For Immediate Release
Fort Chipewyan, AB – December 17, 2024 – The Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation (FCMN) is calling on the federal government to address contamination and infrastructure issues at the Transport Canada dock. This dock serves as a vital lifeline for the community, supporting essential activities such as transportation, harvesting, and emergency evacuations. Environmental assessments have confirmed contamination from hydrocarbons and metals, raising significant concerns about public safety and environmental health.
Background
The Transport Canada dock has long been a cornerstone of community life in Fort Chipewyan, providing access to land and water integral to the Nation’s traditional practices. However, contamination from petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and metals threatens the safety of this critical infrastructure.
Ongoing Efforts
The Lands and Regulatory Department (LRD) team has taken significant steps to address this issue, including:
• Working with Transport Canada to conduct in-depth reviews of the previous environmental assessments completed by Transport Canada
• Collaborating with experts to assess the risks to health, safety, and the environment.
• Advocating at local and federal levels for immediate action and resources.
President Kendrick Cardinal was in Ottawa, meeting with federal officials and Transport Canada representatives to ensure the Nation’s concerns are addressed
with urgency and transparency.
For a detailed view of the discussions, watch the full video of the Trans Canada:
Meeting #141: Meeting No. 141 TRAN – Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Date: Tuesday, Dec 3, 2024
Time: 16:11 – 18:17
Key Demands
The Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation is seeking:
• Immediate Remediation: Contain and clean up contamination to eliminate risks to health and safety.
• Temporary Dock Access: Construct a safe, temporary dock during remediation to support ongoing community needs.
• Long-Term Sustainability: Fund repairs and upgrades to ensure the dock is safe and functional for years to come.
• Review of previous environmental assessments, and working on a new environmental assessment
Recent Developments
FCMN leadership presented these concerns before the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure, and Communities, emphasizing the urgent need for remediation and the dock’s importance to the Nation’s traditional way of life. Transport Canada has committed to commissioning updated environmental studies, incorporating traditional knowledge, and providing capacity funding to support the Nation’s participation in remediation planning. Fieldwork is slated to begin in spring 2025.
Looking Ahead
The Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation remains committed to holding federal agencies accountable for timely and transparent action. Until remediation efforts are complete, the Nation advises community members to avoid swimming, fishing, or harvesting in the contaminated area.
For updates and more information, please visit the FCMN’s website.