Rankin Inlet (Apr 19/06) - An electoral boundaries commission is looking at Nunavut's political landscape for the first time since 1997.

Commission members Justice Beverly Brown of Iqaluit, John Ningark of Kugaaruk and Bernadette Niviatsiak of Rankin Inlet were appointed on March 3.

The commission has 250 days to tour communities, gather information and submit a final report to the legislative assembly by November 2006.

The members are independent of the Nunavut government and will look at a broad range of criteria to determine what works best for Nunavut constituencies.

The commission will examine economics, geography, population, potential growth, and community names and interests.

The members will look at communication and family links in situations where communities may be combined into one riding.

The commission can also recommend an increase or decrease to the 19 seats in the legislative assembly.

Niviatsiak said there is no telling what the final report will contain.

She said the commission could recommend a number of changes, or simply maintaining the status quo.

"Communities that ask for public meetings will express their wishes and concerns if a change is requested," said Niviatsiak.

"If we decide changes are in order, we would put them in our report as recommendations to the legislative assembly and the government would make the final decision."

According to the Nunavut Elections Act, once the commission tables its report, a draft bill will be prepared to reflect any recommendations.

The bill will be presented in the legislative assembly for the government to either adopt, amend or deny.

The bill would come into force six months later if adopted. Approved changes would be in place by the next Nunavut election, which has to be held before February 2009.

Ningark points to the Aqulik riding as an example of one type of situation the commission will look at.

Repulse and Kugaaruk are together in the constituency, yet there is no regular flight between the two communities.

"In order to go from Repulse to Kugaaruk, a distance of 150 nautical miles, the MLA would have to fly to Rankin Inlet and Yellowknife along the way," said Ningark.

"That trip is costly, and we also have to consider Repulse is in the Kivalliq and Kugaaruk is in the Kitikmeot.

"While there are no predetermined decisions, we are aware of issues like that throughout Nunavut."