Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I would clarify that not all of those 10 assessments were reassessments in the sense of what we are talking about today. Some of those were in fact new projects, and it was appropriate to go back through the process. But our experience has been that we've had more than one exam

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Certainly not, and again, I wouldn't classify as “significant” just continuing to do what you're doing today for a further period of time.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I couldn't comment on the detailed discussions and those types of things that happened at the board level of YESAB. I do understand that those are topics, but I guess I'm not privy to the exact details of what those discussions are and how they're going to deal with these types o

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Certainly it is. I think it's important to point out that I and certainly Mr. Light are speaking on behalf of an operator or of companies that have already been in that mode of operating. A number of companies are not yet into that phase and may not necessarily appreciate the imp

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I would agree that if that weren't in there, then we would see more of the same, if you will, with interpretation by different designated offices and different views of what “significant” means. Certainly with the status quo, as we see it today, I think we know what the results o

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I certainly would, but with your indulgence, I'd like to pass that to Mr. Light because of his operating experience.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  My comment would be that most companies operating in the Yukon have an ongoing dialogue with communities and first nations and many stakeholders outside of the YESAA process. I agree that the YESAA process has an important consideration with respect to socio-economic matters, but

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Again, I think our experience within the Keno district and Alexco has been that over time, over the last several years, the legislation itself hasn't changed. What we have seen change are the timelines themselves and the fact that a lot more detail is being brought forward into t

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Well, I certainly think if the proponent comes forward with a complete package of information and the assessors are qualified as well, there's no reason that assessments can't be effective and be completed within the proposed timelines.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think the position of the Yukon Chamber of Mines is that we support passage of this bill as it sits. We believe it's in the best interests of the industry we represent, so we do urge passage.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you. Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and members of the parliamentary standing committee. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony today on this important legislation. I'm here today as president of the Yukon Chamber of Mines, as well as in my position as the executiv