Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services
Monday, March 12, 2007

IQALUIT - Finance Minister David Simailak was grilled about what happens if a mining company did not live up to their end of the deal in training Inuit people.

"Can the minister tell the house what penalties are available to the government of Nunavut if a mining company failed to live up to the (agreement)... they signed with the government," asked Peterson.

"If one of the parties breach the contract, then this contract could be broken or terminated," answered Simailik.

Mr. Nester Goes to Washington

Environment minister Patterk Nester stood in the house to address the proposed American ban on polar bear imports. The U.S. Department of the Interior has taken the first steps towards banning all polar bear imports, which would cripple Nunavut's sport hunting industry.

"We are opposed to it," said Nester. "In addition to making a formal submission against the proposed listing, Premier Okalik and I are actively lobbying Canadian officials and politicians. I recently returned from a trip to Washington D.C. to bring our message directly to the decision makers."

When asked about the meeting by Tagak Curley, Nester was pessimistic. "They don't seem to understand what we're trying to say, and they didn't seem to want to pay attention," said Nester.

E-flowers from Levinia

Minister of Community and Government Services Levinia Brown marked International Women's Day by thanking the women in her life, and to show her technological savvy.

"I want all my seven daughters to have a good day, and my niece Amanda Ford. If it is OK, we will send electronic flowers to all the women through the computer," said Brown.