Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment

And Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment

Canadian Arctic Community Meetings

June 10 – 13th 2008

June 15, 2008 This page left intentionally blank Table of Contents

1 Introduction and Overview ...... 2

2 Iqaluit, Nunavut, June 10th, 2008...... 3

3 Pond Inlet, Nunavut, June 10th, 2008...... 6

4 Resolute Bay, Nunavut, June 11th 2008...... 8

5 Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, June 11th 2008 ...... 11

6 Inuvik, Northwest Territories, June 13th 2008...... 13

7 Whitehorse, Yukon, June 13th 2008 ...... 15

8 Summary ...... 16

9 Tour Participants...... 19

10 Letter of Invitation ...... 22

11 Community Posters...... 23 This page intentionally left blank PAME/ Arctic Shipping Assessment Canadian Community Meetings

1 Introduction and Overview The Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) Working Group was established by the Arctic Council to facilitate the protection of the Arctic marine environment among eight member countries. Increased economic activity and significant changes due to climatic processes are resulting in increased use, opportunities and threats to the Arctic marine and coastal environments. These predicted changes will require more integrated approaches to address both existing and emerging challenges in the Arctic.

The mandate of the PAME Working Group is to address policy and non-emergency pollution prevention and control measures related to the protection of the Arctic marine environment from both land and sea-based activities. These measures include coordinated action programmes and guidelines complementing existing legal arrangements.

Members of the Canadian PAME team held meetings from June 10th through 13th in six Canadian Arctic communities: Iqaluit, Pond Inlet, Resolute Bay, Cambridge Bay, Inuvik and Whitehorse. The meetings focused on key PAME activities: the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA), and the Arctic Regional Programme of Action. The intent of the meetings was to provide an update on activities and solicit feedback, thereby gaining a better understanding of issues and concerns relevant to Arctic coastal communities.

A key objective for the northern tour was to raise awareness about the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment, as well as gather information from Northerners on their marine uses and their perspectives on the possible positive and negative implications of increased shipping activity. Presentations were made relating to the Arctic Council / PAME, the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment, and the PAME Regional Programme of Action. Participants were asked for their perspectives on shipping activity around their community. The following questions were posed:

1) What are your current marine uses /activities? 2) How will reduced sea ice change your use of the marine environment? 3) What are the social impacts (both positive and negative) of shipping for Arctic residents? 4) What are the economic impacts of shipping (positive and negative) of shipping for Arctic residents? 5) What are the environmental impacts of shipping (positive and negative) that concern the Arctic residents? 6) Are there other concerns and impacts (positive and negative) that we need to be aware of?

As the meetings were held in an informal fashion, feedback was provided on a range of issues and concerns.

This report provides a summary of the Arctic shipping issues and challenges raised by participants at the six community meetings. Sections (2.0-7.0) of this report cover each community meeting. Section 8.0 is a summary of issues, concerns and lessons learned. Sections 9 thru 11 contain a list of tour and meeting participants, copies of the Letter of Invitation and posters used to advertise the Community Meetings.

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2 Iqaluit, Nunavut, June 10th, 2008

Background

The Nunavut Act proclaiming the advent of the new Territory of Nunavut was passed in 1999, and on April 1st, 1999, Nunavut legally joined the Federation of Canada. Iqaluit was designated as the capital.

Iqaluit was formally settled following the establishment of an American air force base in 1942. With approval from the Canadian government, an airstrip was to be built, which was to be long enough to handle large aircraft transporting materials from the United States to its European allies. This air base attracted Inuit people from around the southern end of Baffin Island to come to Iqaluit for employment, and consequently, they settled in the area. They began building year-round huts on the beaches of Koojesse Inlet. Trade followed with a Hudson’s Bay Trading Post being established in nearby Apex in 1949 initiating marine shipping to and from the community. The area became known as Frobisher Bay and it was only years later that the town changed its name to Iqaluit.

Iqaluit is Nunavut’s main airport and serves as a regional port for supplies to Iqaluit and the region year round. In late summer and early fall, the city is serviced by a number of sealift operators who bring supplies as well as a fuel resupply operation. A few private cruise ships are now observed to visit the community during that same time.

Meeting Overview

Ten representatives from the Government of Nunavut, non-governmental organizations and the federal government participated in a morning meeting at the Discovery Lodge Hotel. The following is a summary of the discussions:

AMSA: Arctic Shipping Issues and Concerns

 AMSA should identify gaps in the shipping knowledge base.

