From: Rosien, Darwin (MAA) [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: February-22-16 9:52 AM To: Bonfield - Hawkins, Monique; Bonfield - Plante, Doug; East Ferris, Municipality of; Mattawan, Municipality of; North Bay, City of; Papineau-Cameron, Township of ([email protected]); South Algonquin; Central Frontenac - Silver, Steve; North Frontenac - Cheryl Robson; South Frontenac - Orr, Wayne; Bancroft - Lambe, Hazel; Carlo Mayo - Cox, Arlene; Hastings Highlands - Rogers, Robyn; Drummond North Elmsley - Halcrow, Cindy; Lanark Highlands - Bunker, Robert; Montague - Barnes, glenn; Tay Valley - CAO; Killaloe Haggarty Richards - Hudder, Lorna; Admaston/Bromley - Louis, Annette; Bonnechere Valley - Martin, Bryan; Brudenell, Lyndoch & Raglan - Mantifel, Michelle; Greater Madawaska - Allison Holtzhauer; Head Clara Maria - Reith, Melinda; Horton Twp - McLaren, Mackie; Laurentian Hills - Batten, Sherry; Laurentian Valley - Sauriol, Dean; Madawaska Valley, Township of ([email protected]); North Algona Wilberforce - Casselman, M; Petawawa - Scissons, Dan; Whitewater Region - Fitzsimons, Christine Cc: Fior, John - Nipissing District; Greaves, Kurt - Lanark County; Herweyer, Don - City of Ottawa; Hutton, Jim - Renfrew County; Keech, Larry - Lennox & Addington County; Moser, John - City of Ottawa; Pender, Kelly; Pine, Jim; Severson, Lisa; Crane, Brian; Norm Lemke Subject: Algonquin Land Claim The following memo is being sent on behalf of Brian Crane, Ontario’s Chief Negotiator for the Algonquin Land Claim. With the Algonquin ratification vote on a proposed Agreement-in-Principle pending, I’d like to provide municipal representatives in the Algonquin land claim territory with an update on the negotiations. Public interest in the negotiations is increasing and I thought it would be helpful to provide you with a current report. Voters who have enrolled with the Algonquins of Ontario have now been asked to vote on the proposed Agreement-in-Principle initialed by the negotiators for Canada, Ontario and the Algonquins of Ontario on May 29, 2015. A positive vote will indicate their support for continuing negotiations toward a Final Agreement, a process we anticipate will take another four to five years. The vote itself, like the proposed Agreement-in-Principle, will not be legally binding. Rather, it will tell us whether or not we are on the right path before any of the parties make the substantial commitment that will be required to produce what would be Ontario’s first modern-day treaty. The ratification vote is being conducted through mail- in ballots and at polling stations in Algonquin communities from February 29 through March 7, 2016. Further decision-making will then be in the hands of the three negotiation parties. If we determine that there is sufficient support to proceed, the next stage of negotiations will be supported by ongoing consultations with those who have direct interests in the Crown lands and natural resources under discussion. This will include consultation processes set out within the Declaration Order for the Algonquin Land Claim that addresses Ontario’s environmental assessment requirements related to a proposed settlement, as well as consultations to support Official Plan designations and zoning for each of the parcels of Crown land that would be transferred to Algonquin ownership as part of the proposed settlement. Public information will continue to be provided in a variety of forms as the negotiations proceed. I am pleased to provide you with the following links to information that is currently available regarding these negotiations. Please feel free to explore this material and share it with others who may be interested in the land claim process. Ontario’s Algonquin Land Claim Website – Provides a summary of the claim and additional links. Includes information on: Current status, Key terms of a possible settlement, Lands, Harvesting, Parks, and timelines etc. The Algonquins of Ontario proposed Agreement-In-Principle (AIP) – this is the current updated document based on the extensive consultation and feedback received on the Preliminary Draft Agreement-In-Principle that was released in December of 2012. The proposed AIP was initialed by the Negotiators for Canada, Ontario and the Algonquins of Ontario on May 29, 2015. Algonquin Land Claim Reference Maps – scroll down the page and you will have the option to review maps of proposed settlement lands. On the left-side of the page, you will find additional links to more detailed Descriptive Plans, each containing a summary of the specific Crown land parcel and current activities that are authorized on that land. Algonquins of Ontario – Includes a wide variety of information. Links to information about the Ratification Vote on the proposed