IN THE SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

Citation: Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations), 2014 BCSC 568 Date: 20140403 Docket: S128500 Registry: Vancouver Between: Ktunaxa Nation Council and Kathryn Teneese, on their own behalf and on behalf of all citizens of the Ktunaxa Nation Petitioners And Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Glacier Resorts Ltd. Respondents Before: The Honourable Mr. Justice Savage

Reasons for Judgment

Counsel for the Petitioners: P.R.A. Grant J. Huberman M.L. Ross and K. Williams P.G. Foy, QC M.S. Kerwin and A.K. Cousins G. Tucker and P. Sheppard Vancouver, B.C. January 6-10, 2014 January 13-17, 2014 Vancouver, B.C. April 3, 2014

Counsel for Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations: Counsel for Respondent Glacier Resorts Ltd.: Place and Date of Trial:

Place and Date of Judgment:

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 2

Table of Contents
ACRONYM KEY ........................................................................................................ 4 I. II. 1. 2. 3. A. B. C. D. 1. (i) (ii) (iii) 2. 3. Introduction ....................................................................................................... 5 Orders Sought................................................................................................... 9 Is extrinsic expert evidence admissible? ....................................................... 11 Does the MDA violate s.35 of the Constitution Act, 1982? ............................ 12 Does the MDA violate s. 2(a) of the Charter?................................................ 12 The Aboriginal Groups .................................................................................. 12 Resort Development Policy ........................................................................... 13 Chronology of Events .................................................................................... 13 Discussion of Relevant Events ...................................................................... 14 Initial Planning Processes.......................................................................... 14 1991-1993: CASP Review ..................................................................... 14 1993-1994: CORE Review ................................................................. 15 1995: Interim Agreement .................................................................... 16

III. Issues............................................................................................................... 11

IV. Background ..................................................................................................... 12

1995-2004: Environmental Assessment .................................................... 16 2005-2007: Master Plan Review ................................................................ 20 (i) Gap Analysis ............................................................................................. 21 (ii) Accommodation is a possibility ........................................................... 22 (iii) MP Approval ............................................................................................ 23

4. (i)

2007-2009: Further Ktunaxa Consultation ................................................. 24 Accommodation is offered ...................................................................... 24 Sacred Site - No accommodation is possible ..................................... 26 Consultation/Accommodation Summary ................................................ 27 Qatmuk Declaration ........................................................................... 28 Further Discussion.............................................................................. 29 2010-2012: MDA Approval ........................................................................ 27 (i) (ii) (iii) (ii)

5.

E. V. A. (i)

The no middle ground position .................................................................... 29 Evidentiary Issues .......................................................................................... 31 Law: The admissibility of extrinsic evidence on judicial review ...................... 31 The general rule on judicial review ............................................................ 31

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 3 (ii) (iii) B. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Judicial review of the duty to consult and accommodate ....................... 32 Judicial review where the Charter is implicated ..................................... 34 The Walker Report..................................................................................... 40 The Shaffer Report .................................................................................... 44 The Proctor Report .................................................................................... 44 The Brealey Report.................................................................................... 47 The Candler Report ................................................................................... 48

Analysis: Should I admit the expert reports tendered? .................................. 38

VI. The Duty to Consult and Accommodate ....................................................... 48 Law....................................................................................................................... 48 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1. 2. 4. 5. The Interpretation of Section 35(1) ............................................................ 48 The Honour of the Crown .......................................................................... 51 The Duty to Consult and Accommodate .................................................... 51 The Scope of the Duty ............................................................................... 52 The Standard of Review ............................................................................ 54 Process v. Outcomes................................................................................. 55 Unchallenged earlier regulatory approvals ................................................ 57 MDA approval ............................................................................................ 62 Was the consultation process reasonable? ............................................... 65 Was reasonable accommodation offered? ................................................ 68

Analysis ................................................................................................................ 57

VII. Section 2(a) of the Charter ............................................................................. 74 Law....................................................................................................................... 75 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2. 3. Relevant Charter Sections ......................................................................... 75 Principles of Charter Interpretation ............................................................ 75 The Preamble ............................................................................................ 76 Section 2(a) Jurisprudence ........................................................................ 77 Charter Review of Discretionary Administrative Decisions ........................ 79 Must the decision-maker specifically reference the Charter right? ............ 80 Does the MDA infringe s. 2(a) of the Charter? ........................................... 82 Does the MDA reflect a reasonable balancing? ......................................... 88

Analysis ................................................................................................................ 80

VIII. Summary ......................................................................................................... 93 IX. Order ................................................................................................................ 94

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 4 SCHEDULE A ...................................................................................................... 95 SCHEDULE B ...................................................................................................... 97 SCHEDULE C .................................................................................................... 101 SCHEDULE D .................................................................................................... 104 SCHEDULE E .................................................................................................... 115 SCHEDULE F .................................................................................................... 117 ACRONYM KEY ASR = All Seasons Resort CASP = Commercial Alpine Ski Policy CLIB = Columbia Lake Indian Band CORE = Commission on Resources and Environment CRA = Controlled Recreation Area EAC = Environmental Assessment Certificate EAO = Environmental Assessment Office IMBA = Impact Management and Benefits Agreement KBLUP = East Kootenay and West Kootenay-Boundary CORE Land Use Plan KKTC = Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Tribal Council KNC = Ktunaxa Nation Council MDA = Master Development Agreement MP = Master Plan SIB = Shuswap Indian Band WMA = Wildlife Management Area

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 5 I. [1] Introduction This judicial review concerns a proposed year round ski resort on Crown land

near Invermere, BC (the Proposed Resort). The petitioner, the Ktunaxa Nation (the Ktunaxa), challenges the Master Development Agreement (the MDA) for the Proposed Resort which was signed on March 20, 2012, by the two respondents, Glacier Resorts Ltd. (Glacier) and the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (the Minister: I also use the term Minister throughout these reasons to refer to the government ministry responsible for the disposition of tenures on Crown land for ski resort development at the relevant time, although I recognize the responsible ministry or ministry name has changed over the time period relevant to the Proposed Resort). [2] The Ktunaxa are an Aboriginal people under s. 35 of the Constitution Act,

1982. They have inhabited the Columbia and Kootenay River valleys and parts of the Purcell, Selkirk and Rocky Mountains since before contact with Europeans. Their traditional territory includes parts of southeastern British Columbia, southwestern Alberta, Montana, Washington, and Idaho. The Ktunaxa do not seek a finding on the strength of their claim to aboriginal title in these proceedings. [3] The Proposed Resort is to be located in the Upper Jumbo Valley, at the foot

of Jumbo Mountain and Jumbo Glacier. It is 55 km west of Invermere, 36 km west of the existing Panorama ski resort, and north of the 202,709 hectare Purcell Wilderness Conservancy, which was established in 1974 and expanded in 1995. The Proposed Resort will have lift serviced access to several nearby glaciers at an elevation up to 3,400 meters in a Controlled Recreation Area (CRA) of approximately 6,000 hectares and will provide winter and summer skiing. Access to the Proposed Resort will be along an existing forest service road. The Proposed Resorts base area will be located at a previously cleared but now abandoned saw mill site. [4] The development process began in 1991 when Glacier submitted a formal

proposal to the Minister in accordance with what was then the Commercial Alpine

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 6 Ski Policy (CASP). Following a public input period and call for proposals, Glacier was granted sole proponent status in 1993. [5] Consideration of the Proposed Resort under CASP was initially deferred

pending the completion of land-use planning for the Kootenay region by the Commission on Resources and Environment (CORE). Although a broader land-use planning process, the CORE review did specifically consider the Proposed Resort and found it to be an acceptable land use for the Upper Jumbo Creek Valley. Following this process, Glacier entered an Interim Agreement with the Minister which, among other things, required Glacier to obtain an Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) for the Proposed Resort. [6] The environmental assessment process began in July 1995, involved review

under two successive pieces of environmental assessment legislation, and culminated in an EAC being issued for the Proposed Resort in October 2004. The EAC was renewed in 2009 for five years. [7] The initial EAC was challenged by judicial review but upheld in both this Court

(R.K. Heli-Ski Panorama v. Glassman et al, 2005 BCSC 1622 ) and the Court of Appeal (R.K. Heli-Ski Panorama Inc. v. Glassman, 2007 BCCA 9). In the appeal decision, Smith J.A. observes at para. 1:
[1] It has been sixteen years since [Glacier] set out to build a year-round ski resort on Crown land in the Jumbo Valley in southeastern British Columbias Purcell Mountains. As the judge below trenchantly observed, Glaciers plans have ground along at a somewhat glacial pace. For the first fourteen of those sixteen years, the project was caught up in administrative procedures designed by the provincial government to elicit the views of the general public, First Nations, and private interests and to ensure that the project was compatible with land-use, environmental, economic, social, heritage, and health values. Then, on October 12, 2004, the Ministers of Sustainable Resource Management, of Small Business and Economic Development, and of Water, Land and Air Protection issued an environmental assessment certificate to Glacier pursuant to the Environmental Assessment Act, S.B.C. 2002, c. 43 , which entitled it to go forward with the project, albeit subject to a number of conditions and to obtaining further necessary approvals.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 7 [8] In December 2005, Glacier submitted a draft Master Plan (MP) for the

Proposed Resort to the Minister for consideration under the successor to CASP, the All Seasons Resort Policy (ASR Policy). The MP was approved in 2007. The MP is a comprehensive document covering such diverse subjects as a Geotechnical Hazard Assessment, Wildlife Resources and Proposed Mitigation Measures, Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, Solid Waste Management Plan, Grizzly Bear Management Plan, Terms of Reference for Environmental Monitoring, Infrastructure Component descriptions, Socio Economic Analysis, and First Nations. The MP runs to 13 volumes. The index alone is 21 pages in length. [9] The next stage, approval of the MDA, was delayed from 2009 to 2012 while

the Minister sought agreement with the Ktunaxa over matters described herein. The eventual signing of the MDA in March 2012 represents the final approval that Glacier needs to begin the planned three-phase development of the Proposed Resort. [10] Glacier says that in the 20 years from 1991 to the approval of the MDA in

2012, it went to extraordinary lengths to satisfy government, First Nations, and environmental concerns and that the plan for the Proposed Resort has been modified in many ways to take these concerns into account. Glacier further says it should be entitled to rely on these various regulatory processes where the nature of the Proposed Resort was well known, well described, and, with numerous amendments and modifications, was approved at each stage. [11] The myriad of events that occurred since Glacier first submitted a proposal in

1991 form the necessary context within which I must assess the Ktunaxas claims in this petition. [12] The Ktunaxa ask me to find that the MDA violates two of their constitutionally

protected rights: (1) the duty to consult and accommodate aboriginal peoples under s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and (2) their right to freedom of religion under s. 2(a) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the Charter).

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 8 [13] The Ktunaxa specifically submit that the Minister failed to fulfil the duty to consult in respect of the Ktunaxas aboriginal right to exercise a spiritual practice which by its nature requires the protection of a sacred site. The existence and scope of the duty to consult is not disputed. [14] The two constitutional arguments centre on the Ktunaxas claimed

infringement of a very particular aspect of their culture and belief systems. The Ktunaxa say that the Proposed Resort lies at the heart of a sacred area of paramount spiritual importance within their claimed traditional territory. That area is called Qatmuk. The Ktunaxa say that Qatmuk is the Grizzly Bear Spirits home or territory. [15] The Ktunaxa say that Qatmuk includes the entire Toby-Jumbo watershed

and the uppermost parts of the South Fork Glacier Creek, Horsethief Creek, and Farnham Creek watersheds. The general boundaries of Qatmuk are described in many different ways in the material before me. The Minister provided the court with eight pages of references in its materials illustrating these differing descriptions. [16] Within Qatmuk, the Ktunaxa identify a Refuge Area of approximately 5,915

hectares in the upper Jumbo Creek valley and a Buffer Area of approximately 8,799 hectares consisting of the remainder of the Jumbo Creek watershed. The Proposed Resort will cover about 50% of the Refuge Area and the pre-existing road that will be used to access the Proposed Resort is within the Buffer Area. [17] The Ktunaxa say that to allow the Proposed Resort in Qatmuk would

desecrate this sacred site and cause the Grizzly Bear Spirit to leave. If the Grizzly Bear Spirit leaves Qatmuk, the Ktunaxa say they will no longer be able to receive physical or spiritual assistance and guidance from that spirit. Their rituals and songs about the Grizzly Bear Spirit will lose all meaning and efficacy. The Ktunaxa say this will have a profound negative impact on their identity and culture. [18] In particular, the Ktunaxa assert it is the permanent overnight human

accommodation that will come with the Proposed Resort which will cause the Grizzly

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 9 Bear Spirit to leave Qatmuk. The Ktunaxa first asserted that this specific aspect of the Proposed Report rendered it fundamentally inimical to any possible accommodation in 2009. [19] There have been and are currently other human activities in Qatmuk, and to

a lesser extent in the Refuge and Buffer Areas. There is an extant heli-skiing operation in the Jumbo valley and the existing Panorama ski resort lies in the lower reaches of the Toby watershed. The Proposed Resort is to be located on an old sawmill site within the Refuge Area, which was operational until World War II. There is an abandoned mine along the forestry access road at the base of the Buffer Area. Much of the Toby-Jumbo watershed has been previously logged. The watershed is also used for hunting, including grizzly bear hunting, and recreational hiking. [20] Another Aboriginal people, the Shuswap Indian Band (SIB), also claim the

area described as Qatmuk to be within their traditional territory. The SIB has supported the Proposed Resort since 2004. They assert that the Kinbasket People (represented by the SIB) are the Aboriginal people most closely located to the Proposed Resort area and to whom a duty to consult is owed. Through the SIBs business entity, the Kinbasket Development Corporation, they entered into a benefits agreement with Glacier in respect of the Proposed Resort. II. [21] Orders Sought The Ktunaxa seek the following orders to remedy the asserted infringement of

their constitutionally protected rights: 1. A declaration that Qatmuk is sacred to the Ktunaxa; 2. A declaration that the Proposed Resort is incompatible with Qatmuks sacredness and so, if built and operated, will desecrate Qatmuk; 3. A declaration that the Proposed Resort will irreparably and significantly adversely affect the Ktunaxa peoples traditional religious practices involving grizzly bears and Grizzly Bear Spirit;

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 10 4. A declaration that the Ktunaxa have a strong prima facie claim that their traditional religious activities involving grizzly bears and Grizzly Bear Spirit constitute a practice integral to their distinctive culture and thus an existing Aboriginal right protected by s. 35(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982; 5. A declaration that the Minister in approving the MDA acted contrary to the protective purpose of the duty to consult and accommodate the honour of the Crown and the reconciliation purpose of s. 35; 6. A declaration that the Ktunaxa peoples freedom to learn, engage in, teach and transmit to future generations their traditional religious beliefs and practices involving grizzly bears and Grizzly Bear Spirit is a fundamental freedom guaranteed by s. 2(a) of the Charter; 7. A declaration that the Minister, in approving the MDA unreasonably and thus unjustifiably, violated the Ktunaxa peoples freedom of religion; 8. An order setting aside the Ministers March 20, 2012 decision to approve the MDA; 9. An interim injunction restricting any steps to be taken in the development of the Proposed Resort under the MDA until the conclusion of the hearing of this matter; 10. A permanent injunction prohibiting development in the Qatmuk area, except as set out in the Qatmuk Declaration; 11. An order sealing sacred and secret information of the Ktunaxa in portions of certain of the affidavits;

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 11 III. [22] Issues The issues to be decided include the admissibility of extrinsic expert evidence

on judicial review and whether the MDA should be set aside on either of the two asserted constitutional grounds. 1. [23] Is extrinsic expert evidence admissible?

The Minister and Glacier assert that some expert evidence submitted by the

Ktunaxa is inadmissible. The reports in issue were not before the Minister when the MDA was approved in March 2012. The five reports objected to are: a) The report of Dr. Michael Proctor entitled Consequences to the Purcell Mt Grizzly Bear from Proposed Jumbo Glacier Resort, dated November 2012. b) The report of Dr. Deward Walker entitled The Significance of Qatmuk in Ktunaxa Religious Belief and Practice and the Potential Impacts of the Proposed Jumbo Glacier Ski Report, dated November 9, 2012. c) The report of Dr. Craig Chandler entitled Report on the Nature and Significance of Ktunaxa Interests in the Qatmuk Area as Refle cted in Existing Ethnographic Sources, dated November 26, 2012. d) The report of Dr. Marvin Shaffer, entitled An Assessment of the Economic Benefits of the Proposed Jumbo Glacier Resort Project, dated November 2012. e) The report of Dr. Kenneth Brealey entitled Historical Geography of Ktunaxa Use, Occupancy and Continuity of Qatmuk, dated November 28, 2012. [24] [25] I must therefore determine whether any or all of these reports are admissible. Although this issue is preliminary, in the interests of hearing economy the

Ktunaxa first presented their arguments on the merits and the Minister and Glacier responded, including their objections to the admissibility of the reports at that time. The Ktunaxa then replied orally on the merits of the petition and filed with the court a 41 page response on the admissibility argument late in the hearing.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 12 2. [26] Does the MDA violate s.35 of the Constitution Act, 1982?

The Ktunaxa frame this issue as: Was the Ministers decision to approve the MDA on March 20, 2012 a violation of the Crowns constitutional obligation to uphold the honour of the Crown in its dealings with the Ktunaxa?

[27]

Although the Ktunaxa frame the question in this manner, the specific

aboriginal right at issue here, as described by the Ktunaxa, is to exercise a spiritual practice which by its nature requires the protection of a sacred site and the constitutional obligation is the duty to consult and accommodate. 3. [28] Does the MDA violate s. 2(a) of the Charter?

The Ktunaxa frame this issue as: Was the Ministers decision to approve the MDA for a ski resort in the heart of Qatmuk a violation of the Ktunaxas Right to Freedom of Religion under Section 2(a) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

IV. [29]

Background I will now consider the factual background that provides the requisite context

for my determination of both the preliminary and substantive issues. A. [30] The Aboriginal Groups

As stated in the introduction, the SIB supports the Proposed Resort while the

Ktunaxa oppose it. Both claim the Proposed Resort is within their traditional territory. [31] During the earlier stages of the regulatory process for the Proposed Resort,

however, both the Ktunaxa and the SIB were represented by the Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Tribal Council (KKTC). In or about fall 2005, the SIB withdrew from the KKTC and joined the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council. The Ktunaxa Nation Council (KNC) was subsequently formed to represent the four Ktunaxa communities in Canada: Akisqnuk (Columbia Lake Indian Band - CLIB), Yaqan nu?kiy (Lower Kootenay

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 13 Indian Band), Aqam (St. Marys Indian Band) and Akinkumlasnuqli?it (Tobacco Plains Indian Band). [32] Attached and marked as Schedule A is correspondence dated June 30,

2004, between the SIB and the KKTC showing the Kinbasket Peoples position with respect to the Proposed Resort and, specifically, that they are not prepared to support the KKTCs position. The letter also states the SIBs belief that the Kinbasket are the Aboriginal people in closest proximity to the Proposed Resort and that the SIB approved the signing of a letter of intent for the Kinbasket Development Corporation to participate in any development opportunity the Proposed Resort presents to the SIB. [33] Although sharing the same acronym, the KKTC is a separate and distinct

entity from the Ktunaxa Kinbasket Treaty Council, which was created in the early 1990s to negotiate a treaty with the governments of Canada and British Columbia. The Ktunaxa Kinbasket Treaty Council still represents the SIB and the four Ktunaxa communities that comprise the KNC at the treaty negotiation table. B. [34] Resort Development Policy

The process for developing an all season resort in British Columbia is

described in the ASR Policy, the successor to CASP. The ASR Policy is intended to clarify the exercise of Crown decision-making for land dispositions for resorts, originally just ski resorts but now all season resorts as well. [35] The ASR Policy governs the development process from the initial tendering of

proposals, through Interim Agreement, environmental assessment, MP approval and eventual execution of a MDA. The Ministers decision on the MDA represents the completion of that process. C. [36] Chronology of Events

The Minister provided a basic chronology of relevant events from Glaciers

initial proposal in March 1991 to the Ministers provision of a rationale for approving the MDA in March 2012. That chronology was supplemented by the Ktunaxa and

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 14 referred to at length by Glacier. Edited somewhat to account for the different parties concerns, I set out this chronology of events in Schedule B. D. [37] Discussion of Relevant Events

It is not possible to easily summarize all the events that occurred from 1991

through 2012, which are described in detail in the extensive affidavit evidence. Although the parties emphasize the significance of different events, there are no significant factual disagreements. What follows is my summary of the relevant events in the process leading to the Ministers approval of the MDA. 1. [38] Initial Planning Processes

The Proposed Resort has been the subject of extensive review under a

number of processes since it was initially proposed in 1991, subject at that time to the CASP. In this section I briefly describe the processes that occurred before the Minister signed an Interim Agreement with Glacier in 1995.
(i) 1991-1993: CASP Review

[39]

Glaciers initial proposal of March 1991 was first subjected to review under

the CASP. As part of this review, the Minister held a public meeting in Invermere on September 25, 1991. At this time, the KKTC communicated to the Minister that the Proposed Resort was within their Comprehensive Land Claim area and requested a continuous consultation process. The Minister acknowledged this request. [40] The KKTC stated their opposition to the Proposed Resort at this time. They

gave the Minister a position paper that, among other things, asserts that many native species of animals and fish in the Proposed Resort area, including grizzly bear, hold a very sacred place within our cultural spiritualism. The report concludes at page 5:
The [KKTC] must state our opposition to the [Proposed Resort]. If such a large-scale development were to proceed, the destruction of heritage resources, culturally significant sites, and wildlife habitat would lessen the quality of life within our traditional territory, not only for ourselves, but for out non-native neighbours as well.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 15
Monetary gain does not always leave one further ahead. Environmental concerns must be fairly weighed against economic benefits to arrive at a balanced conclusion. Without a full inquiry and land management strategy in place, any major development should not take place.

[41]

Having received no other competing proposals, Glacier was granted sole

proponent status in February 1993. At this time, the Minister also informed Glacier that any further consideration of the Proposed Resort under the CASP was deferred until the completion of CORE land-use planning for the Kootenay region.
(ii) 1993-1994: CORE Review

[42]

The CORE review lasted almost 18 months, from early 1993 until late 1994,

and had the objective of producing a new land use plan for the region. A formal public meeting was held in the East Kootenays every month. The CORE review specifically considered the Proposed Resort. [43] The CORE review concluded in October 1994 with the submission of land use

recommendations for the region to the Province. These submissions included assigning very high recreation and tourism values to the Proposed Resort area and recommending that the approval process for any resort include obtaining an EAC under the Environmental Assessment Act. [44] In August 1994, just prior to the conclusion of CORE review, Chief Joe

Nicholas of the CLIB wrote to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and the Minister of Environment, Lands and Parks, advising that the CLIB was adamantly opposed to the Proposed Resort proceeding before the Treaty process is completed. [45] Chief Nicholas raised some 16 points, including that the Proposed Resort

should be assessed under the Environment Assessment Act as well as under the CASP. Among other things, he expressed concern about potential grizzly man conflicts. He also stated that the area has always been used by Ktunaxa and Shuswap people for hunting and gathering and that [w]e are presently doing a comprehensive cultural inventory of our traditional area and until it is complete, we are not in a position to fully assess the impact of such a development on us. Chief

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 16 Nicholas did not describe the area as sacred. This letter is attached and marked as Schedule C. [46] In March 1995, the Province released a summary of the CORE East

Kootenay Land Use Plan and West Kootenay-Boundary Land Use Plan (KBLUP), which designated the Upper Jumbo Creek Valley as within a special management area, requiring enhanced levels of management. The KBLUP also identified a ski resort as an acceptable land use for the Proposed Resort area but recommended that any project proposal be subject to an environmental assessment.
(iii) 1995: Interim Agreement

[47]

After four years of review, first under the CASP and then within the broader

CORE land-use planning process, Glacier and the Minister entered an Interim Agreement in respect of the Proposed Resort in July 1995. This agreement required Glacier to submit the Proposed Resort to environmental assessment. If an EAC was subsequently issued, the Interim Agreement committed the Minister to negotiate and in good faith attempt to conclude a MDA for the Proposed Resort. 2. 1995-2004: Environmental Assessment [48] Environmental assessment of the draft MP for the Proposed Resort began in

July 1995. Government agencies (federal, provincial, and municipal), First Nations, and the public were invited to participate. At the first meeting in August 1995, the KKTC, SIB, and CLIB were all represented. [49] At a public meeting in September 1995, Chief Nicholas of the CLIB read a

prepared statement outlining four of the five KKTC bands opposition to the Proposed Resort. The SIB did not sign that statement. The KKTC gave the Minister written comments on the Proposed Resort which recognised they were unable to confirm if these comments reflect the concerns of the [SIB]. These comments state that the Ktunaxa are adamantly opposed to the Proposed Resort and believe that sufficient information is available to reject the EAC application at the first stage of review. However, the comments also say that if the environmental review does

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 17 proceed, a number of issues must be addressed, including undertaking a full assessment of traditional and contemporary First Nations use of the Jumbo valley in cooperation with the KKTC. They outline the need for a grizzly bear impact assessment but do not specifically mention the sacred nature of the area. [50] The SIB wrote to the Minister in November 1995 indicating they want to know

more about the [Proposed Resort], not fight it. The letter also states:
Tourism is the economic future of this part of the Kootenays and we see with favour serious initiatives that can help the region grow. [The SIB] has something to contribute and is looking at the ways to participate in this growth. [The SIB] does not want to wait to see the end of treaty negotiations before economic activity can occur. The [SIB] finds the [Proposed Resort] interesting and is looking forward to the opportunity of learning more about it. We are disturbed by some of the antagonistic positions that we have observed. We know the area. We know the valley. We know the bears. We know where they are. We are more simply, but we know how to think; we take time to think. We do not believe that the white man has yet learnt to use good judgment and to understand nature. the conflict is there, not in the [Proposed Resort], the [Proposed Resort] may be good for the valley.