 When whales follow ships, the Inuit see this as an “Accidental Benefit” as smart hunters have picked up on the fact that beluga whales follow the noise of the ships into port.

 The role that ships play in introducing invasive species is a concern.

 In summer, ships breaking ice is not a concern, but it is in winter as the ship tracks within the ice often ‘strand’ or prohibit hunters from getting to and from their hunting grounds.

 Ships will change the livelihood of people. While shipping does make life more comfortable, AMSA must show all impacts of increased shipping to understand the long-term effects.

 The benefits of increased shipping need to be considered. Sometimes docks are built for the mines 50 miles away, yet, that serves no benefit for the community. It is all about perspective. In the past

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mining companies were told, “build your own town and stay away.” (i.e. if you build in our communities you will ‘wreck’ the town.) Now, things are starting to change so that the town benefits from an activity. A conflict remains between ‘keeping the traditional way of life” versus the introduction of modern infrastructure, contact and transportation linkages.

 Some attendees had concerns that the AMSA baseline year of 2004 would be out of date by the time the report is released due to the rapid increase in shipping activity.

Changes in Ice

 Participants were asked about any concerns relating to the retreating ice and associated changes, Methuseleh Kunuk from the Nunavut Ministry of Economic Development and Transportation made a number of points: o Iqaluit is ice free in the summer so the ice retreat does not affect people in Iqaluit. o Ice in the outer bay will block the “ice free” bay and as a result, there will be more ice/icebergs [i.e. the movement of ice may be a bigger problem than the melting]. o Cape Dorset has problems with ice flowing into the bay. o 40 or so years ago the bay was choked with ice and maybe this will happen again this year? o If the ice melts faster in the spring then the birds will come earlier.

Local Boat Travel

 Travel by boats takes place in the summer, however, increases in fuel costs affects summer travel. It is cheaper to travel in winter as the Inuit use their dog teams.

 The Inuit in Iqaluit travel extensively by boat and it is getting harder to get where they want to go because fuels costs and maintenance costs are getting higher. Boating is not cheap. It is cheaper to travel in the winter by snowmobile than it is to travel using boats in the summer. The cost of gas has more to do with where hunters go than the ice conditions.

 In Iqaluit, the belugas follow the noise of the ships into the bay. Hunters know that when the ships come in they should hunt for whales.

 Rate of ice melting and rate of ice freezing will affect migratory patterns which affects habitat, and how Inuit hunt.

Affect of Shipping on Use of Land

 Mary Ellen Thomas of the Nunavut Research Institute (NRI) indicated that maps were available to identify the travel patterns of hunters. GPS carried by hunters and trappers helps to map Indigenous use areas – these are available on the NRI website at www.nri.nu.ca.

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Sealift

 Some communities now get summer sealift because of the changing marine access; before the goods were flown in at considerable expense, but now the sealift is a part of life.

 Sealift is vital to our communities. The PAME Group came at a good time, because as is evident from the empty shelves in the stores, the community is anxiously awaiting the first ship. As an example of the importance of sealift to daily subsistence, it was stated that there is only one kind of dog food left, there are no 2” x 4”’s left and there is only one brand of toilet paper left. It was suggested that the PAME group talk to the store owners to see how shipping affects the store pricing and the community. (Right now, a can of Red Bull is $6.49 because it is flown in).

 Community sealift brings supplies, but has also shifted the Inuit way of eating from traditional diets. Diabetes rates are now growing in Nunavut communities with an increase in sugar-based foods.

Military Shipping

 Legacy of military-like investment has always shaped the Arctic. Iqaluit grew because of the military infrastructure, i.e., the airport. The history of the Arctic is touched by military involvement.

 There was a question as to why submarines were not captured in the AMSA data set. It was explained that military vessels fall outside of the mandate of the Arctic Council. A participant suggested that this detail be made clear at the beginning of the AMSA report.

 Submarines are a concern for the Inuit, as they are worried about noise, pollution and how to deal with a disaster.

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3 Pond Inlet, Nunavut, June 10th, 2008

Background

The north end of Baffin Island has been known as the ancestral home of the Thule people (the ancestors to the present day Inuit who arrived in the eastern Arctic about 1,000 years ago). Inuit people have inhabited the North Baffin for many generations.

Summer and winter camps rotated with hunting opportunity. The Inuit then lived in sealskin tents (tupiit) in the summer and igloos (igluvigait) or sod huts roofed with skins and moss (qarngmait) in the winter. Travel was by dog team and sled (kamotik) in winter and spring and on foot or by small boat in summer. The qayaq (kayak) was used by a single hunter but rarely for travel.

