SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
When a police force struggles with racism toward Inuit, is it the right one to be conducting independent reviews of incidents that involve Nunavut's RCMP officers?

That's what former Justice minister and Iqaluit-Sinaa MLA Paul Okalik's wanted to know at the legislative assembly Oct. 18.

"The tragic death in Ottawa of Annie Pootoogook has called into question the attitudes of the Ottawa Police Service towards Inuit and other indigenous Canadians given what we have learned about the investigation into racist comments made by at least one senior member of the force," said Okalik.

"Given this situation, it is obvious that the Ottawa Police Service can no longer be trusted to undertake independent and objective investigations into incidents that occur here in Nunavut," he said. "Why has the minister not said anything publicly about this serious situation?"

Peterson said he understood "there is a bit of an investigation going on."

Peterson also said that even before the incident with Pootoogook, he was "asking my officials to look at other jurisdictions to review what process they have in place that we could possibly use here in Nunavut to look at incidents involving the RCMP and the public."

Okalik then suggested that Nunavut could create a civilian oversight body, as other jurisdictions have done.

"Does the minister support the establishment of a civilian oversight body here in Nunavut, yes or no," he asked.

"I'm not going to commit to anything," Peterson replied. "I want to do the proper research and due diligence. It's the proper way for governments to proceed. At some point, I'll be able to make a decision, talk to my colleagues in cabinet, and move forward."

Who matter more, sick Nunavummiut or tourists?

Tununiq MLA Joe Enook is none too happy about an incident in Pond Inlet this past summer when medical travel passengers were bumped from a First Air flight so tourists could meet their connecting flights in Iqaluit.

"My first question for the minister is this: does he share my outrage at First Air's actions," Enook asked Health minister George Hickes.

Hickes said he did.

"There have been a lot of communications with all of the airlines that are involved in medical travel to make sure those occurrences don't happen again," he said.

"That being said, to err is human. I don't want to put too much pressure on the individual that may have misunderstood the policy. I trust that the airlines have communicated with their staff that medical travel clients are a priority on any flight in Nunavut."

Citing the cost to government of airline travel - over $50.6 million - Enook asked if the Pond Inlet incident was formally dealt with First Air's senior management.

"I don't know to what level that message got out," said Hickes. "I do know that both airlines have officials in Nunavut that do follow the proceedings of the legislature. I know that the incident which did happen in Pond Inlet, like I stated, and I trust that the airlines have put measures in place so that it does not happen again because that's unacceptable."

Enook then suggested that when the government renegotiates its contract with the airlines, as they expire in less than a year, it should be made "crystal clear that Nunavummiut travelling for medical treatment or appointments have priority over classes of passengers and not be bumped from their flights."

Hicks said the contracts would be worked out by the departments of Community and Government Services, Finance and Economic Development and Transportation.

"For myself, I can't fathom any type of medical travel contract that wouldn't prioritize our medical travel patients," he said.

Qikiqtarjuaq pushes for port

Uqqummiut MLA Pauloosie Keyootak, who tabled the design concept for a deep-water port in the community of Qikiqtarjuaq Oct. 18, asked Economic Development and Transportation Minister Monica Ell-Kanayuk if it was true that the request for funding under the federal Building Canada fund has been denied, as he'd read in the media.

Ell-Kanayuk said she would provide Keyootak the letter from the federal government.

That didn't satisfy Keyootak.

"As the minister is very much aware, Qikiqtarjuaq's economic future depends on our being able to fully participate in the Northern fishing industry. A deep-water port is essential to this goal," he said.

"The Department of Economic Development and Transportation has been able to find hundreds of millions of dollars to spend on a beautiful new airport terminal building for Iqaluit. Why has the department not been able to fund a new port for Qikiqtarjuaq, which will help to bring jobs and reduce poverty in the community?"

Ell-Kanayuk stated the GN would continue to try to access federal funds to build infrastructure in communities.

"Will the minister commit to meeting with the municipality to explore ways to identify potential funding sources for a new deep-water port," asked Keyootak. "Yes or no?"

Ell-Kanayuk said she would be pleased to meet with hamlet council and staff when she receives a letter inviting her.

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