In this context, I would like to acknowledge the Land and Resources Devolution Negotiation Protocol that I signed with the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the Premier of Nunavut on September 5, 2008. The protocol states:
The parties acknowledge that it is the position of the Government of Nunavut and NTI that the ultimate objective of devolution is the transfer of administration and control in respect of Crown lands and resources in all areas, both onshore and in the seabed. The parties further acknowledge that it is the position of the Government of Nunavut and NTI that a devolution agreement should make no distinction between resource management regimes onshore and in the seabed in and adjacent to Marine Areas.
The protocol notes that this is the Government of Nunavut and NTI's position. It is not yet the Government of Canada's position. We still await a mandate for the Government of Canada to begin formal negotiations.
At NTI we have very practical reasons to support Canada’s Arctic sovereignty. If our waters are an international strait, foreign shipping has guaranteed navigation rights, and even submerged submarines may freely come and go.
We want shipping in the Arctic regulated and managed using the very highest environmental standards and the most advanced technology. An Exxon Valdez type of accident in Lancaster Sound would be disastrous to our homeland. The Government of Canada needs to have the legal and practical ability to stop ships entering Nunavut’s waters if they fail to meet the very highest environmental standards. This is what sovereignty means—the ability to set the rules and to exercise control.
Lancaster Sound is the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage. This is an area where environmental conservation and sovereignty assertion go hand in hand. Lancaster Sound is both beautiful and very important ecologically. I am pleased to tell you that the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and the governments of Nunavut and Canada are very close to signing a memorandum of understanding to look at the feasibility of a marine conservation area in the sound. I urge the committee to listen closely—I know you are listening closely—to the views of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, when they appear before you.
This brings me to my last recommendation. The Government of Canada should work closely with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and the Government of Nunavut to plan the establishment of a national marine conservation area in eastern Lancaster Sound as one important component of a strategy to assert, affirm, and express Canada’s Arctic sovereignty.
Further, and again working with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and the Government of Nunavut, the Government of Canada should consider seeking world heritage site designation for the area. A world heritage site status would facilitate efforts to regulate shipping and strengthen Canada’s position that the Northwest Passage constitutes internal waters and is subject to Canadian regulation and control.
I hope you will endorse these three recommendations in addition to those you have already received from ITK.
We will do our best to handle questions you may have. Many thanks for your time and attention and thank you again for allowing me the time to finish my presentation.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.