Taseko Mines Limited v. Canada (Environment)

Taseko Mines Limited v. Canada (Environment)
Court (s) Database
Federal Court Decisions
Date
2017-12-05
Neutral citation
2017 FC 1100
File numbers
T-744-14
Notes
Digest
Decision Content
Date: 20171205
Docket: T-744-14
Citation: 2017 FC 1100
Ottawa, Ontario, December 5, 2017
PRESENT: The Honourable Mr. Justice Phelan
BETWEEN:
TASEKO MINES LIMITED
Applicant
and
THE MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT and THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA and THE TSILHQOT'IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND JOEY ALPHONSE, on his own behalf and on behalf of all other members of the Tsilhqot’in Nation
Respondents
JUDGMENT AND REASONS
I. INTRODUCTION
[1] This is an application by Taseko Mines Limited [Taseko] for judicial review of a February 25, 2014 Decision Statement, which communicated the decisions of the Minister of the Environment [Minister] and the Governor in Council [GIC] made pursuant to section 52 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, SC 2012, c 19, s 52 [CEAA 2012]. The Minister decided that the New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project was likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, and the GIC decided that these effects were not justified in the circumstances.
[2] The background to this judicial review is the attempt by Taseko to secure environmental approval of the New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine [the Project], an open pit gold and copper mine southwest of Williams Lake, British Columbia. The mine site was within the traditional territory of the Tsilhqot’in peoples.
[3] The Project underwent an environmental assessment at the end of which the Review Panel [Panel] charged with the assessment issued its Report. The Report concluded that the seepage of toxic water from the tailings storage facility [TSF] at the mine site would be greater than Taseko estimated. The Panel was also not satisfied with Taseko’s proposal to deal with mediation steps after it received project approval.
[4] The above was the genesis of the judicial review in the related file T-1977-13 which is an application for judicial review of the Review Panel Report. The decision on that matter was issued on December 5, 2017.
[5] In the present case, the judicial review concerns allegations of breaches of procedural fairness and jurisdictional errors, as well as a constitutional challenge to sections 5(1)(c), 6 and 7 of the CEAA 2012. (Section 7, however, was not strongly advanced.)
[6] In summary, this application for judicial review will be dismissed. At this stage of the process the Applicant was owed some degree of procedural fairness, and this was satisfied in the circumstances. Further, as to the constitutionality of sections 5(1)(c), 6 and 7 of the CEAA 2012, the matter need not be decided at this time and on this record and in the alternative, the provisions are constitutional.
[7] Taseko seeks the following relief:
An order quashing the Minister’s decisions under sub-sections 52(1)(a) and (b) of the CEAA 2012 that the Project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, and referring those decisions back to the Minister for reconsideration in accordance with the directions of the Court.
An order quashing the GIC’s decision that the significant adverse environmental effects that the Project is likely to cause are not justified in the circumstances, and referring that decision back to the GIC for reconsideration in accordance with the directions of the Court.
A declaration that sections 5(1)(c), 6 and 7 of CEAA 2012 are ultra vires the federal government's legislative powers under section 91 of the Constitution Act, 1867 and are thus of no force and effect.
In the alternative, a declaration that sections 5(1)(c), 6 and 7 of the CEAA 2012 impair the core of provincial legislative powers under section 92 of the Constitution Act, 1867 and must be read down or declared inapplicable.
Costs of this application.
Such further and other relief as this Honourable Court deems just.