Whalers arrived in the 1820's and actively whaled for the Bowhead and other whales for over 80 years. Upwards of 70 ships were thought to be active in these waters. Anglican and Catholic Missionaries arrived in 1929 and their presence helped create a central camp location that became the community of Pond Inlet.

Today, Pond Inlet sees community re-supply and fuel in the late summer and early fall as well as a number of cruise ships each year. New proposals for an adjacent iron ore mine could see daily shipping traffic breaking the ice in the waters across from Pond Inlet. Information can be found at: http://www.baffinland./MaryRiverProject/default.aspx.

Meeting Overview

Two participants, the Hamlet Senior Administrative Officer (SAO) and an environmental scientist participated in the evening session in the Sauniq Co-op Hotel.

AMSA

 The largest ship traffic to Pond Inlet is cruise ships. Eleven cruise ships will come to Pond during July and August 2008. o These ships have very little impact on the community, a few carvings are sold, but they are generally a blip on the radar. o The tourists that come in on the boats are adventurers and are not interested in local artisans. The biggest ship probably holds about 100 passengers. o Most cruise ships give advance notice they are arriving as operators want to have something in the hamlets for their group to see. o Some do not notify the community in advance, and arrive at 8am on a Sunday and leave before noon. Nothing in the hamlet is open because the community did not know the ship was coming in. o In Cape Dorset and Pangnirtung cruise ships tend to provide advance notice because those communities are known for their artistic talents.

 Sealift – 2 resupply ships come twice per season (in August and September), as well as a fuel resupply ship once or twice per season.

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 The main concern the SAO has heard from the community relates to the mining companies leaving an oil tanker locked in the ice over the winter at Mary River. The Mary River project is looking to lock in a ship for one winter. They also have bladders of fuel on the beach and people wonder how the ships and bladders can be safe. The SAO also questioned if there are regulations covering the ships and fuel being left on the beach.

 The Mary River ‘Baffinland’ Project is currently under review and consideration is being given to daily ship traffic to export iron ore through Pond Inlet. o Concerns over the ability to travel / hunt / fish over the ice were raised o Concerns over the effect of shipping on marine mammals have been a community issue.

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4 Resolute Bay, Nunavut, June 11th 2008

Background

Resolute Bay (Qausuittuq - 'the place with no dawn') is the second most northern community (75’ North) in Canada on the south coast of Cornwallis Island, in the Queen Elizabeth Islands. The bay shows signs of historic settlements - the Dorset culture followed by an early phase of the Thule culture, in which the artifacts found show strong Alaskan connections.

An airfield was established at Resolute Bay in 1947 during construction of a joint US-Canadian weather station. In 1953, Inuit from Port Harrison, Quebec and Pond Inlet were relocated to Resolute to take advantage of the island’s superior game resources.

Resolute was a key junction in the Northwest Passage and was named after the vessel Resolute that came looking for the lost Franklin expedition. Historically it has seen mine and oil and gas-based shipping traffic breaking ice. These resource projects shipped supplies adjacent to, but not to the community through the summer and early fall.

Today it is an Inuit settlement and a scientific research station and jumping-off point for explorations to the North Pole and the magnetic north pole.

Today it sees community re-supply, fuel and a couple of cruise ships in the late summer / early fall of each year that mainly travel to Resolute from Lancaster Sound and Davis Straight

Meeting Overview

Eight participants from the community, including representatives from the Hunters and Trappers Organization, the Hamlet of Resolute Bay, and residents attended the morning meeting in the Community gymnasium in Resolute Bay.

AMSA  In past years, the Inuit have helped mariners whose ships became frozen in the ice. The mariners would have died without this help. People need each other and have to help each other and work together.

 Residents have noticed the changing ice and have told the scientists that they should be studying the changes.

 Concerns: o If a ship passes through and it is carrying oil, there is danger of a spill which could affect the community and wildlife. o In case of oil spills, participants asked that they be provided supplies to clean up the spill so they can respond in a timely manner. They do not want to wait for Coast Guard boats to come in before reacting.

