Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Pathways to Mineral Development is an excellent portrayal of industry perspectives. Compiled in partnership with the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines and paneled with industry professionals without even an offer of public meetings, it is an imbalanced agenda of corporate priorities that in whole sections is completely devoid of public interest and environmental sustainability perspectives.
Here are a few high points, or really low points: There’s the basic premise that corporations are to be wooed with a blend of government-funded subsidies, debased regulatory standards and freedom from social benefits and employment requirements or environmental accountability. The report envisages our good old 43,000 person territory as a mid-Canadian jurisdiction class – between Newfoundland and Ontario – cashbox of subsidies and inducements. Recommendations call for the creation of a cadre of public-funded development advocates who would act as industry handmaidens assuming the responsibilities and costs of industry to engage the regulatory process. Lack of skilled northern workers is referred to as a deterrent to investment rather than an obstacle to the prosperity of the NWT residents who must be the first beneficiaries when their birthright is merchandised. Fly-in/fly-out is taken as a given. An even worse given premise is the casual expectation that we will continue in the creation of contaminated sites requiring perpetual care. That’s if, and at costs to government, the land and people that far outstrip one-time benefits of the developments. The report refers to the yo-yo spurts of Yukon and Nunavut exploration spending as plights to be envied, not instability to be avoided.
The biggest mantra is marketing. Public dismay at environmental degradation and lack of corporate accountability for costs of cleanup are seen as problems of public misperception to be schmoozed away. Recommendation priorities hammer on the notion that the NWT must be seen as eager for any development at any cost, greased through a disassembled regulatory system with government-funded staff, taxpayer subsidies and relaxed socio-economic requirements.
This is the fox owning the henhouse.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
This is the fox owning the henhouse. Acceptance of such recommendations as the fuel of post-devolution policy is deeply chilling. Where’s the balance?
If the Minister’s intent was to get the industry to dream in colour and tell them what they want, that’s fine, but please, go now to a respected public interest policy group and get that perspective added in before developing a final strategy.
I will have questions.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.
