I am opposed to exempting…

I am opposed to exempting the Eagles Nest Mining Project from a comprehensive environmental assessment. Environmental assessments are absolutely necessary to assess the environmental and socio-economic outcomes of a project in guiding the direction the project. As one of the largest proposed mining operations in the Ring of Fire, the scope of this project is vast and is expected to be in operation for 20 years. I understand the mining project will involve excavating 3000 tonnes a day, building a major transportation corridor, transmission lines, tailings ponds and diesel fuel generation stations. The James Bay lowlands where this mine is located plays a major role in climate stability on a global scale as the peatlands absorb and store immense amounts of carbon dioxide. To terminate the EA for this mining project would seriously jeopardize the ecology of this area if there are no environmental safeguards to guide its approval. It will also seriously undermine Indigenous rights to be consulted in order to give their free, prior and informed consent as well as their right, along with the public's right, to be heard before decisions are made. This would clearly place profit over environmental protection and Indigenous rights and must be stopped from becoming law.