IQALUIT
The people have spoken, Qikiqtani Inuit Association president PJ Akeeagok says, and they have told him the premier is wrong: Baffinland should not be exempt from the Nunavut Planning Commission's processes.

Qikiqtani Inuit Association president PJ Akeeagok says his organization supports following the Nunavut Planning Commission process in relation to the Baffinland project. Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated is following the association's lead. - Casey Lessard/NNSL photo

"Both QIA and NTI are of the view that (Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt) should not grant the exemption to go to NIRB (Nunavut Impact Review Board)," Akeeagok said.

Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated communications manager Kerry McCluskey said Akeeagok spoke on NTI's behalf on this issue.

"I've heard directly from the communities during the other IPG (Institutions of Public Government) processes that they want to ensure their voices have an opportunity to be heard right from the start to the last portion," Akeeagok said. "For a project of this scale, an exemption just is not adequate."

The comments come in the wake of Premier Peter Taptuna's comments earlier this month in a letter he wrote asking Valcourt to grant Baffinland an exemption from NPC's recent decision, which would bar the mining company from using icebreakers to clear a path in the waters between Milne Inlet and Pond Inlet 10 months a year. Currently, the company can only transport iron ore from its Mary River mine during the two-month open water season.

"The Government of Nunavut believes that NPC's continued hesitancy to provide clear direction because of funding issues with your department is putting at risk 260 jobs, millions of dollars in wages and benefits, and many other future benefits this project will bring to Nunavut," Taptuna wrote May 8.

"He's entitled to his opinion," Akeeagok said. "I went to Pond Inlet twice and I heard directly from them that they want to ensure they have every possible avenue to voice their concerns because they're going to be the ones impacted the most."

A clause in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement states Valcourt can grant the exemption.

"We totally understand the minister has a clause within the land claims but a project of this magnitude shouldn't go through there," said Akeeagok. "I think it goes against the spirit and intent of the land claims itself."

The NPC decision - its first negative one - does offer Baffinland the chance to amend the North Baffin Regional Land Use Plan, which the near year-round icebreaking would contravene.

"We're recommending AANDC work with NPC to get the amendment process started," he said. "The amendment process would get the communities involved. Essentially, you're amending the publicly consulted and agreed to plan, the North Baffin Land Use Plan that the Baffinland proposal didn't conform to. It should really come from the people whether they want to amend that or not."

Akeeagok said the Institutions of Public Government (IPGs), including NPC and NIRB, were created to give Inuit more say in big decisions that would affect their way of life. He's concerned an exemption would set a dangerous precedent allowing future projects to bypass IPG oversight.

Valcourt has not yet made his decision, and there is no timeline in the land claims agreement for when he must do so.