Well, here we go again. Further to what AlphEcho posted above:
The article
Top 10 Expeditions of 2023. #2: Kayaking the Northwest Passage states this was their second attempt at this trip having aborted the first in 2022. It also states: "A snowmobile from Pond Inlet conveyed them to their starting point at the eastern end of Bylot Island, just north of Baffin Island." A search provided this
map of Inuit Owned Lands that shows that the southeast tip of Bylot Island is marked as Inuit Owned Land. I am engaging in conjecture here, but I would suspect that an Inuit likely transported them and their gear from Pond Inlet to the cabin on Bylot Island where they were waiting for the ice to clear for two weeks.
Bylot Island was designated a Bird Sanctuary in 1965 and became a a part of
Sirmilik National Park, Hence both the
National Park Act and the
Migratory Birds Convention Act and the Migratory Birds Sanctuary Regulations apply to this case. In addition, the Inuit have a role to play in reviewing applications for use permits in conjunction with Parks Canada.
I will also note that the Park Headquarter is in Pond Inlet. There is also an RCMP Detachment in Pond Inlet. The Park website has a page titled
Plan Your Visit that provides pretty much all the information and links for someone who does their due diligence in planning a trip.
The Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment and Climate Change Canada is the actual primary management authority for the Bird Sanctuary and also maintains a web page that goes into detail on access to the
Bylot Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary. So two thoughts here: yes a complex bureaucracy, but also a sensitive ecology and a heavily protected area. The web pages I have linked make it clear that permits must be applied for and obtained, and that it is not a quick and easy process.
If you can plan and execute a 5 month arctic expedition with no resupply, you can get your permitting.
As AlphEcho says above, this should not have been something neglected or overlooked, especially if it was a second attempt at the trip. I also agree that I find it impossible to understand why one can in fact get a permit to kayak camp in this arctic sanctuary, yet not in Pacific Rim National Park?
As for how did the authorities find out about this trip? Pond Inlet is a very small community. An expedition such as this would attract notice and comment. No doubt the Park Wardens heard about it, knew that permits were not obtained and likely went directly to the person or persons who took the group out to the cabin on the Island. The article also states that they turned off their tracking devices while on Bylot Island, that would seem to indicate perhaps a bit of an attempt to allude detection.
And yet another wrinkle, the Polar Bears and the firearms question: Most visitors to Canadian Arctic National Parks, cannot obtain a permit to carry a firearm. The list of those who can get such a permit is quite restrictive:
Who may be authorized to carry and use a firearm for protection?
The following categories of park users may be authorized to carry and use firearms for self-protection and the protection of others from bears:
1. Bear monitors - in all national parks to which the provisions apply. Must be beneficiaries (this requirement does not apply in Wapusk National Park).
2. Beneficiary guides - in all national parks to which the provisions apply.
3. Non-beneficiary guides - only in Polar Bear Parks provided beneficiary guides are not available.This requirement does not apply in Wapusk National Park. Non-beneficiary guides can hire bear monitors to provide protection for their clients.
4. Researchers – in Wapusk National Park, and in the other Polar Bear Parks when bear monitors are not available or if it is logistically unfeasible to hire a bear monitor.
5. Local users – in Wapusk National Park. Local users are defined in the Wapusk National Park of Canada Park Use Regulations.6. Commercial sport hunting guides – only Inuvialuit guides who must traverse through Aulavik National Park and Tuktut Nogait National Park or Inuit guides who must traverse through Sirmilik National Park, Auyuittuq National Park or Quttinirpaaq National Park.
7. Members of sovereignty operations – in national parks where an agreement exists between Parks Canada and the Department of National Defence.
The articles quoted note that the group were carrying a firearm for bear protection. That may have been the deal breaker for them with respect to an access permit. Do the trip, at least the Bylot Island leg without a rifle, or hire a guide who is licensed to carry one to accompany them on that leg. Hiring a guide would have been costly. Going without a firearm risky, What to do?
More questions, few answers, but the court trial record should fill out much of the relevant details once the trial is finished. That is if anyone is inclined to obtain them. A very interesting case study for expedition planners to remote locations in arctic Canada. I expect someone on the forum will post an update when a trial is completed.
Cheers, Rick
nunatsiaq.com
paddlingmag.com
