Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 20/99) - The public was excluded from a discussion, held Monday, of the Diavik environmental review between the city and a representative of DIAND.

On the agenda of the priorities, policies and budget committee meeting, the discussion was listed among the items to be discussed in public. But that was changed at the start of the meeting.

"It was at DIAND's request," noted Coun. Peggy Near, who seconded the motion to hold the discussion, along with a discussion of two other legal matters, in private.

"In retrospect, there was no reason for that part of it (the presentation from DIAND) to be in camera," said Near.

"There were questions from councillors that came out of it that I wouldn't have wanted answered in public."

Of her support of the motion, made by Coun. Cheryl Best, to hear the presentation in private, Near said, "I was wrong. I'll admit it when I'm wrong."

If she was wrong, Near was not alone. No councillors questioned why the public review process needed to be discussed in private or opposed the motion to go in camera. Coun. Kevin O'Reilly, who declared a conflict of interest, did not take part in the discussion. Also absent from the meeting were Councillors Blake Lyons and Bob Brooks.

Even DIAND representative David Livingstone, after the meeting, said it should have been held in public.

"In hindsight it probably wasn't, it almost certainly wasn't, necessary (to hold the discussion behind closed doors)," said the NWT region director of renewable resources and the environment.

Livingstone said the reason for requesting the matter be discussed in private was to allow for less inhibited discussion.

He said the discussion dealt with a variety of issues, including the time line for the review, the involvement of aboriginal organizations, a critical letter from the Kitikmeot Inuit Association and the withdrawal from the process by two environmental organizations.

Measured support

During the public portion of the same meeting a request from Diavik for a council resolution supporting the project was also discussed.

The request came at a time when aboriginal groups are asking that the process be slowed down. Diavik is pressing to have the project approved by or before early July, as planned under the current schedule for the review. That would allow the company to use the winter road next year to transport material for construction of the mine.

But the resolution that will appear before council Monday will be something short of unqualified support.

At the request of the mayor, it is being drafted by Coun. Ben McDonald.

"I would only be prepared to give it conditional support at this time," McDonald said.