7 (1) If seven or more First Nations indicate to the Minister their interest in the establishment of a joint body that would perform the functions described in subsection (2) relating to land use planning in the Far North, and their commitment to participate in the joint body once established, the Minister shall participate in discussions with the First Nations regarding the terms of reference of the joint body. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). Functions of the joint body (2) The joint body may perform any of the following functions that are set out in its terms of reference: 1.  Advising those involved in land use planning under this Act on the development, implementation and coordination of land use planning in the Far North in accordance with this Act. 2.  Such other functions relating to the development, implementation and coordination of land use planning in the Far North as may be set out in the terms of reference, including making recommendations to those involved in land use planning under this Act on the following: i.  matters to be included in the Far North land use strategy, including statements that may be issued as Far North policy statements. ii.  appropriate dispute resolution processes for land use planning under this Act. iii.  funding to support First Nations working with Ontario on land use planning in the Far North. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). First Nations who initiate and participate in discussions (3) A First Nation may indicate its interest and commitment under subsection (1) and participate in discussions under that subsection only if the First Nation, (a)  has one or more reserves in the Far North; or (b)  despite not having a reserve in the Far North, has agreed with the Minister under subsection 9 (2) to prepare terms of reference to guide the preparation of a land use plan. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). Participation of Indigenous organizations (4) Upon request by an Indigenous organization, and with the agreement of the Minister and of the First Nations that participate in discussions under subsection (1), the Indigenous organization may become a participant in the discussions. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). Joint work on terms of reference (5) The Minister, First Nations and Indigenous organizations that participate in discussions under subsection (1) shall work together to prepare the terms of reference of the joint body. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). Matters to be discussed (6) The Minister, First Nations and Indigenous organizations that participate in discussions under subsection (1) shall consider the following matters for inclusion in the terms of reference of the joint body: 1.  The composition of the joint body including, i.  the maximum and minimum numbers of members of the joint body, and ii.  the criteria that a person must meet to become a member of the joint body. 2.  Who will be the first members of the joint body, and the processes for their withdrawal and replacement and for the addition of new members to the joint body. 3.  The term for which the joint body will be established and whether the term should be for less than the five years referred to in subsection (6.7). 4.  The functions of the joint body referred to in subsection (2) that the Minister and First Nations agree the joint body should perform. 5.  The working groups or subcommittees that should be established to assist the joint body in carrying out its functions. 6.  The procedures to be followed by the joint body in carrying out its functions. 7.  The procedures for amending the terms of reference of the joint body. 8.  Resources required to carry out the functions of the joint body. 9.  How information related to the work of the joint body should be accessed or shared. 10.  Any other matters with respect to the functions of the joint body that the Minister and First Nations agree should be addressed in the terms of reference. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). Timeframe to finalize terms of reference (6.1) If terms of reference for the joint body are not completed within 12 months after the day on which the first meeting to discuss the terms of reference for the joint body took place, the Minister and the First Nations that are participating in the discussions at the end of the 12 months shall review the progress and determine if they wish to continue to work together towards the completion of the terms of reference. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). Approval of terms of reference (6.2) Once the terms of reference for the joint body have been completed, they shall be, (a)  ratified by resolution of the band councils of the seven or more First Nations that are participating in the discussions of the terms of reference on the day the terms of reference are completed; (b)  if any of the first members of the joint body represent a First Nation that is not one of the seven or more First Nations referred to in clause (a), ratified by resolution of the band council of that First Nation; (c)  if any of the first members of the joint body represent an Indigenous organization, approved by the Indigenous organization; and (d)  approved by the Minister. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). Establishment of joint body (6.3) Upon the terms of reference being ratified and approved in accordance with subsection (6.2), the joint body is established. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). First members of joint body (6.4) The first members of the joint body shall be named in the terms of reference. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). Withdrawal, replacement, etc. of members (6.5) After the joint body is established, the members of the joint body may withdraw and be replaced, and new members may be added, in accordance with the terms of reference. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). Amendments to terms of reference (6.6) The joint body may amend its terms of reference in accordance with the terms of reference and with the approval of the Minister. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). Term of joint body (6.7) The joint body shall be established for a term of five years or for such shorter term as may be set out in the terms of reference. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). Renewal of term (6.8) Before the end of the joint body’s first term, the Minister and the First Nations who have members on the joint body may agree to continue the joint body for a further term of no more than five years and the joint body shall amend its terms of reference in accordance with subsection (6.6) to provide for its continuance and to specify the length of its further term. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). Same, further renewals (6.9) If the joint body is established or continued for a term of less than five years, subsection (6.8) applies with necessary modifications to allow for the continuation of the joint body for further terms but the joint body shall not be continued past the 10th anniversary of the day of its establishment. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). Dissolution of joint body (6.10) The joint body shall be dissolved on, (a)  the 10th anniversary of the day of its establishment; or (b)  the last day of a term of the joint body that falls before the 10th anniversary of its establishment, if the term is not renewed in accordance with subsection (6.8) or (6.9). 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). Establishment of subsequent joint body (6.11) After the joint body is dissolved, seven or more First Nations may indicate to the Minister their interest in the establishment of a subsequent joint body that would perform the functions described in subsection (2) relating to land use planning in the Far North, and their commitment to participate in that subsequent joint body once established, and, (a)  the Minister shall participate in discussions with the First Nations regarding the terms of reference of that joint body; and (b)  subsections (3) to (6.10) apply with necessary modifications to the establishment of that joint body. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1). Far North policy statements (7) The Minister may submit a statement to the Lieutenant Governor in Council and, with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, issue the statement as a Far North policy statement if, (a)  the joint body, pursuant to its function described in subparagraph 2 i of subsection (2), recommends to the Minister that the statement be issued as a Far North policy statement; (b)  the Minister is of the opinion that the statement takes into account the objectives set out in section 5; and (c)  the statement relates to any of the following matters: (i)  cultural and heritage values, (ii)  ecological systems, processes and functions, including considerations for cumulative effects and for climate change adaptation and mitigation, (iii)  the interconnectedness of protected areas, (iv)  biological diversity, (v)  areas of natural resource value for potential economic development, (vi)  electricity transmission, roads and other infrastructure, (vii)  tourism, and (viii)  other matters that are relevant to land use planning under this Act if the Minister and the joint body agree to the matters. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (2). Non-application of Environmental Assessment Act (8) For greater certainty, the Far North policy statements are not undertakings as defined in the Environmental Assessment Act.  2010, c. 18, s. 7 (8). Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, subsection 7 (8) of the Act is repealed. (See: 2020. c. 18, Sched. 6, s. 53) Posting on the Internet (9) Upon issuing a Far North policy statement, the Minister shall post it on the Government of Ontario site on the Internet.  2010, c. 18, s. 7 (9); 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (3). Amendment (10) At least every 10 years after issuing a Far North policy statement, the Minister shall request the joint body to advise the Minister whether it is necessary to amend it.  2010, c. 18, s. 7 (10). Process for amendment (11) The joint body may recommend to the Minister amending a Far North policy statement and subsections (7), (8) and (9) apply to the amendment with necessary modifications.  2010, c. 18, s. 7 (11). Same (12) After the joint body is dissolved, a Far North policy statement may be amended in accordance with a prescribed process. 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (4). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2020, c. 18, Sched. 6, s. 53 - not in force 2021, c. 40, Sched. 10, s. 4 (1-4) - 09/12/2021