Baker Lake uranium forum hears mixed views

About 150 people packed a community hall in Baker Lake, Nunavut, on Thursday to hear and share varying opinions about the prospect of a uranium mine opening near the community.

The Nunavut government organized Thursday night's public forum, as it works on developing policy on uranium development in the territory.

Many in Baker Lake, a community of over 1,700 in Nunavut's Kivalliq region, have views about Areva Resources Canada's proposal to build a uranium mine at its Kiggavik site, 85 kilometres west of the community. The company's proposal is in the regulatory process.

The debate on whether uranium mining should be allowed in Nunavut stretched into the early hours of Friday morning. So many people packed Baker Lake's community centre that extra chairs had to be put out to accommodate everyone.

Among the dozens who came up to the microphone, some expressed concerns about potential radioactive contamination from the Kiggavik site.

"Many creeks and streams are connected from the proposed area to Baker Lake, and they drain down to our very drinking water," said David Toolooktook, one of the first speakers.

Uranium can be handled safely, some argue

But others, like Arviat resident Dorothy Aglukark said they believe uranium can be handled safely.

Speaking in Inuktitut, Aglukark said having another mine in the Kivalliq region can boost education levels among local youth.

A panel of officials from government, the mining industry, citizen's groups and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission was on hand throughout the forum to respond to people's comments.

One panellist, former chief Fred Thorassiee of the Black Lake Dene band in Saskatchewan the only province in Canada where uranium is mined said here are no serious public health risks related to uranium mining.

"I'm a uranium miner for the last 35 years, but I'm more concerned about my cholesterol level than the effects of uranium," he said.

But Timothy Tunguaq said he does not buy the industry's claims that nuclear energy and, by extension, uranium mining is safe.

"I have heard that nuclear power is the cleanest source of power. If it's so clean, why are the Japanese people being asked to move away from their homes?" he said, referring to the severely damaged Fukushima Daiichi power plant in northeastern Japan.

An Areva representative asked people at the forum to wait until the company finishes its environmental impact statement on the Kiggavik proposal, as the document should answer any outstanding questions from the community.

The Nunavut government will next travel to Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, on April 12-13 for the last set of public hearings.

Nunavummiut can also submit their comments by email, fax, phone and postal mail before May 15. The territorial government has set up an online feedback form with which people can send their comments.