The prime ministers of Manitoba and Nunavut hope that a proposed hydroelectric and fiber project is approaching the fruit and seeks federal money.
Manitoba Prime Minister Wab Kinew and Nunavut Prime Minister PJ Akeogok, have signed a memorandum to work together on the project and ask Ottawa capital funds.
The proposed Kivalliq hydro-fiber link would see a 1,200 kilometers-built line built through Northern Manitoba to several Nunavut communities west of Hudson Bay that currently uses diesel to generate electricity.
There has been talk for years, and a recent estimate put the cost at $ 1.6 billion.
Manitoba announced this week that he would dedicate 50 megawatts of his Crown Energy Corporation to the project, which Kinew says it is just a start.
Kinew and Akeagok met in the Legislature of Manitoba and said that, given the current commercial dispute with the United States, there is appetite for the construction projects of the nation and the efforts to build the north.
“In terms of the price, these are things that we will resolve when they come to the table, which I am sure that they will do it,” Kinew told journalists on Wednesday.
“We need Ottawa to come to the site with us too,” Akeagok added.
“All political leaders so far have identified that there will be significant investments in corridors or construction projects of the nation, and we really see that it is aligned really well.”
None of the premieres would say what level of financing seek from the federal government.
Ottawa has already put money for the early stages of the project. Last year, he announced $ 2.8 million for design, environmental field work and other tasks.
The project, presented by the Nukik Corp., owned by Inuit, could see that construction will begin in 2028. In addition to the communities in Nunavut, it could also supply mines in the region and stimulate a more economical development, sponsors say.
Kinew says he intends to sign a commercial agreement with Ontario
The Minitoba and Nunavut ministers were not the only regional leaders signed on Wednesday.
The first minister of Ontario, Doug Ford, signed comprehension memorandes with the prime ministers of New Scotland and New Brunswick, agreeing that a good, service or registered worker that is recognized in a province is acceptable in the other.
Kinew said that his meeting with Akeegok meant that he could not join Ford, New Scotland Prime Minister Tim Houston, and the Premier again Brunswick, Susan Holt, in Queen’s Park in Toronto on Wednesday, but intends to also sign a memorandum of understanding.
“What a surprising moment to be Canadian, where leaders from different parts of the country are taking a step forward to build Canada,” Kinew told journalists.
“We are demolishing interprovincial commercial barriers and, yes, I intend to travel to Toronto and … do the same job with Prime Minister Ford as soon as I can.”
