I'm echoing the statements…

I'm echoing the statements already made by the Chippewas of The Thames First Nation (COTTFN).

As an archaeologist who makes a living working within EA legislation and someone who holds consultation above all in land development it's disheartening to see a shift that directly undermines the TRC, and treaty rights while simultaneously fast tracking construction work for industries that have historically paid little to no mind to the rights of indigenous peoples and have caused environmental damage that we are still figuring out consequences of.

This is a copied portion of the COTTFN comment and a summary that should be read by all before any sort of motion is passed:

• Changes to the EA process have not been responsive to the needs, timelines, or priorities of First Nations. The changes appear to reduce steps for proponents at the expense of meaningful consultation.

• First Nations require proactive capacity funding to engage in this work of assessing and consulting on any new proposed changes to the EA process. The funding should not be administratively burdensome and must flow directly to the Nations, not only Indigenous territorial organizations.

• Environmental Assessment legislation and regulations must be urgently amended to be consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007).

• High impact transmission infrastructure, railways and highways must remain within the comprehensive environmental assessment process.

• COTTFN requires clearer information on the impact these proposed EA changes may have on our consultation with municipal projects, and sufficient time to review these potential impacts.

• COTTFN requests ongoing engagement on the current and future development of these modernization initiatives, including updates to the Code of Practice and sector-specific terms of reference.