Nunatukavut Seeks Action on Muskrat Falls North Spur Concerns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NUNATUKAVUT SEEKS ACTION ON MUSKRAT FALLS NORTH SPUR CONCERNS

NOVEMBER 16, 2016 – HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, NL – The NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) made a formal request to Premier Ball last week, asking that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and/or Nalcor host a public symposium on the North Spur stabilization project.

The physical integrity of the North Spur continues to be a very serious concern raised by people living in the Lake Melville area and many fear the potential consequences of flooding once full impoundment of the Muskrat Falls reservoir takes place. NCC has requested that the symposium include the following:

• An overview of the North Spur stabilization project;
• Presentation by experts on key issues relating to the project; and
• Opportunity for residents to ask questions and express their concerns.

NCC firmly believes that the Province must take the steps necessary to continue to build trust with the southern Inuit and the people of Labrador. President Russell will meet with provincial representatives on November 17 to further address this issue. The Nunatsiavut Government has also expressed its support for a symposium.

Quick Facts

• NCC is the representative governing body for approximately 6,000 Inuit of south and central Labrador, collectively known as the southern Inuit of NunatuKavut.
• Muskrat Falls and associated projects are an infringement on the Indigenous rights of the southern Inuit of Labrador as it is being constructed on traditional lands and is running through the heart of NunatuKavut.

Quotes

“While we made significant progress on the issue of methylmercury in the October 25th meeting with the province and my fellow Indigenous leaders, there are other very serious concerns around this project. We are hearing incredible angst from people about the stability of the North Spur and we would like an opportunity to review the science and engineering. This issue once again demonstrates that Muskrat Falls should never have proceeded without meaningful consultation and recognition of Indigenous rights. It is extremely unfortunate that we continue to deal with these issues while the project is well underway. I hope that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will see this as an opportunity to build positive relationships with southern Inuit and all Labradorians.”

• Todd Russell, President of NCC

Associated Links

• For further information on NCC, please visit nunatukavut.ca. Please also join in the conversation at Facebook.com/nunatukavut and Twitter @nunatukavut.

Contact

Kelly Broomfield, Director of Communications, NCC, 709-280-5965