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Bill C-25

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Establishment, Abolition and Alteration of Area
Interpretation
Ministerial Initiative
173. If a federal or territorial minister proposes an initiative referred to in subsection 174(1), a reference to a department or agency in subsections 174(1) and (3), 177(6), 178(1) and (4), section 180 and paragraph 182(a) is a reference to that minister.
Proposal
Duty — department or agency
174. (1) The department or agency proposing an initiative whose purpose is to establish or abolish a park or a conservation area, in whole or in part inside the designated area, or to expand or reduce its area, in whole or in part within the designated area, must submit a proposal to the Commission.
Content of proposal
(2) The proposal must contain a description of the initiative prepared in accordance with the by-laws and rules made under paragraph 17(1)(e).
Notice
(3) The Commission must publish in its public registry a notice of receipt for the initiative. That notice must contain a summary of the initiative, including a description of its nature and an indication of where it is to be carried out, and the name of the department or agency.
Land Use Plan in Effect
Conformity with plan
175. (1) The Commission must determine if an initiative is in conformity with any land use plan that is applicable to the place where the initiative is to be carried out.
Multiple plans
(2) If different portions of the initiative are subject to different land use plans, the Commission must determine if each portion is in conformity with the land use plan applicable to it, and if one portion of the initiative is not in conformity with the land use plan applicable to it, the entire initiative is deemed not to be in conformity.
Initiative in conformity with land use plan
176. If the Commission determines that the initiative is in conformity with any applicable land use plan, it must send the proposal relating to the initiative to the Board in order for the Board to conduct a screening.
Initiative not in conformity with land use plan
177. (1) If the Commission determines that the initiative is not in conformity with an applicable land use plan, it must verify whether that land use plan authorizes it to grant a minor variance with respect to that initiative and whether the conditions set out in accordance with subsection 48(3), if any, are met.
Minor variance permitted
(2) If the land use plan authorizes the granting of a minor variance and if the conditions, if any, are met, the Commission may, within 20 days after its determination that the initiative is not in conformity with the plan,
(a) grant the variance, in which case it must send the proposal relating to the initiative to the Board in order for the Board to conduct a screening; or
(b) refuse to grant the variance.
Publication
(3) Before granting a minor variance under paragraph (2)(a), the Commission must make the proposed minor variance public and must do so in a manner designed to promote participation in its examination by the public.
Objection
(4) Any interested person may, within 10 days after the proposed minor variance is made public, indicate to the Commission, in writing, that the proposed minor variance should not be granted because
(a) the land use plan does not authorize the granting of the minor variance;
(b) the conditions subject to which a minor variance may be granted are not met; or
(c) the minor variance is not appropriate, in their opinion, for any other reason that they specify.
Reasons taken into account and public review
(5) The Commission may only grant a minor variance under paragraph (2)(a) after taking into account any reasons for which an interested person has indicated, under subsection (4), that it should not be granted and, if it considers it appropriate to do so, conducting a public review in accordance with the by-laws and rules made under section 17 and taking into account any submissions made during that review.
Extension of time limit
(6) If the Commission is of the opinion that more time is needed to make a decision under subsection (2), it may extend the period referred to in that subsection by up to 10 days and must notify the department or agency of the extension in writing.
Request for ministerial exemption
178. (1) If the Commission determines that the initiative is not in conformity with an applicable land use plan, the department or agency may request an exemption from the federal Minister or the territorial Minister, or both, taking into account their respective jurisdictions, within 60 days after
(a) that determination, if the land use plan does not authorize the granting of a minor variance or if it does and the conditions are not met; or
(b) the Commission’s decision to refuse to grant a minor variance.
Ministerial decision
(2) The Minister or Ministers, as the case may be, must, within 120 days after the day on which they receive a request under subsection (1), either
(a) grant the exemption, in which case the Commission must make the decision public and send the proposal relating to the initiative to the Board in order for the Board to conduct a screening; or
(b) refuse the exemption.
Consultation
(3) An exemption may only be granted after consultation with the Commission, the relevant regulatory authorities and the relevant departments or agencies that are not regulatory authorities.
Extension of time limit
(4) If any Minister referred to in subsection (1) is of the opinion that more time is needed to make a decision, that Minister may extend the period referred to in subsection (2) by up to 60 days and must notify the department or agency and the Commission of the extension in writing.
Time limit
179. (1) The Commission must exercise its powers and perform its duties and functions under sections 175 and 176 within 45 days after the day on which it receives the proposal in respect of the initiative.
Time not counted
(2) If the Commission determines that an initiative is not in conformity with an applicable land use plan, any time required for the exercise of powers or the performance of duties and functions relating to minor variances and ministerial exemptions does not count as part of the period referred to in subsection (1).
Time not counted — public review
(3) If the Commission conducts a public review under subsection 177(5), any time required to conduct it does not count as part of the period referred to in subsection 177(2).
Time not counted — additional information
180. Any time required for the department or agency to provide information required under subsection 144(1) as modified by paragraph 182(a) does not count as part of the periods referred to in subsections 177(2) and (4) and 179(1).
No Land Use Plan
Sending of proposal
181. If there is no applicable land use plan, the Commission must, within 10 days after the day on which it receives the proposal in respect of the initiative, send the proposal to the Board in order for the Board to conduct a screening.
