Inuit See Value in New Federal Arctic Shipping Regulations - Insist on Greater Inuit Involvement

Ottawa, Ontario – Tuesday July 20, 2010 – National Inuit leader Mary Simon says the new “Northern Canada Vessel Traffic Services Zone” Arctic shipping regulations are a step in the right direction, but Inuit seek greater consultations with the federal government regarding how they will be implemented and followed up.

“The new regulations are meant to control and ensure safe shipping through the Northwest Passage. They underscore and support Canadian sovereignty,” noted Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Mary Simon. “International shipping companies should comply with these new regulations. Inuit currently consult with multi-national mining companies when it comes to shipping minerals through our waters. The mining companies are sensitive to Inuit hunting practises and work with us to schedule their ships, so we can then tell the hunters. That is why it’s important for Inuit to know when ships will be coming through.”

“I also wrote to the Prime Minster several months ago expressing our desire to work together on an Arctic shipping regime – as Inuit live along the coasts where the ships are passing – and although there is much good in these new regulations, Inuit leaders have yet to receive an invitation to be part of this regime,” stated Mary Simon.

“Inuit are increasingly concerned about the relationships between shipping and sustainable development. Three weeks ago at the Inuit Circumpolar Council General Assembly in Nuuk, Greenland Inuit leaders agreed to hold an urgent meeting on the issue of resource development in the Arctic. Shipping will very much be on the agenda as we are extremely concerned, following the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, about anything that could potentially damage the Arctic Ocean,” said Mary Simon.

“There are positives in the new regime. Ships over 300 tonnes will have to be registered and additional measures will be put in place to prevent pollution in Arctic waters, and beef up response times to potential oil spills. The regulation of cruise ships through Arctic waters is also important as some of our communities are surprised when a ship with 500 tourists suddenly shows up.” said Mary Simon. “I’m sure these new regulations will be on our agenda for discussion at our Inuit leader’s summit.”