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Alberta Aboriginal Consultation Process

Alberta Aboriginal Consultation Process. Presentation to the CAPF February 9, 10, & 11, 2010. Dave Coish, Aboriginal Consultation Unit, SRD. Outline of Presentation. History and general introduction to First Nations consultation in Alberta Guiding Principles

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Alberta Aboriginal Consultation Process

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  1. Alberta Aboriginal Consultation Process Presentation to the CAPFFebruary 9, 10, & 11, 2010 Dave Coish, Aboriginal Consultation Unit, SRD

  2. Outlineof Presentation • History and general introduction to First Nations consultation in Alberta • Guiding Principles • Alberta’s duty and delegated consultation • Role of the proponent • Role of the Crown • Key points

  3. Alberta’s Aboriginal Peoples • Approx 170,000 people of First Nations ancestry live in Alberta • Three Treaty areas (Treaties 6, 7 and 8). • 47 First Nations, 8 Métis Settlements, Inuit, and off settlement Métis

  4. b. Constitutional Act, 1930The Natural Resources Transfer Agreement (NRTA) BEFORE 1930 PUBLIC LAND IN ALBERTA WAS ADMINISTERED BY DOMINION OF CANADA 12. In order to secure to the Indians of the Province the continuance of the supply of game and fish for their support and subsistence, Canada agrees that the laws respecting game in force in the Province from time to time shall apply to the Indians within the boundaries thereof. provided, however, that the said Indians shall have the right, which the Province hereby assures to them, of hunting, trapping and fishing game and fish for food at all seasons of the year on all unoccupied Crown lands and on any other lands to which the said Indians may have a right of access.

  5. Section 35, Constitution Act, 1982 “THE EXISTING ABORIGNAL AND TREATY RIGHTS OF THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLES OF CANADA ARE HEREBY RECOGNIZED AND AFFIRMED.”

  6. Aboriginal Consultation Evolution through Case Law Three leading SCC Consultation Cases- Sparrow (Infringement) - Haida Nation & Taku River (asserted rights) - Mikisew Cree First Nation (taking up of lands)All three cases confirm Alberta’s obligation to consult where projects/decisions have the potential to adversely impact First Nations treaty rights

  7. Aboriginal Consultation Evolution through Case Law Sparrow Decision: The SCC - Defines what constitutes an infringement The SCC – Defines how an infringement can be justifiedHaida & Taku Decisions: The SCC - Obligation to consult arises; Scope & Objective of consultation; Delegation of aspects of consultation Mikisew Decision: The SCC: Defined the “taking up of lands” by the Crown; the threshold for consultation; Notice to First Nation

  8. Alberta’s Duty to Consult Alberta’s First Nations Consultation Policy (2005) and Guidelines (2006 & revised 2007) on Land Management and Resource Development are Alberta’s direction on how to implement the consultation process as defined by case law

  9. Legal Duty Good Governance/Policy Reasons • S. 35 Common law requirements – Honour of the Crown • Potential to adversely impact Treaty Rights. • Impacts to Treaty land Entitlements • Make informed decisions • Improve and create working relations with those affected • Risk management Two Aspects to the Consultation Process

  10. Consultation Process Alberta may carry out the duty to consult, or delegate certain procedural aspects of consultation to the project proponent Even when some aspects are delegated, Alberta remains fully engaged in the substantive aspects of consultation, and carries the legal liability for ensuring adequacy of consultation

  11. Delegated Consultation

  12. Role of the Proponent Provide a plain language description of the project including maps and contact information Identify potential adverse impacts to First Nations Treaty Rights & Traditional Uses Initiate meetings early in the process

  13. Role of the Proponent (cont’d) Develop strategies to avoid or mitigate identified potential adverse impacts Record all efforts at consultation including concerns brought forward and how these were addressed Submit a consultation summary to Alberta for adequacy review

  14. Role of the Crown(during the delegated aspects of consultation) • To ensure the Proponent's consultation is consistent with the Policy and Guidelines • To respond to questions from the Proponent and the First Nation • To make recommendations to the Proponent's consultation plan, as necessary • To provide assistance and direction when differences arise between the Proponent and the First Nation • To determine the adequacy of the consultation at the end of the process

  15. Accommodation Consultation is about process, accommodation is about action – making changes to plans When accommodation is required, the Crown must balance aboriginal concerns reasonably with other societal interests  (Haida, para. 50)

  16. Key Points • Consultation with First Nations is required • Alberta has the legal & policy responsibility for consultation • The proponent meets with First Nations to listen to, and if possible, address concerns • The proponent provides a consultation summary to Alberta • Alberta judges adequacy of consultation and makes decision

  17. Questions? Dave Coish Phone: 780-644-8733 Email: Dave.Coish@gov.ab.ca

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