A Nunavut group opposed to uranium mining says the territorial government’s consultation process for forming its official uranium policy, which supports mining — with conditions, was biased.

Nunavummiut Makitagunarningit chair Sandra Inutiq said in a statement Friday she is not surprised by Wednesday’s announcement of the policy.

“This outcome was predictable, as the consultation process was biased from outset,” Inutiq said. “The GN’s ‘public forums’ were a way to deflect Makita’s call for a public inquiry into the wisdom of opening Nunavut to the uranium industry.”

Inutiq questioned the government’s hiring of Golder and Associates to attend the consultations and offer advice on the uranium issue.

“It is not clear why the GN chose to have its background document prepared by Golder and Associates, a consultancy that depends on the mining industry (including uranium mining), rather than either developing it internally or seeking an independent consultant,” she said.

“Golder should not be expected to produce a document on its own that could put its primary clients (the mining industry) in a bad light.”

She also said that during the consultation process, the government was watching to see what position Nunavut Tunngavik would take on uranium mining, while NTI was looking to the government.

“This shows that there is no leadership in Nunavut when it comes to important decision-making regarding high risk and unethical resource extraction activity,” Inutiq said.