2024-25 Annual Report Highlights
Overview
Once again this year, the MHMOC exceeded its quarterly meeting frequency target described in the Terms of Reference, meeting nine times between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, via MS Teams. Committee members discussed the possibility of holding a face-to-face meeting, either in September 2024 or June 2025, in conjunction with public engagement sessions, but plans for both the face-to-face meeting and the public education sessions were delayed due to challenges with finding suitable times for all members, and to allow time for more work to be completed on draft educational materials.
In addition to its role as a member of the MHMOC, the Department of Health and Community Services (HCS) continued to provide secretariat support services to the committee and the Health Education Working Group (HEWG), and chaired the HEWG throughout Year 3. Health Canada continued to support the MHMOC and the HEWG, in part through a standing offer agreement with Intrinsik-Wilson.
The MHMOC advanced work on several priorities for Year 3, in accordance with its work plan.
The HEWG held regular quarterly meetings in Year 3, as described in its Terms of Reference, and held one special meeting in May 2025 to further discuss draft educational materials. On several occasions, the HEWG Chairperson also met with Health Canada and Intrinsik-Wilson, and/or with Indigenous partners, to further support the development of educational materials, based on the most recent fish and seal monitoring data.
The Communications Advisory Committee developed and added content to the MHMOC website (https://mhmoc.ca/), including a revised FAQ and summaries of the MHMOC annual reports for Years 1 and 2 (2022-23 and 2023-24). Additional website content, including an interactive map of the project area, was also drafted. Members proposed the development of a Facebook page to support public engagement and message distribution.
Following up on NL Hydro’s financial commitment of $100,000 in the 2024 budget to support a community-led dietary survey, the NCC submitted a proposal, that was further reviewed by Intrinsik, Health Canada and the Department of Health and Community Services. NL Hydro is supportive of the proposal and has prepared and provided a funding agreement to NCC. The Nunatsiatvut Government reconfirmed that they did not have plans to submit a proposal for a new dietary survey at this time. The Innu Nation is still considering how it plans to approach the dietary survey opportunity.
Continued progress was made in Year 3 towards achieving the objectives of the MHMOC, as noted below.
RESULTS
Objective:
To review the existing surface water monitoring plan for methylmercury as well as all existing environmental assessments related to methylmercury monitoring as required of Nalcor with the goal of ensuring that data produced respond to Indigenous and local concerns. Additional monitoring activities may also be recommended.
Progress:
The MHMOC reviewed the latest fish and seal monitoring data as presented by WSP consultants as well as the latest water monitoring data as presented by officials with the Department of Environment and Climate Change.
As recommended by the MHMOC, burbot was included in environmental monitoring conducted in 2023. Those monitoring results were included in the annual data reviewed by the MHMOC.
Additional analysis of water sample collection frequency was carried out in 2024-25. NL Hydro will bring this analysis forward to the MHMOC for their consideration in Year 4.
Objective:
To recommend modifications, where necessary, to any monitoring plan to ensure that it has sufficient statistical power for the interpretation of key indicators.
Progress:
Additional analysis of water sample collection frequency was carried out in 2024-25. NL Hydro will bring this analysis forward to the MHMOC for their consideration in Year 4.
Objective:
To recommend new program components or modifications to existing monitoring program components to allow for the hands-on participation of members of the Indigenous and local population to participate in the design, implementation and interpretation of monitoring programs through such actions as participation in sample collection, analysis, and recording of scientific observations.
Progress
The MHMOC reviewed the latest Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) Technical Memo offered by Dillon Consulting.
Following up on NL Hydro’s financial commitment of $100,000 in the 2024 budget to support a community-led dietary survey, the NCC submitted a proposal, that was further reviewed by Intrinsik, Health Canada and the Department of Health and Community Services. NL Hydro is supportive of the proposal and has prepared and provided a funding agreement to NCC. The Nunatsiatvut Government reconfirmed that they did not have plans to submit a proposal for a new dietary survey at this time. The Innu Nation is still considering how it plans to approach the dietary survey opportunity.
Objective:
To make recommendations to responsible federal, provincial, and municipal departments and agencies, to be identified by the MHMOC, using the best available peer reviewed science, professional expertise and Indigenous knowledge on monitoring and management measures to protect the health of the Indigenous and local population who harvest and consume country foods in the Churchill River and Lake Melville.
Progress:
Health Canada continued to support the MHMOC and the HEWG through a standing offer agreement with Intrinsik-Wilson.
The HEWG held regular quarterly meetings in Year 3, as described in its Terms of Reference, and held one special meeting in May 2025 to further discuss draft educational materials. On several occasions, the HEWG Chairperson also met with Health Canada and Intrinsik-Wilson, and/or with Indigenous partners, to further support the development of educational materials, based on the most recent fish and seal monitoring data.
Objective:
To utilize medical or community health professionals to develop standard advice that will be provided to individuals and the community at large on the benefits and safety of eating country foods including fish and seal and choosing foods such as salmon, brook trout, and smelt that are high in important nutrients, while minimizing exposure to potential methylmercury.
Progress:
The MHMOC website is now live (https://mhmoc.ca/) and includes the previously approved FAQs, as well as summaries of MHMOC annual reports. The FAQs continue to include some interim consumption advice regarding high levels of methylmercury in adult seal liver, which pre-dates the Muskrat Falls project. Members proposed the development of a Facebook page to support public engagement and message distribution.
The HEWG continued its development of educational materials and tools, with support from Intrinsik-Wilson and Indigenous partners. Once drafted, community members will be asked for feedback on the design and content, potentially through public engagement sessions.