Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (June 10/02) - An MLA is upset that people are gambling in a government-funded boarding home for medical patients.

"I've got some phone calls from constituents that there is a lot of this going on," said Baker Lake MLA Glenn McLean during the last session, referring to the Kivalliq Inuit Centre in Winnipeg.

"I'm wondering if the people that make up the rules condone this type of activity because it's disrupting the elders in those facilities."

Health Minister Ed Picco said the department doesn't have a policy on the subject.

Picco said he has received three complaints in the last three years -- all pertained to the Tammaativvik boarding home in Iqaluit. Although gambling is not allowed in common areas of boarding homes, Picco said the government can't stop people from playing cards in their rooms.

John Pollock, manager of the Kivalliq Inuit Centre denies gambling takes place in the home.

"They don't play cards for money in this building," he said. "And I usually know what's going on. Everything is brought to my attention."

Jim Taylor, the general manager of Tammaativvik boarding home said he's heard complaints before.

"Some people think it's an illegal activity," Taylor said. "It's not that we condone it, but there's not a lot we can do about it. Gambling is the most common pastime for people in the North."