A/HRC/45/12/Add.3
concerns. As a new update, Alberta Health is successfully launching a community health
assessment in cooperation with Fort McKay First Nation and Fort McKay Metis in June 2020.
Para 39, 2nd sentence, comments:
The Government of Alberta works regularly with the community of Fort Chipewyan on their
concerns related to the impacts of the Oil Sands including the two First Nations and a Métis
organization which represent different groups of individuals living in the community.
Following four years of discussions commencing in 2016, the First Nations and Metis
organization in Fort Chipewyan did not reach an agreement to proceed on a partnership with
the Alberta government to launch the Fort Chipewyan Community Health Action Plan. The
Government of Alberta is committed to discussions with the community parties and the
Government of Canada to collaboratively develop a health study that meets the needs of the
communities (based on the availability of funding).
The reference to Fort McMurray, Fort MacKay and Fort Chipewyan (Fort Chip) should be
clarified, whether these statements are from or about the population centres or the First
Nations. Fort McMurray, Fort MacKay and Fort Chipewyan are population centres within
the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. There is a Fort McMurray First Nation near but
not in Fort McMurray, a Fort McKay First Nation (note spelling difference) and two First
Nations located at Fort Chipewyan (Mikisew Cree and Athabasca Chipewyan).
Information on evidence to support this claim is not included. The Government of Alberta
works regularly with the community of Fort Chipewyan on their concerns related to the
impacts of the oil sands.
Para 39, 2nd sentence, suggested language:
“Fort McMurray, Fort MacKay and Fort Chipewyan (Fort Chip) paint a disturbing picture of
health impacts of the oil sands despite increasing evidence of health impacts on local
communities.”
Para 39, 3rd sentence, comments:
References could be added:
https://landuse.alberta.ca/Forms%20and%20Applications/RFR_ACFN%20Reply%20to%2
0Crown%20Submission%206%20-%20TabD11%20Report_2014-08_PUBLIC.pdf
Para 39, last sentence, comments:
The closest population is the Town of Swan Hills (approx. 12 kilometers.) The closest
Indigenous reserve(s) are located approximately 60 km or more from the facility.
The Swan Hills Treatment Centre is a hazardous waste incinerator designed to destroy PCBs
from all areas of Canada. This Centre is for all Canadians and is the only one in the country.
However, it is not true that it only imports PCB waste. It provides a critical service to many
other waste streams that would either have to be stored or landfilled, which could lead to
escalating hazards and risks to human and environmental health.
Para 42, 1st sentence, recommended language:
“Despite suffering from greater exposure levels at some locations Indigenous peoples face
considerable challenges in accessing quality healthcare in comparison to non-Indigenous
peoples in Canada.”
Para 44, last sentence, comments:
First Nations have bylaw-making authority under federal legislation, which extends to “land
use” activities such as dumping.
Para 50, comments:
Local Indigenous communities have benefited financially through “Impact and Benefits
Agreements (IBAs)” with many of the Oil Sands companies. Those IBAs provide Indigenous
16
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