Northern Voices

This database brings together the minutes of public hearings from approximately fifteen development projects in northern Canada, with plans to expand it over time. The interface, developed by CSTIP, enables full-text searches across the database using keywords, dates, communities, or project names.

By including the voices of northern residents—many of whom are Indigenous—this tool offers valuable insights into their concerns, fears, and aspirations, and more broadly, how they envision the impacts of infrastructure developments such as pipelines, hydroelectric dams, and mines on their lands.

The database was developed as part of the MinErAL project, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

It was initially created by Christopher Fletcher, professor at Université Laval, who designed the first version. The project was then taken up by Thierry Rodon’s team, within the MinErAL network and the INQ Research Chair in Sustainable Northern Development, who updated its content, developed a new interface, and delivered an enhanced and more accessible version of the database.

Access the database

List of projects

  • Akasaba West Mine, Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE), 2017 (Volume 1-3)
  • Bloom Lake Mine, Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE), 2020 (Volume 1-4)
  • Cameron Hills Extension Project, Mackenzie Valley Environnemental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB), 2004 (Volume 1-2)
  • Canadian Malartic, Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE), 2016 (Volume 1-6)
  • Con Mine, Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (MVLWB), 2004
  • Dehcho Geotechnical Survey, Mackenzie Valley Environnemental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB), 2004
  • Diavik Diamond Mine, Mackenzie Valley Environnemental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB), 2019
  • Diavik Diamond Mine, Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (MVLWB), 2005
  • Doris North Mine, Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), 2004 (Volume 1-6)
  • Doris North Mine, Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), 2016 (Volume 1-3)
  • Drybones Bay Mineral exploration, Mackenzie Valley Environnemental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB), 2003-2004
  • Eastmain-1-A and Rupert Diversion Project, Environmental and Social Impact Evaluating Committee (COMEV), 2003 (Volume 1-6)
  • Eastmain-1-A and Rupert Diversion Project, Environmental and Social Impact Review Committee (COMEX) 2006 (Volume 1-43)
  • Ekati Diamond Mine, Mackenzie Valley Environnemental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB), 2000
  • Ekati Diamond Mine, Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (MVLWB), 2004; 2013; 2021
  • Ekati Diamond Mine, Wek'eezhii Land and Water Board (WLWB), 2023
  • Giant Mine Remediation Project, Mackenzie Valley Environnemental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB), 2012
  • Horne 5 Project, Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE), 2024 (Volume 1-5)
  • Jericho Diamond Mine, Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), 2004 (Volume 1-5)
  • Jericho Diamond Mine, Nunavut Water Board (NWB), 2004 (Volume 1-4)
  • Kiggavik Project, Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), 2015 (Volume 1-11)
  • Mackenzie Gas Project, Mackenzie Valley Environnemental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB), 2004
  • Mackenzie River Bridge Project, Mackenzie Valley Environnemental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB), 2004
  • Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry, Berger Commission (BC),1975 (Volume 1-77)
  • Mary River Project, Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), 2012 (Volume 1-11)
  • Matawinie Mine, Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE), 2020 (Volume 1-5)
  • Matoush Uranium Exploration Project, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), 2012
  • Meadowbank Gold Project, Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), 2005 (Prehearing Volume 1-4)
  • Meadowbank Gold Project, Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), 2006 (Volume 1-6)
  • Meliadine, Gold Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), 2014 (Volume 1-5); 2018 (Volume 1-2)
  • Military Flying activies in Labrador and Quebec, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA), 1994 (Volume 1-33)
  • Mineral Exploration Program, Mackenzie Valley Environnemental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB), 2007; 2011
  • Nanisivik Mine, Nunavut Water Board (NWB), 2004 (Volume 1-2)
  • Pine Point Pilot Project, Mackenzie Valley Environnemental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB), 2007
  • Pine Point Pilot Project, Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (MVLWB), 2008; 2012
  • Prairie Creek Phase III Drilling Program, Mackenzie Valley Environnemental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB), 2005
  • Snap Lake Diamond, Mackenzie Valley Environnemental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB), 2003 (Volume 1-5); 2014
  • Snare Hydro, Wek'eezhii Land and Water Board (WLWB), 2023
  • Taltson Hydro Expansion Project, Mackenzie Valley Environnemental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB), 2010
  • Voisey's Bay mine and mill project, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA), 1997 (Scoping Sessions); 1998