Nunavut premier wants Arctic offshore oil and gas ban lifted

Nunavut Premier John Main says he wants Ottawa to lift the moratorium on Arctic offshore oil and gas development, which runs until 2029, to build territorial revenue and reduce dependence on federal transfers. His comments, in an interview with Canada's National Observer, followed the Nov. 5 federal budget's commitment of $11 million over four years for governance and oversight of Arctic offshore oil and gas activities. The budget itself does not say whether the ban will be lifted. Main wants a Nunavut-specific offshore framework. Nunavut takes over Crown land and resources next April, but offshore areas remain under federal jurisdiction.