Marc Garneau hears airport and marine infrastructure top priorities for Nunavut

Canada's federal transport minister met with representatives of Inuit communities, airlines and resource developments in Iqaluit this week, and says he's heard the needs of Nunavummiut "loud and clear." 

Marc Garneau said he noted two main priorities: the renewal of airport infrastructure and the need for marine infrastructure to speed up and reduce costs for the yearly resupply.

"If you can get the ships in quicker and unload quicker and get the ships back out quicker, all of that will drive down prices. But that requires infrastructure," he said.

But Garneau said it's too early to make any commitments.

"At some point in the not too distant future, after we've done our consultations, we'll have to make some decisions and when that time comes, it will be a question of deciding how much funding do we have and what are the most important priorities."

Garneau said it will be impossible to please everyone in the North when doling out funding, but said there is a definite need for improvements in all sectors.