LEtter from the Chief Executive Officer
Brian Penney 2020 has been an unprecedented year for all of us. COVID-19 has changed how we interact with one another; how we visit friends and family, where we can travel, and how we perform our jobs. We have all been affected in some way by COVID-19 and Baffinland has had to make many adjustments as well. The pandemic has changed the way we live and work, and it hasn’t always been easy, but Baffinland’s employees, contractors, and partners have consistently risen to the challenges.
Inuit Certainty Agreement This summer, we signed a milestone agreement with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) called the Inuit Certainty Agreement (ICA). There are five key themes to the ICA: • Environmental protection, Inuit-led
monitoring, and comprehensive adaptive management plans jointly approved with the QIA; • Improved and expanded wildlife
compensation; • Changes to employment, training,
and contracting with measurable and enforceable goals with clear procedures regarding remedial measures; • Community direct benefits; and • Significant royalty improvements
The agreement places a high value on partnership and collaboration between Inuit and industry for mutual long term success. For more on the ICA, see page 4.
The teams at Baffinland have taken this as an opportunity to find new ways to connect with one another and with the communities in which we partner. We have been able to adapt our education and training programs for both remote and in-person learning. We have engaged in many conversations with stakeholders to continue to develop our understanding of each other’s needs. We continue to review and advance our strategies to ensure we are able to provide a safe workplace for everyone. Through mutually respectful discussions with communities, we have been able to resolve many issues and develop a path forward for the Rail Expansion Development proposal. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has also impacted our workforce and in the spring, we made the difficult decision to send our Nunavummiut employees home. Employees will retain their positions and remain on standby pay, with their group benefits in place. This decision was not easy, but it was made in keeping with our values, to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 into the communities. These employees are missed and we are looking forward to their return; we continue to work with government and health agencies to help protect the health of all our employees and communities. A positive milestone I am especially proud this year is the work that went into developing the Inuit Certainty Agreement signed this summer. The signing of the ICA is a significant step in the development of the Mary River Project and reflects our commitment to inclusion of Inuit Societal Values in our business. Our teams have worked hard to engage with communities and address a number of technical issues. Many technical issues raised were resolved through discussions about the Development proposal and the ICA, in keeping with our values of integrity and respect for all. In the spirit of community, we look forward to sponsoring holiday celebrations in the communities this holiday season in a different way than we have before. We hope that providing some holiday cheer in new ways will make for new and lasting memories. Christmas Hampers will be distributed in December in the impacted communities. We have also been able to provide more than $200,000 in additional donations to community programs to help relieve some of the additional burdens from COVID-19. Looking to 2021, I am optimistic. Baffinland has the potential for a bright future through the support and ongoing engagement with our partners. We have all worked together through open, clear communication; we have partnered with communities on lasting, meaningful benefits through development at the Mary River Project; and we have created a platform that will leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
Inuit Certainty Agreement
1
