IQALUIT - Some voters could vote in different constituencies in the next election as the electoral boundaries commission is set to start working.

The commission, established on Oct. 25, will examine the boundaries of all 19 constituencies in Nunavut during its 250-day mandate, ending July 2, 2011. Northwest Territories Justice J. Edward Richard will head the commission, while Gordon Main, a justice of the peace in Arviat, and Kirt Ejesiak, former Iqaluit deputy mayor and current vice-president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council of Canada, are members of the commission

The electoral map might change as the commission will examine the number of constituencies and their boundaries, the number people in each constituency as well as provide a reasoning for any new boundary and name change. The commission will also hold public hearings.

"I think it's important to hear from all those concerned about the electoral boundaries," said Ejesiak. "I think there will be some interest and debate because I know from the early discussions I had with people, people want to be represented."

As the territory is growing, Nunavut's chief electoral officer Sandy Kusugak recommended the formation of the commission in her report tabled at the legislative assembly this past spring.

Any proposed changes wouldn't come into effect until the next general election, not anticipated to occur before 2012.

Fate of Axel Heiberg forest undetermined

Nunavut is examining how to preserve or protect an ancient fossilized forest in the High Arctic, Louis Tapardjuk, then minister of culture, language, elders and youth, said at the legislative assembly on Oct. 27.

Researchers found fossilized remains of an ancient forest on Axel Heiberg Island in the High Arctic several years ago but both industry and tourism have threatened the preservation of the fossils, said Quttiktuq MLA Ron Elliott at the legislative assembly late last month.

"There is a proposal at this time to look at preserving or protecting the ancient forest," said Tapardjuk. "I can only state that it is finally under consideration. I cannot state how we will be better able to preserve these ancient forests."

Devolution negotiations have yet to start

Preliminary discussion between the federal and territorial governments regarding devolution have yet to start as no chief negotiator has been appointed by Ottawa, said Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak at the legislative assembly late last month.

Devolution is the transfer of the right to pass laws regarding the management of land and natural resources to the territorial government. Currently, Ottawa controls 80 per cent of Nunavut lands. In the Northwest Territories, the GNWT and the federal government are negotiating a devolution agreement in principle, part of it was leaked to the media.

But Nunavut is not there yet.

The territorial government and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. have been ready to start devolution negotiations for years, said Aariak. In an effort to move the process along, she added the territorial government signed a devolution protocol in late 2008 - outlining the topics to be negotiated and the process to be followed - with the federal government and NTI. Since then, Aariak said all three parties have worked to address any concerns from Ottawa. She told the legislative assembly she made it clear to the prime minister and the minister of Indian and Northern Affairs "devolution is a high priority for Nunavut."

She added Stephen Harper told her he intends to follow a phased approach to devolution, similar to what was done in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

Aariak told the legislative assembly the federal government has treated devolution so far "with little priority."

"With regard to devolution, we really have to deal with this because it's a big priority for our government and as it takes a fair number of years to realize the progress, if we don't initiate it now, we will be too late," said Aariak at the legislature on Oct. 26. "And pretty much the whole globe is looking at the Inuit homeland fresh water and marine area and we have to ensure that we are able to manage our own land and resources before everyone else makes those decisions for Nunavummiut."

Aariak said the GN is preparing radio messages to air in all communities to explain what devolution is.