Hunter Tootoo says Pond Inlet small craft harbour project still alive

Nunavut MP and federal Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo says Pond Inlet's small craft harbour project is still moving ahead, winding its way through interjurisdictional red tape.

"It's got to go through the process," said Tootoo, when asked if the harbour would be built.

This week, representatives from Pond Inlet hand-delivered a letter to Tootoo in Ottawa wanting answers about the marine infrastructure project promised by the previous federal government. Pond Inlet's senior administrative officer Rikki Butt later said Tootoo "unfortunately" did not take the time to meet with them, apart from a brief chat in a hallway. 

"They could have just given me a call," Tootoo said in response, adding that it was good to see them in person. 

'It'll take time'

Tootoo said he explained to them there were two issues holding it up. One of the roadblocks is transferring Canadian Coast Guard-owned land to the Nunavut Government.

"Everything like that has to go through a process," Tootoo said.

"I know it'll take time to go through that process. But the decision of 'are we going to do it or not?' is done."

"We're completely willing to hand over and transfer the site to them so that we're not the ones who are going to hold up the project."

Tootoo said he will do everything he can to make sure the small craft harbour goes ahead.

Earlier this month, officials announced the project to build a port in Iqaluit was on track and that it could be open by 2020.