In its 2017 budget, the Government of Canada had made a financial commitment over four years to protect the Last Ice Areathe only Arctic region expected to retain summer sea ice until 2050. As the last permanent ice-covered region in the Arctic, the area will be essential to ice-dependent species such as polar bears, beluga, narwhal, seals, walrus and the Inuit communities that depend on them for food. In partnership with Inuit, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will work together with all partnersincluding the Parks Canada Agency and other federal departments, other governments, management organizations, northern communities, and scientiststo better understand this region and to explore strategies and management options to protect the Last Ice Area