[51]

The Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) worked on preparing project

specifications from October 1995 to May 20, 1998, when the Final Project Report Specifications were issued. The list of reporting requirements is 41 pages long and covers multiple aspects of the Proposed Resort, including reporting requirements for First Nations consultations and wildlife resources, of which grizzly bear are one. [52] Several studies were commissioned during the environmental assessment

process. Notable among them are (1) a traditional use study submitted to Glacier by the Ktunaxa titled, Ktunaxa Aboriginal Interests: Traditional Use and Archaeological Overview of the Proposed Glacier Alpine Resort, (2) a report commissioned by the EAO titled, First Nations Socio-Economic Assessment: Jumbo Glacier Resort Project, A Genuine Wealth Analysis (the Anielski Report), (3) a socio-economic study submitted to the EAO by the SIB titled, Socio/Economic Study: Shuswap Indian Band.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 18 [53] Page 61 of the Anielski Report states:
A4. Sacred Values

Many people we interviewed expressed a sense of the sacred importance of the Jumbo Creek Valley, Jumbo Pass and environs proposed for development. Several members of the Ktunaxa nation spoke about the sacred or spiritual nature of the Jumbo Creek area used by their ancestors the Quatmutnik for over 10,000 years. Spiritual values are difficult to identify or quantify yet were expressed by several elders. Several elders and members from all bands of the KKTC expressed a spiritual and sacred reverence for the grizzly bear that inhabits the Jumbo Creek valley and adjacent Purcell Conservancy Wilderness area. The grizzly bear is viewed by many as [an] indicator of the sacred value of the area and the reason why the Jumbo Creek valley should be left undeveloped.

[54]

Among the conclusions on page 80-81 of the Anielski Report are:

Many people expressed the sacred importance of the integrity of the area to their current well-being and the well-being of future generations and suggested that there is no price or set of socioeconomic benefits great enough to compensate them for the loss of this priceless, sacred area. Many were unequivocal in their statements that the area should be left alone as a place of spiritual importance and to the grizzly bear. Many consider the grizzly bear to be a sacred creature and indicator of the sacred importance of the Quatmu and thus any regrettable impact or loss of grizzly bear habitat and population would be viewed as a loss of their own sacred heritage, namely the ancestral value of the Quatmu area.

[55]

Page 81 of the Anielski Report states:

What is indeed unique about this study is the significance of sacred values revealed about a place or area known as Jumbo or Quatmu and the associated sacredness of the grizzly bear, as indicator of sacred values. The expressions of the sacred and priceless value of the Jumbo/Quatmu by many of the First Nations people should not be underestimated. As economists, we could interpret this situation as a revealed preference of no development under any circumstances with an infinite price tag. In another sense revealing values which are sacred suggests that there is no pareto[sic] solution where there is any price or willingness to accept compensation (even in kind) which would be acceptable to those who expect a loss of welfare.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 19 [56] When the new Environmental Assessment Act, S.B.C. 2002, c. 43, came into

effect in December 2002, Glacier was given until December 31, 2003, to submit the information required to complete the environmental review under the new act. Glacier submitted a Project Report on December 30, 2003; this was Glaciers response to the EAOs Final Project Report Specifications and included a significantly revised MP concept. The Project Report is comprehensive and comprises 13 volumes. The EAO accepted the Project Report for review in January 2004. Glacier submitted additional material required by the EAO on February 4, 2004. [57] The EAO invited the KKTC and its member bands, including the SIB, to

participate in reviewing the Project Report and asked them to prepare a participation budget. The SIB participated as a member of the technical committee. The KKTC only participated in the late stages of the review under protest with respect to the amount of the funding offered to them by the EAO. [58] It was at this time that the letter attached and marked as Schedule A was

sent by the SIB to the KKTC indicating that they are not in agreement with the KKTCs position on the Proposed Resort. [59] By letter dated July 20, 2004, the KKTC submitted a document to the EAO

titled Jumbo Glacier Resort Project: Final Comments on Measures Proposed to Address Issues Identified by the Ktunaxa Nation. The letter contained a summary of the documents principle conclusions, among which it was stated that there are sacred values associated with this part of Ktunaxa traditional territory. This letter also recommended that the EAO direct Glacier to attempt to negotiate an IMBA [Impact Management and Benefits Agreement] with the KKTC within a specified time-frame. [60] Over nine years after the environmental review process commenced, the

Proposed Resort was granted an EAC on October 12, 2004 that was valid for five years. The EAOs Final Project Report describes the KKTC, SIB, and CLIBs participation in the environmental review process in detail.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 20 [61] The Ktunaxa did not challenge the EAC in court. However, a heli-skiing

company that operated in the Upper Jumbo Valley did seek judicial review. As mentioned in the introduction to these reasons, both this court and the Court of Appeal upheld the EAC. [62] The EAC subjected the Proposed Resort to 12 conditions. Number 9 required

Glacier to negotiate with the KKTC and attempt to conclude IMBA prior to submitting the final MP for the Proposed Resort. The KKTC requested this condition in correspondence to the EAO dated July 20, 2004, and again in correspondence to the Minister dated August 30, 2004. Glacier successfully negotiated an IMBA with the SIB, who withdrew from the KKTC in 2005, but did not succeed in negotiations with the Ktunaxa. The EAC also listed 195 commitments by Glacier in respect of the Proposed Resort. [63] In January 2009, the EAC deadline for the substantial start of construction

was extended for an additional five years to October 2014. All of the other original terms, conditions, and commitments by Glacier remained in effect. 3. 2005-2007: Master Plan Review [64] The next stage in the regulatory process was the development and approval

of a MP. Glacier submitted a Draft MP to the Minister in August 2005 which incorporated the EAC recommendations. It was accepted for review under the CASP in December 2005. [65] The Draft MP review process took place from 2005-2007 and included

consultation with the public, First Nations, and municipal and provincial government agencies. Particular attention was paid to meeting the conditions and commitments contained in the EAC. There were extensive discussions about a proposed Conservancy or Wildlife Management Area (WMA), an ecosystem stewardship framework, access management areas, monitoring, and socio-economic issues.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 21
(i) Gap Analysis

[66]

When the Draft MP was submitted by Glacier, the Ktunaxa took the position

that the First Nations section was inadequate and requested additional opportunities for direct consultation beyond what they were afforded through the environmental assessment process. By letter dated May 19, 2006, the Ktunaxa proposed entering discussions with the Minister with the goal of concluding a consultation agreement that would form the basis for all subsequent negotiations. They requested capacity funding of $35,500 to facilitate their participation in these discussions. The letter also stated:
We appreciate that an important step to be taken is the negotiation of an [IMBA] with [Glacier]. At the appropriate time we will welcome an opportunity to attempt to conclude such an agreement.

[67]

In response, the Minister offered to fund three technical consultants for the

Ktunaxa and hire an independent facilitator for the process. [68] In June 2006, a consultant for the Ktunaxa completed a Gap Analysis

identifying what was then understood to be an exhaustive list of concerns arising from the EAC and Draft MP. This analysis highlighted the need for further information in three areas to properly inform the consultation: (1) contemporary land and resource use by the Ktunaxa of the Jumbo valley; (2) the effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures to reduce disturbance, displacement and mortality impacts to key wildlife populations from road traffic on the access road; and (3) project-induced socio-economic effects to the regional economy, land use, cost of living, etc. that might affect Ktunaxa well-being. At a subsequent meeting between the Ktunaxa and the Minister it was agreed that the consultation process would be built around the Gap Analysis. [69] One of the 34 issues identified in the Gap Analysis was that the Jumbo Valley

is an area of cultural significance and has sacred values. On this issue, the analysis stated that the cultural impacts remain unassessed, neither Glacier nor the Minister has proposed any measures to address the issue, and the traditional land use study does not provide adequate info to assess effect.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 22 [70] This issue was incorporated into a rolling draft Issues and Measures Tracking document created in September 2006. [71] On September 27, 2006, the Ktunaxa and the Minister entered a formal

consultation agreement (the Consultation Agreement), which provided extensive capacity funding. One stated purpose of this consultation was to [i]dentify and exchange sufficient information for each Party to decide whether to enter into negotiations of an accommodation and benefits agreement. However, the Consultation Agreement also provided for the Minister incorporating mitigation measures in the event an accommodation and benefits agreement was not negotiated. [72] Based on the Gap Analysis, a series of meetings and workshops were then

proposed to discuss topics including: Land Use Options; Grizzly Bear Management; Other Wildlife; and Residual Issues (including governance, cumulative effects, greenhouse gases, socio-economic matters). [73] From 2006 to 2009, meetings, workshops, studies, and accommodation offers

were exchanged between the parties. The Ktunaxa were provided capacity funding of approximately $63,000 during this period, with an additional amount of approximately $115,000 provided from 2010 to 2012.
(ii) Accommodation is a possibility

[74]

The Ktunaxa have generally opposed the Proposed Resort from the outset.

However, after the EAC was issued in 2004 and during the 2006 2009 consultations, they took the position that they were hopeful their outstanding concerns could be dealt with through ongoing consultations with the Minister and an accommodation and benefits agreement could be negotiated. I have already described how the Ktunaxa requested the EAC condition that Glacier attempt to negotiate an IMBA with them. The sacred values in the Proposed Resort area was an issue specifically identified in the Gap Analysis and incorporated into the Issues and Measures Tracking document. This issue was discussed at the Land Issues workshop held on October 12-13, 2006, in Cranbrook, BC.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 23 [75] Following this workshop, a document titled Working Outline: Ktunaxa-British Columbia Accommodation was prepared and circulated by the same consultant who conducted the Gap Analysis. This document identified degradation of the cultural and sacred significance of the valley as an issue to be addressed in respect of land use in the Proposed Resort area. The document also outlined a concept for accommodation of the land use concerns through (a) a fee simple land transfer to the Ktunaxa, (b) the establishment of a land reserve, and (c) the establishment of a conservancy in proximity to the CRA. The land use issues workshop was followed by workshops in November, December 2006, and January 2007, addressing grizzly bear, other wildlife, and residual issues, respectively. By the end of these discussions, the document contained the same conceptual framework for accommodating the Ktunaxas land use concerns. [76] In November 2006, the Minister received a copy of a letter from the Ktunaxa

to Glacier which states the Ktunaxa believe they have made considerable progress in setting up a process for the negotiation of an [IMBA] between the Ktunaxa and Glacier. The two issues identified as standing in the way of finalizing an Engagement Framework are funding and the outstanding issue of unpaid monies. In April 2007, the Minister received a letter from Glacier which stated that Glacier believed they had reached an agreement in principle with the Ktunaxa .
(iii) MP Approval

[77]

The Minister approved the MP on July 12, 2007. The MP outlined the nature,

scope, and pace of the Proposed Resorts development, identified land tenure requirements, and incorporated recommendations arising from consultation with Glacier, the public, and First Nations, as well as from the environmental review process. [78] The Minister specifically advised the Ktunaxa that MP approval did not

preclude additional mitigation measures being included in the MDA based on the ongoing consultation between the Minister and the Ktunaxa. In fact, extensive changes to the MP were subsequently made in response to the Ktunaxas concerns.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 24 [79] At the time the MP was approved in 2007, there had been several references to and discussion about sacred values in the Proposed Resort area. These included: (1) the 2003 Anielski Report; (2) the KKTCs final comments submitted to the EAO in July 2004; and (3) the 2006 Gap Analysis and the subsequent draft accommodation documents. [80] Despite these general references, the Ktunaxa had not asserted that the

Proposed Resort is irreconcilable with those sacred values or that the only possible accommodation is for the Proposed Resort to not proceed. Rather, extensive efforts were made to identify mitigation measures and possible accommodations on the premise that the Ktunaxas concerns about the Proposed Resort could be properly mitigated or accommodated. 4. 2007-2009: Further Ktunaxa Consultation
(i) Accommodation is offered

[81]

After several months spent acquiring the necessary financial approval, the

Minister made an accommodation proposal to the Ktunaxa in December 2007. The offer included $650,000 in economic benefits to be taken in cash or Crown land. In addition there were some nine other non-financial accommodations offered, including establishing a land reserve equivalent in size to the CRA. [82] In February 2008, the Ktunaxa rejected the proposed accommodation

agreement on the basis that (1) the financial component was grossly insufficient and (2) it was inappropriate for the Minister to provide identical financial accommodation to the SIB given the Ktunaxas far greater history in the Jumbo area. The letter also stated that reaching agreement on the principles, objectives , and scope for a WMA is of critical importance to Ktunaxa consideration of a potential accommodation package. The sacred nature of the Jumbo Valley was not mentioned as a basis for rejecting the Ministers offer. [83] In September 2008, the Minister offered a second accommodation proposal

to the Ktunaxa in the form of revenue sharing in an Economic and Community

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 25 Development Agreement. The Ktunaxa rejected this second accommodation agreement on December 4, 2008. This rejection letter noted that the Jumbo Valley is a place unique and sacred to the Ktunaxa. [84] Following discussions in January 2009, the Ktunaxa gave formal notice to the

Minister in February under s. 8.1 of the Consultation Agreement that they wanted to enter into a process to negotiate an accommodation and benefits agreement in respect of the Proposed Resort. The Minister replied in April 2009 providing reciprocal formal notice under the Consultation Agreement and offering additional capacity funding to the Ktunaxa for this process. [85] As late as May 2009, the Ktunaxa provided the Minister with a list of

outstanding issues and possible accommodation measures to be discussed, including land transfers, land reserves, a wildlife conservancy, development-free buffer zones beside the access road, access rights in the CRA, a stewardship framework economic compensation, revenue sharing, on-going supervision of environmental commitments, and other measures. The sacred nature of the Jumbo Valley is not among them. [86] On June 3, 2009, the Minister advised the Ktunaxa that in the Ministers

opinion a reasonable consultation process had occurred and that most of the outstanding issues were primarily interest-based rather than legally driven by asserted Aboriginal rights and title claims. The Minister stated a belief that the Proposed Resort could proceed subject to an extensive list of mitigation measures. Though expressing an intention to continue negotiating a benefits agreement with the Ktunaxa, the Minister opines that the conclusion of such an agreement is not necessary before a decision is made on the MDA. A copy of that correspondence is attached and marked as Schedule D. [87] Attachment 1 to that letter was a six page table titled Response to Ktunaxa

Concerns. The first issue in the table was described as Jumbo Valley is an area of cultural significance/has sacred values. The response provided in the table states, No definitive evidence of cultural significance or sacred values have been offered.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 26 [88] Following receipt of this letter and in anticipation of a meeting with the

Minister the next day, the Ktunaxa indicated via email on June 8, 2009, that the table of concerns attached to the letter of June 3, 2009, was outdated. As such, the Ktunaxa provided the Minister with an updated table of outstanding Ktunaxa concerns. The Proposed Resorts incompatibility with the sacred nature of the area is not listed among the issues included in that table.
(ii) Sacred Site - No accommodation is possible

[89]

At meetings on June 9-10, 2009 in Vancouver, and with legal counsel

present, the Ktunaxa asserted that the consultation process was deficient, in part, because it had not properly considered information that the Jumbo Valley was a sacred site. [90] At those meetings, the Ktunaxa also advised the Minister that only certain

members of the Ktunaxa community, knowledge keepers or holders, have information about sacred values and they must be selective about the distribution of that information. The Minister agreed to meet with Chris Luke, Sr. on June 22, 2009, as the Ktunaxa identified him as a knowledge holder who was better placed to speak to the issue. However, this meeting did not proceed as scheduled. [91] Following the June 9, 2009 meeting, the Minister agreed to extend the

consultation process with the Ktunaxa, until at least December 2009, to specifically address the issue of sacred values. On June 18, 2009, the Minister sent the Ktunaxa a revised strength of claim assessment. [92] On July 31, 2009, the Minister sent the Ktunaxa a letter which, among other

things, reviewed previous accommodation proposals by the Minister and identified which parts of those proposals were either still on or now off the table. For example, the proposed establishment of a land reserve of equivalent value to the CRA is identified as no longer on the table, whereas the proposed establishment of a buffer either side of the access road is identified as still on the table.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 27 [93] Efforts to arrange a meeting about sacred values continued. By

correspondence dated August 5 and September 16, 2009, the Minister recognized the Ktunaxas concerns about the secret and sensitive nature of the information that was to be shared and committed to treating any information regarding sacred values as confidential. [94] On September 19, 2009, the Minister met with the Ktunaxa, including

Mr. Luke, in Cranbrook, BC. At that meeting, Mr. Luke spoke in the Ktunaxa language and was translated into English. He advised the Minister that Qatmuk was a life and death matter, that Jumbo is one of the major spiritual places, and that to say the sacredness of the area for the Ktunaxa was important would be an understatement. [95] Mr. Luke indicated at this time that any movement of earth and the

construction of permanent structures will desecrate the area and destroy the valleys spiritual value. At this meeting, the Ktunaxa made it clear that there was no middle ground regarding the Proposed Resort. In other words, the Ktunaxa say that it was not that they were unwilling to compromise, but simply that no accommodation was possible. [96] Despite the no middle ground position adopted by Ktunaxa at the meeting

on September 19, 2009, the Minister continued to engage the Ktunaxa in discussion. A second meeting took place in Creston, BC, on December 7, 2009, at which the Ktunaxa confirmed their opposition to the Proposed Resort. 5. 2010-2012: MDA Approval
(i) Consultation/Accommodation Summary

[97]

Following a significant amount of time spent considering the Ktunaxas

spiritual claims, the Minister sent a 71 page draft Consultation/Accommodation Summary to the Ktunaxa on June 11, 2010, and invited the Ktunaxas comments on the document. A full seven pages of this document is devoted to describing the

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 28 consultation and accommodation specifically related to the Ktunaxas assertions regarding the sacred nature of the Jumbo Valley. [98] On July 8, 2010, the Minister met with the Ktunaxa to discuss the

Consultation/Accommodation Summary. Revisions were made as a result of this meeting and a draft showing tracked changes was provided to the Ktunaxa on July 11, 2010. [99] The Ktunaxa responded on August 16, 2010, through a memorandum titled

Comments on Jumbo Glacier Resort background documents. This document is 40 pages long and devotes the first page and a half to describing the impact of the Proposed Resort on Ktunaxa sacred values.
(ii) Qatmuk Declaration

[100]

In November 2010, the Ktunaxa publicly issued the Qatmuk Declaration,

which unilaterally proclaims and maps an area in which the Ktunaxa say they will not permit development. A copy of the Qatmuk Declaration is attached and marked as Schedule E. [101] The Qatmuk Declaration, based in part on a claim to pre-existing sovereignty, proclaims that Qatmuk includes the entirety of the Toby-Jumbo watershed and the uppermost parts of the South Fork Glacier Creek, Horsethief Creek and Farnham Creek Watersheds (an area estimated to be 14,714 hectares). The Qatmuk Declaration attaches a map that identifies a refuge area (approximately 5,915 hectares) and buffer area (approximately 8,799 hectares). [102] The Qatmuk Declaration asserts that both the refuge and buffer areas

cannot be subject to the construction of buildings or structures with permanent foundations or permanent human occupation. The Qatmuk Declaration also asserts that no disturbance or alteration of the ground of any kind is permitted within the refuge area. The Proposed Resort is partially within the refuge area and the access road is within the buffer area.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 29 [103] After issuing the Qatmuk Declaration, the Ktunaxa took the position that the only purpose of consultations was to ensure that decision-makers fully understood why the Proposed Resort could not be approved.
(iii) Further Discussion

[104] The Minister continued to explore potential mitigation and accommodation measures through additional consultations on the MDA. I discuss these consultations in detail under my analysis of whether the Minister met the constitutional duty to consult and accommodate. [105] The Minister signed the MDA with Glacier on March 20, 2012. The MDA contains a number of measures responding to concerns raised by the Ktunaxa during the consultations. At the same time the Minister provided the Ktunaxa with a written rationale for the decision to approve the MDA (the Ministers Rationale). It is attached to these reasons and marked as Schedule F. E. The no middle ground position

[106] The no middle ground position appears to be primarily based on the beliefs of a Ktunaxa elder (Chris Luke, Sr.). Mr. Luke was born in 1948 and raised in Yaqan Nukiy, south of Creston. It appears that Mr. Luke only acquired the belief that no accommodation was possible in 2004, when he realized that he had to speak up for and be the voice of the Grizzly Bear Spirit. [107] Mr. Lukes belief that the Proposed Resort was incompatible with the sacred values in the area was not immediately shared with other Ktunaxa. He did not share it with any third parties until 2009, seemingly for health reasons. The Ktunaxa also explain that they have a cultural reluctance to share specific spiritual beliefs although there is less difficulty sharing such in general terms and did so, as recorded in the Anielski Report and on other occasions as noted above. [108] The Ktunaxa say that if the ski resort is built where it is intended to be built, Grizzly Bear Spirit will leave that area, the Ktunaxa will no longer have access to it or the gifts it provides to them, and that their religious rituals involving Grizzly Bear

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 30 Spirit will become meaningless . Various affiants make statements in support of this assertion (e.g. Ms. Birdstone, Mr. Alpine, Mr. Joseph, Ms. Nicholas, Mr. Auld, Mr. Pierre, Ms. Friedlander, Ms. Jimmy, Mr. Finley, Mr. Luke, and Ms. Stevens). [109] Some affiants testify that Qatmuk was a site for religious rituals or ceremonies in former times (e.g. Ms. Birdstones Affidavit #1 at paras. 59-61; Ms. Jimmys Affidavit #1 at para. 18; Mr. Josephs Affidavit #1 at paras. 34-35; Ms. Stevens Affidavit #1 at para. 26). Others testify as to the spiritual importance of their own occasional visits to Qatmuk (e.g. Ms. Jimmys Affidavit #1 at para. 27; Ms. Nicholas Affidavit #1 at paras. 29-31; Mr. Josephs Affidavit #1 at paras. 40-41; Ms. Stevens Affidavit #1 at paras. 25-26; Mr. Lukes Affidavit #1 at paras. 78-79; Ms. Tennessees Affidavit #1 at para. 94; Ms. Cotes Affidavit #1 at para. 32 ). In the summer of 2011 and 2012, several affiants describe attending a Ktunaxa camp in Qatmuk (e.g. Ms. Nicholas Affidavit #1 at para. 33; Mr. Alpines Affidavit #1 at para. 50; Ms. Friedlanders Affidavit #1 at para. 25; Mr. Pierres Affidavit #1 at paras. 63 74, Mr. Lukes Affidavit #1 at para. 80; Ms. Kains Affidavit #1 at para. 31). [110] Overall there is little evidence that the Ktunaxa physically visit the area of the Proposed Resort for the purpose of carrying out religious rituals or ceremonies on a consistent basis. There are no specific sites identified. The camp referred to is at the abandoned mine site near the forestry access road at the confluence of Toby Creek and Jumbo Creek. However, as I understand the Ktunaxas argument, they do not need to physically go to any particular place within Qatmuk for it to be of significance to their culture and religion. Rather, it is the spiritual meaning of Qatmuk that is essential to Ktunaxa religion and spirituality. More specifically, it is the continuing presence of the Grizzly Bear Spirit, whose home is in Qatmuk, which is of critical importance to their religious rituals and ceremonies. [111] The Ktunaxa say that the Proposed Resort, a place of permanent human habitation, will violate their freedom of religion by causing the Grizzly Bear Spirit to leave. The departure of the Grizzly Bear Spirit will render meaningless their rituals and ceremonies involving the Grizzly Bear Spirit, regardless of where they are

