The Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC or Commission) previously requested that participants provide additional and/or supplementary written submissions on the 2021 Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan (DNLUP) by April 15, 2022.

The Commission thanks participants who were able to provide additional and/or supplementary written submissions and notes that a number of participants have requested additional time to prepare their submissions. The Commission now encourages participants to provide any further written comments on the 2021 DNLUP by June 24, 2022 to ensure all participants have adequate time to review them in advance of the regional public hearings taking place in September through November 2022. 

In addition, the Commission previously indicated that the consultation record for the 2021 DNLUP would close 40 days after the conclusion of the final regional hearing. However, the Commission is now extending this timeline to January 10, 2023 recognizing the holiday period’s impact on schedules and notes that no further extension will be granted beyond this deadline. 
Please note that all written submissions received in respect of the 2021 DNLUP are available on the NPC public registry online at: http://lupit.nunavut.ca/portal/registry.php . The interactive maps and GIS files of the maps are available on the NPC’s website at www.nunavut.ca. 

For more, click on the below link to download the notice. 

Iqaluit, Nunavut (April 11, 2022). The Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC) will hold additional public hearings in the journey towards a final Land Use Plan for the territory, thanks to additional funding from the Government of Canada. Once finalized, the Plan will encompass one-fifth of Canada’s land mass, encompassing 3.3 million square kilometers including land, freshwater, and marine areas, and will be the largest land use plan of its kind in the world. The NPC applied for $5.5 million to fund community engagement meetings and two additional public hearings at Pond Inlet and Iqaluit in the Qikiqtaaluk (Baffin) region which will allow for completion of the final phase of the consultation process toward an historic first comprehensive Land Use Plan for Nunavut.

“We applaud the vision of the federal government and Minister of Northern Affairs Dan Vandal to fund these additional hearings and ensure that all the people of Nunavut are fully consulted,” said Commission Chair Andrew Nakashuk. “The funding is a crucial step towards fulfilling the vision of Inuit self-determination as required in the Nunavut Agreement and national reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.”

“This funding demonstrates Canada’s commitment to fulfill the terms of the Nunavut Agreement which requires Inuit-led land use planning as a key piece of self-determination,” said NPC Executive Director Sharon Ehaloak. “It also supports efforts to work together to create a final plan that will protect the Inuit way of life, Nunavut’s unique environment and wildlife while also creating economic opportunities for Nunavummiut.”

Please click on the link below to download the full News Release. 

On October 21, 2021 the Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC or Commission) postponed the Regional Public Hearings in respect of the 2021 DNLUP that were originally scheduled for November 2021 to March 2022 to provide all participants adequate time to review materials in Inuktitut, English or French. As a result of the most recent Covid-19 outbreak in Nunavut in January 2022, the Commission further postponed the regional public hearings to the fall of 2022.  Due to the recent easing of travel restrictions and changes to public health measures across Nunavut allowing for public gatherings, the NPC has decided to proceed with its plans to hold in-person public hearings in the Kitikmeot, Kivalliq, Qikiqtaaluk (North/South Baffin, Nunavik) Regions, and for affected Dënesųłiné communities in September to November 2022. The Qikiqtaaluk hearings remain subject to the availability of funding.

Copies of the 2021 DNLUP and Options and Recommendations document and all submissions filed in the NPC’s public record in association with the DNLUP are available online at: http://lupit.nunavut.ca/portal/registry.php. The Interactive maps and GIS files of the maps are available on the NPC’s website at www.nunavut.ca.

Hard copies of 2021 DNLUP and Options and Recommendations and the executive summary documents have been sent to the Municipal offices in each community. HTOs are asked to visit the Municipal office to pick up copies if they have not yet received them.

See the attached notice for more information. 

The current Covid outbreak in Nunavut has made the Commission’s intended preparatory community meetings unfeasible at this time. Following discussions with multiple communities and other planning partners, the Commission has determined that the most responsible path forward is to postpone the regional public hearings until the fall and conduct in-person community visits in the spring as guided by the Covid protocols in place at that time, or through Zoom or teleconference if necessary.

Parties should be aware that the new dates set below for the re-scheduling of the community visits and regional public hearings are tentative and may change depending on public health orders. Should the Commission subsequently make any changes to the timetable of events, these will be communicated through a procedural update.

