Protecting Lancaster Sound

Despite its profound and important wildlife diversity, the Ministry of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada issued 30 oil and gas exploration permits to Shell Canada Limited in Lancaster Sound in 1971. Initially issued for six years, the permits allowed Shell to conduct exploratory work in permitted areas.  In accordance with regulations, the permits were extended twice for one-year periods with an option for four more one-year extensions.  The Canada Petroleum Resources Act (CPRA) registry had no record of any additional extensions being granted nor are there records of Shell successfully renegotiating exploration licences.

At the time the case was filed, not only were Shell’s exploration permits expired, but the boundaries of the permits also overlapped with an area in Lancaster Sound proposed for protection as a National Marine Conservation Area, impeding its finalization.

What does this victory mean?

The release of these permits to the federal government marks an important step towards recognizing and preserving Lancaster Sound’s incredible biodiversity.

In August 2017, the Government of Canada (Parks Canada), the Nunavut Government and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association signed a landmark agreement to establish Tallurutiup Imanga – Lancaster Sound National Marine Conservation Area. The wider borders would acknowledge and better respect the traditional knowledge of the Inuit communities who have lived in the area since time immemorial and help protect one of the world’s richest marine mammal habitats from dangerous offshore drilling.