Rankin Inlet (Mar 31/03) - The transporting of dry cargo to the region took centre stage during the Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce's annual general meeting in Rankin Inlet this past week.

Concerns over the delivery of goods into Baker Lake were, once again, raised to Waguih Rayes, the general manager for Desgagnes Transarctik. Inc.

Desgagnes Transarctik Inc. is the managing partner for Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc. (NNSI).

NNSI was awarded the Kivalliq and Foxe Basin sealift contracts by the Nunavut government.

Rayes said the operational planning has already been completed for the Baker run, which poses no problems for the company.

"The Jacque Desgagnes will leave Montreal with a full load (1,200 tonnes) for Baker Lake, and then go out and meet a bigger ship and return to Baker with more cargo," said Rayes.

"The ship will then return to Montreal and repeat the process.

"Our operations people are very confident in our approach to Baker Lake."

Concerns were also raised during the chamber's meeting on the impact the new sealift arrangement will have on Kivalliq-Manitoba relations.

There are fears that future plans for a hydro grid and a road linking the two could hang in the balance.

The Nunavut Government has sent a delegation to Manitoba this week to discuss the matter with various levels of Manitoba governments and provincial merchant associations.

Coral Harbour business woman Leonie Duffy was one member to express such concerns.

"It took us so long to establish a good rapport and business arrangement with Manitoba, and now we have to tell them, 'Sorry, we're going to deal with the government of Quebec,' " said Duffy.

"Their reaction to that is a big concern for me."

Among other concerns voiced during the meeting was a need for a more black-and-white approach to the shipping costs involved.

Rankin Inlet Mayor Lorne Kusugak said the average person needs to see a straight forward example of shipping costs that's easy to understand.

"I'd like to see this company send us copies of the actual costs of bringing in a snowmobile, pickup truck or a grocery order," said Kusugak.

"It would be easier for people to see actual prices instead of being put in a situation where they have to do all these calculations on weight and cubing."