080121-08MN006-Sabina Hackett River Project Proposal ... - NIRB

Identification of Potential Cumulative Environmental EffectsEconomicEmployment, business and income opportunities for residents of the Kitikmeot region, as well asother areas of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, are potentially significant cumulativeeffects. Given current levels of unemployment and income, economic opportunity anddiversification may result in benefits for those directly engaged in the projects as well as broadercommunity members and regions through spin-off effects and induced development. Thecombination of outcomes such as incomes, benefits, training and tax revenues may bring aboutpositive effects such as improved quality of life, access to goods and services, increasedpurchasing power, improved individual and community well-being, declining unemployment andregional economic development. The development of business opportunities to support theprojects will further enhance and diversify local and regional development and the sustainabilityof the economy.However, if all projects proceed there will be a shortage of local workers to take upopportunities. As a result, companies may have difficulty meeting northern worker quotas andthe numbers of non- Nunavummiut and non-Inuit workers would increase. This in turn mayresult in competition between companies for workers, the inability of less high paying sectors tocompete for local workers, the leakage of benefits away from local communities and changingdemographics as more non- Nunavummiut are attracted to the area.In addition, if sustainable and diversified development has not been planned for then job andbusiness losses upon closures could be substantial. This would potentially result in increasingunemployment and associated trends.SocialCurrent levels of social capital and issues are likely to be affected by the cumulated pressures ofmultiple projects. Cumulative impacts might include improved social status, health and qualityof life due to economic improvements, as well as compounded social issues as spending habitsand behaviours change. For example, social issues like drug and alcohol use may grow withproject developments due to increasing disposable incomes and access. In turn, this can furthermagnify associated issues such as violence, STIs/STDs, pregnancies, physical and mental healthissues, and criminal offenses.An increase in such social issues could lead to pressures on social capital and coping strategiesand so create a growing demand for more and new social and health services. Social capital willalso be affected as increasing numbers of households are engaged in shift work. As moreprojects develop and more community members are employed there, family stress and changingfamily, cultural and gender roles may also increase.However, with an increased number of IIBAs and mitigation measures provided by projects, theprovision for communities and individuals to deal with social issues may improve.CultureThe pursuit of traditional economic and cultural activities may decline as increasing numbers ofNunavummiut are engaged in waged employment and shift work with resource developments.January 2008 Hackett River Project – Project Proposal Sabina Silver CorporationReport Version B.1 8–4 Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #833-2)