DATE ISSUED: November 7, 2018

EVENT: QIA tours five communities impacted by Tallurutiup Imanga Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement

DATE: November 8 to December 5, 2018

LOCATIONS: Clyde River, Arctic Bay, Pond Inlet, Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) is conducting a community tour to the five hamlets impacted by the Tallurutiup Imanga Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement to share updates on the ongoing negotiations with the Government of Canada.

In August 2017, the Government of Canada and QIA, along with the Government of Nunavut, announced the final boundaries for Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) in Nunavut’s High Arctic – which, once established, will become the largest protected area in Canada at approximately 109,000 square kilometres.

To date a great deal of important work has been achieved towards the establishment of the Tallurutiup Imanga NMCA. As an early benefit of this IIBA, the Uattijiit Pilot Program was established in Arctic Bay by QIA with funds from Parks Canada. The Program employs five Uattijiit Inuit who monitor Tallurutiup Imanga near Arctic Bay.

Once the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement is finalized and an Interim Management Plan is completed, Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area will represent approximately 1.9 per cent of Canada’s marine protected areas and will be a significant contribution to meeting Canada’s international commitment to protect 10 per cent of its marine and coastal waters by 2020.

Schedule of community meetings (subject to weather and technical delays):

November 8, 2018: Clyde River

November 20, 2018: Arctic Bay

December 3, 2018: Resolute Bay

December 4, 2018: Grise Fiord

December 6, 2018: Pond Inlet

For more information, please contact:

Sima Sahar Zerehi,

Director of Communications,

Qikiqtani Inuit Association

szerehi@qia.ca

867.975.8413

1.800.667.2742