Answers to frequently asked questions
Find the answers here to the most frequently asked questions about protected areas, in general and in Nunavik. Still have unanswered questions? Do not hesitate to contact us.
The ABCs of protected areas
What is a protected area in Nunavik?
For the Quebec government, nature conservation through protected areas implies, “…the safeguarding of representative samples of all biological diversity.” It is therefore a question of “ensuring the protection of representative territories of particular ecosystems which, across the network, will cover all ecosystem types in Quebec.”
“[…] Thus, a biodiversity reserve or aquatic reserve may protect a common, representative ecosystem that may sometimes seem unremarkable in terms of biological diversity or unspectacular in terms of landscape. However, all ecosystems and elements of the natural environment, even the most common in Quebec, must be protected and be part of the Quebec network of protected areas.”
In Nunavik, the cultural dimension is also essential in the process of creating protected areas. It is incorporated along with the conservation and development dimensions. Consultation with regional stakeholders is also a key aspect of this process.
The rights of the beneficiaries of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement (NEQA) are maintained and protected within the protected areas of Nunavik.
What geographic names will be assigned to the proposed protected areas?
The official place name will be determined at the time permanent protection status is granted to the territory. It is understood that the representative bodies of Nunavik as well as the communities and Nations concerned with these territories will provide proposals for official geographic names to the Commission de toponymie du Québec.
This is the same approach that was successfully used in the creation of the national parks in Nunavik.
What are the different land categories in the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement (NEQA)?
- Category I and IB-N – Indigenous title to lands managed and administered for the benefit of members by each Inuit community landholding corporation and by the Naskapi landholding corporation, respectively; have rights, as defined in the Agreements, including exclusive harvesting rights (and a right to establish and operate outfitting operations)
- Category I and II-N – Lands in the public domain of the State over which Inuit, the Cree, and the Naskapi have rights, within the meaning of the Agreements, including exclusive harvesting rights (and a right to establish and operate outfitting operations)
- Category III – Lands in the public domain of the State over which Inuit, the Crees, and the Naskapis have rights, within the meaning of the Agreements, including non-exclusive harvesting rights. In addition, trapping is exclusive to beneficiaries under agreement.
Permitted and prohibited activities in protected areas
Will I be able to continue to exercise my rights, including hunting, fishing, and trapping, within the protected areas as a beneficiary of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) or the Northeastern Quebec Agreement (NEQA)?
Yes. The rights negotiated under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement (NEQA) take precedence over any laws or regulations related to protected areas in Nunavik:
In accordance with Section 24 of the JBNQA and Section 15 of the NEQA, beneficiaries may exercise their harvesting rights (hunting, fishing, and trapping) throughout the Kativik Region, including within the boundaries of aquatic reserves, biodiversity reserves, and territorial reserves for protected area purposes.
Inuit, the Naskapis, and the Crees thus retain their hunting, fishing, and trapping rights in the protected areas.
What activities are permitted or prohibited in a proposed biodiversity reserve or a proposed aquatic reserve?
Under the Natural Heritage Conservation Act (NHCA), certain activities for non-JBNQA and non-NEQA beneficiaries are permitted, restricted, or prohibited in a biodiversity reserve (or proposed biodiversity reserve) or aquatic reserve (or proposed aquatic reserve). Activities taking place in TRPAPs are subject to approval by the MELCC. This could be based on the fact that the final status envisaged is that of a biodiversity reserve.
Main Activities Generally* Permitted or Prohibited for Non-Beneficiaries in Biodiversity and Aquatic Reserves
Activity | Permitted/prohibited |
Sport hunting | Permitted |
Sport fishing | Permitted |
Trapping | Prohibited |
Access and travel by ATV or snowmobile | Permitted, although opening new trails for this purpose is prohibited |
Access and travel by motorboat | Permitted |
Vacationing in existing facilities (leases, camps, or cottages) | Permitted |
Granting of new land rights for personal use (for vacationing, temporary shelters, etc.) | Prohibited |
Gathering of non-wood forest products (berries, mushrooms, etc.) | Permitted |
Firewood harvesting | Prohibited |
Logging | Prohibited |
Research and education | Permitted |
Mining, gas, and oil activities | Prohibited |
Construction of hydroelectric dams and commercial power generation (including transmission line construction) | Prohibited |
Activities of ZECs, outfitters, and wildlife reserves | Permitted |
Seeding | Permitted with authorization |
Agriculture | Prohibited |
Construction of new infrastructure (buildings, roads, trails, etc.) | Permitted with authorization |
Hiking and recreation (walking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, etc.) | Permitted |
* Under no circumstances should the elements of this list replace the legal texts (NHCA and conservation plans of each reserve).
