Good afternoon.
Mr. Chair, Today I’m joined by Deputy Minister, Arun Thangaraj , and Stephanie Hebert, Assistant Deputy Minister of Programs.
I am here today to speak to you about Transport Canada’s port facility located in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta.
I want to begin by acknowledging the concerns raised by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, the Mikisew Cree First Nation, and the Fort Chipewyan Métis First Nation, in a letter dated August 23, 2024.
Shortly after I was named Minister of Transport, I was made aware of their concerns about Transport Canada’s port facility.
I made it an immediate priority to meet with representatives of
the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, the Mikisew Cree First Nation, and the Fort Chipewyan Métis First Nation regarding their concerns about contamination.
Acknowledge what happened
First, I want to be clear, (although there remain to be no immediate health or environmental concerns associated with the water at the port facility,) the lack of transparency and communication with the First Nations in Fort Chipewyan who use the dock is unacceptable. I understand and regret the concern that this caused.
Transport Canada is now working with the First Nations regarding more appropriate protocols for information sharing, starting now.
And Transport Canada has shared all the historic reports with the First Nations, as well.
I want to assure this committee, that across our country, the health and safety of Canadians is our top priority. Transport Canada is committed to managing all sites responsibly.
And at Fort Chipewyan we are getting started by working collaboratively with the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation and Fort Chipewyan Metis Nation on next steps to further understand and address the contamination at the facility.
Short-term
Right now, the site’s environmental assessments (Uplands and Waterlot) are being updated by environmental management professionals. Transport Canada will assume the full cost of updating these assessments.
This work will be completed with the First Nations and will take into account their use of the site, as they define it.
These assessments will inform Transport Canada’s next steps in determining how to safely manage or remediate the site.
Transport Canada officials are also planning to visit the site, with the permission of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation and Fort Chipewyan Metis Nation, and on their schedule.
This is an important step in building a better working relationship between Transport Canada and the First Nations as this process moves forward.
Long-term
We look forward to engaging meaningfully with the First Nations and working collaboratively with them from here on out.
No work will be done at the site without the full knowledge and consent of the First Nations.
I’ve instructed Transport Canada officials that going forward, all information and assessments will be shared on a proactive basis.
This is what I committed to the First Nations when I met with them, and I take this extremely seriously. This Government is committed to reconciliation: There is no relationship more important to our Government – and to Canada – than the one with First Nations, the Métis Nation, and Inuit.
Rectifying this issue at Fort Chipewyan is one of my highest priorities as Minister of Transport.
I would now be happy to answer any questions the committee has.