Speaking with CBC News, Paul Seaman, National Practice Group Leader – Indigenous Law at Gowling WLG, commented on the Ontario government's move to fast-track development permits without requiring full environmental oversight. The article, published April 11, explores how the proposed changes may affect the constitutional obligation to consult Indigenous communities.

Seaman emphasized that while the province says it intends to meet its constitutional obligations, the approach raises questions about whether these commitments are being upheld in practice.

On this point, the provincial government's draft documents note that if pursuing a permit overhaul, its intention "is that the Crown will continue to meet its constitutional obligations to consult with Indigenous communities."

Seaman noted that reaching consent is now the "gold standard" in such circumstances and that imposing deadlines on a particular project or process may not be helpful in achieving that—and could, in turn, undermine the stated goal of fast-tracking.

To read the full article, click the link below (subscription may be required):

About Gowling WLG's Indigenous Law Group
Since the 1950s, Gowling WLG has been at the forefront of Indigenous law in Canada. The firm has worked alongside Canada's First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in landmark self-government agreements, resource development projects and Supreme Court cases. Gowling WLG is one of the only full-service law firms in Canada that acts for Indigenous clients as well as private industry, project proponents and all levels of government.