Proposed Indigenous Ministerial Arrangements Regulations – Engagement Principles and Protocols
Participate in the regulatory development process
If you're interested in participating in an engagement session or learning more about the proposed Indigenous Ministerial Arrangements Regulations (IMARs) through our virtual webinars; please send an email to: imar-rama@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
Following Phase 1 “Early Touch-Base” engagement on the regulatory development of the proposed Indigenous Ministerial Arrangements Regulations (IMARs) that was done from 2022 to 2023, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) analyzed a compilation of meeting notes, summaries, and written submissions. Based on what was heard, NRCan developed a set of four engagement principles that it commits to adhering to throughout the regulatory development process. These will remain evergreen over the next few years to ensure they continuously reflect current standards, context, and operating environment, through ongoing engagement with Indigenous groups and other stakeholders.
Transparency
- NRCan will continuously work towards keeping Indigenous governing bodies, other government departments, and stakeholders informed.
- NRCan will adequately openly communicate the intention and purpose of the work, conditions, and processes for entering into an arrangement, as well as the regulatory requirements to Indigenous governing bodies.
- In turn, NRCan also commits itself to relaying transparent feedback received from Indigenous groups to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
Respect
- Respecting Indigenous principles, laws, values, teachings, and connections to the land are essential considerations in the development of arrangements between Indigenous governing bodies and Natural Resources Canada’s Minister.
- The development process of the proposed IMARs will allow a greater opportunity to advance reconciliation. Ultimately, if IMARs are made and arrangements are reached, Indigenous governing bodies will have a greater opportunity to integrate Indigenous perspectives into the operations, procedures, and decisions of the regulatory process.
- Further, NRCan will uphold respect for our Indigenous partners during all meetings, correspondence, and engagement sessions. This will include actively listening to other viewpoints, validating contributions to the discussions, and having an empathetic response where it is warranted. In turn, NRCan looks forward to also being respected by those it will engage with throughout the course of this work.
Inclusivity
- NRCan will use a distinctions-based approach throughout the engagement sessions, and this will inform the drafting process of proposed regulations to capture considerations raised during the regulatory development process from the various Indigenous groups.
- NRCan will also adopt a flexible approach throughout the course of the work, to recognize that some Indigenous governing bodies may not want to take on all the regulatory authorities, while others may want to build up capacity to take on more responsibilities.
- To ensure equal access of opportunity, NRCan will also engage with individual Indigenous groups as well as with Indigenous umbrella organizations.
Kindness
- The term Nòkwewashk (sweetgrass) is defined as one of the Algonquin people’s sacred and powerful medicines, representing kindness. It is also the name of the NRCan sector within which the IMARs team operates.
- Kindness is at the forefront of everything we do both within and outside the organization. Conceptualizing the sector as a braid of sweetgrass should also remind us of the work we do in connecting natural resources and Indigenous groups – and this directly correlates with the IMARs team’s mandate to apply the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples into energy projects.
- Upholding the meaning of Nòkwewashk is not only an important endeavor, but it is a necessity in the IMARs’ role of implementing part of the Government’s reconciliation agenda.
NRCan will follow a certain set of engagement protocols, which will also align with the four engagement principles. These protocols include but are not limited to:
Land acknowledgments and starting the meeting off in a good way will precede each discussion.
Thank you notes will follow each discussion.
Meeting minutes will be developed and shared within two weeks post-engagement and will be validated with participants.
Contact us
For additional information on the proposed IMARs or to submit comments in writing, please send an email to Indigenous Ministerial Arrangements Regulations at: imar-rama@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
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