Hampton Condemns Platinex, Watch Out Fort Hope, Neskantaga and Webequie They are Now on your Land

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>> April 22, 2008 Hansard-Ontario Legislature
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>> Mr. Howard Hampton: To the Minister of Northern Development and
>> Mines. Could the minister tell us why the McGuinty government is
>> awarding Platinex Inc. new mining rights to 72,000 acres of land in
>> northern Ontario while First Nations leaders from Kitchenuhmaykoosib
>> Inninuwug who oppose mining exploration on their traditional lands
>> are sent to jail?
>>
>> Hon. Michael Gravelle (Minister of Northern Development and Mines):
>> I'm not in a position to comment on that in the sense that I'm not
>> aware of any particular permits that's been given to any other land
>> that's out there. In terms of the situation with Platinex and
>> Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, we very much regret the situation that
>> has resulted from the legal challenges, and I'm not able to comment
>> on those either. In terms of your specific question, I'm not aware of
>> any such arrangement being made.
>>
>> Mr. Howard Hampton: Well, I—
>> Hon. David Caplan (Minister of Public Infrastructure and Renewal):
>> Mr. Speaker, on a point of order. Standing order 23(g) says that the
>> Speaker shall call a member to order if they refer to a matter that
>> is subject to "a proceeding that is pending in a court or before a
>> judge for judicial determination."
>>
>> I believe the member has just done this. His House leader earlier
>> today referred to standing order 23(k). I ask for your ruling in this
>> matter.
>>
>> The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): A couple points on the point of
>> order. First, I'm not aware that it is an issue that is before the
>> courts right now. As well—
>>
>> Interjection.
>> The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I recognize and I thank the finance
>> minister for his comment. I also recognize that the leader of the
>> third party in his questioning, I'm sure, is going to be conscious
>> that it's not going to in any way interfere in any proceedings.
>>
>> Mr. Howard Hampton: I'm simply referring to historical fact now.
>> Historical fact is that the leadership of Kitchenuhmaykoosib
>> Inninuwug First Nation is in jail. They're in jail because they stood
>> up for their constitutional rights to be consulted and accommodated
>> before mining rights were handed out to a mining exploration company.
>>
>> On the other hand, Platinex, the company which sued the First Nation
>> for $10 billion and almost bankrupted the First Nation, is getting an
>> additional 72,000 acres of mining rights from the McGuinty
>> government, mining that would involve Webequie First Nation, Marten
>> Falls First Nation, Fort Hope First Nation, Neskantaga First Nation,
>> Gull Bay First Nation.
>>
>> I'm simply asking, is this the message the McGuinty government wants
>> to send to First Nations? Do you stand up and ask for your
>> constitutional rights to be recognized? You can go to jail while the
>> mining company gets mining rights half the size the city of Toronto.
>>
>> Hon. Michael Gravelle: There is no confirmation of these particular
>> permits or claims. I have no confirmation of that, but regardless, we
>> continue to work in terms of respecting our duty to consult. That's
>> been an important factor for us. It was acknowledged that, indeed, we
>> met our duty to consult. We absolutely feel terrible about the
>> situation in terms of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and what has
>> resulted in terms of the court case, but again, I can't discuss that
>> in any detail.
>>
>> We continue to work—there are some great stories out there in terms
>> of First Nations working very, very co-operatively and positively
>> with mining companies—memorandums of understandings have about signed
>> and impact benefit agreements have been signed with a number of First
>> Nations. We have a great example in the Victor Diamond Mine in
>> Attawapiskat, again, in terms of a process whereby there are very
>> positive impacts for First Nations communities. Certainly, I don't
>> think there needs to be the constant attempts to be very negative
>> about something that could be very positive for many, many First
>> Nations in the north.