Applicable Regime
Application of certain provisions
182. Sections 73, 75, 86, 88 to 99, 101 to 146, 148 to 150 and 156 to 162 apply in respect of the initiative, subject to the following:
(a) in those sections, a reference to a project is a reference to the initiative and a reference to a proponent is a reference to a department or agency;
(b) in paragraph 75(1)(a) and subsections 141(2), 142(3), 143(4), 144(4) and 156(1), the reference to section 76 is a reference to section 174;
(c) in paragraph 75(1)(d), the reference to section 77 is a reference to section 175 and the references to paragraphs 81(2)(a) and 82(2)(a) are, respectively, references to paragraphs 177(2)(a) and 178(2)(a);
(d) in subsection 86(1) and paragraph 92(3)(a), the reference to “section 79 or subsection 80(1)” is a reference to “section 176 or paragraph 177(2)(a) or 178(2)(a) or section 181”;
(e) in subsections 86(3), 99(3) and 118(3), the references to sections 77, 81 and 82 are, respectively, references to sections 175, 177 and 178;
(f) the Board must screen the initiative in relation to which it has determined the scope in the manner that it considers appropriate to the nature of the initiative if it makes no inclusion under paragraph 86(1)(a) or if it makes an inclusion under that paragraph and it receives a decision, by reason of subsection 86(3), as modified by paragraph (e), that the entire initiative is in conformity with any applicable land use plan, that a minor variance or a ministerial exemption has been granted in respect of it or that there is no land use plan applicable to it;
(g) in paragraph 92(3)(c) and subsection 157(2), the reference to subsection 86(3) is a reference to that subsection as modified by paragraph (e);
(h) in paragraph 93(1)(a) and subsection 111(3), the reference respecting paragraphs 74(f) and (g) does not apply;
(i) the Board must review the initiative in relation to which it has determined the scope if it makes no inclusion under paragraph 99(1)(a) or if it makes an inclusion under that paragraph and
(i) it receives a decision, by reason of subsection 99(3), as modified by paragraph (e), that the entire initiative is in conformity with any applicable land use plan, that a minor variance or a ministerial exemption has been granted in respect of it or that there is no land use plan applicable to it, and
(ii) following the new screening, it is determined under subparagraph 94(1)(a)(iv) that the Board must conduct the review of the initiative;
(j) in section 119, the reference to subsection 118(3) is a reference to that subsection as modified by paragraph (e);
(k) in paragraph 135(3)(b), the reference respecting subsection 152(6) does not apply;
(l) in subsection 139(3), the reference to paragraph 93(1)(a) is a reference to that paragraph as modified by paragraph (h);
(m) in paragraph 150(a), the reference to section 77 is a reference to section 175;
(n) in paragraph 150(b), the references to paragraphs 81(2)(a) and 82(2)(a) are, respectively, references to paragraphs 177(2)(a) and 178(2)(a), the reference to section 93 is a reference to that section as modified by paragraph (h), and the references to subsection 152(6) and paragraph 154(1)(b) do not apply;
(o) in paragraph 150(c), the reference to subsection 86(1) is a reference to that subsection as modified by paragraph (d);
(p) in paragraph 150(d), the reference respecting subsection 152(4) does not apply;
(q) in subsection 156(1), the reference to section 80 does not apply;
(r) in subsection 156(2), the reference respecting sections 77 to 79, 81, 82 and 85 is a reference to sections 175 to 178 and 181;
(s) in subsection 157(1), the reference to sections 86 to 98 is a reference to paragraph (f) and sections 86 and 88 to 98, taking into account any modifications made to those sections under this section;
(t) in subsection 157(2), the reference to section 87 is a reference to paragraph (f);
(u) in subsection 158(2), the reference to subsection 99(3) is a reference to that subsection as modified by paragraph (e), the reference to sections 100 to 114 is a reference to paragraph (i) and sections 101 to 114, taking into account any modifications made to those sections under this section;
(v) in subsection 158(3), the reference to subsection 99(3) is a reference to that subsection as modified by paragraph (e), and the reference to section 100 is a reference to paragraph (i);
(w) in subsection 161(3), the reference to sections 116 to 133 is a reference to those sections, taking into account any modifications made to those sections under this section;
(x) in subsection 161(4), the reference to subsection 118(3) is a reference to that subsection as modified by paragraph (e) and the reference to section 119 is a reference to that section as modified by paragraph (j); and
(y) in subsections 162(1) and (4), the references to subsections 161(3) and (4) are references to those subsections as modified by paragraphs (w) and (x).
Previous work
Consideration
183. The person or body exercising powers or performing duties or functions under sections 174 to 182 may consider, and rely on, any information collected, or study or analysis carried out, in respect of the initiative by any department or agency so as to ensure efficiency and avoid duplication.
PART 4
REVIEW OF PROJECTS TO BE CARRIED OUT OUTSIDE THE DESIGNATED AREA
Initiative
184. In this Part, “project” includes an initiative whose purpose is to establish or abolish a park or a conservation area or to expand or reduce its area.
Review by Board
185. The Board may — at the request of the Government of Canada or the Government of Nunavut or, with the consent of both governments, of the designated Inuit organization — conduct a review of a project that is to be carried out entirely outside the designated area and may have significant adverse ecosystemic or socio-economic impacts inside the designated area.
Report
186. Within 45 days after the end of the Board’s review of a project, the Board must submit to the Government of Canada and the Government of Nunavut, and to the designated Inuit organization if the review was conducted at its request, a written report that contains
(a) its assessment of the project and the project’s ecosystemic and socio-economic impacts inside the designated area;
(b) its determination, based on the assessment referred to in paragraph (a), as to whether the project should or should not proceed; and
(c) if it determines that a project should proceed, any terms and conditions that it recommends should apply in respect of the project.
Follow-up
187. The Government of Canada and the Government of Nunavut must each take any action in response to the report that it considers appropriate in the circumstances.
Interpretation
188. For greater certainty, sections 185 to 187 do not limit the jurisdiction of any other authority having powers, duties or functions in relation to the review of the impacts of the project.
PART 5
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Interpretation
Initiative
189. (1) In this Part, in the case of an initiative referred to in subsection 174(1), a reference to a project is a reference to the initiative and a reference to a proponent is a reference to the department or agency — or, by application of section 173, the federal or territorial minister — proposing that initiative.
Responsible authority
(2) In this Part “responsible authority” has the same meaning as in section 163.
