Baker Lake (Mar 13/06) - Representatives from three governments joined project proponents Nishi-Khon, SNC-Lavalin and the Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA) to hear what residents think about a proposed $2 billion road to Manitoba.

"A road could open up a big area - there would be opportunities for business and potential for tourism," said Bill Logan, KIA executive director.

The public consultations sessions - held in Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet and Arviat - attracted good crowds and included bureaucrats with the federal, Nunavut and Manitoba governments.

The total cost of this information gathering phase is $1.1 million dollars, which is being shared among the three governments: 50 per cent federal and 25 per cent from each of the other two jurisdictions.

The proposed road may create more jobs, but they will come with a lot of challenges, he said.

"There are a lot of sensitive environmental areas," he said.

"There are a lot of birds and wild animals and caribou migration issues."

Input from community members on these and other topics was welcomed and is very valuable he said, especially considering the actual route such a road may take is still to be determined.

The road could mean opportunity for many people in the Kivalliq, but Baker Lake Mayor David Aksawnee worries it may his pass his community by.

"I don't know if the road would get from Rankin to Baker Lake," he said.

Residents are still very interested in the project and several attended the meeting on Feb. 27, he said.

"The road is still a few years away, but communication is open between the communities," he said, adding that's always a good thing.

Community sessions had to be cancelled in Chesterfield Inlet and Whale Cove when a blizzard hit, but Logan said they will be rescheduled.