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 31 performed, which is mostly elsewhere. Thus, the proposed accommodations, indeed any accommodations short of disallowing the Proposed Resort, are incapable of addressing their concerns. V. Evidentiary Issues

[112] The Minister and Glacier object to the admissibility of some of the expert opinion evidence submitted by the Ktunaxa as part of this judicial review. I have already listed the reports objected to, which were not before the Minister when the MDA was approved. The Minister and Glacier question whether any or all of these reports are properly before the Court. A. (i) Law: The admissibility of extrinsic evidence on judicial review The general rule on judicial review

[113] As a general rule, the scope of admissible evidence in a judicial review proceeding is limited to the record that was before the decision-maker whose decision is under review: Smith v. Canada, 2001 FCA 86 at para. 7. [114] In Morlacci v. British Columbia (Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources) (1997), 44 B.C.L.R. (3d) 41, 1997 CanLII 4020 (C.A.), the expert opinion of a hydrologist was ruled inadmissible on judicial review of an inspectors decision to issue a Mines Act permit. The evidence was inadmissible because the courts role on judicial review is not to consider the matter anew or adjudicate conflicting expert opinions based on new evidence, but to review the decision on the basis of the material before the decision maker. [115] A similar result followed in Friends of Cypress Provincial Park Society v. British Columbia (Minister of Environment, Lands and Parks), 2000 BCSC 466 at paras. 3-5; Western Canada Wilderness Committee v. British Columbia (Minister of Forests), 2002 BCSC 1260 at paras. 29-35. [116] The Ktunaxa note that there are exceptions to this general rule. For example, extrinsic evidence may be admitted where relevant to an allegation concerning a defect in procedural fairness or jurisdictional error: Alberta Wilderness Association

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 32 v. Canada (Environment), 2009 FC 710 at para. 30; Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada v. Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency, 2012 FCA 22 at para. 20. [117] The Ktunaxa say the opinions they seek to admit are relevant to the two constitutional issues, namely the Ministers duty to consult and the alleged infringement of s. 2(a) of the Charter. They say cases involving such matters have admitted extrinsic evidence, including Chartrand v. The District Manager, 2013 BCSC 1068; Liidlii Kue First Nation v. Canada (Attorney General), [2000] 4 C.N.L.R. 123, 2000 CanLII 15881 (F.C.) [Liidlii Kue]; Tsuu Tina Nation v. Alberta (Environment), 2008 ABQB 547 [Tsuu Tina], affd 2010 ABCA 137; Adams Lake Indian Band v. British Columbia, 2011 BCSC 266 [Adams Lake], revd on other grounds 2012 BCCA 333, leave to appeal refd [2012] SCCA No. 425; Mitchell v. M.N.R., 2001 SCC 33; Algaithy v. Ottawa University, 2011 ONSC 5879; Lockridge v. Director, Ministry of the Environment, 2012 ONSC 2316; Gitxsan Treaty Society v. Hospital Employees Union, (1999), [2000] 1 F.C. 135, 1999 CanLII 7628 (C.A.) [Gitxsan]; Native Council of Nova Scotia v. Canada (Attorney General), 2011 FC 72 [Native Council]. [118] I find, however, that the opinions the Ktunaxa seek to admit fall outside the exceptions to the general rule against the admissibility of extrinsic evidence on judicial review. (ii) Judicial review of the duty to consult and accommodate

[119] In the recent case of Chartrand, Weatherill J. admitted both expert and lay extrinsic evidence which he found was necessary to support a specific ground of review, namely whether the Kwakiutl First Nation could show that the Provincial Crown had a duty to consult them in the context of their claim for Aboriginal rights and title in their traditional territory beyond certain treaty lands (para. 117). In making this decision, the Court referred to the decisions in Adams Lake, Liidlii Kue, and Tsuu Tina.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 33 [120] In Adams Lake, which was reversed on other grounds, Bruce J. admitted a letter which contained a preliminary strength of claim analysis prepared by the Crown and an outline of the consultation process contemplated. The letter was admitted because it described the Crowns assessment of the strength of the Adams Lake Indian Bands claim regarding the same lands as were in dispute in that case, even if the letter was prepared for a separate decision-making process (para. 42). The letter was clearly relevant to a specific ground of review, namely the scope of the duty to consult. [121] In Liidlii Kue, the Liidlii Kue First Nation challenged the issuance of a land use permit to allow for test drilling. The First Nation alleged that a duty to consult existed but that consultation neither occurred nor was even contemplated (para. 31). Both parties filed numerous affidavits addressing matters that were not before the decision-maker. Reed J. admitted them as relevant to determining whether the duty to consult existed and, if so, the scope of that duty (para. 32). [122] In Tsuu Tina, expert reports were admitted as relevant to the issue of whether there is a duty to consult. The court said at paras. 25-29:
[25] These Applications for Judicial Review were brought under the Rules as Originating Notices. There is little doubt the Return forms the primary evidentiary base for the Applications. So the question becomes whether that is all that may be considered. [26] In a duty to consult analysis, the Supreme Court of Canada in Haida Nation v. British Columbia (Minister of Forests) has stated that a preliminary assessment of the merits of the claim must be made by the Court. To make this preliminary assessment, the Court would be required to review something. Unless the particular government action put in issue the claim made, it is difficult to envision a set of circumstances where the information the Court might be required to review would all be found in the Return. [27] It is clear from the language used by the Supreme Court of Canada in Haida that the Justice who heard the case in the reviewing Court considered evidence that the Justice described as voluminous with respect to the history of the Haida people, their culture and traditions. Although it is not stated how this evidence was led, there is no suggestion in the decision that it was part of a return. It was most likely led through affidavit evidence. [28] The decision in Haida must be seen as a tacit approval of evidence, which would go beyond that contained in a return, being considered by the Court in a judicial review when the Crowns duty to consult is an issue.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 34
[29] Perhaps more fundamentally, the duty to consult is grounded in the honour of the Crown. It would not be in keeping with the honour of the Crown to strike evidence which is available and might assist the Court in making a preliminary assessment of the merits of the right claimed and the other issues before the Court. [Emphasis added.]

[123] In this case, there is no issue regarding a duty to consult existing, nor is there an issue regarding the scope of that duty. The Minister approached the development process for the Proposed Resort based on there being a duty to consult requiring deep consultation. This contrasts with the cases discussed above that involve situations where either the existence of a duty to consult is not admitted, or there is an issue regarding the scope of that duty. [124] In my view, where it is conceded that there is a duty to consult, the required consultation is agreed to be deep, and efforts to carry out such deep consultation are made in good faith, there should be no need to resort to extrinsic evidence on judicial review. Consultation is a two way street. There is an obligation on the parties in such circumstances to put the evidence relevant to the asserted rights before the decision maker: Haida Nation v. British Columbia (Minister of Forests), 2004 SCC 73 [Haida] at para. 42; Mikisew Cree First Nation v. Canada (Minister of Canadian Heritage), 2005 SCC 69 at para. 65; Halfway River First Nation v. British Columbia (Ministry of Forests), 1999 BCCA 470 at para. 161. (iii) [125] Judicial review where the Charter is implicated

In Gitxsan , the Federal Court of Appeal in dealing with Charter issues

opined that extrinsic evidence may be admissible in charter in those circumstances in which the only way to get at the want of jurisdiction is by the bringing of such new evidence before the reviewing Court (para. 13). Similar comments were made in Native Council, Algaithy, and Lockridge.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 35 [126] In Gitxsan, Rothstein J.A., as he then was, speaking for the Court, said at paras. 12-15:
[12] As to the applicant's third argument, that constitutional evidence may be introduced in this Court, the applicant has made reference to some authorities that suggest that where jurisdictional issues are in question, evidence may be introduced at the judicial review stage. See for example, Westbank First Nation v. British Columbia (Labour Relations Board); Kenbrent Holdings Ltd. v. Atkey; and Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v. Toledo. [13] In In re McEwen, Rinfret J. refers to the seminal case of Rex v. Nat Bell Liquors Limited in which Lord Sumner, delivering the judgment of the Privy Council, squarely addressed the issue. Having regard to the dicta of Lord Sumner, I think the applicant is correct that on judicial review evidence extrinsic to the record before the tribunal whose decision is being reviewed may be introduced. However, the opportunity to do so is limited to those circumstances in which the only way to get at the want of jurisdiction is by the bringing of such new evidence before the reviewing Court. In McEwen, Rinfret J. quotes from Nat Bell Liquors as follows: The subject was fully considered in Rex v. Nat Bell Liquors Limited. In that case, Lord Sumner, delivering the judgment of their Lordships of the Privy Council, said (p. 153): In Reg. v. Bolton, Lord Denman, in a well-known passage, says: "The case to be supposed is one ... in which the Legislature has trusted the original, it may be (as here) the final, jurisdiction on the merits to the magistrates below; in which this Court has no jurisdiction as to the merits either originally or on appeal. All that we can then do ... is to see that the case was one within their jurisdiction, and that their proceedings on the face of them are regular and according to law ... Where the charge laid before the magistrate, as stated in the information, does not amount in law to the offence over which the statute gives him jurisdiction, his finding the party guilty by his conviction in the very terms of the statute would not avail to give him jurisdiction; the conviction would be bad on the face of the proceedings, all being returned before us. Or if, the charge being really insufficient, he had mis-stated it in drawing up the proceedings, so that they would appear to be regular, it would be clearly competent to the defendant to show to us by affidavits what the real charge was, and, that appearing to have been insufficient, we would quash the conviction; ... But, as in this latest case, we cannot get at the want of jurisdiction but by affidavits, of necessity we must receive them. It will be observed, however, that here we receive them, not to show that the magistrate has come to a wrong conclusion, but that he never ought to have begun the inquiry ... At page 154: The law laid down in Reg. v. Bolton has never since been seriously disputed in England.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 36
At page 160: When it is contended that there are grounds for holding that a decision has been given without jurisdiction, this can only be made apparent on new evidence brought ad hoc before the Superior Court. How is it ever to appear within the four corners of the record that the members of the inferior court were unqualified, or were biased, or were interested in the subject-matter? In the case at bar, the issue is one of the constitutional jurisdiction of the CLRB under the Canada Labour Code. However, this is not a case in which the want of jurisdiction of the Board could only be made apparent on new evidence. The opportunity to introduce new evidence before the reviewing Court is not open simply on the grounds that the applicant chose not to introduce sufficient evidence before the Tribunal or did not comply with required procedure so as to enable the attorneys general to have the opportunity to do so. [14] In Eaton, Sopinka J. said that it was essential for the Supreme Court to have the benefit of a record that is the result of a thorough examination of the constitutional issues in the court or tribunal from which the appeal arises. He stated: The purpose of s. 109 is obvious. In our constitutional democracy, it is the elected representatives of the people who enact legislation. While the courts have been given the power to declare invalid laws that contravene the Charter and are not saved under s. 1, this is a power not to be exercised except after the fullest opportunity has been accorded to the government to support its validity. To strike down by default a law passed by and pursuant to the act of Parliament or the legislature would work a serious injustice not only to the elected representatives who enacted it but to the people. Moreover, in this Court, which has the ultimate responsibility of determining whether an impugned law is constitutionally infirm, it is important that in making that decision, we have the benefit of a record that is the result of thorough examination of the constitutional issues in the courts or tribunal from which the appeals arise. [15] In my respectful view, the same principle is applicable in this Court. The essential purpose of judicial review is the review of decisions, not the determination, by trial de novo, of questions that were not adequately canvassed in evidence at the tribunal or trial court. The latter is what the applicant is inappropriately proposing for this judicial review. This is not the necessity to which Lord Sumner was referring in Nat Bell Liquors, supra. The Court will not entertain new evidence in these circumstances. [Emphasis added.]

[127] In Native Council, the Federal Court referenced Gitxsan for the proposition that [e]xtrinsic evidence is admissible in constitutional cases because often it is the only way to address a constitutional issue, particularly when it concerns want of

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 37 jurisdiction (para. 24). In Native Council, the validity of legislation was in issue and the admitted evidence arguably provide legislative facts necessary for the applicants' constitutional challenge (para. 25). [128] In Algaithy, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice Divisional Court reviewed the limited circumstances in which extrinsic evidence can be admitted on judicial review (para. 28). Dambrot J. notes the exception for cases involving an alleged breach of natural justice and opines at para. 29:
[29] I would add that as with an allegation of a breach of natural justice, affidavit evidence must also be permissible to supplement the record to demonstrate a validly raised allegation of constitutional error (see Rafieyan v. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, 2007 FC 727, [2007] F.C.J. No. 974 at para. 20). I emphasize that the constitutional issue must be validly raised. The mere labelling an issue as a constitutional one will not of itself open the door to the admission of otherwise inadmissible evidence. [Emphasis added.]

[129] In Lockridge, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice Divisional Court refused to strike evidence before a hearing on the sole basis that it was not before the decision-maker where the Charter and procedural fairness arguments are at the core of the judicial review. Harvison Young J. cites Algaithy for the proposition that extrinsic evidence is admissible to demonstrate a validly raised allegation of constitutional error. [130] In this case, neither the Minister nor Glacier take issue with whether the allegation of constitutional error is validly raised. Moreover, the Ktunaxa do not appear to seek the introduction of the opinion evidence for this purpose. [131] The cases the Ktunaxa rely on are exceptions to the general rule excluding extrinsic evidence from consideration on judicial review. They are examples where the court has made a principled but pragmatic exception to the general rule to ensure that matters properly the subject of judicial review, such as breaches of natural justice or jurisdictional or constitutional error, are reviewed on the basis of an informed record.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 38 [132] When assessing the compliance of a discretionary administrative decision with Charter values, the question on judicial review is whether the decision-maker has properly balanced the relevant Charter value with the statutory objectives. An administrative decision-maker can only balance the information before him or her. Where an asserted Charter right is raised with an administrative decision-maker as part of a consultative process leading to the impugned decision, there must be an obligation on the party raising the Charter issue to place before the decision-maker all relevant evidence characterising the asserted Charter right. [133] In this case, the Ktunaxa raised sacred values in 2003 during the development process for the Proposed Resort, although it was not until 2009 that they asserted there could be no accommodation of these values. While the Ktunaxa may not have described their asserted rights using the language of the Charter until later, in my opinion the substance of the asserted right was always before the Minister. Having raised the issue of the importance and sacred nature of Qatmuk, which is the substance of the Charter issue, the Ktunaxa were therefore under an obligation to place before the Minister any evidence they think is relevant to their asserted rights. [134] In my opinion, extrinsic evidence that goes to characterising an asserted Charter right is not admissible where it could and should have been placed before the decision-maker tasked with the responsibility of balancing Charter values with statutory objectives. In short, simply characterizing the issue as the infringement of a Charter right in the later stages of the decision-making process does not absolve the party asserting the infringement from the obligation to bring the relevant evidence before the decision-maker. B. Analysis: Should I admit the expert reports tendered?

[135] The Ktunaxa submit that the five expert reports tendered are relevant as they provide the context and information to assist the court in determining the existence and scope of the duty to consult, and the charter right claimed. Although the Ktunaxas claimed infringement of their s. 2(a) and s. 35 constitutional rights are

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 39 discrete, they seek the admission of extrinsic evidence that goes to characterizing both asserted rights. [136] On the duty to consult issue, the Ktunaxa assert that the reports speak to the strength of the Ktunaxa Nations claim to the territory and aboriginal rights at issue in this case and serve to illustrate the background and nature of the consultation that occurred. [137] I have found that where the duty to consult is conceded to be deep and a process is established to fulfill that duty, there is an obligation on both the Crown and the First Nation to put their positions and evidence regarding the claimed aboriginal rights and territory before the decision-maker. To the extent that the expert reports are tendered for this purpose, I decline to admit them into evidence. I emphasise again that this is not a case where the existence or the scope of the duty to consult is in issue. [138] To the extent that the reports illustrate the nature of the consultation that occurred, I would admit them. My assessment of whether the duty to consult has been fulfilled is, in part, one of procedural fairness and constitutes a well-defined exception to the general rule against the admission of extrinsic evidence on judicial review. However, in my opinion none of the expert reports speak to that issue. [139] With regards to the Charter issue, the Ktunaxa assert the reports are relevant to properly consider the credible nature of the Ktunaxa spiritual-religious beliefs and practices at issue in this matter, and whether the Ministers decision infringed Ktunaxa citizens ability to practice their religion as contemplated by the Charter. [140] I have found that where a Charter issue is raised in substance with an administrative decision-maker in a consultative process prior to the impugned decision, there is an obligation on the party raising the Charter issue to put before the decision-maker all evidence relevant to the characterisation of the asserted Charter right. To the extent that the expert reports are tendered for this purpose, I

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 40 would also decline to admit them into evidence. That said, I have read all of these reports and make the following observations with respect to the reports. 1. The Walker Report

[141] Deward Walker is an anthropologist. He was commissioned by the Ktunaxa to provide a report on how the Ktunaxa people may be affected by the construction and operation of a ski resort in the Jumbo Valley. [142] The Walker Report states 15 conclusions, which might be summarized as (a) Qatmuk is integral to the practice of Ktunaxa religion because it is the home of grizzly bears and the Grizzly Bear Spirit, (b) Qatmuk must be protected to maintain Ktunaxa collective and individual identity, and (c) because of its centrality within Qatmuk the Proposed Resort threatens Ktunaxa religion in a way Panarama did not. [143] The Ktunaxa submit that the purpose of the Walker Report is to provide the court with evidence regarding the Ktunaxa religion and the impact that the desecration of Qatmuk would have. This provides the context in which the court can then assess whether or not the Ministers decision was reasonable. The Ktunaxa also say the Walker Report provides evidence for the Charter right of the Ktunaxa and the potential significance of an infringement. Finally, the Ktunaxa assert the Walker Report is:
necessary and relevant for this court to be able to review and ascertain the factual and procedural mistakes made by the Minister. This includes the Ministers fatal error in failing to consider and assess the Charter rights of the Ktunaxa and making a factual finding not supported by any evidence. This goes directly to breaches of procedural fairness and natural justice, and want of jurisdiction, which are established exceptions under which extrinsic evidence is admissible. For example, see Ismail v. British Columbia (Human Rights Tribunal), 2013 BCSC 1079 (CanLII), at para. 17.

[144] The petitioners reliance on Ismail for this proposition is misplaced. Ismail is a challenge to the constitutionality of a statutory provision, not a review of whether a discretionary administrative decision appropriately balances Charter values. For this reason the case is of limited guidance.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 41 [145] In any event, the court in Ismail did not admit most of the tendered extrinsic evidence. The limited evidence it did admit was as legislative facts that were arguably relevant to determining the constitutionality of the impugned legislation. [146] In Ismail at para. 41, Sigurdson J. quotes with approval from Kinexus Bioinformatics Corporation v. Asad, 2010 BCSC 33:
[41] In Kinexus, Wedge J. also considered an application to admit new evidence and she summarized the applicable law this way: 17 The courts power to admit evidence beyond the record of proceeding must be exercised sparingly, and only in an exceptional case. Such evidence may be admissible for the limited purpose of showing a lack of jurisdiction or a denial of natural justice. In Ross, Silverman J. said the following at paras. 26-27 after reviewing the relevant case law: 26 The general rule with respect to the admissibility of extrinsic material is that it is, except in very special circumstances, inadmissible. This is because a judicial review is a review of a decision on the tribunals record of proceedings. It is that very record which is the subject of the judicial review. Affidavit material describing evidence not before the tribunal or attaching documents that were not before the decision-maker is not part of that record and is generally inadmissible on judicial review. ... 27 There are, however, exceptions to the general rule where extrinsic evidence may sometimes be admissible. For example, it may be admissible for the limited purpose of showing a lack of a jurisdiction or a denial of natural justice. In circumstances where the grounds for judicial review are a breach of natural justice or procedural fairness, the petitioner may be entitled to adduce new evidence. However, the new evidence must be both relevant and necessary before it will be admissible[.] In addition, the court may, in rare circumstances, admit affidavit evidence to show that a tribunal made a factual finding incapable of being supported by the evidence. Such affidavit evidence must be restricted to necessary references to factual errors and must not draw conclusions or interpret the evidence forming the record of proceeding. Such affidavit evidence must not be used to convert an application for judicial review into a re-hearing of the merits.

[147] The Ktunaxa do not link the Walker Report to any argument about a breach of procedural fairness, natural justice or want of jurisdiction. The Walker Report is also unnecessary for the Ktunaxa to argue that the Minister failed to consider Charter

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 42 rights or that the Minister made a factual finding unsupported by any evidence. The constitutionality of legislation is also not in issue. I see nothing in Ismail that assists the Ktunaxas assertion that the Walker Report should be admitted in evidence. [148] The Ktunaxa tender the Walker Report as evidence that characterises their asserted s. 35 and s. 2 (a) rights. It is of no assistance to assessing the consultation process or the Ministers balancing of Charter values. I have found that the reciprocal obligation engaged by the consultation process required the Ktunaxa to place before the Minister any evidence of their asserted rights. I have also found that having raised the Charter issue, the Ktunaxa were obliged to place before the Minister the information relevant to characterising the asserted Charter right. [149] There is no reason why this information was not provided to the Minister prior to his decision. The sacred nature of the area to the Ktunaxa for spiritual and or religious reasons was squarely before the Minister. It is not open to a party to provide significant expert opinion only after a decision-maker has rendered the impugned decision, and then seek to rely on such opinion to support impugning the decision. I would not admit the Walker Report for this reason. [150] Although I would not admit the Walker Report, in order to decide this I have read it and wish to make a few further comments on its contents. I do not find otherwise objectionable those sections of the Walker Report that provide background historical information on Ktunaxa religion and spirituality. However, I view other sections as problematic for two reasons. [151] First, any statement in the Walker Report that comments specifically on the sacred nature of Qatmuk to the Ktunaxa relies on the affidavit evidence before me. The Walker Report thus adds no further evidence about the importance or role of Qatmuk specifically, although it adds conclusory statements. [152] Second, the tenor of much of the report is objectionable as either argument or providing conclusory statements without supporting reasoning or data. These

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 43 statements of opinion are not couched in objective language, do not lend the report a sense of impartiality, and are not helpful to a decision-maker. [153] No attempt is made to support many conclusory statements by the collection of data and the application of an ascertainable and objective methodology. As stated in Native Council at para. 25, there are occasions where the experts go beyond their expertise, become less than objective, and become too closely aligned with their clients interests. That seems to be the case with the Walker Report. [154] Opinion evidence must assist the trier of fact to form an independent conclusion by an act of informed judgment, not an act of faith. Binnie J., speaking for the Court in R. v. J.-L.J., 2000 SCC 51 at para. 56, [2000] 2 S.C.R. 600, said:
[56] In Mohan, Sopinka J. held that the expert evidence in question had to be more than merely helpful. He required that the expert opinion be necessary in the sense that it provide information, which is likely to be outside the experience and knowledge of a judge or jury, . . . the evidence must be necessary to enable the trier of fact to appreciate the matters in issue due to their technical nature (p. 23). In Bland, supra, McIntyre J., speaking about the inadmissibility of a polygraph test, cited, at p. 415, Davie v. Magistrates of Edinburgh, [1953] S.C. 34, at p. 40, on the role of expert witnesses where Lord Cooper said: Their duty is to furnish the Judge or jury with the necessary scientific criteria for testing the accuracy of their conclusions, so as to enable the Judge or jury to form their own independent judgment by the application of these criteria to the facts proved in evidence. [Emphasis added by Binnie J.] The purpose of expert evidence is thus to assist the trier of fact by providing special knowledge that the ordinary person would not know. Its purpose is not to substitute the expert for the trier of fact. What is asked of the trier of fact is an act of informed judgment, not an act of faith.

