IQALUIT - Iqaluit West MLA Paul Okalik proposed a tax on soft drinks in the legislative assembly on March 16, but Finance Minister Keith Peterson said educating Nunavummiut on the dangers of sugar consumption would better serve communities than taxing pop.

Okalik said a tax on soft drinks would increase revenue for the government and could serve as a way to deter people from purchasing pop. He used the government's tax on cigarettes as an example.

Peterson said the tax on cigarettes has not discouraged Nunavummiut from smoking and said the same would be true for a tax on soft drinks.

Legislature calls for Aboriginal Healing Foundation rescue

A motion to call on the federal government to resume funding the Aboriginal Healing Foundation passed unanimously in the legislative assembly on March 18, according to a press release.

Nanulik MLA Johnny Ningeongan introduced the motion which was seconded by Quttiktuq MLA Ron Elliot.

"The federal government must recognize that healing takes time," Ningeongan said in the release. "Some of our healing programs are only just beginning to have a profound positive impact. Now is not the time to pull away the support."

MLAs pass motion to ban European liquor

A motion to ban liquor imports from the European Union was carried in the legislative assembly on March 11.

South Baffin MLA Fred Schell introduced the motion as a response to the EU import ban on seal products. It was seconded by Iqaluit West MLA Paul Okalik.

Schell said the ban would only apply to liquor brought in by the Government of Nunavut's Liquor Commission and Nunavummiut could still order EU alcohol from retailers outside the territory.

Premier Eva Aariak and members of her cabinet did not vote, saying the federal Department of Foreign Affairs advised that banning the imports would violate the World Trade Organization's general agreement on tariffs and trade.

Aariak said Nunavummiut have a choice when it comes to purchasing liquor, and the choice to avoid buying liquor from the EU should rest with the individual.

Air quality a concern at health centre

Workers in the Cape Dorset's Health Centre are complaining about poor ventilation and are worried about the building's air quality, South Baffin MLA Fred Schell said on March 17.

Schell addressed the concerns to Health Minister Tagak Curley, who said the department was aware of ventilation issues and said fumes from the plumbing system and from machines in the centre were responsible. Curley said the department was working with Community and Government Services to replace parts on medical equipment to improve the situation.

Schell said Cape Dorset's Health Centre is one of the oldest in the territory and should be replaced.

Curley said there are other communities in line for new facilities and said he would notify Schell if and when a replacement centre is added to the five-year capital budget plan.