Leonard J. S. Tsuji

Reading between the lines of the ‘Responsible Resource Development’ rhetoric: the use of omnibus bills to ‘streamline’ Canadian environmental legislation

In Canada, the use of omnibus budget bills in recent years has grown substantially. In 2012, it was used twice by the Government of Canada. As a result, a number of substantial changes to environmental legislation were introduced with virtually no debate nor compromise. This situation has been criticized for seriously reducing the credibility of the budget process and the authority of Parliament in Canada, as well as undermining the transparency and accountability of the policy-making process. This paper describes how changes to major policies through the use of omnibus bills (all, arguably, in the name of faster project review decisions) affect not only established environmental protection efforts, but also the public and Aboriginal (First Nations, Inuit and Metis) peoples, particularly in terms of their capacity to effectively participate in resource development.

The complexity of hair/blood mercury concentration ratios and its implications.

BACKGROUND The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a mercury (Hg) hair-to-blood ratio of 250 for the conversion of Hg hair levels to those in whole blood. This encouraged the selection of hair as the preferred analyte because it minimizes collection, storage, and transportation issues. In spite of these advantages, there is concern about inherent uncertainties in the use of this ratio. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the appropriateness of the WHO ratio, we investigated total hair and total blood Hg concentrations in 1333 individuals from 9 First Nations (Aboriginal) communities in northern Québec, Canada. METHODS We grouped participants by sex, age, and community and performed a 3-factor (M)ANOVA for total Hg in hair (0-2 cm), total Hg in blood, and their ratio. In addition, we calculated the percent error associated with the use of the WHO ratio in predicting blood Hg concentrations from hair Hg. For group comparisons, Estimated Marginal Means (EMMS) were calculated following ANOVA. RESULTS At the community level, the error in blood Hg estimated from hair Hg ranged -25% to +24%. Systematic underestimation (-8.4%) occurred for females and overestimation for males (+5.8%). At the individual level, the corresponding error range was -98.7% to 1040%, with observed hair-to-blood ratios spanning 3 to 2845. CONCLUSIONS The application of the ratio endorsed by the WHO would be unreliable for determining individual follow-up. We propose that Hg exposure be assessed by blood measurements when there are human health concerns, and that the singular use of hair and the hair-to-blood concentration conversion be discouraged in establishing individual risk.

Mining in subarctic Canada: airborne PM2.5 metal concentrations in two remote First Nations communities.

Airborne particulate matter arising from upwind mining activities is a concern for First Nations communities in the western James Bay region of Ontario, Canada. Aerosol chemical components were collected in 2011 from two communities in northern Ontario. The chemical and mass concentration data of particulate matter collected during this study shows a significant difference in PM2.5 in Attawapiskat compared to Fort Albany. Elemental profiles indicate enhanced levels of some tracers thought to arise from mining activities, such as, K, Ni, and crustal materials. Both communities are remote and isolated from urban and industrial pollution sources, however, Attawapiskat First Nation has significantly enhanced levels of particulate matter, and it is likely that some of this arises from upwind mining activities.

Source identification of human exposure to lead in nine Cree Nations from Quebec, Canada (Eeyou Istchee territory)

ABSTRACT While policies to decrease lead in the environment have been implemented to reduce human exposure to various lead sources, the use of lead ammunition to harvest wild game may continue to contribute significantly to human blood lead levels (BLLs). As part of a multi‐community environment‐and‐health study, BLLs representing all age groups were evaluated in the nine Cree Nations located in the James and Hudson Bay regions of Quebec, Canada. Personal, market food, traditional food and 24‐h recall questionnaires were administered. Predictor variables were assessed for various exposure sources, including diet and hunting practices. Elevated BLLs were observed in association with increased hunting status, use of firearms and leaded ammunition, and consumption of traditional foods. Significant differences were observed between all communities, age groups and sexes. Recommendations include educational campaigns that promote switching to non‐lead ammunition and, if lead ammunition continues to be used, careful removal from tissues of pellets, bullet fragments and ammunition paths. HIGHLIGHTSLead exposure remains a public health issue, especially in Indigenous communities who may rely on a subsistence diet.We investigate sources of lead exposure in all 9 First Nations in Quebec, Canada.Elevated levels of lead were found to be associated with hunting practices and consumption of traditional foods.Educational campaigns and cost reductions in non‐toxicsubstitutes may aid in reducing lead exposure.

