Anishinabek Nation concerned about changes to Ontario’s Permits to Take Water program
CBC
The Anishinabek Nation is raising concerns about changes to Ontario’s Permit to Take Water program, saying it undermines First Nations rights, environmental protection and public accountability.
Linda Debassige, grand council chief of the Anishinabek Nation, which represents 39 First Nations across Ontario, said a recent Environmental Registry of Ontario posting proposing exempting mining exploration projects from being required to obtain a Permit to Take Water (PTTW) created an immediate need to respond.
In a news release, the Anishinabek Nation said it is also concerned about the province "allowing companies to assume or renew water‑taking permits without new applications, environmental review, or meaningful consultation with First Nations." It is calling for an immediate pause of new Permit to Take Water program procedures and process.
Aamjiwnaang First Nation Chief Janelle Nahmabin said PTTWs are an ongoing legacy issue in their territory in southwestern Ontario.
“I think the province of Ontario can learn a thing or two about the way that Anishinaabe people choose to engage in the topic that affects us all, and that's water," she said.
Nahmabin said a non-Indigenous business operating in their territory was sold, and along with that sale went its PTTW.
“That Permit To Take Water now distributes to many other areas around this region off of that same existing permit,” she said.
Nahmabin said in her time on council, she’s had questions about the volume of water used and the state it’s in when returned to the environment.
Nahmabin said consultation with First Nations is inadequate. Sometimes communities are inundated with documents they have neither the capacity or resources to manage. Nahmabin said a staff member attended a one-day consultation session and was given 10 applications to review by end of day without the chance to bring them back to the community to review.
Nahmabin said Aamjiwnaang is initiating discussions with sister nations, local industry, neighbours, water experts and governments at a gathering next month to "engage properly about water," in a way that builds relationships.
In an emailed response, a spokesperson for Ontario's minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks said PTTW holders who wish to take the same amount of water, from the same location, for the same purpose can apply to renew their permit.
Michaels said a renewed permit issued under the streamlined process would generally only be valid until the original expiry date of the cancelled or revoked permit. In situations where a proponent is applying to renew an expired permit, the director has an option (but not a requirement) to issue an interim permit while a longer-term renewal is considered through the normal process.
The statement said the ministry continues to review all applications and Duty to Consult requirements, before making any decision.
Nandita Basu, a researcher in global water sustainability and ecohydrology at the University of Waterloo, said she’s noticed an increase in new PTTWs in the last few years for things like golf courses or aggregate mining in the Waterloo region.
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