Inuit must be part of Plan Nord discussion: Nunavik group
Quebec premier to give keynote speech at Arctic Circle conference
Representatives from Nunavik, Que., who are at the Arctic Circle conference in Reykjavik, Iceland, say Inuit have to be part of the discussion for any plans to develop the province's north.
Plan Nord is the province's long-term economic strategy to develop Quebec's northern-most communities.
The provincial government says by 2035, it plans to invest $50 billion in the public and private sectors the plan covers. The government has yet to release more details.
The conference brings together high-level political and business leaders, as well as academics and scientists from countries around the circumpolar world.
In all, 34 nations are represented, including China, Japan, Germany, Ireland and England.
Representatives from Makivik Corporation — an organization that's mandated to protect the rights, interests and financial compensation of Inuit in Nunavik — say they're waiting to hear what the province of Quebec has to say about Plan Nord.
Vice Presidents Michael Gordon and Adamie Alaku and Corporate Secretary Andy Pirti are there as part of Makivik.
Since Plan Nord was revealed in 2011, Aboriginal groups have protested against it, saying it will damage the North's fragile ecosystem.
The Arctic Circle conference wraps up on Sunday.