Canada Uranium update
Published by MAC on 2008-02-22
Canada Uranium update
22nd February 2008
Messages of solidarity from other First Nations, organizations and political parties are pouring in, following the arrest of Ardoch Algonquin First Nation negotiator, Bob Lovelace, just over a week ago and his sentence of 6 months in jail for "contempt."
Cameco has completed pouring a concrete barrier in the area where a rockfall resulted in a flood at its Cigar Lake uranium project in the province of Saskatchewan.
ARDOCH ALGONQUIN FIRST NATION
(613) 329-3706
Media Advisory, 22 February 2008
FREE BOB LOVELACE - RALLY
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Sat. February 23
Quinte Detention Centre, Napanee
Last week, AAFN Spokesperson Robert Lovelace was sentenced in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Kingston to 6 months incarceration and stiff fines for upholding Algonquin law forbidding uranium mining within our homeland. In addition, our community was fined $10,000 and Chief Paula Sherman $15,000, and our statement of defense was struck out, which means that we are forbidden from challenging the constitutional validity of Ontario's Mining Act. With support from the lawyers representing Premier McGuinty and Michael Bryant, Ontario's Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, the court made it clear that the interests of the mining industry trump the rights of First Nations and all people who care about protecting our homeland.
Shouts of "shame!" erupted in the courtroom as the sentences were read by Justice Cunningham and Bob was taken into custody. Many were shocked by the harshness of the sentence imposed for participation in a peaceful protest against a uranium exploration project which was approved by McGuinty without any consultation with our community.
Chief Paula Sherman said: "No consideration was given to the circumstances that led to our actions. The testimony given under oath by Bob Lovelace outlined Algonquin Law and the corresponding responsibilities of Algonquin people with respect to human activity in our territory. Bob also testified that the government of Dalton McGuinty, and his Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Michael Bryant, have consistently refused to consult with our community on uranium exploration. All this was tossed aside by the judge. The message delivered clearly is one of domination and oppression; the government of Ontario will enforce one set of values with respect to human relationships with the land and there is no room for First Nations laws or values."
Bob Lovelace is now in jail in Quinte Correctional facility in Napanee. Chief Sherman said: "He is a prisoner of the government of Ontario, and the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation places blame for this mess on Premier McGuinty and Michael Bryant. We have repeatedly asked for consultations on the mineral claims on our lands. We have offered Ontario several options for consultations. Every option was rejected out of hand. Our position is clear and just: Meaningful consultation must occur before any of our land is damaged or given away to mining companies."
For more information, contact:
Chief Paula Sherman (613) 329-3706 or Chris Reid (lawyer) (416) 666-2914
First Nations Leader Bob Lovelace to Serve Six Months in Jail
by Helen Forsey, The Canadian
22nd February 2008
Bob Lovelace further demonstrates the neo-colonial oppression of aboriginal peoples in Canada.
The story behind the draconian February 15th sentencing of a First Nation leader began in the spring of 2007 when the Ardoch and Shabot Obaadjiwan Algonquin communities found out that their land was threatened by a proposed uranium mine. The Ontario government had given a permit to "Frontenac Ventures" corporation to drill for uranium on a 30,000 acre tract of wilderness in northern Frontenac County, 100 kilometres (kms) upstream from Ottawa. Some of the land staked is private property, but most is unceded Algonquin territory, claimed as "Crown land" by the provincial government.
Like the whole of the Ottawa River watershed, this "Frontenac Tract" is traditional Algonquin territory. It has never been ceded to the Crown, and since the early 1990s it has been the subject of Comprehensive Land Claim negotiations with Ontario and Canada. By issuing exploration permits on this disputed land, Ontario has made a mockery of its own negotiations and ignored Supreme Court rulings that require meaningful consultation with First Nations before allowing development in their territories.
Frontenac Ventures took advantage of this government travesty. In the spring of 2007 it set up a uranium exploration camp at Robertsville, 90 kms north of Kingston, and prepared to drill. Meanwhile, concern was building among local residents over the dangers uranium poses to human health and the environment. Meetings took place between Algonquins and their "settler" neighbours, research was done, letters written, questions raised. But as more alarming facts emerged about the risks of exploring and mining this radioactive mineral, it became clear that the company was going ahead regardless.
