The challenge Nunavut faces is pretty stark when it comes to the economy. We have highest rates of unemployment. We have some of the highest rates of food insecurity, Onalik prefaced in a reply to a question from Baffinland s lawyer on whether the expansion fits into Nunavut s priorities. In addition to the people that are currently unemployed and who are currently unable to provide the necessities of life for their family, we re facing 10,000 young people across Nunavut becoming adults [in the next 10 years]. That s a very high number.
And while Onalik said the government has worked hard to bolster other sectors, like fishing and the arts, he said there s nothing that compares to the economic opportunities presented by Baffinland s expansion.