Resources firms need to engage with First Nations

Land use planning should incorporate First Nations’ knowledge to indicate where development can occur and profit sharing must also take place

By: Rudy Mezzetta
June 7, 2016 June 7, 2016
16:20

The long-term success of Canada’s resources economy is dependent on Canadian energy and mining companies engaging proactively with First Nations communities as partners in developing future projects rather than the too often used past approach of giving short shrift to the rights of Indigenous communities, according to experts who spoke during a panel discussion at the Responsible Investment Association’s annual conference in Toronto on Tuesday.

“Unilaterilism does not work,” said Dave Porter, CEO of the Vancouver-based First Nations Energy and Mining Council, during a panel discussion. “If Canada is to realize its full economic potential, reconciliation with First Nations people [has to occur].”

For example, land use planning should incorporate First Nations’ knowledge of the local land to indicate clearly where development can occur and where it cannot. As well, projects have to include profit sharing and resources tax revenue sharing components for First Nations partners, he added.

Courts in Canada have tended to side with First Nations communities in disputes involving the resources sector and disputed projects over the years, Porter noted.

Robert Walker, vice president of environmental, social and corporate governance services at NEI Investments, agreed with Porter’s assessment of the resources sector’s need to take a partnership approach when dealing with First Nations group and resources development.

“We can spend the next 20 or 30 years going to court, or we can engage,” added Walker during the discussion.

In fact, Vancouver-based mining company Goldcorp Inc. has prospered by being committed to full engagement with local First Nations in its new resources projects, said Brent Bergeron, Goldcorp’s executive vice president of corporate affairs and sustainability during the panel discussion.

Bergeron noted the Eleonore gold project in Quebec specifically, in which Goldcorp has worked with the Cree Nation to establish a partnership, including business involvement and employment opportunities

Ideally, First Nations as well as other local authorities and stakeholders should be “on your side of the table” for the project to go forward, Bergeron said.