Nunavik communities compete for marine infrastructure

KUUJJUAQ — Nunavik’s regional unity was sorely tested at the recent Kativik Regional Government council meeting in Kuujjuaq, when KRG councillors had to decide which Nunavik communities will be next in line to receive new docks, wharves, and breakwaters.

This year, marine infrastructures were built in Kangiqsualujjuaq, while preliminary work progressed on a similar project in Quartaq.

Regional councilors who direct the KRG’s activities struggled over which four communities should benefit from next round of construction.

The selection process took hours, because councilors from almost every community in Nunavik were quick to justify the need for better facilities in their own communities.

Kuujjuaq’s municipal council even presented a resolution to delegates supporting.

“It’s the community with the most ships. There’s more development happening here every year, and it’s the community that’s the most difficult to reach,” said Jean Dupuis.

Ships unloading cargo for Kuujjuaq have to anchor four kilometers up the Koksoak River and transport materials by barge into the community.

Dupuis said that there’s always the risk of hitting rocks or, because of the extreme tides, finding that “the water dries up in front of you.”

Dupuis pointed out that a new dock and breakwater would speed up the transport of fuel to Kuujjuaq and reduce costs. In turn, these savings would result in lower prices for air passengers and consumer goods.

“The chains of the boats are broken by waves and the strong wind we have, sometimes 90 kilometers an hour in summer,” argued Kangiqsujuaq’s councillor, Ulaayu Arngak, speaking

in favour of her community.
Councillors from Kuujjuaraapik, Umiujaq, Ivujivik, Kangirsuk and Salluit also argued for new marine infrastructures in their communities.

After numerous votes, the councillors finally selected Umiujaq, Ivujivik, Kangirsuk and Kangiqsujuaq.

Engineers will visit these communities before freeze-up so they can produce the initial project design and cost estimates for next year.

The 10-year, $30-million project to build marine infrastructures in Nunavik was approved last year, although its original budget was pared down from $120 million.

While it looks for more funding, the Makivik Corporation plans to invest some of its own money to keep the marine infrastructure program moving at a faster pace.

“If we keep working, eventually all the communities will receive a marine infrastructure,” said Makivik’s president, Pita Aatami.