II. BACKGROUND
[8] The pertinent legislation is set out below:
Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, SC 2012, c 19, s 52
5 (1) For the purposes of this Act, the environmental effects that are to be taken into account in relation to an act or thing, a physical activity, a designated project or a project are
5 (1) Pour l’application de la présente loi, les effets environnementaux qui sont en cause à l’égard d’une mesure, d’une activité concrète, d’un projet désigné ou d’un projet sont les suivants :
(a) a change that may be caused to the following components of the environment that are within the legislative authority of Parliament:
a) les changements qui risquent d’être causés aux composantes ci-après de l’environnement qui relèvent de la compétence législative du Parlement :
(i) fish and fish habitat as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Fisheries Act,
(i) les poissons et leur habitat, au sens du paragraphe 2(1) de la Loi sur les pêches,
(ii) aquatic species as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Species at Risk Act,
(ii) les espèces aquatiques au sens du paragraphe 2(1) de la Loi sur les espèces en péril,
(iii) migratory birds as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and
(iii) les oiseaux migrateurs au sens du paragraphe 2(1) de la Loi de 1994 sur la convention concernant les oiseaux migrateurs,
(iv) any other component of the environment that is set out in Schedule 2;
(iv) toute autre composante de l’environnement mentionnée à l’annexe 2;
(b) a change that may be caused to the environment that would occur
b) les changements qui risquent d’être causés à l’environnement, selon le cas :
(i) on federal lands,
(i) sur le territoire domanial,
(ii) in a province other than the one in which the act or thing is done or where the physical activity, the designated project or the project is being carried out, or
(ii) dans une province autre que celle dans laquelle la mesure est prise, l’activité est exercée ou le projet désigné ou le projet est réalisé,
(iii) outside Canada; and
(iii) à l’étranger;
(c) with respect to aboriginal peoples, an effect occurring in Canada of any change that may be caused to the environment on
c) s’agissant des peuples autochtones, les répercussions au Canada des changements qui risquent d’être causés à l’environnement, selon le cas :
(i) health and socio-economic conditions,
(i) en matière sanitaire et socio-économique,
(ii) physical and cultural heritage,
(ii) sur le patrimoine naturel et le patrimoine culturel,
(iii) the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes, or
(iii) sur l’usage courant de terres et de ressources à des fins traditionnelles,
(iv) any structure, site or thing that is of historical, archaeological, paleontological or architectural significance.
(iv) sur une construction, un emplacement ou une chose d’importance sur le plan historique, archéologique, paléontologique ou architectural.
(2) However, if the carrying out of the physical activity, the designated project or the project requires a federal authority to exercise a power or perform a duty or function conferred on it under any Act of Parliament other than this Act, the following environmental effects are also to be taken into account:
(2) Toutefois, si l’exercice de l’activité ou la réalisation du projet désigné ou du projet exige l’exercice, par une autorité fédérale, d’attributions qui lui sont conférées sous le régime d’une loi fédérale autre que la présente loi, les effets environnementaux comprennent en outre :
(a) a change, other than those referred to in paragraphs (1)(a) and (b), that may be caused to the environment and that is directly linked or necessarily incidental to a federal authority’s exercise of a power or performance of a duty or function that would permit the carrying out, in whole or in part, of the physical activity, the designated project or the project; and
a) les changements — autres que ceux visés aux alinéas (1)a) et b) — qui risquent d’être causés à l’environnement et qui sont directement liés ou nécessairement accessoires aux attributions que l’autorité fédérale doit exercer pour permettre l’exercice en tout ou en partie de l’activité ou la réalisation en tout ou en partie du projet désigné ou du projet;
(b) an effect, other than those referred to in paragraph (1)(c), of any change referred to in paragraph (a) on
b) les répercussions — autres que celles visées à l’alinéa (1)c) — des changements visés à l’alinéa a), selon le cas :
(i) health and socio-economic conditions,
(i) sur les plans sanitaire et socio-économique,
(ii) physical and cultural heritage, or
(ii) sur le patrimoine naturel et le patrimoine culturel,
(iii) any structure, site or thing that is of historical, archaeological, paleontological or architectural significance.
(iii) sur une construction, un emplacement ou une chose d’importance sur le plan historique, archéologique, paléontologique ou architectural.
…
[…]
6 The proponent of a designated project must not do any act or thing in connection with the carrying out of the designated project, in whole or in part, if that act or thing may cause an environmental effect referred to in subsection 5(1) unless
6 Le promoteur d’un projet désigné ne peut prendre une mesure se rapportant à la réalisation de tout ou partie du projet et pouvant entraîner des effets environnementaux visés au paragraphe 5(1) que si, selon le cas :
(a) the Agency makes a decision under paragraph 10(b) that no environmental assessment of the designated project is required and posts that decision on the Internet site; or
a) l’Agence décide, au titre de l’alinéa 10b), qu’aucune évaluation environnementale du projet n’est requise et affiche sa décision sur le site Internet;
(b) the proponent complies with the conditions included in the decision statement that is issued under subsection 31(3) or section 54 to the proponent with respect to that designated project.
b) le promoteur prend la mesure en conformité avec les conditions qui sont énoncées dans la déclaration qui lui est remise au titre du paragraphe 31(3) ou de l’article 54 relativement au projet.
