Grassy Narrows First Nation, supported by legal advisers and community leaders, has initiated a legal challenge against Ontario’s free entry mining system, arguing it infringes on Indigenous rights and violates the constitution.
Jackie Esmonde, a lawyer from Cavalluzzo LLP and adviser to Grassy Narrows Chief Counsel, announced the filing of a legal application challenging the constitutionality of Ontario's mining act.
The legal claim is that the government has violated their obligation to consult and get informed permission from the nation before filing or renewing mining claims on a territory of the province.