Territorial Planning

Program Note

PROGRAM NAME: Territorial Planning Unit

DATE: May 12, 2011

BACKGROUND:

History of program
- In 2007, officials of the Grand Council and Ministry of Natural Resources signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that committed the parties to seeking ways to improve and enhance their working relationships.
- In November 2008, a tripartite MOU was signed to include the then Ministry of Northern Development and Mines due to an increase in mineral sector activities within the Grand Council territory. This MOU expired on March 31, 2010.
- A new MOU, dated June 2010 replaces the November 2008 document and covers the 2010/11 and 2011/12 fiscal years. The 2-year timeframe reflects the desire of the parties to provide for sufficient time to maintain a stable process and measure results.
- MNR and MNDMF have each committed to providing $200,000 annually for two years, for a total of $400,000, to the Grand Council to support the MOU Process. MNR and MNDMF are providing their respective funding under separate transfer payment agreements with the Grand Council.
Program Description Scope of Territorial Planning Unit
- Build on existing relationships of all Parties.
- Enhance understanding of the Parties’ perspectives on and approaches to economic development, and management in the natural resources sector.
- Recognize GCT3 and its member communities’ connection to the land.
- Encompass only those matters that fall within the mandates of the participating Ontario ministries which may affect or be of interest to GCT3 and its member communities.
- Build the Parties’ capacities through information sharing and education on natural resources development through “Knowledge Forums” and other initiatives.
- Explore common interests and facilitating pragmatic approaches to economic development and management in natural resources sector and planning processes in GCT3 territory in Ontario.
Program Principles
- Parties will be open and transparent in sharing information to understand each Party’s needs and limitations.
- Parties will work cooperatively to:
  - Focus on common interests.
  - Share access to resources, information, technology, and techniques.
  - Participate fully and strive for consensus.
- The Parties are jointly responsible to:
  - Provide tools and resources, and adopting a continuous learning approach.
  - Fulfill their respective obligations.
  - Adopt a continuous learning approach. Measure success using objective criteria and evaluation tools.
- The Parties will create processes:
  - That are flexible, adaptive, and comprehensive.
  - Practical, workable, realistic, and efficient, and
  - Measure success using objective criteria and evaluation tools.
Program Initiatives
- Establishment of technical and education-focused “Knowledge Forums.” Topics identified in the MOU Work Plan include GCT3 Resource Law, Biofibre, Mining, Renewable Energy, Aggregates, Species at Risk, Forest Management Planning, Fish and Wildlife Planning, and Land Use Planning.
- Representative activities – GCT will participate in economic development, lands and resources, mineral exploration and mining meetings, and conferences as the Work Plan and budget allow.
- Planning – Parties will conduct joint research to identify sustainable and appropriate planning processes within the GCT3 territory in Ontario to support and inform consultations related to land use planning, resource-based economic development and stewardship decisions.
- Referral – Parties will refer emerging resource management issues and priorities outside of the scope of mandate of the discussion of this MOU technical table to the appropriate bodies.
- Parties will take a strategic approach to broadening relationships with the Grand Council and member communities, and within the MNR and MNDMF.
Current Number of StaffThere are 4 people in the Territorial Planning Unit:
- Dale Morrisseau, Territorial Planning Director
- Cheryl Becker, Mining Information Officer
- Brad Wesley, Forestry Information Officer
- Greg Kent, Administrative Support
Current Funders
- The Territorial Planning Unit is currently funded by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, and Forests, and the Ministry of Natural Resources through a tri-partite Memorandum of Understanding Agreement.
Current Needs of Program
- A need to clarify the consultation process with First Nations and GCT3`s role in this process.
Future Needs of Program
- Organization strategic planning will help focus the goals and objectives of the unit.
- Need to continue to develop communication tools that increase our capacity to share information and resources with the GCT3 First Nations.
- To meet with First Nations leadership and administrative staff who deal with resource development.

