Infrastructure spending on the agenda as Nunavut legislature resumes

Nunavut MLAs are set to tackle next year's capital budget as the fall sitting of the legislature begins today.

The capital budget covers major infrastructure projects across the territory. They include the new school planned for Cape Dorset to replace Peter Pitseolak High School, which burned down last year. 

The Government of Nunavut estimates it will cost $34 million to build a new high school in the community by 2019.

MLAs will also look at updating several acts including the Motor Vehicles Act, the Consumer Protection Act and the Social Assistance Act.

The government says it will hold consultations to ensure people understand the changes to these laws before the revised acts come into effect.

"I think that we have to always take into consideration the majority of the population that are Inuit to ensure they fully understand, and show that it's a law they fully recognize and feel that they own it," says Government House Leader Paul Quassa.

Meanwhile regular MLAs are getting ready to put their issues on the table.

Simeon Mikkungwak, MLA for Baker Lake, says he's going to keep a close eye on infrastructure money for projects in his constituency, including a new middle school in the hamlet.

Mikkungwak also says he's keen on seeing movement to create a GPS approach for the Baker Lake airport.

He says the lack of proper equipment at the airport has meant cancellation of landings because they are deemed unsafe without the GPS technology in place. This has meant unnecessary costs for medical travel.

"When you look at the overall costs, a lot of it is medical travel and that does impact the government budget," says Mikkungwak.

The legislative sitting runs until Nov. 7.