Standing during assessment
Standing — certain Indian bands
190. In the exercise of their powers and the performance of their duties and functions related to review under Parts 2 to 4, the Commission, the Board, any federal environmental assessment panel and any joint panel must accord full standing to the councils of the Fort Churchill Indian Band, the Northlands Indian Band, the Black Lake Indian Band, the Hatchet Lake Indian Band and the Fond du Lac Indian Band to make submissions respecting the interests of their respective bands in relation to the areas within the designated area that those bands have traditionally used and continue to use and those bodies must take those submissions into account.
Standing — Makivik
191. In the exercise of their powers and the performance of their duties and functions in relation to islands and marine areas of the Nunavut Settlement Area that are traditionally used and occupied by the Inuit of Northern Quebec, the Commission, the Board, any federal environmental assessment panel and any joint panel must accord full standing to Makivik to make submissions respecting the interests of the Inuit of northern Quebec and those bodies must take those submissions into account.
Coordination of Activities
Commission and Board
192. The Commission and the Board may coordinate their respective activities.
Nunavut Water Board
193. The Commission, any responsible authority, the Board, any federal environmental assessment panel and any joint panel must coordinate their respective activities relating to the review of a project requiring a licence under the Nunavut Waters and Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act with those of the Nunavut Water Board so as to ensure efficiency and avoid duplication.
Similar institutions
194. The Commission, any responsible authority, the Board, any federal environmental assessment panel and any joint panel may coordinate their respective activities with those of bodies having similar powers, duties or functions in any area in or adjacent to the designated area.
Agreement — impacts outside designated area
195. (1) The Government of Canada and the Government of Nunavut must, with the assist- ance of the Board, use their best efforts to negotiate and enter into agreements with governments or relevant authorities in other jurisdictions for the purpose of ensuring collab- oration between the Board, any federal envi- ronmental assessment panel and those governments or authorities, in respect of the review of projects that are to be carried out inside the designated area and that may have significant ecosystemic or socio-economic impacts outside the designated area.
Interpretation
(2) For greater certainty, nothing in any agreement entered into under subsection (1) has the effect of restricting the jurisdiction of the Board.
Advice regarding marine areas
196. The Commission and the Board may advise departments or agencies and make recommendations to them respecting marine areas, either individually or, as part of the Nunavut Marine Council referred to in section 15.4.1 of the Agreement, both acting jointly with the Nunavut Water Board and the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, and the Government of Canada and the Government of Nunavut must consider that advice and those recommendations when making any decision that may affect those marine areas.
Information and Documents
Obtaining Information
Required information
197. (1) If a regulatory authority or a department or agency or municipality that is not a regulatory authority is in possession of specialist or expert information or knowledge, including traditional knowledge, it must, at the request of the Commission, a responsible authority, the Board, a federal environmental assessment panel, a joint panel or the responsible Minister, as the case may be, make that information or knowledge available to them if they require it to exercise their powers or perform their duties or functions.
Limitation — discretion
(2) Despite subsection (1), if a regulatory authority or a department or agency or municipality that is not a regulatory authority has a discretion under any other Act of Parliament or any territorial law to refuse to disclose the information or knowledge, they are not required to disclose it.
Exercise of discretion
(3) Any discretion referred to in subsection (2) must be exercised taking into account the objectives of the Agreement.
Limitation — restriction on disclosure
198. Despite any other provision of this Act, proponents, regulatory authorities and departments or agencies that are not regulatory authorities are not required to provide the Commission, a responsible authority, the Board, any federal environmental assessment panel, any joint panel, the responsible Minister or any person designated under section 209 with any information whose disclosure is restricted under any other Act of Parliament or any territorial law.
Use of Information
Limitation — use relating to exercise of powers, etc.
199. The members and employees of the Commission or the Board, the employees of a responsible authority, the members of a federal environmental assessment panel or joint panel, the responsible Minister and any person designated under section 209 are prohibited from using any information received under this Act for any purpose other than exercising powers or performing duties and functions under this Act.
Communication of Information and Documents
Decisions and reports — Commission
200. (1) The Commission must provide
(a) the proponent, the Board and the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent with any decision that it makes under section 77, subsection 78(1), section 80, subsection 81(2), 85(1), 142(1) or 144(2), section 175 or subsection 177(2);
(b) in the case of a decision made under subsection 80(2), the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent with the project proposal; and
(c) the Board and the relevant regulatory authorities with any report submitted under subsection 152(3).
Decisions, reports and certificates — Board
(2) The Board must
(a) provide the proponent, the Commission and the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent with any decision that it makes under subsections 86(1), 99(1) or 142(1);
(b) provide the proponent and the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent with any original or revised report referred to in subsection 92(1), 104(1) or (3), 107(1) or (2) or 112(5) or paragraph 135(4)(c);
(c) in the case of a decision made under paragraph 93(1)(a), or after issuing a certificate under subsection 111(1), 112(10) or 132(1), provide the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent with the project proposal;
(d) provide the proponent with every original or amended project certificate that it issues and provide a copy of that certificate to the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent;
(e) provide the proponent, the Minister of the Environment and the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent with the findings and conclusions referred to in section 124;
(f) provide the proponent, the Minister of the Environment and the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent with any report referred to in subsection 127(1) or (2);
(g) provide the proponent and the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent with any decision that it makes under subsection 144(2) or paragraph 154(1)(b); and
(h) provide the Commission and the relevant regulatory authorities with any report submitted under subsection 152(4).
Decisions and reports — panels
(3) Each federal environmental assessment panel must provide
(a) the proponent, the Commission and the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent with any decision made by the Minister of the Environment under subsection 118(1);
(b) the proponent and the regulatory author- ities identified by the proponent with any report submitted under subsection 123(1) and any decision made under subsection 144(2); and
(c) the proponent, the Commission, the Board and the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent with any decision that it makes under subsection 142(1).
