Latest news with #Akeeagok
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
David Akeeagok to bid adieu as MLA
Residents of Nunavut's northernmost riding will have a new MLA this fall. Cabinet minister David Akeeagok will not seek re-election as MLA for Quttiktuq riding in the Oct. 27 territorial election. He made the announcement in a member's statement in the legislative assembly Tuesday, thanking his family, constituents and staff for their support over the years. 'I want the High Arctic people to be represented properly, so therefore I inform them that I will not be running again,' he said. A cabinet member with seven portfolios, Akeeagok's roles include minister of community services, human resources, and mines. 'I'm very proud that I have been selected and elected to represent Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord and Arctic Bay,' Akeeagok said. Speaking to reporters after the assembly's spring sitting closed Tuesday, Akeeagok, 56, said the work-life balance of being a family man, MLA of three communities and cabinet minister has been a challenge. He cited that as his reason for not seeking a third term as MLA. Looking back on the past eight years during which he served numerous cabinet positions under three premiers — Paul Quassa, Joe Savikataaq, and his nephew current Premier P.J. Akeeagok — David Akeeagok said his greatest highlight has been representing his home community of Grise Fiord. 'It's one community that does not get as much attention as it should,' he said, pointing to the high cost of living and transportation challenges faced in the hamlet of around 140 residents, located 1,500 kilometres south of the North Pole. Akeeagok said he wanted to make his decision known so prospective candidates could prepare for the election, which is nearly five months away. Anyone hoping to replace him come October should talk about it with their family first, he suggested. 'When you're an MLA, it's a huge commitment,' he said. Akeeagok has been an MLA and cabinet minister since the 2017 election, when he finished first among eight candidates, unseating incumbent Isaac Shooyook. In 2021, Akeeagok won by acclamation as the only candidate. He wouldn't say what his plans are after he leaves office. He'll provide an update on that in the final sitting in September. However, he said he plans to continue serving as a minister until a new cabinet is formed after the election. Akeeagok is the first MLA to publicly announce he will not seek re-election. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
02-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Akeeagok eager to hear Carney's plan on major project approvals
As Prime Minister Mark Carney is poised to speed up the way major nation-building projects are approved, Premier P.J. Akeeagok says Nunavut is eager to collaborate. Akeeagok, along with his fellow premiers, is to meet with Carney in Saskatoon on Monday. It will be their first in-person gathering since King Charles outlined the Carney government's agenda last Tuesday in the speech from the throne. 'Through the creation of a new Major Federal Project Office, the time needed to approve a project will be reduced from five years to two; all while upholding Canada's world-leading environmental standards and its constitutional obligations to Indigenous Peoples,' Charles said in his speech. 'The government will also strike co-operation agreements with every interested province and territory within six months to realize its goal of 'one project, one review.'' Akeeagok said he was 'really excited' to hear those remarks. The premier remains consistent that he has four major projects on his priority list, which he and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Jeremy Tunraluk jointly endorsed in March. Those projects are the Grays Bay road and port project, the Qikiqtarjuaq deepsea port , the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link , and a hydroelectric project for Iqaluit. 'You look at the four projects we've advanced, and they're all Inuit-led initiatives that really have been in the wishes and the vision of Inuit for decades,' Akeeagok said. 'The whole country is really looking for certainty at this moment, and I think it's so important to ensure that all these discussions around nation building focus on the consent of the Indigenous people.' Akeeagok described seeing growing support for those four projects in recent weeks from other premiers. In early May, he said his fellow northern premiers gave their support. Last week, western Canadian premiers joined in. Next, Akeeagok said, he hopes to bring in more premiers and Carney. A one-on-one meeting with Carney is not on Akeeagok's agenda, the premier's office says. However, Akeeagok said he has a good relationship with Carney. He said he continues to be thankful that the prime minister made Iqaluit one of his first trips shortly after taking office in March. Beyond Akeeagok's wishlist of projects, there will be a lot to discuss at the meetings, including tariffs and Canadian sovereignty. 'We have the solutions here and Nunavut has the certainty in terms of really bringing forward these exciting initiatives that have been envisioned for many, many years,' he said. 'We're looking forward to those conversations around the first ministers meeting of what we could do to fast track, whether it's significant investments or others as well.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Toronto Star
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Western premiers meet in Yellowknife to talk trade, energy and Arctic security
