NIRB File No.: 17TN054 NPC File No.: 148744

May 14, 2018

Matthew Jess Complete Expeditions Inc. 50 Confederation Villas Calgary, AB T2L 2K9

Sent via email: [email protected]

Re: Notice of Screening for Complete Expeditions Inc.’s “Complete Expeditions Tourist Operations – Private Yacht Interpretive Trip” project proposal

Dear Matthew Jess:

On March 23, 2018 the Impact Review Board (NIRB or Board) received a referral to screen Complete Expeditions Inc. (ComEx)’s “Complete Expeditions Tourist Operations – Private Yacht Northwest Passage Interpretive Trip” project proposal from the Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC or Commission), with an accompanying positive conformity determination with the North Baffin Regional Land Use Plan. The NPC noted that the previous conformity determination issued on May 10, 2017 for the activities associated with the current proposal continues to apply and has determined that the project proposal is a significant modification to the project because it includes visits to new locations such as Nirjutiqarvik National Wildlife Area, National Wildlife Area, the Queen Maud Gulf (Ahiak) Migratory Bird Sanctuary, and the community of Grise Fiord.

Pursuant to Article 12, Sections 12.4.1 and 12.4.4 of the Agreement between the Inuit of the Nunavut Settlement Area and Her Majesty the Queen in right of (Nunavut Agreement) and section 87 of the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act, S.C. 2013, c. 14, s. 2 (NuPPAA), the NIRB has commenced screening this project proposal. Due to the proposal containing activities that are sufficiently related to previously assessed activities under NIRB file number 17TN054, the NIRB views this project proposal as an amendment to the previously screened project and has assigned this proposal with this previous file number. Please reference this file number in all future related correspondence. A summary of the previously screened project activities can be found in Appendix A.

P.O. Box 1360 , NU X0B 0C0 Phone: (867) 983-4600 Fax: (867) 983-2594 Page 1 of 5 INFORMATION REQUEST

On March 23, 2018 the NIRB requested that the Proponent complete the online application form through the NIRB’s public registry system and ensure, pursuant to subsection 144(1) of the NuPPAA, that the information provided be sufficient to determine the scope of the project activities being proposed and that sufficient information has been provided to commence screening.

On May 3, 2018 the NIRB received the required additional information and commenced the screening pursuant to Part 3 of the NuPPAA.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Project Scope: The “Yacht Silver Cloud Interpretive Trip” project activities as previously screened by the NIRB (File No. 17TN054) was a private vessel voyage that would transit through the Northwest Passage with visits to communities located within the Qikiqtani and Kitikmeot regions, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, and National and Territorial Parks. The Proponent intended to conduct vessel-based tourism activities that would provide passengers opportunities to engage in sightseeing, cruising, and organized community visits. The scope of activities previously approved for this ongoing tourism activity has been included within Appendix A.

ComEx is currently proposing the “Complete Expeditions Tourist Operations – Private Yacht Northwest Passage Interpretive Trip” project which would involve tourism activities as previously approved. The Proponent intends to amend the scope of activities by including possible visits to the Nirjutiqarvik National Wildlife Area, Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area, the Queen Maud Gulf (Ahiak) Migratory Bird Sanctuary, and the communities of Grise Fiord, Omingmaktok, and Bathurst Inlet. These visits would be in addition to the previously approved tourist activities along the traditional “Amundsen route” beginning in Pond Inlet and ending in Kugluktuk. The program is proposed to take place from July 31 to September 14, 2018.

According to the project proposal, the scope of the amended project includes the following additional undertakings, works or activities: . Transportation and accommodation of up to 26 passengers and crew aboard the private yacht MY Ice Angel; o The private yacht will be equipped similar to the Silver Cloud yacht that was utilized for the 2017 tourist activities. The MY Ice Angel will be equipped with similar equipment, materials and small boats (for shore landing transport); will contain similar storage fuel capacity; same water production capabilities (desalination); and similar wastes generated with disposal at appropriate facilities; . Potential community stops in Grise Fiord, Bathurst Inlet, and Omingmaktok; . Visits to National and Territorial Parks, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, and Archeological sites as previously permitted with additional stops at: o Ahiak Migratory Bird Sanctuary; o Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area; o Nirjutiqarvik National Wildlife Area;

P.O. Box 1360 Cambridge Bay, NU X0B 0C0 Phone: (867) 983-4600 Fax: (867) 983-2594 Page 2 of 5 At this time, the NIRB has identified no additional works or activities in relation to the project proposal. As a result, the NIRB will proceed with screening the project based on the scope as described above.

REQUEST FOR COMMENTS

All documents received and pertaining to this project proposal can be obtained from the NIRB’s online public registry at www.nirb.ca by using any of the following search criteria: . Project Name: Complete Expeditions Tourist Operations – Private Yacht Northwest Passage Interpretive Trip . NIRB File No.: 17TN052 . Application No.: 125306

The documents received include: . NPC Screening Referral and Conformity Determination . NPC Application . NIRB’s Online Application Form . Non-technical Project Proposal summary in English, Inuktitut and Innuinaqtun including map of proposed route

The NIRB will copy you on screening process related correspondence and upload related documents to the NIRB’s online registry for public access. The NIRB may request additional information at any time during the process.

