Nation-building on Inuit land moves Iqaluit toward energy independence
Op-ed | Hydro generator’s inclusion on nation-building projects list means transition away from diesel is nationally significant
A proposed hydroelectric project with a 50-metre-high dam and a powerhouse would be built along the Kuugaluk River, about 60 kilometres northeast of Iqaluit. (Photo courtesy of Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corp.)
Harry Flaherty
In November, the Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Hydro Project — developed through years of planning, study and community dialogue — was selected by the Government of Canada for its nation-building projects list.
We feel it is essential for those who will ultimately guide this project, Qikiqtani Inuit, to have clarity on what this designation means and what it does not.
Being named to the nation-building list:
It does not mean that the project is being fast-tracked.
It does not mean that the project is placed under federal control.
It does not mean that the project will bypass regulatory processes.
And it certainly does not mean that construction is underway.
It means that transitioning Iqaluit away from diesel is not only technically possible, it is nationally significant.
At the announcement, I shared with Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty: “We have always known that transitioning Iqaluit to renewable energy is a cornerstone of supporting better quality of life for Inuit, Arctic sovereignty, environmental protection, and growth.
“The Inuit-owned Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Project being named to the nation-building projects list is a signal from the Government of Canada that they understand and believe this, too. It is a signal that Nunavummiut are essential to the One Canadian Economy, and that Inuit united can take hold of their own future.”
If this project moves forward, it will bring many jobs to Inuit. It will largely eliminate pollution from the diesel plant and reduce reliance on southern diesel producers and shippers.
Millions of dollars spent on imported diesel each year would instead stay in Nunavut. For the Government of Nunavut, which subsidizes at least half the real cost of diesel, the shift could free up resources to address urgent community needs such as housing, health care, education, community infrastructure and more.
All energy systems have impacts; that’s true for this project, and also continuing with diesel. The question is: Which impacts are more harmful, and which can we accept?
Our priority is to study and understand what those impacts could be, share that information with Inuit, and together create a benefits-sharing plan.
That plan must compensate Inuit for any changes to how they exercise their rights on the land. This must happen before any construction decisions are made.
This is part of what free, prior, and informed consent means. It’s not a formality; it’s foundational to Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corp. and Qikiqtaaluk Corp.’s approach.
The only way this happens is through respecting the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, territorial regulatory systems like the Nunavut Impact Review Board and the voices of Inuit.
We continue working with Iqalungmiut and Panniqtuumiut, through Aajiiqatigiinniq, Piliriqatigiinniq, and Avatittinniq Kamatsiarniq.
Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corp. and Qikiqtaaluk Corp. are mandated to protect Inuit culture and advance Inuit self-determination.
We are focused on what this project could mean for future generations: supporting traditional ways of life; having a smaller impact on the land; and building healthier, more resilient communities rooted in Inuit success.
With patience and clarity, we can make informed decisions together about the path ahead. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue this work with our communities.
Harry Flaherty is the CEO and president of Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corp., a wholly Inuit-owned subsidiary of Qikiqtaaluk Corp. Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corp. is the developer of the Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Hydro Project.
Always wondered myself what is the best way to get answers of pros and cons on this as to having power outages often ,
Questions should be dealt with if this is a good move and get going from other hydroelectric projects in place what are the issues faced,
We heard at one AGM this had been voted in elected affiliates only and not the people of the community with no consultations,
When will we have public able to attend any information sessions and questions if this has been talked already for years in businesses groups ..
Remember when the Iqaluit consultation took place on a Friday evening and mainly only a few non-inuit showed up?
It makes total sense that the federal government makes their big investment in Iqaluit. Iqaluit accounts for the largest number of Non-Inuit in Nunavut.
It also happens to run all of the rest of Nunavut.
Solar panel farm, just get enough storage.
One important point that needs to be highlighted is the current reality of Inuit employment at QC and their subsidiaries: There still aren’t very many Inuit working at QC or its subsidiaries, especially in key technical, management, or decision-making roles.
