ID: 2220
Presenting Author: Ryan Froess
Session: 550 - (Re)building trust and transparency to navigate complex energy transitions
Status: pending
This presentation will share lessons learned on building relationships with Indigenous Nations/communities during the environmental assessment and licensing for uranium mines in northern Saskatchewan.
There are several operating and three newly proposed uranium mines/mills within northern Saskatchewan, within the traditional and treaty territory of several Indigenous Nations and communities. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is Canada’s lifecycle nuclear regulator, with a mandate to regulate the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment. Ensuring Indigenous Nations and communities are consulted and engaged in EA and licensing processes for nuclear projects is of paramount importance and a legal obligation on the Government of Canada. Over the last decade there has been a concerted effort to improve the relationship between the CNSC, uranium mining companies, and Indigenous Nations and communities in northern Saskatchewan. This has resulted in significant progress towards building trust through community tours, open communication, information sharing, consultation, and collaboration in environmental monitoring. This presentation will focus on the key elements, steps, and processes that the CNSC has participated in to build trust and collaborative relationships with potentially impacted Indigenous Nations and communities through the environmental assessment and regulatory process for proposed uranium mines in northern Saskatchewan.
The talk will provide an overview of the foundations that have gone into building trust, including in-person engagement, regular work with community leadership, members, and land technicians, involving Indigenous Nations in the technical and regulatory reviews and environmental monitoring
Ryan is an Environmental Review Officer at the CNSC with 20 years of experience working with stakeholders, proponents, and Indigenous Nations/communities in the nuclear sector.
Coauthor 1: Adam Levine