Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Resolution Island ( Jun 12/00) - Restructuring, reprofiling -- call it what you will -- the mess it leaves in its wake is the same.

Just ask Jerry Ell. As the president of the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, a Baffin Inuit corporation waiting for funding from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, he knows how much havoc monetary delays can cause.

"It is frustrating," said Ell. The funding in question ranges from $3.5 million to $7.2 million for year three of the Resolution Island clean-up project to get the former U.S. Air Force pole-vault station (part of the DEW Line) in line with Canadian environmental laws. The project is a partnership between DIAND and QC.

During year one and year two of the five-year clean-up project, the camp was built and the actual cleanup began.

Plans for year three were to focus almost exclusively on removing the toxins from the environment.

The project has been hailed as especially successful because of the training it has provided for Inuit, a strong mandate of both QC and DIAND.

However, because of DIAND's need to restructure their spending priorities, as explained to Ell in a recent press release, this year's plans and perhaps next year's plans are in jeopardy.

"It's time (for DIAND) to make a decision," said Ell, pointing out that they were in danger of losing their trained workforce to other employers.

"We're now jeopardizing the employment and all the training that's taken place over the last couple of years. There has to be some level of continuity (with the funding each year)."

Ell also said an advance crew of 10 workers had planned to fly to the island Monday, June 5, to begin to repair an estimated $50,000 damage done to the kitchen and living areas by polar bears, but the crew remains on stand-by, waiting for the announcement.

Ell said the funding delay also means the remaining crew of 50 or so workers wouldn't likely get out to Resolution Island to begin work on June 15. It will also delay the sealift.

"All of that schedule is out the door now," said Ell. He has also asked Nunavut Tunngavik president Paul Quassa and Premier Paul Okalik to join him in his lobbying efforts.

"We're keeping it a high profile to make sure they realize it is a high priority for Inuit in our region," said Ell.

While DIAND Minister Robert Nault was unavailable for comment, his press secretary said he and his senior officials were aware of the funding situation and were looking into it.

Despite the urgency, federal spokesperson Nancy Pine was unable to say when the federal team would make an announcement concerning Resolution Island's funding.

"We're hopeful to have a decision in the next little while, but I can't give you a timeframe at this point," said Pine.

"Hopefully, it will be in the next little bit."

Meanwhile, Ell has identified three different options for the workplan for year three of the Resolution Island clean-up project. They were submitted to the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

The amount of funding DIAND grants QC will determine which option will be implemented.

Option 1

• $3.5 million
• a crew is on site cleaning up specific parts of the island
• no training component
• no back-up equipment

Option 2

• $5 million
• additional equipment
• some training

Option 3

• $7.2 million
• comprehensive training
• additional equipment on site
• maximum amount of work completed