This gap undercuts the “Inuit-owned and Inuit-led” narrative unless we see real, measurable progress on Inuit employment, skills training, and long-term career pathways tied to these development projects.
I also want to respectfully clarify a point from Mr. Flaherty’s piece about the Major Projects Office (MPO). In the article, it says that being named to the nation-building list “does not mean that the project is being fast-tracked, will bypass regulatory processes or is under federal control.” 
But based on the Government of Canada’s own description, the Major Projects Office was specifically created to accelerate the regulatory review process for projects deemed of national significance,.
So which is it?
Is the designation mainly symbolic and not aimed at accelerating the reviews?
Or is it meant to help speed up fast track regulatory processes to get major infrastructure projects built faster?
The two interpretations seem in stark contrast!
Blah,blah, blah, blah, fish, and I don’t want it, there end it, we don’t understand.
Everyone agrees that ALL of Nunavut must find paths to Energy independence. The Territories largest city (Iqaluit) clearly must find that path. What Inuit do not need to be told wrapped in “self-determination” for media value and political opportunism is that Inuit can and have the ability to govern all aspects of their lives, make their own path and develop their own solutions. Everyone already knows that. The idea however, that this project because it is “100% Inuit” means it is best for Nunavummiut is foolish. We need to ask ourselves a few very simple questions. Have all options been explored and is this project presented by this organization the best for Nunavummiut? To say “yes” to this, at this moment, is a significant reach and exaggeration. Where are the studies and analyses of SMR’s, renewables, etc..? Where are the comparisons, discussions and public debates regarding “best solutions”? Solutions which will offer the best possible outcome economically, socially and environmentally for Nunavummiut, not in the short term but for the foreseeable future.
This project is spearheaded, and it comes from the mouth of the same person who one of his other companies is behind the largest portion of the well covered and documented Nunavut 3000 over the last 3 years. That makes it somewhat ironic. Especially as he attempts to flaunt the values of this Power project while tempering expectations and tries to explain in the same breath everything the status of the project currently “does not mean”. Without anyone raising their hands and going, “Hey hang on a second”! What?
So, the project as it stands now, based on what was just stated and been publicly released prior. Is:
– Plans been around for a decade;
– QEC wouldn’t, couldn’t or simply was not interested or able to do the project; (which should raise serious questions on its own regarding the Territories, Crown Corporation and main energy supplier).
– No real idea of the impacts. No EVIA’s yet, no ECIA’s yet, (not peer reviewed) yet, no etc, etc..yet or at least none they want to release to Nunavummiut but apparently will…eventually;
– No idea the final price tag but definitely not $500M (estimated in 2017) (if this project has come this far and been earmarked by the FED’s does anyone really think this company DOES NOT know the price tag today)?? Common now!;
– No idea when it might start;
– Do not have the necessary financing to execute it.
Has anyone asked the question about how the money (profits) it generates would make it back to all Inuit. Benefit Nunavummiut? Of course NOT! Just say, “it will free up money from diesel purchase to be used elsewhere” and bingo! The talk of Inuit “job creation” is also nonsense and everyone in Nunavut knows this. Just look around at all the major Infrastructure projects in Nunavut over the last decades. Who built them? How did Nunavummiut (especially Inuit) mainly benefit? Through remedial labour jobs. That’s how. Saying anything else is simply trying to latch oneself to some mythical success that does not exist.
It will be interesting to follow the project for the next few years and see where it lands. Hopefully Nunavummiut will have a word to say and input to provide during that time. If it ends up being the “right” project, then fine”. It should be moved forward. If not, fine also because it will mean that this company and its plan received the in-depth scrutiny a project of this magnitude and importance deserved.
SMR should be the way to go, sure hydro is clean but it is going to have major impact to the environment and the water shed in particular. We could probably put few more SMR’s into other communities at the cost of developing the hydro development.