Copies of the 2021 DNLUP and Options and Recommendations document and all submissions filed in the NPC’s public record in association with the DNLUP are available online at: http://lupit.nunavut.ca/portal/registry.php . Hardcopies of the DNLUP and supporting material have been mailed to affected communities. 

Do not hesitate to contact Solomon Amuno at: samuno@nunavut.ca if you have questions regarding this notice. 

On October 21, 2021, the Nunavut Planning Commission (Commission) postponed Regional Public Hearings in respect of the 2021 Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan (DNLUP) that were originally scheduled for November 2021 to March 2022 to provide all participants additional time to ensure adequate opportunity to review materials in Inuktitut, English or French.

Next steps in the planning process discussed in this notice are summarized in Appendix A of the attached notice.

As previously communicated, the Commission would like to confirm the following revised dates and time for the upcoming public hearings: 

• Thompson, MB (Royal Canadian Legion) - March 10-11, 2022
• Rankin Inlet, NU (Singiituq Complex) - March 14-18, 2022
• Cambridge Bay, NU ( Luke Novoligak Community Hall) -  March 28-31, 2022

Copies of the 2021 DNLUP and Options and Recommendations document and all submissions filed in the NPC’s public record in association with the DNLUP are available online at: http://lupit.nunavut.ca/portal/registry.php . Hardcopies of the DNLUP and supporting material have been mailed to affected communities. 

Participants who have already provided written comments are able to provide additional comments, and other participants are now requested to provide any written submissions by February 18, 2022.

Parties not yet registered as participants are able to do so by completing the registration form in Appendix C.

NPC staff are available to meet with participants to provide an overview of the DNLUP or to respond to any clarifying questions to assist with the preparation of written submissions. Staff will be meeting with community representatives between January 24 and February 4, 2022, and other participants are encouraged to contact NPC staff to schedule a meeting between January 10-21, 2022.

Please click the read more button below to download the full notice for more details. 

The Interactive map of the 2021 DNLUP is now available on our website at www.nunavut.ca. Click on the below link for direct access. 

2021 DNLUP INTERACTIVE MAP A: Land Use Designations

The Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC) has responded to concerns raised by Inuit organizations about access to documents by rescheduling public hearings on the 2021 Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan until early 2022.

The decision to reschedule the hearings was made after Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) and the three Regional Inuit Associations (RIAs) informed the NPC that they needed “sufficient time to review the DNLUP 2021” and have all relevant documents and maps made available in Inuktitut as well as paper copies of the materials available at the community level.

“We listened to NTI, and the Inuit organizations and we responded,” said Commission Chair Andrew Nakashuk. “We want to ensure the final plan reflects their views and puts Nunavut on a path for future sustainable economic development while protecting our culture, wildlife, and environment.”

The public hearings have been rescheduled to the following dates and locations:

• March 10 - 11th, 2022, Thompson, Manitoba (Royal Canadian Legion) for affected Dënesųłiné communities in northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan
• Mar. 14 – 18th, 2022, Rankin Inlet, Nunavut (Singiituq Complex)
•  March 28 – 31st, 2022, Cambridge Bay, Nunavut (Luke Novoligak Community Hall)

By rescheduling the hearings, the Commission is sending a strong message that it takes seriously its responsibility to comply with all aspects of the Nunavut Agreement and respect the language, tradition of Inuit oral communication and other rights of Nunavummiut. In addition, it may allow for greater participation from the community of Coral Harbour in the Kivalliq Region which has been under travel restrictions because of a COVID 19 outbreak.

More than 100 participants have registered to take part in public hearings as the NPC continues the journey toward a final Land Use Plan for the territory. Once finalized, the Plan will encompass one-fifth of Canada’s land mass, representing 2.1 million square kilometres of land and water.

“We understand how important this is for Nunavut and we want to hear from as many people and organizations as possible,” said NPC Executive Director Sharon Ehaloak. “We look forward to seeing their submissions at the public hearings as we move towards a final Plan that strikes the right balance for the territory.”

The NPC hopes to hold additional hearings in Pond Inlet and Iqaluit later in 2022 subject to the availability of funding from the Government of Canada. The draft Plan will be revised, and a recommended Plan will then be submitted to the Government of Canada, the Government of Nunavut, and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. for consideration. The 2021 Draft Land Use Plan can be found at: https://www.nunavut.ca/  

About the Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC) The Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC) is responsible for the development, implementation, and monitoring of land use plans for resource use and development in the Nunavut Settlement Area. The NPC was established in 1993 under the Nunavut Agreement.

