Akeeagok wants northern input on Canada-U.S. economic relations
Former Nunavut premier begins work with committee ahead of trade talks
P.J. Akeeagok, seen here while still serving as Nunavut premier last year, says there’s “so much that the Arctic has to offer” as Canada gets ready to negotiate a trade new deal with the U.S. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)
As P.J. Akeeagok begins work representing Nunavut’s interests on Canada’s trade relations with the United States, he wants the territory’s residents to know he’s open to their suggestions on what to bring to the table.
Akeeagok had his first meeting Monday with the Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations in Ottawa. In an interview afterward, he said he was “honoured” to get invited and that he will emphasize the importance of the Arctic in Canada’s economic development and relationship with the United States.
“I have reached out to all the Inuit organizations, as well as to the territorial government, just informing them that I am open to sharing and hearing the priorities that they are advancing, that they are pushing as well to ensure that there’s a strong, unified front,” Akeeagok said.
He mentioned that he’s hoping to see major “Inuit-led projects” get built, a goal he shared often during his time as premier. On Monday, he said projects such as the Grays Bay Road and Port and the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link could bring more economic and energy security to Canada.
Akeeagok joins 23 other appointees, who include business executives, academics and ex-politicians. He said he expects them to have “regular” meetings, but is not anticipating U.S. travel at the moment.
They are preparing for the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement review, expected to take place July 1. Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada–U.S. Trade, said in a news release that the group will bring “diverse experience.”
In 2019, during his first term in office, U.S. President Donald Trump helped negotiate CUSMA. Last year, he launched steep tariffs against Canada and Mexico on a range of goods not covered under the deal. The tariffs have strained Canada-U.S. relations.
Akeeagok said he remains “content” with the decision to leave the Nunavut legislature.
“It was an absolute honour to be able to serve Nunavummiut in that capacity,” Akeeagok said.
“To transition into this new role has been very special for me, to continue to advance Nunavut’s interest, to continue to advance the Inuit interests.”
Pj have you ever considered contacting the 3 Chamber of commerce presidents, for a little bit of input.
How is this Canada-US Economic Relations committee the right venue to push “Inuit-led” projects?!
The only projects PJ will push are those he thinks he and his handler can profit from. “Inuit led” is just another way of saying uneconomical. I hope these projects get a lot more scrutiny and keep the pork barrel out.
Sure, now the past Premier of photo-ops wants to consult. I wonder when he was Premier, how many consultations he did before proceeding with the elder bus fiasco? Or the idea of giving out 2000 homes of 3000 under the Nunavut 3000 under a sole source contract. If anything, the last thing Nunavummiut’s need is more consultations. Let’s all be honest here the things Nunavummiut need now have very little to do with Canada US Economic Relations. Nunavummiut need. Food security, better education (it has to be valued), better health and social services, housing, suicide prevention programs that actually work, etc, etc.. Those are “home grown” issues and challenges.
But if one wants to amuse the newly appointed Committee member, lets endeavor. The word consultations are thrown around Nunavut, like passengers not wearing seatbelts on an airplane during turbulence. How many consultations are needed to figure things out in regard to capitalizing on the vast assets of the North? The amount of information collected will never matter, because even with everything we have learned to date, from the infinite number of consultations which have already taken place; is that there will be someone or some organization/group/company who will challenge the conclusions of said consultations They will come out with; why they were made? How were they made? They will claim that someone or some org got forgotten (in the consult). That it was not in-depth enough. Did not include “everyone”. Some fringe organization with little or no vested interest in the wellbeing of Nunavummiut will chirp in. Sound familiar? Of course it does. To Nunavummiut this is a broken record around here. Then to top it off, it will end up in court and 10 years later Nunavummiut will still be standing in the exact same place. All the while the consultants, specialists, lawyers and leaders of various organizations will fill their pockets.
Nunavut has a territorial government. Elected by the people (ok very few, 37% participation rate in last election). Regardless, the government is the one who should be taking the lead and declaring the chosen path. Making recommendations or providing feedback to Captain Advisory Committee Member on what is of prime importance to the people. This idea of “consensus model” for everything is doing nothing but delaying and preventing Nunavut’s growth and potential.
Until Nunavut cleans up its act with the Government and all the various Inuit organizations and clearly establishes whom speaks with full authority on their behalf; anything that happens will just be noise.
Our Inupiat cousins in Alaska have had around a 40 year head start on Nunavut in terms of business development stemming from earlier resource development activity in their region.
Inupiat own, manage and operate some of the biggest and most capable Arctic businesses there are, providing services in such diverse fields as US military, mining, and oil field operations. They have years of experience running billion dollar operations.
At the same time, Inupiat depend on and care for the environment and wildlife just as much as we do.
If there is a Nunavut take on Canada/US Economic Affairs (which is a stretch), it probably is; why are Nunavut Inuit not partnering with Inupiat businesses to undertaken major projects in our territory?
In Nunavut, it almost seems like we have a form of reverse racism when it comes to doing business. We focus on working with non-Inuk southern businesses to move ahead in areas where we lack capacity, like they are the only ones that know how to get something done, which is entirely false.
In fact, it might be more correct to say that some southern non-Inuk businesses are as prone to being as inefficient and ineffective as anyone else.
It is no wonder our community members have an “us and them” attitude towards major developments when we mainly see non-Inuit working to achieve these projects.
For Nunavut, the “US” should read “Alaska”.
PJ has never supported real Inuit businesses either as Nunavut Premier or QIA President.