Governments seeking to promote the negotiation of benefit agreements will need to play a more active and balanced role, including through the use of new tools for benchmarking and comparing benefit agreements.

Indigenous participation and benefit agreements which address mine development have become commonplace across Canada.  These agreements are increasingly expected by regulators, and in some case even mandated by law.  But while many mining proponents recognize their importance, reaching what both parties believe to be a “fair deal” can often be a lengthy and challenging process.