Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on May 31st, 2023

[Sean Willy]

Yes, and that's a decision we make. There are many first nations that go out and buy land and leave it as fee simple land. It's a lot more flexible as a business here to leverage it, but the land we have south of Saskatoon is reserve land. That also affords us different regulatory processes like building a waste-water treatment facility. Nobody else could build a waste-water treatment facility in six months.

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Because you have some assistance from indigenous—

[Sean Willy]

It's sovereign. I'm building this waste-water treatment facility. Who's going to come and stop me? I'm going to use it for my first nation to provide a service.

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

English River First Nation has also purchased land in the fee simple as well.

[Sean Willy]

In fee simple, yes, and other communities have, and they've left it as fee simple land.

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

If you were to do it all over again when it came to purchasing the land, fee simple versus having it as reserve land, which of the two arrangements do you find is of more economic benefit?

[Sean Willy]

Right now I like the reserve land status. I employ a lot of indigenous people on reserve land status, and they really like working on reserve land status. Second, the regulatory regime on first nation lands is not as rigorous as off-reserve lands, so it offers me unique advantages.

By telling you that, you cannot change anything.

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

I guess this is the last question. If the first nation owns the fee simple, is that the first nation and do all members...? Who owns it?

[Sean Willy]

You set up an economic development corporation. I'm owned by the first nation, but it's an economic development corporation that would go out and purchase the land or a limited partnership model would go out and own the land.

[The Chair, Liberal, Jenica Atwin]

Thank you, Mr. Powlowski.

Ms. Gill, you have the floor for two and a half minutes.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Mr. Willy, in what way can land restitution be part of reconciliation, which incidentally involves several stakeholders? What are the benefits, in your opinion, for first nations, Inuit and Métis, but also for the population as a whole? How can this be combined?

Honestly, I have to say that there's sometimes a stereotype that the economic aspect is completely excluded when there are discussions about or with first nations, even though it's part of the intent. I'd like you to explain how many people could benefit from this reconciliation, which, of course, includes land restitution.

Thank you.

[Sean Willy]

I think there have been numerous studies done on the GDP creation of full inclusion of indigenous people in the economy. Look at—I'll use the James Bay Cree example—their self-comprehensive land claim and the amount of economic development that it has spurred, not only for the James Bay Cree but for the province of Quebec. Look at the number of people...the offices that have been created by the James Bay Cree. They have an office here in Ottawa.

It benefits all Canadians when indigenous people are successful. It's only going to increase as Canadians want access to critical minerals, which are found predominantly in northern Canada. The world wants our resources. If we have high indigenous participation, strong ESG metrics and fair taxation, then it's only going to help everybody within this country. Again, we're putting massive numbers of dollars in infrastructure and health care in southern Canada and nothing in northern Canada because there are only a few members of Parliament from those regions.

I just think that land restitution, allowing first nations to drive those processes to unlock forestry, mineral development, power generation and power transmission, will only benefit all Canadians. When English River was in its heyday, it was asking for payments back from Indigenous Services Canada, because it had lowered the welfare by 90% in the community. One of the biggest drivers we never talk about in economic development is moving the negative draw on welfare and social assistance over to a wage-based economy.

Community members of English River are going down to Meadow Lake and then purchasing trucks. There have been studies done by the University of Saskatchewan that show that every two jobs that are created from indigenous employment create another job in the service industry because, it's sad to say, we don't save our money. We go out and buy trucks and furniture and computers. There is example after example and report after report from the banks about the GDP creation of full inclusion of indigenous people in the economy, and that starts with land back.

[The Chair, Liberal, Jenica Atwin]

Thank you, Madam Gill.

Mr. Morrice, you have the floor for two and a half minutes.

[Mike Morrice, Green, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Yellowhead Institute's red paper on land back makes the connection between colonialism and the loss of biodiversity. I want to just read from the red paper briefly:

...the matter of land back is not merely a matter of justice, rights or “reconciliation”...Indigenous jurisdiction can indeed help mitigate the loss of biodiversity and climate crisis.

Mr. Willy, you have spoken a lot today about the economic impacts of land back. Can you also share your perspective, at a time of global biodiversity loss, of the benefit to all Canadians when it comes to the biodiversity implications of land back?

[Sean Willy]

I think that giving the power and control of land back, you'll see a more holistic viewpoint. As I mentioned, the best environmental monitoring programs, the ones that are emulated throughout the country.... I was, in fact, lucky enough to share these with indigenous people in Australia and with the Sami in Sweden and Norway. We drove the environmental policies for northern Saskatchewan, northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

We just want a seat at the table, so it's not all about economic development. We have focused a lot on that, but you're right. It's about then having the same seat at the table for fish monitoring programs or flora and fauna programs up in the Northwest Territories around the diamond mines. It is a balance, and yes, I think.... My cousins up in Łutsel K’e, Northwest Territories, are leaders in the protected area of the Thaidene Nene National Park. We are part of the land guardians program, getting out there with the exploration companies early on.

Yes, I think it's going to help biodiversity, but it's not going to be these extremes. You're not going to shut down all development in all regions. You're going to have this balance, or you're not going to have resources for everyone. You're going to have this balance in between.

[The Chair, Liberal, Jenica Atwin]

Thank you so much. That ends our second round of questions.

Mr. Willy, you've been a trooper for us today. You've really guided our discussions and given such excellent testimony. Thank you so much for your time today.

We will briefly suspend and move in camera for the second portion of our meeting.

Thank you very much.

[Proceedings continue in camera]