Aboriginal Law Report

In the News

The election of a Liberal federal government led to uncertainty about the future of major resource development projects.

• 'Era of destroying rivers should be over': First Nations tell Trudeau to stop Site C
• First Nations want Trudeau to act on Site C
• Is the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline Finally Dead?
• What the Liberal majority could mean for the oil and gas industry
• Oil pipelines face new hurdles under Liberals
• Incoming Liberal MP says Kinder Morgan will face new pipeline review
• Incoming Trudeau government faces major test over Arctic drilling
• Seymour MP Says Grits will redo NEB Process

The relationship between the Energy East pipeline proponents and the new Liberal government is already raising concerns.

• Pipeline consultant had prime spot at Liberal victory rally
• Liberal campaign co-chair steps down after advising TransCanada on lobbying next government
• Liberal campaign co-chair Dan Gagnier's pre-election email to pipeline officials

With the new Liberal government promising to review, amend and repeal laws passed by the former Conservative government that undermine Aboriginal rights, a new report details the impact of the Conservatives changes to laws protecting the environment.

• Trudeau: A Liberal government would repeal, amend all federal laws that fail to respect Indigenous rights
• New Report Shows “Systematic Dismantling” of Canada’s Environmental Laws Under Conservative Government
• Trudeau’s promises to aboriginal people feared to be unachievable

The Liberals are expected to repeal controversial amendments to the Yukon’s Environmental and Socio-economic Act.

• yukon-first-nations-liberal-government-bill-s6
• First Nations to watch Liberals’ move on repealing bill changes

A well-known law professor says the federal government should stop spending money on fighting Indigenous Peoples' rights.

• Kent McNeil: Stop wasting money fighting aboriginals

Alberta Chiefs met with the new provincial Premier to discuss implementing her government's commitments to First Nations.

• Consultation, aboriginal issues discussed

The Tsilhqot'in and the British Columbia provincial government are taking cautious steps towards working together.

• Tsilhqot'in, B.C. government reconciliation talks to focus on mill and moose

A new documentary film looks at the effects of the Victor diamond mine on Attawapiskat First Nation.

• Documentary film looks at effects of mine on Attawapiskat

Amnesty International is investigating the social impact of large-scale natural resource developments on Canadian Indigenous communities.

• Amnesty investigates impact of resource extraction on indigenous communities

Another proposed land development is raising concerns within the Six Nations of the Grand River.

• Massive protest looming in Caledonia over new subdivision

The Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called for greater respect for Indigenous laws.

• TRC chair says Canadian legal system needs to incorporate Indigenous law

Quote of the Week

"I’ve always chafed a bit at the dominant theory that’s held by white legal authorities who say that Indians had no knowledge, no tradition of owning property, To which I’ve always wanted to say out loud, ‘bullshit.’"

Justice Murray Sinclair 

From the Courts

The Federal Court stayed the federal government's attempt to enforce the First Nations Financial Transparency Act but denied Onion Lake Cree Nation's application for an injunction forcing the federal government to reinstate funding.

• First Peoples Law's summary of the decision

The Supreme Court of Canada's webcast of the Daniels' hearing is now available online.

• Daniels SCC Hearing

The Supreme Court dismissed the Simon leave to appeal application.

• Cape Breton Post - Sydney Newspaper
• Supreme Court of Canada rejects request to hear appeal of Simon social case
• Supreme Court denies appeal of cut to First Nations welfare rates

While the Nuu-chah-nulth justification trial drags on in a Vancouver courtroom, an online petition seeks to bring it to an end.

• 5 reasons to sign the "enough already" petition for Nuu-chah-nulth fishing rights

Off the Bookshelf

"We must reinstall a national narrative built upon the centrality of the Aboriginal peoples' past, present and future. And the policies of the country must reflect that centrality, both conceptually and financially."

John Ralston Saul, The Comeback (2014)

Bruce McIvor is principal of First Peoples Law Corporation.

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