080121-08MN006-Sabina Hackett River Project Proposal ... - NIRB

Description of the Existing Environment6.3.6.4 Cambridge BayCambridge Bay is situated on the southeast coast of Victoria Island in western Nunavut, 960 kmnortheast of Yellowknife and 1,600 km west of Iqaluit. Cambridge Bay is the largest communityin the Kitikmeot region, acting as a regional transport hub and home to the regional government.Census data for 2006 recorded the total population in Cambridge Bay at 1,477 persons which isup 12.8% from 1,116 persons in 1991, with 524 private dwellings documented in 2006 (StatisticsCanada, 2007). The community has exhibited growth over recent years, excluding the periodbetween 1996 and 2001, during which time population figures marginally decreased (-3.1%) inresponse to the government’s decentralization policy. In 2001, 1,035 residents (79%) out of1,309 person population were Inuit, with a median age of 21.3 (Statistics Canada, 2002).Cambridge Bay is a traditional hunting and fishing location with a number of archaeologicalremnants. Residents undertake harvesting activities which include hunting caribou and fishingArctic char, which are staple local foods. In 2001, 50% of adult residents hunted for food, 68%fished for food and 13.5% gathered wild food for plants (Statistics Canada, 2002). Thesefigures, which are slightly lower than statistics for the Nunavut region as a whole, hint at thegrowing relevance of the diversified modern economy within the community.There are approximately 70 businesses operating in the community, making up 40% of allbusinesses in the region (Wolfden Resources, 2006). The Inuit population own 56% of thesebusinesses, which offer a range of goods and services, many of which are supported by themining industry. Tourism is also an important industry, with three hotels operating inCambridge Bay.Inuit men are largely employed in trades, transport and equipment operations while Inuit womentend to work in business, finance and administrative occupations, social science, education andgovernment services. Both genders also find work in sales, services and communications(Zinifex, 2007). In 2001, the number of Inuit residents aged 15 and over with income was 600,taking in a mean total income of $15,328 (Statistics Canada, 2002). An estimated 80.3% of thisincome was sourced from earnings, while government payments accounted for 15.1%.Unemployment in Cambridge Bay was estimated at 20% (Statistics Canada, 2002).Services available in the community include two stores, a RCMP station, kindergarten,elementary and high schools, Arctic College annex, library, churches, health and wellness centre,recreation centre, arena and pool, visitors centre and government regional offices. Other officesin Cambridge Bay include the KIA, NIT, and NIRB.6.3.6.5 KugluktukKugluktuk is located on the Coronation Gulf on the Arctic Coast near the mouth of theCoppermine River. It is approximately 600 kilometres north of Yellowknife and 450 kilometressouthwest of Cambridge Bay. It is the second largest community in the region.Census data shows that the population of Kugluktuk has been consistently increasing for morethan a decade from 1,059 persons in 1991 by 23% to 1,302 persons in 2006, with privateJanuary 2008 Hackett River Project – Project Proposal Sabina Silver CorporationReport Version B.1 6–36 Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #833-2)