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The Land
II.3 Strategic Outcome: The Land
Transferred land title, and sustainable use of lands and management of resources by First Nations, Inuit and Northerners
Comprises the following Results Themes (as per 2004-2005 RPP)/Program Activities (as per PAA):
- Certainty of Title and Access to Land and Resources
- Responsible Federal Stewardship
- First Nations Governance Over Land, Resources and the Environment
- Northern Lands and Resources
| Financial Resources ($ millions) | Planned Spending | Total Authorities | Actual Spending |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certainty of Title and Access to Land and Resources | 99.8 | 22.5 | 16.2 |
| Responsible Federal Stewardship | 22.5 | 17.9 | 17.8 |
| First Nations Governance Over Land, Resources and the Environment | 64.9 | 59.7 | 59.4 |
| Northern Lands and Resources | 73.4 | 151.9 | 149.8 |
| Human Resources (Full-time Equivalents) | Planned | Actual | Difference |
| Certainty of Title and Access to Land and Resources | 73 | 35 | (38) |
| Responsible Federal Stewardship | 39 | 39 | - |
| First Nations Governance Over Land, Resources and the Environment | 156 | 185 | 29 |
| Northern Lands and Resources | 292 | 379 | 87 |
Note: As per Treasury Board Guidelines, the full-time equivalents shown here represent an estimate of resources devoted wholly to this Strategic Outcome plus a pro-rata share of Departmental Management and Administration (dollars and full-time equivalents) based on the department's actual spending. In some cases, this number may appear high due to the very nature of the department's business, that is, managing financial relationships with service delivery largely devolved to our partners.
II.3.1 Program Activity - CERTAINTY OF TITLE AND ACCESS TO LAND AND RESOURCES
Description
This activity includes additions to reserves, ensuring clarity of title to facilitate future land transactions through surveys and negotiated agreements, and implementing land transfers under specific and comprehensive claims.
Contributes to Priority in 2005-2006 RPP
Governance and sustainable use of lands, resources and the environment by First Nations by implementing an effective Additions to Reserve (ATR) process with reasonable standards for all parties, while continuing to support the development of land and resources through rapid handling of land transfer components of comprehensive, specific and other agreements.
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
|---|---|
| Complete up to 100 ATRs (based on past history) in 2004-2005. | Sixty-two additions to reserves were completed in fiscal year 2004-2005. |
Develop a strategy to track and report on progress in terms of the average time to add land to reserves (by March 2005). |
A strategy was developed to track and report on progress on time frames associated with additions to reserves, resulting in the development and deployment of a national database that will be used to report on progress and serve as a management tool. |
Reduce the time it takes to add land to reserves from 5-7 years to 2 years (by March 2007). |
Efforts have been concentrated on mapping the process, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and removing duplication in order to reduce the time it takes to add land to reserves in an appropriate time frame suitable to each individual situation. |
Expected Result 2: Clarify land title for Aboriginal parties to comprehensive claim settlements. |
|
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
| Complete land title transfer, registration and survey requirements pursuant to land claims agreements (ongoing). | Land registry and survey components of comprehensive claims settlements are the responsibility of Canada in the territories, and there were no requirements for this fiscal year. In the Northwest Territories, descriptive mapping for the Tlicho Agreement was completed in February 2003, and the land will vest with the Tlicho on the effective date of their agreement (August 4, 2005). In Yukon, the Kwanlin Dun Final Agreement, which includes a description of settlement land and accompanying maps, was signed by the parties on February 19, 2005, with an effective date of April 1, 2005. Subsequent survey work will be the responsibility of the Surveyor General. |
Expected Result 3: Clarify status of utility rights-of-way crossing reserves. |
|
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
| Settlement negotiated with the CPR/nine First Nations/Canada (2004-2005). | To date, 14 First Nations involving 33 reserves have reached settlements with respect to railway rights-of-way. Implementation of these settlements continues with CPR and nine First Nations. |
Optional tax/title settlement model for other railways/utilities introduced (ongoing). |
Railway tax and title settlements were negotiated with five First Nations in 2004-2005, with implementation of these settlements continuing into 2005-2006. |
Expected Result 4: Improve formal relationships to facilitate additions to reserve. |
|
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
| Develop protocols with First Nations, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the provinces and other federal government departments, such as Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada and the Department of Justice organizations (ongoing). | INAC commissioned the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to host a number of forums in various provinces to discuss the Additions to Reserve process and facilitate relationship building. INAC has developed formal and informal protocols with other federal government departments involved in the ATR process to improve its efficiency. |
Expected Result 5: Reconciliation of outstanding land transactions with respect to expropriation by provinces (section 35 of the Indian Act). |
|
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
| Develop and approve appropriate strategy to resolve section 35 takings (2004-2005). | A strategy to address expropriations was developed and approved. |
Protocol with the Province of British Columbia to resolve approximately 65 section 35 takings (2004-2005). |
A protocol was established providing for the Province of British Columbia and INAC to work on a "rolling" list of 14 backlog files in addition to working on any new transactions. |
Resolve approximately 35 outstanding section 35 takings in other provinces using best practices from the British Columbia experience (2006-2007). |
Two files are expected to proceed to conclusion in 2005-2006. |
How did these accomplishments support the priority?
