Urgent Concerns Rise Over Grays Bay Road and Port Project

UPDATE: Tensions are escalating in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, as local residents voice urgent concerns over the proposed Grays Bay road and port project. This controversial initiative, spearheaded by the West Kitikmeot Resources Corp., aims to construct a port at Grays Bay, connecting it to Yellowknife and facilitating the transport of materials from future mineral mines.

Just announced, the project has sparked a fierce debate among community members. Leah Kadlun, a Kugluktuk resident, expressed her opposition, stating, “It doesn’t make sense at all.” She fears the project will devastate the land and wildlife, emphasizing that funds could better serve critical community needs, such as housing and healthcare. “You know that money could be spent on bettering housing, bettering education, bettering our medevac service,” Kadlun added.

The proposed Grays Bay project includes a 230-kilometre all-weather road designed to connect the port to Jericho Station, a former diamond mine. This initiative is part of a larger Arctic economic and security corridor that the federal government has contemplated fast-tracking. With Kugluktuk located just 200 kilometres from Grays Bay, the community’s mixed feelings reflect a broader concern for the environment and local livelihoods.

While some residents, like Helen Klengenberg, see potential economic benefits, others warn of ecological risks. Klengenberg pointed out that the road could facilitate the transport of supplies to remote communities via barging services. “We can take those supplies put them on the barge, and take them to Kugluktuk or Cambridge Bay or Gjoa Haven,” she noted, highlighting the project’s possible advantages.

However, Amanda Dumond, manager of the Kugluktuk Hunters and Trappers Organization, raised significant alarm. She warned that the planned road could disrupt the migration of the vulnerable Dolphin and Union caribou herd. “If this goes ahead, we’ll see our caribou either continue to decline further or change their migration, and we won’t see them,” Dumond cautioned, speaking for future generations.

Dumond’s concerns extend to marine wildlife, as increased shipping traffic could harm local ecosystems. She urged community members to voice their apprehensions, stating, “I’ll just keep talking and listening to what our elders and our hunters are saying.”

In response to community concerns, Brendan Bell, CEO of West Kitikmeot Resources Corp., emphasized the company’s commitment to consultation. “We are listening, we are making note of all of the issues that are raised from the community,” he affirmed. He stated that all feedback would be compiled for the Nunavut Impact Review Board, which is currently conducting an environmental assessment of the project.

The estimated cost of the Grays Bay road and port project is $1 billion, with hopes for completion by 2035. The company anticipates that the federal government will cover approximately 75 percent of the costs, while the remainder will come from private investments. Despite this, the federal government has not yet classified the larger Arctic corridor as a major project eligible for fast-tracking or funding.

As the situation develops, the Kugluktuk community remains divided. Emotional stakes are high, as residents weigh potential economic growth against environmental protection. With significant implications for both the local ecosystem and the community’s future, the outcome of this project could reshape life in Kugluktuk for generations to come.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds and community discussions continue.