Iqaluit (Mar 20/06) - Businesses throughout Nunavut may soon have a voice for their collective opinions on the national stage.

That's what the creation of the Nunavut Chamber of Commerce will mean, said Hal Timar, executive director of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Ellie Cansfield, president of Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce, thinks a territorial business group is a good idea, providing the voices of each region are heard. - NNSL file photo

A draft constitution and bylaws are now in the works, courtesy of the territory's existing chambers around the Kitikmeot, Kivalliq and Baffin regions. If they're able to ratify the package, it could mean a much stronger voice for businesses anytime they face common problems.

"It's hard for us to speak on issues as a whole," he said, adding his own group includes more than 110 members. "A Nunavut Chamber of Commerce would tackle Nunavut-wide issues."

It would also allow Eastern Arctic companies to gain a foothold on the national stage.

"We will be working with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce," he said.

"We can gain support at the national level and we can help support grassroots development in business."

The idea of a territorial business body is appealing to Ellie Cansfield, president of the Kivilliq Chamber.

"I think it is important that all regions are equally represented," she said.

Her group currently includes more than 50 businesses and organizations from the seven Kivalliq communities.

"It will allow for a forum of discussion," she said. "It is better to have everyone working together as a group."

In the Kitikmeot region, where chambers of commerce have struggled a bit in the past, support appears strong, providing it has a say in how the organization operates.

"We don't want to be left out," said Chris King, economic development officer for Cambridge Bay. "In the past we've seen policies and programs that are Baffin-specific rather than being Nunavut-specific."

While there is a registered Cambridge Bay Chamber of Commerce, over the last few years it "has lost the wind in it's sails," he said.

Representatives from Cambridge Bay's business community and the Kugluktuk Chamber of Commerce have attended meetings regarding the territorial group.

So far they like what they're hearing and point out it would solve a major problem they face.

"On a regional level, it's difficult to get a say in territorial issues," said Kugluktuk board member Randy Mulder, adding there are currently 12 businesses and organizations represented by his group.