NWMB seeks tough new hunting restrictions

JOHN THOMPSON

Agencies that regulate Nunavut’s wildlife will meet next week to discuss a series of controversial proposals for tough new hunting restrictions.

The meeting called by the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board will consider proposed regulations to limit the number of Peary caribou and muskox that Inuit may hunt annually.

There’s also a host of other proposed hunting restrictions, such as a ban on the use of small-calibre ammunition while hunting bear, moose and muskox, and a ban on using dogs while hunting caribou and muskox.

Another proposal would make violating certain Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles a punishable offence.

In attendance from Sept. 25 to Sept. 28 in Iqaluit will be representatives from the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Environment, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., and Nunavut’s three regional wildlife organizations – as well as representatives from Nunavut’s 26 hunter and trapper organizations.

NTI has argued in written submissions to the NWMB that some of these proposed regulations violate the Nunavut land claims agreement, and in other cases lack supporting evidence.

The meeting was initially scheduled to be held in May, but delays involving the translation of documents into Inuktitut caused the meeting to be postponed.

This is just half of the special meeting, which will resume next month, from Oct. 23 to Oct. 25 in Iqaluit.

The meeting is public, but any decisions made will be done behind closed doors.

That’s because the Nunavut land claims agreement states that the NWMB should forward any decisions it makes to the appropriate territorial and federal ministers, who are given a chance to either accept or reject the board’s decision.