Tag: Aboriginal News

February 17, 2022 – Ottawa

Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced its decision to renew, for a period of 1 year, the nuclear fuel facility licence held by Cameco Corporation (Cameco) for Cameco Fuel Manufacturing Inc. (CFM), located in the Municipality of Port Hope, Ontario, and on the traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishnaabeg, Wendat, and the territory covered by the Williams Treaties. The renewed licence authorizes Cameco to continue manufacturing uranium dioxide fuel pellets and nuclear fuel bundles at CFM. Along with the renewed licence, the CNSC announced its decision to accept Cameco’s proposal for a revised financial guarantee of $10.8 million for CFM. This decision follows a public hearing based on written submissions.

In making its decision, the Commission considered written submissions from Cameco, CNSC staff, and 7 intervenors. The CNSC also made participant funding available through its Participant Funding Program, and invited interventions from Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and stakeholders. One requestor received participant funding to assist with its intervention.

After reviewing all submissions, the Commission concluded that Cameco is qualified to carry out the nuclear fuel manufacturing activities that the renewed licence will authorize. It also concluded that Cameco will make adequate provision for the protection of the environment, and the health and safety of persons.

The record of decision is available on request to the Commission Registry at interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca. The decision will also be posted in both official languages at nuclearsafety.gc.ca at a later date. All submissions are available on the CNSC website.

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment; to implement Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public. The Commission is a quasi-judicial administrative tribunal set up at arm’s length from government, independent from any political, government or private sector influence.

Timeline

• Cameco applied for a 1-year licence renewal in December 2020. In March 2021, Cameco provided a submission to supplement its licence renewal application
• In April 2021, the CNSC made funding available through the Participant Funding Program to support Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and stakeholders in presenting their views to the Commission
• A panel of the Commission held a hearing based on written submissions in December 2021 (hearing submissions are available online or on request)
• The renewed licence is valid until February 28, 2023

Support line

There is a national, toll-free 24/7 crisis call line providing mental health support for anyone who requires emotional assistance related to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. For assistance, call 1-844-413-6649. 

Supports are also available through the MMIWG health and cultural support services. 

Support could include professional counselling with a focus on healing, emotional supports such as listening and referrals to additional services, and culturally-specific help centered around traditional healing methods and Elder services.

Ottawa, Ontario — Traditional unceded Algonquin Territory (February 14, 2022) — The Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, Marc Miller, issued the following statement today:

“In January 1992, a Coast Salish woman was brutally murdered on Powell Street in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. It was this tragic event that galvanized other women to take action and rally to commemorate the loss of Indigenous women and girls. From these feelings of anger, frustration and hopelessness, the annual Women’s Memorial March began.

This year marks the 31st anniversary of the original Women’s Memorial March in Vancouver. Each year on February 14—led by Indigenous women and Elders—people from all walks of life join together to march, mourn and remember. They listen to family members and walk through the streets laying roses at sites where Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or were murdered, and hold ceremony. They honour the families and Survivors of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual violence. 

Decades later, this Memorial March continues to draw attention to the need for action. It has expanded beyond Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and Coast Salish territories to take place in cities across the country, including Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, St. John’s, Calgary and Edmonton.

As we commemorate families and Survivors of heinous and senseless acts of violence, it is important to reflect on what still needs to be accomplished to prevent such acts from occurring again and how we can better support survivors in their recovery and families and communities in their grief. In Canada, too many women still live in fear of violence, and Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are significantly more likely to experience violence than non-Indigenous women. Through the Federal Pathway, which is the Government of Canada’s contribution to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan, we are working to end the violence and systemic racism that are at the root cause of this issue.   

By listening to each other and working together, we can end violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. We forever hold in our hearts and minds the Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people who are missing, have been murdered, or are survivors of gender- and race-based violence. We honour the spirits and the memories of the lives lost through events such as the Women’s Memorial March—fostering healing for families and Survivors and working to protect future generations. Through vigilance, education and positive actions, we can build a Canada free from gender- and raced-based violence—for all.”

