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Lower home fuel heating costs Jeanne Gagnon Northern News Services Published Monday, October 31, 2011
Effective Nov. 1, Nunavummiut will see a reduction in the price of gasoline by 10 cents per litre and home heating fuel by five cents per litre. However, Jet-A1 fuel will increase a dime a litre, a price in line with average prices sold in southern Canada. Buying fuel during favourable market conditions and early, the territorial government was able to save money, savings it says it is passing on to residents. "Making strategic decisions, such as pre-purchasing fuel and passing on the savings to Nunavummiut, is just one of the ways our government is doing its part to reduce the overall cost of living," stated Premier Eva Aariak in a press release. Earlier this year, the Department of Community and Government Services pre-purchased 73-million litres of fuel - half of the territory's diesel and gasoline requirements - for the annual re-supply. "When we can maintain or lower the price ... we will," stated Lorne Kusugak, minister of the department, in a press release. "This practice exemplifies the commitment of our government to supporting strong viable communities in the face of the ever- increasing high cost of living." New food guide A simplified serving-size guide, an emphasis on country food and healthy suggestions when choosing store-bought foods are some of the highlights of the new Nunavut Food Guide. As the portion size information was outdated on the original 2002 guide, the territory decided to revise the document, keeping the ulu design but featuring store-bought and country foods on separate pages, said territorial nutritionist Jennifer Wakegijiq. "We have taken the country food out of the four food group model and what we are saying with these two different pages is a traditional way of eating is balanced and nutritionally adequate," she said at the launch in Iqaluit on Oct. 26. "You don't need to eat caribou with a side of rice and peas to be healthy. When people eat a variety of country foods ... they can have an excellent intake. When we choose foods from the store, it's not so simple. Not all choices are healthy." Minister of Health and Social Services Tagak Curley stated the guide also shows the importance of sharing country food with children at a young age. "I'm really quite proud to take part in the launching of it because it confirms my diet is on the right track," he said. Wakegijiq explained another change from the original guide is portion sizes, now featured both using hand portions and the proportion it should have on a plate. She added the changes were made following consultations from teachers, health professionals and others during the past two years. Money for airports and mental health facility The Department of Economic Development and Transportation will have a total capital expenditures budget of $14.4 million, including $6 million to improve airports both in Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet, and $3.5 million to continue the Iqaluit airport improvement project. In Hall Beach, $350,000 is earmarked for engineering design for a surface overlay and airport lighting upgrades. The GN has allocated $1.5 million to continue designing a new airport for Pangnirtung. Taloyoak will get $50,000 to begin the planning and design of a new airport terminal. This will take a couple of years, stated Peter Taptuna, minister of the department, at the legislative assembly on Oct. 24, with the overall cost determined in the third year. Funding for a new territorial mental health facility is included as part of the 2012-13 Health and Social Services capital plan, states the Hansard on Oct. 26. Health and Social Services Minister Tagak Curley explained the GN is considering moving the mental health patients currently at Akausisarvik in Iqaluit into the old Ukivik facility, also in Iqaluit. He added it would be a temporary facility for people suffering with mild mental disabilities from across the territory. The territory would still rely on out-of-territory treatment for more severe illnesses.
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