March 28, 2023 – Ottawa, Canada – The 2023 federal budget reflects seven priorities recommended by the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) in its Pre-Budget Submission to the Department of Finance made at the end of 2022.
“One of the issues we have been very active in is related to the advancement of a safe and affordable Arctic shipping fleet, and marine governance at the International Maritime Organization (IMO),” says ICC Canada President Lisa Koperqualuk. “So I am pleased to see there is $162-million in this budget for the development of cleaner and healthier ports, and that underwater noise is specifically mentioned under this initiative and an issue very important to Inuit harvesters due to the impacts on marine mammals.”
ICC Canada also advocated for ongoing support for climate change activities specifically related to the Arctic including representation at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
“I was pleased to meet with Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault at the past two United Nations climate change meetings in Scotland, and Egypt,” said President Koperqualuk. “There are several measures in this budget that address reductions in emissions, adaptation to climate change, and eliminating plastic waste. These efforts will help reduce climate impacts in the Arctic.”
ICC Canada is also active in the implementation of the Central Arctic Ocean Treaty that prohibits commercial fisheries in this region until more is understood of this unique marine region. ICC Canada is pleased to note the $3.5-Billion allotted for the protection of Inuit Nunaat coasts and waterways under the Oceans Protection Plan.
“Another area we have been very active in is the development of guidelines related to research in the Arctic to ensure that our Inuit knowledge is reflected in the assessment cycle of the IPCC and that there is more Inuit-led conservation and biodiversity work,” said Lisa Koperqualuk. “We take note of the funding directly related to the recent COP15 Biodiversity Conference in Montreal. The Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is an important achievement from that conference and a commitment of $800-million to Indigenous led conservation which supports Inuit self determination.”
Chapter Five in the budget is titled “Canada’s Leadership in the World”. “We note the $38.6-billion over 20 years to strengthen the defense of North America under NORAD, with a specific reference to protect sovereignty in the Arctic,” said Koperqualuk. “This directly relates to our fifth recommendation to increase International Arctic Sovereignty and human security in the Arctic. Inuit support the Arctic as a zone of peace and will work to ensure security means safe communities for our children, environments for our wildlife and opportunities for our people.”
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Contact:
April Pigalak
ICC (Canada)
apigalak@inuitcircumpolar.com