Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

UQSUQTUUT/GJOA HAVEN - A training course being offered in Gjoa Haven may lead to the development of a small fishery, says the chair of the hamlet's Economic Development Committee.

Chair Walter Porter and his son AJ are two of approximately 20 participants in Gjoa Haven taking the Small Vessel Operator Proficiency course - a requirement under Transport Canada's new regulations for small commercial vessel operators within 25 miles from shore.

The certificate program is being provided free of charge through the non-profit Nunavut Fisheries Training Consortium and it covers the basics of navigation, safety and skills associated with small vessel operation.

"We do have fish stocks available to us outside the community," said Porter, adding there have been attempts to develop a fishery in Gjoa Haven.

"If we did get people in the community with small vessel papers, yeah sure, that's one area that would certainly help a few people in the community."

Providing training programs and other initiatives that empower local residents to start businesses of their own is one way of addressing the need for employment, he said.

In addition to the potential for a fishing industry, the operator's course could also be a boost for tourism in the area, as certificate holders could use their crafts to provide sightseeing tours and other services to visitors.

"It could potentially turn into quite a little boost for this type of area," said course instructor Randy Pittman, adding the course is also being offered in Iqaluit as well. "There's potential for developing, certainly, fisheries here on a seasonal basis.

"They'll be well on their way by having this certification."

As the course will be offered in both Inuktitut and English, Pittman will be working with local elders and interpreters to translate and to better adapt the program to the participants in Gjoa Haven.

As for Porter, who has been declared clinically blind, the course is not so much an opportunity to get his certificate as it is to engage in an activity and support his son, who bought his own boat last year, through the process.

"Can I operate a boat physically? Yes, I can. Should I? No, I shouldn't. Put it that way," he said, laughing. "But you can't help wanting to do what you always used to do.

"There's some theory involved I'm sure, so my son may have some hard time through the end of it but I could grasp it, so together we could get through."