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INUVIK - Mayor Derek Lindsay says he fully supports a senate report issued last week that accuses the federal government of ignoring the needs of Northern communities, especially when it comes to the effects of climate change.

Lindsay said the town is already dealing with the effects of melting permafrost, which has damaged the foundation of the town fire hall. A chiller system installed under the rec centre's foundation should ensure it won't encounter the same fate, but the mayor said it's extremely expensive to operate.

Mayor Derek Lindsay shows the effects of permafrost melting on the foundation of the town fire hall. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

Lindsay expects hundreds of millions of dollars will be needed to maintain town infrastructure.

"The federal government has to be aware that the municipalities are going to need dollars to put in play here," he said. "When damage starts to happen, there should be a fund that we can apply for to help replace these infrastructure damages."

The report titled "With Respect, Canada's North" was released last Thursday by the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources. It also states Northerners want more of a say in maintaining Canada's Arctic sovereignty and its natural resources.

The committee travelled to the Western Arctic last June to study three main issues, including climate change, resource development and the recent efforts on Arctic sovereignty, and how these factors affect local residents.

The document, among other things, shows a region that has been affected by significant permafrost melting and flooding. It includes several recommendations dealing with research on long-term climate change, and providing immediate funding for an all-weather road leading to Tuktoyaktuk. A resource-sharing agreement is also recommended between the federal government and the Northwest Territories that will direct money to education, housing and health.

Chuck Strahl, federal minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, could not be reached for comment.

Lindsay said Ottawa hasn't shown any commitment to slow down the process of global warming, pointing to the government's refusal to commit to a carbon tax. Meanwhile, he said he's holding out little hope the federal government will provide the money needed to repair infrastructure damage.

"It's like pulling teeth," said Lindsay. "Something will have to fall over before the federal government will look at." Dennis Bevington, Western Arctic MP, said he also supports many of the findings and recommendations in the report, several of which he said he's been lobbying for throughout his political career.