About Us

The Monitoring and Health Management Oversight Committee (MHMOC) was established to recommend mitigation, monitoring, and management measures to protect the health of Indigenous and local populations who harvest and consume country foods near the Churchill River and Lake Melville.

On April 11, 2018, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador received the final recommendations of the Independent Expert Advisory Committee (IEAC) to address concerns related to methylmercury at the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project. The MHMOC was established to monitor for effects on water, fish and other wildlife from methylmercury at the hydroelectricity facility.

Mission

Provide recommendations for a community-based methylmercury monitoring program of key indicators such as water, plankton, fish, and other wildlife species

  • Provide oversight of the implementation of the monitoring program
  • Develop benchmarks for interpreting monitoring results

Mandate

Protection of the health of Indigenous and local populations will guide the work of the MHMOC. MHMOC will:

  • Strengthen community-based methylmercury monitoring and provide oversight of the monitoring program by:
    • Considering all available knowledge and expertise, including Indigenous, local, and professional knowledge
    • Recognizing the credibility of the best available peer reviewed science to build upon the already existing environmental monitoring programs
    • Engaging Indigenous and local populations directly in monitoring program activities
    • Assessing methylmercury in key indicators such as water, fish, and other wildlife
  • Work with Indigenous and local populations to analyze and understand monitoring results
  • Work with medical or community health professionals to assess human health impacts and communicate best practices to Indigenous and local populations related to consumption of country food and water
  • Coordinate with Indigenous and local populations to ensure that culturally appropriate information is available regarding dietary information should methylmercury increases in country food be detected

Members

MHMOC is comprised of a representative from each of seven member groups, and one alternative representative, each nominated by their member group. The MHMOC is guided by an Independent Chair, selected through the committee’s consensus decision-making process.

  • Independent Chair: Dr. Raymond Copes
  • Innu Nation
  • Nunatsiavut Government
  • NunatuKavut Community Council
  • Affected Communities’ member (Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Northwest River, Mud Lake, Sheshatshiu, Rigolet, and Cartwright)
  • Health Canada
  • Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro