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Key Stakeholders
Author: (Giant Mine Remediation Project)
Date: (June 2007)
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Table of Contents
- Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
- Other Federal Government Departments
- Government of the Northwest Territories
- Giant Mine Oversight Committee
- City of Yellowknife
- Yellowknives Dene First Nation
- Giant Mine Community Alliance
- SRK Consulting Engineers and Scientists Inc.
- Independent Peer Review Panel
- Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board
- Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board
- Non-Governmental Organizations – Environment
As a member of the general public, YOU have an important role to play in terms of the long-term remediation of Giant Mine. Your input at public hearings into the management alternatives for dealing with the arsenic trioxide helped Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) to narrow its focus to two options for further expert review and then to finally select the Frozen Block Method.
Meaningful consultation with local residents continues to remain a priority throughout this next phase of the project. We have prepared this brief overview of significant stakeholders and their roles in the remediation of Giant Mine for your understanding.
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) was assigned a caretaker role for the pre-existing condition of the site – including the underground arsenic trioxide dust – when Royal Oaks Mine went into receivership in 1999.
INAC is the lead federal government department for the remediation of Giant Mine and will be overseeing the remediation of the site to industrial standards.
Other Federal Government Departments
Environment Canada, Health Canada, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, have all played a role in providing expert advice and assessment to INAC.
Public Works and Government Services Canada handles all contracting and procurement related to the care and maintenance contracts at Giant Mine.
Government of the Northwest Territories
The Giant Mine site is on Commissioner's Land and its administration falls to the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). The GNWT will be engaged in the long-term development of the site after the remediation is complete, specifically the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.
Giant Mine Oversight Committee
The Giant Mine Oversight Committee was struck in 2005 upon the signing of a Cooperation Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). It has equal federal and territorial representation, and is the means by which the two government departments make joint decisions about the remediation project.
The Regional Director General of INAC NWT Region and the Deputy Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (GNWT), provide strategic direction and guidance to the Giant Mine Remediation Project through the Oversight Committee.
City of Yellowknife
Giant Mine is within the city limits of Yellowknife. The Municipality of Yellowknife was granted a lease by the GNWT for the former Giant Mine townsite.
The City of Yellowknife also maintains a boat dock adjacent to Giant Mine, and plans to establish a NWT Mine Heritage museum on the former Giant Mine townsite.
Yellowknives Dene First Nation
The area surrounding Giant Mine is in the traditional territory of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. The Yellowknives Dene First Nation is in the process of negotiating a land, resource and governance agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada – known as the Akaitcho Process – which may deal with the loss of their traditional hunting and fishing grounds.
Giant Mine Community Alliance
The Giant Mine Community Alliance (GMCA) was established in 2003 to assist the public by sharing information about the project and relaying public concerns and issues about the remediation of Giant Mine.
GMCA members include the mayor of Yellowknife, representatives from the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, the NWT Mine Heritage Society, the Northern Territories Federation of Labour, and the North Slave Metis Alliance, as well as an Environmental Representative, a Health Representative and a representative from the general public. A representative from the Yellowknives Dene First Nation also participates in GMCA meetings as an observer.
SRK Consulting Engineers and Scientists Inc.
In 2000, SRK Consulting Inc. won an international competition to become lead technical advisor to INAC on the management of the arsenic trioxide dust. SRK Consulting is an independent, international consulting practice that employs leading specialists in science and engineering. SRK's reports were subject to an Independent Peer Review Panel.
Independent Peer Review Panel
An Independent Peer Review Panel consisting of nine recognized experts in the fields relevant to the remediation of Giant Mine was initially appointed in 2002 to provide technical review of the Arsenic Trioxide Management Alternatives Report and subsequently to provide technical review of the Remediation Plan for Giant Mine.
The Independent Peer Review members considered every aspect of the Remediation Plan, and provided concrete advice and analysis that was taken into advisement by INAC and incorporated into subsequent versions of the Remediation Plan for Giant Mine.
Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board
The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (MVLWB) was created in 1998 under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. It regulates the use of land and waters, and the deposit of waste to provide for the conservation, development and utilization of land and water resources.
The MVLWB issues land use permits and water licences throughout the Mackenzie Valley under the NWT Waters Act, and has a key role to play in the regulatory process for the Giant Mine Remediation Plan.
Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board
The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB) is responsible for conducting environmental impact assessments and environmental impact reviews throughout the Mackenzie Valley. It maintains a public registry of all preliminary screenings conducted by Regulatory Authorities and makes recommendations to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development for rejection or approval of projects.
The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (MVLWB) may opt to refer INAC's water license application and Remediation Plan for Giant Mine to MVEIRB for an environmental assessment.
Non-Governmental Organizations – Environment
Local environmental organizations such as Ecology North, the Canadian Arctic Resources Committee (CARC), and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) have an important role to play to ensure that the government's process remains open and transparent.
With their singular focus on the environment, these Non-Governmental Organizations ask pertinent questions and ensure that all aspects of environmental impact have been carefully considered in the planning process.
Giant Mine Remediation Joint Project Office
2nd Floor, Waldron Building, 5103 - 48th St.,
Yellowknife, NT X1A 1N5
Tel.: (867) 669-2426
Fax: (867) 669-2439
Email: giantmine@ainc-inac.gc.ca
www.giant.gc.ca
QS-Y289-008-EE-A1 Cette publication est aussi disponible en français sous le titre:
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