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MP visits Kivalliq communities Health care, energy rates surface as topics of concern
Miranda Scotland
Northern News Services
Published Tuesday, July 16, 2013
KIVALLIQ
Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq travelled across the Kivalliq region recently to meet with constituents and listen to their concerns.
Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkag has a look at a seal caught by hunters while in Whale Cove during her recent tour of the Kivalliq region. She was also a guest at a feast where there was square dancing in Whale Cove. - photo courtesy of Leona Aglukkaq's office
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In every community she visited in the region – Coral Harbour, Baker Lake, Whale Cover and Rankin Inlet -- Aglukkaq met with the hamlet council.
One of the main issues that was brought up related to Qulliq Energy Corporation's request to increase power rates.
Aglukkaq said she understands why residents are concerned. The change will impact everything.
"Nunavut government needs to start looking at alternatives to the diesel generated power plants," Aglukkaq said.
"Because until we start addressing the issue ... we're going to continue to see increases."
Since 1998, she said, Nunavut's power rates have gone up 67 per cent.
The other main concerns she heard were related to health care in the North.
Residents cited problems with ill patients not being sent to hospitals immediately, she recounted.
In Baker Lake, it was suggested that the Nunavut Government evaluate health care services.
"What are we doing well? What areas do we need to improve in?" she said, adding the GN would have to initiate the assessment given that it is the day-to-day care provider.
"I'm leaving it to (the Baker Lake council) to decide how they would like to proceed with it."
Meanwhile, in Coral Harbour the number one topic of discussion was about a pool.
The community has asked nearly every government official that has passed through in the last 20 years to help make it happen.
Currently, the only place for youth to swim is in the river that flows under the main road going to the airport.
"There's traffic going in and out all the time," said mayor Dorothy Ningeocheak.
"We worry about our kids."
The hamlet has hired two lifeguards to keep an eye on the public between 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., but the better solution would be to get an indoor pool, Ningeocheak said.
Someday she hopes Aglukkaq or another public servant will move on the request.
Coral Harbour council also brought forward another nine concerns, although Ningeocheak couldn't elaborate much on them.
The hamlet's dusty roads are an issue because they affect residents' health, she added.
In Whale Cove, council's concerns related to infrastructure programs, namely road development and marine infrastructure.
Residents also expressed a desire to see a centre for youth built.
Aglukkaq said she welcomed the feedback from all of her constituents and enjoyed being able to connect with them.
"It was great fun," she said, adding she got to share too.
With every council meeting she gave a brief overview of what was accomplished during the latest sitting of the House of Commons.
She talked about budget highlights, such as the $100 million allocated for social housing.
"I also had an opportunity to attend a community feast in Coral Harbour," she said.
"Baker Lake was a community tour of the health centre, the elders centre, the RCMP detachment and whatever the mayor wanted me to look at."
In Whale Cove she went seal hunting and enjoyed a feast along with some square dancing.
Ningeocheak said it was great having Aglukkaq and she was flattered the minister would take the time to stop in Coral Harbour.
"We were just grateful that she came here to listen to our concerns," Ningeocheak said.
In her recent trip, the minister had wanted to visit Chesterfield Inlet but bad weather prevented her plane from landing.
To make up for it she plans to drop by the hamlet in August during her second tour of the communities she represents.
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