Nunavut signed an agreement with the federal government to transfer responsibility for public lands and resource rights, marking the conclusion of several years of negotiations and paving the way for the territory to be managed by Nunavummiut.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau traveled to Iqaluit to attend the signing ceremony, alongside Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Aluki Kotierk.

Nunavut is the last of the three territories to gain control over its lands and resources. In 2003, Yukon received the same responsibilities from Ottawa, followed by the Northwest Territories in 2014.

The delegation of authority to manage public lands and resources marks the final chapter in the transfer of responsibilities between Ottawa and the territories. For Premier P.J. Akeeagok, Nunavut's vision of full control over its home is finally coming to fruition.

Unlike provinces, which exercise powers granted by the constitution, the territories do not have inherent powers except those delegated to them by Ottawa. Since the 1960s, the federal government has been transferring responsibilities and powers to the three territories, such as education, housing, and airport management.

Discussions with Ottawa to gain responsibilities for managing lands and resources began a few years after Nunavut was established on April 1, 1999.

The signing ceremony will be followed by a community celebration in the evening at the Aqsarniit Hotel.

The 13-chapter agreement outlines the conditions for transferring ownership to the territory, especially regarding assets, buildings, federal employees, petroleum resource management, contaminated sites, as well as financial matters.

The agreement takes effect upon signing, but its implementation will take several years. For example, a three-year period has been granted for transitional activities, which include, among other things, amending territorial laws, including the Nunavut Agreement. Responsibilities will be officially transferred on April 1, 2027.

The Government of Nunavut (GN) will receive $67,250,000 from the federal government and $1,750,000 from Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) to complete transitional activities. The territory will later receive ongoing annual funding of $85,800,000, while Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) will receive a recurring amount of $3 million to cover all costs related to the agreement starting April 1, 2027.