Feds, GN, carriers and city begin discussions to develop the causeway for barge handling

The Government of Nunavut has entered preliminary discussions with Transport Canada and the City of Iqaluit to improve sealift-handling facilities in Iqaluit.

Nunavut's capital is a bottleneck for a lot of communities in the territory when it comes to sealift delivery, Alan Johnson, transportation planning manager for Nunavut's department of Economic Development and Transportation, said in an interview.

Carriers are only able to offload sealift cargo in four hours out of every 24 because of the tide stages, he said.

If the sealift ships can get in and out of Iqaluit faster it will not only help the city, but also improve delivery to other communities.

"And if we can increase that efficiency, we hope it will also reduce freight rates," he said.

Johnson emphasized that the proposal is "just in the very preliminary stages."

EDT has begun discussions with the federal government, with sealift carriers and with city staff, he said.

The department is looking at the causeway on the other side of Koojesse Inlet from downtown Iqaluit, "and the opportunities for possible development" there.

Johnson said he would like to be able to hire an engineering firm to come up with some conceptual plans by the end of this season so they can work on more detailed engineering and begin the process of seeking approvals.

Johnson would not make even a preliminary cost estimate for the venture this week. The numbers will all depend on the conceptual design and what gets approved.

Then, he said, the money will have to be forthcoming from the federal government's infrastructure program.

He said all government departments have long recognized the need for improved facilities in Iqaluit. "Improved infrastructure throughout Nunavut for marine facilities is high on our agenda."

An improved barge-handling facility for the sealift is still a far cry from the deep-water port the city of Iqaluit has been pushing for the last few years.

But the proposal still made city councilors take notice when staff reported last week on their first meeting with EDT.

The city's new economic development officer, Erin Gordey, told council that cruise ships and tour operators may be able to use the improved causeway facility to give tourists better access to the city.

It could also include both cold and heated storage, and other infrastructure such as cranes for unloading freight and dry-docking facilities.

But that raised questions about what municipal services would be required, at what cost, and who would maintain and run the facility once it is completed.

"I would like to get clear from the minister what role they see the city playing," said Councillor Glenn Williams.

"We're responsible for ensuring there is consultation with the whole community," dealing with both business and environmental concerns, he said.

There are issues of land use and occupancy too, he added, as some hunters and fishers use the causeway area and other beneficiaries camp there in the summer. "There is an obligation to consult."

"I'm pleased that things are moving ahead," Williams said, "but I'm a bit taken aback that this is the first we've heard about it. We need to get clear about what our role is. We need to be involved now."

The city is writing EDT Minister Peter Taptuna requesting more information and clarification, and inviting someone from EDT to make a direct presentation to council as soon as possible.