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 The following comments were made by the HTO elder: o “The narwhals are coming in now; we did not see this in previous years.” o He remembered when the ships from the Polaris mine were going by. The wildlife were not afraid, the wildlife would follow the ships, riding the waves [wake]. o The walruses were the only animals affected by shipping. When the icebreaker stays at [Wallace] Bay the walruses won’t go in front of Resolute Bay anymore. “If a hunter wants to get a walrus now it is too far to go. The walrus now go the long route to Bathurst Island because the icebreaker is parked at [Island]Bay.” o “Seal pups are scared because they hear the walrus.” o “Inuit don’t want ships to go to the North Pole anymore because they break the ice and make it melt faster. They should be using planes to see the North Pole. The amount of research that is going on now is affecting the ice.” o “Resolute Bay has been almost ice free for many years and completely ice free for the past 3 years in the summer.” o “For the last 2-3 years we have been getting warmer summer weather and winds that cool the spring. Now that we get the north winds we don’t get spring anymore. It did warm up before in the spring, but now because of the north winds it is much cooler.”

Question - How do you feel about increased shipping?

 In previous years, shipping from the mines/oil and gas facilities could be annoying because when the ice would be thick enough for travel, the ship would come through and break the ice, blocking the way.  It would be beneficial to the community if ships would consult with them regarding their routes.  Community resupply is good for the community, but the Polaris mine did not benefit the community at all because the ships did not stop here.  The main concern with shipping is what the impact will be on the wildlife.  It is more dangerous for the hunters if the ships are moving around freely.  Oil spills are a big concern because the community does not have oil spill containment supplies. If there was a spill it would be a big problem. (Note: it was learned that the Canadian Coast Guard had provided cleanup kits and had trained local people on its use. The HTO elder was not aware of this prior to the meeting.)  When Polaris Mine was open, shipping in the fall annoyed hunters. Ice was thick enough to go to the hunting ground, but then a ship would pass and break the ice – it was dangerous because people could become stranded on the other side. One participant questioned why the ships cannot cross on the other side of the island so hunters can get to the hunting grounds.  Shipping to the North Pole will also affect residents. Ice melting and human activity affects hunting. Inuit don’t want shipping to the North Pole. A comment was made by a participant that since the Americans and Russians went to the North Pole the ice has been breaking.

Question: What about cruise ships?

 The cruise ships come in and exchange passengers and crew. None stay because the town does not have the capability to accommodate everyone.  The hamlet usually receives the ship’s itinerary.

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 The community thinks the increase in cruise ships is positive because it means there is money coming into the community.  A lot more cruise ships are coming in the past five years.  The tour boats go through Lancaster Sound.

Canadian Shipping Issues

 Increased resupply will benefit the community. No ice means more boats and that is a benefit.  Icebreakers used to break the ice for the sealift, but now supply ships come in with no assistance.  Q. When Polaris mine was operating, did the community have more resupply?  A. No. The MV Arctic did not carry any supplies for the community. There was no benefit to the community – the boat just sailed past.  When the Canadian Coast Guard ships come into Resolute in the summer they park in the bay.  When the whales come into the bay the ship blocks their exit from they bay. The ships disrupt the whales.

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5 Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, June 11th 2008

Background

Cambridge Bay is located on the south coast of Victoria Island and serves as the transportation and administrative centre for the west Kitikmeot. It is a key barging and shipping hub, supplied by barges from the Mackenzie River system.

The area was a traditional hunting and fishing location of the Inuvialuit. Caribou, muscox, arctic char and ringed seal have been traditionally and are currently the important food sources.

The RCMP and Hudson's Bay Company formed outposts in the 1920s. Following World War II a Loran tower was built near the previous location of Cambridge Bay and a Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line site established. The DEW line remains and is a jointly manned operation with the United States http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambridge_Bay.

Raoul Amundsen's Maud is parked in its watery grave here. The Maud was part of Amundsen's troubled journey through the Arctic in 1916 - 1924. The Hudson's Bay Company bought the ship from creditors and used it to transport goods in the region.

Meeting Overview

Six representatives from various organizations including the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), the Ekaluktutiak Hunters’ and Trappers’ Organization and the Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) participated in the evening meeting at the Arctic Islands Lodge.

