ontario
Six Ontario First Nations challenge mining law in court
Six northern Ontario First Nations have filed a lawsuit against the province, claiming that its mining laws allow mineral claims on their lands without consultation, violating their rights.
In short:
- The court case challenges Ontario's Mining Act, which allows miners to stake claims on Indigenous lands without prior consultation.
- The First Nations argue this system infringes on their Treaty and Charter rights, demanding changes to the law.
- Ontario's mining laws have faced criticism for being "racist and colonialist," with similar cases emerging across Canada.
Key quote:
"The Ontario Mining Act is a piece of racist legislation that bulldozes over First Nations lands and rights. It says to the world that the land in Ontario is free for the taking and drilling and blowing up."
— June Black, Chief of Apitipi Anicinapek Nation.
Why this matters:
The case could reshape how mining rights are granted in Ontario, ensuring that Indigenous communities have a say in what happens on their traditional lands. This legal challenge reflects broader tensions over resource extraction and Indigenous sovereignty in Canada.
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Floods expose vulnerabilities in homeless communities forced to marginal areas
In Ontario, California, severe floods in November 2022 claimed three lives and highlighted the dangers facing unhoused people living in flood-prone areas due to lack of safer shelter options.
In short:
- Unhoused people in Ontario live in flood control channels, risking exposure to deadly floods as seen in the November 2022 incident where three individuals died.
- Climate change is exacerbating extreme weather, pushing homeless communities into increasingly dangerous locations due to inadequate housing policies.
- Advocates stress the need for better integration of homeless populations into disaster planning to prevent similar tragedies.
Key quote:
“Cities and states have made it virtually impossible to stay in safer locations. And the outcome is people experiencing homelessness are at an even greater risk for extreme weather events.”
— Jesse Rabinowitz, communications director for the National Homelessness Law Center
Why this matters:
With the intersection of homelessness and climate crises, people without shelter are increasingly at risk of fatal weather events. Improved housing and emergency planning are critical to safeguard these vulnerable populations.
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International court rules against Koch Industries in carbon pricing case
An international tribunal ruled that Canada is not obligated to compensate Koch Industries for the losses it claimed after the cap-and-trade program was canceled in Ontario.
In short:
- Koch Industries sought compensation for over US$30 million in losses following the termination of Ontario’s cap-and-trade program by the Doug Ford government in 2018.
- The case, which hinged on whether emissions credits qualify as investments, was dismissed by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
- This ruling comes after a four-year legal battle, highlighting Koch Industries' history of opposing environmental policies through legal means.
Key quote:
“We don’t know for sure but if the case was tossed out on jurisdiction then it’s likely that the tribunal agreed with Canada that Koch’s purchase of emissions credits in Ontario does not qualify as an investment.”
— Stuart Trew, director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ trade and investment research project
Why this matters:
Critics argue that the Ford government's decision to cancel the cap-and-trade program was ill-considered and pushed the financial burden onto all Canadians, with federal government resources now being used to defend against the Koch family claim. This has sparked discussions on the implications for future environmental policy adjustments, as lawsuits such as this one could deter governments from implementing new or modified environmental policies due to fear of litigation.
Peter Dykstra: Clearing up some myths about the seven—yes, seven—Koch brothers.
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Ontario First Nations call for pause on mining claims
Thousands of online mining claims are being made on the territories of First Nations without their consent — and often they aren’t even told about it.
Restoring Ontario’s lost grasslands
Most of the grasslands that once dotted Ontario have been lost to development and agriculture. Bringing back these carbon-rich landscapes would be good for birds, bees, butterflies and people.
The $500,000 fight to protect a Muskoka wetland
Very few of Ontario’s quickly vanishing marshes and swamps are safe from development. A group of citizens managed to preserve one, but they also found deep flaws in the system.
Is federal review of Highway 413 unconstitutional?
Alberta got Canada's top court to question federal reviews of big projects that could cause environmental harm. Now, Ontario is trying to get the impact assessment law struck down for good.
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