Friday September 21, 2007 – Ottawa, Ontario
Inuit oppose plans by the Canadian Navy to change practices regarding the dumping of food and other waste into the Arctic Ocean.
“We call on the Canadian Navy, and other ships, to exercise restraint in changing their practices in this regard,” stated Mary Simon, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. “It’s clear the Navy is reacting to changes in the Canadian Shipping Act. There may be ways to comply with the regulations without causing undue harm to the environment.”
Mary Simon is writing to the minister of National Defence Peter Mackay to seek clarification on the issue.
Inuit leaders also expressed displeasure at this news in the context of asserting Canadian Sovereignty over the Arctic Region. “It’s very discouraging to learn of this in addition to the increased stress the Arctic is experiencing with climate change, the opening of the Northwest Passage, and concerns over asserting Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic,” said Duane Smith, President of Inuit Circumpolar Council (Canada). “I would ask people to stop and think. The Arctic is not a dumping ground, in the sea or on land. When people go camping, they take their garbage with them and leave the wilderness as they found it.”
Changes in the Canadian Shipping Act took effect in July 2007.