At the end of June, the Ardoch Algonquins and Shabot Obaadjiwan peacefully occupied the site at Robertsville, the only feasible entry point for the 30,000-acre tract. They were supported by hundreds of non-Algonquins from the local area and beyond, who brought food and supplies, raised money, and organized a communications and quick response network. The comprehensive website, LINK and email newsletter, Uranium News are the work of the Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium.
From the start, the entire protest was determinedly non-violent. Mindful of the lessons from Ipperwash, the Ontario Provincial Police helped maintain good communications and prevent crises. The Algonquins, working from an office in a donated trailer behind the gate, continued to press the government for consultation. Frustrated, Frontenac Ventures launched a $77-million lawsuit against the protesters and got an interim injunction ordering everyone away from the Site.
In response, settler support mushroomed, and an entire tent village went up outside the gate. The Algonquins insisted they would only leave if true consultation began, with a guarantee of no drilling for the duration of the process. Apparently outraged by their stubborn determination, Judge Cunningham of the Ontario Superior Court issued a follow-up "interlocutory" injunction on September 27th, and charged the protesters with contempt of court for defying the earlier order. With evidence implicating at least 50 people, both settlers and Algonquins, lawyers negotiated the number down to eight, among them the five First Nations leaders who bravely volunteered to take the rap for everyone.
Finally in October the government agreed to mediated talks, and the Algonquins moved their peaceful protest out from behind the gate to the road allowance nearby. As the cold set in, the protesters maintained a watchful presence in the relocated trailer and a cabin they built in three days. Donna Dillman’s hunger strike was based there until she took it to Toronto at the end of November. Frontenac Ventures came and went, doing "non-intrusive" preparatory work under the terms of the mediation.
But tensions began to mount soon after New Years, as the end of the twelve-week mediation period approached. An innovative Algonquin proposal for a consultation "pilot project" was on the table when the Ontario government pulled the rug out from under the whole thing by insisting that drilling must go ahead no matter what. Ardoch and Shabot rejected that condition and resumed their non-violent protest. That was how things stood on February 12th when the trials on the contempt charges began, leading to the rigid conditions, massive fines and jail time imposed by Judge Cunningham.
Uranium mining is dangerous and should be banned
The Whig
22nd February 2008
Good morning, Kingston. It's time to wake up and smell the uranium.
Despite the many environmental concerns we face, the proposed uranium mine 60 kilometres north of Kingston is, by far, the most immediate concern for us.
Perhaps some of you have heard about the conflict and assumed that it is just a First Nations land claim issue. Wrong. Uranium mining is a threat to every living thing. The poisons released by mining would infect every aspect of our environment, and us. Additionally, unlike other poisons, it would remain with us for hundreds of thousands of years.
So what is going on?
A company called Frontenac Ventures has staked 400 mineral claims on 8,000 hectares - 30,000 acres, according to the Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium, a group formed to oppose the project - of Crown and private property in the northern Frontenac County area.
Yes, you read correctly - there are mining claims on private land, land we citizens think we own. How can that be?
Do you think you own your land? Well, you don't, due to an antiquated law that allows anyone to stake a claim on your property for a small fee. We property owners own the surface rights to our property. Most of us do not own the land underneath the surface. That means someone can enter your property, cut down trees, build roads, dig, drill and mine your property, not only without your permission but without even informing you. It's perfectly legal. Just ask Frank and Gloria Morrison, as that is exactly what happened on their land last spring.
Here are some facts about uranium mining and Frontenac Ventures' plans:
There is no evidence of any safe level of uranium mining.
There is well-documented evidence of increased incidences of cancer in mine workers and people living near mining sites.
Every test hole drilled releases poisonous gases into the atmosphere.
Frontenac Ventures is planning an open pit mine, which means less exposure to poisons for workers but air and water pollution that will spread far and wide.
The North Frontenac uranium deposits are very limited; hence substantial quantities of radioactive material and radon gas will be dispersed by air and water to obtain small amounts of marketable uranium.
The process of mining involves the extraction of ore, crushing of ore, leaching with sodium/bicarbonate solution and dumping of the leachate and tailings.
Frontenac Ventures' website states that the company is "embarking on aggressive open pit mining" in the area. The leachate from this mining venture would poison the waters in the Mississippi watershed. Kingston and Ottawa are the ultimate recipients of these contaminated waters.
