In a January 3, 2012 decision illustrating that the “free entry” mining system in Ontario may be limited by Aboriginal consultation, Madam Justice Carole Brown of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted the Wahgoshig First Nation an injunction against junior mining company Solid Gold Resources Inc. Wahgoshig argued that they must be consulted about ...
On November 15, 2011, the Supreme Court of Yukon released its decision in Ross River Dena Council v. Government of Yukon, 2011 YKSC 84. The case is important as it is the first court decision to consider the issue of whether the Government of Yukon has a duty to consult with First Nations when recording quartz mineral claims under the Quartz Mining Act (the “Act”). It is also ...
On December 2, 2011, the members of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation Government and the Tsilhqot’in Nation successfully obtained an injunction against Taseko Mines to carry out geotechnical drilling in support of its preparation of an environmental assessment of its revised New Prosperity Mine Project (see Taseko Mines Limited v. Phillips, 2011 BCSC 1675). The two ...
In Liard First Nation v. Yukon Government and Selwyn Chihong Mining Ltd., 2011 YKSC 55, the Yukon Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to the Yukon Director of Mineral Resources’ (“Decision Body”) decision to allow the Selwyn Resources Underground Exploration Program (“Project”) to proceed by confirming an environmental assessment which concluded that the ...
On October 28, 2010, the Supreme Court of Canada issued a unanimous judgment in Rio Tinto Alcan Inc. and British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority v. Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, 2010 SCC 43, affirming the decision of the British Columbia Utilities Commission (the “Commission”) to accept the 2007 Electricity Purchase Agreement between BC Hydro and Rio Tinto Alcan ...
In West Moberly First Nations v. British Columbia (Chief Inspector of Mines), 2010 BCSC 359 (the “First Coal Decision”) West Moberly First Nation successfully challenged the issuance of three Crown permits to First Coal related to bulk sampling of coal, advanced exploration drilling, and timber cutting near Chetwynd on Treaty 8 lands.
Williamson J. held that ...
Canadian case law continues to refine the principles of the duty to consult and accommodate Aboriginal peoples, and the May 2007 decision of the Yukon Supreme Court in Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation v. The Government of Yukon (Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources), 2007 YKSC 28 considers the extent of its application on recently settled treaty lands in theYukon ...
Recent Canadian court decisions have established there is a duty held by the federal and provincial governments to consult with First Nations. The Supreme Court of British Columbia’s decision in Red Chris Development v. Quock et al 2006 BCSC 1472 provides direction for project proponents regarding the identification of the appropriate aboriginal groups with which to ...
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Lawson Lundell's Environmental, Indigenous and Natural Resources Blog focuses on environmental, indigenous and natural resources law, as well as related litigation. Included are summaries of significant cases from Canadian appellate courts, changes in the legal framework governing resource development including energy and climate change policy, and key decisions from the more influential regulatory bodies in Canada.
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