The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) is geared up for the final hearings which the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) will start next week on the proposed Mary River Project. Public meetings will take place in Iqaluit, Igloolik and Pond Inlet towards the end of July.

“We are now approaching final decision points and we must make the right decisions. I encourage you all to use these hearings as a venue to share your thoughts and wisdom to ensure that all decisions made are well informed,” said President Okalik Eegeesiak.

QIA’s approach to hearings has focused on developing recommendations for NIRB to consider when making their final decision on the project. These recommendations are contained in Appendix D of QIA final technical submission to NIRB and are posted on QIA’s website. QIA has provided these recommendations with the aim of seeking support for the adoption of QIA recommendations in a NIRB Project Certificate.

At final hearings QIA has arranged to bring members from the seven Mary River Project Review Committees from each of the most potentially impacted communities. These community members will be given the opportunity to address NIRB on key topics for their respective communities.

In addition to formal comments before NIRB, one of the ways that QIA is informing its beneficiaries about the project proposal is by writing information items of particular interest relating to communications, monitoring and mitigation. These are points for
discussions in the communities and with QIA’s partners to further plan and better understand these areas of the project.

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For further information, please contact:

David Joanasie
A/Director of Communications
Tel: (867) 975‐8414
Fax: (867) 979‐3238

E‐mail: djoanasie@qia.ca