Regarding the proposed …

Regarding the proposed "Exemption for property", the risks of instituting such an exemption far outweigh the theoretical rewards. Northern Ontario in particular concerns me, as this is still a very understudied region archaeologically. In such a region, getting boots on the ground is vital for identifying the presence or absence of archaeological resources, which is already covered in Stages 1 and 2 of the archaeological process in Ontario. Some properties in the province have also already had full investigations, and those which have been identified as having no proposed further CHVI assessments will have documentation available.

Without being able to identify with certainty that there are no archaeological resources on a property, the potential for irreparably damaging First Nations and Métis archaeological values risks violating national and international laws, such as UNDRIP and even NAGPRA, which would further delay the developments that are at the core of these proposed changes. This is a massive concern for the Indigenous communities that I have worked with, as well as the archaeologists that I have worked with, considering that this industry is our livelihood. Archaeologists are ready and willing to take on this work with haste, and continuing to follow through with Stages 1-4 archaeological assessments as needed is not a burden to continued development in Ontario.