Nunavut premier tries to his explain leaked letter supporting Baffinland – Nunatsiaq News
June 03, 2015
“We must continue to advocate for responsible economic development in our territory”
A letter he sent May 8 to Bernard Valcourt, the northern affairs minister, in support of letting Baffinland Iron Mines Corp. bypass the Nunavut Planning Commission, stands well within the authority of his office, Nunavut premier Peter Taptuna said June 2.
In a minister’s statement, Taptuna defended the content of the letter, which said the NPC’s April non-conformity ruling on Baffinland’s Phase 2 expansion of Mary River ore production and transportation — threatens jobs, wages and other future benefits for Nunavummiut.
“The process is clear, the regulatory responsibility rests with the institutions of public government and not the Nunavut government,” Taptuna said June 2. “However, we as a government are absolutely within our right to make recommendations about improving that process.”
