Hudson Bay MLA raises alarm over proposed Port of Churchill expansion
Jason Iqaluq says Sanikiluaq constituents are concerned about effect on marine ecosystem, wildlife
Hudson Bay MLA Jason Iqaluq of Sanikiluaq works from his office in the legislative assembly in Iqaluit on Friday. He raised concerns about the proposed Port of Churchill expansion. (Photo by Daron Letts)
This story was updated on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at 7:15 a.m. ET.
Newly elected Hudson Bay MLA Jason Iqaluq hit the ground running during his first week representing his Sanikiluaq constiuents in the fall session of the legislative assembly.
When it was his turn to question Premier John Main on Friday, Iqaluq raised an alarm over his community’s concerns about proposed upgrades to the Port of Churchill, located about 900 kilometres northwest in Manitoba.
“This project has the potential to have impacts on the Hudson Bay ecosystem and the waters surrounding Sanikiluaq,” Iqaluq said.
He was following up on correspondence shared with the government in May by his predecessor, Daniel Qavvik, who resigned from the legislature in June, spurring the Sept. 28 byelection in which Iqaluq was elected.
Iqaluq pressed the Premier for a response to the correspondence before the end of the fall session on Nov. 5.
Main assured Iqaluq the government would reply prior to that date.
The project, dubbed Port of Churchill Plus, was referred to the federal government’s new Major Projects Office in September 2025, which means it has the ability to speed up the permitting process.
The project seeks to upgrade the deepwater Port of Churchill and “expand trade corridors with an all-weather road, an upgraded rail line, a new energy corridor, and marine ice-breaking capacity,” according to the federal government’s website.
While Nunavut is not a direct proponent of the project, the territory is a stakeholder, Main said.
“It is an exciting time to look at the concept of strengthening transport links to benefit Nunavut residents,” Main said. “Nunavut needs to be connected to the rest of the country.”
However, Main said he agrees it’s important Nunavummiut’s environmental concerns be heard during the process.
Iqaluq followed up by asking if the Nunavut Impact Review Board would have an opportunity to assess the project.
Main said that would be clarified in the government’s written response later in the session.
“As it is a transboundary issue, it’s quite complex,” he said.
Iqaluq said he was satisfied with Main’s response to his question, in an interview in his office following the session.
However, he does not share Main’s optimism for the project.
“If it scares off wildlife, it is definitely going to be a bad thing for our community,” Iqaluq said. “We have to make sure that nothing is going to be disturbed.”
Correction: This story has been updated to remove a reference to the Port of Churchill has Canada’s only Arctic deepwater port.
Jason LOL 😂 nothing will impact your town
Like when pang said a new dam in Iqaluit would rise water levels in Pang fjord 🤣🤣 Literally say anything
There’s nothing wrong with raising concerns about issues that matter\. Some people hide behind anonymous comments and use that as an opportunity to say negative things\. As for me, I’m proud of Jason for speaking up and raising concerns, even though I don’t live in the same community as him\. Like other Members of the Legislative Assembly, he brings forward concerns and unique circumstances to the legislature\. Every community in Nunavut has its own challenges and priorities that deserve to be heard and addressed\. That’s why it’s important to have representatives who speak up for their communities and bring those concerns to the table\.
The wildest comments come from people who anonymously attack the anonymity of others.
All while being anonymous themselves
Churchill is built by Inuit. Why not hire more Inuit into those ships within kivalliq region. Not only baffin or qitikmiut. Hire more of Inuit since Hudson is part nunavut?
Very encouraging start, as the new MLA raises an issue which has been neglected by the past and current government in the name of economy for the outside world. His constituents have to be able to live and eat too.
Churchill will be revitalized no matter what. The port will be open year around. If the feds want it to be part of the nation building project. It will be done. Jason what you have to say. May play well in Sani. But it won’t even be herd in Ottawa.
Seems odd for a Nunavut MLA to say “…make sure that nothing is going to be disturbed.”
Wonder how the Manitoba 41 Indigenous and northern communities’, the owners of the Hudson Bay Railway and Churchill Port, will take to blunt grumblings coming from the Nunavut Government Legislature?
Especially after Churchill Port and Port of Rotterdam recently signed a critical minerals MOU.
A few days before Churchill Port signed with Rotterdam Port.
Sakku, Rankin Inlet, signed an MOU with Churchill Port to be a big player in Hudson Bay water transportation.
Looking back to the 60s and 70s when Churchill’s deep-water port was in its heyday, shipped grain on British, Norwegian, Greek and USSR ships. Around 20-30 ships a year passed about 460km north of Sanikiluaq.
Today, 20-25 re-supply ships sail about 500km north of Sanikiluaq, heading to the Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet mines.
If Churchill Port ramps up, ships will still sail 460-500km north of Sanikiluaq.