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. The Inuit Certainty Agreement is an important step in the development of the Mary River Project. The agreement between Baffinland and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association is a direct result of partnership and collaboration.

The agreement provides Inuit the ability to lead social and environmental monitoring related to Project impacts and joint approval over adaptive management plans, ensuring Inuit are a part of critical decision making for the Mary River Project. The agreement also provides increased monetary benefits. While dependent on the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) granting Baffinland an amended Mary River Project certificate, the ICA provides financial support for community programs for the life of the Project and an increased Royalty rate with the QIA. The amended Mary River Project certificate would allow the Rail Expansion Development project to go ahead. When the ICA comes into full effect, it will also ensure more benefits are shared directly with North Baffin communities.

Harvester Support

The ICA increases support for harvesters. The Mittimatalik Hunters and Trappers Organization will receive $1.3 million in recognition for changes in hunting experience that Inuit from Pond Inlet have described and to address difficulties in accessing the Wildlife Compensation Fund.

A new Regional Harvesters Enabling Program will be created and $750,000 annually will be shared by HTOs in the affected communities. Also, the $400,000 fuel subsidy program currently for Inuit residents of Pond Inlet over the age of 12 will be expanded to include Igloolik, Sanirajak, Kimmirut and Kinngait when the Steensby project is built.

Community

Baffinland will provide up to $3 million per community for childcare facilities in each of the affected communities. Baffinland will also spend up to $3 million for childcare facilities in Kinngait and Kimmirut when construction begins at Steensby Inlet.

In response to a request from Pond Inlet, Baffinland will fund a Country Food Baseline Study to show a baseline of country food consumption and food quality in the community.

Employment

The new Inuit Career Mobility Strategy will build on the foundation of the careers path progression plan for Inuit workers. This enhanced strategy is aimed at increasing movement into new or higher skill jobs for Inuit workers.

To make working at Mary River more accessible to more Inuit employees, Baffinland will now offer an early childhood childcare subsidy. Nunavut Inuit residents working at the Mary River Project will receive a fixed daily allowance for each child under the age of 14.

Minimum Inuit Employment Goals will be set every three years, and all Mary River contractors will have to provide Contractor Inuit Content Plans.

Efforts will be made to reduce contracts to allow smaller Inuit firms to bid directly on project work. Improved reporting on Inuit employment and participation will ensure effective monitoring of Inuit receiving opportunities and benefits from the project.

Monitoring

Under the ICA, Inuit take the lead to monitor and review the Mary River Project and its Rail Expansion Development proposal. QIA will write the Inuit Stewardship Plan, which will cover monitoring of Inuit Culture, Resources and Land Use (CRLU). The Inuit Stewardship Plan will ensure more in-depth monitoring of social issues like:

• Language preservation

• Access to country food

• Supporting youth and elders

• Quality of life

• Housing

• Income and cost of living

• Education and training

• Mental health.

Nauttiqsuqtiit, hired from North Baffin communities, will be the lead CRLU monitors. They will be supported by QIA monitors already on-site and by community members engaged in current Baffinland funded programs.

Monetary Benefits

Baffinland will cover QIA’s IIBA implementation costs, allowing efforts to be focused on programs and community benefits. Other monetary benefits of the ICA include:

• Milestone payments from Baffinland to QIA totaling $45 million over five years

• Increased royalties:

• From 1.19% to 1.50% as of June 2020

• After 36 months from 1.50% to 1.75%

• After 54 months from 1.75% to 2.25%

• After 72 months from 2.25% to 3.00%

The ICA includes an update from QIA on technical concerns previously raised with NIRB related to the proposed project expansion.

For more information on the ICA, visit www.qia.ca