Question Period Note: Baffinland 2024 Workforce Reduction

Baffinland 2024 Workforce Reduction

Baffinland 2024 Workforce Reduction
• The Government of Canada is aware of the proposed workforce reduction by Baffinland Iron Mine by 10% in 2024.
• Inuit employees and customer commitments will not be affected.
• As always, our government is in close coordination with partners, and we are actively monitoring this situation and its impact in Nunavut.
• Our government is aware of the important role the resource sector has in the economic development of the territories.
• CanNor, through the Northern Projects Management Office, will continue supporting resource development in the territories by helping partners and stakeholders navigate regulatory processes.

Background
According to Baffinland, the Mary River project contributes significantly to the economy. Over the lifetime of the mine, it has contributed $30.7 billion to Canadian GDP and $19.3 billion to Nunavut GDP.
The company has invested over $3.5 billion into the project and total payments to governments and Inuit organizations are projected to exceed $4 billion over the next 21 years.
The Northern Projects Management Office (NPMO), housed within the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), is responsible for coordinating federal participation in northern regulatory review processes.
NPMO acts as a convenor between businesses and various levels of government but does not act as a decision-making body.
NPMO acts as the Crown Consultation Coordinator for consultations on Baffinland’s Steensby Inlet railroad application. NPMO is responsible for ensuring logistics, and a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to consultations.
NPMO is not a decision making body on the Steensby Inlet railroad application. Any questions on the application should be directed to the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB).

If pressed on the economic impact of the mine
• Mining plays an important role in Nunavut’s economy, accounting for over 45% of the territory’s GDP in 2023.
• Currently, the Mary River mine employs over 900 Canadians, approximately 13 percent of the workforce is Inuit.
• According to Baffinland, the Mary River project contributes significantly to Nunavut’s economy, accounting for $19.3 billion to Nunavut GDP to date.