[155] As there is no reasoning linking facts, or the collection of data, with many conclusory statements, I am unable to form an independent conclusion from this opinion. To accept the opinion would simply be a leap of faith, applying the logical fallacy of ipse dixit, in this context, because he said it. [156] In summary, where the Walker Report contains conclusory statements without supporting reasoning or data, it is of little assistance to the court. To the

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 44 extent it simply reiterates the opinions of the affiants it likewise is of little assistance. The Walker Report uses language that is generally argumentative and raises concern about the authors impartiality. For these reasons, I would neither give the Walker Reports conclusions much weight nor would it affect the outcome of this judicial review were it admitted. 2. The Shaffer Report

[157] Marvin Shaffer is an economist. The Shaffer Report addresses the economic benefits of the Proposed Resort, consistent with the principles of benefit-cost analysis. The executive summary lists 22 points the Shaffer Report seeks to make. The tenor of the report is that various other studies and economic analyses suggesting that the Proposed Resort will have an economic benefit are flawed since (1) economic impacts do not measure economic benefits; (2) government revenue impacts do not measure economic benefits; (3) key factors were not considered and analysis is lacking in earlier studies; (4) factors used in the analyses are questionable; and (5) there is no reason to conclude there would be any overall net benefit from the Proposed Resort. [158] The author prepared an earlier report dated May 2011, which was before the Minister. In almost all respects the Shaffer Report is redundant with the earlier report. As stated in Mr. Shaffers affidavit, apart from inserting comments to conform to the Supreme Court Civil Rules, the report only updates figures and provides clarifications. It thus adds nothing substantive to the earlier report except to provide updated figures, albeit ones which were not before the Minister. I admit the Shaffer Report. 3. The Proctor Report

[159] Michael Proctor is a biologist. The Ktunaxa asked him to give an opinion about the possible consequences of the Proposed Resort on the Purcell Mountain Grizzly Bear. The thrust of the Proctor Report is that the Proposed Resort will increase mortality, decrease habitat security, and fragment the grizzly bear populations in the area.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 45 [160] Dr. Proctor concludes that it will be difficult to mitigate the three most pressing issues (1) increased mortality; (2) decreased habitat effectiveness; and (3) population fragmentation. Glaciers Grizzly Bear Management Plan is inadequate to mitigate these impacts. The Purcell Mountain grizzly bear population is depressed. To recover it will be necessary to strike a better balance between human use and wildlife needs. Inserting the Proposed Resort in the centre of the range will increase the challenge of achieving the requisite balance. [161] Dr. Proctor has been involved in consultations regarding the Proposed Resort project for some years. He participated in a workshop on grizzly bears in November 2006, which was part of the gap analysis. Dr. Proctor was retained by the Crown in 2009 in furtherance of developing a grizzly bear management strategy. Many of the articles and communications before the Minister contained the data and earlier opinions of Dr. Proctor. [162] The Ktunaxa say that the Proctor Report goes to the adequacy of the accommodation offered, citing Wiilitswx v. British Columbia (Ministry of Forests), 2008 BCSC 1139 at para. 16-17. The Ktunaxa assert that the Proctor Report is not tendered to try to demonstrate what the Minister ought or ought not to have done, but rather to aid the Court in its consideration of the adequacy of accommodation offered in relation to a key concern of the petitioners. [163] In Wiilitswx, Neilson J., as she then was, said at paras. 16-17:
[16] The adequacy of the consultation process is governed by a standard of reasonableness. There is some inconsistency in the authorities, however, as to the proper focus of that analysis. In Haida, at para. 63, the Court indicated that the focus should not be on the outcome, but on the process of consultation and accommodation. However, in Gitxsan First Nation v. British Columbia (Minister of Forests), 2004 BCSC 1734 at para. 63, 38 B.C.L.R. (4th) 57 [Gitxsan No. 2] Tysoe J., in applying the principles from Haida and Taku, took what appears to be an opposing view, holding that the focus must be on the overall result: 63 In assessing the adequacy of the Crown's efforts to fulfil its duty to consult and accommodate, the court will usually look at the overall offer of accommodation made by the Crown and weigh it against the potential impact of the infringement on the asserted Aboriginal interests having regard to the strength of those asserted interests.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 46
The court will not normally focus on one aspect of the negotiations because the process of give and take requires giving in some areas and taking in other areas. It is the overall result which must be assessed. [17] In my view, this apparent conflict is reconciled by the approach set out at paras. 39-44 of Taku. There, the Court followed a two stage analysis, each stage being governed by a standard of reasonableness. First, it addressed the adequacy of the process of consultation. Second, having found it to be reasonable, it examined the end result by considering whether that consultation had identified a duty to accommodate aboriginal concerns, and the adequacy of any resulting accommodations.

[164] This statement from Wiilitswx does not assist in determining whether the Proctor Report should be admitted into evidence. [165] Extrinsic evidence is admissible to the extent that it illustrates the nature of the consultation process and resulting accommodation. However, it is for the reviewing court to determine whether Crown consultation efforts and the accommodation offered is reasonable. [166] The Proctor Report does not helpfully illustrate the process of consultation and accommodation. Rather it opines that the accommodation offered is inadequate. As this evidence was not before the Minister, at least not in this form, I cannot see on what ground it should be admitted and therefore decline to do so. The courts role on judicial review is not to adjudicate between competing scientific views on the adequacy of mitigation measures for wildlife populations. This is especially so where a process was in place to address these impacts, the result of which was the issued and subsequently renewed EAC. [167] That said, it is apparent that the EAC, the MP, and the MDA contemplate significant accommodation measures to address grizzly bear issues as well as ongoing measures to monitor the grizzly bear population. The proposed accommodation measures include the creation of a 55,000 hectare WMA, with ongoing environmental monitoring. [168] Glacier attacks the Proctor Report as being based on assumptions regarding road developments, including a major highway that is not contemplated as part of

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 47 the MDA for the Proposed Resort. Any such road developments would thus be subject to their own environmental assessment and First Nations review. Glacier also says that it is not clear whether Dr. Proctor is aware of the many EAC conditions to which the Proposed Resort is subject, as they are not referred to in his report. [169] Although I do not admit the Proctor Report, even if it was in evidence I am unable to conclude that the accommodation measures for grizzly bears are unreasonable, or that together with the ongoing monitoring proposed, and any resulting recommendations, they are unlikely to accomplish their objectives. 4. [170] The Brealey Report

Dr. Brealey is a historical geographer. He was engaged to provide an expert

report on Ktunaxa use, occupancy, and historical continuity of presence in the Toby Creek-Jumbo Pass watershed area. During oral submissions, the Ktunaxa said they would not be relying on Dr. Brealeys evidence except for the point that the Proposed Resort lies at the geographic centre of the Ktunaxas traditional territory. [171] In a reply affidavit, which addressed concerns about the description of Qatmuk, Dr. Brealey deposed that Qatmuk is an ethnographic, not a topographic landscape and he cannot fix any boundaries to it. The map produced in the report is not supposed to be geographically accurate. Further from the point of view of spiritual attachment and the importance of the grizzly bear spirit complex, there can be no fixed area boundary between Qatmuk and its surrounding area. (my emphasis). [172] This petition is not an adjudication of the Ktunaxas claim to aboriginal title. Further, the Ktunaxa have not, at least in this proceeding, challenged the Ministers finding that they have only a weak claim to aboriginal title in the Proposed Resort area. For the purposes of this proceeding I accept that the Proposed Resort is within an area which some sources have described as Qatmuk. As such, there is no reason to admit the Brealey Report. I note that even were it admitted, it would not alter the outcome of this proceeding.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 48 5. The Candler Report

[173] The Ktunaxa say that the Candler Report could have been before the Minister because it was offered. The Candler Report discusses some earlier studies by authors such as Schaeffer and Turney-High, who were referenced in some of the information before the Minister. In my opinion the Candler Report provides appropriate context and explanation for materials that were before the Minister. As it was offered to the Minister, I find it should be before the Court. VI. The Duty to Consult and Accommodate

[174] The Ktunaxa frame this issue as follows:

Was the Ministers Decision to Approve the MDA on March 20, 2012 a violation of the Crowns constitutional obligation to uphold the honour of the Crown in its dealings with the Ktunaxa?

[175] As mentioned above, although the Ktunaxa frame the question in this manner, the specific aboriginal right they describe as being at issue is the right to exercise a spiritual practice which by its nature requires the protection of a sacred site. The Ktunaxa claim that the Minister failed to fulfill the constitutional obligation to consult and accommodate in respect of this particular asserted aboriginal right. Law 1. The Interpretation of Section 35(1)

[176] Section 35(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982 provides:

35. (1) The existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed.

[177] In the seminal case of R. v. Sparrow, [1990] 1 S.C.R. 1075 at 1105, it was recognised that s. 35(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982, represents the culmination of a long and difficult struggle in both the political forum and the courts for the constitutional recognition of aboriginal rights.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 49 [178] Section 35(1) must be understood in light of its purposes, as stated in Sparrow at 1106:
The approach to be taken with respect to interpreting the meaning of s. 35(1) is derived from general principles of constitutional interpretation, principles relating to aboriginal rights, and the purposes behind the constitutional provision itself.

[179] Chief Justice Lamer clarified the rationale for taking a purposive approach to interpreting s. 35 in R v. Van der Peet, [1996] 2 S.C.R. 507 at 535:
In Hunter v. Southam Inc., [1984] 2 S.C.R. 145, Dickson J. explained the rationale for a purposive approach to constitutional documents. Courts should take a purposive approach to the Constitution because constitutions are, by their very nature, documents aimed at a country's future as well as its present; the Constitution must be interpreted in a manner which renders it "capable of growth and development over time to meet new social, political and historical realities often unimagined by its framers": Hunter, supra, at p. 155. A purposive approach to s. 35(1), because ensuring that the provision is not viewed as static and only relevant to current circumstances, will ensure that the recognition and affirmation it offers are consistent with the fact that what it is recognizing and affirming are "rights".

[180] A purposive interpretation of s. 35 must take place in light of the general principles which apply to the legal relationship between the Crown and aboriginal peoples: Van der Peet at 536 (emphasis added). The Crown has a fiduciary obligation to aboriginal peoples which means that in dealings between the government and aboriginals the honour of the Crown is at stake: Van der Peet at 537 (emphasis added). [181] Because of this relationship, s. 35(1) must be given a generous and liberal interpretation, with any ambiguity resolved in favour of aboriginal peoples. As stated in Van der Peet at 537:
s. 35(1), and other statutory and constitutional provisions protecting the interests of aboriginal peoples, must be given a generous and liberal interpretation: R v.George, [1966] S.C.R. 267, at p. 279. This general principle must inform the Courts analysis of the purposes underlying s. 35(1), and of that provisions definition and scope. The fiduciary relationship of the Crown and aboriginal peoples also means that where there is any doubt or ambiguity with regards to what falls within

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 50
the scope and definition of s. 35(1), such doubt or ambiguity must be resolved in favour of aboriginal peoples.

[182] Identifying s. 35(1)s purposes requires understanding the rationale for the provision, which in turn requires identifying the basis for Aboriginal peoples special status in Canada. As stated in Van der Peet at 537:
When the court identifies a constitutional provision's purposes, or the interests the provision is intended to protect, what it is doing in essence is explaining the rationale of the provision; it is articulating the reasons underlying the protection that the provision gives. With regards to s. 35(1), then, what the court must do is explain the rationale and foundation of the recognition and affirmation of the special rights of aboriginal peoples; it must identify the basis for the special status that aboriginal peoples have within Canadian society as a whole.

[183] Chief Justice Lamer articulates the reasons underlying s. 35(1)s protection of Aboriginal rights in Van der Peet at 538-539:
In my view, the doctrine of aboriginal rights exists, and is recognized and affirmed by s. 35(1), because of one simple fact: when Europeans arrived in North America, aboriginal peoples were already here, living in communities on the land, and participating in distinctive cultures, as they had done for centuries. It is this fact, and this fact above all others, which separates aboriginal peoples from all other minority groups in Canadian society and which mandates their special legal, and now constitutional, status. [Emphasis added]

[184] Having articulated the reasons underlying s. 35(1)s protection of Aboriginal rights, the Chief Justice then identifies s.35(1)s purpose in Van der Peet at 538:
what s. 35(1) does is provide the constitutional framework through which the fact that aboriginals lived on the land in distinctive societies, with their own practices, traditions and cultures, is acknowledged and reconciled with the sovereignty of the Crown. The substantive rights which fall within the provision must be defined in light of this purpose; the aboriginal rights recognized and affirmed by s. 35(1) must be directed towards the reconciliation of the pre-existence of aboriginal societies with the sovereignty of the Crown.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 51 [185] To fulfill this purpose requires a test for identifying Aboriginal rights which identifies the practices, traditions and customs central to the aboriginal societies that existed in North America prior to contact with the Europeans. As stated in Van der Peet at 548:
In order to fulfil the purpose underlying s. 35(1) -- i.e., the protection and reconciliation of the interests which arise from the fact that prior to the arrival of Europeans in North America aboriginal peoples lived on the land in distinctive societies, with their own practices, customs and traditions -- the test for identifying the aboriginal rights recognized and affirmed by s. 35(1) must be directed at identifying the crucial elements of those pre-existing distinctive societies. It must, in other words, aim at identifying the practices, traditions and customs central to the aboriginal societies that existed in North America prior to contact with the Europeans.[Emphasis added]

2.

The Honour of the Crown

[186] The phrase honour of the Crown refers to the principle that Crown servants must conduct themselves with honour when acting on the sovereigns behalf: Manitoba Mtis Federation Inc. v. Canada (Attorney General), 2013 SCC 14 at para. 65. [187] The relationship between the honour of the Crown and s. 35(1) is explained in Taku River Tlingit First Nation v. British Columbia (Project Assessment Director), 2004 SCC 74 [Taku] at para. 24:
[24] The duty of honour derives from the Crowns assertion of sovereignty in the face of prior Aboriginal occupation. It has been enshrined in s.35(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982, which recognizes and affirms existing Aboriginal rights and titles. Section 35(1) has, as one of its purposes, negotiation of just settlement of Aboriginal claims. In all its dealings with Aboriginal peoples, the Crown must act honourably, in accordance with its historical and future relationship with the Aboriginal peoples in question. The Crowns honour cannot be interpreted narrowly or technically, but must be given full effect in order to promote the process of reconciliation mandated by s.35(1).

3.

The Duty to Consult and Accommodate

[188] The duty to consult and accommodate is founded in both the honour of the Crown and the goal of reconciliation.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 52 [189] Consultation and accommodation before final claims resolution is an essential corollary to the honourable process of reconciliation that s. 35 demands. This is because it preserves the Aboriginal interest pending claims resolution and fosters a relationship between the parties that makes possible negotiations, the preferred process for achieving ultimate reconciliation: Haida at para. 38. [190] In Rio Tinto Alcan Inc. v. Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, 2010 SCC 43 [Rio Tinto], the Supreme Court of Canada emphasized the protective purpose of the duty to consult and accommodate, noting that the duty is grounded in the need to protect Aboriginal rights and to preserve the future use of resources claimed by Aboriginal peoples: at paras. 33-34, 41, 50, 53 & 83. [191] The duty to consult arises when the Crown has knowledge, real or

constructive, of the potential existence of the Aboriginal right or title and contemplates conduct that might adversely affect it: Haida at para. 35. [192] Three basic factors determine whether the duty to consult is triggered in any given situation: (1) the Crown's knowledge, actual or constructive, of a potential Aboriginal claim or right; (2) contemplated Crown conduct; and (3) the potential that the contemplated conduct may adversely affect an Aboriginal claim or right: Rio Tinto at para. 31. Adverse impacts extend to any effect that may prejudice a pending Aboriginal claim or right: Rio Tinto at para 47. 4. The Scope of the Duty

[193] The scope of the duty to consult varies with the circumstances and exists along a spectrum. Generally, it depends on (a) a preliminary assessment of the strength of the Aboriginal rights asserted and (b) the seriousness and likelihood of the potential adverse effect of the contemplated Crown conduct on those asserted rights: Haida at para. 39. [194] In Haida, the Supreme Court of Canada said at paras. 43-45:
[43] Against this background, I turn to the kind of duties that may arise in different situations. In this respect, the concept of a spectrum may be helpful,

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 53
not to suggest watertight legal compartments but rather to indicate what the honour of the Crown may require in particular circumstances. At one end of the spectrum lie cases where the claim to title is weak, the Aboriginal right limited, or the potential for infringement minor. In such cases, the only duty on the Crown may be to give notice, disclose information, and discuss any issues raised in response to the notice. [C]onsultation in its least technical definition is talking together for mutual understanding: T. Isaac and A. Knox, The Crowns Duty to Consult Aboriginal People (2003), 41 Alta. L. Rev. 49, at p. 61. [44] At the other end of the spectrum lie cases where a strong prima facie case for the claim is established, the right and potential infringement is of high significance to the Aboriginal peoples, and the risk of non-compensable damage is high. In such cases deep consultation, aimed at finding a satisfactory interim solution, may be required. While precise requirements will vary with the circumstances, the consultation required at this stage may entail the opportunity to make submissions for consideration, formal participation in the decision-making process, and provision of written reasons to show that Aboriginal concerns were considered and to reveal the impact they had on the decision. This list is neither exhaustive, nor mandatory for every case. The government may wish to adopt dispute resolution procedures like mediation or administrative regimes with impartial decision-makers in complex or difficult cases. [45] Between these two extremes of the spectrum just described, will lie other situations. Every case must be approached individually. Each must also be approached flexibly, since the level of consultation required may change as the process goes on and new information comes to light. The controlling question in all situations is what is required to maintain the honour of the Crown and to effect reconciliation between the Crown and the Aboriginal peoples with respect to the interests at stake. Pending settlement, the Crown is bound by its honour to balance societal and Aboriginal interests in making decisions that may affect Aboriginal claims. The Crown may be required to make decisions in the face of disagreement as to the adequacy of its response to Aboriginal concerns. Balance and compromise will then be necessary.

[195] Meaningful consultation is a process that involves gathering information, sharing preliminary proposals, seeking opinions, informing other parties of relevant information, listening, being prepared to alter and adapt the original proposal, and providing feedback. In short, the process is one which involves two or more parties and ensures the parties are consulted and leave better informed. [196] Good faith consultation may reveal a duty to accommodate. For example, a strong prima facie Aboriginal rights claim coupled with significant potential impacts of the contemplated Crown conduct on those rights might require the Crown to take

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 54 steps to avoid irreparable harm or minimize the potential impacts, pending final resolution of the underlying Aboriginal rights claim: Haida at para. 47. [197] The duty to accommodate does not, however, give Aboriginal groups a veto over that can be done with land pending final proof of the Aboriginal claim. Rather, the duty requires a balancing of interests, of give and take: Haida at para. 48. As stated in Taku at para. 2:
[2] Where consultation is meaningful, there is no ultimate duty to reach agreement. Rather, accommodation requires that Aboriginal concerns be balanced reasonably with the potential impact of the particular decision on those concerns and with competing societal concerns. Compromise is inherent to the reconciliation process

5.

The Standard of Review

[198] The standard of review that applies to Crown consultation, and if necessary accommodation, is described in Haida at paras. 60-63:
60 Where the governments conduct is challenged on the basis of allegations that it failed to discharge its duty to consult and accommodate pending claims resolution, the matter may go to the courts for review. To date, the Province has established no process for this purpose. The question of what standard of review the court should apply in judging the adequacy of the governments efforts cannot be answered in the absence of such a process. General principles of administrative law, however, suggest the following. 61 On questions of law, a decision-maker must generally be correct: for example, Paul v. British Columbia (Forest Appeals Commission), [2003] 2 S.C.R. 585, 2003 SCC 55. On questions of fact or mixed fact and law, on the other hand, a reviewing body may owe a degree of deference to the decisionmaker. The existence or extent of the duty to consult or accommodate is a legal question in the sense that it defines a legal duty. However, it is typically premised on an assessment of the facts. It follows that a degree of deference to the findings of fact of the initial adjudicator may be appropriate. The need for deference and its degree will depend on the nature of the question the tribunal was addressing and the extent to which the facts were within the expertise of the tribunal: Law Society of New Brunswick v. Ryan, [2003] 1 S.C.R. 247, 2003 SCC 20; Paul, supra. Absent error on legal issues, the tribunal may be in a better position to evaluate the issue than the reviewing court, and some degree of deference may be required. In such a case, the standard of review is likely to be reasonableness. To the extent that the issue is one of pure law, and can be isolated from the issues of fact, the standard is correctness. However, where the two are inextricably entwined, the standard

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 55
will likely be reasonableness: Canada (Director of Investigation and Research) v. Southam Inc., [1997] 1 S.C.R. 748. 62 The process itself would likely fall to be examined on a standard of reasonableness. Perfect satisfaction is not required; the question is whether the regulatory scheme or government action viewed as a whole, accommodates the collective aboriginal right in question: Gladstone, supra, at para. 170. What is required is not perfection, but reasonableness. As stated in Nikal, supra, at para. 110, in . . . information and consultation the concept of reasonableness must come into play. . . . So long as every reasonable effort is made to inform and to consult, such efforts would suffice. The government is required to make reasonable efforts to inform and consult. This suffices to discharge the duty 63 Should the government misconceive the seriousness of the claim or impact of the infringement, this question of law would likely be judged by correctness. Where the government is correct on these matters and acts on the appropriate standard, the decision will be set aside only if the governments process is unreasonable. The focus, as discussed above, is not on the outcome, but on the process of consultation and accommodation.

[199] Absent an error of law, the standard is reasonableness. 6. Process v. Outcomes

[200] The duty to consult is focused on process, not outcomes; i.e., absent an error of law reviewable to a standard of correctness, the reviewing courts focus will be on the reasonableness of the process of consultation and accommodation: Haida at para 63. [201] The ultimate question in each case is whether the consultation was sufficient: Beckman v. Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, 2010 SCC 53 at paras. 38-39. [202] Administrative law principles are capable of taking into account the

constitutional dimension of an Aboriginal groups rights to consultation. The Supreme Court of Canada states in Beckman at paras. 44-47:
[44] The respondents submission, if I may put it broadly, is that because the duty to consult is constitutional, therefore there must be a reciprocal constitutional right of the First Nation to be consulted, and constitutional rights of Aboriginal peoples are not subject to abrogation or derogation except as can be justified under the high test set out in Sparrow. On this view, more or less every case dealing with consultation in the interpretation and implementation of treaties becomes a constitutional case. The trouble with this argument is that the content of the duty to consult varies with the

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 56
circumstances. In relation to what Haida Nation called a spectrum of consultation (para. 43), it cannot be said that consultation at the lower end of the spectrum instead of at the higher end must be justified under the Sparrow doctrine. The minimal content of the consultation imposed in Mikisew Cree (para. 64), for example, did not have to be justified as a limitation on what would otherwise be a right to deep consultation. The circumstances in Mikisew Cree never gave rise to anything more than minimal consultation. The concept of the duty to consult is a valuable adjunct to the honour of the Crown, but it plays a supporting role, and should not be viewed independently from its purpose. [45] The LSCFN invited us to draw a bright line between the duty to consult (which it labelled constitutional) and administrative law principles such as procedural fairness (which it labelled unsuitable). At the hearing, counsel for the LSCFN was dismissive of resort in this context to administrative law principles: [A]dministrative law principles are not designed to address the very unique circumstance of the Crown-Aboriginal history, the CrownAboriginal relationship. Administrative law principles, for all their tremendous value, are not tools toward reconciliation of Aboriginal people and other Canadians. They are not instruments to reflect the honour of the Crown principles. [transcript, at p. 62] However, as Lamer C.J. observed in R. v. Van der Peet, [1996] 2 S.C.R. 507, aboriginal rights exist within the general legal system of Canada (para. 49). Administrative decision makers regularly have to confine their decisions within constitutional limits: Slaight Communications Inc. v. Davidson, [1989] 1 S.C.R. 1038; Little Sisters Book and Art Emporium v. Canada (Minister of Justice), 2000 SCC 69, [2000] 2 S.C.R. 1120; Suresh v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2002 SCC 1, [2002] 1 S.C.R. 3; and Multani v. Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys, 2006 SCC 6, [2006] 1 S.C.R. 256. In this case, the constitutional limits include the honour of the Crown and its supporting doctrine of the duty to consult. [46] The link between constitutional doctrine and administrative law remedies was already noted in Haida Nation, at the outset of our Courts duty to consult jurisprudence: In all cases, the honour of the Crown requires that the Crown act with good faith to provide meaningful consultation appropriate to the circumstances. In discharging this duty, regard may be had to the procedural safeguards of natural justice mandated by administrative law. [Emphasis added; para. 41.] The relevant procedural safeguards mandated by administrative law include not only natural justice but the broader notion of procedural fairness. And the content of meaningful consultation appropriate to the circumstances will be shaped, and in some cases determined, by the terms of the modern land claims agreement. Indeed, the parties themselves may decide therein to exclude consultation altogether in defined situations and the decision to do so would be upheld by the courts where this outcome would be consistent with the maintenance of the honour of the Crown.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 57
[47] The parties in this case proceeded by way of an ordinary application for judicial review. Such a procedure was perfectly capable of taking into account the constitutional dimension of the rights asserted by the First Nation. There is no need to invent a new constitutional remedy. Administrative law is flexible enough to give full weight to the constitutional interests of the First Nation. Moreover, the impact of an administrative decision on the interest of an Aboriginal community, whether or not that interest is entrenched in a s. 35 right, would be relevant as a matter of procedural fairness, just as the impact of a decision on any other community or individual (including Larry Paulsen) may be relevant.

