Organization Profile - Nunavut Wildlife Management Board

Minister of Northern Affairs

The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA), signed in 1993, is the largest land claim agreement in Canadian history, governing an area that is one-fifth of Canada's land mass. At the centre of this modern, comprehensive agreement are the lands and resources co-management boards that guarantee Inuit meaningful involvement and participation in decisions relating to the preservation and future development of lands within the Nunavut Settlement Area (NSA). The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board’s mandate is the following: to help ensure the protection and wise use of wildlife and wildlife habitat for the long-term benefit of Inuit and the rest of the public of Nunavut and Canada. It attempts to fulfill this mandate by carrying out its various functions, as set out in the NLCA, in cooperation with its Inuit and Government partners.

Iqaluit, Nunavut

The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB) consists of nine members to be appointed as follows:

• one member on the advice of the Minister responsible for fish and marine mammals to represent the public interest;
• one member on the advice of the Minister responsible for the Canadian Wildlife Service;
• one member on the advice of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in consultation with the Commissioner-in-Executive Council. This member shall be ordinarily resident in the Nunavut Settlement Area.
• four members appointed by each of the four Designated Inuit Organizations (DIO).
• one member appointed by the Commissioner-in-Executive Council.

The Governor in Council shall appoint a Chairperson from nominations provided by the NWMB.

Each member shall be appointed to hold office during good behaviour for a term of four years. Members may be removed from office at any time for cause by the person appointing them. Members are eligible for reappointment.

Where a vacancy occurs, a replacement member may be appointed by the body that made the original appointment.

A vacancy in the membership of the NWMB does not impair the right of the remainder to act.

Where a Minister nominated a member to the Board who is not a public servant, that Minister shall have the right to have an officer of the Minister's department attend all meetings of the NWMB as a non-voting observer.

Where a DIO appoints a member to the NWMB, that DIO shall have the right to have a technical advisor attend all meetings as a non-voting observer.