May 23, 2008

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper,
Prime Minister of Canada,
House of Commons,
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, PC, MP
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and
Federal Interlocutor for MÈtis and Non-Status Indians,
House of Commons,
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6

Re: Uranium Prospecting

Dear Prime Minister,

The Canadian Unitarian Council joins the Shabot Obaadjiwan and Ardoch First Nations as well as numerous municipalities in urging your government to declare an immediate moratorium on uranium mineral prospecting, exploration and mining. We ask as well that you take action to settle outstanding land claims by Canada's Aboriginal peoples, as we did on June 29, 2007, we "urge Canada to work diligently to resolve these long-standing issues in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and MÈtis peoples, and in a just and compassionate way."

Until the land claims are settled, we ask you to ensure proper consultation on the use of land that has never been ceded and remains disputed, as is required by law. Further, if Aboriginal peoples request mediation with the provincial and federal governments to resolve such issues, we request that you act quickly to ensure this process is carried out in good faith.

Our concerns have been heightened by the events near Sharbot Lake and the concerns of the Algonquin people, who have been attempting to prevent the mining exploration company Frontenac Ventures Corp. from doing test drilling for uranium on land claimed by the Algonquin people. Canadian law stipulates that these lands cannot be developed without the consent of the Algonquin. Neither Canada nor Ontario has consulted with the Algonquin about uranium exploration, despite the fact that the staked land is part of a Comprehensive Land Claim that is under ongoing negotiation with Ontario and Canada.

It has become clear that a review and complete overhaul of the Ontario Mining Act and other legislation is necessary in order for companies to be prevented from prospecting, claim staking, and exploration without the meaningful consultation or the consent of Aboriginal communities, municipalities and private property owners.

Actions such as those in Eastern Ontario and the Ottawa River watershed, and the arrest of Robert Lovelace for his role in a peaceful demonstration are the most urgent among a growing number of environmental and social concerns raised by uranium prospecting and mining. Problems in Uranium City and La Ronge, SK, where the Council of Indian Chiefs oppose uranium mining, are ongoing, and in March the City council of Moncton, N.B., voted unanimously to call on the province to ban all uranium exploration and mining in New Brunswick. On March 18, 2008, the Ontario Superior Court sentenced Chief Donny Morris and six other council members to six months in jail for "contempt of court" for defying a court order to stay away from land belonging to the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation slated for mining by the Platinex Corporation. In fact, Judge Patrick Smith cited charges against Robert Lovelace as a precedent. We fear that uranium mining will continue to cause serious problems for relations between Canada's Aboriginal peoples and both federal and provincial governments.

The Canadian Unitarian Council affirms "Justice, equity and compassion in human relations." In 2007, we resolved that the CUC calls on all its congregations to promote our shared principles by being active witnesses for racial, religious, and First Nations equity in our communities." We consider the possibility of uranium mining near Sharbot Lake, along with the governments failure to create processes for meaningful consultation, and its treatment of people who oppose uranium exploration on environmental, safety, and legal grounds, to contravene this principle.

We hope that the Canadian and provincial governments will release Robert Lovelace from jail immediately, consult with First Nations people as they are required to do, and overhaul outdated legislation, including mining acts

We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to demonstrate good faith through genuine consultation, and to be forward-thinking on issues of potentially grave consequence to our Aboriginal and other communities.

Sincerely yours,

Jean Pfleiderer, Ph.D.
President
Canadian Unitarian Council / conseil unitarien du Canada