EMRPC Mandate, functions, roles and responsibilities

The Eeyou Marine Region Planning Commission (EMRPC) is an Institution of Public Government (IPG) that was established pursuant to the provisions of the Agreement between the Crees of Eeyou Istchee and Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada Concerning the Eeyou Marine Region, also known as the Eeyou Marine Region Land Claims Agreement (EMRLCA), which was signed on July 7, 2010 and came into force by Order of the Government of Canada on February 15, 2012. 

As set forth under Chapter 8 of the EMRLCA, the EMRPC shall be the main instrument of land use planning in the EMR. Accordingly, the primary functions of the EMRPC include: 

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  • Prepare land use plan(s), that guide and direct resource development and use in the EMR; and,
  • Develop planning policies, priorities and objectives regarding the conservation, development, management and use of land in the EMR.

In addition of its primary functions, the roles and responsibilities of the EMRPC include:
  • Identify planning regions;
  • Identify specific planning objectives, goals and variables that apply to planning regions and are consistent with the broader objectives and goals;
  • Contribute to the development and review of arctic and sub arctic policies;
  • Disseminate information and data;
  • Solicit opinions from Cree Bands, Cree community residents and others about planning objectives, goals and options of the region;
  • Prepare and circulate draft land use plans;
  • Promote public awareness and discussion and conduct public hearings and debate throughout the planning process.
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  • Recommend plans to the Minister;
  • Consider modifications requested by the minister in the event that a draft plan is rejected;
  • Consider amendments to a land use plan in accordance with this chapter;
  • Determine whether a project proposal is in conformity with a land use plan;
  • Monitor projects to ensure that they are in conformity with land use plans; and, 
  • Report annually on the implementation of land use plans.

Further to these roles and responsibilities, as set forth under Chapter 18 of the Agreement, the EMRPC, in co-operation with Government, is responsible for developing a general monitoring plan and for directing and coordinating general monitoring and data collection.