Arctic shipping initiative gets $91M federal grant
Project aims to address Inuit shipping priorities, environmental sustainability
The Qanittaq Clean Arctic Shipping Initiative has received $91 million in research funding over seven years, the federal government announced last week. The project is a partnership between the Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada and Memorial University to study Arctic shipping sustainability and support Inuit communities’ shipping needs. (File photo)
A project supporting sustainable Arctic shipping has received a $91-million research grant from the federal government.
The money will support the Qanittaq Clean Arctic Shipping Initiative, announced François-Philippe Champagne, the federal minister of innovation, science and industry, on April 28.
It will be allocated over seven years.
The grant comes through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, which is also funding 11 other large-scale projects from post-secondary institutions across the country.
The Qanittaq Initiative is being co-developed by Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada and Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador.
It aims to address the increase in Arctic shipping, the related environmental impacts affecting Arctic communities, and to support Inuit communities’ needs for safe and cost-efficient resupply, a description on the project’s website explains.
The project goals include:
- Build a knowledge base to address Inuit shipping priorities, promote the safety of ships operating in the Arctic, and protect Arctic environments;
- Create the tools and solutions needed for responsible ship design and to improve the affordability, sustainability and efficiency of the Arctic fleet;
- Deliver evidence to effect national and international policy change for ships operating in the Arctic;
- Enhance the quality of life for Inuit and reduce regional food insecurity.
“The initiative will create transformational change and enhance Canada’s position as a world leader in Arctic shipping,” a message from Qanittaq Initiative said.
That is great news. I hope cruise ships will be banned from the arctic waters, that’ll reduce the impact on water, ice and sea mammals.
Very broad and nebulous project goals. Of course, who would argue with enhancing “the quality of life for Inuit and reduc[ing] regional food insecurity”? (No one, that’s the point).
So, how are we going to get there? Building knowledge, tools and solutions? Delivering evidence? Shifting the paradigm on ship design?
Ambitious…
Once the money is spent will these outcomes be measured? Will the ICC issue a report in clear language stating what has been achieved?
An ongoing issue a lot of people have is the lack of accountability where huge sums of money like this are poured into abstract projects with barely tangible goals.
If we are not upfront with the accomplishments of projects like this, it will be difficult to rebuke the cynics who argue the real goal here is to keep a bunch of folks busy and well paid for the next few years.
A lot of dressing for a nothing burger for which a bite won’t be bitten?
With that kind of $$$, at least four or five larger communities would have had a wharf built, shipping companies charged enough to make a very good living, they are not doing us any favors, but devouring northern economy AND still making $$$. lots of it. The exorbitant cost?
What a disgusting boondoggle! It only shows how out of touch the government is and how the only people who will benefit from this $91 million are those receiving and spending money from the South, not the local communities or people. The people who received the funding profit from it, using the Arctic for their research.
What a shameful waste. The government could have funded the ITK breakfast program or built housing, harbours, or hired nurses with this money.
1, Get rid of the $0.41 gas tax in Canada. This will help all of Canadians and reduce the cost of moving food and heating our homes.
Dont need to spend this $91 million on this study.