Submission by Inuit Tapirisat of Canada to the National Energy Board

Publisher:  Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, Ottawa, Canada
Year Published:  1978
Pages:  7pp   Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX933

The Submission by the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada to the National Energy Board makes the request that the entire question of gas supply and demand be reviewed.

Abstract: 
The Submission by the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada to the National Energy Board makes the request that the entire question of gas supply and demand be reviewed. The Submission points out that expanded development for gas from frontier sources would create cultural and social dislocation, as well as economic hardship for many Inuit.

The report states that the Inuit Tapirisat do not know of any evidence that would support the development of gas reserves located on Inuit lands, hence does not support the application of the Polar Gas pipeline consortium for the construction of a forty-two inch wide natural gas pipeline from the High Arctic. Their contention is confirmed by forecasts made by Transcanada Pipelines, the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, and Canadian Hunter Limited, whose statements are included in the report. Based on these forecasts of Canada's domestic and present export demands, the report points out that it is unfair to propose the authorization of new exports of gas. In particular, the Submission requests that the Energy Board reject the planned formulation of policy regarding the export of so-called "surplus" gas on the basis of such forecasts.

Because of present outstanding land claims, the impact of allowing natural gas transportation projects would be severe. The Unit are not prepared to pay the high costs of cultural dislocation that would occur in order to ship "surplus" gas resources out of the country.

Subject Headings

• Inuit