Akeeagok advocating for Arctic infrastructure on Canada-U.S.economic relations committee
Published 3:34 pm Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Former Nunavut premier P.J. Akeeagok was the only Inuk appointed to the 25-member Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations by Prime Minister Mark Carney on April 21.
The committee will advise Carney on upcoming trade negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, ahead of the July 1 joint review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, formerly known as NAFTA.
Speaking to Nunavut News, Akeeagok said he would advocate for greater investment in Arctic infrastructure to better position Canada for international trade with new partners.
“When you look at Nunavut’s case, we have what the world wants in terms of resources. You look at all the critical minerals that have been identified,” he said.
Nunavut has known deposits of 15 out of 35 critical minerals, including lithium, uranium and cobalt, according to the territorial government.
The Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link, the Gray’s Bay Port and Road, and the Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Hydroelectric Project are also on the agenda for Nunavut.
“I shared immediately, within our first meeting, just the importance of those types of projects,” Akeeagok said of the April 27 engagement.
He said he also emphasized that Nunavummiut should own the projects being built on their land.
“It’s our job to ensure that we support that vision that’s coming out of Inuit around equity, ownership of these projects, making sure that the generational wealth that will be created stays within our communities,” Akeeagok said.
Investment in the Arctic has been sporadic over the course of Canadian history, he said. That’s beginning to change, he added, but the momentum must be maintained.
“We have to sustain this for the long haul, in terms of making sure we support the vision of people who call the Arctic home, and ensure that we support Indigenous-led projects that are being advanced there,” said Akeeagok.
It was an honour getting appointed to the committee, he acknowledged.
His experience as president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and as premier of Nunavut enables him to represent the Arctic on the committee. Akeeagok joins CEOs of banks, union leaders, industry experts, and the president of an Indigenous business council as members of the advisory body.
The committee is chaired by Dominic LeBlanc, minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, who added the 25th member to the committee ahead of its first meeting.
Currently, Akeeagok runs an advisory firm for Indigenous-led infrastructure called Arctic Strategies Inc.
On April 27, Arctic Strategies Inc. announced it was partnering with KPMG Canada to advance infrastructure projects in the Arctic.