Approving Nunavut uranium project would be a “political disaster:” wildlife board

The Nunavut Impact Review Board held hearings into Areva’s proposed Kiggavik uranium project at Baker Lake’s community hall from March 3-14. (PHOTO COURTESY OF AREVA)

Bernard Valcourt, the minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, may be busy campaigning in the federal election, but he’s also had a lot of mail to read from organizations debating the future of uranium mining in Nunavut.

The latest of those groups — the Kivalliq Wildlife Board — sent the minister a letter earlier this week that calls on Valcourt to respect a decision by the Nunavut Impact Review Board that recommend Areva Canada’s proposed Kiggavik uranium project not be approved right now.

If Valcourt were to reject the NIRB’s recommendation, such a move would be a “political disaster” for Nunavut, the KWB said Aug. 11.

Following hearings earlier this year, the NIRB published a report recommending that Areva’s proposed uranium project, located outside of Baker Lake, not go ahead at this time, for lack of a defined start date.

But last month, Areva sent a letter to Valcourt encouraging the minister to reject the NIRB’s recommendation, suggesting the board’s review of its Kiggavik project was not thorough enough.

Since then a number of organizations have shot back, saying that if the minister decides to reject that report, he’ll also reject the wishes of Nunavut Inuit.

“First and foremost, if you reject the NIRB report and recommendation, it will erode the confidence the Inuit of Nunavut have in the regulatory system created under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement,” wrote Stanley Adjuk, president of the Kivalliq Wildlife Board, in an Aug. 11 letter.

“The value of the entire NLCA will be seriously questionable if you grant Areva’s request and overturn the NIRB recommendation. This would be a political disaster for Nunavut, and for Canada.”

In its letter, the KWB joins forces with the Baker Lake hunters and trappers organization, and Mining Watch Canada, who have delivered similar messages to Ottawa.

“The KWB does not agree with reviewing and permitting proposals for major development projects that do not have start dates in the reasonably foreseeable future,” the KWB letter continued. “To do so undermines the ability of Inuit hunters and elders to meaningfully participate in such processes.

“Inuit Qaujimajatauqangit — also known as Inuit traditional knowledge — is time-sensitive knowledge.”

You can read the KWB’s full letter here.