chair’s foreword

As Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, I am pleased to have participated in the Committee’s study on First Nations land management and sustainable economic development, and to present this report on the Committee’s behalf.

Land is a critical driver of economic growth. This fact is no less true for First Nations. As the reserve land base continues to expand, particularly through land claims settlements and additions to reserves, a range of economic opportunities are becoming available with the potential to substantially improve living conditions on reserve. Over the course of a year, the Committee heard from over 60 witnesses and travelled to a number of First Nations communities across the country operating under a variety of land management frameworks. Consistently, we heard that access to modern, transparent and effective land management tools is central to helping First Nations move forward on a sustainable economic path and to accessing the wealth stored in their lands.

The Committee recognizes that it is essential to provide First Nations with the contemporary tools and capacity to effectively manage their lands and to minimize barriers that can impede First Nations from sustainably developing those lands to their maximum economic benefit. The Committee’s report seeks to address some of these existing barriers and to identify key elements of a modern framework for land management on reserves.

On behalf of the Committee, I want to express our thanks to the witnesses who appeared before us, to share their experiences and recommendations with us. We also commend those who made written submissions to assist the Committee in its process, and acknowledge these contributions with gratitude. I also wish to thank the Committee members for their dedication to this study. The unanimity of this report demonstrates a commitment to work together and reach consensus on what can often be complex issues.

Chris Warkentin, M.P.

Committee Chair