Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to give my position on uranium mining in any area of the Beverly Qamanirjuaq caribou range. At the time of the federal environmental assessment review hearings which took place in the Northwest Territories for the Kiggavik mine, I had not really taken a position. As the local economic development officer,
I stood before the panel and indicated that the opening of the mine would create employment in the Keewatin region.
Mr. Speaker, at that time it was my mandate to assist in the creation of employment. That mandate is still part of my responsibilities today. However, I have to take into consideration all the surrounding elements of such proposals. One of the ongoing concerns is the effect that such mines will have on the wildlife which our people have depended upon for thousands of years. Especially in the area around Baker Lake, there is essentially one type of animal which the people are able to subsist on. That, as everyone should know well by now, is the caribou. There are other wildlife which the people hunted traditionally such as the musk-oxen, however they are an endangered species in the area where I live. Mr. Speaker, I would very much like to support something which will create employment, but a uranium mine has too many unanswered questions which even the people in the industry are not able to answer. I, therefore, have to oppose any move to open uranium mines.
I have over the years become one of those people who is a weekend hunter and thoroughly enjoy traditional foods. I would like to pass on these trades to my children and with the prospects of uranium mines opening in the area where the caribou roam, I do not know whether my children will be able to hunt and eat the same kinds of foods that I am able to enjoy.
I would like to show my appreciation to the people in the community of Baker Lake who fought to hard to preserve our traditional way of life. They were the same people who made presentations at the FEARO hearings against the Kiggavik mine. I believe they did the right thing. I hope they will continue to work together to oppose any opening of uranium mines in the Beverly Qamanirjuaq caribou range. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.