AMSA Comments

 Arctic shipping is opportunistic in nature - tied to resource development and re-supply. There are shipping traffic constants that limit sealift shipping, but resource-based shipping (mines) builds shipping approaches based on the economics of a mine.  With climate change, ice roads are becoming more dangerous. As a result, shipping barges up river as opposed to using ice roads are being considered as a possibility.  The following comments were from the NIRB Chair: o Economics and ordinary people are the concerns. About 40-50% of Inuit are still hunters. o Is the intent to limit hunting or protect marine mammals? o The Inuit really have no say in what happens, shipping is being driven by economics. If we are talking about protection of the Arctic marine environment, we also need to talk about economics. o The hunters adapt to change… who cares about the hunters? Nobody! Who cares about the walruses, the seals, etc? When the hunters hear about the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment program (PAME) they think they (the hunters) are protected. o Economics in the north is very new. Inuit, depend on the marine environment. If the marine environment is protected the hunters will continue to hunt. o Inuit don’t want to eat anything that lives too close to the people because it will be dirtied/ spoiled. Inuit don’t like the idea of farming, or farmed animals. Page 11 PAME/ Arctic Shipping Assessment Canadian Community Meetings

o Climate change is not new to the Inuit; fall will come and then there will be summer. o The hunters are constantly adapting. The people who do not adapt are the ones who are afraid. We have to understand that before we write any policy.

 Participants asked if AMSA was going to look at the role governments play in regard to building new ports. For example, if government builds a port, shipping will increase. Has AMSA taken this fact into consideration when looking at future shipping levels?

Canadian Shipping Issues

 Participants wanted to know how the findings of AMSA (under the Arctic Council) feed into Canada’s current policy on Northern development.  Many NIRB projects have a marine component to them. NIRB looks at the social, economic and environmental effects of shipping. NIRB is currently reviewing the Bathurst Inlet Port and Mary River ‘Baffinland’ proposals which have significant resource-based shipping elements. NIRB will monitor the outcome. In reviewing shipping, NIRB has run into some issues: o Concerns about lack of regulatory ability to control the impacts (i.e., ski-doo crosses NWP to get to another community. In the meantime, if a ship comes through and breaks the ice, and the ski-doo heads back home without realizing a ship went by, people on the ski-doo face fatal risks. This is not just a minor inconvenience that needs to be addressed. o Jurisdictional issues. No one knows who is responsible for shipping. Various departments control different aspects of the same body of water. The regulatory regime is complex. o Increased shipping will increase the need for better planning. o Negative impacts – cruise vessels go to the most sensitive areas to see rare/unique wildlife. These are areas that are hard to manage in a regulatory way. o NIRB screens cruise ship activities in particular areas: . The cruise ships that come are usually going to the most ecologically sensitive areas where there are species at risk. . The cruise ships are good for carvers and artists but are bad for the hunters and trappers. The ultimate goal is to balance the risks and benefits associated with cruise ships.  Some related studies were identified: A conference with Inuit elders was held in Cambridge Bay in 2001 or 2002 on climate change – this historical record should be considered when formulating policy, as well as the Government of Nunavut Oral History project.  Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC) / North Baffinland have a regulatory role regarding cruise ships - ‘Code of Good Conduct’ that should be more formally identified and passed on to all shipping companies.  Participants felt that the Government of Canada should have a say in when and where shipping/ icebreaking activity occurs in Canadian waters.

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6 Inuvik, Northwest Territories, June 13th 2008

Background

Inuvik or “place of the people” in Inuvialuktun, is located on the East Channel of the Mackenzie River in the Northwest Territories. The largest of the region’s communities, it is the regional centre for government. Inuvik was built in the late 1950s as a new settlement above the flood-prone areas of the Mackenzie Delta. It grew as the government brought in a hospital, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment and a Canadian Armed Forces base. Inuvik now acts as the central communications hub and starting point for oil and gas exploration and is also the end point of the Dempster Highway connecting the region to southern markets. It is the major transportation, health, and education centre for the region. Inuvik is a major port centre for barging traffic up and down the Mackenzie River connecting northern Alberta to the Arctic Ocean. Canada’s Mackenzie Delta-Beaufort Sea region, despite being well north of the Arctic Circle, is an area rich in resources. For centuries, the region provided the local Inuvialuit and Gwich’in inhabitants with food, housing and clothing, and in the 19th and 20th centuries, opportunities for fur trading and whaling. In the early 20th century, Inuvialuit in particular were well off, even by southern Canadian working class standards, from the income they were able to make from whaling and fur trading activities at various locations along the coast including Herschel Island, Shingle Point and Kittigazuit (http://www.civilization.ca/media/docs/fsinuv02e.html) Meeting Overview

Seven participants from Aboriginal organizations, community, regional and federal departments, and industry participated in the Inuvik meeting in the Mackenzie Hotel. The focus of the discussion was on AMSA and shipping issues related to the Beaufort Sea and the Mackenzie River.

