Community and
Government Services
Review of Nunavut's Planning Act
Project Overview
The Government of Nunavut (GN), Department of Community and Government Services (CGS), is undertaking a review of the Nunavut Planning Act.
The Planning Act (Act) is the key piece of territorial legislation that provides the guiding framework for community planning and development activity across Nunavut. The Act specifies the format and content of municipal planning documents such as General Plans (also known as Community Plans), Zoning Bylaws, and Development Schemes that are adopted by municipal governments to determine how communities will change and develop over time. The Act also establishes a development permitting system and has enforcement mechanisms.
Why Are We Reviewing the Planning Act?
The 1974 Planning Act was created by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and adopted by the Government of Nunavut upon its creation in 1999. Created before the Nunavut Agreement, the Act is outdated and does not adequately reflect Inuit Culture.
The revised Planning Act will:
- Support communities in ensuring that development takes place in an orderly manner that fosters the growth of safe, sustainable, and resilient communities.
- Comply with the Nunavut Agreement and is better aligned with Inuit Societal Values, Inuit cultural norms, and Inuit authorities and responsibilities.
- Honour the lifestyles and traditions of Nunavut residents in relation to planning, land administration, and community development.
- Provide an open, fair, and transparent planning system for Nunavut by clarifying roles and responsibilities and making the legislative process more accessible.
- Reflect national planning best practices and provides innovative and effective tools to address land use challenges.
Engagement Overview
During the Planning Act review, we will be engaging collaborative partners and community members, to identify issues and discuss potential solutions. This process, beginning in November 2023, will be an opportunity for anyone interested to help shape how development takes place and improve the planning process.
For those who have in-depth knowledge of planning and community development in Nunavut or regularly work with the Planning Act (e.g., government employees, Inuit organizations, non-governmental organizations, and developers); remote interviews will be held. These interviews will be hosted remotely by Nunami Stantec staff on behalf of the Nunavut government using online technologies (e.g., Microsoft Teams and Zoom) or by telephone.
Meetings with communities and residents (e.g., municipal councils, designated Inuit organizations, school groups, elders, other members of the public) will be conducted in-person by CGS staff who will be travelling around Nunavut.
Once the engagement is complete, information gathered will be reviewed and used by the Government of Nunavut to inform proposed revisions to the Planning Act.
Engagement Schedule
| Community | Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin Inlet | Rec Hall (Old Arena) | November 15, 2023 | 07:00 PM to 09:00 PM |
| Iqaluit | Iqaluit Aquatic Centre, NWTel Multipurpose Room | November 20, 2023 | 07:00 PM to 09:00 PM |
| Pond Inlet | Community Hall | November 25, 2023 | 02:00 PM to 05:00 PM |
| Cambridge Bay | Luke Novoligak Community Hall | December 4, 2023 | 07:00 PM to 09:00 PM |
| Kugluktuk | Colin Adjun Hall | December 7, 2023 | 06:00 PM to 09:00 PM |
Share Your Feedback
Your opinion matters to the Government of Nunavut! Here is how to participate:
- Visit this website for regular updates
- Attend upcoming community meetings (see the events calendar for dates, times, and locations)
- Provide your input through the online comment form
- Email us directly at CGSPlanningLands@gov.nu.ca