Former Nunavut premier keeps eye on northern infrastructure bid as trade war drags on
P.J. Akeeagok appointed to Mark Carney’s Canada-U.S. trade advisory committee in April
P.J. Akeeagok, seen here while still serving as Nunavut premier last year, says he’s encouraged to see Canada is putting its Arctic Infrastructure Fund to use. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)
As the trade war between the U.S. and Canada escalates, the sole Inuk sitting on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Canada-U.S. trade advisory committee says he’s keeping his focus on federal funding for Arctic infrastructure.
“My focus remains on advancing nation‑building in the Arctic, diversifying our economy and supporting projects that are Indigenous‑led,” former Nunavut premier P.J. Akeeagok said in a short email about his contributions thus far on the Advisory Committee on Canada–U.S. Economic Relations. “I continue to raise the challenges we face, but more importantly, the opportunities ahead.”
There has been no talk of returning to the negotiation table since Canada walked from a joint-review of the Canada-United-States-Mexico agreement Aug. 20, saying U.S. leaders made unacceptable demands at the 11th hour.
U.S. President Donald Trump responded to the breakdown in talks with new tariffs, and Canada’s list of retaliatory tariffs went into effect Tuesday.
Since then, Trump has banned Canadian alcohol sales in the U.S., barred Canadian goods from U.S. government procurement contracts and has threatened to stop the sale of Bombardier jets in his country.
Nunatsiaq News requested an interview with Akeeagok to ask for his thoughts on how the ongoing dispute might impact the North, and to ask about what he’s advocated for thus far as a member of Carney’s Canada-U.S. trade advisory council.
He declined.
Instead, he sent a statement saying he’s pleased to see that the federal government is investing $405 million toward the construction of Mackenzie Valley Highway in the Northwest Territories.
The Mackenzie Valley Highway is the first project to receive funding thus far from Canada’s recently created Arctic Infrastructure Fund, aimed at boosting economic development and the Arctic’s access to domestic and global markets.
Akeeagok was appointed to the advisory committee in April, alongside other ex-politicians and economic leaders in the banking, milk, steel and forestry industries.
He previously stated on social media that his focus on the committee is ensuring the Arctic remains “at the centre of Canada’s strategic investment agenda” and at the “forefront of nation-building.”
Meanwhile, other members of the advisory committee, such as Jean Charest, Erin O’Toole and Lisa Raitt, have appeared frequently on media programs to share their thoughts on the trade dispute.
Nunavut Premier John Main previously said the territory is in the process of accessing the impacts of the tariffs on residents and businesses. He wasn’t available for comment Thursday due to travel.
B2Gold, which owns Goose Gold Mine in the Kitikmeot Region, said in a statement in August that it doesn’t anticipate the new tariffs will have a direct impact on its operations in the territory.
“Our operations rely on a broad supply chain for equipment, parts and consumables, including certain products sourced from the United States,” said Cherry DeGeer, a spokesperson for the company. “We do not anticipate a material impact on our operations, but as the trade environment continues to evolve we will monitor developments closely.”
Renaud Brossard, vice-president of communications for the Montreal Economic Institute, a public policy think tank with offices across the country, said in an interview that the sooner Canada drops its retaliatory tariffs the better.
“It’s essentially a tax increase at a time when businesses and consumers are feeling the pinch,” he said, mentioning the already high costs of food and other goods in the North.
“By playing this tariff and counter tariff game we’re essentially making our economy a bit poorer and less competitive in the long run than we would be if we were to redouble on free trade instead,” he said, adding provinces still have a long way to go when it comes to removing barriers to internal trade.
If ineptitude was a profession the former Premier would be one of its role models. You have to love one of the very first lines in the article where he says quote, “My focus remains on advancing nation‑building in the Arctic, diversifying our economy and supporting projects that are Indigenous‑led,” Sure PJ, just like when you were Premier. Right? All those incredible programs and plans you put into action that resulted in basically no tangible advancement for Nunavummiut’s. Continued failures in all aspects of services from Health to Education. Like the Nunavut 3000 initiative YOU launched in October 2022 and contracted 2000 of the homes to be built by an Inuit owned company (NCCD or NCC 3000 or whoever they are calling themselves this week) only to see them not even build 300 yet over a 4-year period. That sure is a great example of your success in promoting Inuit led initiatives.
We then get to shake our heads as PJ is asked to provide solid feedback on potential economic impacts on Nunavummiut from the current US induced “trade war” but he declines to comment. Funny right? No, it’s not. You know why he didn’t comment? Because the issue far surpasses his competency levels to offer any serious insight. But don’t worry he is just a member of the Advisory Committee on Canada–U.S. Economic Relations. Let that sink in. It should surprise no one. After all this is the same guy who when HE WAS Premier, was asked by Nunatsiaq News for comments about the scathing 2025 AG Report on Nunavut Housing Corporation and said quote, “I did not read it”. Now there is a guy you want to hire as your consultant.
Have no fear though PJ will be omni present during the upcoming trade show in Iqaluit. He will be there talking to anyone who will listen. Getting in on the maximum photo ops. Flogging his new “Consulting” business and continuing to ensure that HE and his company get maximum benefit from any projects and funding.
You know, one thinks at some point in Nunavut, that people will get tired of it all. Tired of watching colossal failure dressing up and walking around disguised as success.
It appears that time has still not come.
PSC
It’s funny how these former Nunavut politicians always seem to gravitate to positions with exotic and important sounding titles, but don’t actually involve any work or real responsibilities at all. Ms. Kotierk landed one of those not too long ago.
Indeed, she landed a few
@MIGA. I have wondered this for a very long time. I can only point to indifference and the total lack of accountability as the cause. These are perhaps two of the greatest impediments to Nunavummiut’s achieving a greater quality of life and securing long term solutions to their greatest challenges.
Therein lies the rub. If the people believe “someone else” and the same tired faces are going to fix their problems then they will wait a long, long, time. The easier route is to look the other way when things do not change or improve. To simply accept their lot in life. To let those who were supposed to lead go about acting and pretending like they have accomplished something. Slapping themselves on the back, speaking empty words, promising things they never deliver and photo-oping everything to death. Then being constantly appointed or elected to positions they do not deserve. To continue acting like they are important in the larger scheme of things. Like they “did their best” when in fact they DID NOT! They simply capitalize on a system and a people who are indifferent and demand no accountability.
Maybe it is that. Maybe it just doesn’t matter. And until it does. Nunavummiut are guaranteed that they will simply get what they have and are currently receiving. Very little!
PSC.
In Nunavut, a dumb, undereducated and incompetent Inuk is so much more valued than an educated and skilled Inuk.
We have the smartest and most capable Inuit reporting up to executives and boards stuffed with the most useless and clueless people imaginable.
We constantly sideline the capable and promote the clueless.