Community Notice - Alamos Permit to Take Water

Public Comments Open – Alamos Gold Water Permit

The Province of Ontario has extended the public comment period on Alamos Gold’s request to amend its Permit to Take Water (PTTW).

This permit would allow long-term water withdrawals (up to 10 years) in important headwater areas connected to:

•Dog Lake

•Magpie River

•Missinaibi River

The Dog Lake and Magpie waters are part of the larger Great Lakes Watershed, while the Missinaibi River is part of the James Bay Watershed. These headwaters are sensitive and impacts to these waterways will have cascading affects that we believe Alamos Gold Inc & the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) do not fully understand. As stewards of our territory, our knowledge on the sustainability and life for future generations needs to be considered.

Why This Matters

The following 3 points demonstrate a disconnect between industry and MCFN’s rights. Missanabie’s role in environmental monitoring and stewardship requires meaningful consultation for industrial planning and has the right to advocate for unnecessary environmental risks. In exchange, Alamos Gold and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, Parks (MECP) has a role in understanding the concerns of indigenous communities, local stake holders and land-use planning. These areas have been ignored in the process of filing the application and the water taking ambitions of the mine do not fully address other land use in the territory, both southward to Superior and northbound to James Bay.

1. Failure to Consult

Missanabie Cree First Nation has not received full and meaningful consultation on this permit, under the Canadian Constitution section 35 and our Duty to Consult and Accommodate Protocol.

Water decisions in our territory should not move forward without proper Missanabie Cree consultation and accommodation.

Indigenous leadership organizations across Ontario have already raised serious concerns about changes to the province’s water-taking rules and how they affect First Nations rights and waters through out Ontario and Treaty 9:

• Chiefs of Ontario – Statement raising concerns about allowing mining proponents to take water without proper permits and consultation - https://chiefs-of-ontario.org/chiefs-of-ontario-raises-concerns-regarding-provincial-proposal-to-allow-mining-project-proponents-to-take-water-without-permit/

• Union of Ontario Indians (Anishinabek Nation) – News releases on concerns with Ontario’s Permit to Take Water program

https://anishinabek.ca/category/news-releases/

• CBC News coverage: Anishinabek Nation concerned about changes to Ontario’s Permits to Take Water program

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/anishinabek-permits-to-take-water-ontario-1

These sources explain in plain language why First Nations are concerned about water governance changes in Ontario.

2. Indigenous Conservation Planning Is Being Overlooked

Missanabie Cree and partner Nations are actively working on conservation and land use planning in the Height of Land region through the Wahkohtowin initiative.

This work includes:

• Protecting wetlands and headwaters

• Maintaining ecological connectivity

• Supporting traditional use areas

• Planning for long-term community development

• MCFN’s biodiversity monitoring and planning

Approving flexible, long-term water withdrawals without aligning with Indigenous land use planning undermines this work.

3. Impacts Go Beyond Missanabie

Water taken from headwaters affects:

• Fish and wildlife habitat

• Wetlands

• Shoreline properties

• Local tourism and outfitters

• Businesses that rely on stable water levels

• Downstream communities

• The broader Great Lakes watershed

Small changes in headwater systems can create larger impacts downstream.

Where Members Can Review and Comment

Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) Search for the Alamos Gold Permit to Take Water amendment: https://ero.ontario.ca

Ontario overview of water taking rules: https://www.ontario.ca/page/taking-water-ontario

You do not need to read technical documents. Simple comments about protecting water and respecting Indigenous rights are powerful.

How to Submit a Comment

1. Go to https://ero.ontario.ca

2. Search for 026-0015

3. Click “Submit a Comment”

4. Write your message before the deadline

Simple Points You Can Use

You may write in your own words. For example:

• Consultation with Missanabie Cree First Nation is not complete.

• Indigenous conservation planning must be respected.

• Headwater lakes and wetlands need strong protection.

• Residents and businesses rely on stable water levels.

• Water withdrawals can affect downstream rivers and bodies of water in the Great lake and James Bay Lowland Watershed.

• This permit should not be approved without proper study and full consultation.

  
  

“Even a short message of 3–5 sentences can make a difference”