If you want to be more fully informed, you should seek information from the Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium (uraniumnews@ccasmu.ca, www.miningwatch.ca, and info@knowuranium.org).
The bottom line is that uranium mining is extremely dangerous and should never be permitted close to human populations. Many communities and organizations have demanded that a moratorium on uranium mining should be imposed immediately in order to study its effects on Canadians.
So far, Premier Dalton McGuinty has not been willing to listen to the concerns of citizens. If you agree that this serious threat to the health and safety of citizens needs to be acknowledged and studied, please let McGuinty and your local MPP, John Gerretsen, know. Demand a moratorium on uranium mining now.
Joan Rose Kingston
PROTESTERS' TRIAL A TRAVESTY OF LAW AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY
Kingston Whig Standard
21st February 2008
I know too little about First Nations' roles in this country historically and currently, but I do know that First Nations principles, historically and culturally, are based on respect for the land, which translates into environmentalism. I know a little about residential schools-based genocide and related forms of genocide as well. But I think I learned all one really needs to know last week at the Frontenac County Court House, where Justice Douglas Cunningham concluded that Robert Lovelace and Paula Sherman, leaders of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, should be sentenced to six months in prison and fined more than $35,000 for trying to protect their (and our) land from environmental disaster.
Those two, as well as Chief Doreen Davis of the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation and a considerable number of stakeholders in the area, have worked for months to see that Ontario's legal duty to consult with First Nations about mining activity - in this case, uranium mining activity - takes place before allowing mining that would turn the subject lands north of Sharbot Lake into a toxic ruin.
Justice Cunningham ignored Ontario's failure to consult, ignored the Canadian right to non-violent protest, ignored the Crown's refusal to acknowledge environmental challenges to the dangerously outdated Canada Mining Act and ignored implied threats by Frontenac Ventures to enlist armed (and therefore potentially violent) security to deal with First Nations peoples and their supporters.
Worst of all, he ignored Algonquin law, which has enacted a moratorium on uranium mining, and thus he ignored the right of First Nations people to obey their laws.
Anyone is welcome to read the transcripts of this hearing, but having witnessed this travesty of law and moral responsibility, I can only say that Justice Cunningham's apparent indifference to Ontario's failure to consult taught me everything I need to know about colonization, land genocide and the iniquity of white corporate power.
Valerie Ashford, Kingston
Throwing First Nations' Leaders in Jail Isn't Consultation: NDP
NDP Release
20th February 2008
Queen's Park - "The McGuinty government's failure to undertake proper consultations with the Ardoch First Nation regarding uranium exploration on their traditional lands has ended with co-chief Robert Lovelace being sentenced to six months in jail and fined $25,000," said NDP Environment Critic, Peter Tabuns.
"It's a sad day in Ontario when the McGuinty government stands in contempt of their responsibility to hold meaningful consultations with First Nations on activities affecting their traditional lands, yet it's First Nation Leaders who suffer the consequences," said NDP Environment Critic, Peter Tabuns.
On February 15, Ardoch Algonquin co-chiefs, Robert Lovelace and Paula Sherman were convicted of contempt of court for failing to obey two injunctions against the occupation of lands upon which an exploration company, Frontenac Ventures, is carrying out exploration work, including exploratory drilling. Lovelace was issued a six-month jail sentence and a $25,000 fine when he refused to stay away from the uranium exploration site. The subject lands form part of a 25 year-old Algonquin land claim in the area.
"In its mad dash for more nuclear power the McGuinty government failed to consult Ontarians by exempting their nuclear plans from the provincial environmental assessment process, and now they're failing to undertake meaningful consultations with the Ardoch First Nation while letting a uranium exploration company run roughshod over their rights," said Tabuns. "Clearly, this is a government committed to the nuclear industry at any cost," he added.
"There is a very disturbing trend developing across the province whereby the constitutional rights of First Nations are being shamelessly violated by the McGuinty government," said Tabuns. "New Democrats agree with Amnesty International and others that the McGuinty government must stop breaching its own legal obligations to First Nations," added Tabuns.
