Iqaluit, Nunavut, January 11, 2022 – After the extended Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) process the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) has delivered its Final Written Submission outlining the QIA Board of Director’s (Board) position on Baffinland Iron Mine Corp.’s Mary River Project Phase 2 Proposal to the Nunavut Impact Review Board

During a QIA Board of Directors meeting held in March 2021, the Board unanimously voted to not support the current Phase 2 proposal.

“The current proposal does not align with the best outcomes for Qikiqtani Inuit,” says QIA President Olayuk Akesuk, “QIA remains open and supportive of resource development in the region so long as Inuit are active participants in the development of project proposals and management plans.”

Among the reasons the Board of Directors cited for their vote to not support include:

• Outstanding Environmental Impacts and uncertainty regarding impact predictions
• Inuit are seeking actual experience with proposed adaptive management structures prior to project expansion
• A lack of integration of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit
• Limited support amongst Qikiqtani Inuit communities for the Phase 2 Proposal

As the Designated Inuit Organization, it is QIA’s responsibility to provide our position on any land use proposals on Inuit-owned lands in the Qikiqtani Region. This submittal is the culmination of five years of work on the NIRB review process.

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