WWF-Canada statement on the Clyde River Federal Court of Appeal ruling

Toronto, August 20, 2015 – On August 17, the Canadian Federal Court of Appeal ruled against the application put forward by Clyde River Mayor Jerry Natanine, the Hamlet of Clyde River and the Nammautaq Hunters and Trappers Organization to block a controversial five-year seismic testing project off the east coast of Baffin Island. The appeal court panel found that the National Energy Board and the project proponent, a consortium of three Norwegian companies known as MKI, fulfilled the Crown’s duty to consult the Inuit of Clyde River. MKI was scheduled to begin seismic testing this summer, but decided in May to postpone operations for a year in light of the Federal Court of Appeal application.

A copy of Justice Eleanor Dawson’s written decision can be found online here. Mayor Natanine has stated publically that he intends to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court of Canada.

The following is a statement from WWF-Canada President and CEO David Miller:

“The Federal Court of Appeal decision not to block seismic testing in Baffin Bay and the Davis Strait sets a startling precedent that puts the needs of oil and gas companies ahead of the rights of indigenous Canadians. The marine mammals found in this area are a critical food source for Inuit on Baffin Island, and are now at risk from the large underwater blasts used in seismic testing.” 

The following is a statement from Paul Crowley, VP Arctic for WWF-Canada:

“I am very disappointed by the standard set by the Federal Court of Appeal to meet a duty to consult. The consultations conducted prior to the award of the license did not provide adequate answers to the legitimate questions put forward by the community about the impacts of seismic testing on marine mammals. It is a sad day for Aboriginal rights in Canada.”

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For further information contact

Chris Chaplin, WWF-Canada, [email protected], +1 (416) 669-9155