Infrastructure in Nunavut

Preserving Inuit culture in Nunavut

Project location: Clyde River

The construction of Piqqusilirivvik, an Inuit cultural learning facility located on the northeast coast of Baffin Island, is now complete.

Funded through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, the new facility is geared towards teaching young people how to maintain their cultural values. Elders provide hands-on training in areas such as Inuit languages, arts, laws, values and beliefs, legends, and traditional hunting and survival techniques. Twenty-seven students and teachers from across the Territory inaugurated the program in September 2011.

Piqqusilirivvik helps protect Inuit culture by providing a central location for Inuit students from across the territory to gather and learn. It plays a vital role in the promotion and preservation of Inuit culture, language and heritage for future generations.

Federal contribution: Nunavut is receiving $182.7 million through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund for initiatives across the Territory.

Arctic Winter Games Arena

Project location: Iqaluit

The Arctic Winter Games Arena was built for the 2002 Arctic Winter Games. After the games, the 2,500 seat multi-purpose arena was turned over to the City of Iqaluit. In the fall of 2003, deterioration of the rink area became apparent. Although the arena was still used as a youth centre and for large community gatherings, the rink was no longer viable.

This project has made the arena fully operational again, providing an outlet for recreational and physical activity in the community and facilitating the growth of many recreational programs, including figure skating, hockey and broomball. The repaired rink will also provide a source of revenue for the City, and enable the arena to once again host large sporting events.

Such national sporting competitions inspire Iqaluit's youth to participate in sports, and provide local businesses and artisans with important economic opportunities.

The repairs involved replacing the damaged concrete with a new structural slab supported by a piled foundation driven into the bedrock.

"It's going to be used again for its original intent," said Elisapee Sheutiapik, former Mayor of Iqaluit.

Video on the Economic Action Plan of Canada website: Arctic Winter Games Arena project creates jobs and economic growth

Federal contribution: $748,740

Revitalizing crucial local infrastructure in the North

Project location: Qikiqtarjuaq

The small island community of Qikiqtarjuaq is located just off the northeast coast of Baffin Island. Its proximity to Greenland makes this village of 500 people a popular stopping point for small aircraft heading to Scandinavia and Europe.

Thanks to financial support from the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, Qikiqtarjuaq is benefiting from recent upgrades to two very important pieces of community infrastructure—the local hamlet office and the airport.

Residents of any of Nunavut's communities know that the Hamlet offices are more than just government services administration centres. Offering places for people to interact, share stories and build community spirit, as well as get essential services and Internet access, they serve as key community cultural centres and meeting places.

Equally important to residents are the transportation links to the rest of the country. Ships and barges arrive with supplies during summer months, but both the island residents and visiting travellers are reliant on the airport for year-round transportation of goods and people. A more modern, inviting terminal is making send-offs and arrivals more comfortable, while runway improvements have increased safety.

Providing communities with high-quality modern infrastructure is a key part of developing the North and improving the quality of life for residents.

Federal contribution: Nunavut is receiving $182.7 million through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund for initiatives across the Territory.