7 A federal authority must not exercise any power or perform any duty or function conferred on it under any Act of Parliament other than this Act that could permit a designated project to be carried out in whole or in part unless
7 L’autorité fédérale ne peut exercer les attributions qui lui sont conférées sous le régime d’une loi fédérale autre que la présente loi et qui pourraient permettre la réalisation en tout ou en partie d’un projet désigné que si, selon le cas :
(a) the Agency makes a decision under paragraph 10(b) that no environmental assessment of the designated project is required and posts that decision on the Internet site; or
a) l’Agence décide, au titre de l’alinéa 10b), qu’aucune évaluation environnementale du projet n’est requise et affiche sa décision sur le site Internet;
(b) the decision statement with respect to the designated project that is issued under subsection 31(3) or section 54 to the proponent of the designated project indicates that the designated project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects or that the significant adverse environmental effects that it is likely to cause are justified in the circumstances.
b) la déclaration remise au promoteur du projet au titre du paragraphe 31(3) ou de l’article 54 relativement au projet donne avis d’une décision portant que la réalisation du projet n’est pas susceptible d’entraîner des effets environnementaux négatifs importants ou que les effets environnementaux négatifs importants que la réalisation du projet est susceptible d’entraîner sont justifiables dans les circonstances.
…
[…]
47 (1) The Minister, after taking into account the review panel’s report with respect to the environmental assessment, must make decisions under subsection 52(1).
47 (1) Après avoir pris en compte le rapport d’évaluation environnementale de la commission, le ministre prend les décisions prévues au paragraphe 52(1).
(2) The Minister may, before making decisions referred to in subsection 52(1), require the proponent of the designated project to collect any information or undertake any studies that, in the opinion of the Minister, are necessary for the Minister to make decisions.
(2) Il peut, avant de les prendre, faire procéder par le promoteur du projet désigné en cause aux études et à la collecte de renseignements qu’il estime nécessaires à la prise des décisions.
…
[…]
52 (1) For the purposes of sections 27, 36, 47 and 51, the decision maker referred to in those sections must decide if, taking into account the implementation of any mitigation measures that the decision maker considers appropriate, the designated project
52 (1) Pour l’application des articles 27, 36, 47 et 51, le décideur visé à ces articles décide si, compte tenu de l’application des mesures d’atténuation qu’il estime indiquées, la réalisation du projet désigné est susceptible :
(a) is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects referred to in subsection 5(1); and
a) d’une part, d’entraîner des effets environnementaux visés au paragraphe 5(1) qui sont négatifs et importants;
(b) is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects referred to in subsection 5(2).
b) d’autre part, d’entraîner des effets environnementaux visés au paragraphe 5(2) qui sont négatifs et importants.
(2) If the decision maker decides that the designated project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects referred to in subsection 5(1) or (2), the decision maker must refer to the Governor in Council the matter of whether those effects are justified in the circumstances.
(2) S’il décide que la réalisation du projet est susceptible d’entraîner des effets environnementaux visés aux paragraphes 5(1) ou (2) qui sont négatifs et importants, le décideur renvoie au gouverneur en conseil la question de savoir si ces effets sont justifiables dans les circonstances.
(3) If the decision maker is a responsible authority referred to in any of paragraphs 15(a) to (c), the referral to the Governor in Council is made through the Minister responsible before Parliament for the responsible authority.
(3) Si le décideur est une autorité responsable visée à l’un des alinéas 15a) à c), le renvoi se fait par l’entremise du ministre responsable de l’autorité devant le Parlement.
(4) When a matter has been referred to the Governor in Council, the Governor in Council may decide
(4) Saisi d’une question au titre du paragraphe (2), le gouverneur en conseil peut décider :
(a) that the significant adverse environmental effects that the designated project is likely to cause are justified in the circumstances; or
a) soit que les effets environnementaux négatifs importants sont justifiables dans les circonstances;
(b) that the significant adverse environmental effects that the designated project is likely to cause are not justified in the circumstances.
b) soit que ceux-ci ne sont pas justifiables dans les circonstances.
