Province Releases Duty To Consult Framework

Province Releases Duty To Consult Framework

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 15:01

The minister responsible for First Nations and Metis Relations expects mixed reaction to the government’s duty to consult framework.

The government unveiled its consultation policy framework yesterday.

Bill Hutchinson says it provides clarity and certainty to both industry and Aboriginal groups, and believes it will help guide discussions that could get Aboriginal communities jobs,skills-training opportunities and economic spin-offs.

Hutchinson says the framework will stand, as there have already been consultations on it, but he says there will now be discussions on five key items — economic benefit sharing, consultation capacity, environmental stewardship, traditional land use and territory mapping, and dispute resolution.

Hutchinson doesn’t have a timeline, but expects it to take months to complete discussions with Aboriginal groups on those issues.