October 10, 2014 - Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council; Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird; the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade; and the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today approved the Joint Statement by Canada and the European Union on Access to the European Union of Seal Products from Indigenous Communities of Canada.
The joint statement sets out the framework for cooperation to ensure that Canadian Indigenous communities are treated the same as any other Indigenous community seeking access for seal products in markets within the European Union.
The joint statement recognizes the importance of preserving traditional ways of life in Indigenous communities and establishes that the two sides will:
- ensure that nothing prevents the participation of Canadian non-Indigenous persons and organizations from processing, manufacturing and marketing Canadian Indigenous seal products;
- explore possibilities for supporting Indigenous communities and traditional ways of life through capacity building and the exchange of best practices;
- explore how Indigenous communities can benefit from the new opportunities opened up by the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement to develop their economic, social and environmental potential; and
- ensure that Indigenous seal products imported into the European Union are not limited due to their type or intended purpose.
An expert group will work in a collaborative manner with stakeholders to establish the administrative arrangements required for access to the EU available under its exemption for seal products from Canadian Indigenous communities.
The Government of Canada remains firmly committed to defending its sealing industry and the communities that depend on the seal harvest.
“Our government has long advocated for a safe and sustainable seal hunt. We took this fight all the way to the World Trade Organization. As a result of our efforts, the WTO found that the EU seal ban was arbitrarily and unjustifiably discriminatory against Canadian Indigenous sealers. We are pleased with this result. This joint statement charts out the course for greater market access for Canadian seal products and will help Indigenous communities that depend on the seal hunt to provide for their families and maintain their traditional way of life.”
- Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council
“Sealing has been a part of the fabric of Inuit life for millennia. The Government of Nunavut strongly supports and endorses any expanded access and opportunities that the European market may have for Indigenous seal products. We appreciate and acknowledge the good work of the Government of Canada to pursue greater access for seals and seal products in the European Community.”
- Peter Taptuna, Premier of Nunavut
“The Inuvialuit are pleased to see the Government of Canada moving forward a process to secure access to the European market for seals harvested by Canadian Inuit. The exemptions applied to the European Union’s prohibition on the importation of seals and seal products unfairly discriminated against Canadian Inuit, and we are hopeful that today’s announcement marks the commencement of a process that will rectify this concern.”
- Nellie Cournoyea, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
“Inuit appreciate the Government of Canada’s efforts in standing up for Inuit, Inuit culture and our way of life. Sealing is a vital part of the economy in Inuit communities and has a significant impact on the economic and social well-being of Inuit. I welcome Canada’s discussions with the EU that aim to provide Inuit with direct access to the EU market and to overcome domestic infrastructure and other barriers faced by Inuit. Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated looks forward to working with the Government of Canada to ensure that this initiative that aims to benefit Inuit reflects the interests, reality and viewpoints of Inuit communities and fosters capacity building and economic self-sufficiency, which will benefit Canada as a whole.”
- Cathy Towtongie, President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
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