Ref. #2-3582
Ottawa, Ontario (December 1, 2011) – The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, is pleased to announce that the Eeyou Marine Region Land Claims Agreement Act has received Royal Assent. The legislation will bring into force the Eeyou Marine Region Land Claims Agreement (EMRLCA) signed on July 7, 2010, by the Government of Canada, the Government of Nunavut and the Grand Council of the Crees.
"This is an important piece of legislation for the Cree of Quebec and it is a concrete example of the importance of working in partnership," stated Minister Duncan. "This Agreement will support strong economic development, investment opportunities and job creation in the Eeyou Marine Region."
"All Canadians can be proud as we mark this final stage of ratification for this historic land claim agreement," said the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. "The Agreement provides the Crees in this region with a framework to encourage investment and promote partnerships with the private sector to generate sustainable economic growth."
"We are pleased with the collaboration that the Minister and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development have shown in negotiating and concluding this Agreement," said Matthew Coon Come, Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees. "We continue to work with officials from this Department on the preparations for the coming into force of the Agreement as soon as possible. We thank the members of Parliament and of the Senate for their expeditious and thorough consideration of the Agreement."
"Congratulations to the Grand Council of the Crees on the Royal Assent of the EMRLCA," said the Honourable Eva Aariak, Premier of Nunavut. "As a signatory to the agreement, we look forward to working with the Crees of Eeyou Istchee in the management of our shared resources and in the implementation of this Land Claims Agreement."
The Agreement encompasses the Eeyou Marine Region, which covers the Nunavut offshore islands and the surrounding water, adjacent to Quebec's shoreline in James Bay and south-eastern Hudson Bay. The region covers approximately 61,270 square kilometres. Through this Agreement, the Crees will exclusively own in fee simple approximately 1,050 square kilometres of land on the islands in the Eeyou Marine Region, including surface and subsurface rights. Islands in the southern Hudson Bay, which account for nearly 400 square kilometres, will be jointly owned with the Nunavik Inuit.
The Government of Canada will provide the Crees a capital transfer of approximately $67.5 million to be paid over a period of 10 years. A one-time implementation payment of approximately $5.7 million will be provided to the Crees upon the coming into force of the Agreement. The government will also cover the costs for establishing and operating the co-management regimes created under the Agreement. The date of coming into force of the Eeyou Marine Region Land Claims Agreement Act will be determined by the Government of Canada in consultation with the Crees.
The Agreement will provide the Crees with the opportunity to create jobs and wealth. For example, through the land, resources and financial benefits they receive from the Agreement, the Crees will be in a better position to undertake new business ventures and partnerships. As new economic development initiatives get underway, jobs and other opportunities may be created from which the Crees and non-Crees in the region will benefit.
Backgrounder - The Eeyou Marine Region Land Claims Agreement
Director of Federal Relations
Grand Council of the Crees
613-724-1097
Press Secretary, Office of the Premier
Emily Woods
Government of Nunavut
867-975-5059
ewoods@gov.nu.ca