Menstrual cycle perturbation by organohalogens and elements in the Cree of James Bay, Canada

Persistent organohalogens (POHs) and metals have been linked to alterations in menstrual cycle function and fertility in humans. The Cree First Nations people living near James Bay in Ontario and Quebec, Canada, have elevated levels of POHs, mercury and lead compared to other Canadians. The present study examines the interrelationships between selected POHs and elements on menstrual cycle function in these Cree women. Menstrual cycle characteristics were derived from structured daily diaries and endocrine measurements from daily urine samples collected during one cycle for 42 women age 19-42. We measured 31 POHs in blood plasma and 18 elements in whole blood, for 31 of the participants. POHs and elements detected in ≥ 70% of the participants were transformed by principal component (PC) analysis to reduce the contaminant exposure data to fewer, uncorrelated PCA variables. Multiple regression analysis revealed that, after adjusting for confounders, PC-3 values showed significant negative association with cycle length, after adjusting for confounders (p = 0.002). PC-3 accounted for 9.2% of the variance and shows positive loadings for cadmium, selenium, and PBDE congeners 47 and 153, and a negative loading for copper. Sensitivity analysis of the model to quantify likely effect sizes showed a range of menstrual cycle length from 25.3 to 28.3 days using the lower and upper 95% confidence limits of mean measured contaminant concentrations to predict cycle length. Our observations support the hypothesis that the menstrual cycle function of these women may be altered by exposure to POHs and elements from their environment.

Local food production in a subarctic Indigenous community: the use of willow (Salix spp.) windbreaks to increase the yield of intercropped potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) and bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

ABSTRACT Addressing food security with local and sustainable food production is a key requirement for supporting a globally sustainable agricultural system. Food insecurity is prevalent in Indigenous communities in Canada, especially in rural and remote regions of northern (subarctic and arctic) Canada. Further, climate change has disproportionately impacted subarctic and arctic regions worldwide − surface air temperatures are now more favourable for agricultural activities − offering the potential for local food production under ambient conditions. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) intercrops grown over a two-year period in two sites (treed, windbreak-lined with native willow, Salix. spp.; and non-treed, or open) in the subarctic Indigenous community of Fort Albany First Nation, Ontario, Canada. Intercrops grown in the windbreak-lined site produced significantly greater (p < 0.05) yields and biomass than the open site. An analysis of soil chemistry (pH, P, K, Mg, NO3, NH4 and total N) showed that with some local amendments such as offal and bone meal, both the windbreak-lined and open sites can support continued agricultural use. This study informs Indigenous communities across subarctic regions of the world that climate change not only brings challenges, but also opportunities, such as potentially sustainable local food production.

Collaborative Uses of Geospatial Technology to Support Climate Change Adaptation in Indigenous Communities of the Circumpolar North

A literature review is conducted of geospatial technologies in community-based research on ice and mobility among Indigenous people of the circumpolar north. Numerous studies explore the use of traditional knowledge in the Arctic on sea ice, but limited evidence of community-based research in sub-Arctic communities and in freshwater ice systems is found. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing tools have been applied in a variety of ways in support of community adaptations. These include the production of living memory maps, ice classification systems, and geodatabases that reflect the relationship-building nature of collabora‐ tions between Indigenous traditional knowledge holders and scientists. Satellite imagery—particularly synthetic aperture radar (SAR)—is widely used to characterize traditional understandings of ice to help tailor geospatial tools, climate research, and early warning systems, so that they may be used more effectively to address commun‐ ity interests and needs. As numerous mapping platforms have been developed in the circumpolar north, there are important considerations with respect to data manage‐ ment, Indigenous rights, and data sharing. We see opportunities for further research in lake and river ice, and in further developing early warning systems to address the growing problem of unpredictable ice regimes in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.

