N.S. Mi'kmaw chiefs say they should have been consulted on natural resources legislation

The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs is again calling out Premier Tim Houston for a lack of consultation as the provincial government pushes a new emphasis on natural resource development.

A letter from the chiefs to Houston on Tuesday criticized the premier for not consulting the assembly before his government tabled legislation that, among other things, would create the potential for fracking for onshore natural gas and repeal a ban on uranium exploration and mining.

"The assembly has strongly opposed hydraulic fracturing and uranium mining in the past," reads the letter signed by Chief Carol Potter, Chief Cory Julian and Chief Tamara Young.

The chiefs go on to say "it is unacceptable" for the government to fast-track natural resource extraction that could affect the environment and their treaty rights.

"All resource extraction developments and strategic level planning decisions impacting our unceded lands must be accompanied by consultation and discussions of compensation and mitigation."

The proposed changes are part of Bill 6, omnibus legislation MLAs are debating at Province House.

Since January, Houston has said the province must do more to harness natural resources to help make Nova Scotia's economy more stable and self-sufficient at a time when the entire country faces economic threats and uncertainty associated with tariffs from the United States government.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump confirmed that his government is moving ahead with 25 per cent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico.

In their letter to the premier, the chiefs write that they are not opposed to "ethical and well-planned" development that respects their treaty rights and provides opportunity for their people.

"However, when the province pushes through hurried legislative changes that reverse longstanding policies in the name of Nova Scotia being 'open for business,' it sends a clear message that our rights and our voices do not matter to this administration."

Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton told reporters at Province House that the tabling of the bill represents the start of a conversation, one he was adamant would include Mi'kmaw leadership.

"Those consultations have to happen. There's no question about that," he said.

"We respect the relationship we have with our Mi'kmaw chiefs and that's not going to differ. We will have consultation and conversations with them on every single project."

Rushton said there was urgency on the part of the government to get the bill before the House as it contends with a new economic reality under the Trump administration. He said that was also a contributing factor in the government pursuing the initiative, despite not campaigning on it during the recent provincial election.