Conference Call #44

The Executive Director, Jim Noble, convened the Conference Call at 11:00 a.m. Jim advised that the NWMB Chairperson was not available to participate, and proposed that he (Jim) facilitate the Call on the Chairperson’s behalf. Members agreed with this arrangement. Jim also advised that Kevin McCormick, who was unable to participate in the Conference Call, had provided him with observations and suggestions concerning some of the Agenda items.

2. Agenda

Jim Noble reviewed the Agenda and requested some flexibility to shift the order of two of the items. The Board adopted the Agenda with this proviso.

3. Location of Next Regular Meeting

Jim Noble reminded the Board that its next regular meeting had been scheduled for Cape Dorset the week of November 22 nd . It was found that the hotel at Cape Dorset was fully booked by construction workers for that period. Jim advised that he tried to find hotel space in Igloolik and Hall Beach, but without success. Space was found to be available in Sanikiluaq, so that has been tentatively booked.

Jim suggested that the Board consider conducting its Strategic Planning Workshop in Iqaluit over the weekend prior to the regular meeting. Jim advised that Kevin McCormick suggested that the NWMB Legal Advisor be requested to prepare a review of outstanding tasks that need to be completed by the NWMB prior to the end of the current 10-year Implementation Contract. Michael d’Eça asked if this workshop would be similar to the Board’s first Strategic Planning Workshop, when an external facilitator was used, or whether it would be less formal, perhaps based on a discussion paper. Gordon Koshinsky suggested that a facilitator might be useful, but that too much time and effort would be needed to get such an individual prepared for the task. Gordon proposed that the Board attempt to conduct the workshop without the use of an external facilitator.

The Board agreed (Resolution 2000- 061) to move the location of its next regular meeting to Sanikiluaq for the same dates as previously planned, and to conduct its Strategic Planning Workshop in Iqaluit the weekend of November 20 th . Jim advised that it was also going to be necessary to schedule a meeting of the Nunavut Wildlife Research Trust for sometime within that same period.

4. Bowhead TAH for 2000

Michelle Wheatley reviewed the briefing note that she had prepared on this subject. Based on earlier considerations, it is assumed that any imminent bowhead hunt would have to be from the Foxe Basin / Hudson Bay population. Michelle reminded the Board that in its previous deliberations on the matter, the Board had deferred any decision until more information was available. The three pertinent items of information that were expected are now at hand, namely:

A final draft of DFO’s status report on the Foxe Basin – Northern Hudson Bay bowhead stock;
A draft of the bulk of the NWMB’s Inuit Bowhead Knowledge Study; and
The final report from QWB on the 1998 bowhead hunt.

Michelle noted that there have been expressions of interest to conduct such a hunt from Coral Harbour, Igloolik, Hall Beach, and (most recently) from Pelly Bay. The request from Pelly Bay is problematical in that the population affinity of bowhead whales summering near Pelly Bay is uncertain.

David Alagalak considered that this was a difficult topic to discuss by way of teleconference. He noted that KWF is under some financial stress at the present time, and would have difficulty planning and executing another bowhead hunt in that region in the near future. David asked for elaboration on the state of knowledge regarding bowhead whales at Pelly Bay. Michelle Wheatley advised that no research has been conducted recently, other than the information gathered through the Inuit Bowhead Knowledge Study. Gordon Koshinsky suggested that a separate briefing be prepared to explore and explain the bowhead situation at Pelly Bay.

Harry Flaherty urged the Board to involve the RWOs in deciding whether and where to conduct a bowhead hunt. He also suggested that this topic be explored in conjunction with the forthcoming Wildlife Research Priorities Workshop.

The Board decided (Resolution 2000- 062) to defer this item to the next Board Meeting, to allow for input that will be sought in conjunction with the forthcoming Wildlife Research Priorities Workshop, and specifically from the RWOs.

5. Funding Request for Purchase of Trailer: Clyde River HTO

Gordon Tomlinson advised the Board that the Clyde River HTO has requested funding assistance in the amount of $10,000 to purchase a trailer to be used for office space. All funds identified for the RWOs and HTOs have already been allocated for the current fiscal year.

Gordon noted that the NWMB has never previously granted a request of this nature to an HTO. The Board has granted assistance for capital acquisitions to some RWOs in the past, but only in the nature of loans. He recommended that the Board not approve this request, since approval would set a precedent in the matter of providing extra funding for HTO capital acquisitions.

After considerable discussion, the Board decided (Resolution 2000- 063) to deny the funding request. It was agreed that the Board’s letter of notification to the HTO would offer suggestions for possible alternate funding sources.

6. Polar Bear Quotas for the 1999/00 Season

Michelle Wheatley explained that DSD’s recommendation to the Board, brought forward at the last regular meeting, to reduce the 1999/00 polar bear quota for Igloolik in respect to the Foxe Basin population had been in error. Instead of a quota reduction and in accordance with the MOU, the recommendation should have been for a quota increase, from two to four animals for 1999/00.

The Board agreed that since the substance of its initial decision in this matter had been to approve the Department’s recommendations, and since the only concerns that were raised at the time pertained to the matter of quota reductions, it would be appropriate to simply amend the record of the NWMB’s initial decision to make it consistent with the Department’s altered recommendation.

7. Definition of Edible Meat of Marine Mammals

Jim Noble referred the Members to the letter of August 5 from DFO, requesting the NWMB to define “edible parts” in order to assist the Department in its current effort to re-write the Marine Mammal Regulations. DFO considers that a mutually agreeable definition is pertinent to re-writing the prohibition concerning wastage.

