Election 2015
Candidates respond to premier
Taptuna asked for positions on housing, infrastructure, devolution and culture
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, October 12, 2015
NUNAVUT
Members from all four federal parties responded to Premier Peter Taptuna's open letter to federal parties, addressing a number of topics including housing, infrastructure, devolution and culture.
| Letter from the Premier
Premier Peter Taptuna sent an open letter to all four federal party leaders Sept. 21 seeking clarity on each party's vision for the continued development and prosperity of Canada's Arctic.
"We're halfway through the election campaign, and no federal party has offered a clear plan on how they will work with Canada's territories to build healthy communities and a prosperous economy in the North," said Taptuna.
The open letter outlines six key areas of priority for the Government of Nunavut -- economic development, infrastructure, housing, devolution, culture, and climate change.
"Nunavummiut and all Canadians living in the North deserve to know how the next federal government plans to address the unique challenges facing Canada's Arctic communitie," said Taptuna.
- Source: Office of Premier Peter Taptuna
|
Conservative candidate Leona Aglukkaq, Liberal candidate Hunter Tootoo, Green candidate Spencer Rocchi and NDP leader Tom Mulcair gave their thoughts about Taptuna's questions to Nunavut News/North.
Tootoo differentiated his party from the NDP and Conservatives by pointing out the Liberals' plan for deficit spending during this period of low central bank interest rates.
"In Nunavut, our territorial government relies on the federal government for over 85 per cent of our revenues," he stated. "The Harper Conservatives and the NDP have already committed to balancing the budget. For Nunavummiut that would mean further cuts to programs and services that have already been hit hard."
Aglukkaq said Nunavut will continue to be a strong part of Canada's national economy.
"We have immense resource potential, a young and growing work force and a territory looking toward the future," she stated.
"If re-elected I will continue to advocate for low taxes, investments in training, education, infrastructure and ensure devolving Northern governance remains a priority."
Mulcair stated his party would deliver $250 million in additional investment to federal student grants, focusing on students who need it most, including Northern and indigenous students.
"We would recognize that Nunavut needs critical upgrades to community ports to make them safe and to lower transportation costs in the Arctic. The NDP will invest $200 million for Northern roads, bridges and ports, including small craft harbours," he stated.
Rocchi suggested solar and wind power "could propel Nunavut to an international energy juggernaut."
Improving housing is a primary goal for the NDP, stated Mulcair.
"We will back up this commitment with an increased investment of $2.7 billion over four years in affordable housing and homelessness, including creating and expanding housing agreements with Nunavut communities," he stated.
Conservative candidate Leona Aglukkaq said her government has invested over $650 million for affordable housing since 2008.
"In Budget 2015 we announced that the government will spend more than $2.3 billion per year over the next four years to help ensure Canadians in need have access to affordable and suitable housing," stated Aglukkaq. "As always, this funding will flow to Nunavut."
Liberal candidate Hunter Tootoo said as a former housing minister, he is very aware of Nunavut's housing deficit.
"Long-term stable funding is what we need and that's exactly what the Liberal party is offering," he stated.
Rocchi stated his party has already developed a national housing strategy.
"Inuktitut is my first language - English is my second language," stated Aglukkaq.
"I've been very fortunate to have a mother who's an educator, whose passion is Inuktitut. But I also recognize that there are a number of other people that have lost their language, specifically because of the residential school system. I think we need to be very sensitive to that and be very respectful of the fact that there are circumstances around why our young people may not speak the language."
She pointed out investments in a learning centre in Clyde River and funding for the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation.
Tootoo stated that the Liberal party has already announced it will "make funding available for the preservation, promotion and protection of aboriginal languages including Inuktitut."
Mulcair stated the NDP is committed to implementing the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
"An NDP government would work with Nunavut to establish mechanisms, including a heritage centre, to preserve and convey its unique heritage and culture," he stated.
Rocchi stated he supports the development of Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun education curricula that are language and culture specific.
"I've always been an advocate for devolution and for Nunavut taking more responsibility of its own resources," stated Tootoo. "We need a fair devolution agreement that allows Nunavut to become self-reliant, grow a stronger economy and prosper moving forward."
He said he would work with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the GN on a plan and timeline that benefits Nunavut.
Mulcair stated the NDP supports devolution and would move quickly on implementing mechanisms that give more power to Nunavut.
Aglukkaq said devolution is one of the reasons she ran federally in the first place.
"Northerners need and deserve to be in charge of our territory," she stated.
"It was our Conservative government that announced alongside the Government of Nunavut and NTI our chief federal negotiator in 2014. The Liberals had 13 years to move on devolution and did not. I am proud of our record."
Rocchi stated he believes in grassroots democracy.
"We honour Canada's fiduciary responsibility, treaty rights, and other rights of aboriginal peoples, including their inherent rights of self-government," he stated.
Aglukkaq said she takes the protection of the environment personally as a Northerner.
"We introduced regulations limiting the amount of mercury-containing products in the Canadian marketplace," she stated. "These regulations will help prevent releases of mercury into the environment, which is harmful to human health and to wildlife as it moves up the food chain. Through the Arctic Council, Canada has taken action to reduce emissions of black carbon and methane."
She also pointed to the creation and opening of Qausuittuq National Park and Ukkusiksalik National Park earlier this year.
Mulcair stated the NDP is the only major party to have outlined a concrete and aggressive climate change plan. If elected, the party would present Canada's new plan at the next major international climate change meeting in December.
Rocchi stated his party's plan is more comprehensive than any of the other parties'.
"It is ideal that Nunavut leads the fight against climate change by providing the world with clean, affordable, renewable energy," he stated.
Tootoo did not respond to this question.
- with files from Michele LeTourneau
