Sivullik Building In Iqaluit

In the Legislative Assembly on October 12th, 1994. See this topic in context.

Sivullik Building In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

October 11th, 1994

Page 211

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today with more good news from Iqaluit.

---Applause Thank you. A striking new building, the Sivullik Building, now graces the downtown skyline of my constituency. Madam Speaker, it is a new building featuring 24 apartments, including penthouse apartments with spectacular lofts on the third floor and about 7,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.

What is exciting about this brand new edifice, Madam Speaker, is that it is majority-owned by 15 Inuit shareholders from all over Baffin Island who have put up real money, their own money, without government grants or subsidies of any kind, for 51 per cent equity along with Grinnel Properties Ltd. in this modern, $4 million building.

Their new company is called Sivullik Development Corporation. I'm told that the name "Sivullik" is derived from an ancient Inuit legend. Time does not permit me to relate it here, but briefly, Ninguraaluk, an old woman, Utuqqalualuk, an old man, and Iliarjugaarjuk, a little orphan boy, are transformed respectively into the stars Vega, Arcturus and Muphrid. Amongst the Inuit, Vega is known as Kingullialuk, "the big one behind," while Arcturus and its companion star are together called Sivullik, "the two in front."

Madam Speaker, I'm delighted that this project, which was the major capital project this summer, is entirely funded from the private sector, including financing from the Bank of Montreal. Iqaluit is coming of age in reducing its dependence on government.

---Applause

I'm especially pleased that this is yet another Inuit-owned and controlled venture; a second major real estate venture, following the Ivavik apartment building put up by Katujjijiit Development Corporation several years ago. I wish to particularly congratulate Harry Flaherty, president of Sivullik Development Corporation; Carmen Levi, vice-president; and, their board and shareholders for this major step towards becoming landlords in their own land.

It looks like, Madam Speaker, because of all the applause, that I'm going to have to request consent to conclude my statement.

---Laughter

Sivullik Building In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 212

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his Member's statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Patterson.

Sivullik Building In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 212

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you very much. I'm also very pleased to announce, Madam Speaker, that today it has been announced that the ground floor of this new building will be occupied by a new corporate constituent to Iqaluit, the Bank of Montreal, who will be opening their new Iqaluit branch this spring. Canada Post Corporation, which is relocating to enlarge their space, is going to move in to this new building at the end of March. They will be adding modern counters, more space and additional post office boxes to meet Iqaluit's growing population.

Both the Bank of Montreal and the new location for the new post office are well-situated in the commercial centre of the community, a handy walking distance from the downtown and residential core of Iqaluit. I wish to congratulate and thank the Bank of Montreal and Canada Post Corporation and their northern services division for placing their confidence in Iqaluit and its future, and for placing their valued business with the Inuit owners of this splendid, modern, new building in our dynamic community.

I believe it augurs well for our future that these important corporate constituents have chosen to do business with a new, northern-owned, Baffin-owned, forward-looking company. Congratulations to all. Qujannamiik.

---Applause

Sivullik Building In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 212

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.