Species Act worries Inuit

IQALUIT — Inuit groups want a role in Ottawa’s effort to create a law protecting endangered plants and animals.

The Species At Risk Act is making its way through Parliament and could become law by the end of this year.

In testimony before a House of Commons standing committee last week, Jose Kusugak, president of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, urged MPs to make several changes to the proposed legislation.

Kusugak said the act must include language stating that Inuit land-claims agreements, protected under Canada’s Charter of Rights, are legally superior to any endangered species legislation devised by Ottawa.

Michael D’eca, ITC’s legal counsel on the matter, said the courts already recognize this principle. But to avoid potential confusion and litigation, he said, the Species At Risk Act should explicitly state that it must conform to land-claims agreements.

The Nunavut government is currently devising its own Wildlife Act, which will likely include language protecting endangered species.