Nunavut regulators grapple with lack of capacity

Representatives of government agencies, mining companies and businesses which work with the mining industry are attending the Nunavut Mining Symposium this week, an event which includes presentations and a trade show. (PHOTO BY JANE GEORGE)

Lack of capacity, that’s among the many challenges facing Nunavut’s regulatory boards, Nunavut Mining Symposium delegates heard April 9 at Iqaluit’s Astro Theatre.

“It’s the number one factor that binds us all together,” said Ryan Barry, executive director of the Nunavut Impact Review Board during an April 10 panel discussion which also includes representatives from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Chambers of Mines, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and the Nunavut Water Board.

That lack of capacity includes not having enough staff, not being fully funded and other “capacity” issues, Barry said.

“We see government itself as having capacity issues as well,” he said.

Calling it, “the elephant in the room,” Barry said the lack of capacity is something that regulators live with every day.

And not having enough people on staff or enough money can affect the quality and quantity of work that’s carried out.

Although the Astro Theatre where the discussion took place was filled, only a few audience members asked questions.

One wanted to know whether the regulatory system sees the Nunavut mining industry as an “ally.”

CanNor’s Patrick Borbey admitted that there is always a certain level of tension when dealing with mining projects and proposed mining projects in Nunavut.

But Barry McCallum of Areva Resources Canada, who is also president of the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines, said Nunavut needs to “put out the welcome mat” when it comes to dealing with the mining industry.

That’s to “keep Nunavut an attractive investment destination,” providing investments with certainty of a timely return, he said.

“Let’s create a North of 60 investment incentive,” he said.

Cathy Towtongie, the president of Nunavut Tunnagvik Inc., was present in the audience, and while she said NTI hopes to see industry as a partner, she said Inuit need to “control the change instead of the change controlling Nunavut.”

Across Canada, the returns to aboriginal people from large-scale mining projects have not been impressive, she said.

“We have not seen First Nations prosper,” Towtongie said.

“We have to look at the wildlife that we rely on,” she said about possible Inuit responses to mining development.