Ontario and Nunavut Honour Deep-Rooted Partnership with New Agreement

The Voice of Canada News:

Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok and Ontario Premier Doug Ford today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deepen cooperation on a wide range of joint priorities, including health care, transportation, infrastructure and Indigenous relations.

“I’ve always thought that Ontario should play a special role in supporting Canada’s territories,” said Premier Doug Ford. “This agreement will strengthen our deep ties and expand opportunities to collaborate on a number of important areas, benefiting the people of Nunavut and Ontario. I want to thank Premier Akeeagok for his partnership and friendship, as we work together to build stronger economies and healthier communities.”

“Nunavut and Ontario have a long history as partners and I want to thank Premier Ford for his strong support of our territory,” said Premier P.J. Akeeagok. “For many Nunavummiut, Ontario is a primary travel hub. Whether it’s to access post-secondary education, obtain specialized health care, or for shopping and tourism, thousands of Nunavummiut head to our neighbouring province each year.

“Through this memorandum of understanding, our governments can formalize this unique and longstanding relationship and jointly grow opportunities for the future. Partnership is a key priority of our Katujjiluta mandate, and I truly believe that Ontario can be a key partner in Canada’s nation-building efforts in the North.”

Through a mutually beneficial relationship, Nunavut provides economic opportunities to Ontario in exchange for goods and public services not available in Canada’s North. Annual trade between Nunavut and Ontario is valued at over $1 billion.

The MOU builds on this longstanding partnership and opens the door for increased bilateral cooperation on initiatives related to industrial and community infrastructure, education and training for skilled labour, and shared interests in sustainable access to natural resources, all while strengthening cultural ties between Ontario and Nunavut.

As part of the agreement, a Cooperation and Implementation Committee will be established to advance the joint priorities. The committee will be led by senior officials appointed by each premier.

Quick Facts

• The MOU commits to cooperation in the following areas :
  • Education and Training
  • Healthcare
  • Transportation
  • Worker and Workplace Health and Safety
  • Natural Resources
  • Infrastructure
  • Culture, Language, Heritage and Tourism
  • Research and Development (R&D)
  • Social Development and Wellness
  • Gender
  • Indigenous Relations
• Approximately 20 to 30 per cent of the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s capital budget is connected with Ontario firms, including professional architects and engineers, material suppliers, material manufacturers, and skilled workers.
• Ontario-based United for Literacy will be supporting the Government of Nunavut’s housing strategy, Nunavut 3000, by increasing training opportunities within the territory. The charitable organization will help Nunavut trainees upgrade their math, science and English skills for a Trades Entrance Exam required to work as an apprentice.
• Ontario is the main connection between eastern Nunavut and the rest of Canada, with the majority of scheduled passenger and cargo flights occurring between Iqaluit and Ottawa. Per week, there are currently 23 scheduled passenger flights and three to four cargo flights between Ottawa and Iqaluit.
• As of July 2023, 65 Nunavut Elders were in long-term care at Embassy West Senior Living in Ottawa.
• In 2022, over 20 per cent of Nunavut post-secondary students were enrolled in educational institutions in Ontario. In 2022/2023, there were 4,089 scheduled medical trips to Ontario and 339 medevacs to Ontario.