Nunavut Waters Regulations

Contents

Whereas the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development has consulted with the Nunavut Water Board in accordance with paragraph 82(1)(f) of the Nunavut Waters and Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act;^noteAnd whereas that Board has concurred with that Minister’s recommendation in accordance with subsection 82(2) of that Act;Therefore, His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, pursuant to section 82 of that Act and section 8 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, makes the annexed Nunavut Waters Regulations.^note

Interpretation

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The following definitions apply in these Regulations.

Act means the Nunavut Waters and Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act. (Loi)

undertaking means an appurtenant undertaking, or an undertaking in relation to a use of waters or deposit of waste for which a licence is not required, of a type set out in Schedule 1. (entreprise)

Nunavut Land Claims Agreement

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For greater certainty,

(a)the issuance by the Board of a type A or B licence, or the approval by the Board of an application for a use of waters or deposit of waste without a licence, constitutes an approval by the Board for the purposes of section 13.7.1 of the Agreement; and

(b)a use of waters or a deposit of waste without a licence that is described in section 4 or 5 is not authorized by these Regulations unless the Board has approved the use or deposit.

Application for Approval of Use of Waters or Deposit of Waste Without a Licence

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An application for the approval of a use of waters or deposit of waste without a licence must be submitted to the Board and contain the following information:

(a)the applicant’s name, postal address and telephone number and their fax number and electronic mail address, if any;

(b)the name of the owner of any land that will be used in relation to the waters to be used or the waste to be deposited;

(c)the type of undertaking in respect of which waters will be used or waste will be deposited;

(d)the equipment that will be used in using the waters or depositing the waste;

(e)the location of the undertaking, including its geographical coordinates, if known, and the water management area in which the undertaking is located;

(f)in the case of an application for a use of waters,

(i)the purpose for which the waters will be used,

(ii)the quantity of water, in cubic metres, that will be used per day,

(iii)whether the use of the waters will involve watercourse crossing or training, and

(iv)the period or periods during which the waters will be used; and

(g)in the case of an application for a deposit of waste,

(i)the type of waste to be deposited,

(ii)the quantity of waste, in cubic metres, that will be deposited per day,

(iii)where the waste will be deposited,

(iv)any measures that will be taken to avoid or mitigate any adverse impacts, and

(v)the period or periods during which the waste will be deposited.

Use of Waters Without a Licence

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(1)For the purposes of paragraph 11(2)(a) of the Act, a licence is not required for a use of waters that

(a)is of a type set out in column 2 of Schedule 2 that satisfies a criterion set out in column 3 in respect of an undertaking set out in column 1;

(b)would not substantially affect the quality, quantity or flow of the waters;

(c)would not substantially affect the quality, quantity or flow of waters flowing through Inuit-owned land; and

(d)would not adversely affect the use of waters by a person who would be entitled to compensation under section 58 or 60 of the Act if their use of those waters were to be adversely affected by an applicant for a licence.

(2)Despite subsection (1), no use of waters without a licence is authorized if a licence is required for another use of waters, or a deposit of waste, in respect of the same undertaking.

(3)No use of waters without a licence is authorized unless the following conditions are complied with:

(a)measures must be taken prior to using waters to minimize any alteration to the bed or banks of a watercourse whose waters are to be used, and the measures must be maintained during the operation of the undertaking;

(b)prior to the closure or abandonment of the undertaking or the end of the period authorized for the use of waters, whichever occurs first, the site must be restored — to the extent practicable — to the state in which it was before the waters were used; and

(c)in the case of a person who has a mineral right and who uses waters in relation to that right, the person must respect the priority conferred on Inuit by section 62 of the Act as if that person had a licence for the use.

(4)Despite paragraph (3)(b), a site need not be restored prior to the end of the period authorized for the use of waters without a licence if the Board issues a licence for a use of waters on that site prior to the end of that period.

(5)A use of waters without a licence is authorized for a period of one year after the day on which the Board approves the application for the approval of the use.

