Engagement
Fission’s commitment to meaningful engagement:
Fission believes that for engagement to be meaningful, inclusive, and accessible engagement plans should be developed in collaboration with leadership from rights-holders and key stakeholder groups. Fission is in the process of reaching out to, and working with community leaders to identify and design opportunities for engagement.
Our Goal
To meet regularly with rights-holders and stakeholders to keep them informed on the Project including any licensing/permitting plans, timelines, and decisions and how those may potentially impact people and groups in the region.
Our Promise
To engage openly, honestly, and respectfully with all rights-holders and stakeholders, and give careful thought to cultural traditions and practices.
Our Commitment
To listen to all issues, concerns, and feedback shared, and incorporate what we heard into the Project planning phases and design of the project where possible.
Engagement Opportunities to Inform
environmental Impact Assessment
An Environmental Assessment is a process used by the Government of Saskatchewan to understand and evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a project before any irreversible decisions are made that may lead to negative effects on the environment, natural resources or public health and safety. The Environmental Assessment Act requires proponents of a development to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment and to submit the methodology and results of this assessment in a document called an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The EIS document is submitted to the Minister of Environment for review and approval for the development to proceed to construction subject to securing all other required permits, approvals and licenses.
Input from rights-holders and stakeholders is an important component of the EIA process and proponents must demonstrate how the information and feedback received was used to inform development of the EIS.
Fission has identified the following opportunities for rights-holder and stakeholder input to inform the EIA process. These opportunities are described in terms of engagement objectives, intended outcomes, and how your input will be used to inform the EIA process. Selection and planning of engagement activities will be conducted in consultation with community leaders and key stakeholder groups.
Engagement Status and Timeline
| Anticipated Timeline | Early 2022 | 2022-2023 | Late 2023 | Late 2023– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engagement Objective | Refine Valued Components (a valued component is any environmental attribute with legal, scientific, cultural, economic, or aesthetic value) | Identify Potential Effects (effects may include potential positive and negative changes to the existing biological, physical, and socio-economic environment) | Confirm Mitigation Measures (Mitigation measures are actions taken to avoid or minimize negative effects) | Share Results |
| Intended Outcome | Your input will help to identify what aspects of the environment are considered important, interconnected, or sensitive to disturbances so these valued components can be assessed in detail, engaged on further where applicable, and highlighted in future reporting back to stakeholders and rights-holders on associated effects and mitigations. | Your input will help to identify concerns, aspirations, and potential impacts (both negative and positive) on valued components that may result from Project activities. | Your input will help to assess levels of acceptance of the proposed mitigation measures. And determine the level of concern regarding effects that cannot be mitigated. | N/A |
| How Your Input Will Be Used | Input from rights-holder leadership will be used to refine the list of environmental components that are valued by communities. | Input from rights-holders and stakeholders will be used to identify and explore potential project impacts using Indigenous knowledge and western science. | Input from rights-holder leadership and key stakeholders on the effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures will be used to help refine those measures. | A summary of the effects identified and mitigation measures selected will be shared with rights-holders and stakeholders. |
Stay
Informed
Are you an individual or group with interest in learning more about the project and providing feedback regarding potential impacts? Please sign up for our mailing list to receive our quarterly updates. The updates will include project news, information, and a list of upcoming engagement opportunities.
Do you have questions about upcoming engagement opportunities? Please email us at community@fissionuranium.com
Community Support
Fission has long standing ties with the local communities and maintains a highly proactive stance regarding responsible development, including community support, as well as engagement of rights holders and stakeholders. This includes First Nations and Metis, Tribal councils, local communities, municipalities, governments, and regulatory agencies.
As Fission’s PLS project continues to develop and grow, so too are we growing our relationships, and we will continue doing so throughout the life of the project. This includes economic, environmental and social related involvement.
Economic Ties and Opportunities
Fission is committed to working with communities and supporting local northern business in the region to maximize the training, employment, and economic opportunities for the local people. In doing so, we will continue to build mutually respectful, beneficial, and long lasting economic relationships with stakeholders/rights holders in the region.