Can there be mineral claims, mining exploration, or mining in a territorial reserve for protected area purposes (TRPAP), a proposed biodiversity reserve (PBR), a proposed aquatic reserve (PAR), or a biodiversity reserve (BR)?
No. In the case of a TRPAP, PBR or PAR, the temporary protection status provides for a temporary suspension of the granting of mining titles and of all mining exploration. In a biodiversity reserve, any exploration or mining activity is strictly prohibited (unless authorized by the Ministère).
Can wood be cut within the boundaries of a territorial reserves for protected area purposes (TRPAP), a proposed biodiversity reserve (PBR), a proposed aquatic reserve (PAR), or a biodiversity reserve (BR)?
Yes, the harvesting of firewood for temporary shelters or trapping camps is permitted as part of the harvesting rights of beneficiaries under the Agreement. However, the harvesting of firewood by non-beneficiaries is not permitted unless authorized by the MELCC. Furthermore, commercial logging is not permitted.
Nunavik Protected Areas Planning Process
Why and how will the Inuit, Naskapis and Crees be consulted?
The consultations will allow the Inuit, Naskapis of Kawawachikamach and Crees of Whapmagoostui to share their views on the creation of protected areas, on the process that led to the current results, and on the relevance and representativeness of the network as it is presented on this website.
Public consultations are planned to be held in all Nunavik communities in the fall of 2022 and winter of 2023, depending on the health situation (COVID-19).
What happens at the end of the consultations will depend on what is expressed by the communities.
What is the role of the Nunavik Protected Areas Working Group (PAWG)?
It follows up on the recommendations of the 2011–2012 community consultations on the creation of the Nunavik protected areas network.
What is the role of the Nunavik Protected Areas Planning Advisory Committee?
The Advisory Committee, created in 2017, ensures the sharing of information and the validation of the PAWG’s work on protected areas planning with the Nunavik Nations, and ensures that regional interests are respected and integrated into this process.
Who are the members of the Nunavik Protected Areas Working Group (PAWG) and its Advisory Committee?
The Nunavik PAWG is composed of representatives from the following organizations:
- Kativik Regional Government (KRG)
- Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC)
- Ministère de l’Énergie et des Resources naturelles (MERN)
- Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs (MFFP)
- Société du Plan Nord (SPN)
The PAWG Advisory Committee is composed of representatives from the following organizations:
- Kativik Regional Government (KRG)
- Makivik Corporation
- Cree Nation Government
- Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach
- Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC)
At the end of the protected area creation process, will the MELCC allocate funds for the infrastructure and management of Nunavik’s protected areas?
The management of protected areas is part of the responsibilities of the MELCC, and financial support can be examined with different partners (Société du Plan Nord, regional organizations, etc.) at the appropriate time.
What are or what will be the various planning tools implemented for each protected area?
Conservation plans will be drafted for each protected area. Management plans could also be developed in collaboration with various partners (communities, regional organizations, etc.).
What is the role of MU Conseils in the consultation process?
MU Conseils is a business unit of the Manicouagan-Uapishka World Biosphere Reserve, a non-profit organization that manages a UNESCO status. The MU Conseils team is providing impartial support to the KRG in the process of conducting public consultations on the Nunavik protected areas network.
Protected area statuses
What is the difference between a protected area and a proposed protected area?
A proposed protected area has a provisional status (of several years) leading to a permanent protected status. The prohibitions and permissions are the same.
What is the difference between a biodiversity reserve and a national park?
In Quebec, national parks and biodiversity reserves are protected areas included in IUCN category II, one of the highest levels of protection.
- Biodiversity reserves: In Quebec, biodiversity reserve projects are generally managed by the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques. The vision, management approach, and protection measures are detailed in the conservation plan for each protected area. In the case of biodiversity reserves, educational or recreational projects may be carried out, but these projects and their associated budgets depend on the initiative of the communities or groups concerned.
