RCE Saskatchewan-2017
Duration of project:
Sunday, May 1, 2016
1. Describe coordination and management of the project. Please also reflect how the RCE as a network organisation has contributed to the project. (Character count 400 words):
RCE Saskatchewan's involvement began with the Government of Saskatchewan's request for input on an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) of a large solution potash mine in rural Saskatchewan (Canada). The rural community most affected, the agricultural community of Havelock, needed to contribute its ideas and concerns under tremendous pressure and stress. The general public often feels overwhelmed to comment due to a lack of data and scientific knowledge. Identifying and mobilizing those passionate about the land, those passionate about the water, and those passionate about seeking knowledge and local solutions was a turning point to bringing clarity to the challenges and finding solutions.
RCE Saskatchewan provided research coordination in association with needs discussed by the Calling Lakes Eco-Museum (CLEM) and the Havelock Special Projects Committee (HSPC). The RCE pulled together researchers from the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan to address impacts regionally and downstream affecting, in particular, the lower Qu’Appelle watershed. The RCE working with the local community highlighted issues with: wetlands and salt spray, subsidence and surface water flow alterations, potential groundwater, small and large aquifer contamination, salt leeching, fault lines and their proximity to brine waste disposal in deep injection wells, impact on freshwater supplies from Buffalo Pound Lake from solution mining; and, sustainability of this water supply for diverse users. While the potential for environmental damage from poorly planned mining is significant, these negative impacts are latent and lie in the future. Measurable damage has already been inflicted on the socio-cultural dimensions of community cohesion, sense of place and belonging, and shared future.
In seeking to halt (or significantly alter) the proposal for a large scale potash mine deemed highly disruptive of local livelihoods and existing rural quality of life by the community of Havelock, Saskatchewan (Canada), several educational strategies were employed. The first was a facilitated process to allow the local community to frame its own vision for longterm sustainable development and articulate its concerns about the mine in relation to this larger vision. This vision was supplemented by international UN definitions of sustainable development and the SDGs articulated by RCE Saskatchewan. A second educational strategy targeted municipal, provincial, and federal governmental ministries through their own approval processes. This strategy employed both the community and larger UN vision of sustainable development (to which the Government of Canada has made formal commitments), knowledge of adverse impacts and opportunity costs gathered by the local community and downstream ecomuseum focused on sustainable water use, and academic expertise mobilized through RCE Saskatchewan (including technical details on existing and legitimate governmental approval processes). Informal public education strategies employed a variety of mediums and targeted local land owners, downstream water users, individual politicians (including the Canadian Prime Minister), and members of the global RCE community.
RCE Saskatchewan provided research coordination in association with needs discussed by the Calling Lakes Eco-Museum (CLEM) and the Havelock Special Projects Committee (HSPC). The RCE pulled together researchers from the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan to address impacts regionally and downstream affecting, in particular, the lower Qu’Appelle watershed. The RCE working with the local community highlighted issues with: wetlands and salt spray, subsidence and surface water flow alterations, potential groundwater, small and large aquifer contamination, salt leeching, fault lines and their proximity to brine waste disposal in deep injection wells, impact on freshwater supplies from Buffalo Pound Lake from solution mining; and, sustainability of this water supply for diverse users. While the potential for environmental damage from poorly planned mining is significant, these negative impacts are latent and lie in the future. Measurable damage has already been inflicted on the socio-cultural dimensions of community cohesion, sense of place and belonging, and shared future.
In seeking to halt (or significantly alter) the proposal for a large scale potash mine deemed highly disruptive of local livelihoods and existing rural quality of life by the community of Havelock, Saskatchewan (Canada), several educational strategies were employed. The first was a facilitated process to allow the local community to frame its own vision for longterm sustainable development and articulate its concerns about the mine in relation to this larger vision. This vision was supplemented by international UN definitions of sustainable development and the SDGs articulated by RCE Saskatchewan. A second educational strategy targeted municipal, provincial, and federal governmental ministries through their own approval processes. This strategy employed both the community and larger UN vision of sustainable development (to which the Government of Canada has made formal commitments), knowledge of adverse impacts and opportunity costs gathered by the local community and downstream ecomuseum focused on sustainable water use, and academic expertise mobilized through RCE Saskatchewan (including technical details on existing and legitimate governmental approval processes). Informal public education strategies employed a variety of mediums and targeted local land owners, downstream water users, individual politicians (including the Canadian Prime Minister), and members of the global RCE community.
2. What are the current results of the project in terms of output (e.g. publications, developed practices, course materials)? (Character count 300 words):
Outputs include:
-A formal RCE Saskatchewan submission to the Government of Saskatchewan's Environmental Impact Study of the Yancoal Potash Mine.
