Public concern over long-term costs, environmental protection, and whether Daajing Giids should connect to Skidegate’s existing wastewater system dominated feedback gathered during the Village’s wastewater treatment engagement process.
Those themes are detailed in the What We Heard Report, prepared by Urban Systems and presented to council as part of the wastewater treatment project. The report summarizes how residents were informed, how engagement occurred, and what feedback was received as the Village moves toward key decisions on site selection and treatment type.
The wastewater project is driven by regulatory requirements. The report states that Daajing Giids is one of the last remaining communities still discharging raw sewage into the ocean, with almost half a million litres released into Bearskin Bay every day. It says Environment Canada issued an order on July 29, 2025, stating the Village’s actions are not authorized under the Fisheries Act and directing the Village to implement secondary treatment as soon as possible. Full compliance is required by Dec. 31, 2030, with potential fines of up to $4 million for non-compliance after that date.
The Province awarded the Village $20 million in July 2023 to build a new wastewater treatment plant. The report notes that the funding can only be used for construction of the plant itself, not for creating or maintaining sewer connections.
Engagement included a project webpage, quarterly Village Voice updates, mailed postcards, discussion guides, advisory and steering committee meetings, summer pop-up booths, and a community town hall held on Nov. 10, 2025. According to the report, 208 people attended pop-up booths over the summer. The town hall drew 96 attendees, described as about 10 per cent of the Village population, with 65 attending in person and 31 online. More than 45 questions were asked, and nine comment cards were submitted.
Cost was a central concern. Among the questions recorded, a resident asked how annual maintenance costs would be covered, citing an estimated range of $150,000 to $250,000 per year. Other questions focused on the overall cost of the project, ongoing operating expenses, additional funding options, and how costs beyond the provincial grant might affect homeowners through user fees.
Residents also raised repeated questions about connecting to Skidegate’s existing wastewater system. The report says attendees asked about feasibility, capacity, environmental benefits, and costs, and emphasized the importance of collaboration with Skidegate Band Council. Skidegate Chief Councillor William Yovanovich attended the town hall, shared information about Skidegate’s system, and expressed interest in collaboration. The report notes that Skidegate Band Council is open to discussing all options, including a connection, but is not supportive of one specific property identified as Area 5.
Environmental impacts were another focus. Questions included what level of treatment would protect water quality and shellfish harvesting, whether marine monitoring would be funded, and how impacts to Bearskin Bay would be measured over time.
The report states that mayor and council are on track to decide on a site and treatment option this spring. A referendum would only be required if the Village needs to borrow money to purchase a site. Another community town hall is planned for spring 2026, once technical analysis is complete and options have been narrowed.
