The receipt of the ESE Statement allows YESAB to move forward with the work required to establish a Panel of the Board. The Panel will be responsible for reviewing Casino’s proposed project and making a recommendation to the decision bodies.
This marks the first Panel Review conducted under the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act (YESAA).
“The submission of this ESE Statement marks a significant milestone in YESAB’s first-ever Panel Review, the highest level of assessment under YESAA. Unlike other assessments, a Panel Review includes formal public hearings and is carried out by a specially appointed Panel of YESAB Board members. It considers the same environmental and socio-economic factors as other assessments and is guided by the legislation, as well as all applicable rules and policies,” said Amy Ryder, Panel and Hearing Manager, YESAB.
Next steps in the process
At this time, YESAB is still working to establish the Panel. Before appointing any Board Members to a Panel, YESAB must first determine whether the ESE Statement contains sufficient information to proceed to a review of the project.
The Panel is unlikely to be established before April 2026, depending on whether YESAB requests further information from the proponent. Public input into the review will not begin until after the Panel is established.
Public access to the ESE Statement
A brief administrative scan of the Statement is underway before it can be posted on the YESAB Online Registry. YESAB anticipates that the Statement will be made public within approximately one week, pending no unforeseen issues.
For media queries, contact Senior Communication Officer at lavina.mulchandani@yesab.ca
Website: www.yesab.ca