Proceeding
The commissioner of the inquiry was Justice Thomas Berger, who heard testimony from diverse groups with an interest in the pipeline. Fourteen groups became full participants in the inquiry, attending all meetings and testifying before the commission. The inquiry was notable for the voice that it gave to theFindings
The first volume of Berger's report was released on June 9, 1977, and followed with a second volume several months later. Titled ''Northern Frontier, Northern Homeland'', the two-volume report highlighted the fact that while the Mackenzie Valley could be the site of the "biggest project in the history ofEnvironmental impact
The Berger Report concluded that the northern Yukon was too susceptible to environmental harm. Berger cautioned that a gas pipeline would be a precursor to anEconomic impact
The commission found no significant economic benefit from the pipelines. The report concluded that large-scale projects based onSocial impact
The commission believed that the pipeline process had not taken native culture seriously and that any development needed to conform to the wishes of those who lived there. Berger predicted that the "social consequences of the pipeline will not only be serious—they will be devastating." The commission was particularly concerned about the role of natives in development plans. At the time the report was released, there were several ongoing negotiations over native land claims in the area, and Berger suggested that pipeline construction be delayed until those claims were settled. The commission found that the local population would not accept development activity without some native control. In addition, land claims were part of a broader native rights issues that needed to be settled between the government and theRecommendations
Justice Berger recommended a ten-year moratorium to deal with critical issues, such as settling AboriginalSee also
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