Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 24/98) - The Qikiqtaaluk Corporation should provide inspiration to even fledgling businesses.

Since 1996, Jerry Ell, the president of the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC), said that on a consolidated basis their gross revenue had risen dramatically.

Clocking in at $1.8 million in 1996, the same figure at the end of 1997 jumped to $9.9 million.

By why the recent 450 per cent hike?

Ell said it had to do with aggressively pursuing new sectors of the market.

"I'm constantly on the lookout for opportunities whether they're from the government in terms of contracts or opportunities that are developing with Nunavut," Ell said.

Pointing to the offshore shrimp fishery as the first venture QC pursued after incorporating in 1986, they've since branched out into numerous fields.

Ell said QC's current projects include construction developments with the Nunavut Construction Corporation and other Baffin-based companies, real estate, building a local co-op, fuel distribution with Uqsuq Corporation, extending the reach of the offshore fishery, mineral development and now, environmental remediation.

On that list, Ell said that mineral development was a high priority and included staking as well as producing a CD-ROM so mining companies can identify the mineral potential across Baffin Island.

"All of that work is going on and we're right there from the ground up," Ell said.

He added that providing employment and training opportunities to Inuit in the Baffin region was just as important as profits to QC.

"Our goal is to establish businesses that employ a large number of people," Ell said, adding the desired targets are 80 per cent Inuit employment and 70 per cent of salary dollars going to beneficiaries.

Following directions from the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and QC's board of directors, Ell said he preferred to build upon existing Inuit businesses rather than disrupt the local market. He predicted the QC has a long, profitable future ahead of it.

"I think there is a lot more potential for Qikiqtaaluk Corporation. There's different aspects...I would certainly like to be at the helm when we establish a new mine."