Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Baker Lake (Mar 06/00) - The Kivalliq Region received an economic boost this past week with the minister responsible for the Nunavut Power Corp.'s announcement its headquarters will be in Baker Lake.

Ed Picco confirmed the decision in response to Baker Lake MLA Glenn McLean's question during the final day of the legislative assembly's Rankin Inlet session.

The minister could not announce how many local jobs will go to Baker residents, adding the level of outsourcing is being covered in the Ikuma Report delivered by a committee of experts on power utilities formed to advise the Nunavut government.

Outsourcing is contracting work to suppliers on a tender or bid basis.

He says once the level of outsourcing is decided, he will know what capacity is needed at Baker Lake.

"If we went for minimum outsourcing, we would try to do payroll, billing, invoicing, everything that's being done in Hay River.

"If that were the scenario, we could be looking at 25 to 35 jobs.

"But I don't know if we can get to that point in 12 months."

Picco says he will know more during the next eight to 10 weeks when the Power Corp.'s president and board of directors are in place.

McLean was ecstatic with the announcement.

He says the infrastructure is already in place to accommodate the Power Corp. headquarters.

"The office building should be ready in two weeks and housing is not an issue in Baker Lake," says McLean.

"In fact, we have a glut of housing at this point with more than 50 units available between the government and the private sector."

Picco says Baker's existing infrastructure was one reason behind its selection.

Another reason is the fact Baker, a decentralized community, is far below its projected job target.

"We're trying to move positions outside of Iqaluit and we thought it was a good fit to have Baker Lake chosen as the headquarters of the Nunavut Power Corp."

Picco says after the positions needed in Baker Lake are identified, he will know what training will be necessary.

"We will pursue every avenue to provide a level of comfort to Baker Lake that we will hire as many local people as we can, based on their qualifications."