YELLOWKNIFE - Premiers from Western Canada are to meet Wednesday to kick off a two-day conference in Yellowknife. Set to attend are Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, British Columbia's David Eby, Saskatchewan's Scott Moe, Manitoba's Wab Kinew, Nunavut's P.J. Akeeagok, Yukon's outgoing Premier Ranj Pillai and Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson. This annual conference comes two weeks before all Canada's premiers are to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Saskatoon. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW A statement from Simpson's office last week said the western leaders are set to discuss a range of issues, including Arctic sovereignty, energy security, international trade and emergency preparedness. Housing, economic corridors and tariffs are also on the agenda. Smith said the meeting is taking place at a 'critical moment' for Alberta, in the wake of last month's federal election. She said she plans to advocate for new pipelines. 'We cannot afford federal overreach into provincial jurisdiction to continue or damaging federal policies to impact the upward trajectory of our economies,' Smith said Tuesday in a statement. 'I will be at the table to advocate for Alberta's interests, particularly the importance of new pipelines, in an effort to put the power of our economy back in the hands of western Canadians.' Eby said Tuesday that Western Canada is 'leading the country, being the engine of the economy for Canada,' but he lamented talk of western separatism in the lead-up to the meeting. 'I think it's really unfortunate that at this moment, when Western Canada is stepping into the spotlight, that there's any discussion at all about leaving Canada,' Eby told an unrelated news conference. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'I mean, to advance that at the moment, it's strange.' Akeeagok said in an email he's looking to push the conversation forward on Arctic security and infrastructure projects needed to strengthen it. The long-discussed Grays Bay Road and Port proposal, which would connect Yellowknife to the eastern Arctic coast by road, would help unlock the North's vast economic potential, he said. 'The Arctic holds incredible promise and, through strategic investments in critical infrastructure, we can responsibly access key resources, including critical minerals,' he said. A spokesperson for Moe said the premier plans to discuss items he recently urged Carney to act on, including strengthening the Criminal Code, giving provinces full responsibility for the industrial carbon levy, repealing clean electricity regulations and expanding pipelines. Moe has said he also wants Carney to immediately begin negotiations with China to remove Beijing's tariffs on Canadian agricultural goods. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2025. — By Jack Farrell in Edmonton, with files from Jeremy Simes in Regina
Hamilton Spectator
21-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Western premiers meet in Yellowknife to talk trade, energy and Arctic security
YELLOWKNIFE - Premiers from Western Canada are to meet Wednesday to kick off a two-day conference in Yellowknife. Set to attend are Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, British Columbia's David Eby, Saskatchewan's Scott Moe, Manitoba's Wab Kinew, Nunavut's P.J. Akeeagok, Yukon's outgoing Premier Ranj Pillai and Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson. This annual conference comes two weeks before all Canada's premiers are to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Saskatoon. A statement from Simpson's office last week said the western leaders are set to discuss a range of issues, including Arctic sovereignty, energy security, international trade and emergency preparedness. Housing, economic corridors and tariffs are also on the agenda. Smith said the meeting is taking place at a 'critical moment' for Alberta, in the wake of last month's federal election. She said she plans to advocate for new pipelines. 'We cannot afford federal overreach into provincial jurisdiction to continue or damaging federal policies to impact the upward trajectory of our economies,' Smith said Tuesday in a statement. 'I will be at the table to advocate for Alberta's interests, particularly the importance of new pipelines, in an effort to put the power of our economy back in the hands of western Canadians.' Eby said Tuesday that Western Canada is 'leading the country, being the engine of the economy for Canada,' but he lamented talk of western separatism in the lead-up to the meeting. 'I think it's really unfortunate that at this moment, when Western Canada is stepping into the spotlight, that there's any discussion at all about leaving Canada,' Eby told an unrelated news conference. 'I mean, to advance that at the moment, it's strange.' Akeeagok said in an email he's looking to push the conversation forward on Arctic security and infrastructure projects needed to strengthen it. The long-discussed Grays Bay Road and Port proposal, which would connect Yellowknife to the eastern Arctic coast by road, would help unlock the North's vast economic potential, he said. 'The Arctic holds incredible promise and, through strategic investments in critical infrastructure, we can responsibly access key resources, including critical minerals,' he said. A spokesperson for Moe said the premier plans to discuss items he recently urged Carney to act on, including strengthening the Criminal Code, giving provinces full responsibility for the industrial carbon levy, repealing clean electricity regulations and expanding pipelines. Moe has said he also wants Carney to immediately begin negotiations with China to remove Beijing's tariffs on Canadian agricultural goods. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2025. — By Jack Farrell in Edmonton, with files from Jeremy Simes in Regina
Hamilton Spectator
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Northern premiers look to expand horizons and opportunities during Northern Premiers' Forum
Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok says within Canada's three Northern territories exists an 'incredible opportunity'. '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. We have so much opportunity,' Akeeagok said. The premier recently attended the annual Northern Premiers' Forum held in Haines Junction, Yukon, joined by this years' chair Yukon premier Ranj Pillai, and NWT premier R.J. Simpson. Akeeagok said as a team of three, the premiers are pushing and demonstrating that the territories are emerging as a key region for prosperity and possibilities for growth with 'nation building projects'. 'I too, very much look forward to working very closely with the Prime Minister on implementing the vision that we want to see Canada become, and the role the North could play when you look at wanting to truly diversify our economies and building Canada so we become more resilient and prosperous,' he said. Investing in opportunity Within Nunavut, Akeeagok said the Arctic security corridor with its access over to the NWT has 'incredible critical mineral potential' that the world needs, but 'what we don't have is an investment and a partner in Ottawa to make that real. 'But we've brought in new organizations who are the proponents of that proposal. We're supporting them. We're backing them, and I very much look forward to solidifying that relationship even further with the NWT as we move forward as well.' Akeeagok went on to say they also have had a few successes in terms of connecting on projects with Manitoba and Premier Wab Kinew, one example being the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link (KHFL), being led by the Inuit-owned Nukik Corporation. The 1,200-km link between Manitoba and the Kivalliq region of Nunavut, will benefit five communities and two mines by using electricity instead of diesel fuel. 'Nunavut is the only jurisdiction that is not connected by fiber or road … so it's exciting to see that project advance. 'It takes a team to advance these projects, and I feel very honored to be able to work with the two friends that are right next to me, to be able to advance some really exciting work that really will change the fabric of this country,' he said. And with the creation of a deep-sea port on the Eastern part of the territory at the mouth of the Northwest Passage, Akeeagok said it would diversity the local economy and increase opportunities for Canada. Collaboration welcome Akeeagok said after incumbent MP Lori Idlout was re-elected to parliament, he ensured they would continue with an 'open door policy' to enable them to communicate about the nation-building projects that were underway. 'I really feel that Nunavut has so much to offer in terms of providing that certainty and that clear direction of what we could do together. She's been a strong advocate on some really exciting work,' he said. Garnering interest In terms of global interest in Canada's North, Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai said 'not a month goes by' where a consul general or ambassador doesn't come to the Yukon to discuss Canada's North. 'I think specifically Nordic countries have been really reaching out to us to talk about the opportunities of the three territories coming together, where we can work together. There's already the cultural fabric that's that binds our Indigenous Peoples across the North into Alaska, but also into Greenland and into and Nordic regions,' Pillai said. 'Beyond that is that there's a lot of Canadians, as we all know, that do not have a real strong understanding about what the Yukon is, or what happens in the Yukon, in the Northwest Territories, or Nunavut. And so we're also seeing a time when Canadians are actually taking a moment of pause to try and understand what the North is all about. So I think that's why it's pivotal, because it becomes a conversation during an election cycle,' he said. Local heroes Akeeagok said he had the pleasure of welcoming Prime Minister Mark Carney to Nunavut in his first domestic travel in the country, and was able to discuss investments such as defense, housing, and a permanent, year-round presence of the Canadian Rangers. 'They are truly the heroes. They are the eyes and the ears of the North. And we all know many of them, their family, their community members that wear many hats,' he said. 'I've had the opportunity to connect with the Rangers and to actually hear exactly where they see the need for investments, the investments into, let's say, equipment so that they could do a little longer patrols, or whether it's the support to allow them to do more of the patrols and the less paperwork is what we heard as well, to streamline some of those processes.' 'I very much look forward to continuing these conversations with the Prime Minister, and it's going to be interesting. And I very much look forward to hearing who the new or returning defense minister might be. I believe we've had a really good working relationship in identifying priorities that come from the North,' he said. Akeeagok also said that by investing in Nunavut, they will see a 'direct impact' in terms of the high cost of living in communities. 'I am very pleased to see a lot of those projects that we've identified make it into the platforms, and now we'll be very eager to see if it actually gets brought in through the first budget, but we'll be very closely looking into that. 'But I feel very optimistic that we've really seen some great momentum around a lot of those projects, but it will require those federal investments to make them happen.' Topics of discussion during the forum among the three premiers also included the health and well-being of Northerners, balancing economic growth with environmental protection as well as sustainable development practices, and support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the fundamental right to self-expression.
