Canada proposes Nunavut fishing licenses for non-Inuit group

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association expressed “extreme disappointment” over the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) decision to reissue fishing licences off Nunavut’s coast to non-Inuit operations, despite a federal court ruling that deemed the initial decision unreasonable. This controversy stems from a 2021 decision by former DFO minister Bernadette Jordan to transfer fishing licences to a Mi’kmaq coalition, which the QIA argues violates the Nunavut Agreement’s provisions for local communities. The QIA claims this maintains systemic exclusion of Inuit from commercial fishing opportunities, with Nunavut holding only 52% of adjacent water quotas compared to other regions. The DFO is currently reviewing its decision, allowing parties to respond to its preliminary analysis before a final recommendation is made.