Push for nation-building projects could leave northern communities behind, municipal leader fears
Federal government needs to invest in “uninteresting” infrastructure like roads and runways, Matt Gemmel says
Matt Gemmel, executive director of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, says there’s a “risk” a federal Arctic infrastructure push will only benefit large communities. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)
The federal government’s focus on large infrastructure projects risks leaving the needs of smaller communities behind, says the executive director of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
“We welcome those kinds of projects,” Matt Gemmel said in an interview Wednesday, referring to “nation-building” proposals like the Iqaluit hydroelectricity project and the Grays Bay road and port.
At the same time, he said, there are many “uninteresting” infrastructure needs in the North such as roads, airport runways, and water and wastewater treatment facilities he called the “building blocks” of resilient communities.
Nunavut NDP MP Lori Idlout agrees.
“I am excited about it,” she said of the $1-billion Arctic Infrastructure Fund announced last week in the federal budget.
“But nation-building projects are going to take years for us to see the benefits. And when we have Inuit children stealing food from grocery stores, when we have Inuit families relying on Inuit Child First Initiative, how are they really going to improve our well-being?”
Gemmel said the Arctic Infrastructure Fund it might be difficult for small Nunavut hamlets to access when they want to pitch their infrastructure needs to the federal government.
“For small municipalities it’s very hard to hire a consultant, put together a proposal, apply and compete against other projects,” he said.
Depending on the project, crafting the application can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. It’s possible the bulk of the Arctic Infrastructure Fund will go toward “nation-building” and infrastructure projects in larger communities.
Gemmel said it might be better for the federal government to focus on regular, long-term transfers to municipalities or to cover the costs of applications in “competitive” programs like the Arctic Infrastructure Fund.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is the national organization representing municipal governments. Gemmel attended the three-day annual general meeting of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, which wrapped up Thursday in Iqaluit.
He said the federation is studying the future of the North from a municipalities’ perspective. The report, expected to be released in March, will provide recommendations to the federal government on economic development, trade, climate resilience, and Arctic security and sovereignty.
“Our big theme is thinking of sovereignty not just as occupying the land but actually building healthy, resilient, prosperous communities,” Gemmel said.
“Even if it doesn’t serve an immediate military purpose, building strong municipal infrastructure to build more resilient communities — we think it’s part of asserting the sovereignty in the North.”
Thanks Matt, for your support, very little infrastructure funding will be spent in the Arctic, 1 federal seat means nothing, and our terrified gov, will not put in any requests that effect real development in the Arctic, the lone opposition NGOs, will not support anything , you have tax paying provinces all scrambling for funding, and Nunavut stands back waiting for another handout, again thanks for your efforts.
I think many Canadians are terrified of the nation building projects. Especially in Ontario and Alberta. Stay out of the spotlight Nunavut.
Small communities have a website called building http://www.nunavut.com to request community infrastructure. They don’t have to hire consultants or engineers, they have to make a request, and CGS takes it from there. You should actually visit the website to see what your council is requesting. Another vent is suggesting that giving more handouts will stop kids stealing is beyond laughable. Stop whining and fight for your constituents and come up with plans to keep the kids in school and better the next generation.