Ottawa, Ontario – Today, negotiations for the creation of a national park on Bathurst Island in Nunavut’s Arctic Islands Archipelago were announced by the Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, and Mr. John Amagoalik, Executive Policy Advisory for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA). These negotiations will guide the development of the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA).
 
“I am happy to announce that the Government of Canada and Inuit are once again working together towards the protection of precious lands in Canada’s North,” said Minister Prentice. “Parks Canada values its relationship with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and is looking forward to working with them on the creation of a national park on Bathurst Island. Since 2006, we have made conservation a priority and this is another example.”
 
The area of Bathurst Island that is under consideration for a national park is located in one of the world’s most inclement, driest and unforgiving environments. Although it is a rock-strewn, mostly barren, polar desert, the area is beautiful and boasts a surprising number of wildlife species including polar bear, arctic wolf and arctic fox. The proposed national park will also encompass key habitat, including calving grounds, for the endangered Peary caribou.
 
An IIBA needs to be established between the Government of Canada and the QIA, who has been designated as the Inuit organization to represent the interest of the North Baffin Inuit, before a new national park can be formally created under the Canada National Parks Act, in Nunavut.
 
“The Resolute Bay delegation has informed QIA that the community is in favour of park establishment and is therefore willing to enter into IIBA negotiations to make a final determination as to how Inuit will benefit. QIA is pleased to represent all the Inuit of the Qikiqtani region at the table in this important initiative,” said Mr. Amagoalik. 
 
"I am truly happy that the Government of Canada and the QIA have begun negotiations for the creation of a new park in Nunavut," said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health and member of Parliament,for Nunavut. "The creation of a new park in Nunavut will not only protect wildlife species but it will also ensure economic benefits for the community and protect and present the rich cultural heritage of the Inuit."
 
For additional information, please see the accompanying backgrounder at www.parkscanada.gc.ca  under Media Room.


Backgrounder
 
Start of Inuit impact and benefit agreement negotiations for the proposed Bathurst Island National Park
The area on northern Bathurst Island under consideration for a national park is really a “group of islands in a frozen sea”, a very isolated and incredibly harsh and beautiful land. It is in one of the world’s most rigorous, driest and unforgiving environments. It includes the northern half of Bathurst Island, the small islands immediately to the north of it and five of the Governor General islands to the west. The proposed park is low-lying with few parts higher than 330 metre above sea level. Resolute Bay, Nunavut, is the Inuit community closest to the proposed park. 
 
Despite the harsh environment the area is home to a surprising number of wildlife species including: Peary caribou, muskoxen, arctic wolf, arctic fox, collared lemming and arctic hare. During the short summer months, birds abound in the region. 
 
Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA) negotiations with the affected Inuit are part of a sequence of steps that needs to be followed prior to establishing a national park in Nunavut. The IIBA fulfills the Government of Canada’s commitment under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement to cover any matter connected to the proposed park that would have a detrimental impact on Inuit, or that could reasonably confer a benefit on Inuit. An IIBA will, among other things, address the cooperative management of the park, the continuation of Inuit harvesting rights, Inuit employment and economic benefits. 
 
An interim land withdrawal is currently in place for national park purposes for the study area until October 2014, while the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement is negotiated. 
 
In 2002, the Government of Canada and Nunavut, in consultation with industries and conservations groups, recommended a national park boundary that excludes from the park the area of high mineral and hydrocarbon potential identified in the 2001 mineral energy and resources assessment. Not only will the proposed park boundaries address national park requirements by protecting key habitats of the endangered Peary caribou and other wildlife species, it will also ensure the possibility of future mineral development and therefore secure economic benefit to residents of Resolute Bay. 
 
Protection of Bathurst Island and its surrounding islands under the Canada National Parks Act would ensure the conservation of the region’s special features and wildlife for the benefit of future generations. A national park designation would also ensure the provision of visitor opportunities within a conservation framework and provide an opportunity to educate Canadians on the values and story of Bathurst Island and the North Baffin Inuit. 
 
The establishment of a national park on Bathurst Island will effectively ensure representation and protection of a characteristic area of the Western High Arctic Natural Region of the national park system; one of the three remaining unrepresented natural regions identified in Parks Canada’s national parks system plan that are located either entirely or partially within Nunavut.