Extractive Industry and the Sustainability of Canada's Arctic Communities

Northern communities have gained some control over extractive industries through modern treaties, self-government, environmental assessment rules, co-management bodies, and increased recognition of Indigenous rights. However, the question remains whether these industries can increase the well-being and sustainability of Canada's Arctic communities. The book "Extractive Industry and the Sustainability of Canadas Arctic Communities" explores how northern communities can capture and distribute a fairer share of financial benefits, use extractive activities for business development, address employment and training opportunities, and monitor impacts. It highlights the need for adapted institutions and processes to allow for authentic participation from Indigenous Peoples.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

Modern treaties, increased self-government, new environmental assessment rules, co-management bodies, and increased recognition and respect of Indigenous rights have made it possible for northern communities to exert some control over extractive industries. However, whether these industries can increase the well-being and sustainability of Canada's Arctic communities is still open to question.

Extractive Industry and the Sustainability of Canadas Arctic Communities delves into the final research findings of the Resources and Sustainable Development in the Arctic project, which attempted to determine what was required for extractive industry to benefit northern communities. Drawing on case studies, this book explores how northern communities can capture and distribute a fairer share of financial benefits, how they can use extractive activities for business development, the problems and possibilities of employment and training opportunities, and the impacts on gender relations. It also considers fly-in fly-out work patterns, subsistence activities, housing, post-mine clean-up activities, waste management, and ways of monitoring positive and negative impacts. While extractive industries could potentially help improve the sustainability of Canada's Arctic, many issues stand in the way, most notably power imbalances that limit the ability of Indigenous Peoples to equitably participate in their governance.

Extractive Industry and the Sustainability of Canadas Arctic Communities emphasizes the general need to determine how new institutions and processes, which are largely imported from the south, can be adapted to allow for a more authentic participation from the Indigenous Peoples of Canada's Arctic.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228011552