-An RCE assessment of the Province's conditional approval of the mine.
-A video highlighting concerns of local residents for the Prime Minister of Canada and other concerned parties entitled: "Yancoal- Community Response to a Nondemocratic Process”.
-A formal request by the RCE for an Environmental Impact Assessment by the Government of Canada.
-Presentation of the case study to the 5th and 6th RCE Conference of the Americas.
-Documentation and writing up of the case study for publication by the UN University: 2017 forthcoming. Petry R., Ambrosi R., Davis L., Nordal T., MacPherson A., Wagner R. “Community Knowledge Mobilization for Sustainable Development: Strategic Local Collaboration with Higher Education in Response to Proposed Potash Mine”. Forthcoming publication by the UNU Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)
At this moment the fundamentals of the Project are being discussed in current research practice through the University of Regina Institute of Energy, Environment and Sustainable Communities. Because of the ongoing nature of the project, outputs are being considered for establishing credible inter-organizational assessment tools and grant application methodologies.
This remains an on-going process that will involve the Provincial, Federal Governments, and local Regional governing bodies. The major challenge has been having limited financial capacity to expand the research base to further engage in a detailed Environmental Impact Study that engages local community and scholarly concerns.
-A formal RCE Saskatchewan submission to the Government of Saskatchewan's Environmental Impact Study of the Yancoal Potash Mine.
-An RCE assessment of the Province's conditional approval of the mine.
-A video highlighting concerns of local residents for the Prime Minister of Canada and other concerned parties entitled: "Yancoal- Community Response to a Nondemocratic Process”.
-A formal request by the RCE for an Environmental Impact Assessment by the Government of Canada.
-Presentation of the case study to the 5th and 6th RCE Conference of the Americas.
-Documentation and writing up of the case study for publication by the UN University: 2017 forthcoming. Petry R., Ambrosi R., Davis L., Nordal T., MacPherson A., Wagner R. “Community Knowledge Mobilization for Sustainable Development: Strategic Local Collaboration with Higher Education in Response to Proposed Potash Mine”. Forthcoming publication by the UNU Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)
At this moment the fundamentals of the Project are being discussed in current research practice through the University of Regina Institute of Energy, Environment and Sustainable Communities. Because of the ongoing nature of the project, outputs are being considered for establishing credible inter-organizational assessment tools and grant application methodologies.
This remains an on-going process that will involve the Provincial, Federal Governments, and local Regional governing bodies. The major challenge has been having limited financial capacity to expand the research base to further engage in a detailed Environmental Impact Study that engages local community and scholarly concerns.
3. What are the expected/confirmed outcomes (e.g. impact of the project, such as changed practices, improved capacity, institutional changes, etc.)? Please provide evidence where applicable. (Character count 400 words):
Through these strategies several outcomes have been confirmed. The local rural community of Havelock along with residents of the Rural Municipality of Longlaketon have formed the needed social capital and civic participation to set terms for the proposed mine's development (and likely future developments) in the area. The mining company is undertaking its own internal review of its community engagement and expressed willingness to address a number of community concerns. Flaws, limitations, and conflicts of interest in existing provincial regulatory processes have been highlighted to enable reforms that hopefully embody broader principles of sustainable development and the SDGs. We hope to see the government of Saskatchewan implement changes to the EIS process to include citizen participation, the inclusion of traditional knowledge, and external review of corporate-produced EIS studies to ensure the quality and comprehensive nature of such reports. Ongoing federal government observation of the provincial process may also lead to strengthening of federal environmental assessment legislation. RCEs in the Americs have now identified existing mining practices in North, Central, and South America as a common issue of concern, creating a sense of solidarity and opportunities for future collaboration.
Expected outcomes from the project at the policy level will be reflected through changes in governance policy related to economic development, entitlements, due process, and human rights. Policy change will likely occur at multiple levels including local, municipal, provincial, and federal government jurisdictions. In terms of public education, we also learned how very important communication needs to be. Social Media was a big part of our success as we could quickly disseminate information to multiple audiences often in story form. The RCE and the Havelock community produced a short video that showed the real story. We also learned that words are not enough – images and passion need to be demonstrated. We also learned it is okay to be emotional – that is a big part of the story and that is what caused the wider communities to care.
Finally, according to one key partner, the Chair of the Calling Lakes Ecomuseum: “The biggest result was the development of trust and believing in ourselves. This project was a turning point for our communities to recognize that when you do care and you do connect and do communicate it can mean a great deal to the outcome of a project. This project demonstrated not only to the local communities how effective collaboration can be for sustainable solutions but demonstrated this to our whole province.”
