Protest Uranium Mine Exemption from Mining Act Reform

Anyone interested in going please message me.. maybe we can carpool or take a train...

I apologize for the late notice.


Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium, (CCAMU)
Call to Eastern Ontario municipalities, community groups, and concerned citizens to:
Protest Uranium Mine Exemption from Mining Act Reform,
Radisson Hotel Entrance, 1 Johnson Street,
Kingston, Ontaqrio,
Thursday, August 28th, 6 PM.

The Ministry of Mines and Northern Development is holding hearings on the proposed reform of Ontario's antiquated Mining Act. While we support restrictions on the "free entry" of mining companies and prospectors on land claimed by aboriginals and private land owners, we question why uranium mines should be exempted. Uranium mines pollute watersheds. The proposed mine in North Frontenac County, near Sharbot Lake, would adversely affect the Mississippi and Ottawa rivers. Twenty two regional municipalities, including Ottawa,Kingston and Frontenac County have voted for a moratorium on Uranium mining in Eastern Ontario. How many does it take for our government to act on our concerns?

It is hypocritical for the provincial government to claim federal jurisdiction on uranium whilst it has granted the permits to Frontenac Ventures for exploration and would collect revenues from these mines. In addition the Ministry of the Environment has charged Frontenac Ventures with multiple breaches of provincial environmental regulations. How do you grant the permits, collect the revenues, and regulate the operations if you have no jurisdiction?

We propose an information picket at the entrance to the hearings. Of course the event will be peaceful and non disruptive. Speakers, such as Bob Lovelace, and municipal representatives will voice their objections to the exemption of uranium mines. The 6 PM protest will include music and street theater.

Contact Information: Paul Gervan, gervan@sympatico.ca Tel: 613-387-3579

Lawsuit, injunction hearing moved to September

By Gena Gibson, The Perth Courier August 1st 2007

The people who have camped out near Robertsville for more than a month say they won’t leave until Frontenac Ventures Corporation gives up its quest for uranium.

Lawyers for the Ardoch Algonquin and Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nations met in Kingston court on Monday with Neal Smitheman, the legal representative for the uranium exploration company. The company has served the groups, their leaders and "unknown persons" with a $77 million lawsuit, and would also like an injunction to allow it to begin exploration on thousands of acres of land near Robertsville, in North Frontenac Township.

"Our position and stance haven’t changed," said Paula Sherman, who shares co-chief duties of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nations with Randy Cota. "We’re staying, anyway."

She said the injunction hearing is set for late September, but the company, and the judge who heard arguments on Monday, want to get together tomorrow (Thursday) to find a compromise.

"Our stance on that is they won’t have access here," Sherman stressed, pointing out that officials with Frontenac Ventures Corporation are concerned with losing financial backing for the project. "We consider that to be a ploy."

Sherman said the people, both native and non-native, who have blocked access to the property plan to stay until the provincial government resolves the issue of land jurisdiction.

"The hearing now is not to determine whose land it is," she pointed out, saying the judge would like to know what Frontenac Ventures can do that won’t compromise the land.

"We don’t recognize anything (that can be done)," she added. "Anything they can do leading up to exploration and mining (is not acceptable)."

She said the native community believes the $77 million lawsuit is posturing on the part of Frontenac Ventures.

The main issue, for Sherman and her group, is their claim to more than three billion acres of land for the Ardoch Algonquins. The Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nations, under Chief Doreen Davis, are in the midst of a land claim that has gone on for years.

"We don’t need to use that process," Sherman explained. "We already have jurisdiction over our land.

"It was never ceded."

Sherman, who teaches aboriginal studies at Trent University, said the hearing in September and early October will have no bearing on what is happening at the potential mining site.

"They can just do the injunction, because our minds are not changing," she said. "The issue needs to be dealt with once and for all."

Many of the protesters lined Hwy. 7 in Perth on Saturday afternoon, handing out pamphlets on uranium mining to drivers. While most people were receptive, Sherman said, "There are a few who obviously don’t care that they’re going to be vacationing or living in areas with uranium contamination."

Smitheson did not return a call to his office yesterday (Tuesday).