Deficiencies in low-level flight plan ignored by federal government

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Aboriginal leaders in Quebec and Labrador are disappointed that public hearings have been called into the plan to increase low-level military flights over Innu land.

The 26 days of hearings are scheduled to begin Sept. 19 despite strong objections from the Innu.

The Federal Environmental Assessment Plan ignored the 130 deficiencies identified by Innu experts in the Department of National Defence Environmental Impact Study, said Daniel Ashini, Director of Innu Rights and Environment for the Innu Nation.

These deficiencies include the DND's proposal to create one giant training zone instead of two smaller zones, and the use of chaff in the training, a substance made up of thin, metal strips which confuse enemy radar and make animals sick when they eat it.

"The panel has stacked the deck against the Innu," he said. The hearings are scheduled in the Innu communities at the time when hunters and families are out on the land, said Ashini.

"We specifically asked them not to do this. These are the people most affected by the training, and yet the panel is denying them the right to share their expertise and express their views."

The military wants to raise the number of flights in the area from 8,000 to 15,000. The Innu claim the flights disrupt wildlife in the area.

Caribou herds are known to pass right over their feeding grounds without eating, said Ashini.

"If we are seeing these effects now, what will happen after the low-flying jets double their activity, as the Canadian military plans?"

Ashini said Innu leaders are questioning their continued involvement in the environmental review process.

"We're not sure we can continue to participate in a process that is so prejudicial to our rights."