The Eagle's Nest Mine…

The Eagle's Nest Mine Project was approved for an environmental assessment in 2015. It is not clear why the government has decided to use special legislation to exempt this project from environmental review. The province has said that the Eagle’s Nest mine’s assessment is “outdated” because the scope has changed since the company voluntarily agreed to a review more than a decade ago but the details on what has changed were not made clear.

The proposed Eagle's Nest Mine, located on the Attawapiskat River, is on the lands of the Neskantaga First Nation, who note that the environmental assessment process “is currently the main channel for Indigenous consultation.” The Attawapiskat River is a highly sensitive water system essential to the life and health of the First Nations people. An environmental assessment is essential to ensure there is not a repeat of the one of the worst cases of environmental poisoning in Canadian history - mercury contamination on the Wabigoon River in the Kenora District of Northwestern Ontario caused poisoning of the people of Grassy Narrows.

Please do not exempt the Eagle's Nest Mine from an environmental assessment. Indigenous consent, specifically "free, prior and informed consent" (FPIC), is a fundamental right of Indigenous peoples, recognized by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It means Indigenous communities must approve or reject any project or activity that could affect their lands, territories, or resources. This right ensures their participation in decision-making processes that impact their well-being. Please build into the Eagle's Nest Mine project meaningful consultation with the Indigenous Nations.