Foreign Affairs Committee on Feb. 5th, 2013

[Tom Paddon]

As I was saying, I think that certainly in the areas in which I work, the authorities now exist with the resolution of land claims to the satisfaction of all the parties involved, hence the land claims being resolved. The practice, on a day-to-day basis, is a challenge still, as we sort out where the responsibilities lie. What is the appropriate burden for industry to take in terms of funding these things as opposed to the state, and as opposed to the aboriginal organizations themselves, some of which now have revenue streams from other projects?

There's still some evolution to occur there, but I think that overall the mechanisms are there. Perhaps we're not as fully practised in their deployment as we will be with time, but in order to get there we need to use the tools. We need to get on with things.

[Nina Grewal, Conservative, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

An important step in establishing positive relationships with these northern communities, of course, is ensuring that consultation begins at the outset and continues with frequent communication with each other. How successful has the communication been with these northerners throughout the mining project life cycle?

[Tom Paddon]

I can only speak to the projects that I've been involved in, but given that generally it's been my responsibility one way or another to look after that aspect of things, I can tell you that my approach is that it's all about spending time in the communities. It may have something to do with the fact that I'm from the north. I understand the value of spending time with people, even when you're not necessarily talking about the project. It's what goes towards building the relationships. I've seen other projects not do as well because, quite frankly, they spent more time here than in the communities. You need to have that equation the right way around.

At the risk of running into people who say that they're tired of talking about our project and “to just go build it”, that's the line you want to get to without necessarily crossing: people feel that they know everything there is to know about your project, to the extent that they want to, and have had the ability to be engaged. That gives both the company and, in our case, the Inuit the understanding that you've been through the process adequately. Anything short of that can come back to haunt you.

[Nina Grewal, Conservative, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

I think it is quite evident that mining will play a key role in boosting economic growth and development in Canada over the coming decades as the global demand for metals and our minerals continues to rise. To your knowledge, is the government doing enough to support sustainable development in the mining industry in a way that will obtain the best long-term results for Canada's future?

[Tom Paddon]

Oh, you're stepping outside of my area of expertise, but I think this government is taking a very informed and strategic approach to exactly that.

One of the challenges that industry faces, especially in the north, is that the infrastructure required to undertake projects of this nature and others is terrifically expensive and, in some cases, can almost be prohibitive, but it's an oft-repeated call that there needs to be strong engagement on how to deal with infrastructure needs in the Arctic, be they for communities or for industry for business development. That would be one thing that I think we could talk more about and improve on, but in general, as witnessed by things like free trade agreements, etc., I think the government is taking a very carefully considered approach to it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Thank you very much. That's all the time we have.

I believe Mr. Dewar has a quick question before we wrap up for today.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

I just have a question on collaborating with our partners. The previous chairs had collaborated if you go back to Norway, from 2006 to 2009, then subsequently we had Denmark and then Sweden. They collaborated on a common agenda.

Some have pointed to that as a smart model and we have the Americans looking after the agenda after us. Someone mentioned there was an offer to us to have a joint chair with the Americans over four years. What do you think about that? Do you think we should be collaborating with the previous chairs and continuing the agenda they had set and look to the horizon to work with our allies to nail down a common agenda?

[Tom Paddon]

I'll steal the soapbox for a moment, just in terms of the concept that's been floated here by me, which, initially, was the idea of a business perspective that was carefully considered by the Arctic Council talking about collaboration and continuity.

We previously had an informal engagement with the working group on sustainable development of the Arctic Council to briefly discuss the concept, and that was under Sweden's chairmanship. I undertook to do that, not as a representative of Canada but just as a business interest, to see whether or not it was even a viable concept.

I think the ability there is for continuity. I hesitate to comment on whether or not there'd be a value in a shared chairmanship, but certainly continuity from one presidency to the next is important if you're trying to get something done. Two years is not a long time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Thank you very much for taking the time to be here today. I don't think there are any further questions, so with that we'll suspend the meeting so that we can get into committee business when we come back. We'll take a few minutes so the room will clear.

Thank you, again, Mr. Paddon.

[Proceedings continue in camera]