Arctic sovereignty on Nunavut Mining Symposium agenda

Expect discussions of Arctic sovereignty and tariffs to come up at this week’s Nunavut Mining Symposium, organizers say.

The annual conference and trade show opens Monday afternoon in Iqaluit with registration, then continues Tuesday through Thursday with several panels and mining-related presentations scheduled. It’s being held at the Aqsarniit hotel and Frobisher Inn.

“Obviously, what’s happening around the world heavily impacts our mining sector here in Nunavut, and we want to create space for that conversation [on Arctic sovereignty] to happen,” said Jen Hayward, event organizer and CEO of Outcrop Communications.

This year’s symposium includes three keynote speakers slated to speak on Arctic sovereignty. They are Premier P.J. Akeeagok; Whitney Lackenbauer of the North American Arctic Defense and Security Network, which provides expert advice on defence and security in the Arctic; and Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. board chair Sean Boyd.

On Tuesday, a panel involving representatives from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service will discuss threats to security in the Arctic.

Other topics on the symposium agenda include updates to major mining projects, geoscience and exploration, and Inuit inclusion in mining.

There aren’t any tariff-specific panels, but organizers expect presenters will take questions from delegates and talk about the issue. U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on dozens of his country’s trading partners last week sparked fears of a global trade war and sent stock market values plummeting.

“I have no doubt that it will come up in discussions, either when the premier’s addressing things or when the major projects are talking about the challenges that they’re facing as we move forward,” said Hudson Lester, president of the mining symposium steering committee.

The presentations and panel discussions are open only to the symposium’s 377 registered delegates.

However, Thursday’s trade show at the Aqsarniit hotel is open to the public from 1 to 2:30 p.m. It will feature 26 booths with representatives from various industries, and not just mining.

“It’s a great place to pop in if you’re looking for a job,” Hayward said, adding that it’s also a good opportunity for business representatives to connect.

Hayward said Iqalummiut should expect to see symposium delegates around the community this week. She estimates that through hotel stays, dining and purchases from local businesses, the symposium will create a $650,000 economic benefit.