Fisheries committee  Yes, we could see that applying within Nunavut. In fact, the plans that the Nunavut Planning Commission creates can establish different zones or designations with varying terms and conditions within them. That's part of something that has been ongoing for a number of years as we

Fisheries committee  I can't speak confidently about the involvement of international participants within Nunavut, but I do note that DFO's recent engagements with Nunavut have involved direct contact with the regional Inuit associations and organizations like ours. DFO has been holding a number of m

Fisheries committee  Again, I'll note that it's a very large task to accomplish, and I don't have a concise answer for how you achieve that balance. I will just note that each area needs its issues to be looked at individually. For example, if one marine protected area is being considered, there are

Fisheries committee  In our conversations with communities in Nunavut, they have expressed great interest, for example, in commercial fisheries. For example, if a marine protected area is being established to manage a particular impact on marine mammals, there may be interest in nearby communities to

Fisheries committee  Thank you. Without going into the larger terrestrial protection issue, I just reiterate our comment that in some cases there is a need to protect terrestrial portions of marine mammal habitat through marine protected areas—for example, walrus haul-outs. They exit the sea at cert

Fisheries committee  We don't have mapped areas of pristine regions within Nunavut. Generally, in relation to the rest of Canada, there's much less activity currently in Nunavut, and I note that it could be interpreted as being pristine just due to the lack of activity compared to other areas.

Fisheries committee  You're suggesting that the Nunavut land use plan will apply to the marine areas of Nunavut and that it will have conditions—

Fisheries committee  Communities throughout Nunavut, Inuit organizations, the Government of Canada, and the Government of Nunavut have—a broad spectrum.

Fisheries committee  That's a very difficult question, and one that the commission is tasked with dealing with on a very large scale, recognizing the sensitivity of certain areas and recognizing the need for economic development.

Fisheries committee  Thank you very much. In regard to—

Fisheries committee  In regard to marine protected areas established under the Oceans Act, of course, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is spearheading the work closely with Inuit organizations and organizations like ours at the Nunavut Planning Commission. Also, Parks Canada is pursuing the est

Fisheries committee  Yes, there is.

Fisheries committee  There are local groups. The Baffin Fisheries coalition, I believe, is the name that operates in the Qikiqtani region of Nunavut. I believe that some amount of quota is allocated to southern fisheries as well.

Fisheries committee  We have heard concerns regarding activities such as oil and gas exploration, seismic testing. In our discussions with communities, we've heard concerns about cruise ships and tourism disturbing marine mammals in particular. Those would be two examples that we're aware of.

Fisheries committee  Thank you very much. I'd like to thank the standing committee for the opportunity to provide comments on the criteria as set out in the Oceans Act. I'll now turn to some comments and recommendations on subsection 35(1) of the act. Paragraph 35(1)(a) makes reference to “commer