Innovation

We had the opportunity to speak with Daniel O’Neill, a Senior Associate who was part of the project team responsible for the award-winning Iqaluit International Airport, North America’s first public-private partnership airport and one of the first LEED® buildings in Nunavut, Canada (2017 Sustainability Report).

When asked about how this innovation emerged Daniel claims that, “what is most important for me is my client,” continuing with, “the client (Provincial Government of Nunavut) came to us looking for [a] sustainable building and Stantec was able to work with them to achieve this in the arctic environment.” With this in mind before this innovation became a building project, Daniel and his team worked in collaboration with the Government of Nunavut to build a business case to identify an airport project that would generate revenue and attract investment in the community. With 25 municipalities in Nunavut distributed throughout three regions, traveling place to place is inherently difficult, so when the client came to Stantec saying that they wanted a LEED® Silver project, Stantec felt that this was not irresponsible. Stantec was able to move forward with this idea and help the Territorial Government of Nunavut achieve this project (Nunavut Communities).

The Iqaluit International Airport was completed in 2017, and serves as a connection point between Nunavut communities and southern Canada (Iqaluit Airport). Despite the inherent challenges that comes with the Arctic, Stantec was able to not just connect this innovation with UN Sustainable Development Goals such as Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 8), but also as one of “the first LEED® buildings in Nunavut and the first and only fully operational P3 airport project to achieve financial close and subsequent construction completion—in all of North America” (Iqaluit Airport Stantec). They also adhere to the company's mission of designing with community in mind (Stantec).

Iqaluit International Airport

Inspiration

Inspiration can be derived from anything. In the case of Stantec, the Iqaluit International Airport inspiration was much needed due to the harsh conditions caused by the environment. Daniel O’Neill lived in Iqaluit during the design and construction phases of the project. He was very insightful, and we were delighted to hear about his experiences and time during this project. Stantec was hired by the Province of Nunavut to get the airport up and running. Creating, according to Stantec’s article on the airport and previously stated above, “the first successful airport P3 project in Canada; and a holistic design true to this northern community,” (Iqaluit Airport Stantec). Although this achievement alone can be enough to inspire most, Daniel O’Neill had other inspirations that were more meaningful and impactful.

When asked to speak about his experiences during the interview, Daniel stated that he “understood first hand, how extreme isolation is in those communities and how critical it is to have this access to infrastructure.“ With the experiences provided and the description of the communities in the north, it is safe to say that the inspiration behind the project was community development, the renewal of a failing infrastructure and giving back. Daniel continued with “...you almost start to feel a bit of anxiety through the isolation there. Some people kind of refer to it as cabin fever. And knowing that you have given people, this reliable piece of infrastructure is, for me, the part that was most meaningful.” This statement really shows the understanding and care that Stantec and their employees have for their projects, and most importantly, the communities where these projects are taking place.

Not only was Daniel speaking about his experiences, but he continued to describe the overall infrastructure and conditions in the north. He said; “So the only way to get in and out of that town is the airport. So, if they're starting to cut off their only lifeline to the rest of Canada, then that is a major problem. It was this infrastructure renewal that gave them an airport that would function and continue to thrive for the foreseeable future.” Opening the airport made the community accessible to everyone and opened a whole new supply line for the many surrounding communities. Essentially opening Iqaluit to a whole new industry of hospitality, in the end, developing the area and its economy overall. Adhering to the Sustainability Development Goal of Economic Growth (SDG 9).

Overall impact

The impact that this project had on both Stantec and the three regions throughout Nunavut goes beyond just this project. Nunami is a majority Inuit-owned consulting company providing services throughout Nunavut. The majority shareholders of this partnership are the Sakku Investments Corporation (Sakku), which is owned by the Kivalliq Inuit Association and the Kitikmeot Corporation (KC), which is the business development arm of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association. Stantec holds the position of the minority shareholder and legal operator (Indigenous Business Partnerships). The Iqaluit International Airport received the 2018 Engineers Canada Awards National Award for an Engineering Project or Achievement, the 2017 CCPPP National Awards Gold Award for Infrastructure, and the 2014 P3 Bulletin Awards Best Rail/Transit Project – Gold Award (Iqaluit Airport Stantec). These partnerships that were just as dedicated as Stantec was, adhere to the Sustainability Development Goal of Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

Daniel had plenty to share on Stantec's social impact. The business strategy for the community is that each new project generates revenue, benefiting both local trades contractors and individuals involved in the airport's construction. Additionally, the community enjoyed direct revenue benefits, as the heightened traffic passing through the area boosted demand for local grocery stores, restaurants, and hotels. This surge in traffic also spurred the emergence of various new services around the airport. Furthermore, numerous employment opportunities have emerged within the airport. It now hosts restaurants, food and beverage outlets, and souvenir stores, expanding its operations and creating additional job opportunities to ensure the successful operation of this infrastructure, delivered by Stantec.

When looking at the short-term and long-term effects of this innovation, what the infrastructure provided to the community is critical as it provides the connectivity between the communities of Nunavut unlike what was available before. On top of the job creation that this infrastructure provided, Daniel also spoke about how “the government of Nunavut would, at various stages of the project, identify indigenous participation that should be happening. So, there's direct benefits that happen for the indigenous community as well.” Stantec was also able to align the project with SDG 8, stating that “through our Aboriginal Partnerships, supported economic growth by generating $16.8 million in gross revenue and provided Canadian Indigenous community members with employment, training, hands-on skills development, and direct investment,” (2017 Sustainability Report).

Business benefit

On a societal and business level, there were many benefits, most of which have already been stated. Job creation, the opening of the island for supplies and hospitality, increasing economic development and the overall increase in revenue within the province. Another benefit would be how the infrastructure itself went from failing to a more reliable infrastructure with the establishment of the airport. Daniel O’Neill spoke highly of the renewing of the infrastructure by stating “so the airports are their bus stations basically, is how you should think about it. But this gave them this critical hub that now provides easier access. It's a more reliable infrastructure that provides that connectivity for the community.” With all information given, Stantec and the Government of Nunavut prioritized the development of the communities of Iqaluit with the construction of the airport. The renewal of the airport alone adheres to SDG 9. But with the aid in development of the surrounding communities and the opportunities that were made in Iqaluit, Stantec and the province also simultaneously adhered to SDG 8.

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Social and environmental benefit

The construction of the Iqaluit International Airport was beneficial in all aspects as previously mentioned. From an environmental perspective, it can be challenging in the north. Throughout the interview, it was emphasized how the conditions in Nunavut can be very difficult for many different projects. Daniel said; “I think you can understand that first of all, like I said before, even building a building there is challenging. But building a building to a sustainable practice is remarkable.” Meaning that the fact that the airport itself is known to be a sustainable building and is LEED® silver certified, shows the effort Stantec will put into adhering to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Daniel continued with “But LEED® silver, the reason it's interesting on this project is because nothing is easy in the Arctic. Not even for regular buildings, let alone some that are sustainable.” Furthermore, explaining the difficulties to create sustainable projects in such an area, although, Stantec still managed to score silver. This achievement in itself acts as the biggest environmental benefit due to the challenges of the north.

Stantec is a major company that has positive impacts in many communities all over the world. We are very grateful to have been able to speak with Daniel O’Neill and appreciate his knowledge and information that he was willing to provide. His experiences and description of the project overall, gave us very good insight on how Stantec operated in the north and the care they have for the communities they work in.

Interview

Dan O'Neill, Commercial Risk Manager