The Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund (RHTLF) leadership and the governments of Canada and Ontario will begin mediated discussions today with the Honourable Murray Sinclair serving as the mediator. On Thursday, Justice Hennessy agreed to an adjournment which will delay Stage Three proceedings by two weeks to allow all parties to come together for settlement discussions.<\/p>\n
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Stage Three \u2013 the final stage of the Robinson Huron Treaty annuities case \u2013 was scheduled to begin today. This stage considers the remaining issues, including the amount of compensation \u2013\u00a0 if any \u2013 that is owed to the beneficiaries. It would also decide whether liability to pay compensation lies with Ontario or Canada, or both.<\/p>\n
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The 21 Robinson Huron Treaty First Nations and the Governments of Canada and Ontario are currently in litigation with Canada and Ontario for breach of treaty. Under the Treaty, annuities to the First Nations and beneficiaries were supposed to increase as resource revenues within the Treaty territory increased. In reality, the annuity increased only once, rising from $1.60 to $4 in 1875, and hasn’t increased since.<\/p>\n
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Robinson Huron leadership has consistently been calling on both governments to reach a negotiated outcome to the annuities case. In December, 2022, the Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund (RHTLF) met with the governments of Canada and Ontario to discuss treaty renewal and the ongoing annuities case.<\/p>\n
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\u201cTrue reconciliation cannot be achieved in a courtroom. We are hopeful that with dialogue, we can reach a negotiated settlement of the annuities litigation with the Crowns,\u201d said Chief Dean Sayers of Batchewana First Nation.<\/p>\n
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\u201cBeginning the mediation process is an important step in the right direction. We hope to continue to work with the Crowns towards treaty renewal and a settlement,\u201d said spokesperson Duke Peltier of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory.<\/p>\n
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At this point, any details related to negotiations are confidential. More details may be released as available.<\/p>\n
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