"We need an immediate moratorium on uranium mining in Eastern Ontario so meaningful consultations with the Ardoch First Nation are undertaken and a mutually acceptable resolution is reached," said Tabuns.
Media Inquiries: Peter Tabuns, MPP, Toronto-Danforth 647-202-7183
NAN demands Ontario settle Ardoch land dispute
Canada News Wire
20th February 2008
THUNDER BAY, ON, Feb. 20 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy demands the Premier of Ontario negotiate a settlement regarding the ongoing land dispute on traditional Ardoch Algonquin First Nation (AAFN) territory, rather than using the courts to delay a political solution.
"The solution to unsettled land claims is not jail time or fines," said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy. "We're in a situation where First Nation people are being criminalized for practising constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights - our way of life on the land. These extreme positions by Ontario to support court proceedings rather than negotiating settlements could seriously jeopardize new meaningful relationships not only in Algonquin territory, but across the province."
Beardy's comments come after AAFN negotiator Robert Lovelace was yesterday sentenced six months in jail and fined $25,000 for his participation in a peaceful protest over uranium exploration on Algonquin traditional territory (eastern Ontario).
The actions leading to yesterday's sentencing of the AAFN member are comparable to James Bay Treaty 9 community Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) and its litigation between mining exploration company Platinex Inc. and the Government of Ontario - a story that's made national news since the northern First Nation community approx. 600 km north of Thunder Bay was hit with a $10 billion lawsuit in February 2006 after requesting Platinex Inc. remove drilling equipment from their traditional territory.
Similar to the situation in eastern Ontario, KI leadership currently awaits an expected April 2008 sentencing for a December 2007 contempt charge as they fulfill their sacred responsibility to the land.
"What the Government of Ontario and general public need to realize is that our people have a sacred responsibility to the land. It's not that we operate outside of Canadian law, however the laws of our lands come first," said Beardy, adding that injustice at Ardoch and with KI is a threat to justice for First Nations not only within Ontario, but across Canada.
"The court decisions coming out of Ardoch and KI affect all First Nations," said Beardy. "What kind of message is the Government of Ontario sending when it consistently ignores Supreme Court of Canada rulings to consult and accommodate First Nations prior to development?"
Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities part of James Bay Treaty 9 and Ontario portions of Treaty 5.
For further information: please contact Jenna Young, NAN Director of Communications at (807) 625-4952 or (807) 628-3953 (mobile)/
JAILING OF ABORIGINAL PROTESTERS DISTURBING, GREENS
Press Release from Green Party of Canada
20th February 2008
OTTAWA The Green Party of Canada expressed concerns regarding the incarceration of Ardoch Algonquin First Nation's representative Robert Lovelace and called for a swift response from the federal government.
On February 15th, Bob Lovelace, a professor at Queen's University and Fleming College, was given six months in prison and fined $25,000 for contempt of court. Mr. Lovelace was protesting with indigenous peoples against uranium mining on lands that are claimed by the Algonquin peoples, in and around Sharbot Lake, Ontario.
"This is a very unfortunate situation that could and should have been avoided," said Green Party leader Elizabeth May. "Although it is not the place of the federal government to intervene in individual decisions of the courts, this case should lead us to reconsider Canada's approach to aboriginal peoples. It is time for the federal government to begin putting in place measures that will lead to genuine respect and reconciliation for Canada's aboriginal peoples—measures that will lead to equality and self-governance."
The Green Party is calling for:
The federal and provincial governments to recommit to consulting with aboriginal groups prior to allowing development on any lands claimed by First Nations peoples.
The federal government to make political negotiations with aboriginal groups a priority rather than allowing these conflicts to flare up in the courts.
"It is incidents like this that bring the Canadian justice system into disrepute with aboriginal peoples," said Green Party Aboriginal Affairs Critic Lorraine Rekmans. "The federal government must make political negotiations with aboriginal peoples a priority. Reconciliation between aboriginal and immigrant peoples will only come through negotiations that establish the constitutional protection of aboriginal self-government within the Canadian federation."
