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Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement in Principle Initialed.

Representatives of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Canada, and the Labrador Inuit Association (LIA) today, Monday, May 10, 1999, initialed the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement in Principle.

"This is an historic day for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Premier Brian Tobin. "The agreement in principle recommended today by our negotiators is a significant step forward as we move closer to realizing a final agreement on land claims and self-government with the Inuit of Labrador."

Premier Tobin congratulated all those who contributed to the successful negotiation of the agreement in principle. "This agreement is the foundation upon which all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador will build our future certainty, stability and prosperity."

"Today the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, and indeed all Canadians, can take great pride in the initialing of this Agreement in Principle," said Jane Stewart, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. "The Labrador Inuit claim is the first to reach this stage in Atlantic Canada. This agreement signifies our willingness as a society to reconcile historical and cultural differences through negotiation and compromise."

"Settling land claims is consistent with the spirit and intent of Gathering Strength, Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan, and means greater economic and social stability, new capital and more jobs for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," said Minister Stewart.

"The Labrador Inuit Agreement-in-Principle is truly important to our people and their future," said LIA President William Barbour. "LIA has done the best that we can and I believe this is a good agreement for our people. I will be taking it to the Inuit for their review because it is about their land and their future. I want the Inuit to have a fair chance to understand the agreement and to come to their own decision on it."

The agreement, which contains details of land quantum, resource revenue sharing, and self-government, will now be presented to the three parties to begin the review and ratification process. The Labrador Inuit Association anticipates their ratification vote will be held later this summer following a 75-day ratification process.

Following ratification, land selection will be finalized. The AIP must then be ratified by the province and the federal government. Once ratified, the Agreement in Principle becomes the basis for negotiation of a final agreement.

The initialed agreement in principle demonstrates the commitment of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Government of Canada and the LIA to reaching an equitable land claims agreement which reflects the aspirations of the Labrador Inuit and ensures that the benefits of economic development are shared in a fair and just manner among all parties.

For further information contact:

*Heidi Bonnell,
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Premier's Office Phone: (709) 7293564
*Kelly Acton,
Department of Indian and Northern Affairs
Phone: (819) 997-0002
*Isabella Pain,
Labrador Inuit Association
Phone: (709) 922-2941 or (709) 722-6160

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Related paths:

URL: Labrador Inuit Association
URL: Media Releases

URL: Indian and Northern Affairs Canada INAC
(Affaires indiennes et du Nord Canada AINC)

URL: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
URL: Agreement-in-Principle Between the Inuit of Labrador and Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Newfoundland and Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada Initialled on May 10, 1999.