Waste Deposit Without a Licence

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(1)For the purposes of paragraph 12(2)(a) of the Act, a licence is not required for a deposit of waste that

(a)satisfies a criterion set out in column 3 of Schedule 3 in respect of an undertaking set out in column 1 that is engaged in an activity set out in column 2;

(b)would not substantially affect the quality, quantity or flow of the waters in which it is deposited;

(c)would not substantially affect the quality, quantity or flow of waters flowing through Inuit-owned land; and

(2)In the case of a deposit of waste that is discharged from a vessel within the meaning of section 2 of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, a licence is not required if the deposit is not prohibited under Part 9 of that Act and satisfies paragraphs (1)(c) and (d).

(3)Despite subsection (1), no deposit of waste without a licence is authorized if a licence is required for another deposit of waste, or a use of waters, in respect of the same undertaking.

(4)No deposit of waste without a licence is authorized unless the following conditions are complied with:

(a)the waste must not be deposited to surface waters or within 31 m of the ordinary high water mark of any body of water;

(b)the waste must not contain more than 15 mg/L of petroleum or petroleum product and must not have a visible hydrocarbon sheen;

(c)prior to the closure or abandonment of the undertaking or the end of the period authorized for the deposit, whichever occurs first, the site must be restored — to the extent practicable — to the state in which it was before the waste was deposited; and

(d)in the case of a person who has a mineral right and who deposits waste in relation to that right, the person must respect the priority conferred on Inuit by section 62 of the Act as if that person had a licence for the deposit.

(5)Despite paragraph (4)(c), a site need not be restored prior to the end of the period authorized for the deposit without a licence if the Board issues a licence for a deposit of waste on that site prior to the end of that period.

(6)A deposit of waste without a licence is authorized for a period of one year after the day on which the Board approves the application for the approval of the deposit.

Books and Records: Use of Waters or Deposit of Waste Without a Licence

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(1)A person who is authorized under these Regulations to use waters or deposit waste without a licence must

(a)maintain accurate and detailed books and records of

(i)the quantity of water, in cubic metres, used each day,

(ii)the quantity of waste, in cubic metres, deposited each day,

(iii)the type of waste deposited each day,

(iv)where the waste is deposited,

(v)the concentration of the substance, or substances, in the deposited solid or liquid that has the effect of making the deposit waste,

(vi)the methodology used to calculate or determine the information referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (iv), and

(vii)the measures that were taken to avoid or mitigate any adverse impacts of the deposit of waste;

(b)keep the books and records on the site of the undertaking during the period of its operation and make them available during that period to an inspector on request;

(c)submit to the Board a report containing a summary description and supporting photographs of the restoration of the site of the undertaking within 30 days after the earlier of

(i)the day on which the undertaking is closed or abandoned, and

(ii)the last day of the period authorized for the use or deposit without a licence; and

(d)keep the books and records for two years after the day on which they submit the report describing the restoration of the site of the undertaking.

(2)Despite subparagraph (1)(c)(ii), a person need not submit a report to the Board if the person obtains the Board’s approval for a use of waters or deposit of waste without a licence, or a licence for a use of waters or a deposit of waste, on the same site within the period referred to in subparagraph (1)(c)(ii).

Licensing Criteria for Use of Waters

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(1)For the purposes of subsection 42(1) of the Act, the appropriate licence for a use of waters is

(a)a type B licence if

(i)the use is of a type set out in column 2 of Schedule 2 and satisfies a criterion set out in column 4 in respect of an undertaking set out in column 1, or

(ii)the use satisfies the criterion set out in paragraph 4(1)(a) but does not satisfy one or more criterion set out in paragraphs 4(1)(b) to (d); and

(b)a type A licence if the use is of a type set out in column 2 of Schedule 2 and satisfies a criterion set out in column 5 in respect of an undertaking set out in column 1.

(2)Despite paragraph 1(a), a type A licence is the appropriate licence for a use of waters if a type A licence is required for another use of waters, or a deposit of waste, in respect of the same undertaking.

(3)For the purposes of subsections 42(1) and (3) of the Act, a type B licence is the licence that the Board may issue for a use of waters described in subsection 4(1).

