Karen Mackenzie
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 28, 2008

IQALUIT - The mayor of Iqaluit is getting a substantial raise.

City council voted Tuesday to increase Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik's annual salary to $70,000 from $40,000.

The change, which is effective Feb. 1, was debated at length at a meeting of the Finance Committee of Whole the previous Friday.

It passed, but council members Al Hayward and Claude Martel were opposed.

"I've heard comment through the community that we don't need a mayor compensated at $70,000," Hayward said.

Council member David Alexander was chairing as deputy mayor and did not vote, while Sheutiapik left the room. The decision does not specify whether the position is now part or full-time, as the mayor is an elected official, not an employee. However, council was in agreement that Sheutiapik deserves to be paid more for her work.

"We have a mayor that is working, that deserves far more than she's getting now," said Coun. Jim Little.

Residential school cheques blamed for more arrests

RCMP are blaming a recent spike in arrests to residential school payouts, according to Staff Sgt. Charlie Gauthier.

"The victims are getting re-victimized," he told city council on Tuesday.

The Iqaluit detachment recorded 196 prisoners during the first three weeks of January 2008, 74 more than the same period in 2007. However, many of did not result in charges, according to Gauthier.

"It's all alcohol-related," he said.

Gauthier said there were similar reports from all across the North, and that the next slew of payments was expected in the next week.

"It used to be said that the full moon would trigger these things ... but it seems like the first time the money has affected (the community)," said Coun. Simon Nattaq.

Gauthier also reported an increase in bootlegging, and said there are investigations ongoing in that area.

Iqaluit could have police dog by next month

Iqaluit's in for some four-legged law enforcement.

An RCMP police dog is on its way, and should arrive as early as February, Staff Sgt. Charlie Gauthier told city council Tuesday.

Although the dog and its officer are intended to provide service throughout Nunavut, they will spend the majority of their time in Iqaluit, he said.

Coun. Jim Little suggested dogs should be stationed in Yellowknife and Rankin Inlet as well, as both are major air hubs.

Gauthier explained that staffing is an issue, but that they hope to keep a police dog in Iqaluit for a long time.

Doctor honoured for 30 years of service

Local doctor Paul Stubbings was honoured by city council for his 30 years of service to the community.

"He's helped so many families, helped sick people, I'm sure he's helped three generations of family in some cases," said Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik, who presented him with a plaque on Tuesday.

Stubbings, who currently works at the Qikiqtani General Hospital, is in the process of retiring.

"It's been an absolute pleasure to work here for 30 years. I've enjoyed all of it," he said.

Stubbings joked that he'd been quite apprehensive when he first got the invitation to visit council.

"I felt like a schoolboy being called to the principal's office. I thought I'd done something wrong," he said.