Community/Pan-Northern Issues

Community/Pan-Northern Issues

Senator Dennis Patterson

Until Canada exercises the political will necessary to make the major infrastructure investments required to provide alternative options for essential service transportation, air travel will continue to be the only year-long option available in many northern and remote communities. 

Senator Dennis Patterson

Ottawa builds road to nowhere but not resources

Senator Dennis Patterson

Leading through a Northern lens

Senator Dennis Patterson

‘Nation-building’ port and road project promoted in Ottawa, Edmonton

The proposed $500-million Grays Bay port and road in the central Arctic has been pitched in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and, more recently, Edmonton.

Senator Dennis Patterson

The countdown is on — again — for one of Inuvik’s newest satellite ground stations.

Planet Labs Inc., a partner in a satellite ground station built in Inuvik more than a year ago, is still waiting for a federal licence to operate the facility. Later this month, Planet Labs will launch another 48 small satellites.

But it remains an open question whether or not the company will be able to count on Inuvik for a hook up.

A home for men

Senator Dennis Patterson

A new men’s shelter in Cambridge Bay is helping address homelessness and addictions in the hamlet.

The eight bed shelter opened officially on Feb. 9.

The Omingmak Men’s Shelter, meaning muskox in Innuinaqtun, is run through the Cambridge Bay Wellness Centre.

Crowd welcomes aquatic centre

Senator Dennis Patterson

Under budget and on schedule, the Iqaluit Aquatic Centre opened its doors to the public Jan. 26.

As several dozen people gathered outside the entrance on a mild afternoon, a handful of leaders spoke about the importance of the new recreation facility to the community and to Nunavut.

Senator Dennis Patterson

A Russian rocket stage slated to fall in northern Baffin Bay this weekend is nothing to fear, say Russian and Canadian officials, but that message isn’t sitting well with hunters

PM to announce polar icebreaker

Senator Dennis Patterson

During his six-day whirlwind tour of the three territories, Prime Minister Stephen Harper will touch down in three Nunavut communities and leave behind announcements.

Harper visited Whitehorse, Yukon Aug. 20, and then stopped in Fort Smith, NWT, before going to Cambridge Bay, home to the $188-million Canadian High Arctic Research Station set to open in 2017. He is also expected to visit Pond Inlet and Iqaluit this week.

Medal recipient in Baker Lake

Senator Dennis Patterson

Elder Jean Simailak of Baker Lake was presented with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal during a special presentation in Baker Lake on March 2.

Nunavut Senator Dennis Patterson presided over the ceremony.

Honour for his long career

Senator Dennis Patterson

When Red Pedersen, a former cabinet minister and Speaker of the NWT legislative assembly, saw his family gathered at the Kugluktuk hamlet office last month, he suspected something was happening but he did not expect the honour he would receive.

Senator Dennis Patterson presented the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal to Pedersen in Kugluktuk on Feb. 20. The medals commemorate the 60th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne in 1952.

Issaluk receives Diamond Jubilee medal

Senator Dennis Patterson

Being chosen as the first Nunavummiuq honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal left Johnny Issaluk, 38, “speechless.”

“It’s absolutely unbelievable,” said the Iqaluit resident, an Inuit games champion recognized for his contributions to the health and well-being of Nunavummiut. “I’m still processing it, actually.”

Chamber to host business symposium

Senator Dennis Patterson

The Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce will be hosting one of its most important series of meetings in Rankin Inlet later this month.

The chamber will host its annual business symposium and general meeting at the Siniktarvik Hotel from March 15 to 17.

The five areas the chamber will focus on at the gathering are infrastructure, transportation, mineral exploration and mining, socio-economics, and education and human capital development.

Nunavut’s new senator comes to call on the Kivalliq

Senator Dennis Patterson

The eyes and ears of Nunavut MP and federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq paid a visit to the communities of Rankin Inlet and Arviat this past week – in the form of recently appointed Senator Dennis Patterson.

The senator appeared before students at the Kivalliq campus of Nunavut Arctic College in Rankin, as well as visiting with council members and organizational representatives in both communities.