Decisions — Minister
(4) The responsible Minister must provide
(a) the proponent, the Board and the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent with any decision made by that Minister under subsection 93(1), 94(1) or (3), 95(1), 105(1), 106(1), 107(3) or (4) or 112(6) or (7) and with any decision amended under subsection 139(3); and
(b) the proponent, the Board, the Minister of the Environment and the regulatory author- ities identified by the proponent with any decision made by the responsible Minister under subsection 125(1), 126(1) or 127(3) or (4).
Other decisions — Minister
(5) The federal Minister or the territorial Minister, or both, as the case may be, must provide
(a) the Commission with any request for a ministerial exemption submitted under subsection 82(1) or 178(1); and
(b) the proponent, the Commission, the Board and the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent with any decision made under subsection 82(2) or 178(2).
Decisions and reports — Minister
(6) The federal Minister must provide
(a) the relevant regulatory authorities with any report submitted under subsection 152(2); and
(b) the person or entity referred to in subsection 152(2), the Commission, the Board and the relevant regulatory authorities with any decision made under subsection 152(6).
Decisions and reports — joint panel
(7) Each joint panel must provide
(a) the proponent, the authority referred to in paragraph 160(1)(b) and the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent with any report submitted under subsection 123(1); and
(b) the proponent, the Commission, the Board and the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent with any decision it makes under subsection 142(1).
Decisions and reports — responsible authority
(8) Each responsible authority must provide
(a) the Board and the relevant regulatory authorities with any report submitted under subsection 152(3);
(b) the proponent, the Commission, the Board and the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent with any decision that it makes under section 165, subsection 166(1) or section 168; and
(c) in the case of a decision made under subsection 168(2), the project proposal to the regulatory authorities identified by the proponent.
Interpretation
(9) For the purposes of paragraphs (2)(a) and (h), (3)(a) and (c), (6)(b) and (7)(b), in the case of a project referred to in subsection 164(1), a reference to the Commission is a reference to the responsible authority.
Public registry — Commission
201. (1) The Commission must maintain a public registry that is made accessible to the public via the Internet, and the Commission must include, as soon as practicable, the following in that registry:
(a) reports referred to in paragraph 14(b), section 53 and subsections 61(1), 152(2) and (3) and 227(2);
(b) by-laws and rules established under subsection 17(1);
(c) any draft land use plan prepared under section 49;
(d) comments received under subsection 50(2);
(e) notices referred to in subsections 51(2), 76(4), 141(1), 142(1), 164(4) and 174(3);
(f) decisions made under subsections 54(1) and (3) and 62(1) and (3), section 77, subsection 78(1), section 80, subsections 81(2), 82(2), 85(1), 144(2) and 152(6), section 175 and subsections 177(2) and 178(2);
(g) land use plans approved under subsection 55(1);
(h) recommendations received under section 56;
(i) proposals for amendment of a land use plan made under subsections 59(1) and (3);
(j) amendments to a land use plan approved under subsections 62(1) and (3);
(k) proposed minor variances referred to in subsection 81(3);
(l) reasons referred to in subsections 81(4) and 177(4);
(m) requests referred to in subsections 82(1), 143(1) and (3), 144(1), and 178(1); and
(n) any additional information submitted under subsection 144(1).
Limited effect
(2) Including any document in the registry is insufficient to discharge the relevant authority’s duty to make it public or to exercise a power to do so, as the case may be.
Public registry — Board
202. (1) The Board must maintain a public registry that is made accessible to the public via the Internet, and the Board must include, as soon as practicable, the following in that registry:
(a) by-laws and rules established under subsection 26(1);
(b) project proposals received under section 79, subsection 80(1), section 167 and subsection 168(1);
(c) decisions made by the Board and the responsible Minister under Part 3;
(d) original and revised reports referred to in subsections 92(1), 104(1) and (3), 107(1) and (2), 112(5), 123(1), 127(1) and (2), paragraph 135(4)(c), subsections 152(2) and (4) and section 186;
(e) guidelines sent under subsections 101(5) and 120(6);
(f) impact statements submitted under subsections 101(6) and 120(7);
(g) notices given under subsection 102(2), section 110, subsection 121(2) and section 131;
(h) any original or amended project certificate issued by the Board;
(i) any terms of reference for a federal environmental assessment panel or a joint panel fixed under section 117;
(j) copies of any findings and conclusions provided under section 124;
(k) notices given by the Board, a federal environmental assessment panel or a joint panel under subsection 142(1);
(l) any request referred to in subsection 143(1) and (3) and 144(1);
(m) any additional information submitted under subsection 144(1);
(n) reports submitted by a responsible authority under subsection 152(3), by application of section 170;
(o) decisions made under 152(6);
(p) decisions made under section 165, subsection 166(1) and section 168; and
(q) agreements referred to in subsection 230(3).
Limited effect
(2) Including any document in the registry is insufficient to discharge the relevant authority’s duty to make it public or to exercise a power to do so, as the case may be.
Joint registry
203. The Commission and the Board may agree to maintain a joint public registry in accordance with the requirements of sections 201 and 202.
Limitation
204. (1) Despite any other provision of this Act, a member or employee of the Commission or the Board, an employee of a responsible authority, a member of a federal environmental assessment panel or joint panel, the responsible Minister and any person designated under section 209 may only disclose, in the exercise of their powers and the performance of their duties and functions under this Act, a document, part of a document or information, including by placing it in a public registry, if
(a) it has otherwise been made publicly available; or
(b) its disclosure
(i) would have been made in accordance with the Access to Information Act if a request had been made in respect of that document under that Act at the time the document came under their control under this Act, including any document that would be disclosed in the public interest under subsection 20(6) of the Access to Information Act,
(ii) is not prohibited under any other Act of Parliament or territorial law, and
(iii) would not contravene an agreement that a document, part of a document or information, provided to a person or body exercising powers or performing duties or functions under this Act, is confidential and must be treated accordingly.
