Nunavut devolution preparations enter final phase before April 2027 land transfer

Nunavut's devolution preparations are entering their final phase, Premier John Main's office said Tuesday. Devolution will transfer control over the vast majority of Crown land in the territory from Ottawa to the Government of Nunavut as of April 1, 2027. To enable it, Nunavut must mirror six federal laws. MLAs passed four through second reading this fall, including the Waters Act and Public Lands Act, and the remaining two will be tabled in the winter sitting. A new Department of Mines, Natural Resources and Land is being created, and federal employees offered territorial jobs have until November 22 to respond.