UPDATE: VICTORY! Minister Dan Vandal has said NO to this project after pressure from Inuit land defenders along with supporters like you! People power works!
Today Greenpeace Canada launched a new petition targeting federal Minister of Northern Affairs Dan Vandal, calling on him to reject the proposed expansion of the Baffinland iron mine in Nunavut.
Mining company Baffinland is pushing forward with plans to massively expand production at their Nunavut iron mine despite strong opposition from Inuit hunters, who are concerned about the impact the expansion would have on the Arctic wildlife they depend up on for their food and culture. The expansion would involve building a railway line through an important caribou migration route and a big increase in shipping traffic through sensitive narwhal calving grounds.
The petition was launched in solidarity with the Nuluujaat Land Guardians, a group of Inuit hunters who came together to protect their Arctic home from the threat posed by the Baffinland mine. Last year the Guardians blockaded the mine for a week to protest Baffinland’s expansion plans and the company’s ongoing refusal to address Inuit concerns.
“The Inuit way of life is being threatened by Baffinland’s mine expansion,” said Daniel Inuarak, a spokesperson for the Nuluujaat Land Guardians. “We ask everyone who cares about supporting Indigenous people and protecting Arctic wildlife to speak up and tell the government to reject this project. Please help us protect our Arctic home.”
Nunavut’s environmental assessment agency has recommended the expansion not proceed because of the potential for significant harm to Arctic wildlife and Inuit, risks which it says cannot be effectively mitigated.
The final decision on whether the expansion can go ahead rests with federal Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, who is expected to announce his decision in the coming weeks. The Minister will automatically receive an email from each person who signs the petition.
Greenpeace has previously supported the Nuluujaat Land Guardians by protesting in support of their cause at the headquarters of global steel giant ArcelorMittal in Luxembourg. ArcelorMittal is a co-owner and major customer of the mine, and is considering financing the expansion.
Please add your voice today to support the Inuit land defenders working to protect their Arctic home from this dangerous mine expansion project.