Application of certain provisions
(2) Sections 27, 28 and 44 of the Access to Information Act apply in respect of any information described in subsection 27(1) of that Act that a person referred to in subsection (1) intends to disclose, with any modifications that the circumstances require, including the following:
(a) the information is deemed to be a record that the head of a government institution intends to disclose; and
(b) any reference to the person who requested access is to be disregarded.
Prevention of unauthorized disclosure
205. Persons referred to in subsection 204(1) must take all necessary precautions to prevent the disclosure of any document, part of a document or information that they are not permitted to disclose under that subsection.
Exercise of discretion
206. The Commission and the Board must take into account the objectives of the Agreement when exercising any discretion relating to the disclosure of information they have under any Act of Parliament.
Rights Preserved
Approval or amendment during assessment
207. (1) The approval of a land use plan under subsection 55(1), or its amendment under subsection 62(1) or (3), after a project proposal has been submitted in accordance with section 76 is not to be taken into account in the assessment of a project under Part 3 or for the purposes of paragraphs 14(a) and 74(f), but it must be taken into account for the purposes of subsection 69(1).
Approval or amendment after assessment
(2) An approval or amendment referred to in subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a project that was approved under Part 3 before that approval or amendment and is not to be taken into account for the purposes of paragraphs 14(a) and 74(f), but it must be taken into account for the purposes of subsection 69(1). For greater certainty, such a project is not subject to a new assessment under that Part.
Stoppage, etc. — less than five years
208. (1) Despite paragraphs 74(a) and (b), the following projects are not subject to an assessment under Part 3:
(a) a project that was approved under that Part, was commenced and then stopped or shut down for a period of less than five years; or
(b) the rebuilding of a work that has been closed for a period of less than five years if it relates to a project that was approved under that Part and lawfully carried out.
Deeming — paragraph (1)(b)
(2) Any decision made under subsection 80(2) or paragraph 93(1)(a), or an original or amended project certificate that was issued, in respect of the original project referred to in paragraph (1)(b) is deemed to have been made or issued, as the case may be, in relation to the rebuilding of the work.
Interpretation — paragraph (1)(a)
(3) For greater certainty, any decision made under subsection 80(2) or paragraph 93(1)(a), or an original or amended project certificate that was issued, in respect of the project referred to in paragraph (1)(a) remains valid.
Approval or amendment of land use plan after authorization
(4) The approval of a land use plan under subsection 55(1), or its amendment under subsection 62(1) or (3), after the approval of the project referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or the original project referred to in paragraph (1)(b) does not apply in respect of the project referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or the rebuilding of the work, as the case may be, is not to be taken into account for the purposes of paragraphs 14(a) and 74(f), but it must be taken into account for the purposes of subsection 69(1).
Stoppage, etc. — five years or more
(5) If the period of stoppage or closure is equal to or greater than five years, the proponent must submit a project proposal to the Commission in accordance with section 76 and that project is deemed to be in conformity with any applicable land use plan. The Commission must verify whether the project is exempt from screening under subsection 78(2), and sections 73 to 75, subsection 78(3) and sections 79, 80, 83 and 85 to 162 apply in respect of the project.
Previous assessments
(6) If a work or an activity is not exempt from a new assessment under subsection (1), any person or body exercising powers or performing duties or functions under Part 3 must consider, and may rely on, any assessment activities carried out under that Part in respect of the original project.
Administration and Enforcement
Designation
Power to designate
209. For the purposes of sections 210 to 215, the federal Minister may designate any employee, or class of employees, of a department or agency to exercise powers in relation to any matter referred to in the designation.
Powers
Authority to enter
210. (1) A person who is designated to verify compliance with this Act or orders made under section 214 may, for that purpose, enter a place in which they have reasonable grounds to believe that a project is being carried out or a document or any thing relating to a project is located.
Powers on entry
(2) The designated person may, for the purpose referred to in subsection (1),
(a) examine anything in the place;
(b) use any means of communication in the place or cause it to be used;
(c) use any computer system in the place, or cause it to be used, to examine data contained in or available to that system;
(d) prepare a document, or cause one to be prepared, based on the data;
(e) use any copying equipment in the place, or cause it to be used;
(f) remove any thing from the place for examination or copying;
(g) take photographs and make recordings or sketches;
(h) order the owner or person in charge of the place or any person at the place to establish their identity to the designated person’s satisfaction or to stop or start an activity;
(i) order the owner or person having possession, care or control of any thing in the place to not move it, or to restrict its movement, for as long as, in the designated person’s opinion, is necessary;
(j) direct any person to put any machinery, vehicle or equipment in the place into operation or to cease operating it; and
(k) prohibit or limit access to all or part of the place.
Certificate
(3) The federal Minister must provide every designated person with a certificate of designation. On entering any place, that person must, if so requested, produce the certificate to the occupant or person in charge of the place.
Duty to assist
(4) The owner or person in charge of the place and every person in the place must give all assistance that is reasonably required to enable the designated person to verify compliance with this Act or orders made under section 214 and must provide any documents, data or information that are reasonably required for that purpose.
Warrant for dwelling-house
211. (1) If the place referred to in subsection 210(1) is a dwelling-house, the designated person may only enter it with the occupant’s consent or under the authority of a warrant issued under subsection (2).
Authority to issue warrant
(2) On ex parte application, a justice of the peace may issue a warrant authorizing the designated person who is named in it to enter a dwelling-house, subject to any conditions specified in the warrant, if the justice of the peace is satisfied by information on oath that
(a) the dwelling-house is a place referred to in subsection 210(1);
(b) entry to the dwelling-house is necessary for the purpose of verifying compliance with this Act or orders made under section 214; and
(c) entry was refused by the occupant or there are reasonable grounds to believe that entry will be refused or that consent to entry cannot be obtained from the occupant.
Entering private property
212. (1) For the purpose of gaining entry to a place referred to in subsection 210(1), a designated person may enter and pass through private property. For greater certainty, no person has a right to object to that use of the property and no warrant is required for the entry, unless the property is a dwelling-house.
