Opening of the Pangnirtung Small Craft Harbour

News Release

For Immediate Release

Opening of the Pangnirtung Small Craft Harbour

IQALUIT, Nunavut (September 18, 2013) – Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak and Peter Taptuna, Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, congratulate Panniqtuurmiut on the opening of the Pangnirtung Small Craft Harbour today.

"The completion of this essential project provides an enduring economic benefit to the hamlet of Pangnirtung," Premier Aariak said. "We welcome the Government of Canada’s investment in the project and hope that this harbour in Pangnirtung is the start of a new effort that will see marine infrastructure stretch from one end of the Canadian Arctic to the other."

The small craft harbour will greatly improve safety by providing local hunters, commercial fishers and tourism operators a place to dock in the community.

"Larger vessels will now be able to dock in Pangnirtung with protection from wind and tides. This will mean faster off-loading of fish catches and even higher quality product coming from the community," said Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Peter Taptuna.

Although there are over 1,000 small craft harbours on the Atlantic and Pacific, Pangnirtung is the only harbour along Canada’s longest coastline. "The Government of Nunavut will continue to seek improvements in our marine infrastructure to improve safety, support economic development and enable Canada to better implement its Arctic Council commitments on search and rescue and responding to oil spills," Premier Aariak said.

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Media contact:

Emily Woods

Press Secretary Office of the Premier

Government of Nunavut

Tel: (867) 975-5059

Email: @email