For several years the Green Party has been calling on the federal government to prioritize First Nations autonomy from the Indian Act and work towards self-government for Aboriginal peoples across the country. The Green Party has also supported ratification of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
PRESS RELEASE: ARAB AND MUSLIM CANADIANS SUPPORT ALGONQUIN OPPOSITION TO URANIUM MINING
20th February 2008
The Canadian Arab Federation (CAF), along with Palestine House, Parole Arabe and the Canadian Islamic Congress, lends its unwavering support to the Ardoch Algonquin and Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nations for their opposition and protest over uranium mining on disputed land, part of a 25-year-old Algonquin land claim.
CAF, Palestine House, Parole Arabe and the Canadian Islamic Congress also expresses their shock over Ardoch Algonquin First Nation negotiator Bob Lovelace’s jail sentence of 6 months and $25,000 fine for his role in protesting the exploration. Furthermore, we believe that the government of Ontario and Frontenac Ventures behaved in a clandestine and underhanded manner by beginning their exploration without even notifying the First Nations groups.
We urge the province of Ontario to engage in negotiations with the First Nations people to end the dispute and hammer out a resolution which is beneficial for all parties.
For more information, please contact:
Khaled Mouammar , CAF National President; Farid Ayad, President, Palestine House
Ehab Lotayef, VP Communications, Mohamed Elmasry, President, Canadian Islamic Congress
Cameco says concrete barrier at Cigar Lake has been poured, work going ahead
Canadian Press
19th February 2008
Cameco Corp said Tuesday it has completed pouring a concrete barrier in the area where a rockfall resulted in a flood at its Cigar Lake uranium project.
The company said a test on the effectiveness of the underground seal has been positive and has demonstrated the seal is effective.
Cameco said it now needs to complete an assessment to determine if depressurization, reinforcement or other precautionary measures are necessary in two other areas of the mine before the water can be pumped out.
“We anticipate results from this assessment in the first quarter of 2008 and can then determine if additional remediation is required in these areas,” Cameco said in a statement.
“In addition to the technical work, we need to complete many of the corrective actions arising from the root cause investigation before applying for regulatory approval to dewater the mine.”
Costs at Cigar Lake have escalated since two massive bulkheads failed to hold back water from a flood following a rock slide in a shaft about a half-kilometre underground. As a result, Saskatoon-based Cameco has said the planned production startup of the uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan would be delayed until 2011.
ARDOCH ALGONQUIN FIRST NATION
(613) 329-3706 omamikwe@bell.blackberry.net
For Immediate Release
19th February 2008
Jailing Aboriginal Leaders to Promote Uranium Mining in Ontario
In a travesty of justice, AAFN Spokesperson Robert Lovelace was sentenced in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Kingston to 6 months incarceration and crippling fines amounting to $50,000 for upholding Algonquin law within our homeland. An additional sanction of $2,000 per day will be imposed for every day that Bob continues to obey our law rather than the court order. In addition, our community was fined $10,000 and Chief Paula Sherman $15,000, and our statement of defense was struck out, which means that we are forbidden from challenging the constitutional validity of Ontario's Mining Act. The court made it clear that First Nations' laws do not exist in Canada's legal system and anyone who tries to follow First Nations law will be severely punished.
Shouts of "shame!" erupted in the courtroom as the sentences were read by the judge and Robert was taken into custody. Many were aghast at the harshness of the sentencing imposed for participation in a peaceful protest against uranium exploration which was approved by the province of Ontario without any consultation with our community.
Chief Paula Sherman said: "No consideration was given to the circumstances that led to our actions. The testimony given under oath by Robert Lovelace outlined Algonquin Law and the corresponding responsibilities of Algonquin people with respect to human activity in our territory. It was tossed aside by the judge and deemed to be of no relevance. The message delivered clearly through this court decision is one of domination and oppression; the law will enforce one set of values with respect to human relationships with the land in Ontario and there is no room for Algonquin laws or values."
Ontario and Canada portray themselves as shining examples of democracy and human rights for the world to emulate, all the while creating laws, policies, and value systems that oppress and deny Aboriginal peoples' human right to life as distinct people. Robert testified that Algonquin identity is tied to the relationships that we maintain with the land.
Lovelace is now in jail in Quinte Correctional facility in Napanee. Chief Sherman said: "He is a political prisoner of the Government of Ontario and Ardoch Algonquin First Nation places blame for his incarceration on Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Michael Bryant. We have repeatedly asked for consultations on the mineral claims on our lands within the larger Algonquin homeland. We have offered Ontario a variety of options to enable consultation. Every option was rejected out of hand. Ontario's position has been consistent: Drilling on our land must occur. Our position has equally been consistent: Meaningful consultation must occur before any of our land is damaged or alienated to mining companies."
