QIA wants Baffinland's bid for exception from land-use plan rejected

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association wants the federal minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada to reject Baffinland's request for an exception to the North Baffin Regional Land Use Plan.

In April, the Nunavut Planning Commission rejected the company's bid to ship iron ore year-round from Milne Inlet through Eclipse Sound. The commission said using icebreakers 10 months a year would be too disruptive to wildlife habitats.

Now, Baffinland is asking Minister Bernard Valcourt to override the Nunavut Planning Commission decision on the second phase of its Mary River Project. If Valcourt accepts Baffinland's request, the proposal to extend the shipping season would be referred to the Nunavut Impact Review Board for screening.

But the company and the QIA have different takes on how best to proceed with public consultations.

QIA president PJ Akeeagok says he's been pushing for an amendment that would allow for further public consultations initiated by the Nunavut Planning Commission.

"I have consistently heard from the communities that they feel left out and that decisions are being made without their input when it comes to development projects. As a result, I strongly believe that we have to provide more opportunities for public participation than not," Akeeagok  said in a news release.

Akeeagok says he's invited Valcourt to Pond Inlet to hear firsthand from people who would be impacted by the project.

In its letter to Valcourt, the company says the process allows for further public hearings through the Nunavut Impact Review Board. It says section 11.5 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement allows the Minister to exempt a proposal that doesn't conform to the NPC's land use plan, and send it to NIRB for review. Baffinland also told the Minister it fully supports and respects the roles of the Nunavut Planning Commission and the Nunavut Impact Review Board.