ANALYSIS:

Identify strengths and weakness of program
- Strengths:
  - Full complement of staff is in place with the ability to deliver on program mandate as indicated in the MOU Agreement.
  - Strong support network within organization to assist staff in delivery of program.
- Weaknesses:
  - Communication processes with First Nations need to be improved.
  - Greater capacity development for First Nations in relation to resource/economic development.
Identify program gaps/overlaps in relation to overall GCT3
- There are some overlap with the Trapping Unit and the Energy Unit. Great coordination of communication efforts with First Nations should be developed moving forward.
Identify priorities of program (Short-term and Long-term needs)
- The short-term priorities are:
  - The development of an Elders Forum on Sites of Cultural / Historical Significance in Treaty #3 territory to be delivered in December 2010.
  - The development of 3 Knowledge Forums in January, February, and March 2011. Topics will be Wildlife Protection Management, Community Consultation, and Forest Management Planning.
  - Assisting First Nations deal with industry-related business in the consultation and accommodation process.
- The long-term priorities of the program are:
  - The continued development and delivery of Knowledge Forums to build/develop resource capacity tools for the First Nations.
  - Relationship building between Ontario resource-based Ministries and the GCT3 and member First Nations.
  - Strengthening communications between GCT3 and member First Nations, and the MNR and MNDMF and other industry parties.
  - Capacity building for GCT3 and its member First Nations.

RECOMMENDATION:

Identify area of priority work (what needs to be accomplished, by whom and cost factor if known) over the next fiscal year.

Over the next fiscal year, working with First Nations within Grand Council Treaty #3 to build capacity and develop stronger relationships with First Nations, GCT3, provincial ministries, and resource development companies within GCT3 territory will continue to be the priority.
This will be done by continuing to work the MOU working group to develop and deliver Knowledge Forums and develop information and resource tools to share with the GCT3 First Nations.
To protect the Aboriginal and Treaty rights of GCT3 First Nations and its membership by advocating and enforcing a clearly defined consultation process (Manito Aki Inakonigaawin) which outside parties interested in conducting natural resource development projects in the traditional territory must adhere to.
To provide the GCT3 with a centralized information hub where they can request and obtain information related to natural resource development in the GCT3 territory.

CONTACT:

Dale Morrisseau
Territorial Planning Director
Telephone: 807 548-4214
Cell: 807 464-0359
Email: dale.morrisseau@treaty3.ca

Cheryl Becker
Mining Information Officer
Email: cheryl.becker@treaty3.ca

Brad Wesley
Forestry Information Officer
Email: brad.wesley@treaty3.ca

Greg Kent
Territorial Planning Unit Administrative Assistant
Email: greg.kent@treaty3.ca

Ministry of Natural Resources Contacts

Karan Aquino
Director, Aboriginal Policy Branch (APB)
Telephone: (705) 755-1996
Fax: (705) 740-5280
BB: (705) 755-1372
Email: karan.aquino@ontario.ca
300 Water St., 5th Floor North Tower, Peterborough, ON K9J 8M5

Scott Lee
Manager, Program Section / APB
Telephone: (613)258-8230
Fax: (613) 292-4884
BB: (613) 258-3920
Email: scott.lee@ontario.ca
Ministry of Natural Resources 10 Campus Dr., PO Box 2002, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0

Deborah Weedon
District Manager, Kenora District, NW Region
Telephone: (807) 468-2528
Fax: (807) 468-2736
Email: deborah.weedon@ontario.ca
P.O. Box 5080 808 Robertson St. Kenora, ON P9N 3X9

Scott Lockhart
Resource Liaison Specialist Kenora District, NW Region
Telephone: (807) 468-2591
Fax: (807) 468-2736
Email: scott.lockhart@ontario.ca
P.O. Box 5080 808 Robertson St. Kenora, ON P9N 3X9

Jan Martin
Policy Officer/APB
Telephone: (416) 314-0236
Fax: (416) 550-9092 shared fax machine. Call ahead first if sending confidential fax
BB: (416) 314-1198
Email: Jan.E.Martin@ontario.ca
Room 5540, Whitney Block 99 Wellesley Street West, Toronto, ON M7A 1W3

Emma Taylor Policy Officer/APB
Telephone: (705) 755-5608
Fax: (705) 755-5566
Email: Emma.M.Taylor@ontario.ca
300 Water St., 5th Floor North Tower, Peterborough, ON K9J 8M5

Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forests Contacts

Bernie Hughes
Director, Aboriginal Relations Unit (ARU)
Telephone: (705) 670-5743
Fax: (705) 670-5818
Email: bernie.hughes@ontario.ca
933 Ramsey Lake Rd., 6th floor Sudbury, ON P3E 6B5

Melanie Mathieson
Senior Aboriginal Liaison Officer/ARU
Telephone: (807) 475-1100
Fax: (807) 620-7367
Cell: C (807) 475-1112
Email: melanie.mathieson@ontario.ca
435 James Street South Suite B002 Thunder Bay, ON P3E 6B5