IQALUIT
In exactly 75 days the territory's residents will vote on whether to allow the sale of municipals land, Tununiq MLA Joe Enook reminded Community and Government Services Minister Joe Savikataaq in the legislative assembly last week.

"It is critical that Nunavummiut receive clear information concerning this plebiscite so that they can make an informed choice when they vote," Enook said, adding he is aware of public information sessions being conducted, such as one scheduled for Pond Inlet March 7.

"Can the minister indicate how many people have attended the department's public information sessions to date?" asked Enook.

"So far, I believe that the community consultations have gone to five or six communities," Savikataaq said. "I don't have the exact figures on hand but the turnout has been good."

Savikataaq stressed the Department of Community and Government Services is the plebiscite authority and is neutral.

"But we want a high turnout and we want the voters to be informed and come out and vote because it's an important vote. It goes by majority plus one, so 50 per cent plus one will determine the outcome of what each municipality wants. I encourage everyone to get well informed."

Enook recalled the last plebiscite in 1995 when more than 82 per cent of voters said "no" to the sale of municipal lands, with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. endorsing the "no" side.

"My question for the minister is, has the president of Nunavut Tunngavik indicated to the minister what position Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated is taking on this year's plebiscite and, if so, what is the organization's position?" asked Enook.

Savikataaq refused to speak for the land claims organization, but said, "CGS believes that all the decisions should be made locally ... The vote is binding and the vote is for each community."

Savikataaq also said that if there is a "yes" vote, the department "will be out doing training sessions with each municipality."

"We will give all of our help to any municipality should they vote 'yes.'"

Call for training and houses

The newest MLA, Netsilik's Emiliano Qirngnuq, wasted no time jumping into the fray on the first day of the winter session of the legislative assembly Feb. 24.

Qirngnuq questioned George Hickes, the minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, about opportunities new housing being built in Kugaaruk might offer and what plans there were for Taloyoak.

"Can the minister indicate what training or apprenticeship opportunities will be provided to residents of Kugaaruk during construction of the new housing units in the community?" Qirngnuq asked.

Hickes replied that "apprenticeship across the territory is a very important process of any infrastructure development that we have in the territory.

"With housing-specific programs, it has always been a very important component of providing local employment in addition to apprenticeship opportunities, especially through ongoing construction builds. I can assure the member that apprenticeship training and apprenticeship access is a very important component to any construction that the Nunavut Housing Corporation entails."

As for when Taloyoak might get new housing, Hickes told Qirngnuq there is none allocated for the community at this time.

"We are very much looking forward to the upcoming federal announcement and hopefully there will be additional funding being able to be accessed so that we can expand our public housing infrastructure and expand construction into the public housing stock. I will keep the member informed ongoing as to when and how that will entail Taloyoak's public housing need," said Hickes.

Details on Baffin caribou tags

Tununiq MLA Joe Enook questioned Environment Minister Johnny Mike last week on details related to caribou tags in the Baffin region.

He first asked if all 250 tags allotted had been used. Mike replied that approximately 100 tags had been used so far, which are allocated by Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board. He explained that only males could be killed, that the wildlife board has the authority to reallocate unused tags and that tag turnover with 250 new tags available would take place July 1.

Further questioned by Enook, Mike said that he understands caribou are very important to the people in the Baffin region.

"At this time, due to the number of outstanding tags in the region, QWB has the authority to reallocate tags if they wish to do so. They have that mandate and can manage this issue," he said. "If there were any surplus tags left on July 1, they would not be added to the new numbers. That is how the recommendation was provided to us, with no indication of the concept of unused tags, but I know they would not be added to the renewed numbers. The 250 would just restart on July 1."

Meanwhile Uqqummiut MLA Pauloosie Keyootak questioned the wisdom of the male-only rule.

"As traditional harvesters of caribou, we are aware that the young bulls are the main progenitors of caribou calves. If we are serious about preserving our caribou population, it seems backwards to be harvesting the male caribou that seed the cows," he said.

"I believe that biologists have to review this male-centric harvesting conservation mentality if we are serious about preserving our caribou or any other wildlife. The barren cows are the ones that cannot reproduce and they should be included in this caribou conservation effort by being harvested."

Mike responded by saying that the consultation was extensive, via public hearings.

"I believe it was the most informed decision we could arrive at," said Mike about the 250 male caribou quota.

Nothing firm on Rankin arena

With $23.3 million budgeted for a new arena in Rankin Inlet, MLA Tom Sammurtok asked Community and Government Services Minister Joe Savikataaq when construction will begin.

Savikataaq said a construction date has not yet been identified.

"The government's 2016-17 capital estimates, which were approved last fall by the legislative assembly, indicate that the department has already invested $1.7 million into this project. Can the minister confirm if the design for Rankin Inlet's new arena has been finalized?" Sammurtok asked.

"The planning and design phase is still ongoing. We're still trying to finalize and crunch numbers so that we can get an accurate budget for the arena in Rankin Inlet. Rankin Inlet will get an arena."

Citing the government had received federal infrastructure funding directly earmarked for renovations to arenas in the territory, Sammurtok asked if Rankin would be able to apply for those funds because, "Rankin Inlet's current facility is too old and too small for the community and the Kivalliq region that it serves."

"However, the new facility will not be finished for at least three years," he said.

Savikataaq said any community could apply for those funds.

"But a common sense approach would be that if a community is going to get a brand-new arena in the future, it wouldn't be very wise use of public funds to upgrade an arena that won't be used for too long."

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