The Canadian Press has learned that the federal government is to sign a deal Tuesday to create a marine conservation area at the eastern gates of the Northwest Passage.
The agreement between Ottawa and Inuit groups will turn Lancaster Sound into Canada's fourth such protected area.
The area off the northern coast of Baffin Island boasts a spectacular rugged coastline and wildlife including narwhals, polar bears, walruses and bowhead whales.
Experts have also said creating a park in the Northwest Passage would demonstrate Canada's will to control the disputed waterway.
The environmental good news comes as officials travel to Copenhagen for global climate change talks where Canada's position has been heavily criticized.
