Steps are being taken to prepare for establishing Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area (TINMCA) in legislation (add to Schedule 1 under the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act (CNMCAA, 2002). As a result, this document has been prepared to address the requirements of the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals (2010) as well as Sections 76(1) and 174(1) of the Nunavut Project Planning and Assessment Act (NuPPAA). A strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is conducted on all establishment proposals for National Parks and National Marine Conservations Areas under legislation, with the objective of supporting environmentally-sound decision making. Under NuPPAA, the establishment of TINMCA requires a submission to the Nunavut Planning Commission for a conformity determination, followed by a Screening by the Nunavut Impact Review Board. Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) is a natural and cultural seascape that is one of the most significant ecological areas in the world. The region supports the traditional use of five Inuit communities in the area including Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, Arctic Bay, Pond Inlet and Clyde River. Communities use the area extensively and travel by boat or snowmobile to harvest fish, birds, seals and other marine mammals. National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs) are a type of marine protected area established for the purpose of protection and conserving representative marine areas for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people of Canada and the world (CNMCAA s4(1)). NMCAs offer an array of ecological, cultural, social and economic benefits, including the provisions of ecosystem services and opportunities to pursue cultural practices and sustainable livelihoods. They are administered by Parks Canada under the CNMCAA, and managed collaboratively with others. The establishment of Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area is part of the NMCA System Plan to represent the Lancaster Sound marine regions, and protect examples of Canada’s marine heritage for present and future generations.In 2009, a federal–territorial–Inuit agreement launched a joint study to determine the desirability and feasibility of establishing a national marine conservation area in Lancaster Sound. The Steering Committee, comprised of Parks Canada, the Government of Nunavut and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA), conducted consultation tours to gather information on ecological values, traditional knowledge, tourism opportunities, fisheries, marine transportation and potential hydrocarbon resources. All five communities expressed significant support for the establishment of an NMCA, and a boundary for the proposed TINMCA was announced in August 2017. Since that time, an Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement (IIBA) was negotiated (2019), and an Interim Management Plan is currently in draft form. Establishing the NMCA in legislation under the CNMCAA is in progress. Amendments to Schedule 1 to establish TINMCA under the CNMCAA will occur following the finalization of an interim management plan.An analysis of impacts from the establishment of TINMCA, including benefits, potential adverse impacts, and mitigation measures was conducted, focussing on the following changes that will result from NMCA establishment: changes to the legislative and regulatory regime; changes in policy, management tools, and legislated instruments; and changes in activities.The most significant changes in the management of the TINMCA area are expected to result from changes to the legislative and regulatory framework. The CNMCAA has multiple features that provide additional layers of protection for the marine ecosystem and coastal communities. These include prohibitions on mineral and hydrocarbon exploration and development, use or occupancy of land without authorization, restrictions on ocean dumping and provisions for ecologically sustainable use of marine resources, which can include commercial use. Further, the CNMCAA enables the creation of regulations on a number of topics to support the conservation and management of NMCAs. The first set of NMCA General Regulations under the Act is being developed and will provide regulatory tools that contribute to the management of natural and cultural heritage, visitor experience, land use, and activities such as commercial tourism, research and special events in NMCAs. The regulations will also support the implementation of zones within the boundaries of NMCAs that are designed to achieve protection and ecologically sustainable use goals. The establishment of TINMCA will change the applicability and implementation of territorial and other federal statutes currently in place. It is possible Tallurutiup Imanga may be established under the CNMCAA prior to NMCA-specific regulations coming into force. However, during the interim period, existing territorial regulations will continue to apply. The establishment of TINMCA will result in changes related to implementation of the Nunavut Project Planning and Assessment Act (NuPPAA). The NuPPAA will continue to apply to TINMCA after establishment, however Article 11 (Land use planning) of the Nunavut Agreement does not apply to NMCAs once legally established under the CNMCAA. As a result, the North Baffin Regional Land Use Plan (NBRLUP) will no longer apply within the TINMCA boundary. Upon establishment, the Nunavut Planning Commission’s responsibilities for conformity will be assigned to Parks Canada, and conformity will be determined based on the requirements set out by or under any law for which Parks Canada is responsible (e.g. CNMCAA). The Parks Canada’s Policy on the Establishment and Management of National Marine Conservation Areas, and Parks Canada’s Directive on the Management of National Marine Conservation Areas, Interim Management Plan (IMP), future management plans, Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA), and other tools, such as temporary closures and voluntary measures will contribute to the management of the NMCA once TINMCA comes under the CNMCAA. These policy and management tools will provide guidance for managing the NMCA in accordance with the legislative background.A range of activities may be allowed in NMCAs, including fishing, shipping, tourism and land use, but activities must be conducted in a manner and at a rate and scale that are ecologically and culturally sustainable. The types of activities that may be affected by the establishment of TINMCA include vessel transits, tourism, commercial shipping, commercial fisheries, and other activities such as research and routine operations by other government departments. To maintain ecological sustainability and optimize socio-economic benefits, activities will be managed in accordance with legislation and the management tools provided by policy, legislated instruments, and other tools. The joint Inuit and Canada governance structure for Tallurutiup Imanga gives equal representation from the federal government and Inuit in the consensus-based decision making process, and recognizes that Inuit are integrally connected to the marine environment. Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit will be taken into account in decision making. The well-being of Inuit is addressed throughout the IIBA with provisions for Inuit involvement and economic opportunities such as the creation of an Inuit Advisory Committee (IMAQ), an Inuit Stewardship Program (Nauttiqsuqtiit), and an Inuit Research and Monitoring and Fund, investment in capacity building and training, right of first refusal to operate all business opportunities with respect to the NMCA, and a total of $54,830,000 over 7 years is being invested for the benefits identified in the IIBA.The anticipated long-term environmental and socio-economic outcomes resulting from the establishment of TINMCA will provide a net benefit. The legislative and regulatory framework, policy and management tools, and governance structure will provide an effective, multi-layered approach for achieving ecosystem and socio-economic benefits and mitigating potential impacts. Establishment will protect the TINMCA area as a result of the CNMCAA, IIBA, interim management plan and regulations from other government departments; protection of the area will increase with subsequent development of the NMCA General Regulations. Establishment of TINMCA will have no significant adverse effects on the ecosystem or Inuit harvesting activities; it will have no significant adverse socio-economic effects and will enhance and protect the existing and future well-being of Inuit.