Energy group says historic Supreme Court ruling brings clarity

An energy industry groupsays the Supreme Court ruling on aboriginal title brings clarity to government decisions on First Nations lands.

Speaking Thursday, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) saidthe ruling was easy to understand, and is an evolution of work that has been going through the courts for many years.

A spokesperson for the group also said the rulinggives project coordinators a better idea of the work they need to go through when consulting with First Nations to develop on land where there is aboriginal title.

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"It does clarify in several cases that everything is project-specific so how you conduct yourself as a project proponent or in government on a project basis will guide [with] what kind of speed and efficiency you go through that process," said Alex Ferguson, vice president of policy and environment at CAPP.

Ferguson saidit's helpful that the ruling clarifiesthe role of governments, both federal and provincial, for those looking to develop on land claimed by First Nations particularly in areas without treaties between the First Nations and the government.

The ruling places a greater burden on governments to justify economic development on aboriginal land, but Ferguson said it's hard to predict what the impact of that will be for development projects like the Northern Gateway pipeline, which has faced fierce opposition from First Nations.

However, one expert said it's likely the decision will be used by First Nations fighting the pipeline in court.

"The pipeline is going through many, many First Nations who have already declared that they do not want the Enbridge pipeline going through their territories," said Antonia Mills, a First Nations studies professor at the University of Northern B.C.

"This decision strengthens their rights to preserve their traditional territories."