Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Lake Harbour (Nov 04/02) - A recent public meeting has left Kimmirut residents feeling more comfortable about a pending deep sea port and all-weather road feasibility study.

Mayor Joe Arlooktoo said the 75 hamlet members who attended the October gathering appreciated having the opportunity to learn more about the project.

The Department of Community Government and Transportation issued a request for proposals this fall asking consultants to study the feasibility of building a deep sea port and a 158-kilometre road connecting Kimmirut to Iqaluit.

The initiative is part of the government's 2001 Nunavut Transportation Strategy geared towards improving the well-being of territorial residents by improving transportation.

"People wanted to be informed about this, about if there is going to be a road between Kimmirut and Iqaluit. They want to be kept informed during the consultation process," said Arlooktoo.

The meeting was the first opportunity residents had to gain more knowledge about the project.

However, because the issue is so new to them, Arlooktoo said people had not had enough time to form concrete opinions about the road and port. He said while residents looked forward to the possibility of having better access to cargo and materials, they were concerned about a possible increase in drug and alcohol use in Kimmirut.

"There are positive things and not so positive things," said Arlooktoo.

"If this project does go ahead, then we can combat some of those things, but for now it's up in the air," he said.

Jude Ortiz, Kimmirut's senior administrator, has her eye on the future, however.

She said it is never too soon to begin building community strength to help reduce the negative impact that often comes with growth and improved transportation.

"There is a great need to build capacity in this community," said Ortiz, emphasizing the current need to begin building a skilled workforce.

"Even if the road doesn't go through, that way we still have a skilled workforce," she said.

Ortiz also wants to focus on promoting drug and alcohol awareness among community members and has plans to help strengthen the relationship between the community's elders and youth.

"We want to build a strong community," she said.

Alan Johnson, a CGT official in Gjoa Haven, stressed the fact that the feasibility study is a just the first stage and does not mean the road and port will actually be built.

In terms of the actual study, Johnson said he'd received "quite a few" bids from consultants. The department is now in the process of reviewing the proposals. They expect to award the tender in the near future.

Johnson predicted the extensive study would take about four months to complete.