Licensing Criteria for Deposit of Waste

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(1)For the purposes of subsection 42(1) of the Act, the appropriate licence for a deposit of waste is

(a)a type B licence if

(i)the deposit satisfies a criterion set out in column 4 of Schedule 3 in respect of an undertaking set out in column 1 that is engaged in an activity set out in column 2, or

(ii)the deposit satisfies the criterion set out in paragraph 5(1)(a) but does not satisfy one or more criterion set out in paragraph 5(1)(b) or (c); and

(b)a type A licence if the deposit meets a criterion set out in column 5 of Schedule 3 in respect of an undertaking set out in column 1 that is engaged in an activity set out in column 2.

(2)Despite paragraph 1(a), a type A licence is the appropriate licence for a deposit of waste if a type A licence is required for another deposit of waste, or a use of waters, in respect of the same undertaking.

(3)For the purposes of subsections 42(1) and (3) of the Act, a type B licence is the licence that the Board may issue for a deposit of waste described in subsection 5(1).

Public Hearings

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(1)For the purposes of section 13.7.3 of the Agreement and subsection 52(1) of the Act, no public hearing is required in respect of an application for

(a)an amendment to a type A licence that does not affect the use, flow or quality of waters or alter the term of the licence;

(b)one or several renewals of a type A licence if the total duration of the renewal or renewals does not exceed 180 days;

(c)the assignment of a type A licence; or

(d)the issuance, amendment, renewal, assignment or cancellation of a type B licence.

(2)For the purposes of section 13.7.3 of the Agreement, no public hearing is required in respect of an application for a use of waters or deposit of waste without a licence.

Security

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(1)For the purposes of subsection 76(1) of the Act, the Board may fix the amount of security required to be furnished by an applicant for a licence, a licensee or a prospective assignee in an amount not exceeding the aggregate of

(a)the costs of the abandonment of the undertaking;

(b)the costs of the restoration of the site of the undertaking;

(c)the costs of any ongoing measures that may remain to be taken after the abandonment of the undertaking; and

(d)the compensation that a person, including the designated Inuit organization, who is adversely affected by the use of waters or deposit of waste may be entitled to under section 13 of the Act.

(2)In fixing an amount of security, the Board may have regard to

(a)the ability of the applicant, licensee or prospective assignee to pay the costs referred to in subsection (1); or

(b)the past performance by the applicant, licensee or prospective assignee in respect of any other licence.

(3)Security must be in the form of

(a)a promissory note guaranteed by a bank listed in Schedule I or II to the Bank Act and made payable to the Receiver General;

(b)a certified cheque drawn on a bank listed in Schedule I or II to the Bank Act and made payable to the Receiver General;

(c)a performance bond approved by the Treasury Board for the purposes of paragraph (c) of the definition security deposit in section 2 of the Government Contracts Regulations;

(d)an irrevocable letter of credit from a bank listed in Schedule I or II to the Bank Act; or

(e)a cash payment.

Fees

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A fee of $30 is payable on the submission of an application for a licence, an application for the amendment, renewal, cancellation or assignment of a licence or an application under section 77 of the Act.

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(1)Subject to subsections (4) to (6), the fee payable by a licensee for the right to use waters, calculated on an annual basis, is

(a)in respect of an agricultural undertaking, the greater of

(i)$30, and

(ii)$0.15 for each 1 000 m³ that is authorized by the licence;

(b)in respect of an industrial or mining undertaking, or the undertaking set out in item 8, column 1 of Schedule 1, the greater of $30 and the aggregate of

(i)for the first 2 000 m³ per day that is authorized by the licence, $1 for each 100 m³ per day,

(ii)for any quantity greater than 2 000 m³ per day but less than or equal to 4 000 m³ per day that is authorized by the licence, $1.50 for each 100 m³ per day, and

(iii)for any quantity greater than 4 000 m³ per day that is authorized by the licence, $2 for each 100 m³ per day; and

(c)in respect of a power undertaking,

(i)for a Class 0 power undertaking, nil,

(ii)for a Class 1 power undertaking, $1,500,

(iii)for a Class 2 power undertaking, $4,000,

(iv)for a Class 3 power undertaking, $10,000,

(v)for a Class 4 power undertaking, $30,000,

(vi)for a Class 5 power undertaking, $80,000, and

(vii)for a Class 6 power undertaking, $90,000 for the first 100 000 kW of authorized production and $1,000 for each 1 000 kW of authorized production in excess of 100 000 kW.

