Canada’s North
QBDC pursues economic Nunavut communities’
economic development opportunities
Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature
Formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of Qikiqtaaluk
Corporation in April 2016, the Qikiqtaaluk Business Devel-
opment Corporation (QBDC) pursues economic develop-
ment and infrastructure initiatives within the 13
communities of Nunavut’s Qikiqtani region. QBDC seeks
to “improve community capacity and self-reliance by cre-
ating opportunities that enhance local Inuit business and
individual career development prospects while addressing
the essential infrastructure and local economic deficit
through partnership, innovation and investment.”
The 13 communities include Nunavut’s capital, Iqaluit,
and the 12 municipalities of Arctic Bay, Cape Dorset, Clyde
River, Grise Fiord, Hall Beach, Igloolik, Kimmirut, Pangnir-
tung, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq, Resolute and Sanikiluaq.

Sheldon Nimchuk, QBDC’s director of project develop-
ment and partnerships, says the organization builds on the
capacity developed within Qikiqtalluk Corporation over the
years to assist the region’s communities through tradi-
tional and alternate economic and infrastructure delivery
models. QBDC will focus on promoting partnerships with
government at various levels, while aligning private invest-
ment opportunities with each of the 13 communities to-
wards implementing their unique economic and social
infrastructure development plans.

The organization’s business plan states: “The long-term
objective of QBDC would be to provide the appropriate re-
sources and corporate knowledge available within Qikiq-
taaluk Corp. and its group of companies as a catalyst to
advancing a new economic model of self-reliance through
effective partnership between our Qikiqtani communities
and Inuit organizations along with the territorial and federal
governments.” These efforts, Nimchuk says, will focus on economic
sectors including but not limited to transportation,
telecommunications, energy, resource and in-shore fish-
eries development, along with social infrastructure to cre-
ate alternative delivery opportunities in recognition that
advancing future initiatives may utilize new technologies
and renewables as a means to align stakeholders’ interests
and business sustainability.

QBDC will complement its resources to enhance skills
development and employment opportunities, especially in
business development and project management.

The business plan notes: “One of the key objectives of
QBDC in pursuing partnership opportunities will be to
demonstrate dedicated commitments to training and ca-
reer development for Inuit. Efforts to identify and pursue
the incorporation of funding programs to maximize em-
ployment and career development promotion in synergy
with future economic development and essential infra-
structure initiatives throughout our region.”
Nimchuk says while the organization has begun advanc-
ing some early initiatives, many specific strategies and
plans have not yet been fully established. Imminent plans
to develop an adaptable five-year strategic plan “will help
focus our effort and be positioned to collaborate further
with our communities.”
QBDC is a division of Qikiqtaaluk Corporation which is
wholly owned by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.

The Canadian Design and Construction Report — September 2016 – 43