Person accompanying designated person
(2) A person may, at the designated person’s request, accompany the designated person to assist them in gaining entry to the place referred to in subsection 210(1) and is not liable for doing so.
Use of force
213. In executing a warrant to enter a dwelling-house, a designated person must not use force unless the use of force has been specifically authorized in the warrant and the designated person is accompanied by a peace officer.
Orders
Measures required
214. (1) If a person designated to verify compliance with this Act believes on reasonable grounds that there is a contravention of this Act, they may, among other things, order a person or entity to
(a) stop doing something that is in contravention of this Act or cause it to be stopped; or
(b) take any measure that the designated person considers necessary in order for the person or entity to comply with this Act or to mitigate the effects of the contravention.
Notice
(2) The order must be provided in the form of a written notice and must include
(a) a statement of the reasons for the order; and
(b) the time and manner in which the order must be carried out.
Coordination
Activities — designated persons
215. A person who is designated to verify compliance with this Act or orders made under section 214 must coordinate their activities with those of any person designated for the purposes of verifying compliance with any other Act of Parliament or territorial law so as to ensure efficiency and avoid duplication.
Injunction
Court — powers
216. (1) If, on the application of the responsible Minister, as defined in subsection 73(1), it appears to a court of competent jurisdiction that a person has done, is about to do or is likely to do any act constituting or directed toward the commission of an offence under this Act, the court may issue an injunction ordering the person who is named in the application to
(a) refrain from doing an act that, in the opinion of the court, may constitute or be directed toward the commission of the offence; or
(b) do an act that, in the opinion of the court, may prevent the commission of the offence.
Notice
(2) At least 48 hours before an injunction is issued under subsection (1), notice of the application must be given to persons named in the application, unless the urgency of the situation is such that the delay involved in giving the notice would not be in the public interest.
Prohibitions, Offences and Punishment
Obstruction
217. It is prohibited to knowingly obstruct or hinder a designated person who is exercising their powers or performing their duties and functions under this Act.
False statements or information
218. It is prohibited to knowingly make a false or misleading statement or knowingly provide false or misleading information in connection with any matter under this Act to any person who is exercising their powers or performing their duties and functions under this Act.
Offence and punishment
219. (1) Any person who contravenes section 74, subsection 147(2) or 152(7) or an order made under paragraph 214(1)(a) or (b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable to a fine of not more than $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both.
False statements or information
(2) Any person who contravenes section 217 or 218 is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable to a fine of not more than $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both.
Continuing offences
(3) If an offence under subsection (1) is committed or continued on more than one day, it constitutes a separate offence for each day on which it is committed or continued.
Defence
(4) A person may not be convicted of an offence under subsection (1) if they establish that they exercised due diligence to prevent the commission of the offence.
Judicial Matters
Court Jurisdiction
Judicial review — concurrent jurisdiction
220. Despite the exclusive jurisdiction referred to in section 18 of the Federal Courts Act, the Attorney General of Canada, the Attorney General of Nunavut or anyone directly affected by the matter in respect of which relief is sought may make an application for judicial review to the Nunavut Court of Justice for any relief against the Commission or the Board by way of an injunction or declaration or by way of an order in the nature of certiorari, mandamus, quo warranto or prohibition.
Court reference
221. The Board or the Commission may refer a question of law or jurisdiction arising in relation to its powers, duties and functions under this Act to the Nunavut Court of Justice.
Standing
222. The designated Inuit organization may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for
(a) a determination of whether any applica- ble requirement of an applicable land use plan has been implemented under section 69 and, if not, for any order that the Court considers necessary in the circumstances;
(b) a determination of whether a project is, or has been, carried out in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 74(f) and, if not, for any order that the Court considers necessary in the circumstances;
(c) a determination of whether a project is, or has been, carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the original or amended project certificate and, if not, for any order that the Court considers necessary in the circumstances;
(d) a determination of whether any term or condition referred to in paragraph (c) has been implemented under section 136 or 137 and, if not, for any order that the Court considers necessary in the circumstances;
(e) a determination of whether a project referred to paragraph 152(1)(a), (b) or (c) is, or has been, carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions imposed under subsection 152(6) and, if not, for any order that the Court considers necessary in the circumstances; or
(f) judicial review of any interim or final decision or order made under Part 3.
Decisions final
223. Unless an exemption has been granted under paragraph 82(2)(a), any decision made by the Commission regarding the conformity of a project with a land use plan is final and binding and, except for judicial review under the Federal Courts Act and under section 220, is not subject to appeal to or review by any court.
Immunity
Things done in good faith
224. No action lies against a member or employee of the Commission or the Board, a member of a federal environmental assessment panel or joint panel or a person designated under section 209 for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith in the exercise or performance, or purported exercise or perform- ance, of any power, duty or function under this Act.
Disclosure made in good faith
225. No action lies against the Crown, the Commission, the Board, members or employees of the Commission or the Board or members of a federal environmental assessment panel or joint panel for the disclosure in good faith of any document, any part of a document or information under this Act, including by making it available in the public registries, or for any consequences that flow from that disclosure or for the failure to give any notice required under section 27 or 28 of the Access to Information Act if reasonable care is taken to give the required notice.
Time Limits
Authority, etc.
226. The failure of the Commission, a responsible authority, the Board, any federal environmental assessment panel, any joint panel or a responsible Minister to exercise a power or perform a duty or function within a period limited by this Act does not terminate their authority or invalidate any document prepared or submitted or any decision or action taken in the exercise or performance of such a power, duty or function.
General Monitoring
Plan
227. (1) The Government of Canada and the Government of Nunavut must, in cooperation with the Commission, develop a plan for the general monitoring of the long-term state and health of the ecosystemic and socio-economic environment of the designated area and must direct and coordinate that general monitoring and the collection of information relating to it.
