(a) The structure of the environmental framework for cleanup: The framework for the cleanup will be in accordance with the agreement between Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and Her Majesty in the right of Canada as represented by the Minister of National Defence for the cleanup and restoration of Distant Early Warning sites within the Nunavut settlement area. This agreement was signed in Cambridge Bay on September 1, 1998 and details the environmental provisions to carry out the cleanup.
(b) The accumulated and estimated cost of cleanup: The estimated cost for the sites in Nunavut is $200 million, a figure established in May 1997 which takes into account escalation according to the economic model established by the Department of National Defence, DND. The accumulated cost is $14.2 million, actual expenditures April 1, 1996 when the first site cleanup was started until September 30, 1998. The latter expenditures include project overhead and administration. They also include project management costs that are not part of the contract values listed at (e). For example, some of the major costs included in the accumulated cost total, and not in the contract values, are the scientific delineation of contaminated soil, engineering survey of upcoming sites and project administration costs.
(c) The source of environmental contaminants which have contributed to any environmental degradation: Scientific studies carried out between 1989 and 1994 showed that the environmental contaminants at the sites are the result of waste disposal practices that followed the standards of the day. PCBs and inorganic elements such as copper, lead and zinc, are the contaminants of primary concern in soils and surface waters. Copper, zinc and cadmium are found in sewage outfalls and landfills. Lead is found in petroleum and oil spills. Although PCBs are detectable in virtually every sample collected in the vicinity of the sites, they are present at elevated concentrations primarily in outfalls and to a lesser degree in landfills and stained areas near pallet lines, storage areas, and site buildings. Leachate waters and soils near the base of some landfills contain detectable concentrations of contaminants, indicating drainage from a more concentrated source within the landfill. The remaining contamination is restricted to isolated spills within the area of station operations.
(d) The health hazards caused by the environmental contamination: The cleanup strategy places special emphasis on preventing the movement of chemical contaminants from sources at the DEW Line sites into other parts of the Arctic ecosystem. There are no immediate health risks. The cleanup is designed to prevent migration of contaminants into the arctic food chain and is therefore more stringent than normal protocols in the south. The work will prevent any potential chronic or long term impact on human health and the environment.
(e) The list of companies which have received federal government contracts for cleanup, and for what amounts: Cape Hooper, FOX-4, was awarded to Qikiqtaaluk Corporation of Iqaluit and the value of the contract is $6.8 million. In 1998 the cleanup of Cambridge Bay, CAM-M, was awarded to Kitikmeot Corporation of Cambridge Bay and the value of the contract is $7.3 million. The contract value of $6.8 million for cleanup of Cape Hooper, FOX-4, has been spent. The contract for cleanup of Cambridge Bay, CAM-M, was awarded in late summer of 1998 and only several months of a projected two year cleanup have been completed.
(f) The structure of the process used to award contracts: The contracts awarded in Nunavut were negotiated with regional aboriginal development corporations. This was done to build confidence in the cleanup standard and to develop the expertise of local business so it can compete for future DEW Line cleanup contracts. This practice is in accordance with the spirit and letter of the Nunavut land claims agreement. Future contracts will be conducted in a competitive manner if industry shows sufficient interest in the process by which this is carried out. Should industry not be interested, contracts will be negotiated with the designated Inuvialuit-Inuit firm in such a way as to arrive at a price satisfactory to all concerned parties. The department will strive for openness, fairness and best value in contracting in a matter consistent with the land claim agreements and negotiated co-operation agreements with the aboriginal development corporations.
Question No. 167—