Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Iqaluit ( Jun 12/00) - Ottawa's Firearms Act is facing another court challenge.

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) has filed a challenge against the legislation. It will be heard in the Federal Court in Ottawa. The date has yet to be determined.

NTI made its decision at its board meeting in Pangnirtung in late May. President Paul Quassa said the challenge is based on sections within the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

"Our final agreement states clearly that in order for us to exercise the right to hunt, trap and fish we don't have to encounter fees or levies of any kind," Quassa said.

Quassa said the Firearms Act infringes on these rights.

"We are not saying the whole Firearms Act is bad. We do support a lot of the Firearms Act provisions, such things as the safety provisions," he said.

"We're mainly focusing on provisions in that act that affect the final agreement."

The decision by the board to file the challenge was unanimous.

"A lot of our communities and beneficiaries have been voicing a lot of concerns about this particular act," Quassa explained.

He said NTI also has concerns about the way the Firearms Act is being implemented in this area.

"A lot of the beneficiaries in the majority of our communities haven't even seen the forms. On top of that, they are not translated, a lot of the materials are not translated at all."

David Ell, secretary for the Amarok Hunters and Trappers Association in Iqaluit, said he agrees with NTI's challenge.

"We're not supposed to pay for any fees or licensing for hunting," Ell said.

Quassa pointed out there are Aboriginal Adaptation Regulations in the Firearms Act, but that they do not address the issues NTI is basing its challenge on.

Members at the Canadian Firearms Centre (CFC) in Ottawa, however, say they are unable to comment on NTI's action until they have a chance to meet with NTI officials.

Under the act, all firearms owners must have a firearms licence by January 1, 2001. All firearms must be registered by January 1, 2003.