Analysis 1. Unchallenged earlier regulatory approvals

[203] The Proposed Resort went through a number of regulatory reviews before the development and approval of the MDA. Though the particular project specifications considered in these processes differed in some ways from the ultimate concept for the Proposed Resort approved in the MDA, the essential character of the Proposed Resort has been consistent from the beginning: a year-round ski resort in the Upper Jumbo Valley. The Minister and Glacier rely on these earlier review processes and the nature of Ktunaxa participation in them to support their argument that the consultation and accommodation of the Ktunaxas asserted Aboriginal rights was reasonable. [204] These review processes are described in some detail earlier in these reasons. In summary, the regulatory reviews that the Minister and Glacier seek to rely on include: 1. 1991-1993: Glaciers initial proposal for the Proposed Resort was

reviewed under the CASP and Glacier was granted sole proponent status. The KKTC participated and submitted a position paper outlining their opposition to the Proposed Resort. The subsequent development of a MP and ultimately a MDA was explicitly contemplated under the CASP. 2. 1993-1995: The Proposed Resort was reviewed as part of the CORE

land use planning process that involved numerous public meetings. The KKTC participated as an observer and the CLIB outlined specific concerns.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 58 The CORE review assigned high recreation and tourist values to the Upper Jumbo Valley. Following this review, the Province released the KBLUP which identified a ski resort development as an acceptable land use for the Upper Jumbo Valley. Glacier and the Minister entered an interim agreement in respect of the Proposed Resort at this time. 3. 1995-2004: Environmental assessment review of the Proposed Resort

took place over nine years. The KKTC, SIB, and CLIB were extensively involved and were invited to participate in the technical review committee and comment on the Project Report submitted by Glacier. Funding was provided. Though submitted under protest at the amount of funding offered, the KKTC gave detailed comments in 2004 on the measures proposed by the EAO to address their concerns regarding the Proposed Resort. The KKTC took the position that the Jumbo Valley is invested with sacred values and that Glacier should be required to attempt to negotiate an IMBA with the KKTC. The EAC was issued in 2004 and required Glacier to attempt to negotiate an IMBA with the KKTC before submitting the final MP. At least 10 of Glaciers commitments in the EAC are specifically related to grizzly bear management and minimising impacts of the Proposed Resort on grizzly bears. The EAC was extended in 2009 for five more years. 4. 2005-2007: Glacier submitted a Draft MP for the Proposed Resort in

2005 which was accepted for review under the CASP. The Draft MP was reviewed from December 2005 to July 2007. The Minister consulted specifically with the Ktunaxa. In June 2006, a consultant retained by the Ktunaxa but funded by the Minister prepared a Gap Analysis that identified Ktunaxa concerns outstanding from the EAC and Draft MP. The Minister and Ktunaxa subsequently entered a Consultation Agreement pursuant to which a series of meetings, workshops and studies took place. Among other things, land use issues and the Proposed Resorts potential impact on grizzly bears were addressed. From these discussions, a document was created that identified a conceptual framework for specifically accommodating Ktunaxa

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 59 concerns about sacred values in the Jumbo Valley. This framework outlined measures such as establishing a conservancy, establishing a WMA, land transfers, and the creation of land reserves. The Minister also received correspondence from Glacier indicating that an agreement in principle had been reached with the Ktunaxa. The Minister approved the MP in July 2007, which incorporated numerous changes in response to different concerns, including those of the Ktunaxa. The Minister also specifically advised the Ktunaxa that MP approval did not preclude additional mitigation measures being included in the MDA. 5. 2007-2009: In December 2007, the Minister presented a formal

accommodation offer to the Ktunaxa, which included land transfers and the sharing of economic benefits. The Minister advised that a conservancy was not viable but that co-management of a WMA would be pursued. This offer was rejected in February 2008, but the reasons for rejection did not say the Jumbo Valleys sacred values were insufficiently accommodated. Rather, the Ktunaxa took the position that the financial components of the offer were insufficient and objected to the equal financial accommodation provided to the SIB. The Minister made a second accommodation offer in September 2008 that was rejected in December 2008. In January 2009 both the Minister and the Ktunaxa gave formal notice of their intention to enter a process to negotiate an accommodation and benefits agreement. In May 2009, the Ktunaxa provided the Minister with an updated list of their outstanding concerns regarding the Proposed Resort. The Jumbo Valleys sacred nature was not clearly listed as one of those concerns. In early June 2009, the Minister advised the Ktunaxa that in the Ministers opinion a reasonable consultation process had occurred and a decision could be made on the MDA while the negotiation of a benefits agreement with the Ktunaxa was still ongoing. At a subsequent meeting that month, the Ktunaxa took the position that the Minister had not properly accommodated the Ktunaxas concerns about the Jumbo Valleys sacred nature. The Minister agreed to extend the consultation process until December 2009 to specifically address the issue of

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 60 sacred values. In September 2009, the Ktunaxa made it clear that there were no possible measures that would both accommodate the Jumbo Valleys sacred values and allow the Proposed Resort to proceed. [205] The Minister says that when reviewing the procedural aspects of the duty to consult, it is appropriate to consider all these past regulatory processes. I agree. [206] The case law supports this position. For example, in Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation v. Canada (Attorney General), 2009 FC 484, the Federal Court dismissed applications by seven Treaty One First Nations seeking declaratory and other prerogative relief against Enbridge Pipelines Inc., the Attorney General of Canada, and the National Energy Board in connection with Crown decisions to approve three pipeline projects in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The court found that available, adequate, and accessible regulatory processes which allow First Nations to participate in a meaningful way should be used, and a failure to use such processes does not justify a demand for separate or discrete consultation (at para. 42). In Taku, the Supreme Court of Canada found that participation in an earlier environmental assessment of a project satisfied the Crowns duty to consult and accommodate. [207] In this case there was some participation by the Ktunaxa in the initial CASP review, the CORE review, the environmental review, and the MP review. There was no court challenge to the approval of those regulatory processes. [208] While not dispositive of this case, the fact that those earlier regulatory approvals were not challenged is noteworthy because the Ktunaxas position is that no accommodation of their asserted right is possible. This position lies at the extreme end of the spectrum of required accommodation and is, in essence, seeking to veto the MDA and the Proposed Resort entirely. Regardless of the doctrine of secrecy surrounding Ktunaxa religious practices and beliefs, one would reasonably expect such a staunch position to be articulated at the earliest available opportunity as it strikes at the very heart of the object of the regulatory processes already undertaken.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 61 [209] The exercise of administrative discretion cannot be used as a tool to undermine the existing rights of the applicant, even if it is asserted that doing so would protect asserted Aboriginal interests. As Groberman J.A., speaking for the Court of Appeal, notes in Louis v. British Columbia (Minister of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources), 2013 BCCA 412 at paras. 81-83:
[81] The existence of a duty to consult, does not, , represent an invitation to the Crown to exercise its powers in an arbitrary or capricious manner, even if it is asserted that by doing so, it might be able to protect asserted interests of First Nations. A new application for regulatory approval must be considered on its merits, and where it will affect asserted Aboriginal rights, the Crown must engage in consultation. It cannot, however, abuse its regulatory discretion by using the application as a tool to undermine the existing rights of the applicant. [82] If, for example, a critical piece of machinery installed in the mill broke down and had to undergo an electrical safety inspection prior to being returned to operation, no one would suggest that an electrical safety inspector was entitled to withhold approval on the basis that such a refusal would shut down the mine and thereby provide greater protection for claimed Aboriginal rights. Such a decision would exceed the limits of the discretion given to the electrical safety inspector. [83] I do not suggest that the decisions at issue in this appeal are directly analogous to an electrical safety inspection. Nonetheless, the discretion of the MEMPR to reject the application for approval of a new mill was not unbounded. The MEMPR was not entitled to use the application as a backdoor process for the elimination of rights already held by Thompson Creek Metals.

[210] I say the lack of a challenge to the earlier regulatory processes is only noteworthy and not dispositive of matters because, in my view, reconciliation is best achieved outside the courtroom and through negotiation. I agree with the Ktunaxa that a First Nation should not be penalized for continuing to negotiate rather than initiating legal challenges at the first or each available opportunity. The commendable resolve to negotiate rather than litigate does not, however, absolve a First Nation from articulating early in negotiations the specific basis on which they oppose any particular project. Identifying the asserted Aboriginal right and the basis of the concern guide the whole process of consultation and accommodation. This specifically involves identifying what particular aspect of the contemplated Crown conduct infringes the Aboriginal right and why does it do so. Only by addressing

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 62 these questions early on in negotiations can the process of consultation and accommodation properly achieve the salutary goal of reconciliation. 2. MDA approval

[211] From mid-2009 onwards the Ktunaxa took the position that no accommodation was possible. [212] In mid-2010, the Minister provided the Ktunaxa with a draft Consultation/Accommodation Summary for review that described the consultation with and accommodation offered to the Ktunaxa since 1991 in respect of the various Aboriginal Rights they assert. Among many other things with respect to the Ktunaxas claims to Aboriginal rights and title, including their claims about the Jumbo Valley being a sacred site: (a) the claim to Aborignal title was weak due to lack of evidence of

exclusive use of the area; (b) the Ktunaxa had not identified any practices in the area of the

Proposed Resort associated with the spiritual claim; (c) the SIB was the closest Aboriginal community to the Proposed Resort,

supported the ski resort, and had entered into an IMBA with Glacier; and, (d) only 0.7% of the Jumbo Valley was proposed for development as a

base area for the Proposed Resort. [213] During 2010 the Minister negotiated with other provincial ministries and government agencies to establish a WMA in order to address Ktunaxa concerns about the residual impacts of the Proposed Resort on grizzly bears and grizzly bear habitat. In October 2010, approval was granted to establish a WMA of 55,000 hectares, including parts of the Upper Glacier Creek Valley, the Starbird Pass area, and the Jumbo and Toby Creek valleys.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 63 [214] The Ktunaxa provided the Minister with a list of Aboriginal rights they assert in Qatmuk, in addition to their Aboriginal title claim, in a memo dated July 20, 2011, which was attached to a letter to the Minister dated July 28, 2011. The asserted Aboriginal rights include: the right to continue to practice and benefit from a spiritual-religious relationship with Grizzly Spirit, individually and collectively, in traditional ceremonies, songs and dances; the right to continue the tradition of vision quests and other spiritual-religious practices seeking and benefiting from Grizzly Spirits special guidance, whether for the sake of the individual or the community; the right to continue to journey, individually and collectively, to Grizzly Spirits home to experience his presence and power, and take away and share the benefits of the experience; the right to maintain our peoples kinship with grizzly bears and to continue our traditional practices expressing our kinship; the right to continue to join, individually and collectively, with our brother and sister grizzlies at Qatmuk, whether in times of celebration or in times of difficulty; the right to transmit cultural knowledge and practice regarding Grizzly Spirit, grizzly bears and other related matters associated with Qatmuk and particularly to transmit such knowledge and practice in those places within Qatmuk best suited for these purposes; the right to an easement in Qatmuk that is both positive (i.e. as to what we may do) and negative (i.e. as to what the Crown and/or those who act with its blessing may not do); the right to hunt deer, elk and other animals; the right to fish; the right to harvest berries;

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 64 the right to harvest medicinal plants and materials; the right to access and temporary occupation; and the right to hunt and harvest grizzly bears for ceremonial purposes.

[215] On November 15, 2011, the Ktunaxa met with the Minister, Assistant Deputy Minister, and the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation at the BC Legislature in Victoria. The Ktunaxa again voiced their opposition to the Resort. [216] On December 14, 2011, the Assistant Deputy Minister met with the Ktunaxa in Cranbrook, BC, and shared the draft briefing binders for the Ministers consideration in deciding whether to approve the MDA. [217] By letter dated December 20, 2011, the Minister advised the Ktunaxa that $1,000,000 in funding would be made available over a ten year period to (a) support the Ktunaxas participation in the development of a management plan for the proposed WMA adjacent to the Proposed Resort; (b) fund studies to support the development of a management plan for the WMA; and (c) fund the implementation and communication of recommendations from those studies. [218] By letter dated December 23, 2011, the Ktunaxa outlined their concerns with the adequacy of the briefing binders. [219] By letter dated January 3, 2012, the Ktunaxa were informed that the briefing binders would not be revised but that any additional information provided by the Ktunaxa before January 23, 2012, would be placed before the Minister alongside the briefing binders. The Ktunaxa responded by email dated January 17, 2012. The Ktunaxa also sought meetings with several different Ministers and the Premier. [220] On February 8, 2012, the Ktunaxa met with the Deputy Minister and the Minister for Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation in Vancouver. The Ktunaxa provided each with a letter and additional documents which they wished to be put before the Minister.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 65 [221] On March 20, 2012, the Minister approved the MDA and provided the Ktunaxa with a written rationale for doing so. As noted earlier, the Ministers Rationale is attached to these reasons and marked as Schedule F. 4. Was the consultation process reasonable?

[222] The Ktunaxa claim that the Minister failed to fulfill a constitutional duty to consult and accommodate specifically in respect of the Ktunaxas asserted Aboriginal right to exercise a spiritual practice which by its nature requires the protection of a sacred site. The Ktunaxa assert that despite an abundance of available evidence that Ktunaxa spiritual practices and beliefs were at issue, the Ministers Rationale never even assessed this asserted Aboriginal right. The Ktunaxa argue that the consultation in respect of this asserted Aboriginal right was cavalier at best, even though the Minister acknowledged the required scope of consultation to be deep. [223] The Ministers Rationale makes specific reference to the Ktunaxas spiritual beliefs and quotes from within the seven pages of the Consultation/Accommodation Summary devoted to describing the consultation and accommodation in respect of the Ktunaxas assertion that the Jumbo Valley is sacred. In particular, the Ministers Rationale quotes the following statement from the Consultation/Accommodation Summary:
The Minister sincerely recognises the genuinely sacred values at stake for the Ktunaxa leadership and the Knowledge Keepers in particular, however it has determined on a preliminary that a prima facie claim to an aboriginal right of this nature is weak.

[224] The Ministers Rationale then details some reasons why the Minister believes the claim for the asserted spiritual right to be weak. Overall, however, the Ministers Rationale states the Ministers belief that the consultation applied in this case i s at the deep end of the spectrum and having regard to the accommodation measures, is adequate in respect of those rights for which the strength of claim is strong, and for which potential impacts of the project could be significant.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 66 [225] Since the development process for the Proposed Resort began in 1991, the Ktunaxa have raised many concerns and asserted that a number of Aboriginal rights are at issue. The Minister has undertaken consultation and offered accommodation in respect of this myriad of concerns and asserted rights. The Minister determined that the prima facie claim to some of the asserted Aboriginal rights was strong, including the right to hunt, fish and gather berries, and the claim to others weak, including the claim to Aboriginal title and the asserted Aboriginal spiritual right. Overall, the Minister believes deep consultation took place and adequate accommodation was offered in respect of those asserted rights with a strong prima facie claim. [226] In this petition, the Ktunaxa assert that the Minister failed the duty to consult and accommodate in respect of one asserted Aboriginal right. This raises the question: how should the reviewing court determine the reasonableness of a consultation process aimed at addressing multiple asserted rights where that process is impugned in respect of just one of the asserted rights? And in this case, a right for which the Minister deemed the prima facie strength of claim to be weak? [227] In my opinion, where it is possible to do so, the reviewing court should first examine those parts of the consultation process where the specific aboriginal right at issue was directly addressed. After that, however, I think the court must consider the reasonableness of the consultation in respect of that particular Aboriginal right within the context of the broader consultation undertaken for the myriad of other concerns and Aboriginal rights asserted by the First Nation. [228] This case is somewhat idiosyncratic because the asserted right that the Ktunaxa claim the Minister failed to properly consult about was only elevated to a status of primary concern late in a very long consultation process. [229] The Ktunaxa first elevated their concern for the sacred values in Qatmuk to

the principal ground on which they say no accommodation is possible in June 2009. By that time, the Proposed Resort had undergone the CASP review and the CORE review, had been issued an EAC, and had had the MP approved. These processes

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 67 took over 15 years and involved extensive opportunity for the Ktunaxa to express their concerns regarding the Proposed Resort and efforts were made to accommodate those concerns through changes to the specifications of the Proposed Resort and other measures. [230] Further, when the Ktunaxa did say that no accommodation of the Proposed

Resort is possible, it seems that their position was based on the epiphanial reflection of one elder which arose in 2004 but was only communicated to third parties in 2009. The specific belief was not widely held among the Ktunaxa. [231] Despite this, nearly three years of further discussions and negotiations with the Ktunaxa followed before the MDA was approved in 2012. There continued to be further offers of accommodation. Meetings took place between the Ktunaxa and Crown Ministers; that is, meetings involving persons at the highest level of government decision-making. I described those meetings above. They included focused discussion on concerns about grizzly bear populations which the Ktunaxa tied to their religious and spiritual beliefs. These meetings respected the asserted secrecy with which the Ktunaxa hold their religious beliefs. [232] Of course, the period of time over which consultation arises does not speak to the quality of the consultation. However, I cannot agree that the process is indicative of the cavalier attitude that the Ktunaxa assert. In my opinion, when the focused consultation since 2009 is considered in the context of the extensive and broader consultation undertaken since 1991, the Ministers consultation in respect of the Ktunaxas asserted spiritual claims was reasonable and appropriate. [233] I agree with the Minister that deep consultation was undertaken in respect of this asserted spiritual right. I say this because I make no comment on whether the Minister correctly determined that the prima facie strength of claim for this asserted right is weak. Rather, I find that the consultation process would also be reasonable if the prima facie strength of claim for this asserted right is strong.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 68 5. Was reasonable accommodation offered?

[234] The effect of good faith consultation may reveal a duty to accommodate, and the content of that duty will vary with the circumstances. This is not a case, however, where the issue is whether a duty to accommodate exists in the face of little or no accommodation offered. Rather, it is a case where significant accommodation was offered yet the First Nation asserts that the accommodation required to fulfill the duty amounts to a cessation of the contemplated Crown conduct; namely that the MDA should be quashed and the Proposed Resort cannot proceed. As such, I approach this issue as though a duty to accommodate does exist, whereby the accommodation offered is subject to a reasonableness standard of review. [235] The Ktunaxa say that the Ministers Rationale represents a summary disregard of Ktunaxa cultural and spiritual rights. The Ktunaxa argue that the Proposed Resort will destroy the core of Qatmuk, a sacred area that should be left alone as a place of spiritual importance and home to the Grizzly Bear Spirit. That position is reflected in the Qatmuk Declaration where the Ktunaxa assert a right to refuse to permit, within defined parts of Qatmuk, (a) the construction of buildings with permanent foundations, (b) permanent occupation of residences, and (c) disturbance of the ground. [236] The Minister and Glacier say that extensive changes were made to the Proposed Resort during the various regulatory processes to accommodate Ktunaxa concerns and asserted Aboriginal rights. These accommodations include: (a) reduction of the CRA for the Proposed Resort by approximately 60%

from the original proposal (from 14,866 hectares to 5,935 hectares); (b) (c) exclusion of the Lower Jumbo Creek area from the CRA; reduction of the Proposed Resort base area, including all residential

lots and lift-access parking, to 104 hectares, which keeps it entirely within the logged area around the former sawmill site in Upper Jumbo Creek. Glacier says this makes it the most compact ski resort in BC. By comparison Whistlers base area is 12,950 hectares, over 100 times larger, and nearby

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 69 Panoramas is 336 hectares: Table 4.2 on page 52 of the MP Executive Summary; (d) reduction of the Proposed Resort bed base to 5,500 tourist bed-units

and 750 staff bed-units. Although the Ktunaxa compared this to Whistler in oral argument, Glacier says this is one-tenth the size of Whistlers official 52,500 bed base and even smaller than nearby Panoramas approved 7,084 bed base: Table 4.2 on page 52 of the MP Executive Summary; (e) removal of the Glacier Dome Lodge and deletion of an initial phase at

the base of Glacier Dome, which was moved to within the Proposed Resort base area; (f) removal of parking area and bus access facilities at the abandoned

mine site along the access road; (g) removal of two ski lifts and ski runs at the south end of CRA to

eliminate any visual or physical impact on the current recreational use of the Jumbo Pass area; (h) removal of ski lifts on the west side of the valley where impact to

grizzly bear habitat was expected to be greatest; (i) design of access road improvements to minimize environmental

impacts, cost and traffic speed; (j) introduction of an Employment Equity Plan providing for preferential

hiring of local residents and First Nations members and outlining training and education opportunities; (k) creation of a First Nations Interpretive Centre and an Environmental

Monitoring Centre at the Proposed Resort; (l) provision for on-site independent environmental monitors during all

phases of construction; (m) provision for the Ktunaxas continued use of portions of the CRA for

the practice of traditional activities; and

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 70 (n) the designation and establishment of a WMA outside the CRA, with

ongoing Ktunaxa involvement in its implementation and the development of WMA objectives. [237] The Ministers Rationale specifically refers to some of these matters. These accommodations include amendments and revisions to the Proposed Resort made during the various regulatory reviews I have already described. [238] It is clear that many changes were made to the specifications for the Proposed Resort in response to the Ktunaxas concerns. The assessment of whether this accommodation is reasonable must, in my opinion, be viewed within the broader context of the various regulatory approvals the Proposed Resort has been through since 1991. I will not repeat that history here. [239] In written submissions, the Minister summarises its response to the list of aboriginal rights asserted by the Ktunaxa in July 2011. The summary references sections of the Consultation/Accommodation Summary that the Minister submits show reasonable accommodation of the asserted Aboriginal rights. Reformatted slightly, this summary reads as follows: :
1. The right to continue to practice and benefit from our spiritual-religious relationship with Grizzly Spirit, individually and collectively, in our traditional ceremonies, songs and dances; The evidence was that these ceremonies took place on reserve. As a condition to the MDA, the developer will be required to provide for continuing use by the Ktunaxa of portions of the CRA for the practice of traditional activities. (Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 36) The pursuit of the establishment [of] a WMA, with an invitation to the Ktunaxa to engage with the Province in the development and implementation of the WMA objectives. (Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 52) 2. The right to continue the tradition of vision quests and other spiritualreligious practices seeking and benefitting from Grizzly Spirits special guidance, whether for the sake of the individual or the community; There was no evidence of vision quests within the CRA. In any event, as a condition to the MDA, the developer will be required to provide for continuing use by the Ktunaxa of portions of the CRA for the practice of traditional activities.

Response:

Response:

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 71
(Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 36) 3. The right to continue to journey, individually and collectively, to Grizzly Spirits home to experience his presence and power, and take away and share the benefits of the experience; As a condition to the MDA, the developer will be required to provide for continuing use by the Ktunaxa of portions of the CRA for the practice of traditional activities. (Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 36) The pursuit of the establishment of a WMA, with an invitation to the Ktunaxa to engage with the Province in the development and implementation of the WMA objectives. (Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 52) 4. The right to maintain our peoples kinship with grizzly bears and to continue or traditional practices expressing our kinship; As noted below, those traditional practices take place on reserve. As a condition to the MDA, the developer will be required to provide for continuing use by the Ktunaxa of portions of the CRA for the practice of traditional activities. (Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 36)

Response:

Response:

5.

The right to continue to join, individually and collectively, with our brother and sister grizzlies at Qatmuk, whether in times of celebration or in times of difficulty; The approved Master Plan shows the removal from the CRA of the lower Jumbo Creek area that has been perceived as having greater visitation potential from grizzly bears. It has also been amended to remove ski lifts on the west side of the valley, where impact to grizzly bear habitat was expected to be greatest. (Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 44) The pursuit of the establishment of a WMA, with an invitation to the Ktunaxa to engage with the Province in the development and implementation of the WMA objectives. (Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 52)

Response:

6.

The right to transmit cultural knowledge and practice regarding Grizzly Spirit, grizzly bears and other related matters associated with Qatmuk and particularly to transmit such knowledge and practice in those places within Qatmuk best suited for these purposes; The evidence is that these activities took place at the Mineral King Mine Site, at the confluence of Toby and Jumbo Creek.

Response: 7.

