Nunavut legislature spring sitting begins: Day 1 roundup

The spring sitting of Nunavut's legislative assembly began Tuesday afternoon, and the economy was at the forefront of discussion between territorial MLAs.

Employment insurance claims are down in Nunavut — something local business leaders say could be due in part to more jobs in the mining sector.

One of the biggest projects is an iron mine near Pond Inlet, owned by Baffinland. In November of 2014, the company announced that it wanted to ship ore year round, instead of just in the summer season, an announcement that shocked local residents and has the Qikiqtani Inuit Association urging against it.

 Premier Peter Taptuna told CBC News he refuses to take a position on Baffinland specifically, but that he'd encourage development of any kind, as long as proper steps are taken.

"I would encourage any kind of economic development, as long as people are consulted," said Taptuna, "and it's sustainable for our environment, and our people of Nunavut."

Here are three other storylines that emerged out of the first day of the Nunavut legislature's spring sitting:

Minister grilled on staff housing

Hudson Bay MLA Allan Rumboldt questioned the minister Responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation George Kuksuk yesterday on how the government plans to spend new funds for staff housing, which were approved by the legislature earlier this year.

"We were informed that the list is still not finalized," said Rumbolt. "When will the minister be in a position to confirm which communities will be receiving new staff housing units from the $20 million dollars in funding that was approved earlier this year by the Nunavut legislative assembly?"

Kuksuk responded in Inuktitut, saying that the issue is a complicated one — the Corporation needs to coordinate with the Department of Community and Government Services in order to identify communities in need. It also needs to find available land before plans for the new housing units can be finalized.

New marine infrastructure?

With the release of the latest federal budget in April, Nunavut's debt cap was raised from $400 million to $650 million, extra funds that Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu MLA Pat Angnakak wants to use to help create new water craft facilities for Iqaluit.

Yesterday, Angnakak pressed finance minister Keith Peterson to commit to such a project, something he refused to do right away.

"It's not that easy, Mr. Speaker," said Peterson. "Ms. Angnakak knows that. As I said, if a proposal comes forward to the planning process, we will consider it."

Speaking more generally, Peterson told MLAs the details of how Nunavut's raised debt cap will be used haven't been finalized.  

State of midwifery

Iqaluit-Tasiluk MLA George Hickes raised several questions about midwifery in the legislature. Hickes wants to see more Nunavummiut become midwives, and asked health minister Paul Okalik how the territory was working to increase the number.

Hickes specifically said he'd like to see a midwifery program offered at Nunavut Arctic College.

"As Nunavut has one of the highest birthrates across Canada," said Hickes. "It is important to recruit and employ more midwives into our healthcare system." 

Okalik said the territorial government is reviewing midwifery training with the college.