Nunavut premier warns lands bill could delay devolution

Nunavut Premier John Main says proposed federal changes to the Territorial Lands Act could complicate the territory’s takeover of land and resource management, which is scheduled for April 1, 2027.

Main told the Senate Standing Committee on Indigenous Peoples on Oct. 6 that the timing of Bill C-31 creates “a particular challenge,” Nunatsiaq News reported. The bill would let the federal cabinet, on the advice of the northern affairs minister, cancel or restrict mineral rights on Crown land in Nunavut if it judges that to be in the national interest.

“The Government of Nunavut cannot mirror federal provisions that have not yet been enacted,” Main said. Nunavut is mirroring several federal laws, including the Territorial Lands Act, as it finalizes devolution. The bill is still before the House of Commons finance committee.

The territory tabled a draft Public Lands Act in the spring and plans to introduce it formally during the fall sitting that began this week. Main said waiting for C-31 to pass would pose a “significant risk” to meeting the April 1 deadline.

On Oct. 21, Northern Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand told the finance committee that cabinet could cancel existing mineral rights in Nunavut under the bill, The Hub reported. The bill does not define the “national interest” that would trigger such a move, and the report said there is no guarantee of compensation.

Georgina Lloyd, an assistant deputy minister of northern affairs, told senators the amendment will not affect decisions on land transferred under devolution. She said the Territorial Lands Act will stay in place for the small amount of Crown land that remains under federal jurisdiction.

Nunavut Sen. Nancy Karetak-Lindell raised concerns about foreign ownership of mining projects and infrastructure, including the Mary River iron mine. Main said restricting investment to Canadian companies could make Nunavut “not a very attractive jurisdiction to invest in.”

Baffinland Iron Mines Corp., which operates Mary River, sought creditor protection in May. A judge approved a $660-million loan from Export Development Canada in June to keep the mine running through this year’s shipping season. A company spokesperson, Peter Akman, said it would be “premature to speculate about potential bidders or transaction terms.”

Related coverage: Iqaluit weighs a $216-million capital budget and Parks Canada job changes hit 125 northern staff.

Sources: Nunatsiaq News; The Hub.

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