…
[…]
54 (1) The decision maker must issue a decision statement to the proponent of a designated project that
54 (1) Le décideur fait une déclaration qu’il remet au promoteur du projet désigné dans laquelle :
(a) informs the proponent of the designated project of the decisions made under paragraphs 52(1)(a) and (b) in relation to the designated project and, if a matter was referred to the Governor in Council, of the decision made under subsection 52(4) in relation to the designated project; and
a) il donne avis des décisions qu’il a prises relativement au projet au titre des alinéas 52(1)a) et b) et, le cas échéant, de la décision que le gouverneur en conseil a prise relativement au projet en vertu du paragraphe 52(4);
(b) includes any conditions that are established under section 53 in relation to the designated project and that must be complied with by the proponent.
b) il énonce toute condition fixée en vertu de l’article 53 relativement au projet que le promoteur est tenu de respecter.
(2) When the decision maker has made a decision under paragraphs 52(1)(a) and (b) in relation to the designated project for the purpose of section 47, the decision maker must issue the decision statement no later than 24 months after the day on which the environmental assessment of the designated project was referred to a review panel under section 38.
(2) Dans le cas où il a pris les décisions au titre des alinéas 52(1)a) et b) pour l’application de l’article 47, le décideur est tenu de faire la déclaration dans les vingt-quatre mois suivant la date où il a renvoyé, au titre de l’article 38, l’évaluation environnementale du projet pour examen par une commission.
(3) The decision maker may extend that time limit by any further period – up to a maximum of three months – that is necessary to permit cooperation with any jurisdiction with respect to the environmental assessment of the designated project or to take into account circumstances that are specific to the project.
(3) Il peut prolonger ce délai de la période nécessaire pour permettre toute coopération avec une instance à l’égard de l’évaluation environnementale du projet ou pour tenir compte des circonstances particulières du projet. Il ne peut toutefois prolonger le délai de plus de trois mois.
(4) The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister, extend the time limit extended under subsection (3).
(4) Le gouverneur en conseil peut, sur la recommandation du ministre, prolonger le délai prolongé en vertu du paragraphe (3).
(5) The Agency must post a notice of any extension granted under subsection (3) or (4) on the Internet site.
(5) L’Agence affiche sur le site Internet un avis de toute prolongation accordée en vertu des paragraphes (3) ou (4) relativement au projet.
(6) If the Agency, the review panel or the Minister, under section 39 or subsection 44(2) or 47(2), respectively, requires the proponent of the designated project to collect information or undertake a study with respect to the designated project, the calculation of the time limit within which the decision maker must issue the decision statement does not include:
(6) Dans le cas où l’Agence, la commission ou le ministre exigent du promoteur, au titre de l’article 39 ou des paragraphes 44(2) ou 47(2), selon le cas, qu’il procède à des études ou à la collecte de renseignements relativement au projet, ne sont pas comprises dans le calcul du délai dont dispose le décideur pour faire la déclaration :
(a) the period that is taken by the proponent, in the opinion of the Agency, to comply with the requirement under section 39;
a) la période prise, de l’avis de l’Agence, par le promoteur pour remplir l’exigence au titre de l’article 39;
(b) the period that is taken by the proponent, in the opinion of the review panel, to comply with the requirement under subsection 44(2); and
b) la période prise, de l’avis de la commission, par le promoteur pour remplir l’exigence au titre du paragraphe 44(2);
(c) the period that is taken by the proponent, in the opinion of the Minister, to comply with the requirement under subsection 47(2).
c) la période prise, de l’avis du ministre, par le promoteur pour remplir l’exigence au titre du paragraphe 47(2).
