Legislative Assembly briefs
University of Nunavut talks planned
Canada remains only circumpolar nation without university
Casey Lessard
Northern News Services
Monday, March 16, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Stakeholders will meet later this month to draw a path toward creating a university in Nunavut, Nunavut Arctic College Minister Paul Quassa told legislators March 11.
"In collaboration with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Laval University, and Carleton University, an Inuit Nunangat university workshop will be held here in Iqaluit later on this month," Quassa said.
"We will be preparing an options paper for cabinet, and I hope we will be in a position in our spring session to announce the exciting plans and concept for the Nunavut university."
Among the options are a "stand-alone university, a university college, a pan-territorial university, an Inuit Nunangat university, or some combination of those," he said.
The government is not the only one with an interest in developing a university. During last year's Nunavut Mining Symposium, Agnico Eagle Mines pledged $5 million for a university building fund.
"We're lagging so we need to move ahead," mining company spokesperson Dale Coffin said at the time. "If we want our people to develop, we need to have the bricks and mortar. It can't be a concept, it can't be virtual, it needs to be there."
Canada is the only circumpolar nation without a university in the North, Nunavut News/North reported at the time.
Nunavut Arctic College does offer two university programs – nursing and teacher education – but the degrees are delivered and issued by southern university partners.
Show us the money
Iqaluit-Tasulik MLA George Hickes wants the federal government to pony up, arguing Northerners are being short-changed because the Northern Residents Deduction fails to keep up with inflation.
Hickes now estimates the program is 84 per cent behind inflation since it was implemented 27 years ago.
"According to my calculator, the adjustment for inflation to the Northern Residents Deduction should be $13.78, not the current $8.25," he said March 5.
For Finance Minister Keith Peterson, the issue is not on the radar.
"I've had no discussions with my federal counterpart about any further increases to the Northern Residents Deduction," Peterson said, noting that since the topic was last discussed by Northern finance ministers in 2012, they've agreed to focus on infrastructure lobbying instead.
"We focused on lobbying for the gas tax, the (Building) Canada Fund, medical travel, housing funds, and resources for energy."
He also said the matter will come up even if he doesn't lobby the federal government.
"Ottawa reads the Hansard, so they're well aware of Mr. Hickes and this exchange, I'm sure, is being listened to as we speak."
Bilingual elders out of luck
After Health Minister Paul Okalik announced last week that unilingual elders would be authorized to bring an escort for any medical travel, Baker Lake MLA Simeon Mikkungwak wondered if bilingual elders would also receive this benefit.
"I would think that this important role applies to all escorts for our elders over the age of 65," Mikkungwak said March 6.
No, said Okalik, who pointed out that bilingual elders with physical challenges already get to bring an escort.
"This was more specific towards elders who are unilingual Inuit with no English speaking skills," Okalik said. "Sometimes you see confused elders with no escorts loitering in the terminals, especially when there are connecting flights. Their plight is unimaginable and one has to sympathize with elders in that situation."
No runway in sight for Kimmirut
Despite suggestions one was forthcoming in the 2015-16 budget, Kimmirut will not see a new airport runway this year.
"For over two decades, residents of Kimmirut have been raising concerns related to the location of the community's airport," South Baffin MLA David Joanasie said March 11. "Kimmirut has the shortest runway in Nunavut, which severely limits the type of aircraft that can take off and land at the airport."
Economic Development and Transportation Minister Monica Ell acknowledged the fact that Kimmirut's airport has not been upgraded in 25 years.
"We are aware of the Kimmirut airport history as it is one of the oldest landing strips still operating (in Nunavut)," Ell said. "We are currently deliberating on whether we would need to change the location of the terminal, as we also need to look at the airstrip location as well.
