Infrastructure In Nunavut
What we have and What we need
Nunavut Mining Symposium
April 17,2012
Presented by
Rhoda Katsak
Director Community Operations Qikiqtaaluk Region
Topics Covered
 Airport Operations in Nunavut
 Recent & Proposed Airport Projects
 Marine Facilities in Nunavut
 Roads in Nunavut
 Community Access Road Program
 Manitoba – Nunavut Road Project
 Summary
Airport Operations in Nunavut
• Aviation is the life line for all Nunavut communities
• Any goods transported into Nunavut from November to
July is by air
• Resource development requires aircraft and modern,
safe airports and airport infrastructure
• Airlines have moved away from small aircraft for
scheduled service and are now using ATRs,737s, Saabs
and Dash 8s. Some of our smaller airports require
restricted loads to accommodate.
Airport Operations in Nunavut (Cont’d)
• There are 25 Airports in Nunavut. The majority of the
operations and maintenance of these airports are handled
by the Hamlets (21) via contracts with the Nunavut Airports
Division of the Economic Development and Transportation
Department (EDT).
• There are 25 Community Aerodrome Radio Stations
(CARS)…. 13 Private contracts, 10 Hamlet contracts and 2
Flight Service Stations – Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit.
• Annual Budgets - Airport Operations Budget $12.5 M
CARS Budget $5.6 M
Airport Operations in Nunavut (Cont’d)
• Aircraft Movements in 2010
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Iqaluit 20,176
Rankin Inlet 13,071
Cambridge Bay 6,251
Approximately 40 million kg of cargo is moved annually by air in Nunavut
• Fuel
 Most Hamlets have Jet A fuel at their Tank farms. Jet B will have to be flown in
and stored in barrels. Airside storage of fuel is discouraged due to limited apron
space at most airports in Nunavut.
 Petroleum Products Division (PPD) should be notified well in advance for major
projects that will require large amounts of aviation fuel.
 If the storage of barrels of fuel is required arrangements should be made with the
Hamlets for off airport storage
Recent & Proposed Airport Projects
•
Recent Projects
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Heated Maintenance Garages at 5 sites
New Terminal building in Qikiqtarjuaq opened January 2012
Construction & Certification of Arctic Bay Airport February 2011
Flooring and space reconfiguration Rankin ATB 2011
• Current Proposed Projects
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Expansion of apron and ATB Rankin Inlet
Expand apron and ATB Baker lake
Expand apron and widen runway shoulder Cambridge Bay
Iqaluit International Airport Improvement Project. The scope of the project has
been defined and a detailed cost estimate has been prepared. Negotiations are
underway to secure funding through a Public private Partnership Agreement.
Marine Facilities in Nunavut
• Our Marine infrastructure is minimal and is designed for basic
community freight requirements
• Nunavut communities depend on the annual marine resupply for food
stuffs, construction materials, vehicles and other commodities that
cannot be shipped economically by air.
• The GN provides annual maintenance and upgrade funding for
community barge/ship landing areas to the tune of $500K annually.
• Over the past several years the GN has provided floating docks for
Nunavut communities.
• Funds are available through our Small Craft Harbours Program for
improvements to existing marine facilities. $500k annually.
Marine facilities in Nunavut (Cont’d)
•
Feasibility studies have been commissioned by Transport Canada and the
GN for multi-purpose marine facilities
Rankin Inlet – Iqaluit – Pond Inlet – Iqaluit
•
Small Craft Harbour studies have been completed for:
Clyde River–Qikiqtarjuaq – Kugaaruk
Chesterfield inlet – Repulse Bay - Sanikiluaq
•
The Pangnirtung Harbour is being developed through Federal funding and
is nearing completion at a cost of approximately $48 million. The project
includes dredging of the channel and inner harbour and the construction of
a wharf capable of handling 90 foot long vessels.
Roads in Nunavut
• Our road infrastructure is minimal and is designed only for community
use
• There are no road links between Nunavut communities or to other
parts of Canada
• The GN continues to invest in access roads and trails via the
Community Access Roads Program. This program provides $500k
annually to communities for the construction of roads and trails that
provide access to hunting , fishing and recreational areas.
Proposed Manitoba – Nunavut Road Project Update
•In 2001 the Nunavut Transportation Strategy established a need for a road
between Nunavut and Manitoba. The Nunavut- Manitoba Transportation
Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Nunavut and Manitoba
• in 2008 a Business case Study was commissioned to establish a case for a
Manitoba- Nunavut All-Weather Road. The Business Case Report was
completed in February 2010. The Business Case was given approval by the
GN’s Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs in March of 2011
• A joint press release is expected to be issued by Manitoba and Nunavut in
the very near future. Once this is done the findings will be presented to the
Federal Government in an effort to secure further funding for the next phase
of the project.
Proposed Manitoba – Nunavut Road Project Update (Cont’d)
•The next phase of the project is expected to include :
 More detailed mapping, geotechnical investigations, engineering design and
environmental studies
Initiation of a formal Environmental Impact Assessment of the project
 Updated construction and maintenance estimates
More public and stakeholder consultations
Exploration of other funding models, such as Public Private Partnerships
(P3s)
Summary
• The Mining industry is key component of a strong Nunavut economy
with mines and mineral exploration in all regions of Nunavut.
• Nunavut’s existing transportation infrastructure is aging and is in
desperate need of upgrading
• We must now consider infrastructure not only based on community
needs but on the development of industry. This includes deep water
ports, access roads to resources and improvements at our airports
• Most resource related infrastructure does not serve the needs of the
public or the business community
• We must push for renewed federal funding for strategic
infrastructure and pursue innovative funding models such as public
– private – partnerships in order to take advantage of the
opportunities available for economic growth and community
development in Nunavut
Thank You
Questions or Comments ?
Questions that require further explanation may be
directed to:
Art Stewart – Department Economic Development &
Transportation
PH: 867-975-7826
Email artstewart@gov.nu.ca