…
[…]
126 (1) Despite subsection 38(6) and subject to subsections (2) to (6), any assessment by a review panel, in respect of a project, commenced under the process established under the former Act before the day on which this Act comes into force is continued under the process established under this Act as if the environmental assessment had been referred by the Minister to a review panel under section 38. The project is considered to be a designated project for the purposes of this Act and Part 3 of the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, and
126 (1) Malgré le paragraphe 38(6) et sous réserve des paragraphes (2) à (6), tout examen par une commission d’un projet commencé sous le régime de l’ancienne loi avant la date d’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi se poursuit sous le régime de la présente loi comme si le ministre avait renvoyé, au titre de l’article 38, l’évaluation environnementale du projet pour examen par une commission; le projet est réputé être un projet désigné pour l’application de la présente loi et de la partie 3 de la Loi sur l’emploi, la croissance et la prospérité durable et :
(a) if, before that day, a review panel was established under section 33 of the former Act, in respect of the project, that review panel is considered to have been established — and its members are considered to have been appointed — under subsection 42(1) of this Act;
a) si, avant cette date d’entrée en vigueur, une commission avait été constituée aux termes de l’article 33 de l’ancienne loi relativement au projet, elle est réputée avoir été constituée — et ses membres sont réputés avoir été nommés — aux termes du paragraphe 42(1) de la présente loi;
(b) if, before that day, an agreement or arrangement was entered into under subsection 40(2) of the former Act, in respect of the project, that agreement or arrangement is considered to have been entered into under section 40 of this Act; and
b) si, avant cette date, un accord avait été conclu aux termes du paragraphe 40(2) de l’ancienne loi relativement au projet, il est réputé avoir été conclu en vertu de l’article 40 de la présente loi;
(c) if, before that day, a review panel was established by an agreement or arrangement entered into under subsection 40(2) of the former Act or by document referred to in subsection 40(2.1) of the former Act, in respect of the project, it is considered to have been established by — and its members are considered to have been appointed under — an agreement or arrangement entered into under section 40 of this Act or by document referred to in subsection 41(2) of this Act.
c) si, avant cette date, une commission avait été constituée en vertu d’un accord conclu aux termes du paragraphe 40(2) de l’ancienne loi ou du document visé au paragraphe 40(2.1) de l’ancienne loi relativement au projet, elle est réputée avoir été constituée — et ses membres sont réputés avoir été nommés — en vertu d’un accord conclu aux termes de l’article 40 de la présente loi ou du document visé au paragraphe 41(2) de la présente loi.
A. Facts
[9] The background facts concerning the Project, the Panel, and the Report are laid out in Taseko Mines Limited v Canada (Environment), 2017 FC 1099 [Taseko Mines]. The relevant events in the present case commenced following the close of the Panel hearings on August 23, 2013.
[10] The Project’s environmental assessment can be summarized into six steps. As noted in Taseko Mines, the environmental issues for the Project transpired under the previous Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, SC 1992, c 37, in respect to steps one and two. The remainder transpired under the current CEAA 2012 legislation.
1. The Minister appointed a Panel;
2. Taseko provided an Environmental Impact Statement [EIS] setting out its position on whether the project would be likely to cause certain environmental effects. The EIS met federal EIS Guidelines, and the Panel set up a public hearing process;
3. The Panel officiated public hearings; hearing expert and lay evidence, cross-examinations and submissions from all interested parties, at its discretion;
4. The Panel submitted its Report to the Minister stating whether it believed the Project was likely to cause any of the listed significant adverse environmental effects, and its rationale, conclusions and recommendations;
5. After taking into account the Report, the Minister determined that the project was likely to cause the listed significant adverse environmental effects, and she referred the matter to the GIC to decide whether those effects were justified in the circumstances;
6. The Minister issued a Decision Statement on February 26, 2014 setting out the decisions.
This judicial review concerns steps five and six of this summary.
(1) Consultation between the Tsilhqot’in National Government and Canada after the Review Panel Hearing
[11] The following outlines aspects of post-hearing contact between the federal government and the Tsilhqot’in National Government [TNG]. A similar factual review in respect of Taseko and the federal government is set out later.
[12] Consultation between the TNG and Canada regarding the Project encompassed both the Panel process and subsequent consultations, which were conducted according to a publicly available 5-stage consultation framework:
Phase I: Initial engagement and consultation on the establishment of a review panel. …
Phase II: Review panel process leading up to public hearings. …
Phase III: Public hearing process. …
Phase IV: Consultation on the review panel report. …
Phase V: Regulatory permitting. …
[13] Following the close of the Project’s Panel hearings, representatives of the TNG requested to consult directly with federal officials. On September 30, 2013, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency [CEAA] advised against a meeting between the Minister of the Environment and the TNG, stating: “Declining the meeting request will demonstrate that the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) has confidence that the Panel’s report will accurately reflect the views of the participants as expressed in the review process.”
