NUNAVUT - Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami asked Canada's five national parties how they plan to address issues of concern to Inuit in an open letter dated April 5.

ITK president Mary Simon stated in a press release the answers to the questions, which include health and social issues, resource development, uranium mining, are meant to help Inuit make informed decisions on May 2. The five parties responded to a similar questionnaire in 2008.

The Liberal Party, the Green Party, the New Democratic Party and the Bloc Quebecois responded to the questions; ITK has are posted their complete responses online. The Conservative Party did not respond to ITK's questions.

"The Conservative Party directed (ITK) to our platform, which is accessible online," said party spokesman Ryan Sparrow. "Our record and our commitment to Canadians for this election is what was on our platform and that's what we're running on."

SIDEBAR: Questions and answers

1. In Canada, Inuit are most likely to live in crowded homes. What, in specific terms, would your party do to address the housing crisis in Inuit communities?

Liberal: A liberal government will work with its provincial, territorial and municipal counterparts to establish a renewed Affordable Housing Framework featuring a long-term commitment, replacing the current collection of temporary programs. It will also increase affordable housing investment by $550 million.

NDP: An NDP government will enact the National Housing Strategy, a bill sponsored by Libby Davies, backed by $800 million in new funding for affordable and social housing.

"Our 2011 platform commits again to improving physical infrastructure in Inuit communities with investment in quality affordable housing, drinking water and waste water treatment facilities, roads and other essential services that contribute to the health and safety of the Inuit."

Green: "A Green government will spend $2.4 billion over the next three years to improve First Nations, Metis and Inuit access to housing, education and improved safe drinking waters. … As well a Green government will invest an additional $2.5 billion to create a national affordable housing program, Housing is a right, not a privilege."

2. Tuberculosis remains a real and present threat for Canadian Inuit. What measures does your party propose to eliminate TB in Inuit communities?

Liberal: The Liberals will forgive a portion of the Canada Student Loans to family doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners and would invest an additional $40 million over two years to improve rural health services.

NDP: The NDP has followed the Public Health Agency of Canada's Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Strategy and will support the initiatives coming out of the process.

"Ensuring that Inuit have full access to adequate, appropriate health services equal to those enjoyed by all Canadians is a key aspect of the fight against tuberculosis."

Green: "Proper access to housing, food and water is an essential component of any preventive strategy. … We will provide student loan forgiveness incentives for graduating doctors, nurses, paramedics and other health care professionals who agree to staff northern facilities and family practice clinics where recruitment is currently a problem."

3. In Nunavut, 70 per cent of Inuit preschoolers live in food insecure homes. What does your party propose to do to overcome child hunger in Inuit communities?

Liberal: The Liberals propose to implement a new Healthy Start program with an investment of $40 million over four years to help children in low-income families access healthy foods.

NDP: Create a non-taxable child benefit and increase the support up to $700 per child over the next four years is what the NDP proposes.

"The first step to eliminate child hunger in the North is to address poverty."

Green: The Greens want to implement a Guaranteed Livable Income and supports the creation of a National Food Policy, which includes overhauling Nutrition North, a program "inadequate" for Northern communities.

"It is a national tragedy that a single child goes without food."

4. How would your party address the need for adaptation strategies in the Canadian Arctic to help Inuit communities adjust to melting permafrost and a changing environment brought on by warming temperatures?

Liberal: A liberal government will appoint a new ambassador for circumpolar affairs and work with the Arctic Council to formalize co-operation on environmental stewardship, search-and-rescue, security and other points. It would also establish a permanent secretariat for the council in Canada.

NDP: The NDP will implement the Climate Change Accountability Act, which sets greenhouse gas reduction targets. The party's green platform includes more than $20 billion in initiatives paid from revenues of a cap-and-trade emissions program.

Green: The party will work with Inuit government, community and local experts to prepare an adaptation strategy, which would consider food and energy security, environment, health and education. It would also include Inuit and First Nations on negotiating teams during international climate negotiations, such as with the UN.

"A Green government will take direct action to avert a climate catastrophe by reducing Canada's carbon emissions and will work internationally to reduce global emissions."

5. How does your party intend to work in partnership with Inuit on issues of resource development and environmental protection in the Canadian Arctic?

Liberal: The Liberals will establish clear rules about what can and cannot be done in the Arctic, where, how, when and by whom.

"Given the uncertainty surrounding the technology, a Liberal government will halt all new leasing and oil exploration activities in Canada's Arctic waters pending an independent examination of the risks. … The Liberal Party believes in economic development but not at an unacceptable high risk to the environment."

NDP: The NDP will ensure the federal government appreciates the impact of potential decisions affecting rights and interests of Aboriginal people prior to taking action.

Green: The Greens "will ensure the spirit and intent of existing land claim agreements are upheld."

6. What is your party's view on uranium mining in the Canadian Arctic?

Liberal: see previous question

NDP: Any decision related to uranium-mining in the Arctic will be in line with affected Inuit communities's wishes and any development would be done in a sustainable manner.

"We recognize the considerable risks that uranium mining poses and that the North has plenty of experience with nuclear contamination …."

Green: "The Green Party of Canada is opposed to future uranium developments in Canada. Nuclear energy is neither safe nor sustainable and its use should be ended."

7. How would you protect Inuit hunters and families from the effects of the EU and similar imposed wildlife restrictions? How would your party promote and sustain markets for Inuit wildlife products?

Liberal: The party supports a sustainable and humane seal hunt but the are "very concerned" with the EU's recent trade actions regarding this country's seal hunt.

NDP: A humane commercial market determined by supply and demand for Inuit wildlife products is something the NDP supports and its policies will be driven by close consultation with affected communities.

Green: The Greens "will negotiate and legislate primary hunting, fishing, trapping and logging rights for Inuit peoples on traditional lands, especially lands under federal jurisdiction, subject to standards of sustainable harvesting."

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