There are 79 projects, totalling about $30-billion over the next decade, that Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami deems essential, the organization's president Natan Obed saysSean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
The president of the national organization representing Inuit says projects they want to see built include hydro-electric lines and plants, an all-season road connected to a deep port, and upgrades to an airstrip, which he said could happen under the federal government’s major-projects legislation or another avenue.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed pointed to the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link, the Grays Bay Road and Port project, the Iqaluit hydro project, and upgrades to the Nain airstrip when asked what kinds of projects Inuit are looking to build.
The Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link would bring renewable power from Manitoba to several communities in south-western Nunavut, which are currently powered by diesel. It would also provide reliable internet.
The Grays Bay Road and Port project would build a 227-kilometre all-weather road from the ice roads in Yellowknife to a deep-sea port at Grays Bay, which is in western Nunavut.
The Iqaluit hydro project would replace the city’s diesel power plant. Mr. Obed said that the airstrip in Nain, Labrador, has no lights, which means it cannot be used after dark. Nain is the capital of Nunatsiavut, which is the Inuit region in northeastern Labrador.
“For medical services alone, it’s just a huge risk to the health and well-being of the people of Nunatsiavut,” Mr. Obed said in an interview. The proposed project also includes a new airport.
On Thursday, Mr. Obed and Prime Minister Mark Carney co-chaired a meeting of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee, which is a body that meets regularly to discuss key issues and includes Inuit leadership and federal ministers. One of the main agenda items was Bill C-5, which allows the federal cabinet to deem projects to be of national interest and then exempt them from various laws to speed up approvals and construction.
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Mr. Obed said the meeting did not get into any detail about specific projects, but that there are 79, totalling about $30-billion over the next decade, that his organization deems essential.
The meeting was the second of three meetings Mr. Carney is having with Indigenous rights holders on Bill C-5. First Nations leaders gave Mr. Carney mixed reviews at their gathering on July 17. The Métis summit is taking place on Aug. 7.
Indigenous groups have voiced concerns that the Building Canada Act could affect their treaty rights. Mr. Obed, who initially expressed concerns, said Thursday he was reassured by Mr. Carney that the comprehensive land-claim agreements Inuit have signed, known as modern treaties, would be respected as Bill C-5 is implemented and Inuit will be full partners in the process.
All four Inuit regions in Canada have modern treaties that include specific processes for how development is conducted in their respective territories.
“We always will be concerned about the government of Canada upholding our rights, but we seem to be in a good place with this government and this Prime Minister for the Inuit-specific considerations,” Mr. Obed said.
Makivvik president Pita Aatami, who represents Inuit in northern Quebec, also said in an interview he felt reassured. He noted any project needs to include the full participation of Inuit.
He said he would like to see a deep-sea port constructed in Kuujjuaq, Que., which is the largest community in the area known as Nunavik. Mr. Aatami added he would like to look at the possibility of Inuit being a bigger partner of any mines being developed, though he said taking care of the environment is his priority.
It remains to be seen whether projects like the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link or the Grays Bay Road and Port will be compatible with C-5’s criteria, Mr. Obed said. But he said they are looking to other options, such as the budget, to address infrastructure deficits in Inuit regions.
Mr. Obed added that Mr. Carney and Defence Minister David McGuinty were “quite optimistic” that some of Canada’s increased military spending could link with projects that Inuit think are essential within their communities.
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Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty said there are going to be “an abundance” of projects for consideration.
“We have to be really strategic in which ones we pick and fund and invest in,” she said, noting other considerations include time, capital and human resources.
“You need to be able to have all of the additional mechanisms to roll out a huge project,” she said, which takes a lot of planning. She said that for her, defining that, is part of the next phase of dialogue.
Ms. Gull-Masty also said she expects there to be regional conversations similar to the ones Mr. Carney announced during his meeting with First Nations leadership on Bill C-5. Mr. Obed said he hopes Mr. Carney and his ministers do travel to all four regions.
Mr. Obed, who has served in his role since 2015, said he will be seeking re-election. In 2021, he was acclaimed and at the time told CBC News it would be his last term.
The next election will take place during Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami’s annual general meeting, which is scheduled for the week of Sept. 15.