Iqaluit (Mar 10/03) - Donald Havioyak, MLA for the Kugluktuk riding, lobbied for longer postings of RCMP members during the opening day of Nunavut's sixth legislative assembly, March 4.

Havioyak asked Premier Paul Okalik, who also serves as minister of justice, to speak with the federal government to ensure officers stay longer.

The rationale behind the request was concern that officers are not able to form a bond with the community.

Havioyak said that bond is important in creating continuity and trust in the community, which will be the only way the RCMP can make a positive contribution.

"I urge the Department of Justice to allow the RCMP posted in our community to stay long enough to make a difference in the lives of our youth," he said.

The community has submitted a petition with 240 signatures asking that officers be allowed to stay in Kugluktuk longer. Okalik said he would look into the matter.

"I am not sure I will have much say. It is a federal government responsibility," said Okalik.

Compensation almost complete

Roughly 2,200 claims were filed against the Government of Nunavut following bad fuel last year that damaged engines in the territory.

Minister of Finance Kelvin Ng said 76 per cent of those claims have been dealt with. Of the 1,950 claims that were filed prior to the deadline, 85 per cent of been finalized.

Ng added that those who have not received their refunds should be receiving them in the next couple of weeks.

Agency nursing costs increase

The Government of Nunavut spent $2.3 million on agency nurses in the last fiscal year.

Agency nurses fill gaps in staffing at Nunavut health centres on an interim basis.

Iqaluit Centre MLA Hunter Tootoo asked Health Minster Ed Picco what impacts agency nurses have on the Nunavut health-care system.

Picco returned that using agency nurses is one of the major reasons of the Department of Health and Social Services annual deficit.

Picco said the government is working to improve recruitment and retention of staff in Nunavut.

Part of that strategy falls under the 23 recommendations outlined in the Naujaat Report, one of which was to begin a Nunavut nursing program.

Picco said that process is underway but it will take a number of years before graduates can enter the workforce.

He added that the government has also been more effective in hiring term nurses over the last few months to reduce the number of agency nurses that need to be used.