Questions on Nunavut’s upcoming land referendum? Answers here

On May 9, 2016, each community in Nunavut will decide whether or not to allow the sale of municipal lands, this Inuktitut-language poster explains.

Nunavut’s Department of Community and Government Services will host consultations in nine communities this month ahead of its May 9 land referendum.

Consultatio meetings will begin in Coral Harbour March 15, with a stop in Iqaluit March 23.

On May 9, communities in Nunavut will decide whether or not to allow the sale of municipal lands

Nunavummiut voters will answer this question: “Do you want Municipality of _____ to be able to sell municipal lands? Yes or No.”

A “yes” decision means the hamlet or city council would have the option of selling certain municipal lots to an individual or company.

With a “no” decision, the hamlet or city council would keep ownership of all municipal lands and would continue to lease it. Council would grant the right to an individual or company to use certain lots in exchange for a lease fee.

Under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, all Nunavut hamlets now hold fee simple title to most lands within their boundaries.

They’re allowed to lease — but not sell — those lands, and those land leases may not exceed 99 years in duration.

That means leaseholders own the structures they build on lands leased under those 99-year leases with the municipal government. But they may not own the land itself.

In referendums held April 10, 1995, in every community in Nunavut, voters in each community said no to municipal land sales.

Municipalities are allowed to re-visit the issue, now that 20 years have passed since the last vote, under Article 14.8.4 of the NLCA.

Upcoming consultations on the referendum question and outcome will be held in the following communities, from 7:00 to 10:00 pm:

• Coral Harbour on March 15, at the Sakku School gymnasium;

• Arctic Bay on March 15, at the community hall;

• Resolute Bay, on March 16, at the community hall;

• Grise Fiord, on March 17, at the community hall;

• Naujaat, on March 17, at the Tusarvik School gymnasium;

• Baker Lake, on March 22, at the community hall;

• Iqaluit, on March 23, at the Frobisher Inn, Koojesse Room;

• Sanikiluaq, on March 29, at the community hall; and,

• Whale Cove, on March 31, at the community hall.

For more information, visit the Government of Nunavut’s land referendum website here.