Prepared for Rescan Environmental Services Ltd.

Project Completed

February 2003

Background/Context

With an eye to promoting economic and employment opportunities, Inuit communities in the western region of Nunavut proposed that a port facility at Bathurst Inlet and a road to Contwoyto Lake in western Nunavut be built to facilitate the transfer of fuel and supplies to mines located in the Northern Slave Geological Province. The proposed project would create more than 450 jobs for the construction stage of the project (2-3 years) as well as work related to the maintenance and operation of the port and road. The project will include an Inuit percentage hiring policy with targets. In addition to creating employment, the project would also help reduce fuel costs for residents of the region and initiate other resource development activities in Nunavut’s western region.

Purpose of the Study

The socio-economic review was intended to provide an overall assessment of the project’s socio-economic dimensions. Of particular concern was the degree to which the initiative’s projections were realistic. Among other things, this report examined the current labour force, regional educational attainment levels, the lessons of previous projects, and community interest in the project.

Methodology

NEDG used a variety of research methods to collect data for this assessment. For example, samples of opinions were gathered from the local residents, and 106 in-person community interviews were conducted, primarily in the communities of Cambridge Bay and Kuqluktuk, between January and March, 2002. In addition, public meetings were held in all the major communities in the western Nunavut region, and a literature review and data review was conducted to examine various regional demographic trends.

Summary

This socio-economic review examined both positive and negative impacts anticipated from the proposed project. The report sets out recommendations on how to maximize benefits and minimize negative impacts and outlines how best to implement the project within the Kitikmeot region using the knowledge gained from this review.