Community Based Land Use Planning

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The Ontario government is committed to ensuring the region's resources contribute to a more prosperous, healthy and sustainable future for its people and communities while also protecting the unique ecology and vast boreal environment of the Far North of Ontario.  To achieve this goal, the Ministry of Natural Resources is working jointly with First Nations in the Far North to develop community based land use plans.

 

Land use planning is a process to describe where land use activities may take place. It also provides direction for the manner in which those activities should take place.

 

Land use planning is also a way to emphasize the importance of ongoing traditional use and conservation for all activities. This is important for the well-being of people and the sustainability of resources. It is also a means for First Nations to express what types of economic development activities they are interested in.

 

As First Nations work with Ontario, both existing uses and new opportunities will be considered. For example, there may be multiple benefits when an area is defined to support both mineral exploration and future access to communities.

 

Land use planning is an opportunity for First Nations in the Far North to collect information on their historical use and relationship with the land for future generations. Land use planning also provides clarity and certainty about how and where economic development such as forestry, mining and renewable energy may take place.

 

This planning process for the Far North will be based on respect and a strong working relationship with First Nations. In addition to a much greater say on the future of their communities and lands they have historically lived on, the process also recognizes areas where there are opportunities for economic development in these remote communities.

 

The Ontario government has entered into funding partnership agreements with a number of First Nations communities to support skills training, information gathering and capacity building as First Nations move forward in preparing community based land use plans.

 

Ongoing and Completed Community Based Land Use Plans

 

Community based land use plans are an opportunity for First Nations in the Far North to capture their oral history of the land. Plans will be developed respecting traditional and other existing land uses including tourism and mineral exploration activities.

 

The plans will identify areas to be protected as well as consider the capability of lands and resources to support land uses including forestry, tourism, recreation, mineral sector activities and renewable energy. Traditional Aboriginal Knowledge and science-based information and knowledge will inform and support the development of a community based land use plan.

 

Ontario continues to work with First Nations in the Far North in the community based land use planning process. In fact, almost 90% of First Nations who may develop community based land use plans are involved to some degree with the MNR-ranging from initial engagement to more advanced stages of planning.

 

Four plans are now complete in the Far North of Ontario. Pikangikum was the first community to complete a community based land use plan in 2006. In July 2011. Cat Lake and Slate Falls celebrated the completion of their plan with a signing ceremony, as did Pauingassi and Little Grand Rapids, two Manitoba communities with planning areas in Ontario.

 

The Process

 

Community based land use plans will be initiated by First Nations and will be jointly developed and approved by Ontario and First Nations.

 

First Nations and the Ministry of Natural Resources work together to gather background information, including Aboriginal traditional knowledge, science, land and resource information.

 

Led by First Nations working together with Ontario, a joint planning team is then created to establish roles and responsibilities for their community based land use plan.

 

Following this, the planning area of interest is defined considering current uses of the land, historical relationships and dialogue with other neighbouring First Nations.

 

Terms of Reference are then prepared. These terms represent an agreement between First Nations and Ontario which sets objectives and processes that guide the development of the Community Based Land Use Plan. Once approved by Ontario and First Nations, the terms of reference are made available to provide and share information on the process. It is at this stage that interested parties and the public are invited to participate in the process.

 

Draft Plans provide direction/principles/guidance and set out proposed land use designations and permitted uses. Interested parties and the public are invited to provide comments on the draft land use plan.

 

After considering all input received on the draft plan and the draft plan recommendations, Final Plans are prepared for approval by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the First Nations. Once a final plan is in place, First Nations and Ontario will work together to implement the plan and to review and amend the plan in the future as required.

 

Approved Plans

 

Pikangikum

Cat Lake-Slate Falls

Pauingassi and Little Grand Rapids

 

Approved Terms of Reference

 

Eabametoong & Mishkeegogamang

Deer Lake

Pauingassi and Little Grand Rapids

Cat Lake-Slate Falls

 

 

Special Initiatives

 

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