On August 1, 2019, the Government of Canada and QIA announced interim protection for Tuvaijuittuq and an Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA) for the establishment of Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area.

Nunavut | 08.01.2019

Northern Canada is warming at about three times the global average – that's alarming, and we're taking action by protecting marine & coastal areas in the High Arctic. That’s real progress for Nunavut, for Canada & for Inuit communities who rely on these coasts & waters every day.//Le Nord du Canada se réchauffe environ 3 fois plus vite que la moyenne mondiale – c'est alarmant. On prend des mesures pour protéger les zones marines et côtières de l'Extrême Arctique. C'est un réel progrès pour le Nunavut, le Canada et les communautés inuites qui en dépendent.

Posted by Justin Trudeau on Friday, August 2, 2019

This agreement includes provisions which detail how the IIBA can evolve to include Tuvaijuittuq should it be permanently protected. In addition, through other federal programs, the Government of Canada will be investing in infrastructure, harbours and a training centre in support of the five communities of: Arctic Bay, Clyde River, Grise Fiord, Pond Inlet and Resolute Bay.

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Highlights of the Tallurutiup Imanga and Tuvaijuittuq Agreements:

$54.8 Million in Inuit Stewards program investments (through the  Inuit Impact And Benefit Agreement)

$49.25 Million over seven years to implement:

• Meaningful job creation in the five communities for Nauttiqsuqtiit.
• New  collaborative  governance  model including Imaq, an Inuit advisory body, and the Aulattiqatigiit board, a joint Inuit/Government consensus management board.
• Fisheries development for the potential for new fishing opportunities within or adjacent to Tallurutiup Imanga.
• Tuvaijuittuq (high arctic basin) protection to freeze the footprint of the area while a feasibility assessment is conducted, which will include community engagement, and further research.

$3.65 million over seven years to support Inuit led research, training, monitoring, scholarships and capacity building.

$1.9 million over seven years to support Hunters and Trappers Organizations’ capacity development and participation in governance and management for the five adjacent communities.

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Over $190 Million in infrastructure investments (through Federal programs)

• Multi-use facilities and country food processing units for all five communities (funded by Parks Canada).
• Community harbour development in Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay (funded by Transport Canada).
• Small craft harbour development in Arctic Bay and Clyde River (funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada).
• A regional training centre in Pond Inlet (partially funded by the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency). QIA already negotiated a $10 million commitment for the regional training centre through the Mary River IIBA.

SOI Expedition Moment: Arctic Bay Community Celebration

August 1 was an important day as the Qikiqtani Inuit Assoc.(QIA) together with the Government of Canada announced protection of two key areas: Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) was finalized as a National Marine Conservation Area along with interim protection for Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area. Together, these areas cover more than 427,000 square kilometres!Students on Ice was honoured and grateful to be welcomed into the community of Arctic Bay and to join this historic announcement and community celebration.Watch this space for a more in-depth documentary video on this important announcement! Coming soon!Catherine McKenna, Environment and Climate Change, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Geoff Green, Junior Canadian Rangers – Rangers juniors canadiens, Parks Canada Parks Life

Posted by Students on Ice on Saturday, August 3, 2019