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Nunavut

  Last Updated:  

January 1, 2021

Population:

39,097 (1)

Current majority government:

Premier: Joe Savikataaq 


Non-partisan consensus government. 

There are 7 cabinet members and 13 general members, all without a political party association. 


Find your MP by constituency here: (2)



Environmental stance of majority party:

Premier Joe Savikataaq says that Nunavut is not a prominent emitter of GHGs, and their focus is on mitigation. (3)

Percentage of 2020/2021 budget estimated to be allocated to the environment:

Total budget: $2.584 billion

Total allocated to the environment: $29,900,000 

Percentage: 0.0116% (4)

Main provincial-level legislation for environment protection:

Environmental Protection Act (1988)


Environmental Rights Act (1988)

  • Regulations in place to protect the environment due to the fact that the people have the right to a healthy environment and to protect the integrity, diversity and productivity of the natural ecosystems 


Pesticide Act (1988) 


Nunavut Wildlife Act (2005)

  • Establishes a regime for the management of wildlife and their habitat including the conservation, recovery and protection of at-risk species (5) (6) (7)

Specific government-based environmental programs:

Classroom Visits 

  • A trained conservation officer, biologist or other environmental specialist will visit students in the classroom to provide environmental education.


Environmental Assessment and Land-Use Planning 

  • Any persons/corporations proposing development on land in Nunavut must get an Environmental Assessment review through this program to obtain a permit.


Fisheries Development and Diversification Program

  • Offers financial assistance for projects that could strengthen, develop and diversify Nunavut’s fishing industry.


Wildlife Deterrence Program 

  • Promotes safe and sustainable coexistence between wildlife and humans.


Pollution Control 

  • An environmental protection program that provides and facilitates protection of the environment and enforcement in all communities in Nunavut. (8) (9)

Next election date:

Fall of 2021 (12)

Extra information:

Find information and guidelines for waste management, emissions and environmental guidelines here: (13)

What makes this province different?

Nunavut emits the least amount of GHGs in comparison to other provinces and territories, emitting 0.6 megatonnes of CO2 gas in 2017. (14)

  Quick facts:  

Nunavut negotiated certain exemptions from the federal carbon tax that came into effect on July 1, 2019 so that residents do not pay more for electricity or air travel. (15)


Warmer winters and thinner seasonal ice cover will alter arctic biodiversity and interfere with traditional hunting methods of Nunavummiut. (16)


Increased temperatures can result in drifting sea ice that can impede commerical ships docking and departure. (17)

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