Ottawa files statement of defence in Nunavut land-claim lawsuit

The federal government has issued its statement of defence in response to a lawsuit filed by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. that alleges Ottawa has not done enough to help implement the territory's 1993 land claim.

Nunavut's land-claims organization filed the $1-billion lawsuit in December, alleging that the government has failed to live up to its obligations and is thus violating the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

At the time the claim was filed, NTI officials said they had to turn to the courts, after five years of trying to work with the federal government on implementation issues yielded no results.

The group's statement of claim alleges 16 breaches of the land-claims agreement, which include the failure to help Inuit acquire skills needed for employment opportunities and inadequate funding for organizations such as the territory's planning commission and water board.

In its statement of defence filed last week, the government denies virtually all of NTI's claims, and is asking that the action be dismissed with costs against NTI.

The matter is expected to be heard by the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit, but no court dates have been scheduled.