Territorial leaders talk trade at premiers’ forum in the Yukon
North provides economic ‘certainty’ in uncertain times, Nunavut premier says
From left, premiers P.J. Akeeagok of Nunavut, Ranj Pillai of the Yukon and R.J. Simpson of the Northwest Territories meet in Haines Junction, Yukon as a part of the Northern Premiers Forum. (Photo courtesy of Premier P.J. Akeeagok/X)
Eliminating trade barriers, establishing a territorial trade zone and securing funding for “nation-building projects” were some of the priorities set out by leaders of the territories at the Northern Premiers’ Forum in the Yukon last weekend.
Premiers P.J. Akeeagok of Nunavut, Ranj Pillai of the Yukon and R.J. Simpson of the Northwest Territories met in Haines Junction and Whitehorse from May 2 to 4 as part of their annual trilateral forum.
At a news conference Sunday, the leaders focused on economic development in the North through infrastructure and resource development.
“We’re seeing so much uncertainty around the world, right across this country, and I think one thing as northern territories that we provide all Canadians is certainty,” Akeeagok said.
The premiers spoke about a promise Prime Minister Mark Carney made to eliminate federal barriers to internal trade among provinces and territories by July 1.
One barrier Simpson said needs to addressed was how regulations on the transportation and trucking of goods can vary from jurisdiction.
Reviewing trade barriers will require consultation with Indigenous groups across the territories and respect for treaties, Pillai said. He wants the process to lead to establishment of a “territorial trade zone” that would allow better commerce and transportation among the territories.
“I think it gives us an opportunity to be willing partners at the table, but it also gives us a chance to educate our other colleagues about what’s unique here,” Pillai said about eliminating barriers across the country.
“But we do need Canada on this one. We need them more committed than ever, and I think that’ll be how we position the conversation as we go into July 2.”
To eliminate trade barriers, the three premiers spoke of the need to develop “nation-building” projects across the North.
Akeeagok repeated his and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.’s wish list of federal support for four major projects for Nunavut — West Kitikmeot Resources Corp.’s Arctic Security Corridor/Grays Bay road and port project, Nukik Corp.’s Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link, and Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corp.’s Iqaluit hydroelectric project.
He mentioned the Alaska Highway, which runs through the Yukon from British Columbia and was built during the Second World War at a time of “urgency.”
“We are at that moment again, but it requires Canada, as a great country that we are, to actually invest here right at home,” Akeeagok said.
Pillai, who chaired this year’s Northern Premiers’ Forum, said he expects the trio to meet with Carney soon after the prime minister visits U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington D.C. on Tuesday — a visit the three said they will watch closely.
The premiers also said they look forward to northern investments in the next federal budget, expected to be released sometime after King Charles delivers the speech from the throne in Ottawa on May 27.
I believe all or almost all of the territories are very strict on permitting inter-provincial mobility of professionals. This is done as a means of protectionism by those professionals, and not as a means of protecting the public. Nurses, doctors, engineers, lawyers etc. should be able to come in and out of the territories for 6 months a year without any additional licensing requirements if they are already licensed in another province or territory.
Nunavut also needs to open up its contracts, which require suppliers and contractors to always use their preferred territorial sea lift company. If suppliers and contractors can do so through other means, then let them.