Ottawa, ONTARIO (June 17, 2008) – The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, introduced amendments to the Indian Oil and Gas Act today in the House of Commons. The proposed amendments will modernize dated regulations, help to ensure environmental protection of First Nation lands, increase regulatory compliance, and facilitate the collection of royalties and other monetary compensation due.
"Canada's legislation that affects oil and gas exploration and production has not been significantly updated in over 30 years. Today our government is taking action to introduce changes that will modernize this bill, " said Minister Strahl. "These amendments will update Canada's regulatory regime for the management of First Nations natural resources, ensure accountability measures and laws are enforced, foster economic development, and help to protect the environment."
Modernizing the Indian Oil and Gas Act and its associated regulations is intended to eliminate the existing regulatory gap. Levelling the playing field between off-reserve and on-reserve oil and gas activities will reduce barriers to economic development and will allow the federal government to better fulfill its obligation to manage oil and gas resources on First Nations lands.
The amendments will help to bring the Indian Oil and Gas Act in line with current provincial legislation, and create more clear, transparent and efficient regulations for the oil and gas industry.
Canada worked in co-operation with the Indian Resource Council , a First Nations organization that advocates on behalf of approximately 130 oil and gas producing – or potentially producing – First Nations, to develop the amendments to the Act.
The Indian Oil and Gas Act was passed in 1974 and has not substantially changed since that time. It is used to help the federal government manage oil and gas resources on First Nations reserve lands across Canada, generally south of the 60th parallel. Indian Oil and Gas Canada is the regulating body of the Indian Oil and Gas Act and is a special operating agency within Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
Backgrounder - Indian Oil and Gas Act Amendments
Fact Sheet - Indian Oil and Gas Act Amendments
For further information please contact:
Minister's Office
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160
Indian Oil and Gas Canada
Kelsy Uhryn
403-292-6369