Media Contact:

Mike Murphy, Quinn Public Affairs

mike@quinnpublicaffairs.com  

613-220-9885

In view of the fast-approaching Public Hearing dates and recognizing the desire for all parties to have adequate notice and time to prepare for the upcoming proceedings, the Commission hereby notifies all participants that the requested date of written comments on the 2021 DNLUP is extended to October 8, 2021. Parties are reminded to direct all enquiries including forthcoming submissions directly to the Commission at: submissions@nunavut.ca.

The commission is also reminding interested parties that they can register as participants to the upcoming public hearings by completing Form 1 of the Commission’s Rules for Public Proceedings, by September 30th.

In addition, please note that a corrected English version of the DNLUP is available on the NPC’s Public Registry that addresses issues with references to site numbering on Map A.

On July 8, 2021 the Nunavut Planning Commission released a revised 2021 Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan (DNLUP) and supporting Options and Recommendations document.

On July 21, 2021 the Commission met and reopened the record for submissions on the 2021 DNLUP. Written submissions on the 2021 DNLUP are requested to be filed by September 30, 2021. All responses can be submitted by email at submissions@nunavut.ca, by fax at 867-979-3443, or by mail at Box 1797, Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 0H0. Participants with capacity are encouraged to provide translated copies of their submissions. Please click the read more button below to download the full notice for more details. 

If you would like to view the News Release and Backgrounder documents, as well as the 2021 Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan and the O&R documents,  please click on the read more button below. The 2021 DNLUP and O&R are also available in the Public Registry.

The Nunavut Planning Commission will release a revised 2021 Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan and Options and Recommendations document on Thursday July 8th.

A news conference is being held at 10:00 AM Eastern, which will be broadcast on Uvugat TV at  http://uvagut.tv, and livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/Nunavut-Planning-Commission-1175981282574622.

Copies of all material will be available on the Commission’s website, and a notice setting out next steps in the planning process will follow.

Click on the below links to view our Current Openings

REVISED Locations and Dates for the Kivalliq Sessions:

1. Rankin Inlet, Community Hall,  Wednesday, January 22, 2020
2. Arviat, Community Hall, Thursday, January 23, 2020
3. Baker Lake, Community Hall,  Friday,  January 24, 2020
4. Coral Harbour, Community Hall, Monday, January 27, 2020
5. Naujaat, Community Hall, Tuesday, January 28, 2020
6. Whale Cove, Community Hall, Wednesday, January 29, 2020
7. Chesterfield Inlet, Community Hall,  Thursday, January 30, 2020

Time:             Afternoon sessions are from 1:30pm to 4:30pm;

                       Evening sessions are from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

                       Except Baker Lake: 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm; and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The Nunavut Planning Commission is developing a land use plan to guide how land and water is used in Nunavut. The Commission will be holding Information Sessions under rule 17 of the Commission’s new Rules for Public Proceedings. Join the Commission’s Chairperson Andrew Nakashuk and staff to discuss land use in Nunavut.

Locations and Dates:

1. Baker Lake Community Hall,                      Monday, January 20, 2020
2. Chesterfield Inlet Community Hall,           Tuesday, January 21, 2020
3. Rankin Inlet Community Hall,                    Wednesday, January 22, 2020
4. Arviat Community Hall,                               Thursday, January 23, 2020
5. Coral Harbour Community Hall,                Monday, January 27, 2020​​​​​​​
6. Naujaat Community Hall,                           Tuesday, January 28, 2020
7. Whale Cove Community Hall,                    Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Time:             Afternoon sessions are from 1:30pm to 4:30pm;

                       Evening sessions are from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Purpose:         The purpose of the Information Sessions is to hear the views of community residents on the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan, 2016. Commission staff will give a presentation and information on the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan, 2016, answer questions, and will solicit comments, evidence, Traditional Knowledge and technical information relating to priority issues in the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan, 2016. Under rule 15(5) of the Rules for Public Proceedings, the Commission will prepare summaries of oral comments received in the Information Sessions to be included in the public record and considered in revising the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan, 2016.

