Inuit organizations take over Qikiqtarjuaq port project from GN
Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Qikiqtaaluk Corp. to lead $200M deepsea port project
Qikiqtani Inuit Association and Qikiqtaaluk Corp., are taking the lead on building a long-awaited deepsea port in Qikiqtarjuaq, shown in this file photo. (File photo by Cedric Yves Denis)
Qikiqtani Inuit Association and its development arm, Qikiqtaaluk Corp., are taking the lead on building a long-awaited deepsea port in Qikiqtarjuaq.
The groups announced Thursday they will assume responsibility for the project from the Government of Nunavut, in a joint venture with investment firm Arctic Economic Development Corp.
“This transfer positions the Qikiqtarjuaq port project for success,” QIA president Olayuk Akesuk said in the news release.
“By ensuring Inuit leadership, we are guaranteeing that the project fulfills its objective of advancing Inuit economic development while building vital infrastructure for Nunavut and Canada.”
Harry Flaherty, president and CEO of Qikiqtaaluk Corp., said in the news release the transfer will grow the Qikiqtani economy, reduce reliance on foreign ports and reinforce Canada’s sovereignty, particularly in the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage.
The Government of Nunavut will complete its design phase this fall before transferring the project, the release said.
Construction of the deepsea port is expected to cost more than $200 million, said Heather Grant, a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, in an email to Nunatsiaq News on July 29.
$53.4 million has been secured, 25 per cent of which [approximately $13.3 million] has come from the territory and 75 per cent from the federal National Trade Corridors Fund, Grant said. More funding will be needed before construction can begin, she added.
Nunatsiaq News contacted Qikiqtaaluk Corp. and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association on Thursday to ask if this amount has changed but neither organization responded.
The port will be built along the western shoreline of Broughton Island, just south of Qikiqtarjuaq’s airport, according to documents filed with the Nunavut Impact Review Board.
Plans call for a 75-metre wharf, freezer container facilities, a crane for offloading cargo, security and operations offices, and a 275-metre access road.
On the NIRB website, construction is expected to begin in 2026 and finish by 2029, with operations starting in 2030.
On Aug. 29, Community Services Minister David Akeegok said at a news conference in Iqaluit that Nunavut’s fisheries industry is being hindered by a lack of local ports and could benefit from the Qikiqtarjuaq facility, though he noted the project still needs more federal funding.
The Qikiqtarjuaq port, along with Nunavut’s other major infrastructure projects, was not included on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Sept. 11 first list of major projects recommended for fast-track federal approval.
Take me back. I want to work on those turbot long liner boats. Tell them I want my job back.
No, you tell them
Very good, we really do not have any confidence in our GN to lead this, the housing 3000 is a prime example, the deep sea port in Iqaluit, with so many cost overruns and delays and no management plan when it was finally completed.
This is a better idea as the GN will be hands off.
You realize that Nunavut 3000 is being built by NCC… who is owned by Nunasi QC, Sakku and Kit corp as well right? Same same? But different?
NCC is owned by the RIAs / Dev corps of the RIAs. While perhaps not leading it. They run NCC which is the one failing and delivering.
While NHC failed at tendering the work and following any form of best practices, it is the RIAs sitting at the helm of NCC failing the actually execute.
You are both correct. Harry Flaherty of QC, is partial owner (4 part ownership) and President/Chairman of the Board of NCC Development Limited and NCC 3000 Inc.? You can look it up on the Canada Registries and on all those companies’ websites. One of those two companies (no one is really sure anymore), holds the Sole Source Contract with Nunavut Housing Corporation for the construction of 2000 homes under the Nunavut 3000. You know, the one that has delivered 18 homes in 3 years and is $30 million over budget…you know the one… yup…that one.
If how he runs those two companies are any indication of how it will go with this QIA, Deep Sea Port venture; then everyone hold onto your seats it should be fun to watch.
Surely, QIA/QC have policies in place to avoid such potentially blatant conflicts of interest?
NCC has yet to build any construction in Baffin, most unfreezables have already been frozen and NCC struggling to find heated storage spaces.
QIA. AND QC
Don’t know what they are doing with beneficiary money
They don’t want to give us our royalties to us personally
But they keep handing to every where else
Let the government deal with it
QIA are using iiba funds from BIM from mary river to help fund this project, iiba funds for the north baffin. Qik is not one of those communities in the iiba.
I live and work on a reserve and I like how Chief and Council manage programs because they know their community needs. Of course, some departments apply for funding for various programs. Since Nunavut means ‘Our Land,’ why not step up and oversee programs rather than wait for GN approval?
Koana. 😊
How many months per year will the port be operational? Are the fishing vessels ice-strengthened? What is the plan to deal with the frozen conditions of most of the year?