The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) is aware of the allegations of workplace harassment put forward by an Inuk woman employed at Baffinland Iron Mine’s Mary River project.

As part of QIA’s desire to see Inuit benefit from the Mary River project and to support Inuit employees at the site we have developed a complaints and grievances procedure for Inuit to receive support and seek resolution of any issue that arise at the mine. QIA staff regularly engage with Inuit employed at the mine for these purposes. Grievances filed with QIA are then brought forward to Baffinland through Inuit Impact and Benefits Agreement (IIBA) committees for resolution.

In the past few months QIA staff have been providing support to the individual who has brought forward the harassment complaint through our grievance process. QIA is addressing this matter with Baffinland management. QIA is very sensitive to the particular nature of sexual harassment and wants to ensure every Inuk feels safe, supported and protected in the workplace. We want to ensure there are accessible policies and procedures in place at Mary River to support any Inuit employee faced with workplace harassment.

As the grievance investigation is in process, QIA will not be speaking directly about the details regarding this case. However, we want to note that all allegations of workplace harassment are taken very seriously by our Association.

QIA is also working to address other issues around Inuit employment, training and retention at the Mary River project through the IIBA renegotiations that are currently underway. Based upon experiences of Inuit working at Mary River QIA has brought forward a number of recommendations for how to improve Inuit employment and workplace conditions.

For more information contact:

Sima Sahar Zerehi,
Director of Communications,
Qikiqtani Inuit Association
867.975.8413 or 1.800.667.2742
szerehi@qia.ca