University of Alberta has until March 21 to appeal Minister's decision
The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) of Northwest Territories and Nunavut has been directed to release its investigation report into the death of Arctic researcher Maya Bhatia. The disclosure comes after Nunavut Minister Pamela Gross accepted the recommendations of the territory’s Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC), following a review of WSCC’s refusal to release the documents.
In a letter dated February 19, 2025, Minister Gross revealed her decision:
“I recommend that the WSCC disclose the investigation report to the Applicant, with redactions in keeping with the guidelines...I recommend that the WSCC disclose the Witness Statement to the Applicant, with redactions in keeping with the guidelines.”
WSCC acknowledges decision, outlines next steps
WSCC president and CEO Rick Hunt confirmed the commission’s compliance in a letter dated February 21, 2025. The records to be disclosed include the University of Alberta’s full investigation report into Bhatia’s death as well as a witness statement that was not included in the school’s report but was later submitted to the WSCC.
Hunt noted that while WSCC is prepared to release the documents, there remains a 30-day appeal period for the University of Alberta to challenge the decision:
“Under section 37 of the Nunavut Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPPA) a third-party has 30 days from the date of the Minister’s decision to appeal the decision with the Nunavut Court of Justice. The appeal period expires on March 21, 2025. The WSCC will release the requested records after the 30-day appeal period expires, or when we get confirmation from all third parties that they will not be exercising their appeal rights, whichever comes first.”
Background: The fight for transparency
Bhatia, a faculty member at the University of Alberta, died during a field expedition on the Jakeman Glacier near Grise Fiord, Nunavut. She was swept into a fast-moving supraglacial stream and pulled over a waterfall, known as a moulin. Her body has not been recovered.
Her family has been advocating for transparency and accountability with the aim of ensuring a similar tragedy never happens again. Her death also highlighted discrepancies in safety standards for Arctic research between Canada and other international organizations, including the use of trained field safety guides during expeditions. Bhatia’s husband, Benjamin Gready, a fellow glaciologist, argued that such a guide “would have prevented” the accident.
Bhatia’s employer, the University of Alberta, is the only entity that has investigated her death. Despite initially promising a transparent investigation, it decided not to release its investigation report publicly.
The WSCC suggested it conducted an independent investigation, but an Access to Information request and an appeal to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut revealed the WSCC did not investigate Bhatia’s death.
Minister Gross’ decision to accept the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s recommendations represents a significant step toward public accountability.
What happens next?
While the WSCC is now legally obligated to release the records, the final timeline depends on whether the University of Alberta files an appeal before March 21. If no appeal is filed, the documents will be made available soon after.
The forthcoming report is expected to provide new details on the circumstances of Bhatia’s death, potentially shedding light on what safety protocols were in place, what risks were identified, and what could have been done differently.
