Fort McMurray, Alberta (September 23, 2013) - Provincial and territorial governments, Aboriginal groups, industry and all Canadians will now have access to an online repository of information on Aboriginal and treaty rights previously only available to federal officials.
The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, announced the launch of the new web tool at the opening of the Northern Development Minister's Forum today.
In the spirit of accountability and transparency, our Government is committed to making government information more accessible to Canadians,
said Minister Valcourt. This web tool will enable people across Canada to access information on potential and established Aboriginal and treaty rights from coast to coast to coast.
The Aboriginal and Treaty Rights Information System (ATRIS) is a web-based information system intended to map out the location of Aboriginal communities across Canada and to display information pertaining to their potential or established Aboriginal or treaty rights. ATRIS provides users with information on treaties, agreements and claims processes and links it to a geographic location or an Aboriginal group on a map. This system will prove enormously helpful to all levels of government and to industry across Canada in determining any consultation obligations with Aboriginal groups.
The Crown has a legal duty to consult and, if appropriate, accommodate when contemplating activities or initiatives that might adversely impact potential or established Aboriginal and treaty rights. The development of a repository of information on established or potential Aboriginal and treaty rights was a key commitment under the Government of Canada's 2007 Action Plan on Aboriginal Consultation and Accommodation.
A previous version of ATRIS was made accessible internally to all Government of Canada departments and agencies in December 2011. The launch of the new and improved ATRIS, on the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada website, supports the Government of Canada's plan for Responsible Resource Development and more effective consultation processes by making key information accessible to provincial and territorial officials, industry, Aboriginal people and all Canadians.
Erica Meekes
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt
819-997-0002
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