Commission
(2) The Commission must, in accordance with the plan developed under subsection (1), collate information provided by industry, departments or agencies and others and prepare periodic reports on the ecosystemic and socio-economic environment of the designated area. The Commission must use that information in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties and functions under this Act.
Regulations and Orders
Regulations
228. (1) The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the federal Minister after close consultation by that Minister with the territorial Minister, the designated Inuit organization, the Commission and the Board, make regulations for carrying out the purposes and provisions of this Act and, in particular, regulations
(a) prescribing what constitutes a conflict of interest for the purposes of subsections 34(1) and (2) and 115(3); and
(b) establishing a funding program to facilitate the participation of specified classes of persons or groups in reviews of projects by the Board, a federal environmental assessment panel or a joint panel.
Consent of Tunngavik
(2) The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the federal Minister, after consultation by that Minister with the territorial Minister, the Commission and the Board and with the consent of Tunngavik, make regulations prescribing
(a) for the purposes of the definition “proj- ect” in subsection 2(1), classes of excluded works or activities; and
(b) for the purposes of subsection 78(2), paragraph 154(1)(a) and subsection 166(2), classes of physical works and activities that are not exempt from screening.
Schedule 2
229. The federal Minister may, by order, amend Schedule 2 to add, delete or amend the name of a designated regulatory agency.
Schedule 3 — proposed agreement
230. (1) Before entering into an agreement under item 7 of Schedule 12-1 to the Agreement, the Board must notify the designated Inuit organization and either the federal Minister or the territorial Minister, as the case may be, in writing of the classes of physical works and activities that are the subject of the proposed agreement.
Comments
(2) The recipient of a notice referred to in subsection (1) may, within 120 days after receiving the notice, provide the Board with comments in writing on the proposed agreement.
Notice — agreement
(3) After taking into account any comments received under subsection (2), the Board must notify the designated Inuit organization and either the federal or the territorial Minister, as the case may be, in writing of the agreement, if any, that has been entered into.
Amendment to Schedule 3
(4) The federal Minister must, by order, amend Schedule 3 to add, delete or amend a description of any class of works or activities exempted from screening under an agreement referred to in subsection (3).
PART 6
TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS, CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS AND COMING INTO FORCE
Transitional Provisions
Members and employees
231. Members and employees of the Commission and the Board who occupy a position immediately before the coming into force of this section continue in that position as if they had been appointed or employed under this Act.
Policies, priorities and objectives for land use planning
232. Sections 40 to 45 do not apply in respect of policies, priorities, and broad and specific objectives regarding land use planning established, and planning variables identified, under Article 11 of the Agreement and in force on the day on which this section comes into force, but those sections apply in respect of any amendment to such a policy, priority, objective or variable after the coming into force of this section.
Land use plans
233. (1) Any land use plan approved under section 11.5.9 of the Agreement and in force on the day on which this section comes into force remains in force subject to the following rules:
(a) sections 47, 48 and 66 do not apply in respect of it and, for greater certainty, sections 49 to 58 do not apply in respect of it;
(b) it is taken into account for the purposes of sections 46, 68 to 70 and 72, Part 3, paragraph 222(1)(d) and section 223; and
(c) sections 59 to 65 apply in respect of any amendment to it after the coming into force of this section.
Public Registry
(2) The Commission must include any land use plan referred to in subsection (1) in the public registry established under subsection 201(1).
Municipal plans
234. Sections 71 and 72 do not apply in respect of any municipal land use plan developed in accordance with Article 11 of the Agreement and in force on the day on which this section comes into force. Those sections apply in respect of any amendment to such a land use plan after the coming into force of this section.
Projects — assessment under Agreement
235. (1) This Act does not apply in respect of
(a) a project that is being assessed under the Agreement or is being, or has been, lawfully carried out on the day on which this section comes into force;
(b) a project that was approved under the Agreement before the day on which this section comes into force, was commenced and then stopped or shut down for a period of less than five years, calculated from that day;
(c) the rebuilding of a work that has been closed for a period of less than five years calculated from the day this section comes into force, if it relates to a project that was approved under the Agreement before that day and lawfully carried out; and
(d) a project that was approved under the Agreement before the day on which this section comes into force and commenced within five years of that day.
Exception — significant modification
(2) Despite subsection (1), if, after this section comes into force, there is a significant modification, within the meaning of section 145, to a project referred to in any of paragraphs (1)(a) to (d), this Act applies to that project.
Consequential Amendments
R.S., c. A-1
Access to Information Act
236. Schedule I to the Access to Information Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order under the heading “OTHER GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS”:
Nunavut Impact Review Board
Commission du Nunavut chargée de l’examen des répercussions
Nunavut Planning Commission
Commission d’aménagement du Nunavut
2002, c. 10
Nunavut Waters and Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act
237. The definitions “Nunavut Impact Review Board” and “Nunavut Planning Commission” in section 4 of the Nunavut Waters and Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act are replaced by the following:
“Nunavut Impact Review Board”
« Commission d’examen des projets de développement »
“Nunavut Impact Review Board” means the Nunavut Impact Review Board referred to in section 18 of the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act.
“Nunavut Planning Commission”
« Commission d’aménagement »
“Nunavut Planning Commission” means the Nunavut Planning Commission referred to in section 10 of the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act.
238. Subsection 36(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Review by Nunavut Planning Commission
(2) In order to avoid unnecessary duplication and to ensure that projects are dealt with in a timely manner, the Board shall cooperate and coordinate its consideration of applications with the Nunavut Planning Commission’s review of projects under sections 76 to 85 of the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act for conformity with any applicable land use plans approved under subsection 55(1) of that Act.
239. Subsection 37(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Screening and review of projects
37. (1) In order to avoid unnecessary duplication and to ensure that projects are dealt with in a timely manner, the Board shall cooperate and coordinate its consideration of applications with the Nunavut Impact Review Board or any federal environmental assessment panel or joint panel established under subsection 115(1) or paragraph 160(1)(a) or (b) of the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act in relation to the screening of projects by that Board and the review of projects by that Board or panel.
