s lands and waters over generations.

Finally, not requiring companies to post bonds or other financial securities for closure plans will lead to corporations having insufficient financial resources to deal with the possible negative health and environmental outcomes. The lack of funds is needlessly risky and burdens communities and taxpayers to deal with the fallout of a mining operation years later. There is no closure plan and no guarantee of funds to support the recovery after issues which could cost millions of dollars. When dealing with something as critical as the environment of our ancestral lands, this lack of preparation and foresight is frankly disrespectful.

My staff has been to your Ministry’s information session regarding these changes and will be providing comments on the Ontario Environmental Registry. We look forward to continuing the dialogue about balancing economic growth and staying competitive with conserving our lands for future generations. We welcome the chance to speak with you further about your proposed changes.