Expected outcomes from the project at the policy level will be reflected through changes in governance policy related to economic development, entitlements, due process, and human rights. Policy change will likely occur at multiple levels including local, municipal, provincial, and federal government jurisdictions. In terms of public education, we also learned how very important communication needs to be. Social Media was a big part of our success as we could quickly disseminate information to multiple audiences often in story form. The RCE and the Havelock community produced a short video that showed the real story. We also learned that words are not enough – images and passion need to be demonstrated. We also learned it is okay to be emotional – that is a big part of the story and that is what caused the wider communities to care.
Finally, according to one key partner, the Chair of the Calling Lakes Ecomuseum: “The biggest result was the development of trust and believing in ourselves. This project was a turning point for our communities to recognize that when you do care and you do connect and do communicate it can mean a great deal to the outcome of a project. This project demonstrated not only to the local communities how effective collaboration can be for sustainable solutions but demonstrated this to our whole province.”
Are there any unexpected/ unplanned results achieved by your project? If yes, briefly describe or list them. (Character count 200 words):
A number of important discoveries were made about the strategic capacity of RCEs. The overall strategic effectiveness built on the mutual legitimation and reinforcement of voices that occurred by combining local knowledge and expertise of the Havelock community with that of traditional university scholars both inside and outside a formal academic setting. This powerful combination is needed where governments seek to restrict who is considered an “expert” in “streamlining” approval of large-scale, one-size-fits-all corporate developments. In so doing, governmental approval processes viewed merely as regulatory obstacles or rubberstamps can be transformed to reflect true citizen concerns and engagement. Through the lens of sustainability, scholarly documentation of deficiencies in existing governmental and corporate citizen engagement processes allowed reflection on their inadequacies and needed research and political mobilization for their reform. Social capital formation proved essential: the creation of a local community structure in Havelock collaborating with an existing local living laboratory for sustainability (in this case an ecomuseum) and a regional RCE under the UN system proved to be a very effective combination in challenging powerful interests. At a practical level, mine construction has been delayed to allow for further consultation. Yancoal itself replaced its former Canadian chairman and much of the staff, and has begun to take a far more conciliatory, friendly approach in dealing with the local community.
4. What are the remaining challenges and/ or limitations for further development? (Character count 300 words):
The major challenge is having the organizational and financial capacity to follow through on needed project ends, particularly the research to determine if and how a potash mine can be sustainably operated in the area in a way that has social license (and/or alternative forms of sustainable production and sustainable livelihood creation with a lower opportunity cost and greater impacts related to the SDGs). Universities are not organized as institutions to take on such politically charged research, especially if larger corporate and governmental players do not see an interest in it or feel threatened by it. The individual ‘champion’ research model while providing useful interventions to date via the RCE, is not sustainable over the longterm if communities and their governments are unwilling to provide resources for more traditional research now that key issues have been identified. Subsequent scholarly interventions cannot be based purely on voluntary contributions but now need to follow more traditional academic and organizational research processes. One further challenge faced by RCE Saskatchewan has been a lack of engagement with First Nations/Indigenous groups in the larger region whose land may also be affected by the proposed mine. With limited resources, limited time, and no funding, the RCE simply has not had the time to build connections with First Nations and other NGO groups engaged in parallel efforts to address threats to Saskatchewan ecosystems.
What is the project’s contribution to innovative and transformative educational processes for sustainable development (especially regarding formal/ non-formal learning/ research)? (Character count 500 words):
Several of these innovative educational strategies have already been outlined in question 11 above so these will not be restated. A key innovation was how existing governmental processes, in particular regulatory approvals through an Environmental Impact Assessment process could become a knowledge mobilization and informal education tool for multiple stakeholders. This occurred by the RCE consistently ensuring that its research outputs were not only targeted at a particular audience requesting the materials but also to local communities, regional authorities, RCE members, and higher levels of government. Many of the educational activities, whether through social media or production of the video, were targeted at influencing the general citizenry as well as political figures with substantial influence, e.g. local councilors of the Rural Municipality, the Premier of the Province and senior ministers, the federal minister of Environment and Climate Change, all the way to the Prime Minister. The project had a substantial impact on the provincial government who were surprised that local communities could effectively mobilize in response to large projects that these communities viewed as unsustainable, particularly when these projects would clearly disrupt local livelihoods and quality of life. It is important to also realize the extent that local knowledge, if listened to and properly documented, can tip the scales in considering more sustainable development options. The Havelock community deserves a great deal of credit for their attention to detail in this regard and the time they invested in gathering relevant information.
