Qikiqtani Inuit Association supports Clyde River at seismic testing appeal
(November 30, 2016 – Iqaluit, Nu) – The Qikiqtani Inuit Association president P.J. Akeeagok, representing Inuit in the Qikiqtani region (Baffin region), is in Ottawa today at the Supreme Court of Canada hearing to support a Nunavut community’s fight against seismic testing.
For the past two years, Clyde River, the Hunters and Trappers Organization and Jerry Natanine have been trying to overturn a National Energy Board decision to allow industry to conduct seismic testing for oil and gas in Baffin Bay near several Qikiqtani communities.
“The Nunavut Agreement clearly states Inuit need to be adequately consulted in areas of resource development or any other activity that may impact wildlife and the community,” says Akeeagok.
”This Supreme Court hearing shows that the people of Clyde River were not adequately consulted.”
QIA has repeatedly objected to the National Energy Board, to industry and to government on the lack of proper and meaningful consultation on seismic testing.
Our organization contributed financially to help fund the Federal Court of Appeal and then the Leave filed by the Clyde River groups to appeal the Federal Court decision. We have also paid for several community members to attend the hearing today. These funds have come directly from the QIA president’s budget.
It is QIA’s hope that the highest Court in the land will finally clarify the government’s duty to consult with Inuit and other Indigenous peoples in a constructive and meaningful way by overturning the decision on seismic testing.
The Nov. 30 hearing will be webcast via the following link: http://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/hear-aud-eng.aspx
Media Contact:
Sima Sahar Zerehi,
Director of Communications
Qikiqtani Inuit Association
(867) 975.8413
1.800.667.2742
