Ring of Fire consultation process in limbo: Exit of province's lead negotiator has Matawa chiefs wondering what's next?

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: MINING

The elimination of the province's main negotiator in the Ring of Fire consultation process has the head of a northwestern Ontario First Nation tribal council waiting on the Ford government and Northern Ontario cabinet minister Greg Rickford to make the next move.

A Toronto media report claimed Justice Frank Iacobucci was axed by the Ford government in a purge of former government officials appointed under the previous Wynne government.

Iacobucci represented the province in the Regional Framework Agreement process initiated by the Wynne government in April 2014.

David Paul Achneepineskum, CEO of Matawa First Nations Management, representing the nine Matawa First Nations, had a wait-and-see response in a statement released Sept. 5.

"On the removal of Mr. Iacobucci as lead negotiator for Ontario under the Regional Framework Agreement process, Matawa First Nations leadership were able to develop a positive relationship with him during his time of service.

"It is not within our responsibility to comment on the rationale behind the new government's decision but we do look forward to working with Minister Rickford and Premier Ford in the future."

The Regional Framework Agreement is a community-based process of negotiation on how mining and industrial development would proceed in the James Bay lowlands, how First Nation communities would participate and benefit, and how the environment would be safeguarded.

In an emailed reply, Achneepineskum said he had heard that "Justice Iacobucci had submitted his resignation soon after the (June 29) election."

But until the Matawa chiefs have their initial meeting with Rickford, Achneepineskum refrained from commenting if they would like to see a reboot of the negotiations, a different process taken, or if they're waiting to hear of the Ford government's strategy for the Ring of Fire.

His comments indicated the chiefs want to be firmly in the driver's seat.

"Unfortunately, I am not able to add (anything further), but I can certainly say we have not been waiting to hear about Ontario's approach on this. Our chiefs will be meeting with Minister Rickford soon to outline their approach on the Ring of Fire and other developments in our First Nations territories."

A response from the office of Rickford, Ontario's Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and Minister of Indigenous Affairs Ontario, indicated Iacobucci resigned from the position.

"We thank him for his service to the province," his office...