McCarthy Tétrault LLP / mccarthy.ca Recent Developments in Government Policies

McCarthy Tétrault LLP / mccarthy.ca 2 I. Yukon: Ross River Dena Council v. Yukon & Implications for Free Entry ¬Yukon Court of Appeal (2012) ¬Duty to consult triggered as a result of both potential impact of “Class 1 Activities” on asserted aboriginal rights and title and potential impact of mere recording of mineral tenure on asserted aboriginal title ¬Reasoning is potentially problematic to right of free entry applicable in most Canadian jurisdictions ¬Leave to appeal to SCC denied ¬Yukon currently in the process of revising its mining legislation to reflect decision in Ross River ¬Influence of Ontario Mining Act amendments?

McCarthy Tétrault LLP / mccarthy.ca 3 II. Ontario: Mining Act Amendments ¬Overview of Mining Act Amendments ¬Exploration plans and exploration permits ¬Consideration of “arrangements” between aboriginal groups and proponent ¬ Third party dispute resolution process ¬Analysis in light of Ross River ¬Consultation on acquisition of tenure? ¬MNDM consultation policy on early exploration

McCarthy Tétrault LLP / mccarthy.ca 4 III.Newfoundland and Labrador (NL): new Aboriginal Consultation Policy ¬Published in April 2013 ¬General framework for decisions associated with land and resource decisions that may adversely affect asserted and established Aboriginal and treaty rights ¬Proponents required to provide “reasonably necessary capacity-funding” and “any required financial accommodation” ¬“...any consultation support or capacity required by a consulted party will be the responsibility of the proponent” ¬“NL will not necessarily engage directly in Aboriginal consultation on proposed resources development” (p.5) ¬Proponents are expected to fully confirm to NL’s “benefits-related expectations” and “enter into dialogue with Aboriginal organizations to address project-specific opportunities, with a goal of achieving a positive, sustainable, mutually beneficial outcome.” (p.7)

McCarthy Tétrault LLP / mccarthy.ca 5 III.Newfoundland and Labrador (NL): new Aboriginal Consultation Policy ¬Places, in some instances, full burden of consultation on proponents – e.g. NL won’t directly engage in consultation with Aboriginal groups ¬Mixes policy and law – e.g. benefits-related expectations ¬The only time “accommodation” is used is in respect of “economic accommodation” ¬Appears to be an attempt by NL to download constitutional obligations on to project proponents ¬Clear expectations of benefits agreements but no clear description of expectations on proponents

McCarthy Tétrault LLP / mccarthy.ca 6 IV.Alberta: Aboriginal Consultation Levy Act & Aboriginal Consultation Plan ¬Aboriginal Consultation Levy Act ¬Bill 22 – Royal Assent May 27, 2013, not yet in force. ¬Levy on industry proponents in order to assist First Nations with capacity funding for consultation ¬Regulations will prescribe details/amounts of levy, form of payment and conditions of payment ¬Ministry may require proponents to provide personal information, records and other documents, including confidential information and copies of agreements relating to consultation capacity and other benefits

McCarthy Tétrault LLP / mccarthy.ca 7 IV.Alberta: Aboriginal Consultation Levy Act & new Consultation Plan ¬Policy on Consultation with First Nations on Land and Natural Resource Management, 2013 ¬released August 16, 2013 ¬will replace existing consultation policy once new Alberta Aboriginal Consultation Office is established ¬Alberta Aboriginal Consultation Office will coordinate consultation process ¬Outlines obligations of Crown, First Nations and Proponents to participate ¬Corporate Guidelines will supplement the new policy

McCarthy Tétrault LLP / mccarthy.ca 8 V.Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012 & National Energy Board ¬Notable changes to CEAA 2012 legislation ¬responsible authorities ¬designated projects ¬substitution/equivalency ¬timelines ¬public participation ¬NEB process and National Energy Board Act ¬New responsibilities for the NEB ¬Navigable waters ¬Hearings, review panels

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