MTI Chiefs Statement on the release of The Government of New Brunswick’s Comprehensive Minerals Strategy.

March 3, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MTI Chiefs Statement on the release of The Government of New Brunswick’s Comprehensive Minerals Strategy.

The Government of New Brunswick has released their Comprehensive Minerals Strategy. While some of the MTI staff were involved in some meetings that took place around this Strategy’s development, it is clear more conversations need to take place between MTI and the Government of New Brunswick to ensure the regulatory framework brings certainty and assurances to the Mi’gmaq, industry, and the broader New Brunswick public especially around the duty to consult.

We know this province is rich in mining resources, but history has shown us that the practices of some companies have had devastating effects. Companies took and profited from the resources found within our ancestral lands and gave no regard to the impact their actions would have on the lands, waters, species or our rights.

Historically, consultation has occurred so late in the process, making it almost impossible for the concerns of the Mi’gmaq to be considered, implemented or accommodated. That led to the development of the Mi’gmaq Rights Impact Assessment (MRIA) Framework which sets out an eight-step Mi’gmaq-led process for assessing the potential impacts of proposed activities on Mi’gmaq Aboriginal and Treaty Rights and Title, and for determining if Mi’gmaq consent for a project will be granted.

The MRIA Framework also sets out fundamental engagement principles outlining how the Mi’gmaq are to be consulted. The MRIA Framework has been shared with the provincial government on numerous occasions including during meetings around the Comprehensive Mineral Strategy. There is no specific mention of this in the Strategy, but we are more than willing to meet with companies and explain the MRIA process.

We appreciate that the economic climate today means governments must look at resource opportunities closet to home. We are encouraged to see the Comprehensive Mineral Strategy speak to ‘responsible development’ and we look forward to learning more about what this looks like.

We have consistently said we are not against economic development in this province and are optimistic when the Strategy speaks to Indigenous partnerships and participation. However, we will not sacrifice meaningful consultation for the sake of making a few dollars.

We are open to having discussions with government and industry to outline the MRIA process and potential opportunities for our communities and members.

Media Inquiries:

Jennifer Coleman, jennifer@migmawel.org