FNMR Minister Awaiting Input On Duty To Consult

FNMR Minister Awaiting Input On Duty To Consult

Monday, August 24, 2009 at 13:19

The minister for First Nations and Metis Relations says he’s looking forward to seeing suggestions from Aboriginal leaders on the duty to consult file.

Bill Hutchinson isn’t sure when the government’s policy on the issue will be drafted, but he says progress is being made.

On Friday, Hutchinson was questioned by several mayors at a meeting of the New North municipalities group.

Some leaders wanted to know what guidelines they should follow when talking to companies looking to develop on traditional land.

Hutchinson notes a suggested template on duty to consult already exists.

“We do at least have an interim guideline that we can use to help start to guide us on those discussions,” Hutchinson says.

Hutchinson says the Metis Nation – Saskatchewan is due to respond at its fall convention, while the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations is scheduled to release its own draft in the spring.