We will also continue to utilize and, where possible, encourage sub-contractors to maximize local northern business to supply the goods and services, for the PLS project and related activities in the region.
Already, local businesses and individual members of the local community provide a range of services to Fission, including camp management, catering, logistics, security, vehicle and equipment rental, technicians, and others.
Community Support Opportunities
As part of our commitment to our local communities, Fission has developed a community investment program allowing us to partner with organizations, and to support initiatives that are making a difference for local community members. If your organization is focused on helping your community, and you are seeking funding support, please visit our community support page to learn more and complete an application.
To date, Fission has provided support for a number of organizations, some of which are listed below:
Mining Matters is a charitable organization dedicated to bringing knowledge and awareness about Canada’s geology, mineral resources, and their roles in society to students, educators, and the public. The organization provides current information about rocks, minerals, metals, mining and the diverse career opportunities available in the minerals industry. The organization has previously run annual camps at The Quest, Christopher Lake, Saskatchewan, for Aboriginal youth ages 13 to 17. Fission was a proud sponsor of the camp in both 2013 and 2014.
Fission has previous donated to the La Loche Youth Community Volleyball Committee. La Loche is the largest community within the Paterson Lake South region and is home to a number of contractors employed by the company.
Fission has donated to the Ducharme Elementary School Travelling Club, La Loche in multiple years, supporting annual field trips for students.
Fission has donated to the La Loche Minor Sports Inc. in multiple years, helping to support hockey registration for hundreds of players.
Through financial donations in multiple years, Fission has supported a variety of local organizations including the La Loche Food Bank, the Healthy Moms, Babies and Families Program, the Elder fish fry/meal during Yanessa Days, Elders Christmas Hampers, and Elders Food Hampers to support community during Covid-19 lockdown.
Fission has been a sponsor of the Keewatin Community Development Association for Core Days.
Fission has provided funds to support events including:
- Northern Village of Buffalo Narrows’ Summer festival
- Métis Local 39 National Aboriginal Day celebrations
- Buffalo River Dene Nation Fishing Derby
Fission has provided financial aid and protective supplies to local community groups including Métis Local 39, CRDN, Descharme Lake residents, and North West Communities Management Company.
Most recently, Fission has commitment to contribute in-kind support and an annual cash contribution to support the ECCC “Enhancing Climate Literacy: Collective Climate Accountability and Adaptation Project (CCAAP)”. This is a community-based climate action project, led by Dënë Cheecham-Uhrich, Special Projects Coordinator for the La Loche/Clearwater community in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan and additional industry partners.
Community Status
About the Program
Fission is committed to responsible development and firmly believes in building partnerships with our local communities. As part of our commitment, we provide funding support for a variety of local organizations.
Every year, Fission receives requests from worthy organizations seeking funding. Fission carefully considers every request received. Although we acknowledge that all requests are deserving of attention, priority for funding is given to organizations that focus on:
- youth initiatives
- education and literacy
- health and wellness
- community development
- cultural programming
If your organization wishes to apply for funding from Fission, please take careful note of the following guideline before completing and submitting an application:
- You must be a registered non-profit or charity.
- Your program must benefit communities located in the Patterson Lake area.
- Fission will not consider funding requests from, or for the purposes of:
- Religious or fraternal organzations
- Political events or organizations
- Organizations that discriminate based on race, religious belief, gender, or sexual orientation.
- Personal appeals on or behalf of a single person or family
- Loans, lotteries, or cash prizes
- Assisting with operating expenses
- Lobbying groups
Applying for Funding
To apply for funding please fill out the online application. If you would like further information before completing the form, please email: community@fissionuranium.com or phone +1 250-868-8140 for assistance.
Fission will confirm receipt of your application by email. We will review the application within 30 days of receiving the application and will respond to applicants with a decision by the end of the 30-day time frame.
Applicants should submit their applications at least 30 days in advance of when funds are required. If a rush on funding is needed, please phone us on +1 250-868-8140 to ensure your funding request is considered sooner.
If you are a successful applicant, you will be asked to provide Fission with a short description and photos after using the funds in order to showcase how the funds were used. Fission will work with your organization to determine what is needed for this requirement.
