Federal Court - Christian Aboriginal Infrastructure Developments ...

Page: 35
Assessment Act, S.C. 1992, c. 37 (“CEAA”) which requires environmental assessments for new
projects that involve the use of water.
[139] Mr. Sherstone’s exposure to the forestry file occurred when he was the Acting Director of
Renewable Resources, filling in for Mr. Bruce Chambers who was the full-time Director. That took
place, on and off, during the years 1995 to 1997. In one fiscal year Mr. Sherstone was in this
2010 FC 495 (CanLII)
position for approximately five and a half months. At that time, he was responsible for the overall
direction of the water, lands and forestry programs.
[140] Mr. Sherstone testified about a blockade of the federal building in Whitehorse that took
place in the latter part of October 1996. This blockade was a protest in relation to a number of
forestry issues and existing policies, including the allocation of timber in southeast Yukon. Mr.
Sherstone testified that the Minister, Mr. Irwin at the time, ordered a program review with the aim
of introducing a new policy or regulatory scheme to deal with this issue.
[141] Mr. Sherstone had limited involvement with LPL, and none with SYFC. He testified that his
only communication with LPL was during a meeting on November 4, 1996. He gave evidence
about his recollection of this meeting.
[142] He acknowledged that the Department had a mandate for encouraging economic initiatives
in the Yukon Territory. He was aware that this mandate is set out in the Act. He was aware that
there was very high unemployment in Yukon, particularly in the Watson Lake area.