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 There has been extensive ongoing consultation with the provincial and federal government regulators about the Wuskwatim project.
The consultation is part of the duty to consult, as required by Section 35 of the Constitution.
The purpose of this consultation is to consider how Aboriginal rights and treaties might be affected before the governments consider issuing licenses and permits for the Wuskwatim projects.
Representatives of Manitoba Water Stewardship, Manitoba Conservation, Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have gathered information and considered community concerns with respect to effects on Treaty and Aboriginal rights.
Their work included consultation with NCN Members and other Aboriginal people in the region potentially affected by the Wuskwatim projects.
Manitoba Hydro and NCN, along with a jointly selected Environmental Management Team prepared a comprehensive environmental assessment report on the project, for the federal and provincial regulators and the Clean Environment Commission, or CEC.
Clean Environment Commission (CEC)
 The CEC is an arms length provincial agency established under the authority of the Environment Act of Manitoba.
At the request of the federal and provincial regulators, the CEC held public hearings in 2004 on the Wuskwatim project in Winnipeg, Thompson and The Pas.
The hearings were well attended by NCN Members, other Aboriginal people, municipal governments, environmental groups, businesses and other organizations. In all, there were 32 days of hearings, over four months, from March 1 to June 9, 2004.
The purpose of the CEC Hearing:
- First was to examine the justification, “need for and alternatives to” the Wuskwatim Generating Station and Transmission Projects.
- The second was to examine the potential environmental, socio-economic and cultural effects of the construction and operation of the projects.
- The CEC also explored the extent and nature of the consultation that was involved in the project.
The CEC issued its report in October 2004, recommending the project go ahead. We were pleased with the outcome.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessments
 Comprehensive environmental and social impact assessments have been made and the results have been incorporated into the design of the Wuskwatim project to ensure there will be only a minimal impact on our environment and our way of life.
As a result of the intensive consultation process, these assessments have been made using both western science and the Traditional Knowledge of our Elders and resource users – which is a first.
These studies include the effects on water, land, air, plants, animals and on our people.
Everything we have done and are doing has been motivated by what our people have told us and the needs of our children and our children’s children. We have developed our proposal with the greatest respect for our people and our environment.
Comprehensive Study Report
Fisheries and Ocean Canada (F&O) has completed a comprehensive study of the Wuskwatim Generation Project and submitted its report to the Minister of the Environment and to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. The study was done as part of a cooperative environmental assessment with the Government of Manitoba. It concludes the project "is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects."
More – Use of Traditional Knowledge
Bird's Eye View of Artist's Rendering of Wuskwatim Generating Station
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