New Screening Exemptions for Nunavut Activities

Summary#

This is the Order Amending Schedule 3 to the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act (SOR/2022-118). It adds specific classes of research, archaeological, and wildlife-related activities to the list of projects that are exempt from environmental screening under the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act. The order came into force on the day it was registered: May 27, 2022.

What it does#

• Adds descriptions to Schedule 3 of the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act listing classes of works and activities that do not need environmental screening by the Nunavut Impact Review Board.
• The new exempt classes include:
  • Research and collection activities that need a permit, licence, or authorization from the Parks Canada Agency (under various national park and National Marine Conservation Area rules and, in some cases, the Species at Risk Act).
  • Research and collection on designated historic places administered by Parks Canada, but only when the site has a signed Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement.
  • Archaeological and palaeontological activities that require a Class 1 or Class 2 permit from the Government of Nunavut Department of Culture and Heritage.
  • A range of wildlife-related licences, authorizations and permits issued by the Government of Nunavut Department of Environment under the Wildlife Act and the Licences and Tags Regulations (for example, licences to harvest wildlife, research licences, big game outfitter licences, guide licences, taxidermy licences, import/export licences).
• The order reflects existing exemption agreements made under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. It does not create new permit types — it records which existing permits are exempt from screening.

Who's affected#

• Researchers and collectors working in Nunavut who get permits from Parks Canada.
• Archaeologists and palaeontologists who hold Class 1 or Class 2 permits from the Government of Nunavut Department of Culture and Heritage.
• People and businesses that need wildlife licences from the Government of Nunavut Department of Environment (including harvesters, outfitters, guides, taxidermists, researchers).
• Project proponents and developers in Nunavut who want clarity about whether their activity needs environmental screening.
• The Nunavut Impact Review Board and the Nunavut Planning Commission, which oversee screening and can still refer exempted classes for screening if there are concerns about cumulative effects.

If it’s unclear whether a specific permit or activity is covered by the new Schedule entry, the relevant issuing department or the Board would be the place to check.

Why it matters#

• Practical effect: some research, archaeological and wildlife activities in Nunavut will no longer go through the Board’s routine environmental screening process. That can speed up getting approvals for those activities.
• It brings clarity by putting the already-agreed exemptions into the Act itself, so permit-holders and developers know which activities are normally exempt.
• Important safeguard remains: the Nunavut Planning Commission (or Parks Canada in certain sites) can still ask for a screening if they are worried about cumulative environmental effects. Regulators also still enforce the conditions of the permits they issue.