Jim advised that Kevin McCormick considered that it was DFO’s responsibility to come up with this definition. David Alagalak observed that it was unlikely that there could be a single definition that would be appropriate for all communities. He recommended that the matter be raised with the RWOs and the HTOs. David also suggested that the NWMB should not take full responsibility for consultation on this issue, and that DFO should take some responsibility as well. Michael d’Eça suggested that the matter raises a fundamental issue of process in respect to redrafting regulations. This letter from DFO seems to indicate that the Department is going about the exercise in an arbitrary and piecemeal manner. There should be a statement of principles to underpin the exercise from the beginning, and there should probably be a communication strategy or plan.

The Members decided that DFO should be informed of the Board’s general views on the matter, and agreed to defer the topic for further consideration at the forthcoming regular meeting.

8. Turbot Litigations: Update

Michael d’Eça advised that NTI lost the judicial review of the DFO Minister’s 1998 decision on turbot allocations. The Judge essentially rejected all of the arguments that were put forward by NTI on behalf of Nunavut interests, but his reasoning seems open to a lot of questions. The Judge relied almost exclusively on DFO’s presentation in making his summation. Michael suggested that it would be prudent to explore the possibility of negotiating a more favourable arrangement with the DFO Minister. If that were tried and failed, however, it seems likely that NTI would appeal this most recent decision of the Federal Court. Assuming that preparations would be made for such an appeal, the question for the NWMB to decide is what profile it wished to take in the matter going forward.

The Board decided (Resolution 2000- 064) to continue working with NTI and with others to urge the DFO Minister to grant more favourable consideration to Nunavut fishery interests in respect to Davis Strait fishery allocations but, in the event that those efforts were unsuccessful, to support NTI in preparing to appeal the most recent decision of the Federal Court if NTI decides to proceed in that direction.

9. Town of Iqaluit Water Licence: Application for Renewal

Michelle Wheatley reviewed the briefing note prepared by Rebecca Mike pertaining to this matter. The Town of Iqaluit has applied to the Nunavut Water Board for a renewal of its water licence in respect to its sewage lagoon and its sewage treatment plant now under construction. The application was the subject of a public hearing in Iqaluit in early September. The hearing adjourned with an invitation from the Water Board for further written submissions. The question is whether the NWMB should make such a submission.

Harry Flaherty suggested that this was a local (HTO) or perhaps a regional (RWO) concern, rather than something that should involve the NWMB. Michael d’Eça suggested that the scale of the issue was not important, but that if there are concerns that could affect fish or wildlife, then it would be reasonable and perhaps even incumbent for the NWMB to get involved. In any event, it would be appropriate for the NWMB to have in place criteria to govern such involvement. Harry suggested that Michael prepare a briefing note on the general subject.

The Board decided that rather than responding to the current issue, it would be appropriate to consider the matter in a strategic planning context, with a view to developing a framework for dealing with such matters in future.

10. Staffing: Update

Jim Noble reviewed the status of NWMB staffing actions. Amanda Ford has been hired to replace Isabel Simpson as Finance/Administration Officer, with Isabel departing on October 15. Interviews for the position of Harvest Study Coordinator have just been completed, and an individual has been selected. It was decided to bring the individual to Iqaluit in order to see the town and talk to Johnny McPherson about the position prior to signing a job offer. Harry Flaherty and other Members urged a re-doubling of efforts by the NWMB to hire Inuit beneficiaries.

11. Leave of Absence: Rebecca Mike

Jim Noble advised that Rebecca Mike has requested permission to take leave without pay for the period November 1 to December 17 in order to participate as a candidate in the NTI elections. The Board approved Rebecca’s request for leave.

12. Adjournment

The Conference Call adjourned at 1:10 p.m.

Minutes Approved by:___________________________ _________________

Chairperson Date

RESOLUTIONS: CONFERENCE CALL 44

Resolution 2000- 061: Resolved that the NWMB change the location for the next regular meeting from Cape Dorset to Sanikiluaq the week of November 22, and that the NWMB conduct a Strategic Planning Workshop in Iqaluit over the weekend prior to the regular meeting.

Moved by: Gordon Koshinsky Seconded by: David Alagalak

Carried Date: 14 October 1999

Resolution 2000- 062: Resolved that the NWMB defer its consideration of the matter of establishing a bowhead TAH for the year 2000 until the next regular meeting, in order to entertain discussion of the matter at the forthcoming Wildlife Research Priorities Workshop, and specifically to enable the RWOs to have input.

Moved by: Meeka Mike Seconded by: Harry Flaherty

Carried Date: 14 October 1999

Resolution 2000- 063: Resolved that the NWMB deny the request of Clyde River HTO for capital funding to purchase a new office building, and in communicating this decision to suggest other possible sources of funding that might be available.

Moved by: Harry Flaherty Seconded by: David Alagalak

Carried Date: 14 October 1999

Resolution 2000- 064: Resolved that the NWMB continue to work with NTI and with others to urge the DFO Minister to grant more favourable consideration to Nunavut fishery interests in respect to Davis Strait fishery allocations but, in the event that those efforts are unsuccessful, to support NTI in its preparations to appeal the most recent decision of the Federal Court if NTI decides to proceed with such an appeal.

Moved by: David Alagalak Seconded by: Harry Flaherty

Carried Date: 14 October 1999

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