February 10, 2022 — Ottawa, Traditional unceded Algonquin Territory, Ontario — Indigenous Services Canada

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) commends the tireless work of individuals, communities, and frontline healthcare workers whose efforts continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.

Below are some of the latest updates from ISC for the week of February 10, 2022.

Vaccinations

As of February 8, 2022, over 86% of individuals aged 12 and older in First Nations, Inuit and territorial communities have received a second dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, and 23% have received a third/booster shot. Over 45% of individuals aged 5 to 11 have received at least one dose.

COVID-19 cases

As of February 9, 2022, the following case counts have been reported from First Nations communities:

• 78 156 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases, of which 9 428  are the Omicron variant
• 4 125 active cases
• 2 691 hospitalizations
• 73 406 recovered cases
• 625 deaths

For the week of February 3 to February 9, 2022, average daily reported active case counts fell 13.2% compared to the daily average the week before.

This compares to a

• 3.8% decrease in average daily cases reported the week of January 27 to February 2 from the week prior
• 0.8% increase in average daily cases reported the week of January 20 to 26 from the week prior

Case count information is updated and published daily Monday through Friday and can be found at Canada.ca/indigenous-covid-cases.

Community responses to COVID-19 and Government of Canada support

Below are just a few examples of the Government of Canada’s and Indigenous communities’ efforts to support COVID-19 emergency preparedness and recovery.

Requests for Federal Assistance (RFA) approvals and extensions

• Operation REMOTE IMMUNITY 3.0 RFA was approved on November 10, 2021. Canadian Rangers will continue supporting provincial vaccination programs in remote Indigenous communities in Ontario until at least tomorrow, February 11, 2022.
• Attawapiskat First Nation (ON) extension to the current RFA was approved on January 28, 2022. Canadian Rangers will continue providing COVID-19 mitigation support in the community until at least February 11, 2022.
• Weenusk First Nation (ON) RFA was approved on January 30, 2022. Canadian Rangers are providing COVID-19 mitigation support in the community until at least February 12, 2022.
• Kashechewan First Nation (ON) RFA was approved on February 1, 2022. Canadian Rangers are providing COVID-19 mitigation support in the community until at least February 15, 2022.
• Mishkeegogamang First Nation (ON) RFA was approved on February 9, 2022. Canadian Rangers will provide COVID-19 mitigation support in the community from February 11 until at least February 24, 2022.
• Eabametoong First Nation (ON) RFA was approved on February 10, 2022. Canadian Rangers will provide COVID-19 mitigation support in the community from February 10 until at least February 23, 2022.

FNHA VaxChamp campaign

The First Nations Health Authority in B.C. is currently running a Junior VaxChamp campaign to promote vaccination among children aged 5 to 11. The entries showcase young people getting their shots and reasons for getting vaccinated. Visit the FNHA’s website to learn more.

Funding supports in the Northwest Territories

Through the Indigenous Community Support Fund, recent efforts have included

• $1.5M to the Dene Nation of Northwest Territories to support an On-The-Land Wellness Camp for the under-housed population in Yellowknife and to support food security, including providing country foods, at Government of Northwest Territories COVID isolation hubs.
• $80K to Inuvialuit Regional Corporation to address household needs in Tuktoyaktuk.
• $230K to Yellowknife’s Dene First Nation for food security, PPE for non-medical staff, and cultural supports.
• $1.3M to Northwest Territories Métis Nation to support housing needs for Métis in Yellowknife.

Yukon PPE and rapid tests

In January, ISC fulfilled a request submitted by the Council of Yukon First Nations for personal protective equipment, which is being distributed to First Nations in Yukon. The Government of Canada is also sending an additional 50,000 rapid antigen tests to the Council of Yukon First Nations.