[14] Despite the CEAA’s advice, on October 8, 2013 the Minister met with five TNG representatives in Ottawa for a period of one hour. During this meeting, the Minister “did not speak about any specifics of the project and she did not reveal any opinion or bias or view about the project and whether it ought to go forward or not.”
[15] Taseko became aware of this meeting almost immediately through photographs posted on Facebook.
[16] On the same day, October 8, 2013, representatives of TNG met with Mr. Hallman, President of the CEAA, and several Deputy Ministers. The TNG representatives then met with other government officials. Taseko learned of these meetings soon afterward, through information posted on websites including Facebook.
[17] Upon becoming aware, Taseko did not object to any of these meetings.
[18] On October 31, 2013, the Report was released. This was the beginning of the Phase IV consultations between the Crown and impacted First Nations.
[19] On November 1, 2013, Ms. Candace Anderson, Consultation Coordinator at the CEAA, forwarded the Report to the TNG, and requested comments on the Report and responses to the following questions:
1. In the report, did the Panel appropriately characterize the concerns raised by the TNG during the review process?
2. Do the recommendations made by the Panel address your concerns?
3. Do you have any outstanding concerns that are not addressed in the Panel’s report that require mitigation/accommodation?
4. Are there any additional recommendations that you feel would address these concerns?
[20] On November 21, 2013, the TNG made submissions to the CEAA in response to Taseko’s November submissions (discussed under the heading related to Taseko). Taseko had a copy of this letter as of December 1, 2013.
[21] On January 9, 2014, the TNG provided a 59-page submission to the CEAA responding to the Panel Report. These submissions were not provided to Taseko.
[22] On January 16, 2014, the TNG wrote to the CEAA to express frustration and concern regarding the adequacy of the Phase IV consultation. This letter referenced an earlier telephone call, during which CEAA representatives had expressed procedural fairness concerns with respect to potential meetings between the TNG and Deputy Ministers. The letter stated:
Finally, you advised on our phone call that Deputy Ministers could not attend the meeting scheduled for January 23, as we had requested, in part because of concerns about “procedural fairness” while the federal decision is pending. This in itself raises serious concerns about procedural fairness, given media reports that the Proponent and provincial Minister Bennett have had extensive access to federal Ministers after the release of the Panel report, for the avowed purpose of influencing the federal decision.
[23] At this time the TNG also sent letters to several federal Ministers to express “deep concern” about the meetings that they had engaged in with the British Columbia Minister of Energy and Mines, Mr. Bill Bennett.
[24] On January 23, 2014, a meeting took place between representatives of the TNG and the CEAA regarding the Project.
[25] On February 12, 2014, representatives of the TNG met again with Mr. Hallman and the Deputy Ministers. On this same day, the CEAA sent a letter to the TNG that explained the decision making process. The letter indicated that the TNG’s concerns were “reflected in the materials provided to the Minister to inform her decisions,” but that a copy of the materials provided to the Minister could not be shared with the TNG as this information was confidential.
[26] The next day, the TNG sent a letter to the CEAA expressing concern (based on news reports) about Taseko’s access to federal Ministers.
[27] On February 14, 2014, as part of the consultation process, the CEAA provided “potential conditions” for inclusion in a Decision Statement upon which the CEAA asked for TNG’s comments in the event that the Project was approved.
[28] On February 21, 2014, the Minister received the Crown Consultation Report.
[29] On February 24, 2014, the Minister received the TNG’s submissions in response to the draft conditions sent by the CEAA.
(2) Taseko’s Post-Hearing Engagement
[30] On a somewhat parallel track, Taseko was also engaged in contact with federal and other officials after the CEAA hearing. This was not done under any “consultation duty” as the TNG’s contact was styled.
[31] On August 29, 2013, and October 3, 2013, Taseko wrote to the Minister regarding the Project. In the second of these letters, Taseko indicated it would be “happy to meet” with the Minister.
