QUESTION PERIOD — Ministry of Indigenous Services

Thank you for being here. It’s good to see you again. All of Nunavut’s 25 fly-in communities still rely on isolated diesel generators in each community and seasonal fuel shipments to power homes, schools, health centres and critical infrastructure. Over 10 of these power plants are experiencing multiple power outages due to aging generators, many of which are over 50 years old. I know of at least six communities that are currently at risk of catastrophic failure.

Given this information, how can Canada say Arctic energy security is a priority when the territory of Nunavut remains dependent on diesel — some of which is purchased and imported from the U.S. — at a time when Canada is focused on self-sufficiency, Arctic sovereignty and clean energy infrastructure?

Thank you. I welcome the question. I want to speak a little bit about what we’re seeing in terms of trying to move things forward. I was very proud to see the Iqaluit hydroelectric project was one of the initiatives that was launched. I think this is the right step in the right direction: working with the community to ensure that they are not only able to drive the solution but also be part of the solution in an ongoing way.

In some of the parts of the questions that you have asked, they are under the purview of my colleague Minister Chartrand. I would welcome bringing this question to her attention because I think it is one of the initiatives that is incredibly important. Offering that stability to the community and offering that stability of having a service is something that is primordial in the work that we do, not only in Inuit communities but also in First Nations and Métis communities and other places where we’re trying to serve Indigenous people. It’s one of the things that offers them the capacity to feel safe at home and to feel that they have the ability to have their children safe in that space, and it is an initiative that I support. I think that there’s a lot of work being done.

Energy is one of the components that cuts across multiple ministries. I’m encouraged in terms of what I’m seeing in the energy space from my other ministerial colleagues, but I’m more than willing to bring that question forward to them.

Projects like Nukik Corporation’s Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link would connect communities in Nunavut to Canadian-owned and operated hydroelectric and fibre infrastructure, reduce diesel dependency, lower the risk of fuel delivery disruptions and replace fragile seasonal supply systems with permanent grid-based clean energy connections.

Will your department commit to exploring this opportunity with the relevant ministries to advance a long-term economic and environmental solution for both Nunavut and Canada by becoming full funding and infrastructure partners in projects like the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link and other nation-building Arctic projects?

I think it’s imperative that we work together and create that stability and support to ensure that our partners in the North see we’re making substantive investments, and, yes, the Inuit hydro project is one area where the government has moved forward and taken a serious interest. Not only as a minister but also as an MP in my riding, I’m very encouraged by the work that’s being done there. I’m not only looking at what they’re trying to do with wind energy — because I think it’s very progressive in this space — but also the work that’s being carried out in solar as well. I think that with everything we’re seeing occurring in the climate, we have to respond in ensuring that we diversify energy support to communities.