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Second-last chance to speak

Dez Loreen
Northern News Services
Thursday, November 08, 2007

Inuvik - The Joint Review Panel was back in town for the final stages of the regulatory process for a proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline that started three years ago.

The latest session started on Tuesday and wraps up today (Thursday).

NNSL photo

The conference room at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex was full again with talk of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline. The Joint Review Panel was back in town this week for its second-last session before making its recommendations to the government. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

The panel heard recommendations on its report from various organizations that are tied to the project.

Chair Robert Hornal started the meeting off in the usual fashion, explaining the format and welcoming the participants to the hearing.

The first presentation was made by Alternatives North, a group concerned with the social effects of the project on the North.

"We focused our research on areas not likely covered by the governments or the intervenors," said Kevin O'Reilly, one of the group's representatives.

Those areas of interest included economic rent and sustainability of the project.

O'Reilly said the group did not endorse the project at this time, in this state.

"We don't think it's in the public's best interest to proceed with the project as it is currently proposed," said O'Reilly.

He added that the group had recommendations in case the panel decides to proceed anyway.

"We want the public interest to be the main priority of the project," he said.

Contributing to the development of Northern capacity was also a recommendation made by Alternatives North.

O'Reilly said the social and cultural impacts of the pipeline should be looked at as well.

"We think the federal and territorial governments should share the costs of the increased health, social services and addictions workers that will be needed," said O'Reilly.

After it was announced that the federal government rejected the list of recommendations made by the group, O'Reilly told the panel that it had to make its own decision.

"Even though the government has rejected our recommendations, the JRP still has a duty to make whatever recommendations it sees fit," he said.

The panel heard from other concerned groups and their input was noted.

The panel will be back in Inuvik later this month for its final session, before compiling its report.