Some new Nunavut MLAs want to see more infrastructure so their communities can grow
Power plants, water services needed to improve housing and economies in Nunavut communities
A power outage on election night is just one example of how infrastructure in the territory needs to be improved, says one incoming Nunavut MLA.
On Oct. 27, the night of the Nunavut election, residents of Rankin Inlet experienced a rotating power outage while the Quilliq Energy Corporation worked through generator issues.
Annie Tattuinee, MLA-elect for Rankin Inlet South, wants to help expand her community, to bring in more housing and more facilities. But first, she says they need proper infrastructure — like power and water — to support that growth.
“All of those have impact on us and we need to make those changes for our community to grow,” she said.
Tattuinee said that when Nunavut was first established governments invested enough for communities to get by but didn’t consider the ways they would grow over time.
“If consideration was given to what we need over the next 50 years then we might’ve gotten a power plant in Rankin Inlet or more generators,” she said.
“Those all need to be improved upon in order for our community to grow and our economy to grow and for us to build more houses. And that takes commitment from every level of government.”
Cecile Nelvana Lyall, MLA-elect for Netsilik, said she also wants to improve infrastructure, particularly power, in her riding’s communities.
In 2024, the Qulliq Energy Corporation applied to build and operate a new power plant in Kugaaruk.
Documents on the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB)’s website indicate the community has a growing population and an increasing demand for power. Its current power plant was built in 1974 and has become difficult to maintain with age.
Lyall said even before the application, that project has been in the works for a long time. She wants to get an update on the status of the new plant for residents.
“It’s really important that we’re putting in the necessary infrastructure for that housing boom that we’re hoping to see,” she said.
The new slate of MLAs will gather in Iqaluit starting Nov. 5. New members will receive orientation, and members will vote to select the new assembly’s Speaker, premier and ministers.
With files from Robert Kabvitok and Natsiq Kango
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canadian Inuit leaders call for northern infrastructure focus ahead of federal budget, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Norway, UK team up to protect subsea infrastructure against Russian hybrid attacks, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Putin in Arkhangelsk: Arctic industry and infrastructure on agenda, The Independent Barents Observer
