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March 2005
Government of Canada
Parks Canada Agency
National Parks
Northern Bathurst Island
The eastern portion Bathurst Island is an area of high mineral potential. It is also an area important for Peary caribou, an endangered species. Rather than foreclose any possibility of mineral development in that area, government is proposing to exclude the eastern portion of the high resource potential Cornwallis Fold Belt from the park in exchange for islands to the west. A moratorium on mineral exploration and development would be put in place on the excluded lands until the Peary caribou recover or their fate is otherwise determined. Upon lifting of the moratorium, exploration and development would be subject to special management measures, to be developed during the period of the moratorium.
With the support of the Resolute Bay Community Lands and Resources Committee (CLARC) and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA), the federal government reconfigured and renewed the interim land withdrawal for this area until October 2009. The withdrawal includes the proposed special management area but the CLARC was clear that its support for the withdrawal does not mean support for the proposed boundaries and, particularly, the special management area proposal.
The CLARC conducted a community plebiscite in June of 2004 which showed that a majority of residents are in favour of establishing a national park on Northern Bathurst Island. The plebiscite question made it clear that approval to advance toward establishment of the park would not mean approval of the government's proposal for a special management area.
The Governments of Canada and Nunavut, the Resolute Bay CLARC and QIA have agreed to participate in a workshop to explore the option of a special management area. All agree that it is best to address this matter before beginning negotiations on establishing a park. The workshop will be organized by officials of the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and will likely take place sometime in 2005.
Northern Bathurst Island
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