Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Monday, June 11, 2007

IQALUIT - Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq came under fire on June 5 over her department's request for $1.5 million towards a new Nunavut Nursing Recruitment and Retention Strategy that's under development.

Tagak Curley, MLA for Rankin Inlet North, wanted details on the contents of the strategy and asked how many nurses would be stationed in Rankin Inlet.

Aglukkaq said the strategy isn't complete yet, and probably won't be until the end of the summer.

Hunter Tootoo, who represents Iqaluit Centre, cited a 2001-02 nursing recruitment and retention strategy and questioned why that initiative wouldn't still work.

Aglukkaq replied the new strategy is aimed more at trying to tap into students who are just entering the nursing field.

Curley said Aglukkaq's department could redirect a portion of its $106 million in treatment programs, delay other projects or wait until the fall to come up with the money. He said Health isn't short of funds.

There are currently 54 vacant nursing positions in Nunavut, according to Aglukkaq. She noted the alternative to filling those jobs with newly recruited permanent staff is to hire agency nurses and casuals from the south, which has often been a source of complaints from MLAs.

Kugluktuk shelter woes continue

The Kugluktuk Crisis Shelter, closed since June 2005, has been neglected far too long, according to MLA Joe Allen Evyagotailak.

Some residents have been taking victims of abuse into their own homes as there's little alternative, he said. He pressed Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq for action, reminding her she said in March discussions over the facility were ongoing.

Aglukkaq admitted that no decisions have been made. She said there isn't enough money to meet all the demand for women's shelters across Nunavut.

She also pointed out the Kugluktuk shelter was run by a society, not the government, and the society encountered staffing issues. A subsequent proposal by the hamlet to take over operations of the facility came in at four to five times higher than what the GN had anticipated, said Aglukkaq.

She added victims of violence are sent to Yellowknife or Cambridge Bay for assistance when necessary.

Plenty of polar bears in Davis Strait

Preliminary results of a polar bear population count in the Davis Strait show the predators number approximately 2,100, up from the 900 reported during the last survey in the late 1970s, Environment Minister Patterk Netser informed the House on June 4.

He said this preliminary data - based on two years of a three-year study - reinforces Inuit traditional knowledge, which suggested polar bear numbers in that area were on the rise. The survey is being carried out by biologists in consultation with Inuit from Iglulik, Pangnirtung, Kimmirut and Iqaluit.

On June 1, the legislative assembly passed a motion opposing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's move to list the polar bear as a threatened species.

Lowering the housing income bar

Housing Minister Olayuk Akesuk announced effective Sept. 1 the Housing Corporation will no longer include Northern Allowance or similar allowances provided by employers as assessable income when determining eligibility for Homeownership Programs.

The change comes as a result of complaints from Nunavummiut regarding the existing income limit, which excludes the majority of mid-level dual income households from access to homeownership programs, Akesuk acknowledged.

As well, the Housing Corporation is increasing the maximum available amount under the Nunavut Home Renovation Program to $65,000 from $50,000. The additional $15,000 will be earmarked for renovations relating to energy efficiency, said Akesuk.