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Iqaluit Proposes to Build Canada's First Deep-Water Arctic Seaport

Posted on: Monday, 10 October 2005, 18:00 CDT

By BOB WEBER

(CP) - Iqaluit wants to build Canada's first deep-water arctic seaport, a facility that proponents say would boost both economic development and efforts to enforce northern sovereignty.

The city plans to present its proposal to both the territorial and federal governments this fall when initial engineering plans are to begin. If funding is secured, construction would begin in 2008.

The $49-million port could be operating as early as 2009, said Iqaluit economic development officer Kim Rizzi.

"This is going to make a huge impact on the day-to-day lives of people living here," she said.

As climate change gradually reduces the amount of ice in northern waters, many observers have pointed to the likelihood of greatly increased ship traffic through arctic sea lanes.

But Canada is the only arctic country that doesn't have a deep-water port along its northern coastline.

Iqaluit's proposed port would operate from the end of June through the end of November. It would offer a single berth big enough to accommodate oil tankers, cargo and cruise ships and would also serve as a small-craft harbour.

Currently, ships are forced to anchor offshore in Frobisher Bay. All cargo, from food to building materials to bulk fuel, must be unloaded onto barges and run up the beach along Iqaluit's shoreline.

This is a lengthy and environmentally hazardous procedure. But a feasibility study into the project says shippers would save up to $4.9 million a year through quicker turn-around.

The port would also facilitate development of Nunavut's growing fishery by allowing boats to unload their catch in Iqaluit instead of having to drop it in Newfoundland.

Iqaluit would be able to capitalize on the growing Arctic eco-tourism industry by giving cruise ships a place to dock.

"We don't have any way to offload the people in a safe way," said Rizzi, who added that Iqaluit has been getting weekly inquiries from cruise ships interested in visiting the Nunavut capital.

A facility in Iqaluit could also be well-positioned for naval and Coast Guard ships to assert Canadian control of both the Northwest Passage and the Davis Strait, where foreign fishing vessels are beginning to cause concern.

"Iqaluit is a choke point," said Rob Huebert of the University of Calgary's Centre for Military and Strategic Studies.

"If the deep-water port is constructed and we take the necessary efforts to make sure our rules and regulations are followed, that vastly improves our control of the Arctic."

Such a port would greatly ease northern logistics for the Canadian navy, said Huebert.

"You can actually start thinking about having proper operations." The idea of a deep-water port in Iqaluit was studied and shelved by the federal government in the early 1980s.

But Nunavut's capital now has nearly 7,000 people - almost three times as many as 10 years ago - so Rizzi says the time is right to revive the plan.

"We're at the point where we need the infrastructure."

Iqaluit, however, isn't the first place to pitch the idea.

A group from Cambridge Bay along the central arctic coastline has been lobbying for years for a port at Bathurst Inlet, which would open up the central interior to resource development.

That plan is currently undergoing an environmental impact assessment, although it has been stalled for months.

Rizzi acknowledges Iqaluit is chasing the same pot of federal money the Bathurst group is seeking. But she maintains the capital is the logical spot for a port.

"It only makes sense to have a deep-sea port here. I think there's a real need here."

Source: Canadian Press

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