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QAUSUITTUQ/RESOLUTE
A national park proposed for Nunavut has reached another milestone as two community consultations were held last month.

A national park, which would protect the Peary caribou, proposed for Nunavut has reached another milestone as two community consultations were held last month. - Photo courtesy of John Nagy

The proposed Qausuittuq National Park, located on Bathurst Island, would encompass a good portion of the northwestern area of the island as well as four neighbouring islands. The park, a former home of the North magnetic pole, would protect the endangered Peary caribou, according to Parks Canada. It would be the territory's fifth national park.

The proposed national park is also located north of the existing Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area, a protected area the Canadian Wildlife Service manages.

The idea for the park was first proposed to the Resolute Hunters and Trappers Organization in 1994. The process then moved along with feasibility studies and other regulatory requirements. Parks Canada then held an information session on the proposed national park in Resolute two years ago, with some residents participating in a field trip to Bathurst Island.

Parks Canada and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association are now finalizing the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement, a necessary document for such endeavours under the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement.

As the proposed park enters the final approval process, Parks Canada held community consultations on Nov. 27 in Iqaluit and Nov. 29 in Resolute.

Resolute Mayor Tabitha Mullin attended the information session in the High Arctic community as well as about 15 other residents. The main points raised were the park's boundaries and how far along the project is, she said.

"The community is in support of that park on Bathurst Island. I thought it went very well," said Mullin, adding the national park could bring employment to Resolute.

Mullin had visited Bathurst Island many times and said it was very different from Resolute.

"There is a lot more vegetation. It's also rolling hills but it's (a) very different landscape," she said. "We find it very beautiful, especially in the summer, when there is a lot more vegetation growth and animals to see."

Parks Canada, in an e-mail, stated both public meetings "went well," but would not comment further.

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