Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Coral Harbour (Oct 30/02) - It was a good news, bad news scenario at the Kivalliq mayors meetings in Coral Harbour this past week.

Coral Mayor Marvin Dion says the meetings produced a number of resolutions, but that's just the first step.

"We had some good resolutions last year, but we never received any answers from our government departments," says Dion.

"I'm in full support of the mayors' meetings, but you have to wonder what's the purpose of having them if we're not getting any answers back from the government.

"They (government departments) should be represented at these meetings to answer any questions the mayors bring forward."

Dion says the mayors discussed a number of issues from a regional perspective.

He says although the mayors have their own concerns, they support each other's endeavours.

"Any resolution to come out of these meetings does so with the full support of Kivalliq mayors."

The mayors are still waiting for updates on the proposed Manitoba to Kivalliq hydro project and feasibility studies on a road linking the province to Kivalliq.

Dion says discussions also need to be held with GN concerning infrastructure.

"The government turned a number of programs over to the communities and they took over operation and maintenance costs.

"However, when there's a major breakdown with some of these programs, the communities shouldn't have to pick up the cost of repairs or replacement.

"That should come under capital repairs."

Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell and Transportation Minister Manitok Thompson signed an agreement in Coral on Oct. 22 to provide $6.7 million in joint federal-territorial funding until March 2007 for priority transportation infrastructure projects in Nunavut.

The agreement will see $1.28 million go to Coral for the construction of a new airport terminal and $492,000 to Chesterfield Inlet to construct a 3.2 km seasonal road out to Josephine River.

Chester Deputy Mayor Tony Amouyah says although he's happy with the access-road funding, he shares Dion's concern on the lack of communication between the mayors and the GN.

"The government is too slow getting information back to us," says Amouyah.

"That's very frustrating for the mayors."