Sustainable Development also means development that includes all our people, that draws on the talents and on the collective wisdom we have inherited from our ancestors. When these three elements are in balance, the protection of our land, economic development and the full participation of our people, then I believe economic development can be sustainable.

Managing a Sustainable Future for all Nunavummiut

Managing Environmental conditions and biodiversity through good science and Inuit Qaujimanituqangit

Building Healthy Communities through our programs

Developing and supporting sustainable economies

Ensure the wise use of our resources in a manner that will protect and enhance our environment now and for future generations

Provide the support needed for people and Inuit Organizations to develop and use their capacities to enable them to participate fully in decisions on development

Provide the support needed for people to pursue sustainable livelihoods both in the traditional and wage economy

Parks and Tourism

Residents of Nunavut are proud of their natural and cultural heritage, their strong relationship to the diverse landscape and its resources, their communities, their wildlife, and their rich and important history. Our Territorial Parks not only demonstrate and protect these significant natural and cultural areas, but they celebrate them and proudly showcase them locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Primarily established to serve local tourism through provision of camping and recreational opportunities, territorial parks are now meeting the changing expectations of both their residents and their visitors and are serving valuable roles for conservation of habitat and biodiversity, and wildlife protection. Parks and other tourism products create more than 500 jobs for Nunavummiut as guides and outfitters; support our Arts and Crafts and other related sectors; and put millions of dollars directly into our communities and territory.

Wildlife

Only through wise use and careful management will the value of Nunavut's wildlife be maintained for the benefit of future generations. Successful management requires a cooperative and coordinated effort on the part of government and resource users. This is the founding principle of co-management.

Successful co-management will rely in part on modern legislation that reflects the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. We also recognize that there are increasing pressures on our wildlife, and that our advice as co-managers requires measured responses, which balance Inuit Qaujimanituqangit and good science. One of the key roles served by government in co-management is to provide the Institutes of Public Government with the best advice on which to make land use and resource decisions. This role is most intense with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, where hundreds of decisions are considered each year pertaining to wildlife management.

Minerals, Oils and Gas

It is estimated that $65 million was invested in Nunavut last year by the mineral exploration industry. This signals to all of us that the potential for mineral development in Nunavut is very promising. And, it should remind us that the source of our wealth is the land - as it has been for thousands of years, and as it will be for generations to come.

Nunavut is believed to have the richest natural resource endowment of any jurisdiction in Canada. Our goal is to work with our partners to develop a strong sustainable resource exploration and development sector that is managed by and for the people of Nunavut.

Fisheries and Sealing

Offshore fisheries have the potential to be a pillar of Nunavut's economy. Fisheries such as those for shrimp and turbot provide more than 150 jobs and $5 million of income directly into our community economies.

Fisheries are a resource held in common with other Canadian jurisdictions and shared with other countries. The Minister will continue to seek recognition for the principles of adjacency, economic dependence and the land claim in the development of national fisheries policies and allocation decisions affecting Nunavut.

The Department will continue its investment in the Nunavut Sealing Strategy through the development of the export market, the development of design and production capacity in Nunavut and through the purchase of market grade skins from harvesters. We will also continue our work supporting national efforts to reduce trade barriers in seal products.

Community Economic Development

Our economy is an exciting mix of new growth driven by markets we don't control, and our traditional way of life. Our connections to the land, which we call the traditional economy, is often overlooked by outside observers assessing Nunavut's wealth and economic prospects. Yet, the traditional economy is strong here in Nunavut, unlike any other jurisdiction in Canada.

Economic development in Nunavut will depend as much on our abilities to understand and communicate the dynamics of our 'mixed economy', as it will our efforts to attract new investment. Most of our people depend in some way on harvesting wildlife, or on arts and crafts. It is an economic tradition we take pride in, and one for which our people are recognized, and honoured, around the world.

Environmental Protection

Climate change has been called the most significant environmental issue the world has ever faced. And, scientists are now projecting with some level of confidence that the warming of our earth's climate will be much greater in our polar regions. We are doing our part by working towards the development and implementation of a strategy to address climate change in Nunavut.