Participants in the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan, 2016 Proceeding, and the public, are welcome to attend, and may file additional material to include in the Commission’s public record by February 28, 2020.

The Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan, 2016, the Schedule of Upcoming Community Visits, the Rules for Public Proceedings, and the Commission’s record of consultations and comments on the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan, 2016 and past versions of the plan are available at www.nunavut.ca. Also, see our Facebook Page.

Contact us at (867) 857-2242 or by Email at aglukark@nunavut.ca.

The Nunavut Planning Commission is developing a land use plan to guide how land and water is used in Nunavut. The Commission will be holding Information Sessions under rule 17 of the Commission’s new Rules for Public Proceedings. Join the Commission’s Chairperson Andrew Nakashuk and staff to discuss land use in Nunavut.

Locations and Dates:

1. Kugaaruk Community Hall,                     Monday November 18, 2019
2. Taloyoak Community Hall,                      Wednesday November 20, 2019
3. Gjoa Haven Community Hall,                 Thursday November 21, 2019
4. Cambridge Bay Community Hall,           Monday November 25, 2019
5. Kugluktuk Community Hall,                    Wednesday November 27, 2019

(Additional dates are being scheduled for the Kivalliq Region in early 2020)

Time:             Afternoon sessions are from 1:30pm to 4:30pm;

                       Evening sessions are from 6:30pm to 9:30pm.

Purpose:       The purpose of the Information Sessions is to hear the views of community residents on the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan, 2016. Commission staff will give a presentation and information on the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan, 2016, answer questions, and will solicit comments, evidence, Traditional Knowledge and technical information relating to priority issues in the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan, 2016. Under rule 15(5) of the Rules for Public Proceedings, the Commission will prepare summaries of oral comments received in the Information Sessions to be included in the public record and considered in revising the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan, 2016.

Participants in the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan, 2016 Proceeding, and the public, are welcome to attend, and may file additional material to include in the Commission’s public record by February 28, 2020.

The Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan, 2016, the Schedule of Upcoming Community Visits, the Rules for Public Proceedings, and the Commission’s record of consultations and comments on the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan, 2016 and past versions of the plan are available at www.nunavut.ca . Also see our Facebook Page.

Contact us at (867) 979-3444 or by Email at jsavoy@nunavut.ca .

Please see the attached schedule of upcoming community visits in the Kitikmeot region to engage communities on the 2016 Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan (DNLUP).

The Nunavut Planning Commission released the 2016 DNLUP in June 2016 to encourage discussion on land use planning in the Nunavut Settlement Area. The Commission has received a significant amount of written feedback on the 2016 DNLUP and held an in-person public hearing in Iqaluit in March 2017 for communities in the Qikiqtani region as well as transboundary Nunavik communities.  The Commission has now received funding to complete consultations on the 2016 DNLUP by conducting community visits in the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions, rather than further public hearings. Community visits in the Kivalliq Region are being scheduled for early 2020.

Please see the attached press release and notice regarding next steps in the land use planning process.

A Notice of Reopening of Record for Written Submissions on the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan, 2016 and additional materials can be found on the NPC's Public Registry under Notices and Correspondence.

Please see the attached Notice and letter regarding the Public Hearing on the North Baffin Regional Land Use Plan amendment application by Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation.

Related materials are avaiable on the NPC's Public Registry here. 

Please see the attached notice of a public hearing and opportunities to comment on a draft agenda.

Related materials are avaialble on the NPC's Public Registry here.

Please see the attached notice of a proposed amendment to the North Baffin Regional Land Use Plan by Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation.

The proposed amendment and additional materials, including a template for written submissions are available on the NPC's Public Registry here.

Oral comments can be made in Inuktitut by contacting Tommy Owlijoot at (867) 857-2242 and can be made in English or French by contacting Goump Djalogue at (867) 979-3444.

Please see the attached notice of a proposed amendment to the North Baffin Regional Land Use Plan by Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation.

The proposed amendment and additional materials, including a template for written submissions are available on the NPC's Public Registry here.

Oral comments can be made in Inuktitut by contacting Tommy Owlijoot at (867) 857-2242 and can be made in English or French by contacting Goump Djalogue at (867) 979-3444.

Please see the attached notice regarding the Kivalliq Regional Hearing on the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan.

Please see the attached notice and press release regarding the delay of the Qikiqtani Public Hearing by one day due to weather.