(2)For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), if a licence authorizes a use of waters on a basis other than a daily basis, the licence fee payable must be calculated by converting the rate of authorized use to an equivalent daily rate.

(3)If the volume of water is specified in a licence to be total watercourse flow, the licence fee must be calculated using the mean daily flow of the watercourse, calculated on an annual basis.

(4)Licence fees are payable only for the portion of the year during which the licence is in effect.

(5)No licence fees are payable in respect of a diversion of waters where the waters are not otherwise used.

(6)No licence fees are payable for the right to the use of waters on, in or flowing through Inuit-owned lands.

(7)Licence fees shall be paid or, in the case of an initial payment, deducted from the deposit

(a)in respect of a licence for a term of one year or less, at the time the licence is issued; and

(b)in respect of a licence for a term of more than one year,

(i)for the first year of the licence, at the time the licence is issued, and

(ii)for each subsequent year of the licence, and for any portion of the final year of the licence, on the anniversary of the date of issuance of the licence.

Books and Records

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A licensee must

(a)maintain accurate and detailed books and records of

(i)the quantity of water, in cubic metres, used each day,

(ii)the quantity of waste, in cubic metres, deposited each day,

(iii)the type of waste deposited each day,

(iv)the concentration of the substance, or substances, in the deposited solid or liquid that has the effect of making the deposit waste, and

(v)the methodology used to calculate or determine the information referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (iv);

(b)keep the books and records on the site of the appurtenant undertaking during the period of its operation or until the expiry or cancellation of the licence; and

(c)keep the books and records for a period of at least five years after the expiry or cancellation of the licence.

Annual Report

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(1)A licensee must submit an annual report to the Board, in a form acceptable to the Board, by March 31 of each year. The report must contain the following information in respect of the previous calendar year:

(a)the licensee’s name and licence number;

(b)the quantity of water, in cubic metres, used by the licensee, the source of the water and the purpose of its use;

(c)the quantity, in cubic metres, and type of waste deposited by the licensee and the location of the deposit, including its geographical coordinates;

(d)the concentration of the substance, or substances, in the deposited solid or liquid that has the effect of making the deposit waste;

(e)the measures that were taken to avoid or mitigate any adverse impacts of the deposit of waste;

(f)a summary of any maintenance, modification or construction of a work that forms part of the appurtenant undertaking;

(g)if the appurtenant undertaking was abandoned, a summary description and supporting photographs of the site of the undertaking at the time of its abandonment;

(h)if the site of the appurtenant undertaking was restored, a summary description and supporting photographs of the restoration;

(i)a summary of any study or monitoring program undertaken, any data collected under the study or program, any work constructed and any plan submitted pursuant to paragraph 70(1)(c) of the Act;

(j)a summary of any changes made to operation and maintenance plans in respect of any work that forms part of the appurtenant undertaking; and

(k)a summary of any measures taken in response to a direction given by an inspector under section 87 of the Act.

(2)The report must be signed and dated by

(a)the licensee, if the licensee is an individual; or

(b)an authorized agent of the licensee, if the licensee is not an individual.

(3)On application in writing by a licensee, the Board may extend the period for submitting an annual report for a period of up to 60 days if the Board is satisfied that an extension is justified in the circumstances.

(4)Within 90 days after the day of the expiry or cancellation of a licence, the licensee must submit a report to the Board — in a form acceptable to the Board and signed and dated by the person referred to in subsection (2) — that contains the information set out in subsection (1) in respect of the current calendar year.