Now that improved infrastructure is in place for the ATR process, the department has the necessary basis from which to make long-term gains. Upgraded systems and performance and management tools, including a database, will help to realize efficiencies and reduce the time it takes to add land to reserves.
Clarity of title delivered through other expected results will support improved decision making about reserve lands.
II.3.2 Program Activity - RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL STEWARDSHIP
Description
This activity includes discharging federal responsibilities to First Nations, such as under the Indian Act and the Indian Oil and Gas Act and associated regulations; discharging responsibilities and coordinating with other government departments with similar responsibilities, such as Environment Canada; remediating contaminated sites under federal jurisdiction; and collecting and managing Indian moneys from land and resources activities.
Contributes to Priority in 2005-2006 RPP
Governance and sustainable use of lands, resources and the environment by First Nations by improving the legislative and regulatory framework, while effectively managing reserve lands, resources and revenues held in trust.
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
|---|---|
| Develop Environment Directive (2004-2005). | INAC developed and approved an Environmental Stewardship Strategy and had it promulgated from the Deputy Minister to all staff. |
Develop Indian and Inuit Affairs Program Environmental Management System (2004-2005). |
The following key components of an Environmental Management System that forms part of the strategy are now in place:
|
Implement Indian and Inuit Affairs Program Environmental Management System (2006-2007). |
See results above. |
Expected Result 2: Enhanced administrative means for First Nations to access Indian moneys held in the Consolidated Revenue Fund. |
|
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
| Implementation of the new Specific Purpose Expenditure Trust policy (in 2004-2005). | The Specific Purpose Expenditure Trust (SPET) policy has been developed to enable First Nations to take an active role in the administration and expenditure of their Capital Indian Moneys held in the Consolidated Revenue Fund. |
Expected Result 3: Indian Oil and Gas Act amendments and associated regulations. |
|
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
| Under development for late 2004-2005. | In conjunction with First Nations, the decision was taken early in 2004-2005 to sequence work on the proposed Indian Oil and Gas Act amendments and associated regulations following completion of the proposed First Nations Oil and Gas and Moneys Management Act (FNOGMMA) and the development of legislative options regarding commercial and industrial activity on reserves. In the interim, the dialogue on these amendments and on the longer term future of Indian Oil and Gas Canada (IOGC) continues with the Indian Resource Council and the IOGC Co-Management Board. |
Expected Result 4: New instruments to regulate, enable and facilitate commercial and industrial activity on reserves. |
|
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
| Deliver legislative options regarding commercial and industrial activity on reserves, in partnership with First Nations (2004-2005). | The department, working in partnership with interested First Nations, proponents and provinces, has developed legislative proposals with respect to regulating major commercial and industrial developments on reserve lands. Work continues with proponent First Nations on the regulatory requirements of specific major project proposals. |
Implementation, including appropriate agreements and regulations (2005-2007). |
See results above. |
Expected Result 5: Reduce the number of contaminated sites. |
|
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
| Steady reduction in inventory of contaminated sites requiring remediation (ongoing). | INAC assessed and classified 20 high-risk contaminated sites, and remediated 32 high-risk contaminated sites on reserve. As part of the National Contaminated Sites Management Plan (CSMP) and Directives and Long-term Capital Plan, the Capital Program will continue to address the liability associated with contaminated sites. A five-year plan was submitted to headquarters in conjunction with the Regional Environment program. Capital funds have been allocated to conduct additional assessments as part of the five-year plan. All environmental projects submitted as part of the First Nation annual Capital Plan submissions are rated according to the National Priority Rating Matrix, outlined as part of the Long-term Capital Plan. |
Expected Result 6: Improve registration and enforcement of regulations surrounding land transfers. |
|
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
| Develop enforcement tools (2004-2005). | The new Reserve Land and Environment Management Program has been specifically designed to place enhanced emphasis on enforcement of, and compliance with, regulations and terms and conditions of agreements related to transactions, including the environmental impact of activities on First Nations lands. |
Develop land registration service delivery standards (2004-2005). |
An informal survey and questionnaire is being developed to determine accepted industry standards for other organizations delivering land registry services in Canada. Beyond service delivery standards, the survey will also cover the types of services provided, transaction volume, human resources, and leveraging tools or other technology. |
Commence land registry cleanup (2004-2005). |
Implementing enhanced data management practices identified 32,500 Indian Lands Registry System (ILRS) records that required special attention. |
Complete land registry cleanup (2006-2007). |
Approximately 13,000 of these records have been remediated. |
How did these accomplishments support the priority?
It is understood that an important component in achieving this goal is ensuring that INAC's responsibilities with respect to land and environmental management are being met. Examples of that include the Environmental Stewardship Strategy, contaminated sites cleanup, and improvements in the quality of data in the Indian Lands Registry.
The Specific Purpose Expenditure Trust will provide First Nations with greater flexibility to access and administer their own capital moneys by allowing private trusts to hold these funds, which can then be released to be spent for a specified community purpose. A legislative proposal to address the regulatory gap currently impeding major commercial developments on reserve has also been developed in partnership with interested First Nations and provinces.
Taken together, these accomplishments contribute to a modern land and environment management regime. These initiatives aim to ensure that INAC's internal processes, as well as the management tools available to First Nations, yield decisions that are consistent with responsible stewardship principles.
II.3.3 Program Activity - FIRST NATIONS GOVERNANCE OVER LAND, RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Description
This activity includes supporting First Nations in the development of professional and institutional capacity, including working with emerging First Nations institutions and professional associations; supporting the development of sectoral governance options and agreements; and working with First Nations to implement such agreements, for instance, working jointly with the Lands Advisory Board to implement the First Nations Land Management Act.
Contributes to Priority in 2005-2006 RPP
Governance and sustainable use of lands, resources and the environment by First Nations by fostering strengthened land management competencies and professional skills in First Nations, supporting the development of sectoral institutions and professional associations, and working jointly to create and implement modern enabling legislation to allow First Nations to assume control over lands and resources under sector-specific arrangements.
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
|---|---|
| Potential legislative initiative developed with First Nations (available by 2004-2005). | INAC completed the consultation process with interested First Nations and provinces, and developed draft legislation. The proposed First Nations Oil and Gas and Moneys Management Act (FNOGMMA) is a sectoral governance legislative initiative directly supporting First Nations access to, and control over, their lands and resources. The proposed initiative was successfully negotiated with three pilot First Nations, and is being considered by Parliament following the introduction of the Bill on June 1, 2005. |
Expected Result 2: Modern First Nations Land and Environmental Management Training Program. |
|
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
| New curriculum, certification and delivery guidelines (2004-2005). | The framework for a new First Nations land management training program has been put in place. A partnership with the University of Saskatchewan, the National Aboriginal Land Managers Association and INAC has been created to deliver the training to First Nations land managers. Delivery guidelines are complete, and work continues on the development of a new curriculum and certification guidelines. |
Implementation of the new Lands Management Training Program (2006-2007). |
All of the above has been rolled into the new Reserve Land and Environmental Management Program, explained in Expected Result 3 below. |
Expected Result 3: A more modern reserve land program for First Nations. |
|
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
| New reserve land management program options developed (2004-2005). | A new Reserve Land and Environmental Management Program (RLEMP) has been created and will be piloted during 2005-2006 with approximately 15 First Nations. Feedback from the pilot will be used to finalize the program for full implementation in 2006-2007. |
Expected Result 4: Expansion of First Nations under First Nations Land Management Act (FNLMA). |
|
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
| Lands Advisory Board exploratory discussions on tribal entry (2004-2005). | Exploratory discussions were conducted between the Lands Advisory Board (LAB) and interested Tribal Councils on the possibility of First Nations joining the First Nations Land Management Initiative as a group. |
Bijuralism options for Quebec First Nations to accommodate the different legal system in that province (2004-2005). |
Discussions were held with interested Quebec First Nations regarding bijuralism (i.e., civil and common law systems). The LAB and the department agreed on options for bijuralism through the Joint Implementation Committee of the FNLMA. |
Up to 75 First Nations (by 2006-2007). |
Currently, there are 22 First Nations developing land codes. In addition, 14 First Nations are operating under their own land codes. It is anticipated that an additional 17 First Nations will hold votes in fiscal year 2005-2006. |
How did these accomplishments support the priority?
The key partnerships INAC has developed with First Nation institutions will assist in fostering and strengthening governance structures over land, resources and the environment on reserves. Implementing sectoral initiatives jointly with these institutions, such as the National Aboriginal Land Managers Association and the Lands Advisory Board, supports the development of these initiatives and strengthens the capacity of these institutions to provide First Nations with the tools they need to effectively manage their land, resources and environment. The collaborative approach adopted for these ongoing initiatives is a model for strengthening sustainable communities and fostering an improved quality of life for First Nations.
Developing the First Nations Oil and Gas and Moneys Management Act to the point where it was ready for introduction in Parliament, developing the new Reserve Land and Environmental Management Program to the point where a pilot project could be launched, and expanding the First Nations Land Management Initiative to allow participation of a growing number of First Nations, all constitute significant milestones in INAC's ongoing efforts to put in place a full suite of sectoral governance options for First Nations governance over land, resources and the environment. Individual First Nations may choose to exercise these options at their discretion, when the time is ripe for them and according to their particular needs. The collaborative approach taken to the development of these options and the capacity development that is an important component of each one of them will ensure over time that more and more First Nations will be in a position to benefit from them and will decide to do so.
II.3.4 Program Activity - NORTHERN LANDS AND RESOURCES
Description
This activity includes supporting sustainable development of the North's natural resources; emphasizing improved environmental management and stewardship, including the cleanup of contaminated sites; expanding the knowledge base for sound decision making and improving the effectiveness of the northern regulatory environment.
Contributes to Priority in 2005-2006 RPP
Governance and sustainable use of lands, resources and the environment by Northerners.
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
|---|---|
| Mitigate environmental and human health risks through continued care and maintenance at several abandoned mine sites in Yukon and the NWT (ongoing). | In the NWT, staff members assessed and oversaw the installation of new water quality/quantity measuring equipment at several small abandoned contaminated sites in order to gather information necessary to develop remediation plans. At the same time, INAC initiated monitoring of several potentially contaminated sites around Yellowknife (mostly old gold mines) that are currently on the contaminated sites list and are of concern to local residents. Mitigation of environmental and human health concerns continued through ongoing care and maintenance activities at several major sites in Yukon and the NWT. |
Finalized project descriptions for the Giant and Colomac Mines (2005), with implementation pending environmental assessment and licensing approvals. |
Remediation plans were completed and approved via the regulatory process for Colomac Mine and Discovery Mine, and a draft abandonment and restoration plan for Giant Mine was completed. These achievements allowed INAC to strengthen environmental stewardship by being positioned to commence remediation work on these contaminated sites. A key success was that neither Discovery nor Colomac were referred to environmental assessment, and Colomac did not need to have water licence hearings, which speaks to strong community support and sound planning. |
Remove 75 percent of polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated soil from the Resolution Island Site in Nunavut (by winter 2005) (remediation completed by 2007). |
Eighty percent of the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) present at the Resolution Island site were removed in 2004-2005. The Resolution Island remediation project will be completed and fully demobilized by 2007. |
To the extent financial resources permit: 1) enhance the NWT Protected Area Strategy (PAS), specifically for the Mackenzie Valley over the next five years to identify, evaluate and establish interim protection for a network of protected areas prior to or concurrent with the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline (ongoing); and 2) implement the NWT Cumulative Effects Assessment and Management (CEAM) Strategy and Framework to facilitate ecological protection and responsible economic development within a sound environmental management framework (ongoing). |
