First Nation Sues to Stop Louisiana-Pacific from Harvesting Land

The Minegoziibe Anishinabe (also known as the Pine Creek First Nation) have launched a suit against Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd. and the Government of Manitoba, alleging that the province and Louisiana-Pacific did not consult them about logging licences on their traditional lands.

According to the notice of application, “In December 2021, Manitoba issued a series of decisions which enable Louisiana-Pacific to carry out further timber harvesting in areas which are critical to PCFN Rights and way of life. The decisions were made without any prior notice to or consultation with PCFN.”

The Minegoziibe Anishinabe preside on the southwestern shore of Lake Winnipegosis, approximately 110 km north of Dauphin, MB.

 The First Nation’s traditional land includes Duck Mountain Provincial Park, which, according to Global News, is the “only provincial park in Manitoba in which commercial timber harvesting is authorized.” The suit aims to halt logging operations in the area until further notice.

During an online news conference, Chief Derek Nepinak said that the community is not opposed to logging in the area, but has concerns about the sustainability of the project and wants to be included in conversations about the land.

“What we believe in is sustainable forestry management,” he stated. “We can’t say for certain whether that’s been happening on Duck Mountain because we haven’t been party to the conversations. Louisiana-Pacific has never come forward and shared the detailed information about what kind of sustainable forestry initiatives they’ve put in place from year to year.”

The First Nation says the logging has caused a drastic decline in the population of moose it relies on for a stable food source and has also reduced the community’s access to essential medicines.

The company could not comment on the matter due to the legal context, but released a statement saying it remains committed to engaging with “Indigenous Nations, including
Pine Creek, regarding […] sustainable forest management operations in Manitoba.”

Louisiana Pacific-Canada Ltd. is an international building solutions company, with manufacturing and administrative locations across the US, Canada, and South America.

The Manitoba government has introduced multi-year permitting for mineral exploration projects, in response to industry recommendations to eliminate red tape to help grow and develop the important mineral exploration sector.

“Our government recognizes that the annual renewal of work permits adds unnecessary red tape for companies pursuing multi-year exploration activities,”said Ralph Eichler, Agriculture and Resource Development Minister. “Our government is proud to advance this valuable recommendation from the industry-led Liaison Committee for Mining and Exploration.”

According to a news release, work permits for mineral exploration outside of parks will now be valid for up to three years with the option for an additional two-year extension.

“We are pleased that the Manitoba government acknowledged the mining industry in the most recent throne speech and thank them for listening and making the recommended change to multi-year permitting,” said Shastri Ramnath, Chair of Manitoba Liaison Committee on Mining and Exploration. “We believe that the only path forward is to have true collaboration between Indigenous communities, government, and industry and that all partners benefit from the province’s mineral endowment.”

As stated in the Path to Progressing Together speech from the throne, northern Manitoba is home to an abundance of mineral resources, and the province remains committed to Crown-Indigenous consultation, collaboration, and working in partnership with First Nation communities to advance mineral exploration projects and increase Indigenous participation in all phases of mineral development within their traditional territories.

“These regulatory changes mark a turning point toward improving mineral exploration and development in our province,” said Eichler, noting that the mining and petroleum industries are already the third largest primary resource industry of Manitoba’s economy. “This improvement will ensure that industry and northern and First Nation communities are engaging early on proposed longer-term projects which will assist in the planning and information sharing process. It will better align with and support the Crown-Indigenous consultation process, all of which will better prepare communities and industry to deliver economic benefits, especially in northern Manitoba, through good-paying sector jobs and enhanced business opportunities and partnerships. Working with Indigenous communities is essential as we all achieve more when
working together.”

To read or view the full speech from the throne, visit www.manitoba.ca/thronespeech.