[32] On September 1, 2013, the President and CEO of Taseko, Russ Hallbauer, published an opinion piece in the Vancouver Sun, wherein he stated that “[s]ome of the panel testimony, however, much of it from outside special interests, has unfortunately been designed to misinform and divide.” Much of the language from this article was mirrored in the August 29 letter to the Minister.
[33] In October of 2013, a representative of Taseko met with government officials including Mr. Hallman. There was at least one telephone call between Hallman and another Taseko representative in November. In addition, Taseko employed a government relations consultant to assist in securing meetings with officials.
[34] On November 4, 2013, following the Report’s October 31 release, counsel for Taseko wrote to the Minister to advise her that Taseko was preparing submissions regarding the Report and that the Minister should not make any determinations under the CEAA 2012 until receiving those submissions “as a matter of administrative fairness.”
[35] On November 5, 2013, Taseko issued a press release wherein it stated that Natural Resources Canada and the Panel had relied on the wrong project design in making determinations on seepage from the TSF.
[36] In keeping with its promise outlined in paragraph 31, on November 8, 2013, Taseko sent a submission to the Minister “regarding her pending decision and responding to the Panel Report, which referenced administrative fairness and requested that Taseko be notified of any adverse submissions made to the Minister arising out of aboriginal consultation.” This letter also indicated that the Project had the support of Mr. Ervin Charleyboy, a former TNG chief. Taseko had paid Mr. Charleyboy’s expenses to travel to Ottawa, where he spoke briefly with the Prime Minister outside of Parliament.
[37] Some issue was made at this Court about Taseko’s activities, and the identity of Mr. Charleyboy, with a request that he not be named in the Court’s decision. Identity is a matter of public record. Whether these activities constituted “lobbying” is not for the Court to decide. It is sufficient to describe them as political/government relations. However, court proceedings are open to the public except in very limited exceptions – this is not one of those exceptions.
[38] Around this time, Taseko engaged in meetings with Minister Bennett. An internal e-mail dated November 8, 2013, indicated the purpose of these meetings: “We need them as allies and as importantly we somehow need Bill [Bennett] and Christy [Clark] to do things that they may not otherwise undertake.” Meetings, letters, and a telephone call took place or were exchanged between Taseko and Minister Bennett. In a December 11, 2013 news article, Minister Bennett indicated that he was “going to seek to influence the decision, of course,” and that while it would be inappropriate to meet with the statutory decision maker he intended to meet with a number of other federal Ministers.
[39] On November 13, 2013, the CEAA requested that Taseko provide a response to two matters that it had raised concerning the Panel Report. The TNG was also informed of this request.
[40] On November 15, 2013, Taseko provided further submissions in response to the CEAA’s request. Taseko then issued a press release on November 18, 2013, in which it publicized these further submissions. The CEAA forwarded this correspondence to a member of the Minister’s political staff.
[41] On November 29, 2013, Taseko filed a Notice of Application in T-1977-13 seeking judicial review of the Report.
[42] In January 2014, Taseko sent correspondence to federal Ministers including Minister Joe Oliver, Minister James Moore, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
[43] On February 20, 2014, Taseko was provided with a copy of a letter written by Minister Bennett to the Minister of the Environment, which argued that unresolved concerns could be addressed in provincial government approval processes subsequent to approval under the CEAA 2012.
B. Pertinent Decision(s)
[44] On January 29, 2014, Mr. Hallman sent a memorandum to the Minister [the Hallman Memo]. He recommended that the Minister decide that the Project was likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects pursuant to sections 5(1) and (2) of the CEAA 2012. The Hallman Memo included three attachments: a memo on the issue of “Wrong Project Design” (under solicitor-client privilege), a document on mitigation measures, and the January 9, 2014 TNG submissions.
[45] On January 30, 2014, the Minister made her decision under section 52(1) in which she agreed with the CEAA recommendation and decided that the Project was likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects according to sections 52(1)(a) and (b) of the CEAA 2012 [Minister’s Decision].
[46] In February of 2014, the Minister sent a memorandum that included a Ministerial recommendation to the GIC for its decision [GIC Decision].