Public Register

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(1)The register referred to in section 78 of the Act must be in printed or electronic form and contain

(a)a copy of each application and all documents received or provided by the Board in respect of the application;

(b)all records in respect of any public hearing held in connection with the application;

(c)all documents received or provided by the Board in respect of compliance with the conditions of a licence or the conditions imposed on the use of waters or deposit of waste without a licence; and

(d)all documents received or provided by the Board in respect of the cancellation of a licence.

(2)Despite paragraph (1)(a), a document received by the Board in respect of an application does not need to be kept in the register if an Act of Parliament requires that the document be kept in a registry maintained by the Nunavut Planning Commission or the Nunavut Impact Review Board.

Reporting of Unauthorized Deposit of Waste

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(1)For the purposes of subsection 12(3) of the Act, a person who reports a deposit of waste that is not authorized by a licence or these Regulations must report the location, date and nature of the deposit

(a)to an inspector, in person or by telephone or electronic mail; and

(b)to any emergency spill notification service of the Nunavut government, by telephone, fax or electronic mail.

(2)Information that is reported in person or by telephone must also be reported in writing to an inspector without delay.

Water Management Areas

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(1)Each watershed shown on the map set out in Schedule 4 is established as a water management area.

(2)The boundaries of each watershed are described in the document entitled Nunavut Watersheds Descriptions dated December 1, 2010, and deposited with the Board by the Assistant Deputy Minister, Northern Affairs Organization, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

(3)Any part of a watershed described in the document referred to in subsection (2) that is a marine area does not form part of a water management area.

(4)The Board must make the document referred to in subsection (2) available to the public.

Coming into Force

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These Regulations come into force on the day on which they are registered.

Schedule 1 · (Section 1 and paragraph 12(1)(b))

Item | Column 1 | Column 2Type of Undertaking | Description of Undertaking1 | Industrial undertaking | Manufacturing processes, hydrostatic testing, quarrying and gravel washing, petroleum and gas exploration, the production, processing, refining or storage of petroleum, petroleum products or gas, cooling systems, food processing, tanneries, the smelting or refining of minerals, metal finishing, the restoration of the site of an industrial undertaking and any other industrial activity2 | Mining undertaking | Exploration or prospecting — including bulk sampling — for minerals other than petroleum or gas, the operation of a mine, the processing of minerals other than petroleum or gas, the restoration of the site of a mine and any other mining activity other than an industrial activity described in item 1, column 23 | Municipal undertaking | A waste disposal or water system for a municipality4 | Power undertaking | Authorized hydro, geothermal or nuclear electrical generation of(a)Class 0 | 150 kW or less per day(b)Class 1 | More than 150 kW per day but less than 5 000 kW per day(c)Class 2 | 5 000 kW or more per day but less than 10 000 kW per day(d)Class 3 | 10 000 kW or more per day but less than 20 000 kW per day(e)Class 4 | 20 000 kW or more per day but less than 50 000 kW per day(f)Class 5 | 50 000 kW or more per day but less than 100 000 kW per day(g)Class 6 | 100 000 kW or more per day5 | Agricultural undertaking | Nourishing crops or providing water for livestock6 | Conservation undertaking | Works for the preservation, protection or improvement of the natural environment7 | Recreational undertaking | A commercial or public recreational development, including camps and tourist lodges8 | Other undertaking | Research projects and any undertaking other than an undertaking set out in any of items 1 to 7

Schedule 2 · (Paragraph 4(1)(a), subparagraph 7(1)(a)(i) and paragraph 7(1)(b))

Item | Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5Type of Undertaking | Type of Water Use | Water Use Authorized Without Licence | Water Use Requiring Type B Licence | Water Use Requiring Type A Licence1 | Power undertaking | Use of waters for authorized hydro, geothermal or nuclear electrical generation | None | Class 0 | Classes 1 to 62 | Any undertaking other than a power undertaking | (1)Any use of water related to the construction of watercourse crossings | Any use of waters related to the construction of a structure across a watercourse that is less than 5 m wide at the ordinary high water mark at the point of construction | Any use of waters related to the construction of a structure across a watercourse that is 5 m or more wide at the ordinary high water mark at the point of construction | None(2)Any use of waters related to watercourse training | (a)any use of waters related to the training of an intermittent watercourse(b)any use of water related to the training of a watercourse that is less than 5 m wide at the ordinary high water mark at the point of training(c)any use of water related to the training of a watercourse that involves the infilling of the watercourse, if the watercourse has no inflow or outflow and a surface area of less than 0.5 hectares(d)any use of water related to the training of a watercourse that involves removal or placement of less than 100 m3 of material | Any use of waters related to any other watercourse training | None(3)Any use of waters related to the alteration of flow of waters, or storage of waters, by means of dams or dikes | (a)any use of waters related to the construction of a temporary structure in a watercourse for the purpose of flood control(b)any use of water related to the storage of less than 2 500 m3 | (a)any use of waters related to the storage of 2 500 m3 or more but less than 60 000 m3(b)any use of waters related to a temporary alteration of the flow of waters(c)any use of waters related to the construction of a permanent structure in a watercourse for the purpose of flood control | (a)any use of waters related to the storage of 60 000 m3 or more(b)any use of waters related to a permanent alteration of the flow of waters(4)Any other use of waters | Use of less than 50 m3 per day | Use of 50 m3 or more but less than 300 m3 per day | Use of 300 m3 or more per day

Schedule 3 · (Paragraph 5(1)(a), subparagraph 8(1)(a)(i) and paragraph 8(1)(b))

Schedule 4 · Water Management Areas (Subsection 17(1))

1 Seal Watershed2 Thlewiaza Watershed3 Geillini Watershed4 Tha-anne Watershed5 Thelon Watershed6 Dubawnt Watershed7 Kazan Watershed8 Baker Lake Watershed9 Quoich Watershed10 Chesterfield Inlet Watershed11 Maguse Watershed12 Ferguson Watershed13 Wilson Watershed14 Lorillard Watershed15 Wager Bay Watershed16 Hudson Bay Islands Watershed (includes all the islands within Hudson Bay and James Bay that are not part of Manitoba, Ontario or Quebec)17 Northern Southampton Island Watershed18 Repulse Bay Watershed19 Barrow Watershed20 Kingora Watershed21 Gifford Watershed22 MacDonald Watershed23 Prince Charles Island Watershed24 Koukdjuak Watershed25 Aukpar Watershed26 Great Bear Watershed27 Amundsen Gulf Watershed28 Coppermine Watershed29 Coronation Gulf Watershed30 Queen Maud Gulf Watershed31 Back Watershed32 Back-Hayes (Nunavut) Watershed33 Rasmussen Basin – Larsen Sound Watershed34 Gulf of Boothia Watershed35 Northwestern Victoria Island Watershed36 Hadley Bay Watershed37 Eastern Victoria Island Watershed38 Southern Victoria Island Watershed39 Prince Albert Sound Watershed40 Minto Inlet Watershed41 King William Island Watershed42 Western Prince of Wales Island Watershed43 Eastern Prince of Wales Island Watershed44 Western Somerset Island Watershed45 Eastern Somerset Island Watershed46 Western Brodeur Peninsula Watershed47 Admiralty Inlet Watershed48 Eclipse Sound Watershed49 Southwestern Baffin Bay Watershed50 Northwestern Davis Strait Watershed51 Northern Cumberland Sound Watershed52 Southern Cumberland Sound Watershed53 Frobisher Bay Watershed54 Melville Island Watershed55 Bathurst and Cornwallis Islands Watershed56 Western Devon Island Watershed57 Eastern Devon Island Watershed58 Sverdrup Islands Watershed59 Nansen and Eureka Sounds Watershed60 Greely Fiord Watershed61 Arctic Ocean and Lincoln Sea Watershed62 Northeastern Ellesmere Island Watershed63 Southeastern Ellesmere Island Watershed64 South Ellesmere Island Watershed65 Hudson Strait Watershed (North and West) (includes all the islands in the area that are not part of Quebec)

Federal laws of Canada reproduced under the Reproduction of Federal Law Order (SI/97-5); not the official version. Source: Justice Laws Website.