Complementary Measures, Programs, and Initiatives - CNC Crawford Project

The Town of Smooth Rock Falls appreciates the opportunity to provide input regarding complementary measures, programs, and initiatives that may be relevant to managing potential health, social, and economic impacts on Indigenous Peoples related to the Canada Nickel Crawford Project.

We recognize that large-scale projects can place increased demand on municipal and regional services, particularly in areas such as housing, health, social supports, and community safety. The following outlines the Town’s current context, initiatives, and commitments in these areas:

1. Third-Party Delivery of Core Services

Critical municipal services such as policing, ambulance, and social services in Smooth Rock Falls are delivered by CSDB rather than directly by the municipality. While these partnerships ensure service coverage, they also present capacity limitations beyond the Town’s direct control. In the event of population growth or increased external workforce demands, additional coordination and investment would be required by CSDB to ensure adequate service levels and timely responses to community needs.

2. Municipal Housing Initiatives

The Town has prioritized increasing housing availability to meet both current and future demand. Key initiatives include:

• The development of affordable senior housing to meet the needs of an aging population and free up existing housing stock.
• Planning for new residential subdivisions and promotion of available serviced land to encourage private development.

These efforts are designed to align with anticipated population growth, including workforce requirements generated by regional projects, and to support both residents and incoming labour forces.

3. Commitment to Indigenous Partnerships

The Town of Smooth Rock Falls is committed to building strong, respectful, and collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities. We are open to partnering with Indigenous organizations to introduce and support Indigenous-led programs and services within the municipality.

We recognize the importance of ensuring that services are culturally appropriate, inclusive, and responsive to the unique needs of Indigenous Peoples. This approach supports broader reconciliation efforts and enhances the well-being of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents.

4. Community Safety and Well-Being Plan

The Town has developed a Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan, which identifies local priorities and strategies for fostering a safer, healthier, and more resilient community. This includes a focus on crime prevention, mental health supports, youth and family services, and proactive social programming.

We emphasize that any future developments or industrial projects in the region should align with and, where possible, contribute to the goals of the CSWB Plan, ensuring that growth does not compromise safety or social well-being but instead strengthens the overall quality of life in the community.

The Town of Smooth Rock Falls remains committed to proactive planning, meaningful partnerships, and responsive service delivery as we prepare for the opportunities and challenges that projects of this scale may bring. We welcome continued dialogue with the Impact Assessment Agency, Indigenous communities, and project proponents to ensure that complementary measures are in place and that community well-being remains a shared priority.