Canada: a precedent for silencing Aboriginal critics of uranium mining

(A condition of agreement between uranium mining companies and indigenous community) – To Not make statements or say things in public or to any government, business or agency that opposes Cameco/Areva’s mining operations; Make reasonable efforts to ensure Pinehouse members do not say or do anything that interferes with or delays Cameco/Areva’s mining, or do or say anything that is not consistent with Pinehouse’s promises under the Collaboration Agreement.

1 Dec 12, This is happening in Canada. Far from the extractive industries in emerging nations but in a “developed country” and on Aboriginal land and with Indigenous people. You will recognize the names of the same players.

The public is being alerted to a plan for a “Collaboration Agreement” between uranium giants Cameco & Areva and the community of Pinehouse in Northern Saskatchewan. The parties want to sign this agreement by December 31, 2012.

Although this agreement is being presented as an opportunity for Pinehouse to receive resources for investments in Community Investment, Workforce Development, Business Development and Community Engagement and Environmental Stewardship, it represents an exchange of money from the nuclear industry to Pinehouse with a promise from the community that its members will stop speaking out against current, proposed or future uranium mining projects in the area. Critics are calling this a gag order.

A few selections from the draft agreement:
Pinehouse has a vision to be a significant and growing participant in the economy of Northern Saskatchewan.

To achieve this vision, Cameco, Areva and Pinehouse desire to build a cooperative and collaborative mutually supportive and beneficial long term relationship.

Cameco/Areva will work with the Pinehouse community and to address environmental concerns about Cameco/Areva’s mining.

Under the Collaboration Agreement, Pinehouse is expected to fully support Cameco/Areva‘s mining. (emphasis added)

The Collaboration Agreement will last as long Cameco/Areva are mining in the region.

Cameco/Areva, together, will pay Pinehouse’s legal, travel and other costs for negotiating and drafting the Collaboration Agreement.

Pinehouse will support Cameco/Areva’s Existing Operations, which are listed in Appendix “A”, in the following ways: acknowledge that Cameco/Areva have properly consulted Pinehouse for these operations; agree with operations continuing to go ahead; agree with and respect any additional government permission these projects may need in the future;

Pinehouse promises to: Generally cooperate with Cameco/Areva and generally support Cameco/Areva operations when it deals with the provincial or federal governments although Pinehouse can raise concerns to the governments about the projects;

Not make statements or say things in public or to any government, business or agency that opposes Cameco/Areva’s mining operations; Make reasonable efforts to ensure Pinehouse members do not say or do anything that interferes with or delays Cameco/Areva’s mining, or do or say anything that is not consistent with Pinehouse’s promises under the Collaboration Agreement. (emphasis added)

You can read the full draft agreement here: http://committeeforfuturegenerations.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/collaborationagreement.pdf

Radiostation CBC Bluesky did a short segment on this agreement with Gary Merasty, Director of Social Corporate Responsibility for Cameco on the November 27th program, and on the following day, in response to community input, the CBC interviewed two community members.

http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/Local+Shows/Saskatchewan/ID/2310397034/

http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/Local+Shows/Saskatchewan/ID/2310512792/

You can leave a message at: bluesky@cbc.ca

The goal seems to be to isolate the people of Pinehouse and keep their concerns out of the spotlight and away from public scrutiny.

The activities of the nuclear industry affect all citizens. Freedom of speech is protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in Canada. This draft agreement appears to clear the way for this protected right to be exchanged for money provided to the community by the nuclear industry.

The people of Pinehouse need our support. There were allegations of threats and intimidation by Pinehouse residents during the recent municipal election there, and this agreement is causing further concern in the community. One might ask how municipal leaders are to “Make reasonable efforts to ensure Pinehouse members do not say or do anything that interferes with or delays Cameco/Areva’s mining…”

https://www.facebook.com/notes/hues%C2%B3/is-the-nuclear-industry-behind-voter-intimidation-and-voting-irregularities-in-t/352366608183759

Dale Dewar, MD, FCFP

Executive Director

Physicians for Global Survival

(613) 233 1982

www.pgs.ca

http:imdoc-daledewar.blogspot.com/