240. Sections 38 and 39 of the Act are replaced by the following:
Restriction on powers
38. (1) The Board may not issue, renew or amend a licence to use waters or deposit waste in relation to a use or deposit, or appurtenant undertaking, that is a project within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act if
(a) the assessment of the project under Part 3 of that Act has not been completed;
(b) the assessment of the project has been terminated under subsection 141(2), 142(2), 143(3) or 144(3) of that Act;
(c) the Nunavut Planning Commission has determined, under section 77 of that Act, that the project is not in conformity with any applicable land use plan, and no minor variance or exemption has been granted in respect of the project under paragraph 81(2)(a) or 82(2)(a) of that Act, as the case may be;
(d) the responsible Minister, within the meaning of subsection 73(1) of that Act, has decided that the project could be modified and an amended project proposal submitted to the Nunavut Planning Commission, or that it is not to proceed; or
(e) The responsible authority, within the meaning of section 163 of that Act, has determined, under section 165 of that Act, that the project is not in conformity with the requirements set out by or under any law for which it has responsibility.
Exception
(2) Despite paragraph (1)(a), the Board may issue, renew or amend a licence in relation to exploration or development activities referred to in paragraph 154(1)(a) or (b) or subsection 155(1) of the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act.
Non-renewal, etc.
(3) Licences issued under subsection (2) must not be renewed or amended if the responsible Minister, as defined in subsection 73(1) of the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act, has come to a decision under Part 3 of that Act that the project to which the exploration or development activities relate either could be modified and an amended project proposal submitted to the Commission or is not to proceed.
241. Subsection 70(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Terms and Conditions
(3) The Board shall, to the extent of its jurisdiction and authority under this Act to do so, incorporate the terms and conditions referred to in subsection 136(1) of the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act in a licence that is issued in respect of the use of waters or deposit of waste or the appurtenant undertaking to which that use or deposit relates.
R.S., c. P-21
Privacy Act
242. The schedule to the Privacy Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order under the heading “OTHER GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS”:
Nunavut Impact Review Board
Commission du Nunavut chargée de l’examen des répercussions
Nunavut Planning Commission
Commission d’aménagement du Nunavut
Coming into Force
Order in council
243. This Act comes into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council.




Explanatory Notes
Nunavut Waters and Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act
Clause 237: Existing text of the definitions:
“Nunavut Impact Review Board” means the Nunavut Impact Review Board referred to in section 12.2.1 of the Agreement.
“Nunavut Planning Commission” means the Nunavut Planning Commission referred to in section 11.4.1 of the Agreement.
Clause 238: Existing text of subsection 36(2):
(2) In order to avoid unnecessary duplication and to ensure that projects are dealt with in a timely manner, the Board shall cooperate and coordinate its consideration of applications with the Nunavut Planning Commission’s review of projects under section 11.5.10 of the Agreement for conformity with any applicable land use plans approved in accordance with Part 5 of Article 11 of the Agreement.
Clause 239: Existing text of subsection 37(1):
37. (1) In order to avoid unnecessary duplication and to ensure that projects are dealt with in a timely manner, the Board shall cooperate and coordinate its consideration of applications with the Nunavut Impact Review Board or any federal environmental assessment panel referred to in section 12.4.7 of the Agreement in relation to the screening of projects by that Board and the review of projects by that Board or panel.
Clause 240: Existing text of sections 38 and 39:
38. (1) The Board may not issue, amend or renew a licence to use waters or deposit waste if there is an applicable land use plan approved in accordance with Part 5 of Article 11 of the Agreement unless the Nunavut Planning Commission, in accordance with section 11.5.10 of the Agreement,
(a) has determined that the use or deposit, or in the case of an amendment any change to the use or deposit, conforms to the land use plan; or
(b) has approved a variance in respect of the use, deposit or change.
(2) The Board shall reject an application in relation to a licence where the Nunavut Planning Commission has informed the Board that the use, deposit or change to which the application relates does not conform to the land use plan and that the Commission will not be approving a variance.
(3) If the Board rejects an application under subsection (2),
(a) the Board shall not take any further action in respect of that application, including any action referred to in subsection 48(3), section 51 or subsection 52(1) or 55(1); and
(b) the applicant may, within one year after the date of the rejection, request an exemption in accordance with section 11.5.11 of the Agreement.
(4) If an exemption referred to in paragraph (3)(b) is obtained, subsection (1) and paragraph (3)(a) no longer apply and the Board shall resume processing the application.
(5) For the purposes of section 47, the date of an application that has been resumed under subsection (4) is the date on which the application was first made.
39. (1) The Board may not issue, amend or renew a licence to use waters or deposit waste where the use or deposit, or in the case of an amendment any change to the use or deposit, or the appurtenant undertaking requires screening in accordance with Part 4 of Article 12 of the Agreement, until the Nunavut Impact Review Board has completed the screening and, where a review under Part 5 or 6 of that Article is required, issued a project certificate referred to in section 12.5.12 or 12.6.17 of the Agreement.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where an appurtenant undertaking is required to be reviewed, the Board may, before the project certificate is issued, issue, amend or renew a licence to use waters or deposit waste in relation to exploration or developmental work related to the appurtenant undertaking, provided that
(a) the use or deposit falls within Schedule 12-1 of the Agreement or can, in the judgment of the Nunavut Impact Review Board, proceed without the review; or
(b) the licence is issued, amended or renewed for an interim, short-term period.
Clause 241: Existing text of subsection 70(3):
(3) The Board shall, to the extent that it is authorized under this Act to do so, include in a licence the terms and conditions of any project certificate, referred to in section 12.5.12 or 12.6.17 of the Agreement, that is issued in respect of the use of waters or deposit of waste or the appurtenant undertaking to which that use or deposit relates.