Lori Idlout

Procedure · 14 wordsUqaqtittiji, I will be sharing my time with the member for Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek.Procedure Thanks · 27 wordsBefore I begin my speech, I just wanted to send a quick congratulatory note to North of North, which won multiple awards at the Canadian Screen Awards.¹Thanks Greeting · 1 wordsUllukkut.Greeting Procedure · 30 wordsI am happy to speak on behalf of Nunavummiut regarding Bill C-31, and I will be speaking regarding the proposed amendments to the Territorial Lands Act contained in Bill C-31.Procedure Positioning · 4 wordsThese amendments are essential.Positioning Claims · 166 wordsThe Territorial Lands Act helps govern how Crown lands are managed in Nunavut, a region that is central to Canada’s long-term vision for the north and to the development of a resilient Canadian economy. The amendments would strengthen Canada’s sovereignty to protect our national interests and support sustainable economic development for Nunavummiut. As the Prime Minister has made clear, the north is going through a period of profound change and unprecedented opportunity. The Arctic’s vast resources and growing marine access are creating new possibilities for trade, transportation and economic growth. Meanwhile, the world is becoming more dangerous and divided. Last March, the Prime Minister described the assumptions that shaped decades of Canadian defence and security as shifting rapidly. He said, “Climate change is causing our Arctic region to warm nearly three times faster than the global average, a shift that great powers are actively looking to exploit.”² Countries around the world are competing for access to the critical minerals needed for clean energy and advanced technology. Reasoning · 33 wordsIn this time of global uncertainty, Canada must be prepared. We must build strength here at home, bolster our security, build a stronger Canada and take full responsibility for defending our Arctic sovereignty. Positioning · 7 wordsCanada is moving from reliance to resilience.Positioning Promise · 28 wordsWe will no longer depend on any one nation. We will build a stronger, more independent country.Vague promise We will take measures to build and keep the north secure.Vague promise Claims · 58 wordsWe are working with territorial and indigenous partners to seize these opportunities and boldly develop the full economic potential of the region. As announced by the Prime Minister, “At the centre of this plan are the 140,000 Northerners and Indigenous peoples who will have stronger, more sustainable, more connected communities, greater opportunities, ³and a lower cost of living.” Positioning · 4 wordsThe stakes are high, PositioningReasoning · 69 wordsand we need to act. That is why we are proposing these important amendments to the Territorial Lands Act. If we are going to responsibly develop Canada’s critical minerals, clean energy and transportation and trade corridors needed to strengthen our economy, Canada’s national interests must guide our decisions. We cannot allow our resources to be taken up or used in ways that undermine our security, sovereignty or economic future. Procedure · 8 wordsLet me explain what the amendments would do.Procedure Claims · 184 wordsThe Territorial Lands Act sets the framework for making decisions about land use, mineral exploration and development, and environmental protections on Crown lands in Nunavut. However, the current framework does not provide a clear tool to address solutions where mineral tenure would interfere with Canada’s national interests. Bill C-31 would address this gap. If passed, the amendments would allow the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs, to act when it is in the national interest. This could include stopping mineral claims on certain lands for a period of time, cancelling existing mineral rights, cancelling prospecting licences and, in some cases, preventing specified parties from reapplying for those licences and mineral rights permanently or for a period of time.⁴ The proposed amendments would also establish clear processes around notification and compensation. The minister would be required to notify any affected mineral rights holder and determine whether compensation would be warranted, ⁵and, if so, how much. The legislation would also allow regulations to support implementation of these measures where needed. These are targeted measures intended for limited circumstances. Reasoning · 24 wordsAs global interest in Canada’s resources grows, we must ensure access to those resources is administered in a way that protects Canada’s national interests. Claims · 34 wordsThe goal of these changes is to ensure that mineral rights on federal Crown land in Nunavut are protected, in partnership with Inuit, for the benefit of their communities and to safeguard our country. Positioning · 9 wordsNunavummiut are at the heart of a strong Arctic.Positioning Reasoning · 15 wordsProtecting our sovereignty in the north relies on partnership with the people who live there. Claims · 124 wordsThat is why the amendments to the Territorial Lands Act were informed by engagement with indigenous partners and the Government of Nunavut. In fact, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. asked the Government of Canada to address these potential risks on federal Crown land in Nunavut, just as they are doing on their lands.⁶ That request helped inform these proposed amendments. Following discussions with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the Government of Nunavut, budget 2025 included a commitment to pursue amendments to the Territorial Lands Act.⁷ Between December 2025 and March 2026, the government engaged with five indigenous groups with asserted or established rights in Nunavut, ⁸as well as with the Government of Nunavut, on the proposed amendments. We have heard clearly that indigenous rights must be respected. Promise · 27 wordsWe will continue to work so that these amendments align with territorial laws as Nunavut moves forward toward greater decision-making authority, through devolution planned for April 2027.⁹Vague promise Claims · 25 wordsOur discussions with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the Government of Nunavut showed broad support for measures that would help address risk to Canada’s national interests. Positioning · 18 wordsWe believe that the proposed amendments strike the right balance between economic opportunity, indigenous partnership and national security.Positioning Promise · 41 wordsShould these amendments pass, our work will not stop. The comments raised through engagement will continue to inform the work ahead, including Nunavut devolution, implementation of the United Nations declaration action plan and the ongoing review of federal laws across government. Claims · 31 wordsSeveral provinces and territories are also taking steps to modernize how mineral rights are managed and to address similar security and sovereignty vulnerabilities resulting from Canada’s mineral rights free entry system. Reasoning · 27 wordsNunavut should not be left behind. Canada needs modern tools that reflect today’s economic and security realities in partnership with provinces, territories, indigenous partners and rights holders. Claims · 30 wordsThe proposed amendments would complement other security-related initiatives being advanced across the federal government, including Public Safety Canada, Natural Resources Canada, the Department of National Defence and Global Affairs Canada. Positioning · 42 wordsUltimately, this work is about partnership. It is about working alongside Inuit, indigenous governments, territorial partners, federal partners, industry and communities to build a stronger and more secure north together. It is about protecting the safety and security of everyone in Canada.Positioning Reasoning · 55 wordsInuit are at the heart of Arctic sovereignty because the north is where they live, work and raise their families. As such, this is about making sure Inuit have the ability to help shape decisions about the future of their lands and resources in ways that create lasting benefits for their communities and future generations.