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NunatuKavut means "Our Ancient Land". It is the territory of the southern Inuit people of Labrador, Canada. See About NunatuKavut for more.
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Posted Wednesday, 22 May 2013
New Release:Transmission Link Environmental Assessment Prejudicial: NunatuKavut Withdraws
Press Release: For Immediate Release – May 22nd, 2013
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Transmission Link Environmental Assessment Prejudicial: NunatuKavut Withdraws
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL – NunatuKavut Community Council ("NCC") has withdrawn from the Environmental Assessment ('EA') of the Labrador-Island Transmission Link Project for the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project.
NCC entered into the EA process as the aboriginal group that is most seriously and directly affected by the transmission link, which cuts through its territory. NCC hoped that by engaging in the process, its concerns would be addressed, negative impacts mitigated and its Aboriginal and Treaty rights and title accommodated.
NCC says it continues to be disappointed and has no faith in the integrity of the EA process.
"We have raised our concerns with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and the Newfoundland and Labrador Government time and time again." Says Todd Russell, President of NCC. "They fail to provide scientific information or adequately respond to our concerns, what information is given is not being disclosed in a timely fashion, we are given inadequate timelines to comment on information – especially compared to the time given to the project proponents, we lack the resources to fully participate in the process and are continuously denied any sort of negotiation for accommodation of our rights and title."
NCC says the approach taken is inconsistent with the basic duty to honourably consult and accommodate. NCC attempted to correct deficiencies by proposing its own Consultation Protocol to the province, which has been rejected.
The NCC withdrawal could seriously impact the Federal Loan Guarantee for the project. The loan guarantee can only be provided if all projects: Muskrat Falls, Labrador-Island Transmission Link, and Maritime Transmission Link go through a proper environmental assessment and if aboriginal consultation obligations are honourably met.
"This one-sided, flawed approach to consultation and accommodation is held against us by both levels of government," Russell continues, "It fails to respect or safeguard our rights and is an insult to our ancestors, therefore we have no choice but to withdraw.
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Media Contact:
Tara McLean, Executive Assistant to the President
NunatuKavut Community Council
Phone: (709) 896-0592 ext. 225 • Cell: (709) 899-2831 • Email: tmclean@nunatukavut.ca
___________________________________________________________________
Transmission Link Environmental Assessment Prejudicial: NunatuKavut Withdraws
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL – NunatuKavut Community Council ("NCC") has withdrawn from the Environmental Assessment ('EA') of the Labrador-Island Transmission Link Project for the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project.
NCC entered into the EA process as the aboriginal group that is most seriously and directly affected by the transmission link, which cuts through its territory. NCC hoped that by engaging in the process, its concerns would be addressed, negative impacts mitigated and its Aboriginal and Treaty rights and title accommodated.
NCC says it continues to be disappointed and has no faith in the integrity of the EA process.
"We have raised our concerns with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and the Newfoundland and Labrador Government time and time again." Says Todd Russell, President of NCC. "They fail to provide scientific information or adequately respond to our concerns, what information is given is not being disclosed in a timely fashion, we are given inadequate timelines to comment on information – especially compared to the time given to the project proponents, we lack the resources to fully participate in the process and are continuously denied any sort of negotiation for accommodation of our rights and title."
NCC says the approach taken is inconsistent with the basic duty to honourably consult and accommodate. NCC attempted to correct deficiencies by proposing its own Consultation Protocol to the province, which has been rejected.
The NCC withdrawal could seriously impact the Federal Loan Guarantee for the project. The loan guarantee can only be provided if all projects: Muskrat Falls, Labrador-Island Transmission Link, and Maritime Transmission Link go through a proper environmental assessment and if aboriginal consultation obligations are honourably met.
"This one-sided, flawed approach to consultation and accommodation is held against us by both levels of government," Russell continues, "It fails to respect or safeguard our rights and is an insult to our ancestors, therefore we have no choice but to withdraw.
-30-
Media Contact:
Tara McLean, Executive Assistant to the President
NunatuKavut Community Council
Phone: (709) 896-0592 ext. 225 • Cell: (709) 899-2831 • Email: tmclean@nunatukavut.ca
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