Arctic Shipping Issues

 Inuit want to know where ships are going so they can adapt to how the ice is broken and hunting opportunities are affected. Inuit access to food is on the ice edge – therefore, they need to understand shipping routes as breaking the ice affects their ability to harvest. Inuit need to know how industry projects will affect them. For example, the M/V ARCTIC disrupted the walrus’s habitat area, which resulted in local residents needing to hunt elsewhere for different game.

 People from Aklavik are concerned about more ships being over-wintered without their consultation. The concern is that the physical presence of the ships and the human traffic to and from them over the winter disturb wildlife.

 A local concern relates to the strait between Victoria Island and the mainland. The caribou migrate across this strait to Victoria Island in the spring and go back to the mainland in the fall. Icebreakers traveling through this route impact the caribou’s ability to migrate back and forth on the ice.

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 People have expressed concern about oil barges wintering because they may have only single hulls. Some of the barges making it to McKinley Bay are single-hulled vessels used on the river. Questions were raised about legislation pertaining to single-hulled vessels.

 Specific shipping issues included:

o Dredging in McKinley Bay;

o Air traffic for ship-based supply/crew change is a concern as the noise impacts hunting along the coast, etc.

 The rigor of the legislative regime over the Arctic was questioned. It was noted that Canada is the only country to have a complete set of Arctic shipping regulations.

Arctic Council Issues

 The role of local and indigenous people in AMSA and the Arctic Council was discussed. Participants underlined the importance of including these groups in future discussions.

 The role of territorial governments in AMSA / the Arctic Council was raised. It was noted that the three territorial governments form part of the Canadian delegation.

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7 Whitehorse, Yukon, June 13th 2008 Background

Whitehorse was a traditional aboriginal campsite just downstream of the canyon and ‘white horse’ rapids of the Yukon River in the Yukon Territory. In 1900, construction of the White Pass & Yukon Route railway connected the region to the Pacific Ocean at Skagway. Whitehorse became the southern leg of a significant Arctic supply route linking the gold rush area of Dawson City and today linking, by highway to the Arctic Ocean via the Dempster Highway.

Meeting Overview

Five participants from the Yukon and federal governments participated in the meeting held in the Whitehorse Library. The focus of the discussion was on the Arctic Council and the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment.

Arctic Issues/ Arctic Council

 The role of Canada addressing issues related to Arctic sovereignty and the Central Arctic Ocean was raised.

 The need to find more and better ways to communicate Arctic Council work should be considered with people from communities and organizations in the Arctic.

 The overlap of activities and work plans of Arctic Council Working Groups was identified as an issue.

Arctic Shipping Assessment

 Concerns over the selection of 2004 as a baseline data year for AMSA were raised, along with the suggestion of updating data where feasible.

 The relationship of other Arctic Council Activities should be brought into context with the AMSA, and potential linkages such as the SAON Arctic Observatory Network.

 Gaps in AMSA need to be identified including: o Military shipping and infrastructure o Submarine traffic o Gaps in ability to track and record shipping traffic  The need for more discussions by AMSA with Yukon stakeholders was raised, and it was noted that AMSA had been consulting with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Inuit Circumpolar Council.

 Questions were asked about commercial submarine traffic as a viable alternative to travel through the ice with ice-breaker.

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8 Summary This Summary provides a synopsis of Arctic shipping issues and concerns raised in the six community meetings:

8.1 Summary of Arctic Shipping Issues and Concerns

1. What are your current marine uses/activities?

The marine area is the traditional hunting ground for Inuit people.

Currently the marine area is also used for:  Transportation of community food and materials by sealift to communities  Transportation of fuel  Shipping to and from resource (mining) projects  Cruise ships

2. How will reduced sea ice change your use of the marine environment?

Reduced sea ice will increase the use of boats as opposed to dog teams or ski-doos. This change:  Increases the costs of travel when travelling by boat due to the high cost of gas and maintaining a boat  Increases the uncertainty of ice as a safe area on which to travel  Changes hunting patterns

3. What are the social impacts (both positive and negative) of shipping for Arctic residents?

Social impacts raised include:  The benefit and need for community sealift operations  The affect of resupply on the traditional livelihood of Inuit people. For example, the availability of food reducing the incentive to hunt, and the health effects (diabetes) of a change in diet.  The limitations on travel over-the-ice when ship traffic has broken the ice. Changing travel patterns have affected the ability to hunt in traditional areas.

4. What are the economic impacts of shipping (both positive and negative) of shipping for Arctic residents?

Economic impacts and effects raised include:  Transportation of community food and materials by sealift to communities  Transportation of fuel by sealift  Shipping to and from resource (mining) projects

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 Small but uncertain benefits from cruise ship traffic, such as, the purchase of crafts.

