CITY OF IQALUIT www.iqaluit.ca CBJ CITY OF IQALUIT The ‘Place of Fish’ is Fast Becoming the Place of Economic Opportunity Five Ways to Attract Repeat Diners to Your Restaurant MUNICIPALITIES CITY OF IQALUIT The ‘Place of Fish’ is Fast Becoming the Place of Economic Opportunity 4 MUNICIPALITIES » CITY OF IQALUIT ituated on the coastline of about her city’s economic development over SFrobisher Bay in the far northern the past several years, which has been extremely quadrant of the country, the City of impressive. What really bodes well for the Iqaluit and its 8,000 residents is by future is that Iqaluit’s cumulative population is far the largest municipality in the more than 10 years younger than the national Canadian territory of Nunavut. In average. Iqaluit means ‘place of fish’ but with so addition to serving as the territorial many people from the younger demographic capital it is also the only designated staying in the community as a means of helping city on Baffin Island, known for its it prosper the municipality is seen as having ice-capped mountains and rolling outstanding potential to be a place of economic tundra valley landscape. opportunity for future generations. About 60% of the current population is THE CANADIAN BUSINESS JOURNAL recently comprised of Aboriginals, but the city is far spoke with Iqaluit Mayor Madeleine Redfern more culturally diversified than would likely be 5 MAY 2018 « The Canadian Business Journal YUKON NWT Routes operated by First Air First Air / Calm Air codeshare routes First Air / Air North codeshare routes 6 MUNICIPALITIES » CITY OF IQALUIT expected. In addition to those families who have named the territorial capital in 1999, Iqaluit’s lived there for many generations there are also governmental and job growth blossomed, scores of residents who originally come from resulting in a constantly expanding economy other parts of Canada and the world, including and that in turn has led to the opening of more about 1,000 migrants from Newfoundland government offices, spurring development and and Labrador. There is a large Francophone job creation. contingent as well as people from as far away as To those who have never been to Canada’s the Philippines and Lebanon. northern region it is massive in its geographic The City of Iqaluit has become known scope, blanketing more than 2 million square for its vast fishing and mining opportunities, kilometres. Not only is it diverse in its geography but the largest employer is government. Most but also its biodiversity, cultural diversity and businesses in the private sector tend to serve with respect to different arctic wildlife. those government bodies. As a result of being “People are one of Iqaluit’s most valuable 7 MAY 2018 « The Canadian Business Journal resources and together we are working towards infrastructure requirements and the need to a better future that will preserve the strengths of develop a community economic development our Inuit and northern culture, while embracing plan that promotes sustainability moving the changes of the 21st century.” forward. One of the primary challenges will be to manage and maintain the escalating growth New airport rate. Logistical concerns are present in terms of In August, 2017 a magnificent $300 million providing the land and development required, airport was opened, which has the capacity to along with the associated infrastructure service Nunavut for the next half century and requirements in meeting residential, commercial, beyond. As part of the massive construction and industrial demands. Nevertheless, the City project, which began in July, 2014, there is now of Iqaluit has collaborated with the various a terminal eight times the size of the original. levels of government with an assessment of its In addition to the new terminal some of the 8 MUNICIPALITIES » CITY OF IQALUIT available funds were spent on overhauling air- things,” says Mayor Redfern. side operations, including runway upgrades and new lights. There are also many more services, Community Services and including a cafe, a store and a lounge. Infrastructure Canadian North and First Air serve The community has four elementary schools, Iqaluit from Ottawa, Yellowknife and several including a French school, a middle school communities in Nunavut. Locally based airlines and a high school. There is also Nunavut Arctic Air Nunavut, Canadian Helicopters, Nunasi College, which is being expanded and will be Helicopters and Unaalik Aviation provide air double its current size and Akitsiraq Law School, charters, and Air Nunavut and Kivalliq Air provide a legal education program designed to increase MEDIVAC/air ambulance service. the number of lawyers in Nunavut and the “It’s the main destination when people Canadian Arctic. come here. We’re a regional hub. There are “Post-secondary education can range from two daily flights from Ottawa and then people such things as environmental tech to teacher can disperse to where they want to go from education, law, nursing and cultural studies. The there. There are a tremendous number of university courses are done in partnership with people traveling back and forth, whether it’s seven institutions,” says the mayor. for government business, contracts, the mining Nursing stations can be found in all small sector and fisheries and a number of other communities throughout Nunavut but the more 9 MAY 2018 « The Canadian Business Journal serious medical cases are handled in Iqaluit, collection of Inuit and Arctic objects. which has a full-services hospital to serve the “The city is committed to beautifying our primary health institution for the entire region. downtown core. We do benefit from having very “There is a tremendous amount of unique buildings and they are spectacular inside. development that is happening in Iqaluit. In For anyone coming here I would definitely addition to the airport and Arctic College there recommend going there,” remarks Mayor are other projects such as port enhancements Redfern. in the harbour, upgrading our wastewater Eight years ago members of the G7 countries treatment plant and upgrading the landfill with met in Iqaluit, which was an event that certainly our own recycling and composting centre,” says helped in generating a tremendous amount of Mayor Redfern. international attention. The meeting, chaired by The historic downtown is enhanced by many the late Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, wonderfully unique architectural structures addressed ways of ensuring that the international influenced by the Aboriginal culture including banking system could avoid the kinds of the colourful Legislative Building adorned problems that led to the global recession, which with art work and and St. Jude’s Anglican unfolded in 2008. Many of the local residents Cathedral, which is shaped in the form of an were pleased to have such international political igloo. The city is also the location of the Nunatta leaders within their community, if for no other Sunakkutaangit Museum, which houses a large reason than to provide them and those reading 10 MUNICIPALITIES » CITY OF IQALUIT the media reports of the event to get a better skiing and snowmobiling make for fantastic understanding of the way of life in the far outdoor recreational activities. north – just 300km south of the Arctic Circle. A “Many community groups organize lots of number of important business leaders and heads different fun activities for people who live here. of state have visited Iqaluit and been thoroughly There is so much in the way of arts and culture impressed. and it’s a very dynamic community,” says Mayor “There are a lot of dignitaries and Redfern. ambassadors from different countries and we’ve In terms of communications there is a had British royalty come for Canada Day,” Mayor notable media presence within the community Redfern proudly says. that keeps residents tuned in with the rest of the There is always something to do in Iqaluit country and the world. from an entertainment standpoint. Arts and “We have CBC with a station here that culture festivals and musical concerts are provides local and regional news as well as of plentiful throughout the year. Cross-country course national and international news for radio 11 MAY 2018 « The Canadian Business Journal and TV. We also have a French station, ATPN and a university in the north. I want to continue a private station and a local newspaper,” says to develop capacity, whether it’s in the way of Mayor Redfern. governance or business. There is a tremendous The future has never looked brighter for the amount of growth and opportunity here for City of Iqaluit but Mayor Redfern says that it will business.” CBJ be imperative for her and the eight members of city council to properly monitor and manage www.city.iqaluit.nu.ca growth in such a manner that is practical, sustainable and affordable. “We have more than doubled in size since 1999,” she says. “There is so much opportunity here to work in both the government and the private sector. I would love to see a university in Iqaluit. Canada is the only Arctic nation without AS SEEN IN THE MAY 2018 ISSUE OF THE CANADIAN BUSINESS JOURNAL WWW.CBJ.CA.