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NUNAVUT
Rankin Inlet North MLA Tagak Curley asked in the legislature on March 6 whether the electricity rate increase can be reversed. The territory will move toward a unified power rate starting April 1, 2014, it was announced in February.

The biggest adjustments a community will face is an increase of five per cent or a decrease of four per cent per year until all communities are on par. The decision was approved by the Utility Rates Review Council after consultations last fall.

Lorne Kusugak, the minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, said the government decided to defer the utility rate review until 2014, keeping in mind the council's recommendations were reviewed and accepted, he added.

"Until we reach those years, we will continue to review their recommendations as to how to implement their decisions," he said.

Curley said because a territorial election will occur before 2014 so the final decision rests with the next government. A territorial election is scheduled for sometime in 2013.

"I believe it would be much better if the Phase II rate increase was scrapped and have it become an election issue," he said on March 6. "Perhaps you will be the only member voting for that rate increase at that time."

Kusugak said he did not appreciate Curley's speculative remarks.

"The member is prone to baseless accusations," Kusugak replied on March 6. "I will not be the only member urging for a utility rate increase. You should know that. I am not recommending a rate increase."

Curley said he wasn't referring to a vote about the issue, rather, he was referring to support of the policy during the campaign, which he added, would be difficult to support.

"My point is that it is really quite important that the rate adjustments for 2014 be the sole responsibility of the new assembly," he said on March 6.

Kusugak sad they've already decided to delay the rate increases until 2014 and by doing so, it will give them time to review programs to cushion the hike.

The Government of Nunavut is planning to build a temporary jail in Iqaluit as a short-term solution to overcrowded jails - a problem exacerbated by the passage of the federal Bill C-10 earlier this month.

The bill toughens sentences and eliminates the option of conditional sentences for a number of crimes, mostly centred on child abuse and drug trafficking.

With Bill C-10, the territory is expecting an increase of probably 30 inmates in the next couple of years, said Justice Minister Daniel Shewchuk in the legislature on March 7. He added, at present, the territory has about 190 male inmates spread across a number of facilities, in and outside the territory.

The Department of Justice is planning a temporary structure in Iqaluit to alleviate problems in the short term and is examining a longer-term plan, said Shewchuk. He added they want the planning and design of the temporary facility completed as soon as possible

The Baffin Correctional Facility, built in 1984 with a capacity of 46 to 48 inmates, has at times hosted more than 100. Shewchuk told the legislature on March 7, the facility has outlived its life cycle, and is constantly overcrowded.

A new facility in Rankin Inlet, housing 48 inmates to open later this year, will serve to alleviate just some of the pressure on the BCC.

He said the Iqaluit jail will remain overcrowded.

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