Qujannamiik uqaqtitaujunnarama ublumi pivalliajuniriniup miksaanut ukiuqtaqtumit.
Thank you, Chairman Benoit and the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, for this opportunity to speak about the socio-economic impacts of development in the north
Rankin Inlet is the second-largest community in Nunavut, with a population of just under 3,000. We're on the west coast of Hudson Bay. Originally a mining town in the fifties, Rankin is on the verge of opening another mine 25 kilometres north of the community, this time for gold.
The company, Agnico-Eagle, hopes to begin production in 2017 and hopes the mine will have a lifespan of 15 years or longer. There is also the potential for 500 to 600 jobs during construction and the creation of another 500 to 600 jobs once the mine goes into production. This is great news, not only for the community of Rankin Inlet or the region of the Kivalliq, but also for the Territory of Nunavut. We are a business and transportation hub in the Kivalliq region and the gateway to Nunavut from central and western Canada.
Due to the large volume of traffic through the area, we also have a history of regional government, mining, and exploration. So Rankin has developed a strong task force of entrepreneurs. There are 150 registered businesses in Rankin, including freight expediters, equipment suppliers, and outfitters who are interested in providing services in different areas within the sector.
Rankin is an ever-expanding community, with the opening of the wellness correctional centre, a trade school, and tremendous potential for mining. Rankin is a great place to live, to visit, to work, and to start a business. The Nunavut government is the largest employer, but this could change with the Meliadine project.
Over the past year, regulatory processes were halting development due to the long and drawn out phases. An example of this is the all-weather road that was proposed for the Meliadine project. However, new policies that are being put in place have allowed for development and a more accurate use of these processes.
Regulatory boards have the responsibility for overseeing safety for all people, land, and animals. We are grateful for their work and dedication. It does take a lot of time. There has been criticism that sometimes they make it too difficult and delay projects, thus harming the chances of projects to develop, but at the same time it's also very important that these be in place for the safety of all in our region and territory, especially our people.
There are challenges evident in the north: employee retention, attendance, training, and qualified beneficiary employees. Some employees tend to go home because of homesickness, family issues, and/or co-worker issues.
We would like to see more beneficiaries in the higher positions, such as supervisors, managers, etc., but the reality is they don’t have the experience, qualifications, or training. Hopefully, with the Kivalliq Mine Training Society, this will not be a problem for long.
High school students need to be engaged by outside investors or universities to show that there are opportunities and options out there. This needs to begin probably in junior high and continue on right through high school to grade 12. Our children need to know about these opportunities, and it's very important that the parents and adults who are in their lives are also engaged to help encourage these children.
Even with all the mining developments going on in Nunavut, unemployment is still very high. However, in the Kivalliq region there are many opportunities to work. Individuals just need to sacrifice in order for this to happen. A lot of shifts are two weeks in, two weeks out. As I said at the beginning, it causes a bit of strain also.
We need more tradesmen. Nunavut Arctic College is starting to work on that by having a trade school located in Rankin Inlet.
We need more Inuit in management and professional positions. There are many opportunities in mining and resource development. There are also other economic opportunities in business development and spinoffs from the increase in mineral exploration and mining.
An example of this is the $30 million spent by Agnico-Eagle, just on exploration. We understand that development involves sacrifices for opportunities. Well, our sacrifice in our region and community is our land, which we sacrifice so that our people will have jobs. Jobs are needed. This can help deal with many issues that are prevalent in the north: high unemployment, high suicide rates, a high birthrate, and issues with health care and housing. All of these are interrelated. We can't just brush them off, and we cannot deal with just one area. We need support and help all over.
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, also called NTI, and the regional Inuit associations, such as the Kivalliq Inuit Association, look after beneficiaries to make sure that Inuit are consulted on all projects. They're also responsible for negotiating impact benefit agreements and making sure that reclamation is scheduled to happen once projects are completed. The RIAs also help monitor the animals in our area to ensure that they're taken care of properly.
In Nunavut we need more infrastructure, such as ports and airports. In Rankin Inlet we are looking at a $20 million port facility. We recently received funding to develop a business case to see whether it is feasible for the hamlet and potential investors to pursue this. This funding came from CanNor, and we're very grateful for that.
I would also like to thank the government for the approval of the much needed expansion of the Rankin Inlet terminal. This will help the rest of Nunavut accommodate the growth we are experiencing.
I would like to make a few recommendations. First, communication is an extremely important component in the north. All mining and exploration companies need communications people. It has to be enforced at all levels of government that there needs to be effective communication in Inuktitut, English, and, in some communities, French.
Community consultations are necessary for these companies. At times, the companies have these meetings when really, there's nobody around in the community, especially at this time of the year, when everybody wants to be out fishing, goose hunting, and drying out caribou meat. These are the realities of our home. Right now, I'm sitting here when I could be out fishing; I could be out goose hunting. But it's really important to have this opportunity to speak with you. So again, thank you very much for the opportunity.
We also need to ensure that all mining and exploration companies know the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement signed by the federal government and the Inuit of Nunavut.
Industry also needs to help build relationships within the community. This will help gain trust from the community members. This is not something that is going to happen overnight, but it's a process that is absolutely necessary.
Another recommendation would be to deal with the housing shortage. Homes are desperately needed. I'm sure that everybody here is aware of that. This causes overcrowded housing, which causes many health and well-being issues. This then stresses the health care system. We need more doctors. We have a hospital in Rankin and in Iqaluit, but again, there's a shortage of doctors and nurses.
Also, the government needs to work with NTI and the RIAs, which are the Inuit organizations, to tackle social issues, such as the ones mentioned earlier. This is so there's help for the north and so we can accommodate the potential growth of the socio-economic sector.
Another area I'd like to have recognized is that we have many employees who come from the south who are working in areas like Meadowbank and Meliadine, and for all the other construction companies that do come up north. Because they're from the south, the north is contributing greatly to the southern economy and the families the workers have. They make all their money up north and then bring that money home. So the north really is supporting the south. The infrastructure built in the north would be a huge investment, and we're looking for support from the south to make sure the north develops properly.
In conclusion, really, wouldn't we all rather see fewer problems and work towards the prosperity the north has to offer? That's what I'd like to leave you with.
Again, thank you very much for this opportunity. I will try to answer any questions you might have to the best of my ability.
Qujannamiik.