Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation for the Coordination and Management of Major Projects in the Kitikmeot Region

Memorandum of Understanding between the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association with respect to Cooperation for the coordination and management of major projects in the Kitikmeot Region

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is between:

THE CANADIAN NORTHERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, as represented by the President of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor); and

THE INUIT OF THE KITIKMEOT REGION, as represented by the President of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association (KIA).

(collectively the "Parties")

WHEREAS,

1. The Parties recognize the importance of major resource and infrastructure development projects ('projects') to the economic prosperity of the people and communities in the Kitikmeot region of Nunavut; and
2. The Parties recognize the importance of establishing a cooperative working relationship on projects in the Kitikmeot region of Nunavut.

NOW THEREFORE, the Parties agree to the following understandings:

1.0 Purpose

1.1 The purpose of this MOU is to confirm the Parties' mutual interest in: supporting responsible resource and regional infrastructure development in the Kitikmeot region through cooperation and respectful engagement; working collaboratively to facilitate the effective and transparent environmental assessment/impact review and regulatory permitting of projects; and optimizing opportunities to advance economic development for Inuit of the Kitikmeot region in relation to projects to the extent possible within the respective mandates of the Parties.

1.2 This MOU is intended to be a statement of mutual understanding and cooperation and is not a legally binding contract. Nothing in this MOU shall limit or fetter, or diminish the statutory authorities, discretionary powers and functions, or the rights and interests of any Party.

1.3 For the purposes of this MOU, a 'project' shall mean any resource development or regional infrastructure project in the Kitikmeot region that is subject to a Part 5 Review of a Project Proposal by the Nunavut Impact Review Board or a Part 6 Review by a federal Environmental Assessment Panel (struck by the federal Minister of Environment) pursuant to Article 12 of the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement. It may also include resource development exploration activities.

2.0 Roles and Responsibilities of the Parties

2.1 The Parties recognize that:

1. CanNor and its Northern Projects Management Office (NPMO) was created to advance economic development in the North and coordinate the Government of Canada's engagement in environmental assessment/impact review and regulatory permitting of projects in Canada's northern territories; and
2. As a regional Inuit Association with authority as granted under the terms and conditions of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement over the surface rights of Inuit-owned land in the Kitikmeot, the KIA has a special interest in the responsible development of projects within the Kitikmeot region, and supports the development of strategies to enhance and encourage responsible economic opportunities, especially with respect to the infrastructure development and mineral exploration activities that will benefit Kitikmeot Inuit.

3.0 Mutual Understandings

3.1 The NPMO will lead the Parties in the development of a collaborative framework under which the Parties can advance coordination of respective efforts relating to projects in the Kitikmeot region. The framework would also seek to coordinate efforts and develop strategies to advance positive economic outcomes in relation to projects.

3.2 The Parties affirm the importance of working cooperatively to facilitate effective, non-duplicative and transparent environmental assessment and regulatory permitting of resource development and regional infrastructure projects in the Kitikmeot region.

3.3 The Parties recognize the importance of resource development and regional infrastructure projects to the economic prosperity of the people and communities in the Kitikmeot region, and as part of their respective mandates will seek to advance positive economic outcomes in relation to those projects and, as appropriate, identify opportunities for aligning and coordinating efforts to assess the socio-economic impacts of those projects.

3.4 The Parties acknowledge the Nunavut Project Committee, led by NPMO, as a forum in which the Parties (along with additional parties) may be invited to participate in from time to time to discuss coordination and collaborative engagement for specific projects in the regulatory system in the Kitikmeot region.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this MOU has been signed by duly authorized representatives of the Parties effective this 15 day of November, 2012.

SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE CANADIAN NORTHERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
as represented by:

SIGNED ON BEHALF OF INUIT OF THE KITIKMEOT REGION
as represented by the President of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association