The Town of Innisfil recently adopted a land acknowledgement statement that recognizes First Nations peoples, and the impacts of Canada’s colonial history.
The land acknowledgement was given additional significance when a recent court challenge was filed on behalf of Williams Treaties First Nations.
The challenge was filed against both the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, and Cortel Group Inc. Minister Clark’s issuance of a Ministerial Zoning Order (MZO) for Innisfil’s Mobility Orbit mega-project is being challenged. The challenge states failure to “consult and accommodate the Williams Treaties First Nations as required under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.”
The challenge asks that the MZO be removed, and an interim injunction be issued to stop all work on the Orbit, until First Nations are consulted. There must also be a full assessment of the environmental impacts on Lake Simcoe.