Latest news with #P.J.Akeeagok
Hamilton Spectator
03-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Carney points to Grays Bay as key nation-building project
After meeting with Canada's premiers in Saskatoon Monday afternoon, Prime Minister Mark Carney name-dropped Nunavut's Grays Bay road and port as a major project of national significance he wants to see get approved quickly. The comment came in response to a reporter asking why a joint news release from the prime minister and premiers did not list any specific projects. 'I can give you, if I may, lots of examples of those projects, which range from Grays Bay port and road,' Carney said, before naming several other projects across Canada. 'There is a long list of projects that bring the country together, diversify our markets, make us more resilient, create good jobs and growth, have very good prospects of Indigenous partnerships, and beyond.' Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok welcomed seeing Grays Bay on the list, as the project is one of four he and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Jeremy Tunraluk are advocating for. The other projects are the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link, Qikiqtarjuaq deepsea port, and a hydroelectric project in Iqaluit. 'I was reflecting back to all the leaders that had and continue to push this major project forward,' Akeeagok told reporters Monday, making reference to Tunraluk and Kitikmeot Inuit Association acting president James Eetoolook. 'It was a great day for Nunavut to be recognized as an opportunity for these big nation-building [projects] to happen in the Arctic.' Brendan Bell, CEO of project proponent West Kitikmeot Resources Corp., also welcomed Carney's comments though, he said, he's not surprised. 'It's certainly a validation for all of the work that's gone on here,' Bell said in an interview. 'There's just no daylight between the leaders in Nunavut on this project, and that makes it a fairly safe and easy project for the prime minister to advocate for and to promote.' Grays Bay road and port would consist of a 230-kilometre all-season road and deepsea port that would link the mineral-rich lands of western Nunavut to the rest of Canada. The estimated cost sits at nearly $1 billion. Bell said in October that he's aiming for the federal government to cover 75 per cent of the cost, with the Government of Nunavut funding the rest. Carney and the premiers released a statement after Monday's meeting, agreeing to collaborate on speeding up the approvals of projects of 'national interest.' Among the criteria for the projects is that they must strengthen Canada's resilience and security, support economic growth, have a high likelihood to be achieved, be a high priority for Indigenous communities, and offer potential for clean growth. Another key requirement is consultation with Indigenous Peoples. In Nunavut, projects must go through the Nunavut Impact Review Board before they are approved. Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok, right, speaks in Saskatoon Monday. Also pictured are Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai, left, and Newfoundland Premier John Hogan. (Photo courtesy of Premier P.J. Akeeagok/X) Akeeagok said his priority projects include 'certainty' they will be approved. 'All the projects that we put in [were] really from the lens of making sure that these are being led by Inuit, for Inuit, that really will have a huge benefit not only for the territory, but for the country,' he said. There was a tone of unity from the premiers Monday. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said it was the 'best meeting' he had in 10 years, and colourfully described Carney as 'Santa Claus.' 'He's coming and his sled was full of all sorts of stuff. Now, he's taking off back to the North Pole, he's going to sort it out and then he's going to call us,' Ford said. Akeeagok said he 'couldn't agree more' with what Ford said. '[Monday] was about having really good discussions around identifying some of these key projects,' he said. 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 .
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plan to build 3,000 homes in Nunavut still a success even if it falls short, housing corp. presidents says
Nunavut's premier and housing corporation president are defending the government's record on public housing following the release of a new Auditor General's report, which said Nunavummiut aren't being provided fair access. The report also stated there has been a lack of communication and misinformation about the targets outlined in the Nunavut 3,000 strategy — which aims to build 3,000 new homes by 2030. "We've been open and transparent in terms of showcasing what levels — they're all in different stages in terms of the construction phases," Premier P.J. Akeeagok said in the Nunavut Legislative Assembly this week. Nunavut Housing Corporation president and CEO Eiryn Devereaux said even if that target of 3,000 homes missed, the strategy will still be a success. "If we had kept doing everything the same, building a hundred units a year over nine years, we would have seen 1,000 units come into the territory," Devereaux said. "So we're talking about doubling and trying to triple the supply of much-needed housing." Devereaux said the 3,000 figure relates to units under construction since 2021, not since the launch of the strategy in 2022. "The 3,000 was always a target and it was always a target to drive change, drive the system, to say we have to do better, we have to do things differently because the status quo is just not working," he said. Devereaux said there are currently 440 units at "various stages of construction." "What's more important than people counting the numbers? It's the transformative change," he said. The Nunavut Housing Corporation accepted all of the report's 10 recommendations. More than 60 per cent of Nunavummiut rely on public housing, 45 per cent of which is overcrowded, according to Nunavut Housing Corporation data included in the auditor's report. The audit also found the housing corporation did not know whether publicly funded units were being allocated to applicants who needed them the most. Devereaux said they have a new maintenance management software system for local housing authorities, which should start rolling out later this year. "That'll help to centralize and to get data across all (local housing authorities) instead of them sort of doing it on their own in-house," he said. He said the housing corporation also plans to launch a new tenant relations and portfolio management system to take that burden off housing authorities too.
CBC
04-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and Nunavut gov't form working group for Arctic sovereignty strategy
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the Nunavut government have announced a working group to develop a strategy for Arctic sovereignty and security. In a joint news release Tuesday morning, they described the effort as "made-in-Nunavut" and a response to world events that have recently put the spotlight on the Arctic. "Nunavut stands together with other territories and provinces in opposing any threats to Canada's sovereignty and security," said Premier P.J. Akeeagok in the release. "We know what's at stake for the Canadian Arctic and Inuit Nunangat, and we know that Nunavut needs to be united and strategic to respond to the challenges before us." There is no timeline yet for when the strategy will be released or when work will officially begin on it. The two groups also called for the federal government to step up its investments in the Arctic and back critical Inuit-led projects, though they did not specify which projects. "Investments in infrastructure, food sovereignty, Inuktut and higher education and the formalization of the Canadian Rangers will greatly enhance the security and well-being of the Arctic region," said NTI president Jeremy Tunraluk in the news release.
CBC
04-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Nunavut premier says territory is 'vulnerable' to trade war, urges people to buy Canadian
The premier of Nunavut says his territory relies on imported goods and is vulnerable to the effects of a trade war with the United States. Now that it's begun, P.J. Akeeagok is encouraging residents to buy Canadian and reiterating his government's commitment to protecting the economy. U.S. President Donald Trump has slapped 25 per cent tariffs on virtually all Canadian goods, as of Tuesday. Canada has responded by putting tariffs on $30 billion worth of American goods, and has said it will put tariffs on $125 billion more in three weeks time. "While Nunavut does not directly export to the U.S., the territory relies heavily on imports for essential goods, infrastructure and services, making it vulnerable to rising costs and supply chain interruptions," reads a statement from Akeeagok's office. "We are taking measured steps to support Canadian suppliers and safeguard the affordability and availability of goods for Nunavummiut," he said. The Nunavut government says its "actively monitoring" supply chain disruptions and working with contractors and supplies to make sure infrastructure projects – which are now cast into uncertainty – can continue. The Nunavut government said the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission will also no longer sell American liquor products. Akeeagok said Nunavut stands with other territories and provinces in opposing trade barriers between Canada and the U.S., and also encouraged Nunvummiut to buy Canadian goods in response.
