July 2, 2015 Naujaat, Nunavut Office of the Minister of the Environment, Parks Canada
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today officially opened Ukkusiksalik National Park at a ceremony in the community of Naujaat, previously known as Repulse Bay.
Ukkusiksalik National Park will foster tourism and create employment and economic opportunities for surrounding communities. It will also allow Canadians and international visitors alike to be able to experience this iconic arctic landscape and share in the richness of Inuit culture. It also honours the commitment made to Inuit to establish this park.
Officially protected under Canada’s strongest legislation for the conservation of natural areas, Ukkusiksalik National Park represents the combined efforts of Inuit, the Government of Canada and the Government of Nunavut to ensure that this area is protected for present and future generations. Ukkusiksalik National Park is managed cooperatively with Inuit through the Ukkusiksalik Park Management Committee, made up of community members from Naujaat, Coral Harbour, Chesterfield Inlet, Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet. The new Ukkusiksalik National Park Operational Centre will connect visitors to the park and serve as a base of operations and provide jobs in the community.
Ukkusiksalik National Park is one of many examples of government leadership in support of Canada's National Conservation Plan by conserving Canada’s lands and waters, restoring Canada’s ecosystems, and connecting Canadians to nature.
Jonathan Lefebvre
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Bronwyn Pavey
Nunavut Field Unit
867-222-0771
Media Relations
Parks Canada
855-862-1812
www.twitter.com/parkscanada
