Aboriginal Rights Discussed By Mining Ministers
Tuesday, September 09, 2008 at 14:50
Energy and mines ministers meeting in Saskatoon yesterday discussed ways that Aboriginal people could gain from mining development.
Saskatchewan Energy Minister Bill Boyd says he and his counterparts accept the legal duty to consult Aboriginal people before any development takes place.
He says “the most important thing” is that First Nations and Metis people understand they have this right.
Boyd says the ministers also talked about the need to undertake mining in a way that doesn’t hurt the environment.
He adds they also don’t want that development to cause social problems.
But he says they didn’t talk about specific ways to achieve those goals.