Nunavut MLAs make pitches to host high Arctic research station

Elected officials from the three Nunavut communities on the shortlist to host Canada's future high Arctic research station are beginning  to make their cases publicly.

The federal government will decide whether Pond Inlet, Resolute Bay or Cambridge Bay will host the world-class station, based on a $2-million feasibility study that's expected to be completed in the next 12 to 18 months.

All three communities are in the high Arctic, near Northwest Passage. Resolute is considered the most remote community of the three, located on the southern coast of Cornwallis Island.

Quttiktuq MLA Ron Elliot, who represents residents in Resolute Bay, said building the station there would not only strengthen Canada's claims to the Arctic, but also address some long-simmering infrastructure issues in the area.

"We have transportation problems in that community, so with more traffic coming in, that also opens up more flights," Elliot said.

Tununiq MLA James Arvaluk, who represents Pond Inlet on northern Baffin Island, said researchers would benefit from a strong source of traditional Inuit culture in that community.

"There's a lot of available source of information that the community is willing to share, for the good of the North and Canada, and, of course, around the world," Arvaluk said.

And in Cambridge Bay, located in the Kitikmeot region in western Nunavut, local MLA Keith Peterson said the high Arctic research station would be a good fit for his community.

However, Peterson added, the federal government's recognition of Nunavut matters, no matter where the station ends up.

"We're always lobbying for more infrastructure in Nunavut," he said. "So when they came to Iqaluit and made that announcement, I think we were all very pleased."