TORONTO - A controversial bill on northern land development has been passed in the Ontario legislature, despite the objections of First Nations and many northern communities.

The Liberal government's legislation aims to protect at least 225,000 square kilometres of boreal forest from development — up to 21 per cent of Ontario's land mass.

Several First Nations leaders have demanded that the government scrap Bill 191, saying it violates their treaty rights and doesn't give them a say in how their lands will be developed.

They've also accused Premier Dalton McGuinty of lying to them by promising not to pass the legislation without their approval.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation, a political organization which represents 49 First Nations, has warned there will be unrest in the north and no certainty for would-be investors if the bill is passed.

NAN, which also has the support of the Assembly of First Nations, has vowed to use "any means necessary'" to protect its treaty rights.

The NDP said the government's refusal to back down will jeopardize several projects aimed at boosting economic development in the north, such as the Ring of Fire chromite deposit near James Bay.