Arviat South MLA blasts proposed amendments to federal mining law
Joe Savikataaq asks premier, 2 ministers about Bill C-326, which would give Inuit more say in development
Three times this week in the legislative assembly, Arviat South MLA Joe Savikataaq brought up proposed amendments to a federal bill that could change the way consultation happens around mining projects in Nunavut. (File photo)
Premier P.J. Akeeagok and two cabinet ministers expressed confidence in the territory’s environmental impact review processes this week in response to questions about proposed federal legislation.
During three separate question periods in the legislative assembly on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Arviat South MLA Joe Savikataaq asked Premier Akeeagok and multiple ministers for their positions on MP Lori Idlout’s proposed amendments to the Territorial Lands Act.
Idlout tabled Bill C-326 as a private member’s bill in March.
The bill would ensure Inuit get early consultation for proposed projects, she said in an interview with Nunatsiaq News earlier this year, after the bill was tabled.
Savikataaq is speaking out against the bill, saying it undermines the Nunavut Impact Review Board’s process.
He said if adopted, Idlout’s plan would impede the growth of mining in the territory and make it harder to increase Inuit employment in the mines.
“Not everybody wants to be a Government of Nunavut worker,” Savikataaq said. “Her position is completely wrong for Nunavut.”
On Thursday, Savikataaq asked Premier Akeeagok for his opinion on the bill.
Akeeagok said he hasn’t read it yet but he supports finding a balance between the growing mining industry and respecting communities’ concerns over the impact of that growth.
“I feel very confident in the systems that are in place,” he said.
“We support responsible development across the territory.”
Savikataaq also asked Akeeagok if the topic of mining came up in a meeting last week with Idlout and federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh in Iqaluit.
“In that meeting, we didn’t cover, specifically, the importance mining has within our economy,” Akeeagok said in his answer.
“However, I do commit to advocate that … and to reaffirm the importance of finding that balance.”
Earlier this week, Savikataaq put similar questions to Environment Minister Daniel Qavvik and David Akeeagok, the minister responsible for mines.
Both ministers expressed similar sentiments.
“[Mining] is beneficial for this territory, and our government remains open,” David Akeeagok said in Wednesday’s question period.
“There are a lot of opportunities, and if you do it with the right companies it can be environmentally sound.”
To date, Bill C-326 has only received first reading in the House of Commons. It has not been mentioned or debated since March.
****Mining makes up almost 40% of our GDP (over a billion dollars per year)****. I think the conversation should go from how to we put up more barriers to, how can we create partnerships to help create more employment, training and business opportunities? Our Inuit Orgs and the GN have a great opportunity to be the catalyst for positive change and wealth creation through partnerships. In this day and age, we are so overregulated that responsible development is the only way and any successful company has no problem with it at all. AEM is one example of a company that has shown time and time again that they focus on responsible development and helping build our communities.
It’s like watching kids at school with these MLA’S 😂
This poorly held view by a has been is thinking the private member’s bill will stop all development in Nunavut. The bill recognizes the people who know their country should have an opportunity to provide informed consent as they will have to live with the consequences after these projects leave. There are mines open now because the Inuit gave their consent in Nunavut.
Get over your misgivings that somehow Inuit do not know how to make their own decisions.
Inuit already have all the rights you refer to. Its all spelled out very clearly in the Nunavut Agreement and is very effectively implemented through the IIBA, NIRB and Water Board processes.
A federal report released earlier this year explained the NIRB certificate terms and conditions were continually breached without any consequences to the mining company. That is not a working system you are talking of?
Inuit will have to live with the outcome and deserve a say instead of some bureaucrat inOttawa as all the NIRB can do is make a recommendation to the minister in Ottawa.
Finally, a MLA standing up with the courage to support resource development, and understands what it brings positive and negative, no other politicians, MP, MLAs, mayors, NTI, RIAs, HTOs, and the Premier fumbling the question, time to stand up and support the people that elect you,
Finally? This MLA you’re talking about is thr former Premier, and before that it was mine puppets Quassa and Taptuna. The GN has had very mine-friendly leadership in the recent past.
All Idlout’s Bill would do is place additional and unnecessary regulatory burden on a well developed and thought-out system where Inuit already have full consultation AND informed prior consent on any and all projects that occur on Inuit Owned Lands. It s unnecessary and if you don’t think it will disincentive mining activity in the Territory, you’re living in a dream world.
“How dare we have a proper say in what happens in our own backyard! Yes let’s keep thinking of the big mining companies first and not us locals! “ reading between the lines with Joe.
Thank you PJ from a Inuk.
PJ didn’t even read the bill.