Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Cambridge Bay (Mar 04/02) - Heavier lobbying clout and little interest from territorial politicians convinced the Nunavut Association of Municipalities to move its upcoming yearly meeting to Ottawa, says the organization's president.

Keith Peterson, president of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities and the mayor of Cambridge Bay, said last week the change will be good for Nunavut with interest in the territory waning.

"I asked a fairly senior politician about Nunavut and he said the novelty has worn off," said Peterson. "In our view those are quite serious words if they are not paying attention while we struggle."

The annual general meeting was originally scheduled for Cambridge Bay for April 29 to May 3, but with Manitok Thompson the only cabinet minister scheduled to attend, Peterson and the board of directors decided to move the meeting.

Stanley Anablak, mayor of Kugluktuk, said the meeting in Cambridge Bay would have been a waste of time.

"It's going to cost over $200,000 for hamlets to send their people to Cambridge Bay with only one minister showing and we'll just be writing letters," said Anablak.

Peterson said he heard grumblings from the government in Iqaluit about the move, questioning whether it was going to be a waste of money, but he stands by the decision.

"This is a strategic opportunity to get more support from Ottawa," said Peterson.

The organization has a budget of $70,000 from the territorial government. Peterson said it will also receive corporate sponsorship from Northern businesses and funding from Southern Inuit organizations.

"It might be cheaper to go down south," he pointed out.

The downside is some Cambridge Bay businesses will lose potential business with the move.

"I guess that can hurt us, sure," said Debbie Richard, manager of the Enokhok Inn in Cambridge Bay. "When we miss any business it hurts."

The mayors from 25 hamlets and Iqaluit are hoping to meet MPs and visit the House of Commons, said Peterson.

A reception is also planned on Parliament Hill, one that will feature Inuit entertainment.

Peterson hopes to push issues like infrastructure funding with federal politicians. "We don't want to be second class citizens," he said.

"Political lobbying efforts will create awareness and knowledge of the North and they outweigh monetary costs," said Peterson.

The next annual general meeting, he added, will be held in Cambridge Bay.

Fares compared

• Arctic Bay to Ottawa: $2,360
• Arctic Bay to Cambridge Bay: $3,170

• Pond Inlet to Ottawa: $2,237
• Pond Inlet to Cambridge Bay: $3,394

• Rankin Inlet to Ottawa: $1,614
• Rankin Inlet to Cambridge Bay: $1,458

• Iqaluit to Ottawa: $818
• Iqaluit to Cambridge Bay: $2,087