NUNAVUT - The federal government unveiled its proposed boundaries for a national marine conservation area in Lancaster Sound Dec. 6.

The federal government's proposed boundary for the Lancaster Sound Marine Conservation Area was unveiled in Ottawa on Dec. 6. A steering committee will gather input from communities and others before a final boundary is drawn, not expected before late 2011 or sometime in 2012. - photo courtesy of Parks Canada

The 44,500 square kilometre proposed area encompasses the sound, located between Baffin and Devon Islands, Bylot Island and Eclipse Sound. Twice the size of Lake Erie, the area would be Canada's fifth national marine conservation area, and the first in the Arctic.

A steering committee, consisting of representatives from Parks Canada, Nunavut government and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, will consult with communities and others to determine the area's final boundary. The committee will determine where and when the consultations will take place.

"We can finally start to talk about the boundary issue. It means we will be able to get on the steering committee to talk about Inuit concerns," said Qikiqtani Inuit Association President Okalik Eegeesiak, adding the announcement is very good news for Inuit.

The sound is a migratory corridor for most of the world's narwhal, bowhead and beluga whales. These waters, essential for the survival of sea birds, also feature Arctic cod.

The announcement means the seabed, water and all living resources within the boundary would be protected, including islands and other coastal lands. Waste dumping, mining, oil and gas exploration and development would also be prohibited in the area.

Eegeesiak said details are not yet finalized but the five communities affected – Pond Inlet, Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, Arctic Bay, Clyde River – will likely be consulted.

"It's a start," said Eegeesiak. "Inuit have started to work on our own proposed boundary. So we will sit at the table and talk about how different they are."

Pond Inlet is the only community within the proposed boundary.

"It's exterior to the hamlet but those that pursue a traditional lifestyle and hunting, it's still an important area for them," said Mike Richards, the hamlet's senior administrative officer. "It still provides for a traditional use. The community is very happy to see that implemented."

The federal government also said no new seismic testing will take place in the area, and it will instead use existing data to plan the area.

This past August, the Nunavut Court of Justice temporarily stopped seismic testing in High Arctic waters at the request of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, who argued in court the federal and territorial governments did not "meaningfully" consult and accommodate the interests of the affected Inuit. The decision put an indefinite hold on the Eastern Canadian Arctic Seismic Experiment in Lancaster Sound, Jones Sound and North Baffin Bay.

"I think it's a big victory for everybody, not just for QIA," said Eegeesiak. "They will be using the old studies to determine the park. That was really good news for us."

Kevin McNamee, director of the parks establishment branch with Parks Canada, said he hopes the steering committee will agree to not just present information but learn from the people in the communities what's important and should be protected in Lancaster Sound.

"For us, that's meaningful consultation, hearing from people what they think is important," he said. "That was our plan all along. It's not in reaction to the court case. It's the way Parks Canada believes it needs to do consultations."

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