Federal regulationCanada Gazette, Part IComment Period Closed
Order Designating the Qikiqtait Marine Protected Area
Sponsoring body: Fisheries and Oceans, Dept. ofIntroduced December 21, 2024Last checked August 25, 2026
Read the official text on gazette.gc.caOfficial version — Canada Gazette, Part I
What this regulation does
This Order designates the Qikiqtait Marine Protected Area in southeast Hudson Bay around the Belcher Islands, freezing the footprint of human activities in the area for up to five years under the Oceans Act to protect critical Arctic habitat while longer-term conservation options are explored.
Plain-language summary by Legisail.
Business impact
Compliance
The regulation has minimal impact on existing businesses and industries because virtually all activities currently taking place in the area — including fishing, marine navigation, tourism, shipping, scientific research, and resource harvesting — are explicitly listed as permitted ongoing activities and may continue unchanged. There is no identified oil and gas activity to restrict, and the government's own analysis confirms no incremental costs to Canadians or industry. The main practical effect is that no new commercial or industrial activities can be started in the area during the five-year period, which could affect anyone hoping to launch a new commercial fishery (such as scallop, sea urchin, or sea cucumber harvesting) or new shipping routes — though a Stage I feasibility licence for scallops and sea cucumbers was already issued to the local Hunters and Trappers Association before the Order. The small business lens was determined not to apply because no incremental costs to small businesses are anticipated.
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Where this regulation is
Proposed
Comment period closed
Final publicationPending
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