Liberals give Clyde River hope
Hamlet seeks leave to appeal to Supreme Court over seismic testing
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, October 26, 2015
KANGIQTUGAAPIK/CLYDE RIVER
The Hamlet of Clyde River won't quit its fight against seismic testing and the mayor hopes the new federal Liberal government bodes well for his campaign.
Clyde River Mayor Jerry Natanine speaks to media on April 20 in Toronto. He is hoping the new Liberal government bodes well for his hamlet's case against seismic testing. - photo courtesy of Jessica Wilson/Greenpeace |
"That's what I'm really hoping for," said Clyde River Mayor Jerry Natanine about the new government's potential impact on Clyde River's seismic testing appeal.
"I'm really hoping that our new government, when they take office, hopefully things will change for the better."
Last week, the hamlet filed an application seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, challenging the approval of a seismic testing project in Arctic waters.
The Federal Court of Appeal had recently dismissed Clyde River's attempt for a judiciary review of the National Energy Board's approval of industry plans to perform seismic testing off the hamlet's coast.
Last summer, the energy board approved plans for seismic testing over a five-year period by a group of three companies in the Davis Strait. The testing would use high-intensity sounds to map the seafloor.
Justice Eleanor Dawson, in the Federal Court of Appeal ruling, stated she is satisfied with the energy board's consultation with Inuit communities and organizations, noting that consultation does not equal veto power.
But thanks to Greenpeace and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Clyde River is taking the fight one level higher with the Supreme Court.
Natanine said it will take three to five months until he knows if the Supreme Court will hear the case.
"The Hamlet of Clyde River has absolutely no money for these kind of activities," said Natanine, adding that the recent filing cost $30,000, paid for by Greenpeace and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.
"If it wasn't for the help we're getting from Greenpeace and QIA, we'd have never been able to accomplish this."
Nader Hasan, Clyde River's legal counsel, called the case one of national importance.
"If the decision of the Federal Court of Appeal is allowed to stand, it will set a new low-watermark for the Crown's duty to consult First Nations on extraction projects," he stated in a news release. "The constitutional rights of aboriginal and Inuit peoples will be rendered meaningless."
Natanine said seismic testing could affect food security in Clyde River.
"Our fear is that because of all the blasting that would happen, it might change the migration routes of the whales and seals, and we're fearful that they might relocate to another area somewhere in the Arctic," said Natanine.
For now, he will be anxiously awaiting word from the Supreme Court, hoping a Liberal majority swings momentum in the hamlet's favour.
