Maria Canton
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Dec 06/99) - Sandra Omik has always been passionate about having new laws introduced in Nunavut, ones that reflect the visions and needs of the people.

"We need to implement new laws to reflect Nunavut because it is very frustrating for the people when the laws don't work for them," said Omik, chief commissioner of the Law Review Commission.

"This is a very big task, but I've been hoping for new laws to be introduced long before the review commission was announced."

Last week, Omik and three others were appointed to Maligarnit Qimirrujiit, Nunavut's Law Review Commission, marking the first step towards changing the more than 100 statutes inherited from the GNWT.

The task that lies ahead of Jonah Kelly, Lena Pederson, Barnabas Piryuaq and Omik is not an easy one. It's estimated to take up to two years to visit and consult with people in all the territory's communities.

Their first meeting was held last weekend in Iqaluit, when the commissioners looked at the summarized version of the acts provided by the Department of Justice.

"We picked out several (acts) to deal with immediately and family law and name changes are important ones," said Omik.

The Law Review Commission is part of the Government of Nunavut's commitment to the recently released Bathurst Mandate.

The mandate states that a law review forum will be used to "create a simple, timely and broadly-based process for the creation and change of laws."

Premier Paul Okalik, who had a hand in establishing the review commission, said he is looking forward to the recommendations being brought before the legislative assembly.

"I have spoken several times about the importance of establishing systems that are reflective of Nunavut -- our laws are one of these," he said.

"We decided to establish a commission to review these statutes and provide recommendations on how they might be amended and I'm looking forward to them being brought into the legislative assembly."

The commissioners will begin travelling to the communities, both independently and as a group, and will hold teleconferences every two weeks to consult with each other and compile information.

The commission's mandate expires on Dec. 31, 2000.