With public hearings for Baffinland Iron MinesSA国际影视传媒� proposed expansion of its Mary River mine taking place in Iqaluit, Tununiq MLA David Qaminiq told his colleagues in the legislative assembly that the mining company has more work to do to gain the trust of Inuit.
He suggested on Wednesday that the company should have been more forthcoming about its full plans from its early days.
SA国际影视传媒淩ather than providing a complete picture of the full scope of the project and its ultimate impact on the region, the incremental or SA国际影视传媒榩hasedSA国际影视传媒� approach to requesting change after change after change has only served to cause confusion and frustration,SA国际影视传媒� said Qaminiq. SA国际影视传媒淎s you likely know, there have been many concerns expressed by the community about such issues as the impact that rail and sea shipping are having on the environment, our
marine life, and the caribou.SA国际影视传媒�
Pond Inlet residents have heard that Baffinland has communicated different messages to its investors than it conveyed to people in Nunavut communities, which SA国际影视传媒渦ndermines our confidence,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
SA国际影视传媒淚n order for the community to find common ground, we need the full picture so that we
can have greater confidence that decisions are being made based on a complete set of
facts,SA国际影视传媒� said Qamaniq. SA国际影视传媒淚 again want to make it clear that I do support responsible natural resources development. I also want to make it clear that the community fully recognizes the economic benefits that the project has brought to the region. However, it is essential that the company significantly change its approach.SA国际影视传媒�
The Tununiq MLA also served notice to Inuit organizations that they too must heed the words of people in the communities.
SA国际影视传媒淧eople have felt that their concerns have been ignored and that these organizations have been too focused on the bottom line of tax and IIBA (Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement) revenues,SA国际影视传媒� he said, acknowledging that the Qikiqtani Inuit Association recently sent a letter to the Nunavut Impact Review Board that withheld support for BaffinlandSA国际影视传媒檚 phase two expansion and reflected feedback from Pond Inlet.
SA国际影视传媒淭he positions of the community and our regional Inuit association are now clear,SA国际影视传媒� Qaminiq said. SA国际影视传媒淚 again want to clearly state that we want Mary River to succeed, but its success depends on obtaining the support and trust of the community, which is in very
serious jeopardy.SA国际影视传媒�
Qamaniq asked Premier Joe Savikataaq whether the GN would be willing to withhold its support for BaffinlandSA国际影视传媒檚 phase two expansion until the Municipality of Pond Inlet, the Mittimatalik Hunters and Trappers Organization, and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association have formally withdrawn their objections to the proposal.
Savikataaq said he trusts the Nunavut Impact Review BoardSA国际影视传媒檚 recommendation to the federal government will be sound. That recommendation wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be made until public hearings have concluded, and the review board announced on Nov. 5 that it will extend the hearings.
SA国际影视传媒淚 absolutely believe in the process,SA国际影视传媒� the Premier said.