5. What are the environmental impacts of shipping (both positive and negative) that concern the Arctic residents?

Environmental impacts and effects raised include:  Changes in animal behavior with shipping traffic o Whales follow the ships o Walruses move away from shipping lanes  Concerns over invasive species  The development effects of Arctic ports and shipping lanes for resource projects  The potential for oil spills and the ability and preparedness to clean them up

6. Are there other concerns and impacts (both positive and negative) that we need to be aware of?

Other issues raised include:  The need to better understand and consider the effects of military shipping and infrastructure

 The need to better coordinate research both within all of the Arctic Council programs and with Arctic communities (i.e. with the Nunavut Research Institute).

The need to continue to inform and consult with Arctic people, organizations and communities on the process and substance of the Arctic Shipping Assessment and Arctic Council activities.

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8.2 Summary: Canadian Arctic Community Meetings

Residents and organizations of the Canadian Arctic have continued to express the need for their full involvement in both the Arctic Council and in research undertaken in their region. The Canadian Arctic Community Meetings helped to share research and involve residents and organizations of Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon in informal discussions on the Arctic Council, AMSA and PAME. The low level of awareness of the Arctic Council, PAME and their various initiatives at the community level is indicative that future consultation and involvement will be beneficial.

The intent of these informal meetings was to provide an update and solicit feedback to gain a better understanding of relevant issues. Overall the meetings can be considered successful as attendees appeared to sincerely appreciate the effort to inform and engage them.

The turnout for the meetings varied with different levels of participation of government officials or local residents and organizations. The number of participants for each meeting varied. The participants that attended provided a sound perspective on Arctic shipping issues, which was the most relevant item brought before them.

The main focus of discussions was on shipping in the Arctic in general. There were some comments about the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment and no substantive feedback received on the RPA.

The main issues raised during the community meetings are summarized in Section 8.0

Advice on consulting on AMSA was shared at the community meetings and by meeting participants:  Talk to communities affected by the specific resource development proposals – for example the Mary River Project.  Plan earlier for meetings (go through proper channels, utilize radio and print, hire an interpreter, have a Government of Nunavut representative go with you, have draws and/or promotional items to attract community members to meetings, etc).  Talk to community members in coffee shops, store owners, etc. to get true sense of residents’ views on issues.

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9 Tour Participants Assessment Core Team Participants

Participant Role Dates

Chris Cuddy, Chair of PAME June 12-13th Renee Sauvé, Canadian Head of Delegation to PAME June 10-12th Maureen Copley, RPA lead (INAC) June 10-13th Esther Cunningham, AMSA lead (TC) June 10-13th Maya Gold, AMSA team (TC) June 10-13th Tom Stubbs, Facilitator (contractor) June 10-13th Patricia MacDonald, Logistics (contractor) June 10-13th

Community Meeting Participants

Whitehorse: Cambridge Bay: Iqaluit:

Michael Svoboda Lucassie Arragutainaq Methusalah Kunuk Ecological Program Monitoring Chair, NIRB Economic Development and Coordinator Tel: 867 983 4600 Transportation Environment Canada Fax: 867 983 2574 NU Government Whitehorse, YK Iqaluit, NU Tel: 867 667 3939 Li Wan Fax: 867 393 7970 Technical Advisor Carla Baker [email protected] Nunavut Impact Review Board DFO (NIRB) Iqaluit, NU Jennifer Trapnell Cambridge Bay, NU Tel: 867 979 8028 Intergovernmental Relations Officer Tel: 867 983 4600 Fax: 867 979 8033 Executive Council Office Fax: 867 983 2594 [email protected] Yukon Government [email protected] Whitehorse, YK John Hawkins Tel: 867 393 6435 Jeff Rusk Economic Development and Fax: 867 393 6202 NIRB Transportation [email protected] Cambridge Bay, NU NU Government 867 983 4611 Iqaluit, NU Mike Gill [email protected] Tel: 867 975 7826 Chair, Circumpolar Biodiversity Fax: 867 975 7870 Monitoring Program Ryan Barry [email protected] Environment Canada NIRB Whitehorse, YK Cambridge Bay, NU Tel: 867 393 6760 Tel: 867 983 4600 Fax: 867 393 7970 [email protected]