The right to hunt deer, elk and other animals; It is generally recognized that the preferred areas for hunting in the Jumbo valley are outside of the CRA, particularly on the

Response:

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 72
valley bottom and within reasonable proximity of the road. The Resort area is approximately 80% non-vegetated land. (Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 10) An agreement to allow hunting within the CRA by First Nations was included by the proponent in the EAC and impacts on traditional Ktunaxa hunting opportunities with the CRA may be minimal if agreement is made for hunting with the CRA. The proponent has agreed to negotiate a conditional agreement to allows hunting by First Nations within the CRA where feasible considering safety and operational requirements and is included in the MDA. (Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 11) The Ministry is prepared not to initiate, or to require the proponent to initiate, an application for a No Shooting Zone along the section of the access road (which was constructed approximately 50 years ago for mining and logging) and as a result only the basic firearm restrictions which exist for all public roads would apply (prohibiting shooting within 15 m of the centerlines on the road rather than up to 400 m). (Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 12) There are requirements for on-site independent environmental monitors during all construction to address, among other things, water quality fish and wildlife. (Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 22) 8. The right to fish; As a condition to the MDA, the developer will be required to provide for continuing use by the Ktunaxa of portions of the CRA for the practice of traditional activities. (Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 36) There are requirements for on-site independent environmental monitors during all construction to address, among other things, water quality, fish, and wildlife. (Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 22) 9. The right to harvest berries; As a condition to the MDA, the developer will be required to provide for continuing use by the Ktunaxa of portions of the CRA for the practice of traditional activities including berry picking and plant gathering. (Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 36)

Response:

Response:

10.

The right to harvest medicinal plants and materials; As a condition to the MDA, the developer will be required to provide for continuing use by the Ktunaxa of portions of the CRA for the practice of traditional activities including berry picking and plant gathering. (Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 36)

Response:

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 73
11. The right to access and temporary occupation. As a condition to the MDA, the developer will be required to provide for continuing use by the Ktunaxa of portions of the CRA for the practice of traditional activities including berry picking and plant gathering. (Consultation/Accommodation Summary at 36) Response:

[240] The Proposed Resort area was first identified as suitable for an all season ski resort as early as 1991. The assertion that no accommodation was possible first surfaced in mid-2009. The Ktunaxa argue that they advised the Minister of the sacred values in the Jumbo Valley as early as 1991, but acknowledge that the no middle ground position was only articulated from mid-2009 onwards. [241] The evidence discloses that the Ktunaxa are secretive in their spiritual beliefs. However, there is no evidence that the specific belief at issue here, namely that a development in the nature of the Proposed Resort is fundamentally inimical to Ktunaxa religion, is one which was not revealed earlier because of secrecy concerns. In other words, the spiritual belief on which the no middle ground position is based is of recent understanding rather than being a longstanding belief that was kept secret. This belief is first explained in the affidavit of a single knowledge holder. The ancillary affidavits do not suggest that this position stems from concerns or teachings learned from any other knowledge holders. Even in the extrinsic expert evidence that was not before the Minister, much of which I do not admit, there is no suggestion that the no middle ground position reflects a specific belief of ancient or earlier origins. [242] In Tlowitsis Nation v. Macmillan Bloedel Ltd. (1990), 53 B.C.L.R. (2d) 69, 1990 CanLII 2335 (C.A.), the Court of Appeal upheld the Chambers judge reasons for refusing injunctive relief. The Chambers judge expressed concern about the late timing of the First Nations assertion that their primary concern was that the sacred character of an area would be damaged if the proposed logging in that area went ahead. Whereas the plans to log the area and the First Nations opposition to those plans had been known for some time, the assertion about the sacred nature of the area was only raised a few days before the injunction application was brought.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 74 [243] In Siska Indian Band v. British Columbia (Minister of Forests), 1999 CanLII 2736 (B.C.S.C.), another injunction case, Sigurdson J. agreed that the weight to be given certain evidence of asserted harm might be affected by the timeliness with which it is adduced. [244] It is not disputed that the Ktunaxa hold religious and spiritual ceremonies on reserve and/or away from Qatmuk that involve or engage their beliefs in the Grizzly Bear Spirit. Such ceremonies include the Blacktail Dance and other dances, sweats, and other traditional ceremonies like the grizzly bear and blanket ceremonies. A cultural camp at Qatmuk has also been held in 2011 and 2012 at the former Mineral King mine site at the junction of Toby Creek and Jumbo Creek. There is also no doubt that with the accommodations offered by the Minister the Ktunaxa will continue to have access to sections of the CRA and most of Qatmuk for any such ceremonies, as well as for other spiritual and traditional purposes. [245] I cannot agree with the Ktunaxa that the record discloses a cavalier attitude or complete disregard to the Ktunaxas spiritual and/or religious concerns. Although the Ktunaxa adduce various criticisms of the process, in my opinion, viewed globally, the record before me reveals a record of meetings, exchanges, and accommodation offers that amounts to a reasonable process of consultation and accommodation between the Minister and the Ktunaxa, even if not necessarily regarded as such by the Proponent, Glacier Resorts, whose involvement from proposal to final approval has spanned 21 years. In my opinion the accommodations offered fall within a range of reasonable responses which upholds the honour of the Crown and satisfied the Crowns duty to consult and accommodate the Ktunaxas asserted Aboriginal rights. VII. Section 2(a) of the Charter

[246] The Ktunaxa frame this issue as follows: Was the Ministers Decision to approve the MDA for a ski resort in the heart of Qatmuk a violation of the Ktunaxas Right to Freedom of Religion under Section 2(a) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 75 Law 1. Relevant Charter Sections

[247] Several parts of the Charter are relevant to this issue, including the preamble and ss. 1, 2, 24, and 27:
Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law: 1. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. 2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: (a) freedom of conscience and religion; (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; (c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and (d) freedom of association. . 24. (1) Anyone whose rights or freedoms, as guaranteed by this Charter, have been infringed or denied may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction to obtain such remedy as the court considers appropriate and just in the circumstances. 27. This Charter shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians.

2.

Principles of Charter Interpretation

[248] The Charter must be interpreted in light of its purpose. As Dickson J., writing for the Court, states in Hunter v. Southam Inc., [1984] 2 S.C.R. 145 [Southam] at 156:
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a purposive document. Its purpose is to guarantee and to protect, within the limits of reason, the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms it enshrines. It is intended to constrain governmental action inconsistent with those rights and freedoms; it is not in itself an authorization for governmental action.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 76 [249] Section 27 makes the multicultural heritage of Canada an interpretative guideline for the Charter: R. v. Big M Drug Mart Ltd., [1985] 1 S.C.R. 295 at 302 [Big M Drug Mart]. [250] As the former Chief Justice of British Columbia explains in Carter v. Canada (Attorney General), 2013 BCCA 435 at para. 84:
[84] the Charter must be interpreted by applying the plain meaning of its words, by giving effect to its purpose to protect fully those rights that it guarantees, and by limiting efforts to minimize those rights:

[251] In Reference re Secession of Quebec, [1998] 2 S.C.R. 217 at 259, the Supreme Court of Canada identified three overlapping reasons for entrenching a constitution beyond the reach of a simple majority rule:
First, a constitution may provide an added safeguard for fundamental human rights and individual freedoms which might otherwise be susceptible to government interference. Although democratic government is generally solicitous of those rights, there are occasions when the majority will be tempted to ignore fundamental rights in order to accomplish collective goals more easily or effectively. Constitutional entrenchment ensures that those rights will be given due regard and protection. Second, a constitution may seek to ensure that vulnerable minority groups are endowed with the institutions and rights necessary to maintain and promote their identities against the assimilative pressures of the majority. [Emphasis added].

3.

The Preamble

[252] Section 13 of the Interpretation Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. I-21, states:

13. The preamble of an enactment shall be read as a part of the enactment intended to assist in explaining its purport and object.

[253] The preamble to the Charter must be considered when analyzing the nature of the guarantee contained in s. 2(a). In R v. Big M Drug Mart, [1983] 4 W.W.R. 54, [1983] AJ No 1055, Stevenson J. states at para. 84:
If one now turns to the preamble of the Charter we see that, "Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God". Bearing in mind that the preamble may not carry the force of law, it still shows that the Charter does not recognize any particular denomination, and (noticeable by

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 77
its absence) it does not refer to a Christian God. The preamble surely is intended to reflect the multicultural and multi-denominational make-up of Canada.

That decision of the Alberta Provincial Court to strike down s. 4 of Albertas Lords Day Act as an unjustifiable infringement of s. 2(a) of the Charter was affirmed by both the Alberta Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. 4. Section 2(a) Jurisprudence

[254] The rights and freedoms protected by the Charter are rights and freedoms against the state: Reference re Remuneration of Judges of the Provincial Court (P.E.I.), [1997] 3 S.C.R. 3 at para. 124. They establish a minimum constitutional protection that must be taken into account by the legislature and by every person or body subject to the Charter: Multani v. Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys, 2006 SCC 6, [2006] 1 S.C.R. 256 at para. 16, per Charron J. [255] Reasonable limits on the Charters guarantee of the rights and freedoms it sets out fall short of their elimination. In Adler v Ontario, [1996] 3 S.C.R. 609, McLachlin J., dissenting in part, states at para. 223:
Section 1 of the Charter permits reasonable limitations of rights, not their annihilation. It is not difficult to conceive of laws whose effect would be virtually to eviscerate a particular freedom or right, creating an effect so disproportionate to the goal by which they are sought to be justified that they could not be justified.

[256] The Charters guarantee of fundamental freedoms requires the state to respect - including, if need be, to yield - the space needed for their enjoyment: A truly free society is one which can accommodate a wide variety of beliefs, diversity of tastes and pursuits, customs and codes of conduct (Big M Drug Mart at 336). Freedom of religion is a core, constitutionally protected democratic value: Alberta v. Hutterian Brethren of Wilson Colony, 2009 SCC 37, [2009] 2 S.C.R. 567 [Hutterian Brethren] at para. 110 per Abella J. dissenting. [257] In two foundational cases, Dickson C.J.C. laid out the basic principles that underlie the guarantee of freedom of conscience and religion in s. 2(a) of the

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 78 Charter: (1) the purpose of freedom of religion is related to every individuals right to be free to hold and to manifest whatever beliefs and opinions his or her conscience dictates, provided inter alia only that such manifestations do not injure his or her neighbours or their parallel rights to hold and manifest beliefs and opinions of their own (Big M Drug Mart at 346), and (2) [t]he purpose of s. 2(a) is to ensure that society does not interfere with profoundly personal beliefs that govern ones perception of oneself, humankind, nature, and, in some cases, a higher or different order of being: R. v. Edwards Books and Art Ltd., [1986] 2 S.C.R. 713 at 759. [258] Freedom of religion includes the right to hold religious beliefs of ones choice, the right to declare these openly and without reprisal, and the right to manifest religious beliefs in worship, practice and dissemination. Freedom of religion also implies a freedom from coercion to a different religion or coercion to act contrary to ones religious beliefs: Congrgation des tmoins de Jhovah de St-JrmeLafontaine v. Lafontaine (Village), 2004 SCC 48, [2004] 2 S.C.R. 650 at para. 65; Big M Drug Mart at 336-337. [259] The s. 2(a) guarantee upholds freedom of choice and individual autonomy: Syndicat Northcrest v. Amselem, 2004 SCC 47, [2004] 2 S.C.R. 551 [Amselem] at para. 40, per McLachlin C.J. [260] It does not, however, confer a right to worship or to establish a school of religious education at a location of ones own choice: Congregation of the Followers of the Rabbis of Belz to Strengthen Tora v. Val-Morin (Municipalit de), 2008 QCCA 577 at para. 45, leave to appeal refd, [2008] S.C.C.A. No. 256; see also Montral (Ville de)v. glise de Dieu Mont de Sion, 2011 QCCS 4281. [261] An infringement of s. 2(a) is made out where: (1) the claimant sincerely believes in a belief or practice that has a nexus with religion; and (2) the impugned measure interferes with the claimants ability to act in accordance with his or her religious beliefs in a manner that is more than trivial or insubstantial: Hutterian Brethren at para. 32, per McLachlin C.J.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 79 [262] Religion ordinarily involves a particular and comprehensive system of faith and worship, usually involving belief in a divine, superhuman, or controlling power. In essence, it is about freely and deeply held personal spiritual convictions or beliefs linked to faith, self-definition and fulfillment: Amselem at para. 39. Since religion is a matter of faith intermingled with culture, it is individual yet profoundly communitarian: Hutterian Brethren at para. 89, per McLachlin, C.J. [263] Although the sincerity of a persons belief that a religious practice must be

observed is relevant to whether the persons right to freedom of religion is at issue, an infringement of this right cannot be established without objective proof of an interference with the observance of that practice: S.L. v. Commission scolaire des Chnes, 2012 SCC 7, [2012] 1 S.C.R. 235 at para. 2, per Deschamps J. 5. Charter Review of Discretionary Administrative Decisions

[264] The approach to reviewing the constitutionality of a law is different than the approach to reviewing an administrative decision that is argued to have violated the Charter right of an individual: Hutterian Brethren at paras. 66-67. It is stating the obvious to say that administrative decision-makers must act in accordance with Charter values. However, until Dor v. Barreau du Qubec, 2012 SCC 12, [2012] 1 S.C.R. 395 [Dor] there was some uncertainty as to the correct approach to take on judicial review for determining whether an administrative decision complied with the Charter. [265] In Dor, the Supreme Court of Canada considered the issue of how to protect Charter guarantees in the context of adjudicated administrative decisions. The Court held that the notion of deference in administrative law is not a barrier to or inconsistent with effective Charter protections. Rather, the Court found conceptual harmony between reasonableness review in administrative law and the Oakes framework under s. 1 of the Charter as both contemplate a margin of appreciation or deference in balancing Charter values against broader objectives. [266] An administrative decision-maker must balance Charter values with the applicable statutory objectives when exercising a grant of statutory discretion. In

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 80 effecting this balancing, the decision-maker should first consider the statutory objectives, and then ask how the Charter value at issue will best be protected in view of those objectives. This is an exercise in proportionality and will require the decision-maker to balance the severity of the interference with the Charter protection with the statutory objectives. [267] In Dor, the Court confirmed that the standard of review for assessing the compliance of a discretionary administrative decision with the Charter is reasonableness. This deference reflects the advantage that an administrative decision-maker has in applying the Charter to a specific set of facts and in the context of the enabling legislation. In other words, deference is justified on the basis of the decision-makers expertise and proximity to the factual context. [268] On judicial review of a discretionary administrative decision for compliance with the Charter, the reviewing court must ask whether the decision-maker disproportionately, and therefore unreasonably, limited a Charter right: is there an appropriate balance between rights and objectives, and are the rights at issue not unreasonably limited (Dor at para. 6). The nature of the reasonableness analysis is contingent on context and centres on proportionality, namely, ensuring that the decision interferes with the relevant Charter guarantee no more than is necessary given the statutory objectives: Catalyst Paper Corp. v. North Cowichan (District), 2012 SCC 2, [2012] 1 S.C.R. 5 at para. 18; Dor at para. 7. Analysis 1. Must the decision-maker specifically reference the Charter right?

[269] The Ktunaxa submit that based on the Ministers Rationale, it is clear the Minister never even put his mind to the Charter right at issue despite the Ktunaxa having raised it several times. The Ktunaxa further argue that the Ministers focus on spiritual interests rather than the associated practices and beliefs is evidence that the Minister never considered the asserted s. 2(a) right.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 81 [270] As I discussed earlier, the substance of claimed s. 2(a) right was clearly before the Minister since at least 2009, when the Ktunaxa took the position that the Proposed Resort was fundamentally irreconcilable with their spiritual connection to the area. The spiritual aspect in a more general sense had been asserted since at least 2003. The Ktunaxas subsequent explicit assertion of their s. 2(a) Charter right added a new description to a live issue in the decision-making process that was, in substance, already entirely before the Minister. [271] In my opinion it does not matter whether the Ministers Rationale contains the specific language of the Charter. What matters is that the Ministers actions and the accommodations offered address the substance of the asserted Charter right where necessary. [272] This is neither the rejection nor the acceptance of the Ktunaxas assertion that the balancing of Charter values with statutory objectives is fundamentally different than the balancing of asserted but unproven Aboriginal rights with competing societal interests. In my view the issue is whether the substance of the asserted Charter issue was appropriately addressed by the impugned decision-maker in the particular circumstances of the case. As such, the questions to be answered in my analysis are: (1) is the Ktunaxas asserted right protected by s. 2(a) of the Charter and infringed by the MDA, and, if so, (2) did the actions of the Minister and the accommodations offered reasonably balance the Charter value at issue with the applicable statutory objectives? [273] In my view, both the Ministers Rationale and the preceding consultation

process address the substance of the Ktunaxas asserted s. 2(a) Charter right. In the circumstances of this case, I do not think it would add anything to my consideration here if the Minister had sought to specifically analyze the asserted Charter right with the spiritual practices and the various accommodation measures proposed. [274] The question in each case must be, did the impugned decision engage the asserted Charter right and, if so, does the decision reflect a proportionate balancing

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 82 of the relevant Charter value with the applicable statutory objectives within the relevant factual context? 2. Does the MDA infringe s. 2(a) of the Charter?

[275] There is no issue here that the Ktunaxas system of spiritual beliefs constitutes a religion, the precise tenets of which may not be widely known or held, and in some cases which may be restricted to specific knowledge-keepers. That said, I agree with the Ktunaxa that, to take a majoritarian example, a person is no less a Christian if they cannot recite the revelations of St. John. Nor, in my view, is recent revelation necessarily inconsistent with a genuinely held religious belief. I accept that the first part of the test set out in Hutterian Brethren is established, namely that the Ktunaxas spiritual beliefs and practices are sincere and have a nexus with religion. [276] The second part of the test concerns whether the impugned decision interferes with the Ktunaxas ability to act in accordance with their religious beliefs in a manner that is more than trivial or insubstantial. [277] The Supreme Court of Canada jurisprudence to date regarding s. 2(a) largely deals with situations where a law either compels an individual to act in a manner contrary to his or her religious beliefs or creates burdens on an individuals ability to act in accordance with those beliefs. For example, a law violates religious freedom where it (i) prevents businesses from opening on Sundays (Big M Drug Mart), (ii) prohibits the erection of a temporary religious structure on controlled property (Amselem), (iii) requires a public use photograph (Hutterian Brethren), or (iv) prohibits a student from wearing a religious symbol (Multani). In all of these examples, the impugned state action violates freedom of religion by coercing or constraining conduct. [278] The question in this case is whether s. 2(a) extends to protect against state action that reduces, or causes loss of, the meaning of or fulfillment gained from a religious practice, without coercing or constraining individual action.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 83 [279] The parties positions on this issue can be summarised as: (1) the Ktunaxa say any development in Qatmuk that involves overnight human accommodation in permanent structures infringes their Charter protected right to freedom of religion in a manner that is not trivial or insubstantial; (2) the Minister and Glacier say, based on existing authority, that s. 2(a) does not extend to protect the meaning of, or fulfillment gained from, religious practices where it is affected by a particular nearby land use. [280] Before analysing the substance of this issue, let me first reiterate the context. The Proposed Resort area is a large tract of wilderness near the already protected Purcell Wilderness Conservancy. It includes glaciers that are currently used by a heli-ski operation, a 104 hectare former sawmill site, previously logged slopes, land serviced by a forestry access road, and a former mine site. It is used by hikers and hunters, including grizzly bear hunters. Both the Ktunaxa and the SIB use the area for, among other things, hunting, fishing, and gathering. There is provision within the MDA for ongoing use of the CRA by both groups. The Ktunaxa also recently used the former mine site as a camp. Other adjacent undeveloped Crown lands are proposed to be part of a protected 55,000 hectare WMA. There is an existing ski resort in the vicinity. All this has occurred or is still occurring within the imprecisely defined area the Ktunaxa call Qatmuk. [281] The Minister and Glacier cite two decisions for the proposition that s. 2(a) does not extend to protecting the meaning behind spiritual practices where affected by the use of land in a nearby area but where no practices or ceremonies physically take place. [282] In Residents for Sustainable Development in Guelph v. 6 & 7 Developments Ltd. (2005), 133 C.R.R. (2d) 205, 2005 CanLII 63751 (ONSC) [RSG], the issue was the compatibility of a proposed land use (a Wal-Mart) with three existing and neighbouring land uses, two cemeteries and a religious spiritual retreat. The claimant argued that the land uses were socially incompatible and that the

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 84 consumerism of the development conflicted with the spirituality of the retreat process (paras. 4-5). [283] The Ontario Superior Court of Justice Divisional Court upheld an Ontario Municipal Board finding that freedom of religion does not extend to protect religious practices that could be affected by the mere presence of a nearby land use or a particular user. To find otherwise would, in effect, create a zone of exclusivity that would limit the lawful use of neighbouring land. In the alternative, the Ontario Municipal Board held that if there was an infringement of s. 2(a), it was trivial and insubstantial. [284] There is a difference between that decision and the Ktunaxas claim in this case. The spiritual beliefs related to the retreat in RSG had no specific geographic reference to or dependence on the proposed development land. In this case, the Ktunaxas spiritual beliefs are anchored, for want of a better word, to Qatmuk. [285] In Kelly Lake Cree Nation v. British Columbia (Minister of Energy and Mines) (1998), [1999] 3 C.N.L.R. 126 (B.C.S.C.), two First Nations argued that a drilling permit which authorised an exploratory well would impact, inter alia, their s. 2(a) right to freedom of religion. The proposed drill site lay between two mountains, the Twin Sisters, which are spiritually revered by Aboriginal peoples. [286] Taylor J. states at 164:
the area of the Twin Sisters is a territorial aspect of the exercise of religious rights and customs even though there is a dearth of evidence of actual physical exercise of the religious customs. The religious rights and customs lie in the prophesy and the intellectual stewardship with which First Nations people view the area of the Twin Sisters. I accept that there is a territorial aspect to the KLCN members' religious practices that involves the Twin Sisters mountains even though there is no actual use in current or recent history of this area for such purposes.

[287] And concludes at 165:

I conclude that s.2(a) does not protect a concept of stewardship of a place of worship under the protection of religious freedom.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 85
Additionally, I conclude that the provisions taken, in terms of the protected area and the conditions attached to the permits which minimize impact, amount to a minimal interference with the exercise of religious freedom in terms of the sanctity with which the general area is viewed. While not satisfied with the intrusion into the area generally, the [First Nation] do not point to any actual deprivation or incursion of the right to religious freedom as a consequence but rather it is the defilement of a concept that is paramount. Thus, I conclude that there is no contemplated activity that inhibits or coerces the right to exercise religious beliefs or practices either on an actual usage basis or in an intellectual sense in this area as viewed by those who regard themselves as stewards of it.