Community vulnerability to changes in the winter road viability and longevity in the western James Bay region of Ontario’s Far North

A network of winter roads that consists of snow-ice roads over land, muskeg, and frozen lakes and rivers has been and continues to be a critical seasonal lifeline in remote-northern First Nation (FN) communities in Ontario’s Far North. This study examines current vulnerability of the Fort Albany community to physical, social, and economic impacts associated with the changing of the viability and longevity of winter roads and its seasons, as well as the river ice regimes. Semi-directive interviews with key informants (n = 8) and structured surveys with winter road users (n = 54) were conducted to gather local knowledge about the evolution of winter roads and climatic and environmental changes in winter road conditions and seasons. Trends in the river ice breakup and flood events for the Moose River, Albany River, and Attawapiskat River were also examined. The results of this study indicate that climatic factors, particularly air temperature and snowfall, have directly affected the construction and maintenance of the James Bay Winter Road. Trend analyses of spring flooding for the three rivers exhibit statistically significant increases (p ≤ 0.01) over the past few decades; thus, flooding in nearby communities has become a more significant threat in recent years. A few short- and medium-term adaptation strategies have been initiated in response to the impacts of climate change on winter roads; however, developing long-term planning and feasible adaptation for remote-northern communities in Ontario’s Far North is necessary.

Implications of projected climate change on winter road systems in Ontario’s Far North, Canada

Understanding climate change impacts on winter road systems in Ontario’s Far North is critical due to the high dependence on such seasonal corridors by local residences, particularly among remote First Nations communities. In recent years, a warmer climate has resulted in a shorter winter road season and an increase in unreliable road conditions, thus limiting access among remote communities. This study focused on examining the future freezing degree day (FDD) accumulations during the preconditioning period of the winter roads at five locations using the multi-model ensembles of general circulation models (GCMs) and regional climate models (RCMs), under the representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios. The Statistical DownScaling Model Decision Centric Version 5 (SDSM-DC) was applied to validate the baseline climate. The results from the CMIP5 showed that by mid-century, the trends of FDDs under RCP4.5 for Moosonee and Kapuskasing were projected to decrease below the lowest threshold with the mean FDDs at 376 and 363, respectively. Under RCP8.5, the mean FDDs for Lansdowne House and Red Lake were projected to be below the lowest threshold, at 356 and 305, respectively, by the end of the century. Results of the FDD threshold measure indicated that climate conditions would possibly be unfavorable during the winter road construction period by mid-century for Moosonee and Kapuskasing and for Lansdowne House and Red Lake by the end of the century. For Big Trout Lake, on the other hand, climate conditions are expected to remain favorable for the winter road construction through the end of 2100.

The Food and Nutrient Intakes of First Nations Youth Living in Northern Ontario, Canada: Evaluation of a Harvest Sharing Program

ABSTRACT Locally harvested food consumption is declining among Canadian First Nations (FN) youth. The objective of this study was to investigate, among youth in 2 FN communities, the frequency of lesser snow goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) consumption, its contribution to nutritional intake, and the nutritional outcomes of a harvest sharing program. A cross-sectional survey and pre–posttest design was used. Food intakes were assessed via 24-hour recall and food frequency questionnaire. At baseline (n = 84, 12.38 ± 1.07 years, 49% male) 48% of participants consumed snow goose. Consumption frequency was associated with meat and alternatives (P = .019), protein (P = .004), vitamin B12 (P = .004), iron (P = .011), and zinc (P = .006). At postprogram (n = 73, 12.34 ± .99 years, 44% male), consumption prevalence increased, significantly for girls (P = .015). Harvest sharing supports snow goose consumption, which imparts nutritional benefits.