The Provincial government is working with the Havelock community to see on a go forward basis that the process is improved. At this moment the project may contribute to understanding the importance of ‘capacity building’ particularly as a result of social capital formation that is routinely undervalued.
The project demonstrates how RCEs function as central nodes of social connectivity that can cut across professional, economic, social and geographical boundaries to mobilize diverse participants for sustainability projects. This project saw RCE Saskatchewan cooperate with several grassroot NGOs to share research data, delegate projects to various members, dispel corporate misinformation, and engage in public education. Placing academics together with grassroots organizers and participants was mutually empowering and encouraged sustained community pressure on the government and on Yancoal Canada to address local people’s concerns.
RCE Saskatchewan’s forthcoming article “Community Knowledge Mobilization for Sustainable Development: Strategic Local Collaboration with Higher Education in Response to Proposed Potash Mine” (UNU-IAS) could be used at academic institutions as an example of how RCEs can serve as central nodes for linking grassroots citizens’ organizations and university academics for undertaking sustainability projects and for encouraging responsible corporate and industrial development.
A member of RCE Saskatchewan suggested that a documentary film could be produced to serve as teaching material for education in sustainable development and for public education. We will investigate to see whether funding might exist for the production of this film.
The Provincial government is working with the Havelock community to see on a go forward basis that the process is improved. At this moment the project may contribute to understanding the importance of ‘capacity building’ particularly as a result of social capital formation that is routinely undervalued.
The project demonstrates how RCEs function as central nodes of social connectivity that can cut across professional, economic, social and geographical boundaries to mobilize diverse participants for sustainability projects. This project saw RCE Saskatchewan cooperate with several grassroot NGOs to share research data, delegate projects to various members, dispel corporate misinformation, and engage in public education. Placing academics together with grassroots organizers and participants was mutually empowering and encouraged sustained community pressure on the government and on Yancoal Canada to address local people’s concerns.
RCE Saskatchewan’s forthcoming article “Community Knowledge Mobilization for Sustainable Development: Strategic Local Collaboration with Higher Education in Response to Proposed Potash Mine” (UNU-IAS) could be used at academic institutions as an example of how RCEs can serve as central nodes for linking grassroots citizens’ organizations and university academics for undertaking sustainability projects and for encouraging responsible corporate and industrial development.
A member of RCE Saskatchewan suggested that a documentary film could be produced to serve as teaching material for education in sustainable development and for public education. We will investigate to see whether funding might exist for the production of this film.
How can you scale up and mainstream ESD and SD practices of the project and enable it to contribute to the implementation of the Global Action Programme (GAP) as proposed by UNESCO? (Character count 300 words) :
Because the intervention of RCE Saskatchewan in the province's and federal government's environmental impact assessment procedures highlighted many of the existing structural flaws in these processes, the impact of the RCE and the local community of Havelock goes well beyond this particular potash mine proposal. As these larger governmental processes are improved, particularly if they incorporate the Sustainable Development Goals, fewer communities should have to experience the ordeals of the Havelock community. The mining company itself has also instituted a comprehensive internal review that would hopefully be scaled up through its global operations. RCE Saskatchewan has also scaled up our learnings through our presentations and discussions with other RCEs within the Americas. In terms of the Global Action Programme, the previous questions have highlighted the improvements that will hopefully occur in Governmental project approval policies, thereby advancing Priority Action Area 1 on advancing policy. The local community of Havelock is also discussing how it might develop its own local sustainable development governance structure, possibly through an ecomuseum model, thereby advancing both Priority Action Area 1 and 5 (accelerating solutions at the local level). Interestingly, given the multiple organizations involved in the approval of this type of large scale development, the RCE's interventions are also advancing a “whole institutional approach” (Priority Action Area 2) not in relation to a single organization but in relation to a kind of development process, in this case mining and how mining practices, particularly as they relate to community engagement, can be realigned for sustainable development.
How does you project contribute institutional and policy reforms as part of sustainability change? (Character count 500 words):
As has been noted in previous questions (see question 16 and 17), the strategic intervention of RCE Saskatchewan has impacted multiple institutional levels. This includes the Rural Municipality of Longlaketon in empowering its negotiations with the potash mining company, the provincial Ministry of Environment in highlighting flaws of its Environment Impact Assessment procedures, and lastly, the Government of Canada's Environment Impact Assessment legislation that had been seriously weakened by the previous Conservative Government under Stephen Harper. By documenting the inadequacies of the existing provincial assessment procedures for the federal government, the RCE provided important impetus for the Government of Canada to restore its oversight of these large scale developments, particularly potash mine developments. In addition, the RCE has pointed out to each governmental authority (as well as to the mining company) that minimalist assessments aimed at preventing environmental harm are no longer adequate and that projects now need to be assessed for their resource opportunity costs in relation to much broader sustainability criteria, in particular against the 17 SDGs.