[288]

The second branch of the Hutterian Brethren test for establishing a s. 2(a)

infringement requires that the impugned state action interferes with the claimants ability to act in accordance with his or her belief or practice. In this case, the Ktunaxas actions associated with religious observance include ceremonial dances, vision quests, and prayer. [289] The Ktunaxa do not argue that the Proposed Resort, with overnight human accommodation in permanent structures, will interfere with the conduct of their ceremonial dances, which occur elsewhere, or prevent them embarking on vision quests, or engaging in prayer or worship. Rather, their argument focuses on an asserted loss of meaning to actions that are otherwise unconstrained. [290] Kelly Lake offers the closest Canadian authority to the Charter issue in this petition. The parties also referred to two US court decisions they considered relevant to the Charter issue in this case. [291] In Navajo Nation v. UnitedStates Forest Service, 535 F (3d) 1058 (9th Cir 2008), affd 556 US 1281 (2009), the First Nation plaintiffs sought to enjoin the federal government from permitting the use of artificial snow made from recycled wastewater that contains remnants of human waste on part of a mountain sacred to their religion. To the plaintiffs, it would spiritually desecrate the mountain and decrease spiritual fulfillment from their religious practices. The issue before the Court was whether government action that affects only subjective spiritual fulfillment, significant as that might be, is a substantial burden on the free exercise of religion.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 86 The Court held that it was not: government action that diminishes subjective spiritual fulfillment does not substantially burden religion. [292] A similar result occurred in Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Assn, 485 US 439, 108 S Ct 1319, 99 L Ed 2d 534 (1988). [293] Although I note the results in these decisions, the differing legislation, constitution, and applicable legal tests make the reasoning of limited usefulness here. That being said, both are examples from another jurisdiction where freedom of religion does not extend to prevent otherwise lawful land use that might deprive a particular religious belief of subjective fulfillment. In that way, those decisions are similar in result to both Kelly Lake and RSG. [294] In oral submissions, the Ktunaxa also referred to two related decisions of the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding an application for a licence to construct, operate, and maintain a proposed Kootenai River Hydroelectric Project. The proposed project included the planned construction of a concrete dam above Kootenai Falls, a sacred site of the Kootenai people. The initial decision by the administrative law judge denied the application as not being in the public interest: Re Northern Lights, Inc., Project No. 2752-000, 27 FERC 65,024, issued April 23, 1984. The subsequent FERC decision affirmed the initial decision: Re Northern Lights, Inc., Project No. 2752-000, Opinion No. 276, issued June 25, 1987. [295] Neither decision is of assistance to this petition. First, neither addressed the constitutional guarantee of free exercise of religion, as was considered in the two US court cases discussed above. Second, the adverse effect on Kootenai culture and religion was just one of many considerations that went into denying the application as not in the public interest. In fact, the initial decision would have denied the application even if there was no adverse effect on the Kootenai people. Third, the Ktunaxa referred to statements in an appendix to the initial decision that summarised evidence given by Dr. Deward Walker. These statements are not findings of the decision-maker.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 87 [296] In my opinion, constitutional protection of freedom of religion does not extend to restricting the otherwise lawful use of land, on the basis that such action would result in a loss of meaning to religious practices carried out elsewhere. That is, the otherwise lawful use of land by others is not a form of coercion or a constraint on freedom of religion which s. 2(a) of the Charter protects. [297] Specifically, the Ktunaxa say that if the Proposed Resort is built as planned, with overnight human accommodation in permanent structures within the heart of Qatmuk, the Grizzly Bear Spirit will leave that area. Consequently, the Ktunaxa will no longer have access to the Grizzly Bear Spirit or the gifts it provides to them, and their religious rituals involving the Grizzly Bear Spirit will become meaningless. The Ktunaxa do not assert any specific site or defined area within Qatmuk that is used for religious purposes, such as a meeting place, place of worship or ceremonial locale. The actions involved in these religious practices are thus unconstrained by the Proposed Resort. [298] There is no coercion or constraint on what the Ktunaxa can do or must omit from doing, as, for example, in the Sunday observance cases, Hutterian Brethren, and the religious education cases. There is no coercion or constraint on what one can or cannot wear, as, for example, in the religious symbol cases. There is no coercion or constraint on the right to entertain such beliefs as a person chooses (such as requiring non-believers to submit to majoritarian practice, dogma, or ritual), to declare such beliefs openly, or to manifest such beliefs by worship, practice, teaching and dissemination: Big M Drug Mart at 336. [299] To put the matter in the language of the test for the infringement of s. 2(a), as articulated in Hutterian Brethren, where the otherwise lawful use of land is asserted to cause the loss of meaning to or fulfillment from religious practices carried out elsewhere, the interference cannot exceed the threshold of being beyond trivial or insubstantial. The infringement of s. 2(a) must be established based on facts that can be established and determined objectively: S.L. at para. 23. I do not think a

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 88 subjective loss of meaning without some associated coercion or constraint on conduct can meet that required threshold. 3. Does the MDA reflect a reasonable balancing?

[300] To summarise, in my view s. 2(a) of the Charter does not extend to protect the Ktunaxas asserted right. As such, I need not consider whether the Ministers actions and the accommodations offered represent a reasonable balancing of the Charter value and applicable statutory objectives as required by Dor. [301] However, if I am wrong about the scope of s. 2(a), I would find that the actions of the Ministers and accommodations offered represents a reasonable balancing of the Charter value and statutory objectives. That is, the Ministers approval of the development of the Proposed Resort in the circumstances here does not interfere with the Ktunaxas freedom of religion in a way that is unreasonable or disproportionate. [302] The Ministers Rationale for approving the MDA begins by outlining the Nature of the Decision (page 1) and the Scope of the Decision (page 2). In these sections, the Minister outlines the statutory and policy objectives that are relevant to the impugned decision. This includes a responsibility to encourage outdoor recreation (Ministry of Lands, Parks and Housing Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 307, s. 5(a)) and the authority to dispose of Crown land as the minister considers advisable in the public interest (Land Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 245, s. 11(1)). [303] The ASR Policy guides the Ministers specific consideration of whether to dispose of Crown land for the purposes of a ski resort. This provides that the Minister must in good faith attempt to conclude an MDA where an Interim Agreement has been signed with a proponent. I note that this does not require the Minister to conclude an MDA, but simply to attempt to do so in good faith. This is in line with the statutory objectives that guide the Ministers exercise of discretion. [304] In any good faith attempt to conclude an MDA, however, the actions of the Minister must consider any applicable constitutional responsibilities. Two such

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 89 responsibilities include fulfilling the required duty to consult and accommodate and balancing the statutory objectives with any Charter values engaged by the decision. [305] In some circumstances, balancing the relevant Charter value might require the Minister to find that the MDA cannot be approved. That is what the Ktunaxa assert the Minister must find here. In other circumstances, however, the adoption of certain accommodation measures might provide the appropriate balance between the Charter value and statutory objectives. That is what the Minister decided in this case and I find it to be a reasonable conclusion. [306] Though the Ministers Rationale does not specifically reference s. 2(a) of the Charter, it does recognise the substance of the Ktunaxas asserted Charter right. The Ministers Rationale says [t]he Ministry sincerely recognises the genuinely sacred values at stake for Ktunaxa leadership and the Knowledge Keepers in particular. [307] I do not consider it significant that this statement was in the context of the

Ktunaxas asserted aboriginal spiritual right. In this particular factual context, the substance of the asserted aboriginal spiritual right and the asserted s. 2(a) right is the same, and the Ministers Rationale acknowledges it. [308] By the same reasoning, any accommodation measure that addresses the substance of the asserted right in this case can be considered both in determining whether the duty to consult was met and in assessing whether the balancing of Charter values was proportionate. In saying this, I do not find the balancing of s. 2(a) to necessarily have the same procedural or substantive requirements as the duty to consult and accommodate in relation to an asserted aboriginal spiritual right. [309] Put differently, an accommodation measure addresses the substance of an asserted right not the legal foundation for that right. Any given measure can go toward accommodating different legal rights, though the totality of the required accommodation may differ between legal rights.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 90 [310] The Ministers Rationale details several accommodation measures that were taken. Though stated as in relation to the Ktunaxas asserted aboriginal spiritual right under s. 35, the same measures are germane to assessing whether the Ministers decision represents a proportionate balancing of s. 2(a) with the applicable statutory objectives. [311] The Ministers Rationale highlights the following accommodations: (1) a 60% reduction in the CRA; (2) a significant reduction in the resort base area to keep it entirely within the logged area around the former sawmill site; (3) the removal of the CRA from the Lower Jumbo Creek area which is perceived as having greater Grizzly bear visitation potential; (4) the removal of ski lifts from the West side of the valley where the greatest impact to Grizzly bear habitat was expected; and (5) the establishment of a WMA in which the Ktunaxa are invited to engage in development and implementation. [312] Further accommodation measures not mentioned in the Ministers Ra tionale include: (6) the establishment of a Grizzly bear Management Committee that the Ktunaxa are invited to participate in; (7) the removal of bus facilities and parking at the abandoned mine site, which is where the Ktunaxa have held a camp in recent summers; and (8) the establishment of a section 16 Land Act reserve 250 metres either side of the access road from Panorama to the Proposed Resort, which will prohibit residential development and limit commercial development and other Land Act dispositions. [313] Considered together, these accommodations are clearly intended to reduce the footprint of the Proposed Resort within Qatmuk and lessen the effect of the Proposed Resort on Grizzly bears, within which the Ktunaxa say the Grizzly Bear Spirit manifests itself. [314] The Ktunaxa assert that this accommodation is insufficient. Indeed, they assert that no accommodation of their s. 2(a) right is possible without quashing the approval of the MDA and stopping the Proposed Resort from being built. The Ktunaxa say there is no middle ground because the offensive aspect of the

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 91 Proposed Resort is the construction of buildings and permanent human habitation in Qatmuk. Their position is the same for their s. 35 right to consultation and accommodation. [315] This no middle ground position and the reason for it was first brought to the Ministers attention in 2009, over 15 years after Glacier was granted sole proponent status in relation to the Proposed Resort. While the Ktunaxa have stated their general opposition to the Proposed Resort as early as 1991 (in 1994 a major concern was the resort proceeding before treaty negotiations were complete) and at various points since, they also participated in the land planning and development process over many years without articulating the no accommodation possible position. [316] In my opinion, the aspect of the Proposed Resort that most offends the Ktunaxa, i.e. building construction and permanent human habitation, is fundamental to the basic concept of the Proposed Resort. If this was truly the Ktunaxas extant belief at the time, it is hard to understand how they could have participated in any of the land development processes without bringing this basis for their opposition to the Ministers attention. Though the Ktunaxa argue that their opposition to the Proposed Resort has been consistent since the beginning, the 2009 assertion that no accommodation is possible and the reason for that position is in significant contrast to their earlier willingness to explore possible accommodation. As I have said, it appears to be based on events that transpired in 2004 but were only communicated to the Minister in 2009. [317] The impugned decision falls within a factual matrix that spans over 20 years. This change in position can inform my assessment of whether the Ministers proposed accommodations represent a reasonable balancing of Charter values with statutory objectives. [318] The Ministers Rationale also states that the socio-economic viability of the Proposed Resort was considered and that the Proposed Resort can be economically viable. In reaching the conclusion, the Minister considered analyses from the EAC

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 92 and MP processes as well as Dr. Shaffers report on the economic benefits of the Proposed Resort, which was commissioned by the Ktunaxa. On the last page, the Ministers Rationale describes the estimated total capital investment and potential number of permanent, direct jobs that might result from the Proposed Resort at full build out. [319] I pause to make specific comment on Dr. Shaffers report that was bef ore the Minister, as the Ktunaxa rely on it for the proposition that there is no evidence that the Proposed Resort will bring economic benefits. Dr. Schaffers report is critical of the economic analyses undertaken as part of the EAC and MP processes as not capable of supporting a conclusion that the Proposed Resort will produce net economic benefits, as understood according to principles of benefit-cost analysis. Dr. Schaffer specifically opines that employment impacts and government revenue impacts do not measure economic benefits. He also highlights uncertainty in certain market forecasts used to predict economic estimates associated with the Proposed Resort. Although he concedes there will be some tax revenues from the Proposed Resort, Dr. Schaffer says that the net financial impact on government is unclear because there is no estimate of government expenditures associated with the project. He also says land and resource use benefits and costs are likely to be small. [320] The Ministers Rationale concludes that the business plan and analysis are reasonable and that the project can be economically viable. The Minister seems to be referring to a broader set of socio-economic considerations here than the narrower question of whether the Proposed Resort will have net economic benefits. I note that the heading for this factor considered as relevant by the Minister is socio-economic viability not economic benefits. That the considerations are broader is clear when the Minister describes the reasonableness of Glaciers assumptions regarding economic viability and describes them as including but not exclusive to market analysis, development feasibility, economic benefits and First Nation business opportunities.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 93 [321] The Ministers listing of the total capital investment and number of direct jobs created as other factors further suggests that these impacts have meaning beyond simply whether they are tied to a net economic benefit. Overall, the Minister has undertaken a consideration of various socio-economic factors, of which the estimated economic benefits is one, and found the Proposed Resort to be viable from this broader perspective. [322] The Ministers Rationale also states that the Minister has considered the environmental concerns raised in the EAC and MP processes and concludes that they are reasonable and minimise the potential environmental impact, particularly to Grizzly bear habitat. The Minister notes the EAC commitments related to minimising impacts to the Grizzly bear population, the commitment to implement a WMA adjacent to the Proposed Resort, and the commitments to develop and monitor Environmental Management Plans. [323] The Minister must consider all relevant social, economic, and environmental factors when balancing Charter values with statutory objectives. As stated earlier, the courts role on judicial review is not to adjudicate among competing views in respect of these concerns individually. That is the Ministers domain. The standard of review is not correctness. Rather, the question is whether the Ministers overall balancing of Charter values and statutory objectives, into which these various other factors feed, was reasonable. In my opinion, the Ministers Rationale and the preceding factual context evinces a reasonable balancing. VIII. Summary

[324] The Ktunaxa assert that by approving the Proposed Resort within Qatmuk, the Minister breached a duty to consult and accommodate their aboriginal spiritual rights and violated their right to freedom of religion under s. 2(a) of the Charter. Though seeking two avenues of constitutional protection, the substance of what the Ktunaxa seek to protect under each provision is the same. [325] The Minister approached the matter of the approval of the MDA as requiring deep consultation. I have not been asked to and do not pass on the strength of the

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 94 asserted aboriginal rights. The process of consultation and the accommodation offered in my opinion passes the reasonableness standard. [326] The approval of the MDA does not infringe section 2(a) of the Charter. In any event, the decision to approve the MDA with the various conditions and accommodations represents a reasonable balancing of Charter values and statutory objectives. IX. [327] Order The petition is dismissed for the reasons above. Any issue relating to costs

may be spoken to.

The Honourable Mr. Justice Savage

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 95

SCHEDULE A
SHUSWAP INDIAN BAND
PO Box- 2847 Invermere, BC, VOA-IKO Ph: 250.341.3678 Fax: 250.341.3683 Email kinwap@telus.net

June 30, 2004 KKTC 7468 Mission Rd Oanbrook, BC V1C7E5

Attention: Dear Kathryn

Kathryn Teneese

Re: Kinbasket Participation in Jumbo Glacier Resort Project

This letter is to confirm the position of the Kinbasket Peoples status with the above project. The Shuswap Indian Band directed its business entity, Kinbasket Development Corporation to participate in the Environmental Review process in cooperation with the Province of British Columbia. KDC has worked through the EA process and has had representation on the Provincial Technical Review Committee. It is our understanding tliat the Ktunaxa people had a similar opportunity. In the course of that review, Shuswap initiated an independent Traditional Use Study and a Socio/Economic Study in the interest of the Kinbasket People and the impacts associated with the Kinbasket traditional lands. In conjunction with the above, Shuswap Indian Band Council has approved the signing of a letter of intent for KDC to participate in any business opportunity that may present itself to the Shuswap Indian Band should the resort advance. So in brief, the Kinbasket People have chosen to actively participate in the Environmental Review process in cooperation with the Provincial EA office in order to best understand the impacts of the project. We have determined that the project provides sound environmental controls and results in significant economic benefits to the region and the Kinbasket People. Since (a) we are the 1 st Nation community located in closest proximity to the proposed development project; (b) we have strong evidence connecting our aboriginal interests to the proposed development area, and (c) we are a distinct First Nations people separate from the Ktunaxa Nation, then we are the aboriginal peoples to whom is owed duties of consultation and accommodation by the project proponents. Consequently, we have chosen to shoulder our responsibilities and have taken a lead business role in the proposed project. As Council of the Shuswap Indian Band we are somewhat mystified that you choose to enter into the EA review process, after the process has been effectively concluded. We are quite aware that KKTC was given every opportunity to participate in the same process that the Shuswap Indian Band chose to participate in. We are further concerned that your belated intervention may result in significant costs to KDC and ultimately the Shuswap Indian Band.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 96
Please be notified that the Shuswap Indian Band is not prepared to support the KKTC position as noted in your letter to Martyn Glassman dated June 29th, 2004. Should you choose to interfere with the economic interests of the Shuswap Indian Band and seek any further cooperation from the Shuswap Indian Band, you must first negotiate a Protocol Agreement clarifying the relationship between our Peoples, i.e. Ktunaxa and Kinbasket, as it relates to your alleged interests in our traditional territory. Yours truly, Shuswap Indian Band By Its Authorized Signatories

Clarissa Stevens

Marge' Bugene

Paul Sam

cc:

Mr. Martyn Glassman Environmental Asesstnent Office

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 97

SCHEDULE B
March 1991 September 1991 March 1993 September 21, 1993 Pheidias Project Management Corporation submits proposal under Commercial Alpine Ski Policy (CASP). The Ktunaxa (KNC) provide a position paper concerning the Jumbo Glacier Ski Resort. British Columbia accepts proposal and grants sole Proponent status to Glacier Resorts (Proponent). The KNC inform British Columbia that they are opposed to the proposed development of Jumbo Creek Drainage. Commission on Resources and Environment (CORE) land use review process. One purpose of process is to address Aboriginal concerns. East Kootenay CORE process assigns high recreation and tourism values to area. Project subject to Environmental Assessment Review. Kootenay Boundary Land Use Plan approval of project subject to Environmental Assessment. Interim Agreement between Proponent and Province. The KNC pass resolution opposing the Jumbo Glacier Ski Resort. The KNC confirm opposition of elders to oppose the proposed Jumbo Glacier Ski Resort Environmental Assessment Act Review, with First Nations participation. The KNC pass a second resolution opposing the proposed ski resort. Akisqnuk, also known as the Columbia Lake Indian Band, pass a resolution opposed to the project. Chief Sophie Pierre, Tribal Chair of the KNC, states her opposition to the proposed resort on December 12, 2003 on behalf of the Ktunaxa.

1992 1994

November 1994

March 1995

July 12, 1995 September 20, 1995 March 26, 1997 1995 2004 January 2003 October 8, 2003 December 2003

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 98 December 2003 Consultant Anielski prepares a report for EAO confirming many Ktunaxa identify sacred values in Jumbo area. BC EAO refers to Anielski report saying it may prove to be of little value to the environmental assessment process. Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) granted with conditions. Shuswap Indian Band supports project, leaves Ktunaxa Kinbasket Tribal Council; Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Tribal Council becomes Ktunaxa Nation Council. Judicial review of EAC by R.K. Heli Ski. EAC upheld. EAC is not challenged by KNC KNC consultant (Pearse) prepares gap analysis of EAO review as it related to Ktunaxa interests for ongoing consultation between Ministry and Ktunaxa. Consultation Agreement between KNC and Ministry. Consultation involving meetings, workshops, studies, capacity funding, and accommodation offers between Crown and KNC. At various times KNC voices opposition while discussing accommodation offers Appeal of Judicial review by R. K. Heli-Ski dismissed. Proctor et al provide study to BC EAO showing Central Purcell Grizzly Bear Population Unit at 54% of habitat capacity rather than 93% habitat capacity referred to in EA process. Comprehensive Master Plan approved. MP not challenged by KNC. KNC advises the Premier that there is opposition to the project. KNC and Ministry exchange Formal notices under Consultation Agreement of Intention to Negotiate Benefits Agreement. Prior to the extension of the EA Certificate, the Ktunaxa again voice their opposition to the ski resort. The Ktunaxa raise Proctors 2007 data showing grizzly bears in Central Purcells close to threatened status.

January 2004

October 2004 2005

October 2005 January 2006

September 27, 2006 2006 2009

January 2007 March 2007

July 12, 2007 December 4, 2008 January 2009

January 16, 2009

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 99 January 26, 2009 Extension of EAC granted for 5 years. EA Certificate states, the ministry does not believe that there have been any material or specific changes in circumstances since the original environmental assessment review. KNC does not challenge extension of EAC. Ministry advice to KNC that consultation on Master Development Agreement (MDA) complete and Ministry would proceed to decision. Ktunaxa assert that Qatmuk is sacred site. BC agrees that discussions on Track 2 which focus on accommodation measures for the impacts would be suspended, while Track 1 was pursued in meetings with the Minister and/or Premier which was aimed at stopping the project. Confidential meeting with Chief Luke spiritual information shared KNC take position project fundamentally irreconcilable with spiritual attachment to area and cannot proceed no accommodation possible. The Ktunaxa representatives including Chris Luke Sr. meet with Acting Deputy Minister Peter Walters to answer further questions on the spiritual importance on Qatmuk. The KNC provide Confidential Comments on the draft Consultation/Accommodation Summary restating that Qatmuk is a sacred area of paramount spiritual importance. . The sacredness of the Qatmuk area is deeply rooted in our [Ktunaxa] history and culture. KNC raise freedom of religion issue. KNC and Ministry sign Strategic Engagement Agreement, providing funding and Ktunaxa receive treaty land and case offer. Qatmuk Declaration, based in part on pre-existing sovereignty, unilaterally proclaiming a refuge area where no permanent development will be allowed covering Resort. Further consultation including two Ministerial meetings with KNC, from Ktunaxa perspective only purpose of consultations is to convince decision-makers not to approve Resort.

June 2009

June 9 10, 2009 July 3, 2009

September 2009

December 7, 2009

August 16, 2010

October 2010

November 2010

2010 2011

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 100 July, 2011 Minister Thomson meets with KNC in Cranbrook, and then visits site and meets with the KNC, with the Shuswap and the Proponent. KNC provide Minister Thomson with a report from Dr. Shaffers concluding there is no evidence that project is in the public interest because of the economic benefits KNC provide a memo to the Minister asserting that the ski resort poses a threat to religious beliefs and practices The KNC write directly to Premier Clark, asserting opposition to the proposed ski resort. The Ktunaxa hold a press conference on the Legislature steps in Victoria, asserting sacred importance of Qatmuk and the Grizzly Bear Spirit. Ministry shares Ministerial Briefing Binders with KNC and Shuswap Indian Band. The Ktunaxa advise the Crown of KNC concerns with draft version of the briefing package. Minister Polak meets with KNC. KNC provides Proctors January 2012 Statement regarding inadequacy of WMA and grizzly bear management plan to Ministers Polak and Thomson. In their February 6, 2012 memo, they attach a January 30, 2012 letter reminding Polak and Peter Walters that KNC raised Charter freedom of religion issue in July 2011. The Ktunaxa write to the Premier directly asserting that the resort will have serious and irreparable harm to culture arising from the destruction of a profoundly sacred area. Ministers decision to approve entry into MDA, written Rationale for Decision approved

July 11, 2011

July 20, 2011

March 2011 November 2011

December 2011 December 23, 2011 February 2012

February 2012

March 2012

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 101

SCHEDULE C

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 102

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 103

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 104

SCHEDULE D
June 3, 2009 Ray Warden Ktunaxa Nation Council 7468 Mission Road Cranbrook, BC VIC 7B5 Dear Ray, In advance of the meeting that has been planned for June 9, 2009, I would like to take this opportunity to layout the Ministrys perspective as to the nature and status of the consultation and accommodation process in which we, the Ministry and the Ktunaxa Nation, have been engaged over the course of the past few years. As you know, the Ministry has the task of determining whether to enter into a Master Development Agreement (MDA) with the proponent of the Jumbo Glacier Resort project, and if it does so, what the content of the MDA is to be. A major part of the decision-making process has been the engagement between the Ministry and- the Ktunaxa Nation. In our view, the discussions between the Ministry and the Ktunaxa Nation have yielded a wealth of valuable information as to the Ktunaxa Nations concerns about the proposed resort, and the Ministry acknowledges the dedication that the Ktunaxa Nations representatives have demonstrated. Thoserepresentatives have identified the Ktunaxa Nations concerns with the proposed resort project and have outlined a considerable number of measures which would form the basis for what has been generally referred to as an accommodation package. The Ministry has on a number of occasions outlined its proposals as to the content of such a package, and the Ktunaxa Nation representatives have done the same. As I will outline below, many proposals remain under active consideration, and I look forward to continued engagement on these matters as we move-forward. Before I do this, however, it is important to state the Ministrys view that not all proposals that have been discussed to date represent measures which would mitigate or otherwise accommodate concerns related to the potential impact of the proposed resort on traditions, customs or practices which are said by Ktunaxa Nation to be integral to its distinctive culture. In fact, most of the proposals that have been under discussion can be seen as addressing Ktunaxa Nation interests that are not associated with potential impacts to aboriginal rights within the meaning of section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. This interest-based approach to negotiation has been a valuable one, and we intend to continue to pursue it irrespective of the position I outline below as to the discharge of the Ministrys legal duties.

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 105 That said, it is our position that the honour of the Crown does not require that these negotiations be completed before a decision is made in relation to the MDA for the resort. In coming to this conclusion the Ministry has taken account of the following considerations: the numerous significant and meaningful conditions imposed on the proponent by way of the environmental assessment certificate; the provisions which have been addressed in the Master Plan or which may be built into the MDA and other documents as a result of the concerns expressed and proposals made by the Ktunaxa Nation representatives (Attachment 1): on the question of grizzly bears, the Ministry of Environments due consideration of the recent grizzly bear study and its advice to the Environmental Assessment Office that the ministry does not believe that there have been any material or specific changes in circumstances since the original environmental assessment review which would impact the conclusions reached in the environmental assessment certificate; the broader societal interest in reasonably timely decision-making having regard to the aboriginal interests at stake; the Ministrys commitment to continuing efforts towards addressing the Ktunaxa Nations broader interests (that is, interests which are not specific to the potential impact of the resort on asserted aboriginal rights) including but not limited to the sharing of revenues accruing to the-Province from the resort; and the applicable jurisprudence dealing with the Provinces duty to consult with and accommodate the concerns of aboriginal peoples potentially impacted by Crown conduct or a Crown decision.

