On Monday, Environment Minister John Baird announced the federal government would give up a potential gold mine of oil riches in Nunavut’s Lancaster Sound, a body of water twice the size of Lake Erie, to designate the area as an environmental sanctuary. The announcement comes after months of controversy and lobbying from environmental and Inuit groups. “Our government is sending a clear message to the world that Canada takes responsibility for environmental protection in our Arctic waters,” Baird said. As well as an important resource for Inuit communities, Lancaster Sound is home to, among other species, seabirds, polar bears, and narwhals.
FILED UNDER: Arctic