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Resolute Bay

Located on the southern coast of Cornwallis Island, Resolute Bay is the second most northern civilian community in Canada.  The community is named after the HMS Resolute, a British ship that searched for the lost Franklin expedition, and in Inuktitut it is known as Quaasuittuq, or “the place with no dawn”. There are many species of wildlife in the region and several protected areas have been established, including Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area, and the Prince Leopold Island and Seymour Island Migratory Bird Sanctuaries.  The community’s northern location makes it the major gateway for expeditions to the North Pole and to Quttinirpaaq (Ellesmere Island) National Park.

Potential non-renewable resources in the region include: oil and gas, iron, coal, gold, diamonds, uranium, and base metals.

Land Use Planning

Approved Land Use Plan

Resolute Bay is located within the planning region of the North Baffin Regional Land Use Plan (NBRLUP). The NPC reviews all project proposals in and around Resolute Bay to determine if the proposed activities conform to the requirements of the NBRLUP.

Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan

Between 2004 and 2011, NPC staff visited every Nunavut community to conduct individual “Use and Occupancy Mapping” interviews to collect information on traditional land use activities “within living memory”. This community land use information is included in the Draft Plan and has been used to support decision-making.

The Commission also visited the Community on January 28-29, 2013 for community engagement meetings on the Draft Plan.

Information was presented and received from participants in Resolute Bay in accordance with Nunavut Planning Commission’s Engagement Strategy. The summary report of the Community Meetings on the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan held on January 28-29, 2013 in Resolute Bay can be found below.

The community views and comments have been very informative in the ongoing process of development and revisions of the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan. In particular, all areas of importance identified by the community are included in the Draft Plan as “Community Priorities and Values”.

Fact Sheet
Region: 
Baffin
Population: 
229
87% Inuit
Longitude: 
94° 59.4' W
Latitude: 
74° 43.2' N
3,390 km north of Ottawa