June 17, 2015 – Ottawa, ON – Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and the Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Northwest Territories Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, today announced on behalf of the six signatories the signing of an Environmental Agreement for the Giant Mine Remediation Project. This agreement supports a multi-purpose approach to ensure the health and safety of Northerners and is an important step towards the creation of an independent oversight body for the project.
Today’s announcement is the result of successful negotiations between the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories and other parties to the agreement: the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, the City of Yellowknife, Alternatives North, and the North Slave Métis Alliance.
Establishing an independent oversight body is a key requirement of the 2014 Giant Mine Remediation Project Environmental Assessment. The oversight body will provide guidance and independent advice on the Giant Mine Remediation Project and ensure Northerners have a direct voice on a broad range of matters concerning the remediation project. The oversight body will manage a research program towards a permanent solution for dealing with the arsenic trioxide at the Giant Mine.
The federal government has committed $3.8 million in operational and research funding for the oversight body over the next five years.
Emily Hillstrom
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
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