NR 00-32 GUN ENG Firearms Hotline.doc

Iqaluit, Nunavut (December 20, 2000) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc (NTI) will be setting up a toll free telephone line to hear from Inuit Beneficiaries about problems they face due to the coming into force of the Federal Firearms Act. Inuit who are experiencing difficulties with applying for licenses, or other matters related to the legislation or regulations, can phone to let NTI know about the problem. The number will be announced in the next few days and can be dialled toll free anywhere in Nunavut. It will be activated on January 5, 2001.

We at NTI have taken many actions to protect Inuit rights that are being violated by the Firearms Act. These rights are defined and protected by the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and we will continue to do everything we can to protect those rights, said Paul Quassa, President of NTI.

We are setting up this phone line to help Inuit now, when they need it, but NTI continues, as directed by our Annual General Meeting, to call on the Federal government to set up a process where, together, we can build a long-term solution for Nunavut, he continued. We are not trying to do the work of the Firearms Centre but we must know about difficulties Inuit are facing so we can be sure that the Federal Government is aware of them.