Changements climatiques, minéraux critiques et participation autochtone aux processus réglementaires

The report examines the historical and current state of Indigenous participation in Canada's resource regulatory frameworks. It argues that while the transition to clean energy requires increased extraction of critical minerals on Indigenous lands, current regulatory processes—including the Impact Assessment Act—are often too complex, costly, and slow, failing to fully recognize Indigenous sovereignty. Through various case studies, the document highlights that successful projects are those based on genuine collaboration, modern treaties, and the recognition of Indigenous laws, rather than mere consultation. It recommends a shift toward Indigenous-led assessment and monitoring processes to ensure economic prosperity and environmental protection.

• The transition to a clean economy significantly increases the demand for critical minerals like copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earths, with the global market projected to reach 770 billion US dollars by 2040.
• Most clean growth projects in Canada must be located on Indigenous lands, making the principle of free, prior, and informed consent essential for avoiding the environmental and socioeconomic damages of previous decades.
• The federal Impact Assessment Act (2019) and its 2024 modifications are criticized by Indigenous experts for being too expensive and complex, often failing to adequately defend Indigenous aspirations while deterring global investment.
• There is a significant disparity in regulatory experiences across Canada; for example, the Yukon and Northwest Territories rank lower in mining attractiveness due to uncertainties surrounding land claims and environmental regulations, whereas Saskatchewan ranks high but is criticized by Indigenous peoples for minimal consultation.
• Modern treaties, such as the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, provide a more effective framework for sharing risks and benefits and ensuring Indigenous participation in project approval and monitoring.
• Indigenous communities often face 'consultation fatigue' and lack the financial or technical capacity to review voluminous technical reports, which creates an inequitable power dynamic during regulatory processes.
• The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) has influenced public discourse in Canada, but its practical application in law and regulation remains limited and contested, particularly in British Columbia.

APA

Gladu, J., Coates, K., & Savic, K. (n.d.). Changements climatiques, minéraux critiques et participation autochtone aux processus réglementaires. Canadian Climate Institute. https://institutclimatique.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Mineraux-critiques-particiaption-autochtone.pdf

Chicago

Gladu, JP, Ken Coates, and Katarina Savic. Changements climatiques, minéraux critiques et participation autochtone aux processus réglementaires. Canadian Climate Institute, n.d. https://institutclimatique.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Mineraux-critiques-particiaption-autochtone.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Gladu |first1=JP |last2=Coates |first2=Ken |last3=Savic |first3=Katarina |title=Changements climatiques, minéraux critiques et participation autochtone aux processus réglementaires |publisher=Canadian Climate Institute |url=https://institutclimatique.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Mineraux-critiques-particiaption-autochtone.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{gladundchangements, author = {Gladu, JP and Coates, Ken and Savic, Katarina}, title = {{Changements climatiques, minéraux critiques et participation autochtone aux processus réglementaires}}, institution = {Canadian Climate Institute}, url = {https://institutclimatique.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Mineraux-critiques-particiaption-autochtone.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }