Nunavut Environment Minister Patterk Netser demanded that the federal government reject any plans that would allow the Canadian navy to dump waste into Arctic waters.

"I have written a formal letter of protest to the Hon. John Baird, federal Minister of Environment, and cc'ed it to the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, conveying our deepest concerns about this proposed plan," Netser told the Nunavut legislative assembly Wednesday.

The navy's proposal would allow its ships to dump waste — primarily food waste — into the Arctic Ocean. Military officials have said it's seeking ways to adapt to an area where the nearest port could be hundreds of kilometres away.

The proposal comes following amendments in May to the federal Shipping Act that has made it legal to dump garbage in certain locations in the Beaufort Sea, just east of Lancaster Sound and near Nunavut communities such as Pond Inlet.

Netser said it would be a mistake for the navy to adopt such a policy, as it may lead to other governments relaxing their own rules about pollution.

Netser called on Baird to take a stronger stance on preventing pollution in northern waters, adding that technology exists to manage waste on board ships.

In September, the head of Canada's Inuit organization wrote to MacKay, asking him for clarification on the navy's proposal.

At the time, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Mary Simon said she was concerned about the potential long-term impacts of the proposed plan, given how many ships may be dumping waste in the Arctic Ocean.