Hunters John Nakoolak, Bobby Saviakjuk and Tapia Saviakjuk, from left in front, and Elijah Shapangak, back left, and Mark Pootoolik arrive home safe and sound after spending two days stranded on the ice with fellow hunters John Eetuk, Noah Kadlak and Charlie Shapangak near Coral Harbour in January 2015. The hunters received compensation for lost equipment. - file photo courtesy of Sandra Saviakjuk

IQALUIT
Tununiq MLA Joe Enook questioned Environment Minister Johnny Mike Nov. 4 on compensation provided to Coral Harbour hunters who lost their hunting equipment last winter, noting the administration of the program is inconsistent and has been for years.

"I have been asking the same question for many years," said Enook. "In May of this year, the Department of Environment provided funding in the amount of $50,000 through the hunter support program (to the Coral Harbour hunters). First of all, I'll ask the minister, under the Harvester Disaster Compensation Program, the incident that I just talked about, what did you identify it as? Was it a natural disaster or just an accident?"

Mike said the incident was weather related.

Enook took issue, replying that in Pond Inlet there have been similar incidents.

"In my community, there have been accidents with exactly the same types of circumstances, but people who applied for compensation were always refused by the department. We are just told that it's an accident or a natural disaster. With the incident in Coral Harbour, why was it treated differently?"

Instead of answering the question, Mike explained the process of applying for compensation, which involves Hunters and Trappers Organizations, who must offer a letter of support.

"In cases where the hunter is aware that inclement weather is forecasted or if the weather is considered dangerous but the hunter leaves anyway knowing weather is forecasted as being bad or if they are aware that the ice conditions are becoming dangerous but they set out anyway, then it is more difficult," said Mike.

"They have to consider all the factors when reviewing the application and can result in their claims not being approved. All the reasons are considered."

But Enook implied there was no rhyme or reason to the system, calling it "confusing," saying even in cases where the HTO supported the hunter, the claim was denied.

The program is currently being reviewed by the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI), which each administer a Hunter Support Program, including disaster compensation. NTI suspended its program in early 2014, pending a review.

Enook asked when that report would be tabled, citing, "Recently, you sent a letter to my attention that this report has been fully reviewed by your department."

"I believe that Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated is currently reviewing this report, although they stated that a review would be commenced on the compensation programming," replied Mike, adding the report is going back to communities for confirmation.

"I returned the report to the officials to consult the communities, especially the local HTOs, to review the report so that I can table the report in this House. It has been returned to the communities for consultations because I want further clarification since the HTOs are involved in this process, whether the report is true."

Mike said the report should be ready for tabling at the winter session, scheduled to begin in February.

A 2006 review report, available on the NTI website, shows that similar problems have existed since at least that time.

The report states: "Most of the claims do not relate to natural disasters, but rather to loss caused by accidents or human error; thus very few claims receive funding from this program.

"There is little understanding of the program's purpose (initial support after equipment loss due to a natural disaster) and some desire for the government to use this as a compensation program for losses and damage from all causes, not just natural disasters."

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