AFNCNB Submission To the Sisson EIA Panel

August 11, 2015

As part of the EIA process related to Sisson Brook Mine the Assembly has prepared and submitted its review of the proposed mine. The full submission and all appendicies are listed below. To read them simply click on the link.

The main points are these:

A. The Sisson Mine process represents a perfect storm of clashing worldviews, cultural processes, values, priorities, and rights. Its profitability in the context of the pillars of sustainability described above is highly questionable.

B. The Sisson Mine also represents an opportunity for GNB to improve the way it manages Environmental Impact Assessment methods and protocols, as well as its responsibilities to First Nations: these are not opportunities of which GNB has availed itself. In our opinion, the Project as currently contemplated is not ecologically sound. It is not socially or culturally acceptable. It is not economically viable given the long term costs associated with closure, reclamation and ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the site.

C. As it is currently contemplated and as it has been assessed under GNB EIA process the project does not meet scientific standards that would enable a government to responsibly approve it.

D. Furthermore, SML and GNB have given no serious consideration to the views and concerns of First Nations. GNB has not discharged the Crown’s duty to consult with and accommodate First Nations’ rights and interests. GNB has not demonstrated any understanding of its legal obligations to either obtain the consent of First Nations or to formally or lawfully justify the project as required by the Supreme Court of Canada.

E. Consequently, the AFNCNB respectfully requested that the panel makes a recommendation that the Project should not be approved by GNB and no further permits, licenses or leases be issued until the numerous breaches of the law have been fully addressed and rectified.

1. Report: AFNCNB Submission To the Sisson EIA Panel

2. Appendix B: Signed Bilateral Agreement

3. Appendix C: Executed Tripartite Umbrella Agreement

4. Appendix D: An Outline of the Treaites

5. Appendix E: Assembly’s Statement on Energy

6. Appendix F: MSES Technical Review of Northcliff EIA

7. Appendix G: Current First Nation Consultation Plan

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