Contributing to
New Brunswick's Potential & Creating a Brighter Future
The Sisson Partnership believes that the Sisson Project can be constructed and operated in an environmentally responsible manner that will generate important socioeconomic benefits for local communities, the province of New Brunswick and Canada.
Community &
First Nations Engagement
Since 2010, Northcliff Resources and the Sisson Partnership have shared information about the Sisson Project with New Brunswick communities, First Nations and other stakeholders, and encouraged feedback - either directly to us or through the federal and provincial permitting process.
Planning for community engagement in 2026 and beyond is currently underway.
First Nations Engagement Milestones
In 2017, the Sisson Partnership entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Woodstock First Nation. The Cooperation Agreement provides Woodstock First Nation with various economic opportunities and financial benefits and provides a long-term framework for collaboration.
The Government of New Brunswick signed an Accommodation Agreement with the six Wolastoqey Nations in 2017, providing them with shares of provincial revenues from the Sisson Project.
As part of its commitment to meaningful engagement with First Nations communities, in 2012 Sisson founded the First Nations Environmental Assessment Working Group (FNEAWG) with representatives from St. Mary’s First Nation (Sitansisk), Woodstock First Nation (Wotstak), the Assembly of First Nations, federal and provincial governments and the Sisson Partnership. This working group became the primary venue for engagement with First Nations and the exchange of information on the environmental impact assessment for the Sisson Project. Sisson Mines Limited (SML) provided capacity funding to FNEAWG, enabling the First Nations working group members to hire their own technical experts to review project information.
The Sisson Partnership provided funding for the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (TKS) Study, which was managed by representatives of Woodstock (Wotstak), St. Mary's (Sitansisk) and Madawaska (Matawaskiyak) First Nations. Open houses took place in various First Nations communities to allow for input from all interested community members. The information contained within helped to provide an understanding of how the project might affect current land use by the Indigenous community.
First Nations groups have been actively involved in the archaeological program for the Sisson Project, including in the development of a Heritage Mitigation Plan in 2014. The Sisson Partnership funded a monitor, an independent archaeologist, a senior advisor and several field technicians to provided hands-on involvement. Annual reports prepared by the company's consultants describing the work completed during the field season have been shared with First Nations.
The Partnership has been working directly with the Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI) and Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) to identify education and training opportunities for First Nations.
The Sisson Partnership continues to pursue partnerships with communities and First Nations related to jobs and training opportunities and will continue to work with each community in a way that respects their interests in the Sisson Project as it advances.
Community Engagement Milestones
Environmental Impact Assessment Engagement (2015)
In support of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process in 2015, the Sisson Partnership held several Open Houses in communities surrounding the proposed mine Project. Open houses took place in Juniper, Stanley, Woodstock and Nackawic with over 200 participants.
The Partnership published newsletters distributed to over 1,100 email subscribers, and 200 mail-out subscribers. The newsletters covered topics such as general project announcements, updates on the EIA process, the feasibility study, archeological program, and geological field programs.
It also established a Sustainability Working Group made up of representatives from the community and various environmental groups and hosted meetings to present information on the following topics:
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Feasibility Study Review and Discussions
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TSF Alternative Analysis Presentation and Discussion
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Water Quality and Management
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Education and training opportunities for area residents;
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Submission of the EIA Report, the regulatory process and future public comment opportunities
In 2011, a storefront office opened in Stanley and operated every second Wednesday and every second Saturday throughout the Environmental Impact Assessment process. The majority of drop-ins were from community members expressing interest in employment and contracting opportunities – and to inquire about the Project’s status.
The Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, the Carleton County Chamber of Commerce, the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, le Conseil Économique du Nouveau-Brunswick, the Miramichi Valley Business Association, and the Natural Resources Task Force have worked collaboratively with the Sisson Partnership to ensure New Brunswick businesses have opportunities to capitalize on the socio-economic benefits of Sisson Project development.
The Sisson Partnership hosted community BBQs in the rural communities of Boiestown, Doaktown and Blackville. The Sisson Partnership used the opportunity to meet community members and to share project information through its information booth. Approximately 160 people attended the BBQs.
Local Hire Policy & Career Opportunities
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The Sisson Partnership is committed to maximizing employment benefits for the province by ensuring New Brunswick residents are aware of job opportunities that will be available at the Sisson Project, and the skill set required for various positions. We continue to work closely with the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education Training and Labour, the New Brunswick Community College network, and the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) to ensure that the New Brunswick workforce is empowered to take advantage of all of the employment opportunities the Sisson Project will present.
The Partnership has held several career information sessions in local communities and participated in a variety of job fairs to provide details on the types of jobs generally found in an open pit mining operation, specific job qualifications and education/skill requirements for potential employment opportunities.
As the project advances, we will continue to work closely with our workforce and training partners and post job opportunities on the Sisson Project website.
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