Taptuna confident about the future
Self-sustaining people and territory is the goal
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 5, 2015
NUNAVUT
External relations, internal details and financial realities are the broad strokes of a premier's job.
Premier Peter Taptuna poses with wife Joanne Taptuna, left, granddaughter Desiree Taptuna and granddaughter Macila Taptuna. - photo courtesy of the Government of Nunavut |
Peter Taptuna, sworn in as Nunavut's premier in the final days of 2013, reflected on some of these, all a part of his "busy, hectic first year" days before setting off to spend Christmas with his family.
The first order of business for the Fourth Legislative Assembly was developing a mandate. The four pillars of Sivumiut Abluqta: Stepping Forward Together are self-reliance and optimism through education and training, healthy families through strong and resilient communities, economic growth through responsible development across all sectors, and good government through wise use of resources.
Cabinet, regular members and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) all had input before the mandate was released to the public in March.
"I believe it's a do-able mandate. It's four key items with 25 action items, which are do-able. We did commit to a plan and so far it's looking like it's on schedule."
Taptuna describes the relationship with Prime Minister Stephen Harper as "very good."
"Having an Inuk in cabinet was key to the success we're seeing in Nunavut. Not in everything, but it's been easier working conditions with the federal government. If that changes, we've got to start all over. Hopefully our needs and issues will be kept on the front burner if there's a new government put in place in Ottawa."
Relations with Greenland are positive.
"We've used their knowledge at times to assist us, and vice versa, when it comes to sealing matters and fisheries."
Taptuna notes partnerships with NTI, other Inuit organizations and First Nations, and key relationships with Northern and western premiers on issues that include facilities for elders, trade, and infrastructure.
"Infrastructure is a need throughout Canada, especially in Nunavut. At this moment there is a need for 3,500 new social housing units. It's very difficult for families to have their children well-educated for lack of space. There's a high rate of respiratory illnesses, and it's partly due to overcrowded housing."
Small details can lead to big change
Education is Taptuna's number one priority. In 2014, substantial gains have been made toward a consistent curriculum throughout the territory, improvements in math and science, language, and early childhood development and early literacy.
"There are smaller details that people may not be aware of. We're paying attention to the finer details to make sure our young students get a better blueprint as they get older. We want to see it progress and move forward and have higher quality graduates."
A university in Nunavut remains a possibility. Agnico Eagle has provided $5 million as a place holder, and Taptuna, who would love to see a university, says Education Minister Paul Quassa has been proactive on the file.
"It's an ongoing investigation, looking at all the possible pros and cons. We want to make sure we aren't putting up infrastructure that won't be utilized. Leading up to that, I want the graduation rates going up."
As he ventures into the long list of needs and requirements for Nunavummiut – housing, upgrades to power plants, health, and mental wellness, which all require the sorts of funds Nunavut simply doesn't have – Taptuna emphasizes the Oct. 3 announcement that devolution negotiations have begun in earnest.
"We have the potential here in Nunavut for good, sustainable economic development and employment. It's critical that we get devolution to generate our own revenues so that we can take steps in addressing these social issues. Bottom line is that – we need money. At times it's so frustrating, there are so many needs."
Nunavut is seeking to increase its debt cap to $750 million from $400 million in preparation for devolution, to be "in a position to build infrastructure on our own." That's in addition to requesting an extra $400 million in December from the federal government for housing and upgrading infrastructure.
Taptuna also notes the founding meeting of the Arctic Economic Council which took place in Iqaluit in September.
"It's more or less co-ordinating some of the economic activity that's happening with our Arctic circle partners. We want to share information that's beneficial. When we talk about economic development, of course environment is in there, too."
Sustainable development key to prosperity
Taptuna says that anywhere in the world, when you dig a hole in the ground, it's environmentally damaging.
"That's one of the reasons the council was formed, to share information and best practices on how to do sustainable development. When we talk about development, the misconception is that it's destroying everything out there."
The premier emphasizes that as with everything in life, there has to be sacrifice.
"Even as individuals. You have to sacrifice your family time to become more individually sustaining. You have to go somewhere to work. You've got to go somewhere to upgrade your skill. You've got to go somewhere else for school. That's a sacrifice an individual makes to be self-sustaining.
"When it comes to development, it's just like anything else. The money that we get from Ottawa … There's no money tree out there. It's got to come from mineral extraction, resource extraction. It's got to be coming from somewhere. There's no farm out there growing money."
Taptuna thinks the Nunavut Impact Review Board, the Nunavut Water Board and the Nunavut Planning Commission are up to the regulatory task for environmental protection.
Looking ahead, Taptuna wishes to see more progress on his three "E"s – education, economic development and employment. A fourth "E" is e-mental health, an online program delivered through the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children where Nunavut students can speak to mental health professionals.
This is to help address the high rate of suicide in the territory.
"We're hoping that we can see results right away on the positive side."
Continued work with the Nunavut Roundtable for Poverty Reduction, which last met in November, is also on Taptuna's radar.
"Poverty is one of the most difficult things a government has to deal with. Poverty breaks everything, including your family."
Taptuna hopes that the government's multiple efforts by all departments will help guide Nunavummiut toward healthy and prosperous futures, all the while maintaining a strong culture connected to language and tradition.
"The best way to do that is to be well-educated and have a meaningful job."
