21 December 2016 - In response to the federal government's announcement that Canadian Arctic waters are now indefinitely off-limits to new oil and gas licenses, Jerry Natanine, Inuit community leader and former mayor of Clyde River, said:

“Today’s announcement is an important first step. But it says nothing about the seismic blasting that my community is presently fighting against. The Trudeau government must make it clear – there should be no exploratory activity in our Arctic waters unless the Inuit have consented and unless the proposed activity meets rigorous, science-based environmental standards.

“Inuit, like all people, are in favour of development. But it must be done responsibly. And it must be done ethically. And it must be done with the consent of the people who are most affected.”

Clyde River Inuit's case challenging federal approval of seismic blasting, dangerous form of oil exploration in Baffin Bay & Davis Strait, was hear last month at the Supreme Court of Canada. Clyde River is also fighting to uphold their rights as Indigenous Peoples under constitutional and international law to meaningfully consult on energy projects that impact their communities.

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Mr. Natanine is available for media interviews today by phone. To arrange, or to receive more information, please contact: Jesse Firempong, Communications Officer at Greenpeace Canada, jesse.firempong@greenpeace.org, 778-996-6549.

Jessica Wilson, Head of Greenpeace Canada's Arctic Campaign, is in Ottawa and available for media interviews. To arrange, please contact her directly at: 778-874-5417. Greenpeace Canada's statement is available here.