- National parks: National park projects in Quebec are generally led by the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs. Once created, these national parks are managed by the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (SÉPAQ). In Nunavik, since the Sanarrutik Agreement in 2002, work on the creation of national parks has been carried out jointly by the Kativik Regional Government (KRG), the Makivik Corporation, and the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs. Once created, these national parks are managed by Nunavik Parks (within the KRG). In national parks, “areas representative of Quebec’s natural landscapes as well as exceptional natural sites are protected […] and enhanced.” Government budgets are included to provide infrastructure (reception pavilions, roads, etc.), development (trails, signs, etc.), recreational activities (e.g., boat rentals), and educational activities (interpretation, hosting school groups, etc.).
What is a Territorial Reserve for Protected Area Purposes (TRPAP)?
It is a territory with a temporary protection status, which includes a suspension of the granting of mining titles and of all authorizations related to mining exploration. A moratorium on all energy and forestry development is also in effect for these territories. In Nunavik, it is envisaged that all TRPAPs will eventually obtain permanent status as biodiversity reserves.
What is a proposed biodiversity reserve?
This is a provisional status (of several years) leading eventually to a permanent status of protection as a biodiversity reserve. The main activities that are prohibited on lands with proposed biodiversity reserve status are:
- mining, gas and oil activities;
- forest development activities within the meaning of section 4 of the Sustainable Forest Development Act (chapter A-18.1);
- the harnessing of hydropower and any commercial or industrial production of energy.
What is a biodiversity reserve?
A biodiversity reserve is a Category II protected area (IUCN) that ensures the protection of natural environments and the biodiversity (fauna and flora) they contain. This status contributes to the representativeness of Quebec’s network of protected areas and aims to protect a characteristic sample of the various natural environments of Quebec.
With the amendment of the Natural Heritage Conservation Act (NHCA) in 2021, aquatic reserve status will no longer exist for new conservation areas and will be integrated with biodiversity reserve status.
Specific questions
How are the limits of each area designated?
Answer to come.
What is the Ecological Reference Framework?
The Quebec Ecological Reference Framework is a cartographic tool for the “ecological classification of the territory.” Level I (natural province) is defined mainly by geology (the land) and hydrography (lakes and rivers). There are 13 natural provinces in Quebec, 5 of which are in Nunavik. Level II (natural regions) is also defined according to geology. There are 80 level II regions in Quebec, 27 of which are mostly in Nunavik.
For more information, click here.
Will an environmental and social impact assessment be required for the permanent protection of proposed areas and reserved territories?
Yes, an impact assessment will be required to finalize the permanent designation of protected areas in Nunavik, as prescribed by the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA).
How does the creation of the Parc national Ulittaniujalik differ from that of the Rivière-George territorial reserve for protected area purposes (Réserve de territoire aux fins d’aires protégées de la Rivière-George) and the Rivière-George-Nord territorial reserve for protected area purposes (Réserve de territoire aux fins d’aires protégées de la Rivière-George-Nord)?
The Parc national Ulittaniujalik is managed by the KRG through Nunavik Parks. The Rivière-George territorial reserve for protected area purposes (Réserve de territoire aux fins d’aires protégées de la Rivière-George) and the Rivière-George-Nord territorial reserve for protected area purposes (Réserve de territoire aux fins d’aires protégées de la Rivière-George-Nord) will complete the Nunavik protected area network and link with conservation tools around the national park. These TRPAPs will eventually obtain permanent biodiversity reserve status, a protected area status distinct from national park status.
Why do the boundaries of the Rivière-Kovik proposed aquatic reserve (Réserve aquatique projetée de la Rivière-Kovik) not include the islands and territories to the west and on the coast?
Establishing the boundaries of the Rivière-Kovik proposed aquatic reserve (Réserve aquatique projetée de la Rivière-Kovik) proved to be a significant challenge due to the definition of Quebec’s coastal and offshore boundaries, which were interpreted differently by different organizations and applicable land claim agreements. A compromise between the Government of Quebec and the Makivik Corporation regarding the boundary of the Rivière-Kovik proposed aquatic reserve (Réserve aquatique projetée de la Rivière-Kovik) was finally reached. The boundary was set further inland, with a buffer radius of 50 metres from the coast.
What is the Lac Cambrien and Lac Nachicapau area specific agreement?
Negotiations between the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach, the KRG, the Makivik Corporation, Hydro-Québec, and the Government of Quebec led to the signing of a specific agreement in 2018 for the conservation of this area. See the fact sheet on this agreement for more information.