AIP as well as informative newsletters. In addition to the above, I have attached a variety of backgrounders that will provide more detail about the negotiation process, consultation results to date, fisheries management in Algonquin Park and moose harvesting management. In conclusion, I would once again invite and encourage you to contact the Public Information Centre for the Algonquin Land Claim should you or your constituents have any further questions. Ontario Information Centre Telephone: 1-855-690-7070 or 613-732-8081 Email: [email protected] Web site: ontario.ca/algonquinlandclaim Best Regards, _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Darwin Rosien A/Program & Community Liaison Assistant Negotiations Branch | Negotiations and Reconciliation Division Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs 31 Riverside Drive, 1st Floor, Pembroke ON K8A8R6 (613) 732‐8081 | [email protected] ONaboriginal | ONaboriginalFR News Release For Immediate Release Milestone Achieved in Algonquins of Ontario Land Claim Negotiations Negotiators take key step toward fair and equitable settlement to advance reconciliation and unlock new economic opportunities in eastern Ontario June 12, 2015 Ottawa, ON Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada The governments of Canada and Ontario and the Algonquins of Ontario announced today that their negotiators have initialled a proposed Agreement-in-Principle on the Algonquin Land Claim. This is a key step toward a final agreement that will balance the rights of all concerned and open up new economic development opportunities for the benefit of the Algonquins and their neighbours in eastern Ontario. The proposed agreement-in-principle (AIP) is one step towards the negotiation of a final agreement. The goal is to define the ongoing rights of the Algonquins of Ontario to lands and natural resources through a final agreement that will provide clarity going forward for the benefit of all who live and work in the claim territory. The next step in the process is for the Algonquins of Ontario to vote on the proposed agreement-in-principle. If the vote is successful, the next steps are approval by the governments of Ontario and Canada followed by a tripartite negotiation process leading to a final agreement. The final agreement would need to be approved by the parties and given legal effect by the Ontario legislature and Parliament of Canada. Quick Facts The Algonquins began to petition the Crown for a treaty in 1772 and repeatedly asserted their rights and title to their traditional territory in eastern Ontario. The present negotiation process has been underway since the early 1990s. Canada, Ontario and the Algonquins of Ontario are committed to achieving an agreement that balances the rights of all Canadians and creates greater certainty in the territory. The development of the proposed agreement-in-principle was shaped by an extensive public consultation process undertaken in 2013. …/2 - 2 - While the Agreement-in-Principle is not legally binding, it would form the framework for continuing negotiations towards a final agreement or modern-day treaty. There will be many continuing opportunities for public input in the years ahead during negotiations toward a final agreement. The agreement-in-principle (AIP) proposes the transfer of $300 million in capital funding and 117,500 acres of provincial Crown lands to Algonquin ownership. No privately owned land will be taken away from anyone to settle the claim. No one will lose access to their private property. Algonquin Park will remain a Park for the enjoyment of all. Quotes “Our Government believes that the best way to resolve outstanding Aboriginal rights and title claims is through negotiated settlements that balance the interests of all Canadians. The progress made with the Algonquins of Ontario demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together as partners to find a shared solution. Once completed, a Final Agreement will create new opportunities for economic growth and investment for the benefit of Aboriginal communities and neighbouring non-Aboriginal communities.” Bernard Valcourt Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister “This is an important step on the long road to Ontario’s first modern-day treaty. Resolving this land claim will open new opportunities for the Algonquins of Ontario and their neighbours, contributing to a stronger regional economy across eastern Ontario. We’re looking forward to moving ahead with these negotiations.” David Zimmer Ontario’s Minister of Aboriginal Affairs “The initialing of the proposed AIP is a positive achievement in our treaty negotiations with Canada and Ontario. This commitment by Canada and Ontario means that, together, we can renew our