The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA), leading the proposed Iqaluit hydroelectric dam project, acknowledges that the project will have significant adverse impacts on the environment and Inuit livelihood. In their submission to the Nunavut Impact Review Board, the QIA stated that considerations such as harvesting, land use, country foods, and travel safety need further examination.
The $500 million plan to construct a hydroelectric plant outside Iqaluit, which has been in the works for almost as long as Nunavut has existed, includes a dam and powerhouse along the Kuugaluk River, approximately 60 kilometers northeast of Iqaluit. The plant is projected to generate 15 megawatts of electricity for around 100 years if it comes to fruition.
The potential environmental effects of the project have been a topic of contentious debate for years, particularly in Pangnirtung, a community situated about 300 kilometers northeast of Nunavut’s capital. Pangnirtung MLA Johnny Mike expressed concerns about the sensitive nature of the river and the anticipated impacts on fish, caribou, and cabin owners in the area due to the proposed flooding of 73 square kilometers of land.
Harry Flaherty, president of the QIA-owned Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation overseeing the environmental assessments, emphasized that the project is not yet at a stage where construction can proceed. Flaherty highlighted the ongoing studies on wildlife impacts and consultations with affected communities as crucial steps before any construction activities begin.
However, Mike criticized the QIA leadership based in Iqaluit, questioning their expertise in conducting such assessments. He highlighted the growing divide among Inuit communities over the project, emphasizing the challenging task of reconciling differing viewpoints within the Inuit community.