News Release

Federal Environment Minister Determines Next Steps in Waskaganish Permanent Road Project

OTTAWA, July 6, 1999 - The community of Waskaganish has moved a step closer to having a new, permanent road to connect with other road networks. Today, the Honourable Christine S. Stewart, Minister of the Environment, has determined that the proposed permanent road to connect the community of Waskaganish to the existing Matagami-LG2 road and to the overall Quebec road network is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

The Waskaganish Band Council proposed the permanent road, in order to link their community with the existing regional and provincial road networks. The Minister has, therefore, referred the project back to the responsible authorities (Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada) for appropriate action.

Minister Stewart made her determination based on the following considerations:

• the comprehensive study report;
• comments received during public consultation on the report and the responsible authorities' response to those comments; and
• implementation of the mitigation measures and a follow-up program described in the report.

"I would like to thank all of those interested individuals and groups who expressed their views and concerns about the project," said Minister Stewart. "After a thorough and inclusive process, I have determined that further environmental assessment is not required and that the community of Waskaganish can move forward in their plans to build a permanent road that links them to other roadways in Quebec,"

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as the responsible authorities for the project, ensured that a comprehensive study report of the project was prepared, as required under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency then conducted public consultations on the report in late June 1999.

Public meetings in the community of Waskaganish, on June 18 and 19, provided an opportunity for the community to offer their views on the results of the environmental assessment. Approximately 100 persons were briefed about the project and provided comments. These views  were provided to the Minister for her consideration in making her determination on next steps.

An environmental assessment is a planning tool used to identify possible adverse effects of development projects on the environment - the air, water, land and living organisms, including human populations. By eliminating or reducing these effects, project proponents can avoid expensive, and sometimes controversial corrective action once the project has been completed.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is a federal department reporting to the Minister of the Environment. Its mandate is to provide Canadians with high quality federal environmental assessments that contribute to informed decision making in support of sustainable development.

For more information, please contact:

Gordon Harris
Sr. Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
(819) 953-1856