RECOMMENDATION Growth…

RECOMMENDATION
Growth expediency is paramount in Ontario. However, any and all decisions, conduct and activities that have the potential to have an adverse effect on Aboriginal and Treaty rights respecting lands and resources within their Traditional Territory require engagement, consultation where necessary accommodation. Legal challenges from First Nations that are not engaged and consulted increase the risk of delaying the economic prosperity the Province is seeking.

It should be a national imperative to take reconciliation out of the courts. Conservation Authorities have always been natural collaborative partners that take action on the ground to care for lands and waters. Increasing their engagement and consultation complexity creates the potential to reduce their relationship effectiveness with Treaty holders.

Based on the above, we recommend the following action as an opportunity to bring reconciliation into conservation in Ontario.

ACTION - We recommend a coordinated session with OPCA, Chiefs of Ontario (COO) and NAN to seize this opportunity to improve engagement and consultation in watershed/land use planning processes through this proposed reorganization.

These sessions should address:

The goals and priorities of the OPCA and how engagement and consultation can be improved, in alignment with these objectives, i.e. prioritization ranking, communication protocols, database development, etc.

Indigenous representation on both the OPCA Board and the Regional CA Boards in alignment with Treaty responsibilities and shared goals

Funding agreements to support the provincial mandate of expediency in planning review processes given the consultation gap that currently exists, i.e. only 13 online consultation protocols available.