Question Period Note: Nunavut Devolution

• Devolution is a long-standing federal policy objective which seeks to ensure greater local control and accountability for decisions.

• The Prime Minister, the Minister of Northern Affairs, the Premier of Nunavut, and the President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated signed the Agreement on January 18, 2024 in Iqaluit.

• The Government of Canada remains committed to working with partners in support of a seamless and collaborative devolution of roles, responsibilities, and authorities with the transfer date set for April 1, 2027.

• Nunavut remains the last territory without control of its own lands and resources. Completing devolution would see the authorities for the Government of Nunavut at par with provinces and territories for the administration of their own lands and resources.

• Devolution enables the federal government to focus on other core federal responsibilities, such as intergovernmental relations, sovereignty and defence, land claims implementation, climate change and economic development.

• Devolution is reconciliation in action as it is a key step for the self-determination of Nunavummiut, closing the last steps for a fully federated Canada. It follows through on the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement in 1993, and the creation of the territory of Nunavut in 1999. As parties to the negotiation, the Inuit of Nunavut are represented by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the public Government of Nunavut.

• Devolution creates stronger public governments that are more responsive to local issues and priorities while ensuring that social, economic and other benefits of resource development in the region are shared with Nunavummiut.

• Nunavut devolution will require legislative amendments so that the authorities and self-determination of lands and resources fall under the purview of the Government of Nunavut.

• Section 35 consultations with Indigenous partners with established Aboriginal and/or treaty rights within Nunavut have informed and will continue to inform this process.

If pressed on legislative authorities

• Nunavut is the last jurisdiction in the country remaining without responsibilities for public lands and resources.

• The Government of Canada, the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated are currently moving into the three year implementation phase, which will include legislative amendments so that the authorities and self-determination of lands and resources fall under the purview of the Government of Nunavut.

If pressed on reconciliation

• Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated is a signatory to the Devolution Agreement and will be involved during implementation to represent the priority interests of Inuit in the territory.

• Consultations with Indigenous partners with rights within Nunavut will continue throughout the three-year implementation phase .