IRC Response to Presentations at NEB Hearings

The issue of Access and Benefits agreements between the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) and the pipeline proponents was recently raised at the National Energy Board (NEB) hearings in Inuvik. IRC is pleased to clarify its role in this regard.

The Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA) provides IRC with the authority to manage Inuvialuit lands and negotiate economic benefit agreements on behalf of the Inuvialuit.

In November 2003 the IRC Board established a negotiating team to negotiate Access and Benefits Agreements with the pipeline proponents. The negotiating team consisted of the IRC Chair and CEO, the Chairs of Aklavik, Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporations, senior IRC staff and supporting consultants.

Following two years of negotiations, the IRC board, on November 24th, 2005, gave prelimary approval to the draft terms as recommended by their negotiating team. The Board determined that prior to formally endorsing the agreements, the negotiating team should present the contents to the membership of all community corporations and bring back any issues or concerns raised to the IRC board for their consideration.

Presentations have since been made in all Inuvialuit communities and the comments gathered during this process will be considered by the IRC Board at their regular meeting on February 21, 2006.