The NIRB is copying parties and municipalities potentially affected by Complete Expeditions Inc.’s project proposal with this letter, and we invite interested parties to comment directly to the NIRB by May 24, 2018.

The NIRB would like parties to provide comments regarding: . Whether the project proposal is likely to arouse significant public concern; and if so, why; . Whether the project proposal is likely to cause significant adverse eco-systemic or socio- economic effects; and if so, why; . Whether the project proposal is likely to cause significant adverse impacts on wildlife habitat or Inuit harvest activities; and if so, why; . Whether the project proposal is of a type where the potential adverse effects are highly predictable and mitigable with known technology, (and providing any recommended mitigation measures); and . Any matter of importance to the Party related to the project proposal.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please send your comments to the NIRB via email at [email protected], via fax at (867) 983-2594 or via the individual project dashboard for this assessment on the NIRB’s online public registry at www.nirb.ca by using any of the following search criteria:

P.O. Box 1360 Cambridge Bay, NU X0B 0C0 Phone: (867) 983-4600 Fax: (867) 983-2594 Page 3 of 5 . Project Name: Complete Expeditions Tourist Operations – Private Yacht Northwest Passage Interpretive Trip . NIRB File No.: 17TN052 . Application No.: 125306

If you have any questions or require clarification, feel free to contact the undersigned at 867-983- 4617 or at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Keith Morrison Technical Advisor II Nunavut Impact Review Board cc: Distribution List Geoff Clark, Kitikmeot Inuit Association Wynter Kuliktana, Kitikmeot Inuit Association Stephen Bathory, Qikiqtani Inuit Association Salamonie Shoo, Qikiqtani Inuit Association Alexander Stubbing, Government of Nunavut, Culture and Heritage Sylvie Leblanc, Government of Nunavut, Culture and Heritage Amy Robinson, Government of Nunavut, Department of Environment Tracey McCaie, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada Lisa Pirie-Dominix, Canadian Wildlife Service Jane Chisholm, Parks Canada

Attachments: Appendix A: Previously-Screened Project Proposals

Enclosures (6): Public Notice of Screening (English, Inuktitut, and Inuinnaqtun) Comment Forms (English, Inuktitut, and Inuinnaqtun)

P.O. Box 1360 Cambridge Bay, NU X0B 0C0 Phone: (867) 983-4600 Fax: (867) 983-2594 Page 4 of 5 APPENDIX A: PREVIOUSLY-SCREENED PROJECT PROPOSALS

The original project proposal NIRB (File No. 17TN054), was received by the NIRB from NPC on May 10, 2017 and was screened by the Board in accordance with Part 4, Article 12 of the Agreement between the Inuit of the Nunavut Settlement Area and Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada (Nunavut Agreement) and Section 3 of the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act, S.C. 2013, c. 14, s. 2 (NuPPAA). On July 13, 2017 the NIRB issued a screening decision pursuant to paragraph 92(2)(a) of the NuPPAA to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change which indicated that the proposed project could proceed subject to the NIRB’s recommended project-specific terms and conditions.

The Complete Expeditions Inc. (ComEx)’s (Proponent) original “Yacht Silver Cloud Interpretive Trip” project was located in the Kitikmeot and Qikiqtani regions, approximately that would transit through the Northwest Passage with visits to communities (Qikiqtani and Kitikmeot regions), Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, and National and Territorial Parks. The Proponent indicated that it intended to conduct vessel-based tourism activities that would provide passengers opportunities to engage in sightseeing, cruising, and organized community visits. The program was proposed to take place in August 2017.

According to the previously screened project proposal, the scope of the project included the following undertakings, works or activities: . Transportation and accommodation of up to 20 passengers and crew aboard the private yacht Silver Cloud; . Transiting the Northwest Passage along the traditional “Amundsen route” beginning in Pond Inlet with potential stops in Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay, Resolute Bay, Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven, Cambridge Bay and Kugluktuk; . Visits to National and Territorial Parks, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, and Archeological sites as permitted with stops at: o Bylot Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary; o Prince Leopold Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary; o Sirmilik National Park; . Storage and use of diesel for vessel operations, and gasoline for small boats; . Use of two (2) small boats for shore landings and sightseeing trips. All visits to shore to be brief day trips, on foot with no camping, structures built, or motorized transport; . Use of onboard desalination device to supplement domestic water needs and use of seawater for vessel operations when necessary; . Generation of combustible and non-combustible waste to be retained on board for disposal at port; and . Generation of greywater and sewage treated on board and disposed of per Canadian regulations.

P.O. Box 1360 Cambridge Bay, NU X0B 0C0 Phone: (867) 983-4600 Fax: (867) 983-2594 Page 5 of 5