by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

RANKIN INLET (Dec 03/97) - Many Keewatin residents are breathing a sigh of relief following an announcement that the proposed $5-million pipeline project will be delayed until after division in 1999.

"I am pleased with the results -- I think the minister (Goo Arlooktoo, public works and services) made the right decision," said Arviat Mayor Peter Kritaqliluk.

Although he's relieved that the plan to build a pipeline in Arviat, Coral Harbour, Chesterfield Inlet and Rankin Inlet has been called off, he feels that the GNWT should have followed the recommendations of the Keewatin Resupply Committee report last year.

"I don't know why this emerged out of nowhere," he said. "I was very surprised -- why they didn't follow our recommendations in the first place."

Kritaqliluk said he feels that Arlooktoo made the decision to go with the pipeline based on inaccurate information given to him by his staff.

"I think he was mislead by his senior staff members," he added.

Kevin O'Brien, Kivallivik MLA, said that he too is pleased with the outcome, but is disappointed that the residents of the Keewatin had to go through the whole community consultation process after the project was given the go-ahead by Arlooktoo.

"It's a frustrating experience," he said. "We're pleased with the results, but it's too bad they had to go through that."

Arlooktoo, in a press release announcing the decision to put the brakes on the project, he said that he agreed that the concerns of the Keewatin residents were legitimate.

"After my recent meetings in the Keewatin, I have concluded that residents don't have enough information to feel comfortable with the proposed resupply change," he said. "Keewatin residents continue to have concerns about the timing, costs and frequency of delivery of dry goods and potential environmental impacts. They want more assurance that these issues have been fully researched."

He went on to say that the GNWT remains committed to direct resupply and will work toward the tanker delivery of fuel to the Keewatin until 1999. This means that the hydrographic charting will continue as planned, impact studies of tanker resupply on the dry cargo will be complete in 1998 and a detailed report about direct resupply will be submitted to the Nunavut government.

The GNWT will also tender government requirements for the 1999-2001 resupply in 1998.