Iqaluit, Nunavut – March 5, 2021 – After several years of discussions with impacted communities and stakeholders, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association’s (QIA) democratically elected Board of Directors, has passed a resolution to not support Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation’s (BIMC) Phase 2 Proposal for the Mary River Project. QIA has participated in each step of the NIRB process associated with the Phase 2 Proposal.

“QIA’s Board gave priority to Inuit perspectives from impacted communities.” Says QIA President P.J. Akeeagok. “QIA committed itself wholeheartedly to reviewing the Phase 2 Proposal including developing a series of independent IQ reports about the project, hosting numerous workshops, meetings, and discussions with impacted communities to weigh the pros and cons associated with the proposed expansion of the Mary River mine.”

Akeeagok went on to state, “Inuit did not participate in the development of the proposal, and key information about project impacts remain unclear. Therefore, the QIA Board will not recommend approval.”

Among the concerns, QIA’s Board of Directors considered when making this important decision included the impacts from dust, impacts to wildlife including caribou, seals, and narwhal, and the limited incorporation of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and the absence of a jointly developed Adaptive Management Plan.

QIA’s Board of Directors remains open to resource development in the Qikiqtani Region and welcomes proposals from Baffinland that prioritize Inuit involvement from the beginning and which align with an Inuit vision of the future. The current Mary River project is permitted to operate on Inuit Owned Lands. QIA will continue to uphold Inuit rights and interests with respect to the current project.

QIA’s President is available beginning Monday, March 8, 2021 for interviews.

For more information, please contact:

Will Hopkins, Acting Director of Communications,
Qikiqtani Inuit Association
whopkins@qia.ca
867.975.8413 or
1.800.667.2742