For more information, contact: Chief Paula Sherman (613) 329-3706 or Chris Reid (lawyer) (416) 629-3117
Canada: Algonquin leader faces jail time while Ontario government ignores the law
Amnesty International New Release
18th February 2008
Amnesty International expressed its concern today over the sentencing of Ardoch Algonquin First Nation negotiator Bob Lovelace to six months in jail and a fine of $25,000 for his role in a protest over uranium exploration on disputed land in eastern Ontario.
The Ontario government has licensed Frontenac Ventures to carry out exploratory drilling on land that is part of a 25-year-old Algonquin land claim. The Ardoch Algonquin and Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nations have said that they were not even notified about the plans before trees were cut and blasting began.
On June 29, 2007, members of the Ardoch Algonquin and Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nations moved to block Frontenac's access to the site. The occupation ended after the province entered into talks about possible consultation processes, but these talks broke down earlier this month and the blockade was resumed..
On February 15, Lovelace and Ardoch co-chief Paula Sherman were convicted of contempt of court for failing to obey two injunctions against the occupation. While Sherman was able to reach an agreement to avoid jail time if she stays away from the protest, Lovelace has said he cannot make the same commitment.
A number of Algonquin supporters are also expected to be brought to trial in March accused of violating the same injunctions.
"The situation defies justice," says Craig Benjamin, Amnesty International Canada's Campaigner for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples. "Indigenous leaders and their supporters are facing stiff punishments for doing what they feel is necessary to protect rights that may one day be upheld in court or in the land claims process. Meanwhile the provincial government is ignoring its own legal obligations without any accountability."
Canadian courts have clearly established that whenever the rights of Indigenous peoples may be affected, governments have a legal duty to ensure that there must always be meaningful consultation to identify and accommodate Indigenous concerns. Depending on the potential impacts, courts have found that this legal duty may include other more stringent measures "to avoid irreparable harm", including in some cases agreeing to proceed only with the consent of the affected peoples.
Shortly before the blockade began last summer, a high level provincial inquiry into Indigenous land rights disputes in Ontario concluded that "the single biggest source of frustration, distrust, and ill- feeling among Aboriginal people in Ontario is our failure to deal in a just and expeditious way with breaches of treaty and other legal obligations to First Nations." The Ipperwash Inquiry report went on to recommend that provincial laws, policies and practices must be reformed to ensure that they are consistent with the government's legal obligations toward Indigenous peoples, including the duty of consultation, accommodation and consent.
The fact that provincial mining laws and policies are out of step with the constitutional duty of meaningful consultation is acknowledged in a January 2007 discussion paper issued by the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. Despite this, the province continues to allow companies to stake claims and initiate exploration with little or no consideration of Indigenous interests.
In addition to the conflict over uranium mining in eastern Ontario, leaders from the Kitchenuhmaykoosib First Nation in northern Ontario are awaiting sentencing for contempt of court after continuing to oppose drilling activities in the face of an injunction. In the initial ruling in that case, the court sharply criticized the Ontario government for not having "heard or comprehended" repeated court affirmation of the duty of meaningful consultation and accommodation.
Amnesty International is calling on the province to work with Indigenous peoples to undertake immediate reform of provincial laws and policies that fail to respect and uphold the duty of meaningful consultation, accommodation and consent.
The province must also take urgent measures to address conflicts arising from its past failures to uphold that duty including by:
* committing to a negotiated resolution of the dispute;
* entering those negotiations in good faith without prejudging or limiting in advance the form and extent of accommodation required to respect and protect the rights of the Algonquin people; and
* taking measures in collaboration with the Algonquin people to ensure that their rights are not harmed while such negotiations are under way.
In the event of an appeal, Amnesty International urges the province to ensure the court is made fully aware of the underlying rights issues at stake, including the province's constitutional duty of consultation, accommodation and consent.
For more information:
Craig Benjamin
Campaigner for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Amnesty International Canada
312 Laurier Ave. East,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 1H9
1.613.744.7667 (ext. 235)
cbenjami@amnesty.ca