Highway project raises concerns

Four Treaty #3 communities recently met to discuss common concerns about the Highway 17 twinning project from Kenora to the Manitoba border.
“The four First Nations agree that the engagement process carried out by the Ministry of Transportation Ontario to date has been deeply flawed and is inconsistent with the fundamental principles of meaningful consultation,” said Chief Lorraine Cobiness of Ochiichagwe’babigo’ining Ojibway Nation in a Dec. 20 press release.
The four communities decided to raise their common concerns with the federal and provincial governments and have committed to ensuring treaty commitments are fulfilled and their interests addressed before there is any decision to proceed with the Highway 17 twinning project.
“We’re disappointed that the government of Canada has been on the sidelines about this so far,” said Obashkaandagaang Chief Alfred Sinclair. “Our treaty is with Canada, not Ontario. We expect Canada to step up and engage with us directly about this project. We need to define our relationship with Ontario.”
An MTO representative said the MTO is committed to building constructive, co-operative relationships with First Nation people in Ontario, and honouring its obligation to consult with First Nations where proposed activities might adversely affect treaty rights.
“Over the span of twenty months, MTO has met with representatives from these communities on various occasions to gain a better understanding of their perspectives, which includes broader community awareness as well as to discuss the potential impacts of four-laning through Treaty 3 lands,” said Sharon Nye, executive assistant, regional director’s office, northwestern region, in an e-mail. “MTO staff will continue to provide opportunities for involvement of First Nation communities who may be affected by the proposed four-laning so that Aboriginal interests can be appropriately considered.”
Canada and Ontario announced plans in 2009 to cost share in the first 15-kilometre section of the project between the Manitoba border and Rush Bay Road, with the Ministry of Transportation to obtain federal and provincial environmental approvals necessary for construction to proceed.
The ministry is also completing a route planning study for the remaining 25 kilometres between Rush Bay Road and Kenora to identify a corridor for a future four-lane highway. At the conclusion of the study, the selected corridor will be designated to allow for effective property development and to protect the lands for future highway construction needs.
The ministry stated on its website that there is no commitment, timetable or funding at this time for the detail design and the construction phases for the 25-kilometre section.
Iskatewizaagegan #39 Chief Eli Mandamin said First Nations are not just another stakeholder.
“When we engage, we engage as self-governing Nations,” Mandamin said. “We’re treaty people with self-government rights. We expect to be consulted with on that basis.”
Shoal Lake #40 Chief Erwin Redsky added: “Everything begins with our treaty. Government has to respect treaty promises.”