MLA calls for GN to condemn federal minister’s road funding comment
Craig Simailak says federal funding needed if Kivalliq road is to be built
Baker Lake MLA Craig Simailak, shown entering the legislature last week, asked Nunavut’s transportation minister to condemn a comment from a federal minister about road funding. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Baker Lake MLA Craig Simailak is calling on the Government of Nunavut to condemn a recent comment from federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault suggesting Ottawa no longer plans to fund large road projects.
Simailak made the call in the legislative assembly Wednesday during question period, while asking Economic Development and Transportation Minister David Akeeagok about the ongoing Kivalliq road study, which held consultations in five communities earlier this month.
Initial plans for the proposed project show a road connecting Chesterfield Inlet, Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, Whale Cove and Arviat.
Guilbeault’s comments were published in a Feb. 12 Montreal Gazette article, in which he told an advocacy group at a conference that the federal government “has made the decision to stop investing at the federal level in new road infrastructure.”
The comments drew criticism and calls for clarification from opposition members and provincial premiers
Guilbeault later clarified that he was specifically referring to “large-scale” road projects, using a proposed Quebec City-area highway project as an example.
Simailak said members of his community are very interested in the proposed Kivalliq road — so much so that they left a major hockey game to attend the community engagement session in Baker Lake.
However, he noted that if the road is to be built it will likely require federal funding, and Guilbeault’s comments raise concerns.
“As the house is aware, nation-building projects such as the Kivalliq Intercommunity Road and the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link will likely need significant federal investments to succeed,” Simailak said.
“Will the minister of economic development and transportation here join me in condemning the federal minister of environment’s comments?
“And can he assure this house that he is making every effort to ensure that the Government of Canada does not back away from supporting the Kivalliq Intercommunity Road project?”
Akeeagok responded, saying he and other territorial and provincial transportation ministers are calling on the federal government to continue supporting the National Trade Corridors Fund.
That fund allocates $4.6 billion to support transportation infrastructure projects across the country.
Three-quarters of the $2 million cost of the Kivalliq road study is being covered by that fund.
“Whether another federal minister says otherwise, I’m targeting the folks, the ones that work in building infrastructure in this fine country,” Akeeagok said.
“I will continue to be a very strong advocate to making sure that these federal programs benefit our territory, and we need them, and I can’t stress more than that.”
Department of Economic Development and Transportation spokesperson Weichien Chan told Nunatsiaq News previously the GN hopes to complete the road study by fall 2024.
Residents are still able to provide input and express their thoughts in an online survey.
I want to understand why the GN is considering getting fiber optic when Starlink has already succeeded and is here to stay.
Fiber is cheaper and faster than satellite
True – but Starlink requires ZERO investment as opposed to the many millions that will be demanded of the feds. Fibre also suffers vulnerability from wildfires and vandalism.
Ask Elon about investing into hundreds of satellites that make SL possible.
Can anyone remember how the Kivalliq MLA’s sounded off.loudly during the Gray’s Bay Road and Port discussions?
Suddenly their ears perked up now. Guess they need the election wins soon.
Like when Ms Ehaloak tried claiming huge wins when She had nothing to do with it. She even tried claiming the Airport Road Resurfacing.
Guess Pink Shirt Day doesn’t last long.
How does it work in the south, do municipal boundaries have responsibility for maintenance/construction for set distances of roads/highways, into the city/town?
Maybe the GN has the cart (the road) before the horse (the car/truck). Because the Liberal/NDP state by 2030, gas cars/trucks will be phased out by 60% and 100% by 2035.
If the Canada wide no travel, gas car phase-out keeps ticking down without screaming… “What the No!” Nunavut is up the creek big time.
Or is QEC (Qulliq Energy Corporation) gearing up the funds now to install hundreds of electric vehicle (EV) charge stations across Nunavut?
When will GN, Hamlets, start to build hundreds of garages to keep the EV’s indoors to keep the battery at operational performance?
The results of La Ronge, Saskatchewan municipality electric vehicles test were a disaster.
Cold weather non starts and useless for emergency vehicles. Because unreliable for long hours usage, out of service on the road because unable to be charged or lost for hours while charging.
Calgary and Edmonton buses… Expensive purchase, long down time charging, constant out of service and in for repairs, plus long wait time for expensive battery replacements.
Hunters and Trappers must start questioning GN if ATV, snow-machines and outboard motors will be included in the gas fuel vehicle Canada wide ban.
Car/truck owners question what year will GN stop issuing license plates for gas cars/trucks? And how much will insurance skyrocket on both gas and EV? Will gas cars/trucks even be insured?
Within the next 2 years the Liberals will commence their decade in the wilderness, their lofty plans to transform Canada gone with them, a footnote in their eulogy, don’t worry about it for now.
Granted, the issue is not going away and will rear itself again, I suspect technology will need improve before any government pushes for this to happen.
Yes… and already rearing itself again in different form of stacking the deck until one sticks as soon as possible.
Enter NDP announced Bill C-372, dubbed the Fossil Fuel Advertising Act.
To prohibit the promotion of oil and gas… similar to cigarette advertising.
So if any business, including current 1st nations’ oil, and gas firms who talk positively, promote oil and gas, can be fined or jailed. Fines up to one million and 2 years in jail. Even if Nunavut Orgs or groups promote oil and gas… not allowed. Controlled conversations, speech.
Liberal Bill C-63, Internet harms bill… the hammer drop on free speech.
Have a conversation about religion, questionable books in kindergarten, illegals, whatever. If someone complains about your post, they were harmed by your words. Then you can be hauled in front of a judge or face a human rights tribunal.
Fines of $500,000 and or 2 years in jail. You will never be told who the accuser is. Who said they were offended, harmed (by words) of your conversation post. You can be fined, jailed from post…1, 3 or more years ago.
The Liberal/NDP rush towards censorship of ideas, thoughts and free discussions… frightening.
Keep voting NDP and LIberals and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Wait til they start closing more communities and pushing Inuit into cities. Already done it to Bay Chimo and Bathurst.
Maybe Gilbault could clarify that he meant that the Federal Government would no longer provide funding to PROVINCES for big road projects? In the territories the federal government by definition cannot download the responsibility for roads.
Let’s see you building on your own
According to federal census data the population of Umingmaktok (Bay Chimo) was 0 in 2006. Stephen Harper was PM then, not that it matters, the community was withering long before that and deserved to be closed. Mind you, the same could be said for many communities in Nunavut even today.
Economic corridors absolutely make semse. #nationbuilding
Feel for Baker lake for their incompetent MLA. Should take lessons on politics.