ITC shuts down fur lobby

DWANE WILKIN

The Inuit Tapirisat of Canada has suspended its full-time lobby on behalf of aboriginal trappers.

Days after returning from a three-week tour of Europe in support of an international agreement on humane trapping standards, Peter Williamson, ITC’s fur program coordinator, was handed his separation papers.

“Things were going very well, and we’re on the verge of getting a deal,” said Williamson, who was surprised by the decision to cut his position. “A lot of work’s been put into it. Is ITC planning on letting this blow in the wind, or letting other organizations do the work? I’m not really sure.”

European environment ministers decided in June to postpone a vote on the proposed International Agreement on Humane Trapping Standards, which seeks to avert a ban on wild-fur imports. The threat of such a ban has been looming ever since 1991, when the EU introduced a trade regulation that would outlaw the import of pelts and products from 12 species of North American animals.

Roy Inglangasuk, ITC’s executive director, said a combination of internal budget cutting and the loss of federal funding led to the decision to suspend the Inuit fur lobby.

“Many of our programs are dependent on funding and funding for that particular program has ended,” said Inglangasuk, who added that he would personally assume responsibility for all fur issues in the future.

Most of the funding for ITC’s work on fur issues over the past four years has come from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. Throughout this time, the Inuit organization worked closely with the Canadian Fur Institute and Canada’s Métis people.

The fate of the humane trapping standards deal still rests with European environment ministers, but it isn’t clear when they might be expected to vote on it.

Until then, said Inglangasuk, there isn’t a whole to do.

“We’ve been over there 12 times and we’ve pretty well sent our message, loud and clear. There’s nothing else for us to do except wait.”