NDP Leader Howard Hampton condemned the McGuinty Liberals for awarding Platinex Inc. 72,000 acres of new mining claims in Northern Ontario.

“It’s outrageous that the McGuinty Liberals awarded Platinex new mining rights to 72,000 acres of land while leaders from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) continue to languish in jail,” said Hampton.

Platinex is the exploration company that sued KI First Nation for $10 billion dollars, nearly bankrupting the First Nation, and causing Chief Donny Morris and five KI councillors to go to jail for standing up for their constitutional rights.

“These new Platinex claims are adjacent to Webequie First Nation, Marten Falls First Nation, Fort Hope First Nation, Neskantaga First Nation and Gull Bay First Nation,” Hampton said.

Hampton said this sends a chilling message to First Nations across the North.

“On one hand, First Nations leaders are jailed because they demand their constitutional right to be consulted and accommodated before potential environmental damage happens to their lands while on the other hand, Platinex is awarded extensive new mining rights after suing KI for $10-billion and nearly bankrupting the community in the process,” said Hampton.

“Is this the message the McGuinty government wants to send to First Nations: if you stand up and ask for your constitutional rights to be recognized you could go to jail while the mining company gets mining rights to your land?” asked Hampton.