Oceans North Canada applauds decision on Baffinland shipping

Oceans North Canada says the Nunavut Planning Commission did the right thing when it refused Baffinland Iron Mines' proposal to extend its shipping season.

Baffinland wanted to ship iron ore from its mine site on Baffin Island 10 months of the year, instead of in summer only. The goal was to triple the amount of ore shipped from Milne Inlet near the mine site, to 12 million tonnes per year. The plan would involve using ice-breaking ships.

The commission decided that would be too disruptive.

"It was welcome news," says Chris Debicki, Nunavut projects director for the conservation group Oceans North Canada.

He says there was just too much at stake, environmentally and commercially.

"Ice-breaking that would damage that ice environment is just not consistent with the land-use plan."

Debicki says the floe edge near Pond Inlet is one of the most magnificent floe edges in the world. He says Oceans North supports efforts to establish a National Marine Conservation Area at nearby Lancaster Sound.

The decision marked the first time a project proposal was found by the Nunavut Planning Commission to violate the North Baffin region's land use plan.

Baffinland can still apply for an exemption from the federal government or revise its project plans.