Shopping bags plague Nunavut

“Shopping bags, I’ve said it before, are a danger to the environment,” said Loasie Audlakiak, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association’s director for Qikiqtarjuak, at the QIA’s annual general meeting in Iqaluit last Thursday.

“There have been a number of outboard motors that broke down because of these plastic bags,” Audlakiak said. “They could be dangerous to animals.”

Audlakiak raised his concern to Olayuk Akeysuk, Nunavut’s environment minister, who heard the same issue raised during the spring session of the Legislative Assembly.

“In 2005 we will introduce legislation or a pamphlet to provide public information,” Akeysuk said.