Inuit Recommend Changes to Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA)

Thursday, February 8, 2007, Ottawa, Ontario  Mary Simon, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), and Duane Smith President of Inuit Circumpolar Council (Canada), today urged the Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development to recommend changes to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) which will result in tangible improvement for Inuit across Canada and throughout the circumpolar world. CEPA should be amended to require that environmental impacts on vulnerable populations, including Inuit, be considered in all stages of the risk assessment process. The legislation should be amended to require a consistent, regulated approach to pollution prevention planning in consultation with Inuit for all facilities that release or may release toxic substances of concern to Inuit," said Mary Simon, President of ITK. "The Government of Canada should collaborate with Inuit to develop practices that are conducive to acquiring, understanding and integrating Inuit traditional knowledge into decision making on the environment and human health." Duane Smith, President of ICC (Canada) said, CEPA should be amended to specify requirements for the Minister to act to implement international agreements aimed at curtailing air and water pollution and in so doing, fulfill Canada's international commitments. These should include targets and timelines for Canada to meet its international obligations regarding marine environmental protection. Mary Simon recommended that CEPA processes should be consistent with Inuit Land Claim Agreements. Further; Part 2, Section 6, of CEPA should be amended to require that each of the Inuit land claim settlement areas is represented on the CEPA National Advisory Committee. Both leaders suggested that CEPA be amended to require the Minister to consult with all affected aboriginal Governments including Inuit, regarding the development and issuing of regulatory and nonregulatory instruments for the protection of the marine environment. For a complete summary of the presentation to the Standing Committee consult either www.itk.ca or www.inuitcircumpolar.com