Lands, Resources & Consultations

Regional Consultation Committee

Each region of the Métis Nation of Ontario has a Regional Consultation Committee (RCC) that works to ensure the Crown fulfills its duty to consult and accommodate Métis rights-bearing communities when carrying out plans, policies, or projects that may affect those communities.

In NW Ontario, the RCC is comprised of a representative from each Chartered Community Council, the Regional Councillor and the region’s Captain of the Hunt, who provides support and advice.

The RCC assesses and determines consultation requirements, participates in consultation, and communicates with the Crown and project proponents as needed. It works closely with the MNO and the Lands, Resources & Consultations branch.

About the LRC

The Lands, Resources & Consultations (LRC) branch of the MNO supports the NWOMC RCC in consultations with government and proponents of new development projects to understand the impact of plans, policies and projects on the community’s rights, interests, way of life and traditional territory.

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Consultation Protocol

The Crown (government of Canada or provincial or territorial government) has a duty to consult and accommodate First Nations, Inuit and Metis people whenever they are faced with a decision that has the potential to have an adverse impact on Indigenous rights, which are protected under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

The MNO’s consultation process requires government or industry to provide written notice to the potentially affected regional rights-bearing Métis communities. Consultation requests are processed and implemented according to established Regional Consultation Protocols. The regional rights-bearing community will then respond to the government or industry, identifying whether consultation is required, and, if so, how it should take place. If required, formal consultation can then begin.

Read the MNO Consultation Protocol for Treaty #3, Lake of the Woods/Lac Seul and Rainy Lake/Rainy River (Region 1) here.

If you are a proponent of a project, plan, or policy with the potential to impact Métis rights, interests, or way of life in Northwestern Ontario, you can submit a consultation notice to consultations@metisnation.org. Mining plans and permit notices can be sent to plansandpermits@metisnation.org.

Harvesting Agreement

The Métis right to harvest is protected under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

In Ontario, the MNO and the provincial government have a Framework Agreement on Métis Harvesting that recognizes the Métis right to regulate harvesting under the MNO Harvesting Policy.