In terms of the last point set out above, the Ministry recognizes that the resort area appears to have been part of the broader territory utilized by the Ktunaxa Nation for sustenance. The Ministry has considered all information available to it, and has had regard to the various measures implemented or to be implemented; and is of the view that approval of an MDA for the resort project will not materially impact on the ability of the Ktunaxa Nation meaningfully to continue to engage in such activities in their traditional territory. On the question of aboriginal title, the Ministry acknowledges the Ktunaxa Nations claim of aboriginal title to a territory which includes the proposed resort area. While I fully appreciate that the issue of aboriginal title is a difficult one in advance of proof as to its geographic extent, the jurisprudence does seem to require that regard is to be had to the prima facie strength of the case in support of the claim of aboriginal title in the resort area. Taking account of the high threshold set out by the Supreme Court of Canada, the high alpine setting, and the ethnohistorical information available to us, including the research report which we have shared with you, the claim for aboriginal title over the project area is open to significant uncertainty. For all these reasons it is the Ministrys position that the requisite scope of the Provinces legal duty is close to the middle of what the Supreme Court of Canada described as a spectrum in its Haida decision. While the Court did not specify the

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 106 content of the duty.at this point on the spectrum (electing to describe only the low end and the high end), it is the Ministry s view that the process in which we have been engaging and the accommodation measures that have been or are to be implemented, are reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances I recognize that the very fact that we are outlining our position will likely not be welcomed, and that you are likely to disagree with our conclusions. For this reason, and notwithstanding the views I have expressed on behalf of the Ministry as to its view about its legal duties, the Ministry intends to continue to work with the Ktunaxa Nation towards a revenue-sharing agreement and towards any other measures that we can mutually agree upon as being of assistance in addressing Ktunaxa interests. In that regard, a number of Ktunaxa proposals remain on the table in the sense that they have not been built into a draft MDA, and in the sense that over the course of the past couple of years neither of us has explicitly taken them "off the table. I propose that we focus on these matters at our upcoming meeting. Our negotiation process to date has not been a rigorous one of offer and acceptance, and while there are probably good reasons for this, I would like to ensure that more clarity and structure is brought to the process, and I commit to doing our part in that regard. I must be candid and state that some of the proposals that the Ministry brought forward in past emails and discussions have, in some cases, turned out on closer examination to be unachievable due to statutory considerations or have simply shown themselves to be unworkable. I understand that this will be of concern to you, but if on occasion the Ministry has gotten ahead of itself it did so out of a genuine desire to explore solutions and was not in any way motivated by a desire to mislead or confuse. I do want to respond to your letter of February 10, 2009, which makes reference to section 8.1 of the 2006 Consultation Agreement. In the Ministrys view, during the past couple of years both the Ministry and the Ktunaxa Nation have in fact been engaged in the very sort of negotiations contemplated by section 8.1. From that perspective, the Ministry does intend to continue its engagement with you and indeed to intensify its efforts towards reaching an agreement along the lines described above. To be clear, however, the Ministry does not accept the view that an agreement, within the meaning of section 8.1 must be reached prior to making a decision about the MDA, Rather, the pre-requisite for such a decision is the discharge of the Ministrys applicable legal duties. For the reasons that I have set out above, it is the Ministrys position that the legal duties have been met. As I stated above, I believe the interest-based approach to negotiation that we have engaged in has been a valuable to all parties involved. I look forward to our continued discussions. Yours truly, Peter Walters Assistant Deputy Minister Tourism Division Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Aits

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 107 ISSUE RESPONSE PROPOSED and/or FURTHER DISCUSSION REQUIRED

Jumbo Valley is area of No definitive evidence of cultural significance/ has cultural significance or sacred sacred values. values have been offered. Concern over increased use of Jumbo Valley and valley resources by nonKtunaxa. Authority under the Master Development Agreement (MDA) will prevent unauthorized use of portions of the upper valley.' Mechanisms to protect grizzly bears have been identified; interagency discussions are ongoing.

Displacement of Hunting and shooting Hunting and access subsistence activities restrictions 400 meters on restrictions adjacent to CRA (hunting, plant gathering, either side of the access road which favour First Nations etc.) within and around once It has become a public Controlled Recreation road Area (CRA) and adjacent Reserve against commercial/ to road (hunting residential development 500 limitations) meters either side of the access road from Panorama to Jumbo Glacier Resort. Continuation of plant gathering and berry picking with the CRA Hunting within CRA with agreement of resort Increased use of Jumbo Pass and impact on grizzly bears. Visual impact of project on Ktunaxa users of Jumbo Pass Inter-agency review of grizzly bear management options outside of the resort boundry. Two lift towers were relocated so none are visible from Jumbo Pass except some lifts on the opposite side of the mountains, that are not visible by naked eye, but might be visible with the aid of binoculars (Master Plan MP); CRA has been reduced 40% (MP). Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation issue.

CRA footprint too large Prejudices treaty land selection process

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 108 Trail development Trail Management Plan for (particularly Toby Creek location, construction and use & Earl Creek trails) (MP and Environmental' Assessment Certificate - EAC)_ JGR proposes only one trail to . Glacier Dome from resort (MP) Wildfire risk Fire Prevention Plan (MP & EAC) Degradation of . downstream water quality Environmental Management Plans (MP & EAC) to protect surface water quality: - Water management - Liquid waste - Non-point source waste discharge control - Storm water - Sediment & Erosion Control - Spill contingency Tertiary sewage treatment (MP)

Wator quantity and potential effects of groundwater extraction on Jumbo & Toby Ck stream flows and fish habitat Parts of the access road above Toby confluence and some of the Jumbo valley have not been archaeologically surveyed Grizzly bear habitat fragmentation and effectiveness

Proponent contends no significant impact per professional reports - reviewed by MOE (EA and MP reviews)

Heritage Conservation Act

Complete archaeological surveys -Independent archaeological expert to monitor road construction Grizzly Bear Management Plan Consideration/evaluation by (EAC) plus Proponent way of inter-agency commitments to adaptive discussions, the appropriate management program mechanism to provide.-grlzzly Bear Smart Community bear protection in the area Program adjacent to the resort. Removal of lifts on west side of valley (MP)

Mountain goat Considered during EA review displacement from winter (EAC) habitat

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 109 Wildlife displacement due to increased traffic Considered during EA review (EAC)

Effects on species at risk Environmental monitor on-site Road kill study and analysis (least chipmunk, western Additional bird study toad, peregrine falcon, Swainson's hawk) Displacement of Considered during EA review wolverine from denning (EAC) habitat or movement corridors Direct & indirect mortality Decreased mortality along road of ungulates on access due to hunting/shooting ban road 400m each side of a public road (MOTI) . .

Explore viability to plow out runaway lanes for moose in winter Establishment of speed limits on access road Road kill study and analysis to inform road alignment and mitigation measures

-Loss of connectivity to adjacent habitats Loss of habitat for and disturbance of birds/ increase in undesirable species

Removal of ski lifts from immediate area below Jumbo Pass (MP) . Proponent commitment to 150 meter buffer around effective waste management to raptor nests control pest species

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 110 Loss of west slope cutthroat and bull trout habitat Critical bull trout habitat was determined not to be in resort area due to >20% slope (EAO) Commitment to provide fish passage on all road stream crossings <20% (MP) Provincial Riparian Areas Regulation applies Adopt regulatory requirements for stream crossings (MP/MDA) Riparian buffers (MP/MDA) Elimination of bridges (MP)

Impacts to fish and Commitments by the wildlife and their habitat, proponent, through the MP and and to water quality general EAC to: location of access road; implementation of federal and provincial setbacks and stream crossing guidelines; elimination of bridges; open bottom, culverts; tertiary waste treatment; Grizzly Bear Management Plan; monitoring; Environmental Management Plan; groundwater investigation program; participation in an adaptive management program; enhancing habitat e.g. de-commissioning and replanting forestry roads; and containing recreational activities. Responses re: specific species were addressed through mitigation measures, including access limitation, monitoring, noxious weed control, project redesign, access road mitigation measures

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 111 Invasion of weed species Noxious weed management (MDA) Vegetation Management Plan (EAC) Use of pesticldes'on private lots Increased contributions Considered during EA review to greenhouse qases . Increased (demand for land & resource tenures in Columbia Valley Social & cultural impacts to KNC community interests Economic benefits to KNC members and communities EAC (Appendix F) proponent commitments include: - Employee Equity program with goal of .5% aboriginal employees Ban on use of pesticides at the resort

Buffer zone, against commercial/ residential development 500 meters either side of access road Land reserve for future housing needs Land reserve for KNC traditional activities Revenue sharing with First Nations

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 112 - Education/training support programs in . proportion to the size of each phase of the project - Reasonable efforts to use qualified FN subcontractors - Information to third-party : developers and investors in order that they clearly understand and cooperate in the economic and employment participation of First Nations people in the project - Environmental - Monitoring Station - Make land available and assist FN in developing an interpretive centre and a condotel - Efforts to negotiate FN impact management and, ' benefits agreements - Efforts to negotiate agreements regarding the provision of services

Induced Growth Effects Traffic study completed - shows on cost of living, income insignificant impacts to region disparity & quality of life (EA review) effects on housing, infrastructure density, traffic No involvement of KNC in environmental monitoring/ no socioeconomic monitoring Environmental monitoring to be completed in consultation with MOE and MICA (EAC) Requirement for onsiteenvironmental monitoring (MDA)

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 113 No involvement of KNC The Master Plan was referred in preparation of Master to KNC at an early stage and Plan reflected the EA review results FN section of the Master Plan was rewritten In consultation with KNC at the request of MTCA No acknowledged role for KNC in on-going management and' development of the area Opportunity for KNC involvement and influence through local government, including position on an Advisory Committee for Mountain Resort Municipality . Participation in development of = conservancy or other mechanism .to manage for grizzly bears in areas adjacent to resort. Initiation of a strategic approach to tourism development in traditional territory

No mechanism for KNC Required First Nation involvement in consultation for new management of applications cumulative effects (new land & resource tenures)

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 114 Other impacts, on The Proponent made 25 Ktunaxa aboriginal rights' specific EA Certificate and interests commitments to First Nations related to: Developing and maintaining ongoing relationships e.g. ongoing consultation; Environmental mitigation e.g. First Nation interpretive centre; Cultural/traditional use and archaeology e.g. hunting and gathering accommodations; and Employment and economic development e.g. 5% employment equity, training, land. These were subsequently expanded and clarified through 30 commitments in the EA Certificate,

Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 115

SCHEDULE E

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Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) Page 117

SCHEDULE F

BRITISH COLUMBIA MINISTRY OF FORESTS, LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCE OPERATIONS

Rationale for Decision

March 20, 2012

Jumbo Glacier Resort Master Development Agreement

Honourable Steve Thomson Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

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Purpose of Document
The purpose of this document is to provide a record of the factors that I have considered, and the rationale I have employed, as the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations for the Province of British Columbia, in making my decision regarding the Jumbo Glacier Resort Master Development Agreement (MDA), having regard to my statutory decision-making responsibilities under the Land Act and Ministry of Lands, Parks and Housing Act.

Background
The following is a summary of key approval milestones leading to the development and consideration of the Jumbo Glacier Resort MDA: Interim Agreement between the Province and proponent signed March 1993 and subsequently renewed to remain in effect to present Commission on Resources and the Environment (CORE) designation as a Special Management Area, with High Values for Wildlife and Ecology and Very High Values for Recreation and Tourism, which specifically did not preclude the development of a ski resort in the resulting East Kootenay Land Use Plan of October 1994 Environmental Assessment commenced in July 1995 Environmental Assessment Certificate granted to the project proponent in October 2004 Master Plan review commenced in October 2005 Master Plan approved July 2007 Environmental Assessment Certificate extended in January 2009 (to October 2014)

Nature of the Decision

The Provinces All Seasons Resort Policy establishes that the disposition of Crown land for the use, operation and development of an alpine ski resort may be authorized by an MDA. An MDA is an agreement between the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and the Developer that is issued under the authority of the Land Act or the Ministry of Lands, Parks and Housing Act and sets out the terms and conditions governing the development and operation of an alpine ski resort. The decision regarding the issuance of an MDA is the final stage of a proposal process that begins with a proponent submitting an Expression of Interest to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. The process includes a step in which an Interim Agreement may be issued to a proponent whose formal proposal has been accepted. An Interim Agreement was issued to the proponent of the Jumbo Glacier Resort project in March 1993 and sets out the terms and conditions for preparation and approval of an MDA

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Scope of the Decision

The Interim Agreement entered into with the proponent of the Jumbo Glacier Resort project requires the Province to in good faith attempt to conclude an MDA where: the Minister is satisfied that the terms and conditions of the MDA are consistent with the approved Master Plan and with any specific terms that may be set out in the Interim Agreement; and 2. the MDA is in the form that is approved, or followed at the time of resort development. 1. This obligation exists within the broader powers, duties and functions of the minister and ministry under the Land Act and the Ministiy of Lands, Parks and Housing Act. Under those acts, the ministry and minister are, among other things: responsible for the administration of Crown land, responsible to dispose of Crown land where the minister considers advisable in the public interest responsible for encouraging outdoor recreation

(Ministiy of Lands, Parks and Housing Act s.6 and Land Act s. 11(1)) Further, the Province has a duty to consult (and accommodate if appropriate) in respect of decisions that could impact upon asserted aboriginal rights or title. In this case, the aboriginal groups consulted include the Shuswap Indian Band and the Ktunaxa Nation. (I use the term Ktunaxa Nation to refer to the Ktunaxa Nation Council and its representatives, and the Ktunaxa people and communities). All of the foregoing that have been considered within the scope of this decision, for reasons set out below.

Information Sources Used in the Decision

I have considered a range of relevant materials and briefings from staff. The information sources considered include: Aboriginal Interest Consideration Report - Jumbo Glacier Resort - October 2011; an assessment of overall consultation prepared by staff which includes: Ktunaxa Nation Consultation Correspondence Consultation/Accommodation Summary Review of Anthropological and Historical Sources Relating to the Use and Occupation of Land Revised July 2009 First Nations Socio-Economic Assessment: Jumbo Glacier Resort Project Jan 22 2004 letter to Anielsk Maps showing claimed traditional territories of Shuswap Indian Band and Ktunaxa Nation Council History of Shuswap Kinbasket People in Ktunaxa Traditional Territory

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Socio/Economic Study Shuswap Indian Band Ktunaxa Aboriginal Interests: Traditional Use and Archaeological Overview of the Proposed Jumbo Glacier Alpine Resort Jumbo Glacier Resort Environmental Assessment Report - August 2004, including Compendium of Proponent Commitments All Seasons Resort Policy - March 2011 Land Use Report - October 2011, including consideration of: Jumbo Glacier Resort Master Plan - November 2010 Jumbo Glacier Technical Review Committee - Response Summary Table Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts and the Grizzly Bear Consultation Flowchart CORE Recommendations My meetings with representatives of the Ktunaxa Nation and the Shuswap Indian Band Correspondence received from Ktunaxa Nation regarding the Qatmuk Declaration Correspondence received from the Shuswap Indian Band regarding the Qaf muk Declaration

Consideration of Factors
Having regard to my responsibilities under the Land Aci the Ministry of Lands, Parks and Housing Act and with respect to the All Seasons Resort Policy I consider the following to be relevant factors for the purposes of this decision

MDA:
I have considered the terms and conditions of the MDA and concluded that it is consistent with the Master Plan and Interim Agreement entered into between the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and the proponent.

Socio-economic Viability:
I have considered the Socio-economic and Market analyses included in the Master Plan and the Environmental Assessment processes, as well as the Economic Benefits review of the project, commissioned by the Ktunaxa Nation, written by Marvin Shaffer and Associates Ltd. I also note that the relevant resort policies and guidelines and the MDA have been drafted to protect the interests of the Province. In particular, the MDA requires completion of recreational infrastructure (access, lifts, runs, day lodge, etc.) as a precondition of any associated land sales for residential construction in each phase of the Resort Master Plan, ensuring that the overall development is balanced and controlled. I also recognize that economic conditions will appropriately dictate the pace of development, which could stop or pause at the completion of any given phase.

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Further, I note that the proponent team is knowledgeable and experienced in the development of ski resorts in BC. In reviewing the proponents assumptions with regard to the economic viability of the project, I found them to be reasonable, conservative, and consistent with other resorts in the region, in aspects including but not exclusive to market analysis, development feasibility, economic benefits and First Nation business opportunities. The assumptions are in my opinion reasonable. For the above reasons, I have concluded that, on balance, the business plan and analysis are reasonable and that the project can be economically viable,

First Nations Consultation:

Relevant legal principles An aboriginal right is a custom, practice or tradition integral to the distinctive culture of an aboriginal group at the time of contact with European settlers (generally regarded as 1793 in British Columbia). Aboriginal rights may be exercised on and associated with land, but they are not an interest in the land itself. Aboriginal title is an aboriginal interest in land, based on exclusive use and occupancy of an area of land by aboriginal groups, at the time of assertion of sovereignty (1846). Where (as is the case here) aboriginal rights and title are asserted but not yet proven, the Crown has a duty to consult, and potentially accommodate, those interests where a Crown decision or authorization may have an adverse impact on such asserted rights or title. The Supreme Court of Canada has made clear that the depth of consultation in such circumstances ranges from mere notice to deep consultation, depending on the strength of claim and the potential impact of the activity on the asserted right. The courts have also made clear that aboriginal consultation can occur through existing processes, including the environmental assessment process. Shuswap Indian Band The Shuswap Indian Band considers that their aboriginal interests were duly addressed through consultation undertaken during the Environmental Assessment and have indicated, in writing, their support of the project. Ktunaxa Nation With respect to the Ktunaxa Nation, I have considered the consultation process as outlined in the materials referred to above, and in particular the Consultation/Accom modation Summary, Ktunaxa Nation - Jumbo Glacier Resort and conclude that it has been sufficient to discharge the Crowns duties. I reach this conclusion for all of the reasons set out in Consultation/Accommodation Summary (which is over 70 pages long and includes a number of attachments) and other relevant documents referred to above, in particular would highlight the following:

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The province has determined that the Ktunaxa Nationsprima facie claim: - to gather berries and plants in the proposed project area is moderate to strong - to hunt and fish in the proposed project area is strong - to aboriginal title in the proposed project area is weak With respect to the Ktunaxa Nations asserted spiritual interests in the area (referred to as Qatmuk), the Consultation/Accommodation Summary notes how the Crown has endeavored to honourably give consideration to those interests, while at the same time applying the tests for determination of aboriginal rights as set out in relevant case law. In this regard, the Consultation/Accommodation Summary states at pages 49-51: It is... not clear whether any of these values can take the shape of a constitutionally protected aboriginal right or whether such a claimed right can be reconciled with other claimed aboriginal rights and Ktunaxa access to the valley for a variety of traditional and modem uses, including hunting, gathering and fishing. The Ministrys challenge is to give due respect and recognition to this sensitive spiritual information, which has been provided by the Knowledge Keepers in a trusting way, and at the same time, assess it in the context of the Crown's consultation and accommodation obligations in respect of aboriginal rights recognized by section 35 oiths Constitution Act> 1982.... The Ministiy sincerely recognizes the genuinely sacred values at stake for Ktunaxa leadership and the Knowledge Keepers in particular, however it has determined on a preliminary basis that a prima facie claim to an aboriginal right of this nature is weak. In particular, there is no indication that valley would have been under threat from permanent forms of development at the time of contact such that the right claimed would have been one that was exercised or an aboriginal tradition, practice or activity integral to the culture of Ktunaxa. In addition, in the Ministrys view the claim to such a right is weakened where the details of the spiritual interest in the valley have not been shared with or known by the general Ktunaxa population. The Ministry makes these preliminary statements because the nature of the consultation obligation requires it be done, and hopes that no personal or cultural disrespect is perceived. The Ministiy believes that there is difference in respecting certain personal and spiritual beliefs or values, which the ministry hopes it has done, and then weighing this information in the context of a legal aboriginal rights claim, which the Ministry believes it has done in as respectful a way as possible. The documentation sets out a very extensive record of consultation with the Ktunaxa Nation under various provincial initiatives over the last two decades including the Commercial Alpine Ski Policy, the Commission on Resources and the Environment, the Kootenay- Boundary Land and Resources Management Plan, the Environmental Assessment Process, and the Commercial Alpine Ski Policy under the All Seasons Resort Policy. The Consultation/Accommodation Summary contains detailed information on many substantive issues raised by the Ktunaka, and it contains extensive information about accommodation measures that have been taken (through the commitments contained in the environmental assessment certificate or otherwise) to mitigate the impact of the project in respect of those issues. By way of example, these include:

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The overall area of the controlled recreation area has been reduced by approximately 60% and the total resort development area has been reduced to approximately 104 hectares at build out (p. 40) - there are requirements for on-site independent environmental monitors during all construction to address, among other things, water quality fish and wildlife (p. 22) - as a condition of the MDA, the developer will be required to provide for continuing use by the Ktunaxa of portions of the controlled recreation area for the practice of traditional activities including berry picking and plant gathering (p. 36) - the approved Master Plan shows the removal from the controlled recreation area of the lower Jumbo Creek area that has been perceived as having greater visitation potential from Grizzly bears. It has also been amended to remove ski lifts on the West side of the valley, where impact to Grizzly bear habitat was expected to be greatest, (p. 44) - to address potential impacts in relation to Grizzly bears and aboriginal claims relating to spiritual value of the valley the Province will pursue the establishment of a Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Further, the Ktunaxa are invited to engage with the province in the development and implementation of the WMA objectives, (p. 52) Overall, the consultation applied in this case is at the deep end of the consultation spectrum and having regard to the accommodation measures, is adequate in respect of those rights for which the strength of claim is strong, and for which potential impacts of the project could be significant. Given the extensive mitigation and accommodation measures, and having regard to the continued ability of the Ktunana Nation to continue exercising its asserted aboriginal rights, the potential impact of the master development agreement and the proposed project itself is considered to be reasonable when balanced against the other societal benefits of the project.

Environmental Considerations;
I have considered the environmental concerns regarding the Jumbo Glacier Resort Project which were raised during the Environmental Assessment and Master Plan review processes. The primary concerns appear to be related to impacts to wildlife, particularly to Grizzly bears which, due to their large territory, serve as an umbrella species for other wildlife. Studies, including a cumulative impact assessment, were completed and reviewed, and the proponent undertook DNA analysis to identify bears using the project area. Ten of the 195 commitments of the proponent in the Environmental Assessment Certificate are specifically related to Grizzly bear management and minimizing impacts to the Grizzly bear population and additional conditions of the MDA are intended to mitigate impacts to wildlife and habitat. Meetings which focused on residual impacts to Grizzly bears outside of the Controlled Recreation Area included provincial government agencies, and the Ktunaxa Nation as well as government and non-government biologists. As a result of those meetings, Ministry officials

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committed to pursue the designation and implementation of a Wildlife Management Area in watersheds adjacent to the resort (outside of the Controlled Recreation Area), if the MDA is approved. The Province will continue to pro-actively manage the Purcell Mountain Grizzly bear population and other wildlife through existing legislation and policies. All aspects of the environment, including water, air, noise, glacial ablation, plants and animals, fish and wildfire, were considered during the public, agency and First Nations reviews of the Project. The Environmental Assessment Office concluded that practical means have been identified to prevent or reduce to an acceptable level all potential significant adverse effects arising from the Project, and further conditions intended to minimize impacts to the environment have been included in the MDA. Environmental impacts will be effectively minimized through the development and monitoring of Environmental Management Plans which include proactive mitigation measures, monitoring and adaptive management mechanisms. For these reasons I have concluded that, on balance, the commitments and strategies in place are reasonable and minimize the potential impact to the environment and specifically, to Grizzly bear habitat.

Other factors:
I have also considered the following additional factors which are relevant to determining the public interest in respect of this matter: The proponent has estimated that the total capital investment of the resort could total $900 million in capital investment, and that 750 to 800 permanent, direct jobs could result once the project achieves full build out. While there is not unanimous support for the project, all interested parties have had extensive opportunities to make their views known and have them considered as part of the environmental assessment process and other government engagement processes.

Conclusion and Decision

For the reasons noted above and having regard to my responsibilities under the Land Act and the Ministry of Lands Parks & Housing Act, I have decided to approve the Master Development Agreement for the Jumbo Glacier Resort, effective March 20,2012.

Honourable Steve Thomson Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations