The Nunavut Agreement

The Prime Minister speaks about Nunavut.

The Nunavut Agreement is a land claim agreement as defined in Section 35 of Canada's Constitution. It forms a modern treaty between the Inuit of the Nunavut Settlement Area, who were represented in negotiations by the Tungavik Federation of Nunavut (TFN), and the Crown in Right of Canada—the federal government. The agreement defines an exchange between Inuit and the federal government. Inuit agree to give to the government their aboriginal title to land, water, and the offshore. In exchange, Inuit are to enjoy the rights and benefits defined in the agreement. These rights and benefits, which are "guaranteed" under Canada' s constitution, include:

• title to approximately 350 000 square kilometres (136 000 square miles) of land, of which approximately 36 000 square kilometres (14 000 square miles) will include mineral rights;

• the right to harvest wildlife on lands and waters throughout the Nunavut Settlement Area;

• a guarantee of the establishment of three National Parks in the Nunavut Settlement Area;

• equal membership with government on new institutions of public government (established through the agreement) to manage the land, water, offshore, and wildlife of the Nnnavllt Settlement Area and to assess and evaluate the impact of development projects on the environment. These public institutions include the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB), the Nunavut Water Board (NWB), the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), and the Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC);

• capital transfer payments of $1.148 billion, payable to Inuit over 14 years ($580 million in 1989 dollars with interest);

• a share of royalties that government receives from oil, gas, and mineral development on Crown lands;

• where Inuit own surface title to the land, the right to negotiate with industry for economic and social benefits from non-renewable resource development;

• measures to increase Inuit employment within government in the Nunavut Settlement Area, and increased access to government contracts; and

• $13 million for a Training Trust Fund.

As well, the agreement commits the federal government to introduce legislation for consideration by Parliament to create the Nunavut Territory and the Nunavut Territorial Government