QUESTION PERIOD — Transport—Fisheries and Oceans
Nunavut Marine Council Funding
June 17, 2021
My question for the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Gold, is about protecting and managing the marine environment, which is culturally important to Nunavummiut, particularly Inuit who have had a marine traditional economy for millennia. The Nunavut Marine Council, the NMC, was established when a long-awaited provision of the 1993 Nunavut Land Claims Agreement was finally enacted three years ago. The NMC coordinates and collaborates with Nunavut’s other institutions of public governance, namely the Nunavut Impact Review Board, the Nunavut Planning Commission, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and the Nunavut Water Board to address marine issues.
Senator Gold, the existing funding of the single staff person and any assorted associated core activities comes from time-limited programs from Transport Canada, while project-specific funding comes from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as well as CIRNAC. All funding is set to expire at the end of March 2022.
When will your government secure and announce new funding for April 1, 2022, and beyond for the Nunavut Marine Council?
Well, thank you, senator, for your question, and thank you for providing me with advance notice of it.
I’m advised as follows: First, the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs is very much aware of the concerns around remuneration and is working on solutions with its partners including how to move forward with remuneration. And the government understands further that this is a pressing matter, especially for some of the Nunavut boards, and that work is moving forward using an approach, I’m advised, that is equitable and consistent with all stakeholders. I have also been advised that Transport Canada provides core funding for the Nunavut Marine Council, so I will have to inquire with that department on that matter as well and shall do so.
In a related matter, Senator Gold, the Nunavut Impact Review Board, or NIRB, as you know, does the important work of reviewing, assessing and monitoring the socio-economic and environmental impacts of all projects in Nunavut. Its core funding, as well as questions regarding updated remuneration figures for its hard-working board, is currently overdue. Typically, budgets are negotiated two years in advance, but the NIRB’s funding agreement is now expired. While they can carry over funding until the end of fiscal 2023, they are worried about losing money for priorities and strategic planning.
Senator Gold, will you also look into when your government will settle the core funding agreement and issue of remuneration with the Nunavut Impact Review Board?
I certainly will, senator, but let me share the information that I have in that regard. I have been advised that under section 3(c) of the Nunavut settlement agreement, the parties are under no obligation to commence negotiations with respect to the renewal of the implementation contract until April 1, 2022, and, from the government’s perspective, I’m advised that the parties intend to formally commence negotiations at that time. I will make inquiries, nonetheless, to see whether there are preliminary discussions in anticipation of the formal commencement and will report back.
