IQALUIT
Residents of smaller communities are far more engaged than Iqaluit residents when it comes to interest in their economic future, Economic Development and Transportation (EDT) deputy minister Sherri Rowe told an early-morning crowd in the capital.

Economic Development and Transportation deputy minister Sherri Rowe, seated with Iqaluit Chamber of Commerce president Matthew Clark, takes questions after speaking about Nunavut's economic status at a chamber breakfast event May 25. - Michele LeTourneau/NNSL photo

Rowe, the Iqaluit Chamber of Commerce's guest at its monthly breakfast-speaker series, told those assembled May 25 that the department had recently completed a round of consultations for its new Nunavut Economic Development Strategy.

"When we have consultations, it's really important for people to come out and voice their concerns," said Rowe. "For the strategy, we went to every single community. In Iqaluit, guess how many people came out? Six. And we know what's going to happen, right? At the end of this, we're going to create a report, and everyone's going to say, 'I wasn't consulted.' Only six people showed up."

Asked about attendance in communities, Rowe said it was "really good."

"In some of the smaller communities we had 100 people."

Iqaluit resident Franco Buscemi asked Rowe her thoughts on "the culture of fear developed by Inuit organizations and the GN."

"Employees are pretty much deterred from engaging publicly, even if they're not at director level. How much is that contributing to turnout," he asked.

Rowe said her personal belief is that's not part of the problem.

"For marine infrastructure, we had staff members that were out voicing their concerns. Voicing concerns is one thing. It's different if you're getting up and criticizing the government. But everyone has a right to be out there to get their thoughts heard."

Why does this matter?

Because Rowe, who has lived in the capital for more than a quarter of century, says this moment in time is a very important one for the territory's development.

"Historically, our territory's most significant growth arose from the rapid increase in public spending and infrastructure investment related to the creation of the territory, the territorial government and related entities," she said.

Mining, tourism and arts and the emerging fishery - which holds much promise - are now all contributing to a new economic high.

"In reflecting on where we are today, while all levels of government still play a central role in Nunavut's economy, Nunavut now has a consumer market that didn't exist two decades ago," said Rowe, adding the business community is critical to helping generate new opportunities.

Rowe cited the Conference Board of Canada, which predicted that in 2017 the territory's economy would grow by almost five per cent, surpassing much of Canada.

"Our own analysts predict a doubling of mining production by 2020," she said. "That translates into an annual growth rate of five per cent for the next four years."

While devolution might increase these numbers, Rowe doesn't think the territory will see a repeat of the growth it saw at the birth of the territory.

"The more important weight of future business growth will come from the growth of the mining sector and continued infrastructure spending. It will be driven by business opportunities in mining and exploration," said Rowe, pointing the growth in all three regions, especially in the past six years.

Rowe also sees many more Inuit entering the public service and advancing to senior roles.

"And my prediction is that Nunavut businesses that will be most successful over the next 25 years will be the ones that position themselves to take advantage of opportunities in the mining sector, as well as those catering to a growing consumer base."

Noting a 2015 visitor exit survey, Rowe said business travel represents the greatest proportion of non-resident visitors - 11,550 that year.

One attendee remarked that as compared to Greenland, which invests in its service industry, Nunavut's service standards are low.

Nunavut Tourism's executive director Kevin Kelly jumped in and said there are programs developed.

"Arctic College tourism programs, from customer service right up to guide level one and guide level two training course. They're there, they're available, they've been translated into both Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun - but the problem is money. And, of course, being able to figure out where those programs need to be offered," said Kelly.

The next breakfast speaker event is scheduled for June 21 with the subject of carbon tax.

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