‘We’re not for sale,’ Akeeagok says ahead of premiers’ trip to U.S.
Premier says he highlighted Arctic sovereignty, economic challenges during first ministers meeting
Premier P.J. Akeeagok, seen in a file photo, says he supports the “Team Canada” approach of the federal and provincial governments acting together to counter any U.S. economic threats. (File Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok says he knows what he’ll say if he comes face to face with Donald Trump next month.
“I would say, ‘We’re not for sale,’” Akeeagok said.
The message is a response to Trump’s threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods exported to the U.S., and his public musings about Canada becoming the 51st state.
Trump, who was elected president of the U.S. in November, will officially take office on Jan. 20. The tariff will be imposed on Day 1 of his administration, he said on Nov. 25.
“My family has sacrificed a lot, and so have many other families that were directly relocated to Grise Fiord for sovereignty reasons, to use Inuit as human flagpoles,” Akeeagok said in an interview Thursday.
“We know the sacrifice of Inuit and, just as Canadians, what we’ve done to assert our rights here.”
Akeeagok will head to Washington D.C. on Feb. 12 with a delegation of Canada’s premiers to discuss trade with Trump administration officials.
He attended a first ministers meeting Wednesday in Ottawa to consider how Canada should respond if Trump goes through with his threat to levy the tariffs, calling the trip “very productive.”
One option on the table is retaliatory tariffs on American imports, which heighten concerns about the cost of living in Nunavut, where reliance on air and sea shipping already drives up prices.
“The concern that we have from the tariffs is that it’s going to compound even more what is already high for us,” said Akeeagok.
Asked whether the Government of Nunavut might take direct action to help residents cope if new tariffs are imposed, Akeeagok said it’s too early to speculate.
“That’s something we will continue to monitor,” he said.
He acknowledged Nunavut’s economy could face significant challenges if Trump acts on his tariff threat, with the mining sector being particularly vulnerable.
Akeeagok said Baffinland Iron Mines Corp., has already warned about the “detrimental impact” tariffs could have on its operations.
“The impact will be felt not only across the territory but across the country,” he said. “It’s important to acknowledge that it really will hurt where it matters most to the people.”
He said he shared the potential impact of the tariffs on Nunavummiut with his colleagues, including the “high cost of food or the sheer construction costs of any infrastructure we’re hoping to do in the coming months.”
Akeeagok also highlighted Nunavut’s contribution to Canada’s defence strategy, particularly in meeting NATO’s target of having Canada spend two per cent of its gross domestic product on national defence.
“I think there’s a lot Nunavut could tell in terms of our history and the opportunity we have, such as defence,” he said, mentioning the DEW [Distant Early Warning] Line sites, a series of radar stations across the North built during the Cold War by the United States and Canada.
He said he supports the “Team Canada” response to any moves the U.S. makes regarding trade.
“I think everything has to be on that table and I really support all my colleagues in terms of looking at all the [tools] that we do have,” he said.
Guess I’ll take my USA flag down
I’ve been laughing at this ‘ 51st state’
First of all 10 provinces and 3 territories can NOT be 51st states. So do the math here.
Canada would become the great 51st state as a whole, no more provinces and territories, and if that happens i’m sure city’s would be built in Nunavut for immigrants.
Hope P.J. brings his “YMCA” dance moves.🤘🥳🤣
🎵🎵”It’s fun to stay at the YMCA….”👏🌟🎵
Out west here, we are still capital of higher costs in everything. Tarriffs or no tariffs we already in nunavut still have the highest airline rates in the world.
Quyaanaqpuk PJ !! I have kept my eyes, ears and heart towards my fellow Inuit High North peoples….from Greenland, Canada and Alaska. Particularly PJ of the Nunaaviimuit of Northern Canada….and our fellow Greenlandic peoples. No more bullying from the US as we are strong, resilient and humble people.
If it were even possible, would you be willing to ban all mining exports to the United States?
Think about that in the context of your ‘Team Canada’ approach. It’s easy to speak on behalf of provinces who have a lot to lose. It’s easy to speak boldly on behalf of others when you have little to lose.
Nunavut is very much for sale and NTI proved that by getting record voter turn out using the promise of a $100 gift voucher for voting.
As it stands the Canadian Federal Government spends 2.5 Billion Canadian in Nunavut
Now if the US Government came in and said Inuit in Nunavut will have all their, free health care in a US system, free housing, etc. plus $5 Billion US a year to run our government and to building vital community infrastructure that has been neglected by our government. Inuit would probably sell out.
Canadian History with Inuit in Nunavut
Residential Schools -denied then apologized
60’s scoupe – denied then apologized
Dog Slaughter – denied then apologized to Nunavik, no apology for Nunavut yet
TB Sanitoriums that brought on experiments – denied them apologized
American History with Inuit in Nunavut
After World War two, many Inuit families and communities were starving, the Canadian Government did not care, If it was not for the Americans investing in the DEW-line sites that provided jobs to the Inuit many would have perished due to starvation across Nunavut.
The grass may actually be greener on the other side of the fence.