Maria Canton
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Jun 26/00) - With the court as their hunting ground, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the territorial government are hoping for an early kill as they mount their challenge against the Federal Firearms Act.

In the Nunavut Court of Justice last week, NTI filed a statement of claim in opposition to the federal government's contentious act to have every gunowner in the country pay fees to obtain a licence by Jan. 1, 2001.

Three days after NTI took legal action, the territorial government announced it obtained intervenor status as a means of supporting the land claim organization's battle.

Intervenor status allows the GN to present arguments before the court when the case goes to trial.

"We look forward to an early win in the Nunavut court system. The decisions are up to the courts and we'll look at our options at each level," said Premier Paul Okalik.

"The firearms act is impractical and contravenes the land claim, we have no way of knowing if Inuit in the future will be able to afford to hunt."

The new federal act contradicts Article 5 of the land claim which states "an Inuk with proper identification may harvest ... without any form of licence or permit and without imposition of any form of tax or fee."

NTI president Paul Quassa says legal action was taken only as a last resort because the federal government's decision to ignore the land claim agreement is unacceptable.

"This is our right and the federal government is choosing to ignore it, yet they signed the agreement in 1993. It is very disappointing," said Quassa.

"They are saying Inuit have to pay fees and get licences, yet there is a legally binding agreement that the federal government is not abiding by."

The GN's decision to support the move against the act is a strong endorsement for NTI and the entire territory.

"The Nunavut Government's decision to support us means it is a very good day for Nunavut," said Quassa.

"I think the majority of the people want to see this from their government ... we finally have a government that truly represents the people."

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled unanimously last week that Parliament has the right to pass the firearms legislation as a means of protecting public safety.

But within that ruling the court recognized the concerns of "northern, rural and aboriginal Canadians who fear this law does not address their particular needs ... if the law violates a treaty or a provision of the Charter, those affected can bring their claims to Parliament or the courts in a separate case."

Nunavut has an estimated 6,600 gunowners, of which 35 per cent have already filed applications to comply with the Jan. 1, 2001 licensing deadline, according to data from the Canadian Firearms Centre.