Canada, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the Government of Nunavut have negotiated a way forward that puts past differences to rest and clears the way for improvements on the implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and for Inuit of Nunavut to become greater partners to unlock economic opportunities and create jobs in Nunavut.
The settlement agreement relates to the implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA), originally finalized in 1993 and Canada's largest land claim, which also created the new territory of Nunavut on April 1, 1999.
On May 25, 1993, the Inuit of the Nunavut Settlement Area, the Government of the Northwest Territories (succeeded by the Government of Nunavut) and the Government of Canada signed the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (the Agreement). At the same time, the Government of Canada, the Inuit, and the Government of the Northwest Territories entered into the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and an Implementation Contract, which guides the parties in fulfilling the obligations set out in the Agreement.
Nunavut has a public government serving both Inuit and non-Inuit. The Inuit of Nunavut are represented by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated for the purposes of the Agreement.
Aimed at moving forward together to implement the NLCA and creating a fund to provide training needed to prepare Nunavummiut for jobs and opportunities, this forward-looking settlement agreement includes $379.5 million for:
- activities to increase Inuit employment in the Government of Canada and the Government of Nunavut;
- an agreement on increased funding for Nunavut land claim implementation, for the period from 2013 to 2023;
- updating and maintaining Canada's Nunavut Inuit Labour Force Analysis, based on enhanced and new data sources;
- implementing initiatives to support government Inuit employment plans and pre-employment plans;
- an increase in funding to the Institutions of Public Government (announced March 20, 2015);
- a commitment by Canada to establish a Nunavut-specific policy that will apply to the procurement for goods, services, leases, and construction delivered within or into the Nunavut Settlement Area;
- a new dispute resolution process to incorporate a new, staged approach to dispute resolution; and,
- the creation of the Nunavut Inuit Training Corporation by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, which will provide funding and support for training, skills development and qualifications to enhance the preparedness of the Inuit of Nunavut for future employment.
