Independent Investigator and Community Observer named in Asbestos Civil Investigation

05/05/2021

The Asbestos Civil Investigation (ACI) Team wishes to advise the community that the Council of Chiefs has accepted the recommendation to formally approve the selection of an independent investigator and Community Observer, which will allow the investigation to begin into the issue of asbestos-containing materials occurring in various areas of Kahnawà:ke.

The firm of Deloitte Forensic, Inc. has been selected as the investigator, while Doug Lahache has been selected as the Community Observer. The investigator will gather facts, events, timelines, and decision-making/authorities in regard to the matter. Mr. Lahache’s position was created to ensure an additional level of transparency in this complicated matter.

The investigation is scheduled to begin later this month. The results will be provided in a report, with a final goal of prompting the MCK’s authoritative bodies to act accordingly and apply appropriate corrective measures that ensure a safer future for lands within the Territory.

“We’d like to thank the ACI Team members for their dedication in getting to the point of beginning this investigation,” said Ratsénhaienhs Cody Diabo, who is the Project Liaison. “We’d like to thank the community for their patience and understanding. We’re confident the report will contain the answers to our many questions. We will keep the community up to date on an ongoing basis.”