Chretien asked to take lead role
Giant Mine union demands for DIAND to address arsenic cleanup

Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Apr 30/99) - Canadian Auto Worker (CAW) National President, Basil "Buzz" Hargrove, has demanded Jean Chretien take a lead role in handling the Giant Mine crisis.

"Your minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, Jane Stewart, has allowed the mine to continue to operate according to regulations that allows the storage of arsenic but your government, up to this point, refuses to accept the responsibility for the cleanup of the arsenic," Hargrove said in a letter sent to the Prime Minister.

"With the environmental liability of the mine up in the air -- the job security of the miners and the state of the community is at serious risk. Your government must take responsibility for the environmental liability (more than $250 million) which would then make the mine a viable operation for a future owner."

Northern Territories Federation of Labour vice-president, Wayne Campbell, sent a list of questions for the federal government and "in particular Jane Stewart," to answer.

"Why did the NWT Water Board continually renew the license to Royal Oak with a minimal security bond for environmental clean up, knowing full well what the potential for arsenic contamination at this mine site involved?"

"Does this minister really expect a potential buyer to come forth with such a huge liability in place without written commitment from the federal government to accept responsibility for clean up?"

"How much revenue was generated to the federal, territorial and municipal government through the more than 50 years Giant has been in operation? Is this minister stalling on this issue due to the remoteness of the problem with respect to geographical location?"

CAW local 2304 president, Marc Danis, said they are all in a holding pattern, waiting for answers.

"I think MP Ethel Blondin should be speaking more on our behalf instead of towing the Liberal party line. She should be representing us, her constituents, first," Danis said.

"Right now, we just have to wait and see (what happens). Until we get more information, we're going to continue to pressure Jane Stewart to respond to our concerns."