YESAA Oversight Group

About the Oversight Group

The Oversight Group was established as a result of the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act (YESAA) Reset Memorandum of Understanding ("Reset MOU"), signed in November 2017, by Yukon First Nations with Final Agreements, the Government of Yukon, and the Government of Canada. The Parties are committed to working together to re-establish collaboration for the purpose of fully implementing the development assessment process in accordance with the Yukon First Nation Final Agreements and facilitating its improvement in the spirit of partnership, respect and cooperation.

The purpose of the Oversight Group is to oversee the development assessment process in the Yukon and promote its ongoing improvement, while respecting the independence of the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB).

The Oversight Group consists of four members:

• Daryn Leas and Emmie Fairclough, who are the two representatives appointed by Yukon First Nations
• Jasmina Randhawa, who is the representative appointed by the Government of Yukon
• Dionne Savill, who is the representative appointed by the Government of Canada

First Nations and stakeholders that are not party to the Reset MOU, including YESAB, Yukon First Nations without Final Agreements, Transboundary First Nations, industry and other interested groups, are encouraged to contact the Oversight Group if they have questions or input.

For further information about the Oversight Group, please see the Oversight Group Fact Sheet.

Oversight Group Priorities

The Oversight Group approved a series of priorities, which was informed by submissions from Yukon First Nations with Final Agreements, the Government of Yukon, the Government of Canada and YESAB. The Oversight Group also took into consideration the concerns and interests expressed by various non-governmental organizations, including industry and environmental conservation groups. These priorities may be addressed through the YESAA Forum, working groups, technical committees, or any other means as agreed upon by the Oversight Group.

The priorities generally fall into three common themes:

1. YESAA Forum
2. Consultation and Engagement
3. Policy/Procedural Aspects

For further details on the priority areas, please see the Oversight Group Priorities Document.

YESAA Forum

The YESAA Forum originally flowed from the YESAA 5-year review as a means to continuously and collaboratively improve the environmental assessment process for all Yukoners. Although the Forum has been inactive in recent years, the outcomes of the Reset MOU and the establishment of the Oversight Group have encouraged the revitalization of the Forum as a key priority moving forward.

The purpose of the Forum is to create a community of practice for YESAA practitioners to engage in discussion, analysis and training, and to develop recommendations to address a range of YESAA-related topics. The Oversight Group will provide guidance and direction to the YESAA Forum.

The YESAA Forum may include discussion of topics from the YESAA 5-year Review, further exploration of previous Forum event topics, and priority areas identified by the Oversight Group, such as:

• Cumulative Effects
• Traditional Knowledge
• Training
• Consultation and Engagement
• Mitigative Measures
• Proving Economic Potential and Benefits
• Improving Communications of Pre-submission Requirements
• Other priority areas identified by the Oversight Group

YESAA Forum Documents

YESAA Forum Terms of Reference - Updated as of September 11, 2019

Upcoming YESAA Forum Events

A YESAA Forum event is planned for November 5, 2019 at the Yukon Inn in Whitehorse. Initial topics for discussion at this Forum event will include an introduction and update from the Oversight Group, a review of the updated YESAA Forum Terms of Reference and outcomes of the previous YESAA Forum, as well as discussions regarding cumulative effects assessment and management and a facilitated discussion and information sharing on amendments and renewals. Further details and a draft agenda will be provided shortly.

Oversight Group Meetings and Records of Decision

• July 19, 2018 - Initial meeting of the Oversight Group and signing of the Terms of Reference

• August 9, 2018 - Oversight Group meeting with YESAB

• September 11, 2018 - Oversight Group meeting
• November 26, 2018 - Oversight Group meeting and approval of priorities
• October 26, 2018 - Oversight Group meeting
• May 9, 2019 - Oversight Group meeting with YESAB - Record of Decision
• September 11, 2019 - Oversight Group meeting - Record of Decision

Oversight Group Documents

• Oversight Group Terms of Reference
• Oversight Group Priorities Document
• Oversight Group Fact Sheet

Related News and Agreements

• News release: Canada, Yukon and Yukon First Nations Governments Meet at the Intergovernmental Forum and Reach Agreement on Implementation of Yukon Environmental Assessment Legislation
• YESAA Reset MOU

Contact the Oversight Group

Dionne Savill, Chair
Email: Dionne.Savill@canada.ca
Phone: 867-667-3888
Mailing address:
415C-300 Main Street
Whitehorse, YT
Y1A 2B5