Parks Canada won’t reopen its parks in Nunavut until Jan. 31 at the earliest, the federal agency announced Tuesday.
Parks affected include Auyuittuq, Sirmilik, Ukkusiksalik, Qausuittuq and Quttinirpaaq national parks, as well as the wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site.
photo courtesy of Parks Canada
Inuit may continue “at their own risk” to access the parks for rights-based activities under the Nunavut Agreement, Parks Canada noted.
These locations have been closed to visitors and researchers since March 18 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Emergency response capabilities are also limited.
“Parks Canada recognizes that these temporary closures have impacts on many, including outfitters, artists, Inuit firms, and service providers,” the agency’s news release reads. “Future decisions regarding the reopening of (the parks)… will continue to align with municipal, territorial and federal public health guidance and in consideration of advice from joint Inuit/government planning and management committees.”
Parks Canada offices in Nunavut are also closed. Members of the public are advised to contact their local Parks Canada office by phone for any inquiries, or to call Parks Canada’s toll-free general inquires line at 1-877-773-8888.