OTTAWA, Oct. 3, 2018 /CNW/ - There is no relationship more important to the Government of Canada than the one with Indigenous peoples.
We are committed to meaningful consultations and after carefully reviewing the Federal Court of Appeal's judgement the Government has decided to move forward by engaging in a specific and focused dialogue with Indigenous groups on the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMX).
Today, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources, announced the second part of the Government's path forward to address the Court's August 30, 2018, decision on TMX.
- First, the Government will not appeal the Court's decision.
- Second, the Government will re-initiate Phase III consultations with all 117 Indigenous groups impacted by the project. Minister Sohi will begin by talking to groups about how to get this process right this time. We will ensure that Indigenous voices are at the table as we move forward in this process.
- Third, the Government has appointed former Supreme Court of Canada Justice, the Honourable Frank Iacobucci as a Federal Representative to oversee the consultation process. He will initially provide advice on designing the process and will then oversee it to ensure that Indigenous consultations are meaningful and comply with the judgement of the Federal Court of Appeal. He will work directly with officials and other external experts, as appropriate.
These measures announced today build on our government's September 21, 2018, announcement in which we instructed the National Energy Board (NEB) to reconsider its recommendation of TMX, taking into account the effects of project-related marine shipping and its adverse impacts on species at risk. The Government of Canada welcomes the NEB's timely appointment on September 26, 2018, of the NEB Panel to Review TMX.
The government's path forward constitutes important progress toward moving ahead in the right way with this project for the benefit of all Canadians.
Quotes
"As we have said many times before, the most important relationship to our Government is with Indigenous peoples. We will work to address concerns of First Nations and Métis communities to move forward in the right way on this project in accordance with the Court's direction. We are bringing in the best possible expertise and independent advice to ensure that we move forward in the right way."
Amarjeet Sohi
Minister of Natural Resources
Related Links
Biography for Honourable Frank Iacobucci
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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada
Vanessa Adams, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, 343-543-7645, [email protected]; Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, 343-292-6100
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