NUNAVUT - In 1995, when exploratory fishing research was being done in Qikiqtarjuaq and federal representatives were in town, Lootie Toomasie asked government officials to consider building a dock in the harbour.

Lootie Toomasie addresses those in attendance at the Nunavut Fisheries Symposium in Iqaluit on April 21. Toomasie from Qikiqtarjuag said his community asked for funds to build a dock in the harbour 15 years ago. Now in 2010, they are still waiting for the money. - Emily Ridlington/NNSL photo

Fast forward 15 years to 2010 and Toomasie and the residents of Qikiqtarjuaq are still waiting for the money to build a dock.

“Our activities are really hobbled,” said Toomasie, chairman and chief executive officer of the Arctic Fishery Alliance.

Toomasie was one of many individuals who voiced their concerns at the Nunavut Fisheries Symposium in Iqaluit from April 20-22.

On April 21, delegates were given an update on the Nunavut Fisheries Strategy, launched in March 2005. Those present heard what has been accomplished in the last five years and the direction of the next five years.

“When it comes to the lack of infrastructure and funding, I hope the bureaucrats in the room pick up on some of the things we talked about,” said Toomasie, adding he will never give up and will continue to push all parties involved for money to build a dock in Qikiqtarjuaq.

Industry adviser Brian Burke for the GN Department of Environment, Fisheries and Sealing division provided the summary and update. He provided a picture of a fishery that has the potential to be a major driver in the territory’s economy. One thing he said the department would like to do is implement a small craft harbours strategy.

This is welcome news for individuals such as Johnny Mike, chairman of Baffin Fisheries Coalition and Niqitaq Fisheries Ltd.

Mike said it has taken too much time to have a dock or small craft harbour built in Pangnirtung, an idea that was originally discussed in the 1980s.

"We have been waiting too long for this," said Mike.

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, $17 million was contributed to Pangnirtung in 2009 to speed up the project. Costs have since increased and now the total cost is $28 million. The additional $11 million is coming from the small craft harbours program. It is under the mandate of Department of Fisheries and Oceans, making it a federal responsibility.

"[DFO] has an obligation and a responsibility to see that adequate facilities are put in place similar and comparable to those in Atlantic Canada and in southern Canada," said Jerry Ward, chief executive officer with Baffin Fisheries Coalition.

A representative from the federal department told parties at the symposium they must join together first at the territorial level before approaching the federal government when asking for funds.

"We need to air our dirty laundry within the territory and go to Ottawa as a united front," said Bob Lambe, regional director general for the Central and Arctic Region with DFO.

Lambe said with a prime minister in office who is focused on the Arctic, it is important for groups to come together to better influence "the whole federal family."

"The Pacific and Atlantic fisheries are in a real state of peril and as many problems as we have in Nunavut, it is probably the most viable fishery in Canada," said Lambe.

Within the territory, GN director of fisheries and sealing Wayne Lynch said he will bring the concerns about building further infrastructure to his colleagues in the transportation department.

"Our Trans Canada highway is our ports," he said.

Ward said a plan for infrastructure development needs to be tailor-made for Nunavut as each community has different issues.

He also emphasized the great potential for the fishery in Nunavut.

"The optimal word is infrastructure," said Ward.

Unlike many other jurisdictions in Canada, including the East Coast, Nunavut does not qualify for many funding programs that would allow them to secure funds to build infrastructure to help the fishing industry due to the Land Claims Agreement.

"After all, we have 40 per cent of the coastline with no docking facilities,there is something wrong here," Ward said.

Mike noted there were no presentations from NTI or any Inuit organizations on the agenda during the symposium. He said organizations like NTI should not be left out of the picture.

"We have to understand who has to be included," he said.

NTI did have a presence at the symposium. The organization’s fisheries adviser, Jeffrey Maurice was in attendance and said NTI would like to have an external review of the strategy and would like to see more Inuit participation in the project.

Mike made suggestions as to how the conference could be improved by getting all Inuit organizations involved. He also suggested perhaps the bi-annual conference could be held in the Kivalliq or Kitikmeot region in the future.