[47] On February 26, 2014, the Decision Statement was communicated to Taseko. The Decision Statement, pursuant to section 54 of the CEAA 2012, contained the Minister’s Decision and the GIC’s Decision under section 52(4). It did not include reasons. A press release stated: “In making its decision, the federal government considered the report of the independent Review Panel which conducted a rigorous review of the New Prosperity Mine project, and agreed with its conclusions about the environmental impacts of the project.”
[48] The CEAA advised Taseko that sections 6 and 5(1) of the CEAA 2012 prevented Taseko from taking any action that may cause environmental effects.
III. ISSUES
[49] Taseko challenges both the Minister’s Decision and the GIC Decision on grounds of breach of procedural fairness and jurisdictional error including the Canadian Bill of Rights. It also raises a constitutional challenge to section 5(1)(c) and section 6 of the CEAA 2012 arguing that these provisions are, by the doctrine of interjurisdictional immunity, inapplicable to the Project.
[50] While the government Respondents - the Minister and Attorney General [AG] - both see no issue as to a fair process at either decision, they also ask the Court not to decide the jurisdictional issue at this time.
[51] The Respondents TNG and Tsilhquot’in Nation take a slightly different position than the government Respondents. They raise issues as to Taseko’s right to be involved in Crown-Aboriginal consultation, fairness and delay in raising fairness concerns as well as what is tantamount to a “clean hands” argument given Taseko’s own conduct. They also raise the adequacy of the reasons for the decisions and the alleged hypothetical nature of the constitutional issue.
[52] I find the principal issues are:
Was Taseko afforded a fair process during the Minister's decision making process?
Was Taseko afforded a fair process during the GIC's decision making process?
Did the Minister and the GIC breach the Bill of Rights?
Are sections 5(1)(c) and 6 of the CEAA 2012 unconstitutional?
IV. STANDARD OF REVIEW
[53] It is well established and not argued here that the standard of review with respect to procedural fairness is correctness: Canada (Citizenship and Immigration) v Khosa, 2009 SCC 12, [2009] 1 SCR 339; Arsenault v Canada (Attorney General), 2016 FCA 179, 486 NR 268.
[54] The standard of review for constitutional issues is also correctness: Dunsmuir v New Brunswick, 2008 SCC 9; [2008] 1 SCR 190.
V. ANALYSIS
A. Issue 1: Was Taseko afforded a fair process during the Minister’s decision making process?
(1) Procedural Fairness
[55] The parties agree that there was a duty of procedural fairness owed to Taseko in this process. Contrary to Taseko’s assertions, the Respondents are not arguing that the duty to consult ousts the duty of fairness owed to a proponent.
[56] However, the parties are sharply divided as to the content of the duty of fairness owed to Taseko at this stage of the process.
[57] The Respondents argue that Taseko was owed a high degree of procedural fairness at the Panel stage and a minimal degree of procedural fairness at the Minister’s decision making stage (Taseko calls this an “asymmetrical process”) particularly as it afforded the TNG greater access to decision makers. Taseko argues that it was owed a high degree of procedural fairness at all stages of the process (and, essentially, that it was owed the same process as the TNG – i.e., a symmetrical process).
[58] In my view, Taseko was owed a duty of procedural fairness throughout the whole process, but it was not owed a high degree of procedural fairness at this stage of the environmental review process. When the environmental assessment scheme at issue is understood as a whole, it is clear that the Panel process is the venue through which the parties are to be afforded a high degree of procedural fairness. That process involves oral hearings, the submission of evidence (including expert evidence) by interested persons, cross-examination, fact finding, and a number of other trappings associated with a quasi-judicial process.
[59] The Minister’s decision making process, by contrast, did not involve any elements that would indicate that Taseko was owed a high degree of procedural fairness.
[60] I conclude that Taseko was owed a duty of procedural fairness in this environmental approval process but that the degree and type of procedural fairness varies at different stages of the whole process. The “process” encompasses from application through to the GIC decision.
[61] A review of the Baker v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), [1999] 2 SCR 817, 174 DLR (4th) 193 [Baker] factors supports the finding that Taseko was owed a minimal degree of procedural fairness at this stage of the process:
The Minister’s decision making process did not resemble judicial decision making (i.e., the process was not established to be adversarial, and the Minister was not required to receive submissions). The Minister was making findings of fact (as argued by Taseko), but these findings were ba