The Nunatsiavut Government remains steadfast in protecting Labrador Inuit way of life following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Thursday between the governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec on a new Churchill Falls hydro development agreement.

While this potential agreement could bring up to $200 billion in badly-needed revenue for the province, Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe emphasized that safeguarding Labrador Inuit from the downstream impacts of hydro developments and addressing energy security for Inuit communities must be priorities.

“Just like with the Muskrat Falls project, we worry about the downstream health and environmental effects future hydro developments will have on our way of life. The risk of increased methylmercury contamination is serious and could harm our traditional food sources and the health of our people. We know methylmercury concentrations are biomagnifying and bioaccumulating through the ecosystem from the Muskrat Falls development. This must be accounted for in any considerations of future hydro developments.”

The President added that the Nunatsiavut Government will hold Premier Andrew Furey to his commitment to work collaboratively in ensuring Inuit rights and way of life are protected.

“We will make sure Premier Furey keeps his word and involves us in discussions about these important issues,” said the President, adding that it is crucial to avoid repeating past mistakes, especially regarding how land is prepared for flooding. “We expect the lessons from the Muskrat Falls project will help guide future hydro developments on the Churchill River.”

The Nunatsiavut Government is also concerned that future proposed hydro projects do not plan for more power for Labrador Inuit communities.

“These new developments will not provide energy to any or our communities, and yet we face energy insecurity to the point that the Nunatsiavut Government is unable to build housing or other critical infrastructure because Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is not meeting our energy needs. We rely on high-cost diesel generation to power our communities. We deserve a cleaner and more stable power source to support future growth and development.”

The President noted that the Nunatsiavut Government fully expects the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, to only engage with legitimate section 35 rights holders when it comes to any future hydro developments on the Churchill River.

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Bert Pomeroy
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