Background - The story so far

Resolute community members and Parks Canada official participated in a field trip to the proposed national park on Bathurst Island in September 2010.
Resolute community members participate in an information session about the Bathurst Island National Park proposal.  

1994 | The national park proposal on Bathurst Island is first discussed with the Resolute Hunters and Trappers Organization.

1995 | A number of park feasibility studies about the Bathurst Island area begin in 1995 and conclude in 2001. The studies look at mineral and energy resources, archaeology, wildlife and traditional knowledge.

The Mineral and Energy Resource Assessment (MERA), completed in 1999, shows high potential for mineral and hydrocarbons in the eastern part of the proposed park study area. This high potential area overlaps with significant Peary caribou calving habitat.

1996 | The first Interim Land Withdrawal for the proposed national park study area is approved. The withdrawal is renewed in 2001, 2004, 2009 and 2014. 

2002 | The Government of Canada proposes a park boundary for negotiation with
Inuit.  | Further progress on establishing this proposed national park was delayed for several years for a range of reasons unrelated to the national park itself.

2009 | The  Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) and Parks Canada resume work on the national park proposal.  The QIA is the organization designated to negotiate an Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA) and a park boundary on behalf of the Inuit of the Qikiqtaluuk (Baffin) Region of Nunavut.

2010 | Negotiation of an IIBA between Parks Canada and QIA begins in Iqaluit.  |  Parks Canada holds community information sessions in Resolute and organizes a field trip for community members to Bathurst Island. 

2015 | The IIBA for Qausuittuq National Park is signed and comes into effect on April 1, 2015. | September 1, 2015, Qausuittuq National Park is legislated through an amendment to the Canada National Parks Act.

2017 | In August, the minister responsible for Parks Canada officially opens Qausuittuq National Park at a ceremony in Resolute, Nunavut. .