Iqaluit councillors question Qulliq hydro proposal

Some Iqaluit city councillors say they're concerned that Qulliq Energy Corp. hasn't consulted them enough on a hydroelectric dam being proposed near the city.

Qulliq Energy has asked the city for a letter of support as it seeks federal infrastructure funding for a barrier hydro dam and transmission line it wants to build at Janyes Inlet, just outside the Nunavut capital.

Environmental studies are currently underway for the proposal, and officials with the utility say they hope engineering studies are next.

But at Tuesday night's council meeting, Coun. Glenn Williams said Qulliq Energy has not been open and transparent with the city, which he said has had minimal input into the project.

"There's a difference between being informed of what a project's doing and being consulted," Williams said.

"Consultation means that you're approached before decisions are made, and that you have an opportunity to have some input into those decisions."

Williams and Coun. Jimmy Kilabuk told council they'd like some disclosure on how Qulliq Energy has been making decisions on the hydro proposal.

Speaking in Inuktitut, Kilabuk said he wants information about the costs associated with the project, as well as the pros and cons.

Williams said consultation with the community is important, especially if the hydro project will be funded with public money.

"There's been minimal input from the community into the decisions, especially from a city council perspective. And it's coming back around now that this will actually be a project that will be paid for by residents and the community," he said.

"So if it is a project that's going to be funded and financed or paid for through rates and through our power rates and those type of things, I would expect that we would be consulted."

Qulliq Energy vice-president Jamie Flaherty said the project will cost about $200 million, but added that cost breakdowns are not yet available.

Flaherty noted that the utility did make a presentation about the hydro proposal to city council last fall, as well as made 40 other presentations to the public and various groups.

Qulliq Energy has not heard from council since the fall, Flaherty said, adding that the company would he happy to answer any of the city's questions.