Page 19 PAME/ Arctic Shipping Assessment Canadian Community Meetings [email protected] LeeAnn Pugh Robert Esser Dept. of Environment, NU Doug Olynyk Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) Government Tourism and Culture Cambridge Bay, NU Iqaluit, NU Yukon Government Whitehorse, YK Mercy Panegyuk Leanna Ellsworth [email protected] Ekaluktutiak Hunters and Trappers Circumpolar Affairs Org. (HTO) NU Government Ian Church Cambridge Bay, NU Iqaluit, NU Science Advisor Tel: 867 983-2426 (Kathy) Tel: 867 975 6033 Executive Council Office Tel: 867 983 7320 (home) Fax: 867 975 6091 Yukon Government Tel: 867 983 7500 (work) [email protected] Whitehorse, YK Mercypanegyuk@qiniq.com [email protected] Ataur Rahman Resolute Bay: Environmental Scientist Inuvik: INAC – Iqaluit, NU David Kalluk Tel: 867 975 4554 Linda LeBlanc Hunters and Trappers Org (HTO) Fax: 867 975 4585 Environmental Response Resolute Bay, NU [email protected] Canadian Coast Guard Fax: 867 252 3800 Sarnia, ON Michael Mifflin Tel: 519 383 1953 Tabitha Mullin Dept. of Environment, NU Fax: 519 383 1990 Hunters and Trappers Org (HTO) Government [email protected] Resolute Bay, NU Iqaluit, NU [email protected] Tel: 867 975 7737 Doug Alpen [email protected] Officer in Charge Susan Salliueniq Inuvik MCTS QIA Froydis Reinhart Canadian Coast Guard Resolute Bay, NU Dept. of Environment, NU Inuvik, NT Tel: 867 252 3603 (Home) Government Tel: 867 777 3625 Tel: 867 3127 (work) Iqaluit, NU Fax: 867 777 2851 Tel: 867 975 7735 Cell: 867 678 5809 Fax: 867 975 7739 [email protected] David Iqaluke [email protected] Resolute Bay, NU R.M. (Bob) Bleaney Earl Baddaloo Commercial & Regulatory Affairs Sandy Sulliueniq Dept. of Environment, NU ConocoPhillips Canada Resolute Bay, NU Government Calgary, AB Iqaluit, NU Tel: 403 233 3121 Anna Nungaq [email protected] Fax: 403 233 5330 Resolute Bay, NU Cell: 403 669 8980 [email protected] Page 20 PAME/ Arctic Shipping Assessment Canadian Community Meetings

Marie Adams Josie Enuaraq Mary Ellen Thomas INAC Church Minister Nunavut Research Institute Inuvik, NT Resolute Bay, NU Iqaluit, NU Tel: 867 669 2854 Tel: 867 979 7202 Fax: 867 669 2406 Ralph Alexander Fax: 867 979 7109 [email protected] SAO [email protected] Resolute Bay, NU Peter Clarkson Tel: 867 252 3616 GNWT Fax: 867 252 3749 Inuvik, NT [email protected] Tel: 867 777 7445 Fax: 867 777 7443 Pond Inlet: [email protected] Mike Richards Vic Gillman SAO Fisheries Joint Management Pond Inlet, NU Committee Tel: 867 899 8934 Bayfield, ON Fax: 867 899 8940 Tel: 519 482 7478 [email protected] Don Albright Environmental Dynamics Inc. Johnny Lennie Tel: 780 532 5375 Regional Petroleum Advisor Fax: 780 538 2079 Government of the Northwest Territories Inuvik, NT Tel: 867 777 7148 Fax: 867 777 7321 [email protected]

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10 Letter of Invitation

Page 22 PAME/ Arctic Shipping Assessment Canadian Community Meetings

11 Community Posters Arctic Council

Protection of the Marine Environment

PAME

Community Meetings

Come talk about:

 Arctic Shipping

 The Arctic Shipping Assessment

 The Regional Plan of Action for Protection of the Marine Environment

PAME Northern Community Meetings June 10-13, 2008

10-Jun-08 Tuesday Iqaluit Location

9:00AM Discovery Lodge Hotel, Granite Room

10-Jun-08 Tuesday Pond Inlet

7:00 PM Sauniq Co-op Hotel

11-Jun-08 Wednesday Resolute Bay

10:30 AM Hamlet Gym

11-Jun-08 Wednesday Cambridge Bay

7:00 PM Arctic Island Lodge (upstairs)

13-Jun-08 Friday Inuvik

9:00 AM Boardroom, MacKenzie Hotel

13-Jun-08 Friday Whitehorse

2:30 PM Meeting Room #1, Whitehorse Public Library

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