The Minister announced $9 million in federal funding to support implementation of the NWT Protected Areas Strategy Five-Year Action Plan for the Mackenzie Valley: Conservation Planning for Pipeline Development. The action plan will run from 2004-2009. It will enhance the existing network of protected areas in the NWT by mapping ecologically representative areas, completing non-renewable resource potential mapping and achieving co-operative implementation of the NWT-PAS at a regional level. Creating a system of protected areas is one way of ensuring that the biodiversity and cultural significance of the North will continue. Community interest in the PAS continues to increase. Delays in providing core funding for the PAS, which is required in addition to Action Plan funding, for 2005-2006 may delay program activities, particularly outside areas affected by oil and gas development. The Minister endorsed the Final Blueprint for Implementing the CEAM Strategy and Framework in the NWT and Its Regions (Blueprint, July 2004). The Blueprint makes recommendations to decision makers to facilitate ecological protection, sustainable communities and responsible economic development within a sound environmental management framework in the NWT. The region was successful in seeking multi-year funding towards developing Regional Plans of Action, particularly in the Beaufort Sea and in the Deh Cho, and for the development (in collaboration with the Government of the Northwest Territories) of an information management system for cumulative effects assessment and management in the NWT. |
Expected Result 2: Expanded knowledge base for sound decision making through increased levels of northern research, including collection, acquisition and sharing of data. |
|
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
| Address critical gaps in capacity and scientific research so that governments can take sound, timely decisions on project proposals and identify measures to mitigate exploration, development and transmission of natural gas in the Mackenzie Valley (ongoing). | In collaboration with the community of Deline, two important plans were completed with respect to the environmental management of Great Bear Lake: a Research and Monitoring Plan and a Watershed Management Plan. The community of Deline will use these plans to ensure the long-term health of an extremely important watershed. At the same time, the department continued cumulative effects monitoring on the Coppermine River, which is downstream of all the diamond mines in the NWT. New stations were installed to monitor cumulative effects due to operations at Snap Lake. |
Improve the quality and quantity of geoscience data in the North through investments in geophysical coverage, digitizing and compiling existing data, and enhancing existing projects with partners, including the Geological Survey of Canada, the governments of Yukon, the NWT and Nunavut, and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (2004-2005). |
INAC remains a significant ongoing contributing partner in the Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office. INAC continues to work with the territorial government and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. on improving both the quality and availability of the geoscience data for Nunavut. In 2004-2005, the Nunavut Regional Office completed the digitization of geological assessment reports; in total, 2,799 reports were scanned and stored in assessment report archives. These reports are now available in electronic format. |
Expected Result 3: An effective northern operating environment through provision of clear, efficient and stable resource regulatory regimes. |
|
| Deliverables and Timelines | Actual Results |
| Complete development of new regulations under the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act in partnership with the Government of Yukon and the Council of Yukon First Nations. | The regulations were complete with the exception of three significant issues that required extensive consultation with the Government of Yukon and Council of Yukon First Nations. The drafting of the regulations was completed in July 2005 and now will proceed to pre-publication in the Canada Gazette. The regulations are expected to be brought into force in November 2005. |
Continue to advance Canada's interest in long-term northern energy development by coordinating the federal regulatory and policy response to the Mackenzie Valley pipeline. |
Oil and gas development has the potential to provide unprecedented opportunities for Northern Canadians for decades to come. INAC worked to secure additional funding to ensure that all federal departments were well equipped to respond to the proposed Mackenzie Gas Project. Starting in 2004-2005, the Government of Canada will provide $75 million over three years to increase federal and regional capacity to respond efficiently and effectively to environmental assessment and regulatory applications associated with the Mackenzie Gas Project. In addition to capacity building, funding is for support for Northern Boards, implementation of the Crown Consultation Unit, the Pipeline Readiness Office and the Northern Gas Project Secretariat, and scientific research to help ensure that appropriate measures are taken to minimize environmental impacts, protect the public interest and assess the cumulative effects of individual projects on the broader northern landscape and people. |
Complete development of the northern resource framework for decision making as outlined in the INAC 2004-2006 Sustainable Development Strategy (by 2006). |
