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Legislative Assembly briefs
$110,000 in fines not collected

Miranda Scotland and Myles Dolphin
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 16, 2013

IQALUIT
The territory is struggling to collect fines levied in the court of justice because there is no legislation in place to ensure it gets done properly, said Justice Minister Daniel Shewchuk in the legislative assembly Sept. 6.

In 2011, there was $220,000 worth of fines levied and only about half were collected, Shewchuk said.

His statement was prompted by a question from MLA Fred Schell on the topic. Schell said he had been told by RCMP that they were no longer issuing fines because it's not likely they'll be collected.

"It is a problem," said Shewchuk. "I have instructed my department to find legislation that is more common throughout other jurisdictions to deal with the issue."

Resolute waiting on utilidor

The utilidor in Resolute Bay will be replaced, but it may take longer than originally planned.

Community and Government Services Minister Lorne Kusugak said in the legislative assembly Sept. 5 there are still plans to carry out the project despite the tender for the project being cancelled earlier this year after bids came in over budget.

CGS is looking at a two-phase system, said Kusugak. The first step will be to reduce the scope of the work to meet the available funds and then re-tender the project. In 2011, the federal Building Canada Fund injected $30.2 million into the project.

MLA Ronald Elliot asked Kusugak to commit to tabling a detailed status report on the "Resolute situation" before the end of the current sitting. Kusugak declined.

"I can't make that commitment at this time," he said.

Search for ships 'unnecessary'

MLA Tagak Curley reiterated his displeasure with the federal government's "ill-conceived" and "unnecessary" use of tax dollars to search for the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, the lost ships from the Franklin expedition.

Curley said he was very disappointed when he heard "this wild goose chase to try and raise the dead" would continue during the summer.

He also expressed his displeasure over the Nunavut government collaborating with the federal government on the project.

There are better ways to be spending tax dollars, he

said before listing some suggestions, including education,

suicide prevention and small craft harbours.

"Hundreds of thousands of tax dollars are being wasted to disturb the resting place of this person," said Curley.

Taloyoak contract not fulfilled

MLA Jeannie Ugyuk is looking for answers on when Paleajook Co-op will fulfill its contract with the GN for fuel distribution services in Taloyoak.

Under the contract, the company is expected to "provide and maintain a heated garage, constructed to GN standards for the proper storage and maintenance of the fuel delivery vehicles, including a back-up fuel delivery vehicle," Ugyuk said.

However, it has yet to complete this element. Ugyuk questioned Community and Government Services Minister Lorne Kusugak on what the GN is doing to ensure the agreement is fulfilled.

Kusugak informed her that a letter was sent to the company in August telling them that they must follow through with their commitment. The department is still waiting for a response.

MLA calls for disaster compensation

Tununiq MLA Joe Enook tabled a variety of documents and photographs on Sept. 5, displaying the extent of the damage caused to fishing vessels in Pond Inlet last month.

The next day, Enook elaborated on what he called an "infrastructure crisis" in his community.

"Mr. Speaker, the devastating windstorms that hit Pond Inlet last summer resulted in the destruction of tens of thousands of dollars worth of my constituents' boats and other properties," he said. "In many cases, the equipment was owned by hunters who work hard to put food on the tables of Pond Inlet families."

Enook called on his government to work with Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq to change the situation, and failing that, added the GN has a "moral obligation" to resolve the situation.

During question period on Sept. 9, Enook asked whether his constituents would be eligible for compensation under the government's Disaster Compensation Program.

Department of Environment Minister James Arreak replied anybody can make a claim for compensation up to $10,000. <

Clyde River youth honoured

A Clyde River youth was lauded for his quick thinking by Uqqummiut MLA James Arreak on Sept. 6.

Kautuk was able to save the life of his friend in June after the latter attempted to commit suicide with a firearm. Arreak said he was proud of Kautuk and praised him for his selflessness.

"We often hear about cases where people attempt suicide, not just through firearms, but through other means as well amongst our youth, but quite a number of attempts are stopped and we have to showcase our appreciation to the people who save others," Arreak said during his member's statement.

- Myles Dolphin Pang MLA wants new airport

Pangnirtung MLA Hezakiah Oshutapik addressed the need for a new airport facility in his community on Sept. 9.

He said in the legislative assembly that the hamlet's airport is one of the most challenging places to land in the entire country and the airstrip is very costly to maintain.

"In recent years, a number of serious incidents of vandalism have occurred at the airport," he said during his member's statement. "These incidents have been directly linked to the airport's current location and its inadequate fencing and security equipment."

Oshutapik said the government's plan to build a new airport in Iqaluit must be accompanied by a commitment to address the needs of small communities.

During question period, Economic Development and Transportation Minister Peter Taptuna addressed the issue by saying the hamlet's geography made it hard to consider relocation.

"As the member is well aware, there has been ongoing work collecting weather data and other various options that are being looked at, including the extension of the airstrip itself," he said.

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