About the Nunavut Marine Council

The Nunavut Marine Council (NMC) is not a standalone organization, but rather a mechanism for utilizing the shared experience and knowledge of Nunavut’s Institutions of Public Government to address marine issues that are broader than any one organization’s mandate. An extension of the integrated resource management system established through the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, NMC initiatives are advanced through coordination and cooperation between the board members and staff of the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB), the Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC), the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), and the Nunavut Water Board (NWB).

learn more about who we are

NMC Membership

Nunavut Wildlife Management Board

The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB) is the main instrument of wildlife management and the main regulator of access to wildlife in the Nunavut Settlement Area. The NWMB also has an advisory role with respect to marine management which occurs in Zones I and II and adjacent marine areas. Zone I refers to those waters north of 61 degrees latitude subject to Canada’s jurisdiction seaward of the territorial sea boundary, that are not part of the NSA or another land claim settlement area. Zone II refers to the waters of James Bay, Hudson Bay and Hudson Strait that are not part of the NSA or another land claim settlement area.The NWMB’s vision statement is conserving wildlife through the application of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and scientific knowledge.

Nunavut Planning Commission

The Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC) has an important mandate under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement to prepare and implement land use plans that guide and direct resource use and development. The NPC consults with government, Inuit organizations and many other organizations but it is the NPC’s responsibility to make the final decisions on how land use plans will be developed and how the plans will manage the land in Nunavut.

Nunavut Impact Review Board

The Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) is an institution of public government created by the Nunavut Agreement (NA) to assess the potential impacts of proposed development in the Nunavut Settlement Area prior to approval of the required project authorizations.

 

Nunavut Water Board

The Nunavut Water Board (NWB) is an independent Institution of Public Government that operates at arm’s length from other public institutions and is required by the Nunavut Waters and Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act to regulate, manage, and monitor inland water in Nunavut through the issuance of licences. The NWB’s mandate is to provide for the conservation and utilization of waters in Nunavut – except in national parks – in a manner that will provide the optimum benefits for the residents of Nunavut in particular and Canadians in general.

 

The NMC is an extension of the integrated regulatory process established through the Nunavut Agreement, allowing the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, the Nunavut Planning Commission, the Nunavut Impact Review Board and the Nunavut Water Board to coordinate on issues affecting the marine areas of the Nunavut Settlement Area. For a brief description of each organization, roll over the buttons above.

Get Involved

WHY? The Nunavut Marine Council wishes to increase public awareness of and engagement in marine issues. By choosing to get involved and providing your questions, comments and advice on marine initiatives, you can assist in the protection and promotion of Nunavut’s marine areas.

 

FIND OUT MORE

MARINE INITIATIVES

The NMC will achieve its vision by performing three key functions, as part of its mission:
By raising awareness, providing advice and undertaking advocacy, ensure the ongoing protection and wise use of the marine areas of the Nunavut Settlement Area (NSA) for the long-term benefit of Inuit, the people of Nunavut and the people of Canada, in a manner consistent with the principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and Article 15 of the Nunavut Agreement (Marine Areas).

The NMC wishes to increase public awareness of the NMC and of marine issues while increasing its awareness of what marine issues matter most to Inuit, Nunavummiut and Canadians to inform its efforts to provide policy advice and undertake advocacy.

Awareness

Under the Nunavut Agreement, the NMC members may jointly, as a Nunavut Marine Council, or severally, advise and make recommendations to other government agencies regarding the marine areas, and Government shall consider such advice and recommendations in making decisions which affect marine areas.

Advice

Building on work related to awareness and advice, the NMC may at times undertake advocacy as a more comprehensive and sustained approach to marine policy. Given the rapid pace of change in the Arctic marine environment, it is likely that the NMC will be called upon more frequently to advocate for Inuit, Nunavummiut and Canadians on marine policy issues.

Advocacy

NEWS

Request For Proposals

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS INITIATIVE: Facilitation of Nunavut Marine Council Strategic Planning Workshop PROPOSALS RECEIVED UNTIL: October 11, 2024

September 14, 2024
Arctic Cruise Shipping 2022

Following the expiry of the two-year sailing ban on passenger ships and pleasure crafts in Canadian Arctic waters due to COVID-19, cruise shipping will resume in the 2022 season. Information about vessel activity is available through the Nunavut Planning Commission public registry at the links below.

July 28, 2022
Special Marine Security Notification on Canadian Sanctions Related to Russia

Transport Canada has developed a Special Marine Security Notification on Canadian Sanctions Related to Russia, for information. Updates to this notification will be provided as additional information becomes available.

March 9, 2022
Government of Canada announces new public health plan for cruise ships

On March 7, 2022, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced the public health framework the Government of Canada is putting in place to restart cruise ship activity in Canada.

March 9, 2022
View All News

CONTACT NUNAVUT MARINE COUNCIL

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site. Switch to a production site key to remove this banner.