Pangnirtung MLA voices concerns over proposed Iqaluit hydro project

Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation (NNC)’s proposed hydro project is facing some backlash in Pangnirtung. 

Over the past week, NNC conducted consultations in Iqaluit and Pangnirtung over the plan to build a 15-to-30 megawatt hydropower plant.

In November, Prime Minister Mark Carney added the project to a list of "nation-building" projects he's recommending for quicker approval by the government's Major Projects Office. NNC is eyeing a possible site 60 kilometres northwest of Iqaluit by the Kuugaaluk River. 

But Pangnirtung MLA Johnny Mike says there’s misinformation surrounding what support Pangnirtung’s hamlet, hunters and trappers organization (HTO) and Panniqtuurmiut at large have given the project. 

Mike says he has many environmental concerns about the project and its effects on the  commercial fishery businesses who rely on the river. 

“We depend on the fish like char for recreational and commercial [use],” he said. “There's abundance of wildlife in that area that will be negatively impacted.”

Mike says he also has concerns about the impact survey being done. He says the Qikiqtani Inuit Association supported Kuugaaluk as the location for a survey without consulting Panniqtuurmiut. 

“The Pang people at the meeting last year never supported the survey. I also did not support it to a point where I thought that survey wasn't going on,” Mike said. “But it happened in Kuugaaluk this past summer and it was kind of mind blowing."

The manager of strategy and engagement at NNC, Jess Puddester, said NNC met with the hamlet and HTO last May and received “good feedback” for doing data collection studies at Kuugaaluk.

She said all the studies that took place at Kuugaaluk in 2025 were permitted and approved by the required regulatory bodies, including the Nunavut Planning Commission and Nunavut Impact Review Board. 

Puddester said NNC is listening to Panniqtuurmiut concerns about the changes to the river and land at the river’s outlet and impacts to fish. She also defended the site selection process, which included public consultation in Iqaluit, but not Pangnirtung. 

“There's many years before we come to a decision point around if this project proceeds. It's early in the process,” she said. “We're only studying and we can't be in a position to even ask Inuit if it makes sense to proceed with this project until we've brought together all those very valid concerns and we've studied them.”

Puddester said NNC is still working to see what the impacts of the project could be before going to Inuit leadership at QIA and Qikiqtaaluk Corporation for direction. 

Mike says he does support the clean energy project, he just wants the Kuugaaluk location to be changed.