On January 18, 2024, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, the Minister of Northern Affairs, Dan Vandal, the Premier of Nunavut, P.J. Akeeagok, and the President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Aluki Kotierk, signed the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement. Devolution is an essential step in the political and economic development of Nunavut and on the shared path of reconciliation.
This landmark agreement is the largest land transfer in Canada's history. With the agreement, Nunavut and its residents will now be able to make decisions about how public lands, freshwater, and non-renewable resources are used in the territory, and reap the benefits of responsible and sustainable resource development. Devolution will create Nunavut based jobs, opportunities, investments, and more prosperity for Nunavummiut (Inuit and otherwise) for generations to come.
With a shared commitment to the vision of self-determination, the three signatories will continue working in close partnership over the next three years to implement the transfer of responsibilities, which will be completed by April 1, 2027.
Gowling WLG advised the Government of Nunavut on the negotiations leading to this agreement and will continue to advise during the implementation phase, with a team led by Adam Chamberlain and that also includes Chris Hummel.