By Mike Stimpson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter GRASSY NARROWS – The way Chief Rudy Turtle sees it, his First Nation had to take action against Ontario’s practice of granting mineral claims without consulting First Nations. Legal action was necessary “because they haven’t been listening to us at all,” he said, referring to the provincial government. “We keep telling them that they’re not consulting properly.” Grassy Narrows (Asubpeeschoseewagong) First Nation filed a legal application Friday asking the Superior Court of Justice to declare Ontario’s Mining Act unconstitutional. The application also seeks a court declaration that the province “has a duty to consult, accommodate and obtain free, prior and informed consent” from the First Nation before issuing mining claims. If successful, the action could force Ontario to rescind thousands of mining claims…
Register
