Iqaluit, Nunavut – May 31, 2018 – The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) is encouraged that Baffinland Iron Mines Corp. is now hiring and transporting Inuit employees from all 13 communities within the Qikiqtani region.

This is one of the benefits stipulated in the Mary River Inuit Impact and Benefits Agreement (IIBA) negotiated between QIA and Baffinland. However, to date it has not been implemented by Baffinland.

“Increasing Inuit employment numbers at the Mary River Project has been one of our main focuses at QIA,” says President P.J. Akeeagok, “the Inuit Impact and Benefits Agreement we negotiated with Baffinland is there to ensure that development on Inuit Owned Land translates into opportunities and jobs for Inuit in our region.”

QIA’s team was able to achieve this work in the process of renegotiating the Mary River IIBA.

Baffinland will now cover all costs associated with flights, hotels, and meals related to travel for Baffinland employees from the Qikiqtani region to existing pick-up points for the Mary River mine. The existing pick-up locations are:

• Arctic Bay
• Clyde River
• Sanirajak
• Igloolik
• Iqaluit
• Pond Inlet

This initiative is also extended to Baffinland employees from the Qikiqtani region who may be studying and residing in the Kivalliq or Kitikmeot regions as part of training and apprenticeship initiatives.

Inuit from all Qikiqtani communities can take advantage of employment opportunities with Baffinland by registering with QIA’s new Inuit labour pool database, Tuttarvik.

Tuttarvik, will automatically create a resume for anyone registered and link them to upcoming employment opportunities across the Qikiqtani region. Inuit registered with Tuttarvik will also be eligible to participate in training and education, including skills training, apprenticeships and university programs.

QIA staff are touring across the Qikiqtani region to gather information and assist with the completion of application forms.

For more information, please contact:

Sima Sahar Zerehi, Director of Communications, Qikiqtani Inuit Association

szerehi@qia.ca

(867) 975.8413

1.800.667.2742

Background

The Mary River Project IIBA between QIA and Baffinland in relation to Inuit hiring practices:

Article 7.5 – Hiring Preference

Inuit will be given preference over other applicants. Priority will be given to Inuit from the communities of Pond Inlet, Igloolik, Clyde River, Sanirajak and Arctic Bay. Thereafter priority will be given to Inuit residents from other Baffin Region communities and then to all other NLCA beneficiaries.

Article 7.6.2 – Points of Hire

The Company will provide air transportation for Inuit employees from the Baffin Region to and from mine or Project at no cost to the employee. This air transportation may take the form of charter aircraft provided by the company or commercial airfares where available, at the Company’s sole discretion.

IIBA Renegotation

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) is taking part in renegotiation of the Inuit Impact Benefits Agreement (IIBA) between QIA and Baffinland Iron Mine Corp.

Article 22.2 of the IIBA between Baffinland and QIA, states that an IIBA review takes place every three years for potential amendments and improvements to the agreement. Based on this review, certain articles in the IIBA can be renegotiated, as noted in article 22.4.

As part of this work, earlier this year, QIA’s team led by Eva Aariak, IIBA Chief Negotiator and George Qulaut, Co-negotiator for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association’s Mary River Project visited – Igloolik, Arctic Bay, Pond Inlet, Sanirajak, Clyde River – the five communities impacted by the mine.

These community gatherings included special meetings with the hamlet councils, hunters and trappers organizations (HTO), Community Land and Resource Committees (CLARC) as well as public gatherings for community members.

These community meetings were an opportunity for Inuit to provide input and insights to QIA on the IIBA renegotiation for the Mary River Project.