We believe that our project created significant pressure on the provincial government and on Yancoal Canada causing the company to significantly restructure their company and rethink their plan. Through word-of-mouth and dissemination through the media, Facebook, and online media, members of the public became more aware of the importance of sustainable industrial development and of the insufficient laws currently in place to protect Saskatchewan ecosystems. We believe that sustained public education will result in meaningful changes to government Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) policy.
We believe that our project created significant pressure on the provincial government and on Yancoal Canada causing the company to significantly restructure their company and rethink their plan. Through word-of-mouth and dissemination through the media, Facebook, and online media, members of the public became more aware of the importance of sustainable industrial development and of the insufficient laws currently in place to protect Saskatchewan ecosystems. We believe that sustained public education will result in meaningful changes to government Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) policy.
5. How does your project further improve capacities of various partners and stakeholders on the theme? (Character count 500 words):
By engaging in federal and provincial processes designed for the evaluation and approval of large-scale industrial developments, the Havelock Special Projects Committee, the Calling Lakes Ecomuseum, and RCE Saskatchewan developed a number of specific capacities. Responding to the potash mine proposal enabled the groups to build shared visions and objectives for sustainability and a recognition of the value of the SDGs in doing so. This engagement also enabled communities to develop self-awareness of their ecological, social and cultural assets. In addition, the groups developed diverse communication skills that included public presentations, explanations of technical briefs, formal letter writing, petitions, and the creation of videos and media releases. Finally, the partners developed an awareness of existing governmental mechanisms and policies that, while central to shaping how development occurs, are normally quite opaque to the general public.
In Saskatchewan we have over 700 municipalities that are responsible for managing our local communities. This case is a good example of how industry was able to make the municipal government and its local citizenry initially feel inadequate. The RCE helped build the trust that was needed for the local government and communities to do what needed to be done without significant resources from other levels of government. Ultimately collaborative processes that bring together government, universities, industry and the community will be the basis for creative solutions for the future.
In Saskatchewan we have over 700 municipalities that are responsible for managing our local communities. This case is a good example of how industry was able to make the municipal government and its local citizenry initially feel inadequate. The RCE helped build the trust that was needed for the local government and communities to do what needed to be done without significant resources from other levels of government. Ultimately collaborative processes that bring together government, universities, industry and the community will be the basis for creative solutions for the future.
6. How does your project link to the SDGs or other global frameworks (e.g. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Convention on Biological Diversity, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030)? (Character count 300 words):
This project demonstrated that we can no longer work in isolation. It is absolutely imperative that we harmonize our efforts and work together. At the local and regional level this project would not have succeed to date had we not collaborated. The transferring of knowledge at the grassroots level helped our policy makers to understand the community’s concerns, a big shift from the traditional top down approach that will not carry us through to sustainable development. The challenges faced by this local community, however, are not unique, with mining companies typically having very poor records in relation to constructive social engagement and environmental protection. Because over 70% of the world's mining companies are incorporated in Canada, if the RCE were able to scale up our learnings within the country to these companies, this could have substantial impact on mining activities globally. As the potash mine in this case is a Chinese state owned company, additional learning opportunities could exist for Chinese mining companies and other state enterprises.
What is novel about the project within the RCE network and what could other RCEs learn from this experience? (Answer only if relevant) (Character count 250 words):
This project is most important to the RCE Network as it showed that an RCE with its academic resources as well as affiliation with the UN University and the UN system more generally is in a distinct (if not unique) position to intervene in governmental approval processes for large scale developments. It also showed that as we discussed the issue of mining with RCEs in the Americas, we realized that mining was a common cause of unsustainable development in our region having profound negative impacts and that this needed to be a target for our collaborative work between RCEs within the Americas.
What is the significance of this project for the region? How important are its results for its particular project category? (Character count 250 words):
RCE Saskatchewan is situated within a dry prairie region of Canada. Solution potash mines require a very large amount of water to operate (equivalent two approximately half the water use of the entire capital city of Regina, Saskatchewan, with over 215,000 residents). At the same time the proposed mine is drawing its water from the same source as this city. As such, not only does the mine have significant local impacts, the regional impacts on freshwater supply for multiple uses and users needs to be taken into account, especially the opportunity costs of using this freshwater for a mine vs. other purposes (e.g. drinking water, irrigation, and recreation). This is even more pronounced given the drought that occurred in Saskatchewan this summer with the city of Regina receiving less than 2.5 cm of total rainfall for the months of July, August, and September, our primary growing season.
