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JOHN HOGENBIRK PRESIDING

1.0 CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

2.0 INTRODUCTIONS

Members of the PAC and TC introduced themselves to the public in attendance.

3.0 DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

4.0 OPEN FORUM (30 min.)

There were no questions raised from the audience.

5.0 ADDITIONS TO/APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

There was a request to add:

7.1 Update on Status of Study

12.2 MOE and HC Request

The Chair indicated items will be rearranged on the agenda to accommodate an early departure so as not to lose quorum.

6.0 REPORT ON QUESTIONS/ISSUES RAISED AT LAST PAC MEETING

There were no items that needed to be addressed.

7.0 PRESENTATION

7.1 Update on Status of Study

Mr. Watson informed the PAC that members of the TC recently conducted a technical review of some outstanding issues regarding the HHRA and have come to consensus on those items addressed at this meeting. An additional meeting will be held on January 25^th to address the remaining issues and it is expected consensus will be attained on those issues as well. To accommodate these meetings the process has been delayed somewhat, but everyone is committed to producing a quality product and all felt these meetings were necessary. He also informed the PAC that the Communications Sub-committee is meeting later this week to prepare for the public release of the HHRA which is now delayed to the Spring of 2007.

Mr. Watson also reported that the ERA will now be undergoing a similar process as the HHRA. Draft 2 of the ERA Volume III was sent to TERA today. The date set for the IERP meetings in Sudbury are March 6^th and 7^th. The PAC and the public will be invited to a meet and greet on the evening of March 5^th at College Boreal. Public notices will go out to advertise the event. It is expected the public release of the ERA will be in the Fall of 2007.

In response to the query as to when the PAC might expect to receive the reader-friendly version for review Mr. Watson indicated that he expected the first draft to be out to the TC in early February and pending any changes, to the PAC following. The PAC requested a copy of the Executive Summary to accompany the reader-friendly version for comparison purposes. The PAC also asked to be kept apprised of activities so that they might be prepared to complete the tasks assigned.

Several suggestions were made for CSC consideration regarding the promotion of the IERP meeting and requested the PAC representative to table these suggestions such as asking SARA to reinstitute their distribution list, ensure all EarthCare partners are made aware of significant dates and meetings.

8.0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES

8.1 Minutes of Meeting #29 – November 21, 2006

It was requested to change the wording in 7.1 the last sentence in the third paragraph to read: “As a result of one of the IERP recommendations …”

In 9.1 the title should be changed to read “Change of Ownership of the Proponents of the SSS”.

On page 4, the last sentence of the fifth paragraph to read: “… are legislated to ensure that any risk to human health is minimized.”

01-2007 Moved by Breau - Hrytsak: With these amendments the minutes of meeting #29 dated November 21, 2006 was approved. CARRIED

9.0 BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES

9.1 Status of CVRD Inco Letter Reaffirming Commitment to Study

Mr. Watson tabled a letter received from the President of CVRD Inco Ontario Operations reaffirming their commitment to the Study, similar to the letter received from Xstrata Nickel.

FRANCO MARIOTTI PRESIDING

10.0 NEW BUSINESS

10.1 Elections

02-2007 Moved by Hrytsak – Cowan: That John Hogenbirk be appointed as Chair for the year 2007. CARRIED

03-2007 Moved by Cowan – Laamanen: That Gary Hrytsak be appointed as Vice-Chair for the year 2007. CARRIED

JOHN HOGENBIRK PRESIDING

10.2 Review of Memberships

Several members of the PAC have completed their two year term.

04-2007 Moved by Somek – Zippel: That the following members’ terms be renewed for an additional two years:

Nicole Breau Dick Cowan Gary Hrytsak

John Hogenbirk Aino Laamanen

CARRIED

10.3 Review of Terms of Reference

There were no changes required on this document. The Chair noted that this document will be located on the website.

05-2007 Moved by Hrytsak – Laamanen: That the Terms of Reference be approved without amendment and placed on the website for the information of the public. CARRIED

10.4 Annual Report

This document is a requirement in the Terms of Reference and is a report on the previous year’s activities of the PAC.

06-2007 Moved by Breau – Laamanen: That the 2006 Annual Report be approved and distributed to members of the TC and also to be placed on the website. CARRIED

11.0 TC MEETINGS

11.1 Technical Committee Meeting #53

Key Progress & Decision Summary for Meeting of November 16, 2006

This document was tabled for information.

12.0 ADDENDUM

12.1 MOE and HC Request

Mr. Hrytsak tabled the following request on behalf of the PAC:

As the Public Advisory Committee is tasked with being able to understand issues and comment upon those issues that would allow the public to have a clearer understanding of the Sudbury Soils Study; we find ourselves somewhat at a loss in understanding the policies and regulations of the MOE as they pertain to the HHRA and ERA, and the acceptance by the MOE of the final HHRA and ERA reports.

Also, we do not fully understand the role of First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB, Health Canada) and their responsibility with respect to the Sudbury Soils Study. For example, we do not know who at FNIHB receives the SSS documents, how the documents are processed or how FNIHB's feedback is returned to the TC.

Therefore we request of these two government agencies that they present to the PAC at our March 20 meeting, an explanation of their roles and responsibilities in relation to the concerns outlined above.

It is our opinion as the PAC that formal clarification is necessary in order for our understanding and in order to ensure transparency of the Sudbury Soils Study.

The MOE indicated they would be more than happy to honour this request at the next PAC meeting. As the representative from the FNIHB was not at the meeting and therefore not able to respond, this request is to be forwarded to all members of the TC for their information and appropriate action.

12.2 SSS Website

The PAC noted that the website has not been kept up-to-date with information and also that there are several errors noted on the site. Errors were also identified in the advertisement that is placed in the local newspapers. It was requested that the PAC continue to monitor this site and to not hesitate to bring to light any errors identified. The PAC indicated that this has been an ongoing concern and would like more attention paid to the maintenance of this site. It was also requested that the letters from Xstrata Nickel and CVRD Inco be posted for the information of the public as well.

13.0 NEXT PAC MEETING

The next meeting is scheduled for March 20, 2007 in Room C10 at Tom Davies Square. It was noted that this was immediately following the March break and a request was made to move it forward. The Chair will canvass members for a new date.

It was also requested that either the venue be changed to accommodate more public or more chairs be added to the room.

14.0 FOLLOW UP TO PUBLIC SESSION

There were several questions raised from the audience as follows:

Q: A request was received from the public asking for the PAC agenda to be posted on the website prior to the meetings so the public can be made aware of topics to be discussed.

A: The public were informed that the agenda may not necessarily be all inclusive as items can, and often are, added at the meeting but an attempt will be made to accommodate this request.

Q: Is the purpose of the Study to determine how safe the soils are in Sudbury for people (ie ingestion) or the ability to grow things?

A: The purpose is to identify the reasonable worst case conditions for chemicals of concern in the soil. The focus of the HHRA is the toddler receptor as the hypothetical model as they have the most exposure (i.e. playgrounds, crawling, items in the mouth, etc.).

Q: Will growing foods – agriculture be addressed?

A: Yes. Samples have already been obtained from commercial growers/crops, medicinal plants as well as a variety of vegetables, animals and local food basket.

Q: Will the guidelines established for nickel (e.g. 300 ppm) only be applied to Sudbury and area?

A: No. These guidelines, some of which have never been established, will apply throughout Ontario.

15.0 ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

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Chair, John Hogenbirk Recorder, Julie Sabourin