Nunavut objects to proposed EU seal pelt ban
Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik pressed French Tourism Minister Leon Bertrand about the importance of the seal hunt to the territory's economy during a weekend visit to the north.
Earlier this month, more than 350 European legislators issued adeclaration calling on the EU to ban seal products to protest Canada's seal hunt. The anti-sealing campaign isnot aimed at the aboriginal subsistence hunt and does not include pelts hunted by Inuit.
Although the French delegation came to Nunavut totalk tourism, Okalik put the seal pelt issue on the agenda as well.
"My visitors had some seal meat," said Okalik. "They're from Europe so they really liked the seal meat. I believe the ambassador really enjoyed a seal stew while visiting Pangnirtung."
Bertrand compared the seal hunt controversy toa similar push by Europe to have fishermen in French Guyanause smaller nets to protect some species, such as shrimp, which they depend on for their livelihood.
Contradictionsoften arise in the use of resources but what matters is finding a solution, he said.
Although herefused to take a position on the seal pelt debate, Bertrandsaid herealized the seal hunt means a lot to the Inuit people.
Bad for Canada, bad for Nunavut
Economic Development Minister Olayuk Akesuk says even though the banis not directed at Inuit, it would hurt the territory's seal hunters.
"We're part of Canada â¦. If they say Nunavut won't be affected, it's still Canada that will be affected, and in the long run it could hit us in the end," said Akesuk.
"So it's important also that our territory send out messages."
The Nunavut government plans to develop a strategy to deal with the proposed ban, beginning with a call to the federal government to take on the issue.