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Legislative Briefs

Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 31/03) - MLA David Iqaqrialu says polar bear populations in Clyde River and Qikitarjuaq may be growing too large.

Iqaqrialu said the problem is causing the bears to become undernourished and they have begun killing each other for food.

Iqaqrialu said that maintaining the population through harvesting is vital.

Waiting to hear about bad fuel

Peter Kattuk, minister of public works and services, said the government is still waiting to find out what is causing the deficiencies in heating fuel in Repulse Bay and Cape Dorset.

Questions on what the government is doing to address the bad gas situation were prominent in the house all week.

As a proactive measure, many members want to see the fuel tested in the 19 communities that received the gas shipment in the Kivalliq and Baffin.

Suicide solution

A task force will look into the issue of suicide in Nunavut.

The task force was approved in the house on March 24 and moved by Amittuq MLA Enoki Irqittuq.

The task force will be established by May 1 and charged with identifying tangible solutions to the suicide problem, according to Irqittuq.

In a span of eight days during late February and early March, five people committed suicide, sparking emotional debate in the house.

The task force will be made up of youth, elders, healers, educators and justice workers, said Irqittuq.

Need to recognize languages

Uqqummiut MLA David Iqaqrialu raised concerns that Nunavut's languages of majority -- Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun -- are not recognized in the Constitution.

He said he is concerned what the impact will be on the traditional Inuit languages.

"If we are to fight to save our language, we require that this be included in new legislation," said Iqaqrialu.

"The issue of language is very important to the people of Nunavut. It is part of our culture, our lifestyle and our identity."

Kitikmeot in language crisis

Minister of Education Peter Kilabuk said that Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun are in critical condition in the Kitikmeot region.

The information was compiled during a language of instruction study done in the region.

Of the two languages, Kilabuk said, Inuinnaqtun is the most critical. He added that similar situations do not exist in other Nunavut regions. Kilabuk was responding to a question posed by the MLA for Uqqummiut, David Iqaqrialu.

Iqaluit student gets $16,000

Fauna Kingdon, a graduate from Iqaluit, was awarded the Royal Bank Native Student Award.

Kingdon received the award, which is worth $16,000 over four years, for academic achievement and volunteer experience.

She is currently attending the University of Winnipeg.

New dock on tap for Baker Lake

Transportation Minister Manitok Thompson said that her staff will be in Baker Lake over the summer to investigate the need for a new dock in the community.

Baker Lake MLA Glenn McLean suggested the docking facility was inadequate and a safety concern. He asked the minister if the dock was a federal or territorial responsibility.

"I will find a way to build a dock there, regardless," answered Thompson.

Transportation infrastructure studies

Transportation Minister Manitok Thompson said the territory is studying several proposed projects.

The projects include airport terminals in Coral Harbour, Gjoa Haven and Pond Inlet, the Kimmirut deep sea port and an all-weather road, a road from the Kivalliq to Manitoba, an airport relocation project in Pangnirtung, and the Bathurst road and port project.

McLean slams gun legislation

The MLA for Baker Lake slammed the federal gun legislation last Wednesday.

"It's not a secret that the National Gun Registry has been a complete and utter disaster," Glenn McLean said.

"I was outraged that another $59 million of our hard-earned tax dollars was flushed down the toilet."

McLean said the legislation is an insult to the way of life of rural and Northern Canadians.