Independent investigation to be conducted to address asbestos landfill issues

02/17/2021

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that a civil investigation will be conducted into the issue of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) found on residential and common lands during the past several years.

The purpose of the project is to use an independent investigator to gather facts, events, timelines and decision-making/authorities in regard to the matter. The results will be provided in a report, with a final goal of prompting the MCK’s authoritative bodies to act accordingly and exercise obligation to apply appropriate corrective measures that ensures a safer future for lands in the Territory.

The Project Charter for the investigation project was approved by consensus at Monday’s duly-convened Council meeting.

The estimated timeline for the investigation is from April to August 2021. This will be followed by the preparation and presentation of the final report.

The Project Team is made up of Ratitsénhaienhs Cody Diabo (the Project Sponsor and primary contact), Gina Deer and Lindsay LeBorgne; and is supported by project manager Heather Jacobs-Whyte, and subject matter-experts.

The project will undertake to ensure transparency and independence through the addition of a community-member observer in the investigation. More information on the process for identifying this community member will be released in the coming weeks.

“The MCK has spent a considerable amount of time, human resources and funds to address the issue since it first came to light in 2019,” said Ratsénhaienhs Diabo. “The community has asked for answers, and we are confident this investigation and report will give us those answers – and more. We expect that the report will also give us the best tools to properly address the future planning of any and all remedial measures. And, of course, we will provide updates throughout the process as information becomes available.”

Please note that this investigation is separate from the Asbestos Working Group, whose work on remediating the situation is on-going.