Skip to content Ontario.ca Français

Moving Forward Together: Economic Opportunity and Sustainability

Strong and vibrant Aboriginal businesses benefit First Nations, Métis and Inuit, as well as Ontario as a whole. These businesses, along with the emerging Aboriginal market, a growing customer base and an untapped pool of talent are all components of the Ontario economy that the government works to promote. By working together, communities, government and the private sector can create new, sustainable industries, businesses and jobs that will support Aboriginal people into the future. What follows are some examples of government activities in this area.

Gaming Revenue Sharing Agreement

The Gaming Revenue Sharing Agreement signed by Chiefs across Ontario will help provide greater economic sustainability for First Nations communities. The agreement, worth more than $3 billion over 25 years, draws on provincial gaming revenues and provides long-term, stable revenue that First Nations can use to invest in improvements in quality of life and to help strengthen communities.

Resource Benefits Sharing

The Ontario government and Aboriginal partners are working together to develop a province-wide plan to include Aboriginal communities in the socio-economic benefits from natural resource development in Ontario. Some of the benefits could include improved local economic development opportunities, skills training and job creation for Aboriginal communities. In April 2009, the Ontario government made a financial commitment of $30 million toward the initiative to be shared once a Resource Benefits Sharing plan is in place.

Far North Land Use Planning Process

The planning process for the Far North enshrines a new respect and working relationship with First Nations through land use planning. Community-based Land Use Plans will be led by First Nations working jointly with the Ministry of Natural Resources and will require the agreement of local First Nations. Land use planning will give First Nations a greater say on the future of their communities and will balance the social, environmental and economic interests of First Nations and Ontario.

The proposed Far North Act, introduced in June 2009, would result in a comprehensive land use strategy that would protect 225,000 square kilometres of the Far North Boreal Region. The region is home to about 24,000 people, most of whom are Aboriginal, living in 36 communities.

Modernization of the Mining Act

Ontario is modernizing its Mining Act to ensure that this legislation promotes balanced, sustainable development that is respectful of Aboriginal communities and private land holders, while supporting a vibrant industry and competitive investment climate.

As part of its extensive consultation initiative, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines undertook a comprehensive approach to engage the broadest possible cross-section of Aboriginal participation and input. Approximately 100 First Nations participated in some manner. This included:

• 15 workshops and regional sessions with First Nations communities, Treaty organizations, Tribal Councils and the Métis Nation of Ontario;
• 11 individual community meetings; and
• Support for an additional 12 community workshops hosted and delivered by the Union of Ontario Indians.

Legislation was introduced in April 2009.

New Relationship Fund

Ontario is helping Aboriginal communities and organizations develop the capacity, skills and resources to effectively participate in meaningful consultations with government and the private sector. Developed with input from Aboriginal partners throughout the summer and fall of 2008, applications to the New Relationship Fund were first made available that December. More than half of Ontario's $25 million commitment to this fund has already reached Aboriginal communities and organizations and will continue to flow throughout the summer and fall of 2009.

Telecommunications Improvements

Since 2007, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, has invested more than $5.3 million to improve telecommunications infrastructure in First Nations in northern Ontario. This investment includes:

• $2.8 million in Keewaytinook Okimakanak's K-Net Services to partner with remote First Nations across northern Ontario to improve telecommunications;
• $1 million to improve telecommunications for all remote First Nations across the Nishnawabe Aski Nation (NAN) territory; and
• $1.5 million to the Mushkegowuk Council for improvements to the Western James Bay Telecom Network to bring high-speed Internet to communities along the western James Bay coast.

Transportation and Access

Safe and reliable access to First Nations communities is important to building prosperity. Ontario is investing $546 million in 2008-09 to expand and repair northern highways. In 2008-09, the government also provided $4 million to build winter roads that link communities in Ontario's Far North to the provincial highway and railway systems.

Ontario owns and operates 29 airports in Aboriginal communities. The annual budget for maintenance and capital programs for 2008 was more than $9 million. These airports provide essential year-round access to services such as health care, social services and fuel for electric generators.

Business Centres

All across the province, the government is working in partnership with First Nations and Métis communities to develop local economies and centres of knowledge. As mentioned earlier in this report, since 2003, $14.7 million in capital grants have been provided to First Nations communities to build or renovate community and business centres. Funding for feasibility studies and programming, with an eye to increasing economic sustainability, has also been provided resulting in a marked increase in the level of business development.

Funding for the construction of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Business Centre, located near the City of Belleville, is one of many examples of this type of support. Until the centre was built, more than 100 independent businesses in the Bay of Quinte community were having difficulty finding new space for development. Now, new businesses and potential business partnerships are being developed between the First Nations and the surrounding communities of Prince Edward County, Lennox and Addington.

Whitefeather Forest Land Use Strategy

Working in partnership, the Pikangikum First Nation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and industry partners developed the Land Use Strategy for Whitefeather Forest. The strategy provides direction for new protected areas, road access, resource-based tourism and forest management for 1.3 million hectares and is an excellent example of collaborative planning for the future. Approval for other forest management activities under the Environmental Assessment Act is currently being sought.

The Bio-Economy and Renewable Resources

Ontario and Aboriginal communities are collaboratively exploring opportunities for involvement in the development of renewable energy projects and in the emerging bio-economy. Examples include:

• The Ministry of Natural Resources' Site Release Policy for Waterpower Development, which provides concrete opportunities for Aboriginal communities to be involved in and derive benefits from local hydropower developments through business-to-business relationships;
• The Ministry of Natural Resources' new Forest Bio-Fibre Allocation and Use Directive, which provides for priority consideration to natural resource allocation for projects involving Aboriginal communities; and
• The Green Energy and Green Economy Act, passed in May 2009, will facilitate the development of partnerships with Aboriginal communities for the development of renewable energy projects and resources.

---

• Stronger Aboriginal Relationships
• Improving Social Conditions
• Land Claims and Reconciliation