Question Period Note: Giant Mine Remediation Project

• The health and safety of Canadians and the environment is our priority.
• We continue to work with the Government of the Northwest Territories, Indigenous rights holders and partners, and other stakeholders to advance the cleanup and remediation of Giant Mine.
• The Government submitted its application for a water license and land use permit for Giant Mine on April 1, 2019 so that remediation can begin in 2021.
• The five-year land use permit was issued on August 7, 2020 and the 20-year water licence was issued on September 18, 2020.

The Government of Canada became responsible for the Giant Mine, a former gold mine in Yellowknife, when its owner went bankrupt in 1999. CIRNAC has worked with the government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, the Yellowknife community, and other rights holders and stakeholders to carry out care and maintenance activities and plan its remediation. Current work is focused on the technical designs required for the remediation, which is expected to start in 2021.

If pressed on the Giant Mine Oversight Board
• The Government continues to work with the Government of the Northwest Territories, Indigenous rights holders and partners, and other stakeholders to advance the remediation plan while managing risks to human health and the environment.
• We continue to engage as we develop and execute the remediation plan. We welcome views from interested parties, including the independent Giant Mine Oversight Board, to foster a strong and lasting trust moving forward.
If pressed on Giant Mine Socio-Economic Benefits
• In 2019-20, there were 140 Northerners working on site, representing 62% of the workforce, and 68 Indigenous persons, representing 30% of the workforce.

• The project team is working closely with our rights holders and partners to ensure the contracting process uses all tools available to maximize benefits for Northerners and Indigenous peoples.
If pressed on Giant Mine Apology and Compensation
• The Department recognizes this issue is of great importance to the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.
• Senior officials from the Department have spoken with the Chiefs to discuss how best to engage the community, especially Elders.
• The Department is reviewing and assessing the historical record and will respond more formally when this work is complete.
• The Department remains committed to working with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation in support of reconciliation.
If pressed on contamination off the Giant Mine site
• The health and safety of Canadians and the environment is a priority for our Government.
• The Government of the Northwest Territories is supported by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and other federal departments to proactively manage this public concern.
• Together, we are ensuring that the public, local and Indigenous governments and agencies, and visitors are fully informed of potential risks to human health.
If pressed on the Giant Mine Health Effects Monitoring Program
• The Health Effects Monitoring Program is led by researchers from the University of Ottawa, together with Health Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.
• The results of the study demonstrated that levels of exposure to arsenic for children and adults are well below the reference level derived from the Canadian Health Measure Survey.
• Summary results were shared with the public during three community meetings in May and June 2019.
• Youth participants will be invited to participate in a follow-up study in 2022-23, and a follow-up study for all participants is planned for 2027-28.