Stewardship and management

Inuit and Parks Canada manage Quttinirpaaq National Park cooperatively. The Joint Park Management Committee is the cooperative management board for the park. Their role is to advise Parks Canada, the Minister responsible for national parks, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, and other agencies on all matters related to park management.

The creation of the Joint Park Management Committee was provided for in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. The Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement created the Committee, and outlined the details of its structure and governance. Each member of the Joint Park Management Committee has the responsibility to act impartially in the public interest and for the public good.

The Joint Park Management Committee plays an important role in park management planning. The Committee is involved in the review and approval of the draft plan, and must approve it before it can be recommended to the Minister responsible for national parks for approval and tabling in Parliament. The members of the first Quttinirpaaq Joint Park Management Committee were appointed in Fall 2000 and held their first meeting in March 2001. The Committee meets at least twice each year and consists of six members: three appointed by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and three appointed by the Government of Canada.