N.S. Mi’kmaw chiefs say government not consulting them about resource development

The Nova Scotia legislature is seen in this undated file photo.

As the Nova Scotia government continues its flurry of announcements on resource and economic development, an association of Mi’kmaw chiefs says it is not being consulted on the significant policy changes.

The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs says the provincial government has not given them advanced notice about natural resource developments, nor have they discussed the policies with them.

“Several of the recent legislative amendments seem to target protest activity on Crown lands, at a time when there are active community concerns about what is happening on Hunter’s Mountain,” a news release from the Assembly reads. “This should be a time for greater trust-building with the Mi’kmaq, not escalating tensions and aggressive enforcement action.”

On Wednesday the Tim Houston government unveiled the Making Business Easier Act, which seeks to cut red tape and streamline regulations in the natural resource sector – particularly mining.

Service Efficiency Minister Tim Halman said the streamlining of regulations and approvals will help projects finish faster without weakening environmental protections.

“It doesn’t have to be one or the other, we can and must do both,” said Halman on Wednesday. “This bill is not about eroding protections and taking shortcuts.”

The Assembly expressed concern the red tape cuts cater to industry and seemingly ignore the recommendations they made to the Legislative Standing Committee last May.

“These measures only risks eroding Consultation and shortens timeframes available for discussions to take place in good faith with the Mi’kmaq,” the release reads.

The Assembly’s website says its mission is to “address the historic and current imbalances in the relationship between Mi’kmaq and non-Mi’kmaq people in Nova Scotia and secure the basis for an improved quality of Mi’kmaw life.”

-With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Jesse Thomas

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