Baffin mayors talk shop in Iqaluit
Annual meeting gathers representatives from 13 communities and government officials
Myles Dolphin
Northern News Services
Published Monday, March 17, 2014
IQALUIT
Baffin Island mayors wrapped up their annual meeting in Iqaluit on March 6, ending a three-day event that saw them exchange ideas and share important issues in their communities with Nunavut government officials.
Qikiqtarjuaq Mayor Mary Killiktee qualified the 2014 Baffin Mayors' Forum as a "learning experience" and said it was a good opportunity to gather valuable input she can bring back to her community.
"After getting a lot of public input in Qikiqtarjuaq through a radio show, an inter-agency meeting and a hamlet meeting, I was able to share our issues with the group," she said, adding that infrastructure, a deep sea port and moving the hamlet's dump site were the most important issues raised.
Forum vice-chair and Clyde River Mayor Jerry Natanine said he enjoyed the event but would have appreciated more time with guest speakers.
"It was really good," he said. "But there wasn't enough time with everyone."
"One thing we want to see is the Community and Government Services department have a more pro-active role in hiring senior administrative officers. We'd also like them to do background checks on prospective SAOs."
Natanine said that desire stems from a bad experience the community had with a SAO - one he wouldn't want to have again.
The other major issue brought forward by his community is the opposition to offshore seismic testing, and he said they are seeking a resolution that would delay it until enough information is gathered.
The forum got off to a slow start on the first day, as some attendees weren't able to make it on time due to bad weather.
