March 28, 2023 \u2013 Ottawa, Canada \u2013 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne 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),\u201d says ICC Canada President Lisa Koperqualuk. \u201cSo 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was pleased to meet with Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault at the past two United Nations climate change meetings in Scotland, and Egypt,\u201d said President Koperqualuk. \u201cThere 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnother 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,\u201d said Lisa Koperqualuk. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chapter Five in the budget is titled \u201cCanada\u2019s Leadership in the World\u201d. \u201cWe 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,\u201d said Koperqualuk. \u201cThis 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.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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