Seeking Authorities for Contaminated Site Projects in Canada’s North

Quick Facts

Since 2011, Bronson has been supporting CIRNA’s NCSP with the drafting of program, project and expenditure authority documentation related to contaminated sites in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, for which the Government of Canada is responsible.
Northern contaminated sites tend to be large, complex and in remote locations, which make them unique and challenging and, therefore, Bronson has assisted the NCSP with developing authority documents that meet the very strict requirements associated with these documents.
Bronson works very closely with the client to ensure that the information provided in authority documents is clear, exact and abides by policy requirements.

Tundra Mine in Northwest Territories

Project Description

Since 2011, Bronson has been supporting CIRNA’s Northern Contaminated Sites Program (NCSP) with the development of program, project and expenditure authority documents related to contaminated sites in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut for which the Government of Canada is responsible. As part of this work, Bronson has drafted Treasury Board Submissions related to a number of large, abandoned mine sites (including two of Canada’s largest contaminated site remediation projects at the Giant Mine in Yellowknife, NWT and the Faro Mine in Yukon). Bronson also supported the drafting of authority documentation related to CIRNAC’s new Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program. The drafting of these documents included the development of a comprehensive Gender Based Analysis Plus requirement that involved compiling and synthesizing information and performing an evidence-based analysis of the potential impacts the proposed program may have on Indigenous communities and people.

Business Challenge

Due to the uniqueness of northern contaminated sites and the challenges associated with their location, CIRNA sought Bronson’s support to ensure that authority documents are drafted using clear and concise language that can be understood by a general audience while still following very strict drafting protocols.

Our Solution and Outcome

Bronson’s approach to drafting authority documentation is to pay very close attention to the strict requirements associated with these documents and to work closely with the client to ensure that the information provided is clear and exact. Bronson engages in extensive consultation with subject matter experts and in extensive document review to inform development of the authority documentation. Furthermore, Bronson undertakes an iterative approach to development of the authority documentation that includes working closely with the client and adapting/revising as required based on feedback.