In July 2004, a workshop was held and a draft INAC Sustainability Lens was developed. A second workshop was held in March 2005 to test and operationalize the Sustainable Development Lens on an existing program (Contaminated Sites Management Plan) and a hypothetical case study based on real mining scenarios. The outcome of this exercise will be the development of a Northern Sustainable Development Lens as part of the Northern Resources Development Framework (NRDF). |
Complete regulatory amendments to the Frontier Lands Petroleum Royalty Regulations to meet today's operating environment (2004-2005). |
The regulatory amendments to the Frontier Lands Petroleum Royalty Regulations (FLPRR) were not completed during the 2004-2005 fiscal year. The position (Manager, Fiscal Policy and Royalty Administration) responsible for pursuing the amendments to FLPRR remained vacant until November 2004. The regulatory review of FLPRR is again moving forward. |
Develop an electronic oil-and-gas royalty management system to facilitate online royalty submissions and provide a mechanism for assisting in administration, assessment and audits of royalties (bulk of development in 2004-2005); update MINERS database to reflect recent amendments to the Canada Mining Regulations (2004). |
The bulk of the development of the electronic oil-and-gas royalty management system (RMS) was not completed in the 2004-2005 fiscal year. Again, the position (Manager, Fiscal Policy and Royalty Administration) responsible for pursuing the development of RMS remained vacant until November 2004. The development of RMS is now moving forward. INAC is working with the Department of Justice to develop the proposed amendments to the Canada Mining Regulations. The amendments, which are administrative in nature, affect the administration of mineral tenure and the royalty regime. It is anticipated that the amendments will be completed in 2006. MINERS, the information system supporting the mineral tenure, will be subsequently updated, in preparation for the new regulations implementation. |
Enhance co-operation and understanding of mineral resource issues through meetings of northern Mines Ministers and the Industry Government Overview Committee (ongoing). |
There were two Industry Government Overview Committee (IGOC) meetings held in May and November 2004 prior to the Northern Mines Ministers' Conference (NMMC) held on November 26, 2004. Minister Scott, Minister of State Ethel Blondin-Andrews from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), Minister Lang from Yukon, Minister Bell from the Northwest Territories and Minister Simialik from Nunavut attended the NMMC and discussed common issues related to mining in the North. |
Provide greater certainty concerning resource development in Nunavut through introducing legislation to govern the Nunavut Planning Commission and the Nunavut Impact Review Board (2005-2006); prepare the Waters Management Action Plan for Nunavut (2005-2006); and review Nunavut Water Regulations in conjunction with the Nunavut Water Board and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (2004-2005). |
In 2004-2005, INAC worked in partnership with the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik, the Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC) and the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) towards the development of legislation meant to guide NPC and NIRB activities in Nunavut. In 2004, work progressed to the drafting stage and it is estimated that the legislation will be completed by fall 2006. Significant progress was made towards completion of the review of the Nunavut Waters Regulations in 2004-2005. INAC and its partners in the Government of Nunavut, the Nunavut Water Board and Nunavut Tunngavik will continue to work towards completion of this review. In 2004-2005, INAC initiated multiple stakeholder discussions related to the preparation of the Waters Management Action Plan. These discussions are ongoing. In 2004-2005, the Tahera diamond mine received NIRB approval and water licensing. The mine is currently under construction with production scheduled to begin in 2006. Tahera will be Nunavut's first mine since the creation of the Territory in 1999. |
How did these accomplishments support the priority?
By expanding INAC's contaminated sites program in the North, INAC is enhancing its ability to minimize environmental impacts of resource development. Environmental management and conservation are key strategies in protecting the Arctic environment. Building capacity, strengthening institutions and fostering partnerships around contaminated sites cleanup is helping to protect the Arctic ecosystem from damage due to previous resource development.
The objective of the regulatory review is to ensure royalty accountability and royalty assurance prior to and during what is poised to be an exceptional period of growth. The FLPRR, therefore, is being modernized by providing more flexibility to meet current and future operating requirements and to address some of the processes that are not only cumbersome to industry and government, but also impact on the efficient administration of the regulations.
It is the intention of INAC to further refine these issues in the 2005-2006 fiscal year with the various stakeholders in order to develop a balanced regulatory regime that takes into consideration the interests of all stakeholders - northern Aboriginal groups, the oil and gas industry and the Canadian government.
