Question Period Note: Yukon Mining

A proposed silver-zinc mine, the Kudz Ze Kayah Project, has been subject to an impact assessment conducted by the Executive Committee (EC) of the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board since 2017.
The EC submitted a Final Screening Report and Recommendation to ‘decision bodies’ (Natural Resources Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Government of the Yukon) in late October 2020 which recommended project approval but the report was deficient in how conclusions were reached on significant adverse environmental and potential effects on Indigenous rights.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Natural Resources Canada, being the Federal Decision Bodies (FDBs), referred the Screening Report and Recommendation back to the Executive Committee for further reconsideration.

• Our government is committed to supporting the advancement of major projects while ensuring our legal duty to consult has been met.
• We have learned from experience that timely, meaningful consultation with Indigenous groups is an essential component of the decision-making process.
• We have carefully assessed the potential project impacts and acknowledge the significant amount of work carried out by the Executive Committee.
• Our government has referred the report back to the Executive Committee of the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board.
• The referral outlines the additional information being sought and will provide an opportunity to further address First Nations’ perspectives and how potential impacts to Indigenous rights can be mitigated.
• With the pandemic the additional time will support the reconsideration process and ensure that consultation obligations are met before a final decision is reached.
• We remain committed to meaningful consultation with First Nations.

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