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NUNAVUT
Public service employment opportunities are available throughout the territory, a recently-released report states, but the lack of qualified Inuit candidates remains a roadblock to the success of decentralization.

Consulting firm Oliver Wyman identified strengths and weaknesses of decentralized offices and made 29 recommendations in its report, which was tabled at the legislative assembly on Feb. 28.

The firm met with 94 GN personnel and visited Arviat, Baker Lake, Kugluktuk and Pond Inlet. With decentralization, the GN aims for at least 60 per cent of all public service jobs to be located outside Iqaluit, the report states.

The initiative also aims for decision-making to be closer to residents, and provide employment and training opportunities in the communities.

The report states 61 per cent of territorial government jobs are located outside Iqaluit.

The report shows there were 459 decentralized positions spread across 10 communities as of Sept. 30, 2010, with a community vacancy rate ranging from 16 per cent in Pond Inlet to 50 per cent in Gjoa Haven, for an average of 31 per cent.

"The problem is more with the execution than the concept," the report states. "Nunavummiut and GN employees support the intent of decentralization but the government has not yet developed the capacity or the capability to make it work effectively."

Qualified Inuit candidates are "in short supply" and the infrastructure, tools and supports are inadequate, especially in the communities, the report states. It made 29 recommendations, including improving the visibility of GN activities in the communities and helping employees understand the role their work plays overall, as well as supporting the social integration of workers into the workplace.

Iglulik had government offices from five departments and a total of 69 positions as of Sept. 30, 2010, the report states. It adds Gjoa Haven has 18 positions spread over four departments.

Amittuq MLA Louis Tapardjuk, representing Iglulik and Hall Beach, said community residents can fill some positions. "But when it comes to more technical requirements on any jobs, we do have difficulty in filling those positions because there is nobody in the community that has the qualifications to do the job.

"But in general, I think it's working fairly good."

Decentralization is working well for Pond Inlet, according to hamlet economic development officer Colin Saunders.

"Ever since decentralization of the GN, it has brought a lot of jobs to the community," he said. "I've been up here since the creation of the territory and the differences in the community before and after are still visible and evident. Having decentralized government here in Pond Inlet has done nothing but bring positive economic benefits to the community."

Pond Inlet had 147 territorial government positions as of Sept. 30, 2010, according to the report.

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