U.S. tariffs, housing expansion among key topics at Kitikmeot Trade Show

The potential impact of U.S. tariffs on the North is expected to be a widely discussed topic at the 2025 Kitikmeot Trade Show, which opened Wednesday afternoon in Cambridge Bay.

“It certainly will be part of the internal networking discussions,” said Jim MacEachern, Cambridge Bay’s senior administrative officer and one of the trade show’s organizers.

“The cost of living and the cost to build and construct anything in the North is already extremely high. Any type of tariffs that will increase those costs are going to have a dramatic impact on our communities.”

Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump backed off on a threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports after Canada announced improvements to border security and drug enforcement. The two countries are expected to revisit the tariff issue in a month, however.

This year’s trade show theme, Ready, Set, Grow!, reflects the Kitikmeot region’s efforts to prepare for significant infrastructure expansion, particularly in light of the Nunavut 3000 project which aims to build 3,000 housing units by 2030 across the territory.

Each community must assess whether its municipal services — such as water and sewage systems, and roads — can support that kind of growth, MacEachern said.

“Are all of us going to be able to keep up with this growth? Those are the type of conversations that we’ll be having, and that’s why the theme was selected,” he said.

The event, now in its 24th year, will be held across multiple venues in Cambridge Bay including the Canadian High Arctic Research Station campus, the Luke Novoligak Community Hall, and the Kiilinik High School gymnasium where the 54 exhibitors will set up.

The trade show concludes Saturday with a community pancake breakfast and free concert by singer William Prince.

Business presentations from major corporations such as B2Gold Back River Corp., Agnico Eagle Mines, and Nunavut Housing Corp., will take place Thursday.

“All of the presentations are focused on the impacts across the territory but primarily within the Kitikmeot region,” said MacEachern.

A memorandum of understanding will also be signed Thursday evening between the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, B2Gold, and the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, highlighting further collaboration in regional development.

MacEachern emphasized the importance of promoting education at this year’s event, noting the presence of institutions such as the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Red Deer Polytechnic, and Ocean Networks Canada, a University of Victoria, B.C., initiative.

“I think that’s great for not just Cambridge Bay but for all of the communities and for all the youth,” he said. “It’s important for youth in the region to understand what their options are.”

Despite recent weather challenges delaying flights to Cambridge Bay, the trade show’s premier sponsors Canadian North and Buffalo Air are working on rescheduling flights to ensure exhibitors and cargo arrive on time.

“To make it a little more challenging this year, we haven’t had a flight land in Cambridge Bay since Friday because of the weather,” MacEachern said.

However, he remains optimistic, with flights expected to arrive just in time for the trade show’s opening.

The Aqsarniit Trade Show and Conference, hosted by the Baffin Chamber of Commerce, will also be taking place later this month. The trade show is scheduled for Feb. 17 to 20 at the Rogers Centre Ottawa.