Conclusion of QIA/Baffinland arbitration hearings
DATE OF EVENT: April 18 to 20, 2017
LOCATION: Vancouver, B.C.
Iqaluit, Nunavut – April 20, 2017 – Arbitration hearings between the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) and Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation concluded today in Vancouver, B.C.
At issue before the Arbitration Panel was the proper interpretation of the September 6, 2013 Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA) for the Mary River Project, and a determination of the amount of Advance Payments that are due and payable to QIA under the IIBA.
Both parties presented differing positions regarding the “intended capacity” of the Mary River Project and the amounts due to QIA.
“I think QIA presented a strong case to the Panel showing the reasonable expectations of Inuit when the IIBA was signed,” said QIA President P.J. Akeeagok at the conclusion of the hearings.
“It’s important that contracts signed with Inuit are honored by companies that want to do business with us. It’s now up to the Panel to make a decision.”
Given the availability of panel members (who reside in British Columbia and Alberta), and to secure an earlier hearing date and reduce cost, QIA and Baffinland agreed that the hearing would take place in Vancouver. To promote accessibility, the hearings were video linked for web access. Once available, QIA will post the hearing transcripts to the QIA website.
Under the Procedural Orders of the Panel a Final Award or decision will be made within 60 days of the end of the hearing.
QIA will have further comment on the case once a decision has been made and is released to the parties by the Arbitration Panel.
For more information contact:
Sima Sahar Zerehi,
Director of Communications, Qikiqtani Inuit Association
867.975.8413 or 1.800.667.2742
szerehi@qia.ca
