The organization leading the proposed Iqaluit hydroelectric dam project acknowledges that it will have significant adverse impacts on the environment and Inuit livelihood. The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) stated in its filing to the Nunavut Impact Review Board that aspects such as harvesting, land use, country foods, and travel safety need further consideration.
The $500 million plan to construct a hydroelectric plant outside Iqaluit, along the Kuugaluk River, is nearly as old as Nunavut itself. If realized, the project would involve building a dam and a powerhouse, capable of generating 15 megawatts of electricity for approximately a century. The environmental implications of the project have sparked ongoing debates, particularly in Pangnirtung, a community situated about 300 kilometers northeast of Nunavut’s capital.
Pangnirtung MLA Johnny Mike expressed concerns about the sensitivity of the river and the potential impact on fish, caribou, and cabin owners in the area due to the proposed flooding of 73 square kilometers of land. The project, according to Mike, is likely to affect the local ecosystem and residents.
Harry Flaherty, president of the QIA-owned Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation overseeing environmental assessments for the project, emphasized that it is not yet at a stage to proceed. Flaherty highlighted the need for comprehensive studies on wildlife and vegetation impacts, as well as community consultations before any construction commences.
However, Mike criticized the qualifications of the QIA and its Iqaluit-based leaders to undertake this work, claiming they lack the necessary knowledge of wildlife in the region. The project has stirred up divisions within the Inuit community, making reconciliation challenging, as some feel it has become a conflict of interests within Inuit groups.