Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Oct. 3rd, 2017

[Mike Bossio, Liberal, Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON]

I'll pass the rest of my time to MP Anandasangaree.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

You have one minute.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

Thank you.

I recall you were scheduled to appear back in June. I think the House had risen by that time. I apologize for that. That probably explains in part some of the delay in getting this legislation to this point.

I want to get a bit more of a sense from you with respect to seeking partnerships. I know you mentioned you are seeking partnerships with first nations communities. What do you have in place right now, and what is your thinking going forward?

[Mike Burke]

It's a business relationship that mining companies have been very progressive about. You can speak to Mr. Thrall and his agreement with the Na-Cho Nyak Dun First Nation. All operating mines in the Yukon have agreements with first nations; many exploration projects do. Those involve partnerships, contracting opportunities, business development, many things. Because mining companies have to explore and look where the minerals are, they are typically always in the backyard of first nations. We are creating those business opportunities in those rural areas where very few other opportunities exist.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

The questioning now moves to MP Viersen.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you to our guests for being here today.

I'd like to point out that the name of the ministry we scrutinize here at this committee has changed recently from Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development to Northern Affairs. I think that's symptomatic that it's no longer concerned about development. There be dragons in that area, and we need to deal with them.

One of the things we hear of a lot is the timelines that concern getting an extension. You've addressed that well. Mike, you talked about your having a letter from the minister saying that she was prepared to work on a collaborative development of them.

Has any of that work been undertaken? Beyond that letter, have you been in communication with the minister at all?

[Mike Burke]

Not to my knowledge; none of that work has begun.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

After you reached out to her, you received a letter, and beyond that there's been no communication?

[Mike Burke]

In her letter, she committed to working in that relationship after the passage of Bill C-17. So again, we've made it well known that we feel it's homework. We need to do our homework and get prepared to do this work ahead of time because a gap between the passage of Bill C-17 and the implementation of some form of agreement to reinstitute timelines and reassessment is going to be a period of uncertainty for us in the Yukon. If that goes on for years, that would be a very bad thing indeed.

The federal government recently announced an investment in mining infrastructure in the Yukon, and you don't want to shoot yourself in the foot.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

For sure. We're currently undertaking a study with this committee on comprehensive land agreements and self-government, and the Yukon is a bright light in Canada when it comes to those kinds of agreements. Could you, from your perspective representing mining companies...? You chose the Yukon to do business in. Can you say why you chose the Yukon versus another jurisdiction, which might be just another 100 kilometres over, but a jurisdiction without a comprehensive mining agreement?

[Brad Thrall]

I can certainly speak to Alexco's experience. I've been operating in the Yukon for nearly 25 years now. We built our first mine in 1995, just outside of Dawson City. Obviously, geology and all those things are important. You can't control those, but they're obviously important aspects of any jurisdiction. The certainty of the relationship with first nations is important. I talked about our agreement with Na-Cho Nyak Dun. Previously, we had a similar agreement with the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Nation in Dawson City. It provides certainty not only to the first nation, but also to the company.

I know there was previous discussion and questioning around business certainty, and I would suggest that this will do just the opposite. It will create uncertainty. If we revert to the previous provisions, which don't have timelines and reassessment, it will create just the opposite of certainty. Investors will wonder how long it will it take now to get a permit again, if they'll be looking at years before it is resolved, rather than months.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

I'm sorry. That ends our session. I want to thank you for coming all the way to Ottawa, and I appreciate your views and insights. Thank you, once again, on behalf of all committee members, for taking the time to come. Meegwetch.

We'll suspend for about five minutes, and then we'll move into our in camera session.

[Proceedings continue in camera]