Iqaluit airport construction local benefits questioned

The president of Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, Harry Flaherty, wants to know how Inuit will benefit from the $300 million airport construction projectin Iqaluit.

Its slated to be ready in four years. Nunavut government officials have indicated that there will be mandatory Inuit involvement while the work is done.

Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, however, had offered services to another company on the shortlist for the mega project.But itwasn't selected.

Flaherty said he wants more details.

"Nunavut government really needs to make it clear, in what level on this major infrastructure project will the beneficiaries ownership participate, because as far as I know right at this moment, I have no idea," he said.

His company wanted to provide accommodations for workers and space for the heavy equipment.

Flaherty said he hasn't heard anything from the company that won the contract.

The Government of Nunavuts preferred proponent is a business group called Arctic Infrastructure Partners.

It is made up of four partners, including an international financial firm, two construction firms from Montreal and the Winnipeg Airports Authority.

It's the biggest capital project ever undertaken by the territorial government.

Partnerships British Columbia has also been hired to manage the project.

Together, the partners will build a new airport terminal, repair and improve the runway, and add fire-fighting support to the airport.

They will also run and maintain the new airport for 30 years.