In July 2008, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced a world-leading commitment to conservation-focused land-use planning for Ontario's Great Boreal Forest, including protection for more than 50% of the area. To make this bold commitment a reality, we need a strong Boreal legislation that:

1. Creates a well-resourced joint Planning Board to allow First Nations and the Province to work together and share implementation of planning.

2. Details how Ontario will work in partnership with First Nations to determine the location, use and management of the 50% or more of the region that the Premier has committed to protect as conservation lands.

3. Sets out how community plans will be developed and integrated with regional objectives.

4. Describes how communities will realize long-term benefits from development and their role in management.

5. Provides a clear role for a Science Advisory Committee, including objectives for how it will inform land-use planning.

6. Sets clear rules for the development of roads, corridors and industrial activity outside of protected areas.

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Ecosystems at risk in Far North as development rush trumps planning

Groups call on Ontario government to rescue Premier's Far North vision before it's too late

On the second anniversary of Premier Dalton McGuinty’s historic Far North planning and conservation announcement, intrusive industrial developments are going forward with no plan and no oversight by Ontario’s resource management agencies. Six public interest groups are questioning why Ontario government staff are not implementing the Premier’s promise to put proper land use planning before development for this vast natural region. Read more.

Additional backgrounder - Notherners support conservation planning

Toronto Star: Far North Plan still incomplete

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Architect Douglas Cardinal discusses First Nation-lead conservation planning at Queen’s Park
On April 14th a presentation by accomplished aboriginal architect and planner Douglas Cardinal highlighted an evening reception at Queen’s Park dining room. Hosted by the Boreal Opportunities Coalition, the event was chaired by Monte Hummel, President Emeritus of World Wildlife Fund Canada and attended by over seventy MPPs and other guests. Special guests included Hon. Linda Jefferey, Minister of Natural Resources and Hon. Jim Bradley, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Minister Jeffery took to the podium to underline her commitment to ensuring that Ontario’ pending Far North Act ensures that economic development in the far north is done in a manner that empowers First Nation communities and results in conservation of at least 50% of this northern landscape. Mr. Cardinal described how First Nation communities can, and have, developed sustainable plans for their communities that create a basis for economic development, cultural growth and environmental protection. He emphasized the need to listen to the community’s aspirations, in particular that of the youth and elders.

Ring of Fire: Rails before Planning?
The Ontario MNR has quietly started giving permits for advance work for the future construction of a several hundred kilometer rail-line into the Ring of Fire region in the Far North. The line looks as though it will take the shortest-cheapest route and try to follow the course of eskers (linear glacial deposits of gravel and sand that rise high above the surrounding marshes and bogs of the region). However, because this route is being planned without community plans or ecological analysis it is targeting the same areas where biological and cultural values are high. Eskers, because they are higher, dryer and linear have unique regional biological communities and higher productivity than the surrounding landscape. For these reasons they have also been important travel and trap line corridors for First Nations. \ The rail line would also require bridges across several waterway class provincial parks.

Far North Act coming back to the Ontario Legislature?
After a break of almost six months Bill 191 will likely be coming back to the Ontario legislature for second and third (final) reading this spring. Members of the Boreal Opportunities Coalition are hoping the Ontario government has taken this time to listen to the very significant concerns identified with the first draft of the bill. These concerns, as expressed by the Coalition and others include:

1. Lack of a clear mechanism to ensure that 50% of the region will become permanently protected as promised by the Premier in his July 2008 announcement
2. Lack of clarity that protected areas and other land designations will be the result of First Nation community-led planning
3. Lack of a regional planning body that would include equal First Nation and government appointed members and would have the power to assist local communities in their planning efforts
4. Lack of a commitment to develop key planning tools that would require the protection of ecological and cultural values in the region

With huge developments poised for the region, the passage of a robust Far North Act is key to ensuring the Premier’s commitment to empower communities and protect the ecology of the north can be realized. Failure will lead to years of escalating conflict and a hostile environment for business investment.