Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I was talking about the Site C Dam in BC, and I have some questions for the Premier. My first question is: what discussions, if any, has the GNWT had with the BC Government on the downstream impacts of the Site C Dam? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. The Honourable Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ten years ago, the BC Minister of Energy along with a planeload of BC hydro officials flew down to Yellowknife to advise our government that they would be proceeding with building Site C and that they were proceeding into an environmental assessment mode. At that time, we advised them of our experience with the effects of the Bennett Dam. We were concerned about it. They told us that Site C would only have a 12-kilometre reach downstream of Site C, so we shouldn't have to worry about it, but we told them that we didn't believe that. Our experience is that it would have a longer reach, so we prevailed on them to consult with Aboriginal governments and communities all the way down the Mackenzie River, right up to the Beaufort Sea. We gave them a list of all of the contacts, and they proceeded to do so.
We also, as a government, the Government of the Northwest Territories, fully participated in the environmental assessment process for the Site C project. The Government of the Northwest Territories provided written comments, attended multiple hearings and meetings, and ultimately provided recommendations to decision makers to address any potential downstream effects to ecosystems, traditional harvesters, and communities in the Northwest Territories. Our government recognizes the importance of maintaining the ecological integrity of the aquatic ecosystems in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Premier for that answer. I appreciate the government trying to do what we can do with the BC government. Unfortunately, they seem to be not listening to us in some of these areas. Has the GNWT made a public announcement regarding this position on this mega project and the impact it has on Northwest Territories residents and our First Nations communities?
Through the environmental assessment process for Site C, the Government of the Northwest Territories provided numerous submissions, including advice regarding potential downstream impacts to aquatic ecosystems in the Northwest Territories.
Our Government of the Northwest Territories submissions are pubic and are available on the Canadian and environment assessment agency's website. The Government of the Northwest Territories incorporated into its submissions concerns heard about the Site C expansion from Northwest Territories residents and Indigenous governments and organizations. As the Member has stated, several Indigenous governments, including the Deninu Kue, Salt River and Smith's Landing First Nations, and Northwest Territories Metis Nation also participated in the environmental assessment process.
I appreciate the Minister and the answer he's provided here. My next question is: what is the government doing during this Assembly to mitigate the negative impact of this project on our Northwest Territories First Nations and communities, and has the Premier contacted in writing the Premier from BC?
Following the three-year environmental assessment process, the Site C project received federal and provincial approval in 2014. Construction of the Site C expansion project began in 2015, and the decision to approve the project included 80 conditions, which are intended to prevent or reduce impacts to the Peace River.
As well, our government negotiated transboundary water agreements with Alberta and also with British Columbia. The Transboundary Water Agreement with British Columbia primarily focuses on the Liard River basin, whereas the Peace River system flows into Alberta, so we are relying on the Transboundary Water Agreement with Alberta to monitor the impacts and effects of the water quality and water quantity. We have increased significantly the monitoring at the border on the downstream impacts so that we will be aware of any negative impacts. We have a process set up through the Mackenzie River Basin Board where, if there are any concerns, we can raise them with the applicable government. We're working very closely with Alberta and British Columbia on transboundary waters. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.