Community engagement Sandy Lake First Nation

Sandy Lake First Nation is a great example of the many First Nations in Ontario that are actively engaging with their community members through social and traditional media to encourage vaccination, the following of public health measures, and overall community safety. The First Nation’s communications team has developed a video that shows how to use a rapid antigen test featuring trusted community members, responds to community members’ questions on Facebook, and hosts COVID-19 updates by Chief Delores Kakegamic on their local radio station.

Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation accommodation supports

The Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation in Manitoba recently purchased and installed a mobile unit that will provide temporary accommodation to four health care professionals, including on-site nurses, who assist the community in its pandemic response. Additionally, the First Nation has arranged for an insulated storage container that will hold all of its medical supplies and equipment in a protected environment. The Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation also has a three-month hotel contract that will serve as Alternative Isolation Accommodations on an as-needed basis to ensure there is appropriate space and support available for community members who need access to a safe place to isolate and help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Pheasant Rump Nakota safe isolation mobile units

Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation in Saskatchewan has received and installed two mobile units to provide safe isolation spaces for community members to assist the community in managing the rise of COVID-19 cases.

Supports currently available to First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities

Across the country, ISC Regional Offices and Regional Medical Officers of Health remain available to assist First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and organizations should they require immediate assistance with an outbreak or supports such as temporary infrastructure, rapid testing or PPE.

Indigenous communities and organizations can also continue to request needs-based funding from the Indigenous Community Support Fund. This fund provides Indigenous leadership and organizations with the flexibility needed to design and implement community-based solutions to prevent, prepare for and respond to the spread of COVID-19 within their communities.

These funds can be used for measures including, but not limited to

• support for Elders and vulnerable community members
• measures to address food insecurity, such as support for the purchase, transportation and distribution of food; and traditional foods such as hunting and fishing
• educational and other support for children
• mental health assistance and emergency response services
• preparedness measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19

ISC continues to work with Indigenous communities to collaborate, share information and co-develop Indigenous-led, distinctions-based communications and health response approaches with Indigenous partners, listening to their advice and guidance.

Ottawa, Ontario — Please be advised that the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services; Dr. Tom Wong, Chief Medical Officer of Public Health; and Patrick Boucher, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, will hold a news conference to provide an update on COVID-19 in Indigenous communities.

The news conference will be virtual only.

Please note: Participation in the question and answer period of this event is for accredited members of the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery only.

Media who are not members of the press gallery may contact pressres2@parl.gc.ca to request temporary access.

A teleconference line is also available to media who wish to listen to the event:

Dial-in numbers (listen-only):
Local: 613-960-7527
Toll-free: 1-888-265-0903
Pass code: 5625700#

Date:  February 10, 2022

Time: 1:15 p.m. (ET)

February 7, 2022 — Ottawa —Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Following a thorough and rigorous assessment, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) concluded in its Environmental Assessment Report that the Énergie Saguenay Project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects related to an increase in the pollutant greenhouse gas emissions, marine mammals, including the St. Lawrence beluga whale, and the cultural heritage of the Innu First Nations.

In light of these findings and pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012), the project was referred to the Governor in Council to determine whether these significant adverse environmental effects were justified in the circumstances. After careful deliberation and review of available and relevant information, the Governor in Council determined the potential significant adverse effects of the project are not justified in the circumstances.

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change issued a Decision Statement to this effect under CEAA 2012.

The Government of Canada’s decision on the project means the required federal authorizations cannot be granted. GNL Québec Inc. cannot proceed with the project without authorizations from the federal government.

This decision does not prevent GNL Québec Inc. from submitting new project proposals and does not preclude potential development. The Government of Canada will continue to support the natural resources sector across the country to stimulate growth and create jobs in a sustainable way.

The Government of Canada would like to thank all participants for their invaluable comments received throughout the environmental assessment process, as well as the various experts for their robust scientific advice. This information allowed the Agency to complete a rigorous Environmental Assessment Report and the Governor in Council to make an informed decision.