Premier confident elder bus operation funding will be secured
Akeeagok questioned in legislative assembly over status of elders strategy
Premier P.J. Akeeagok speaks in the Nunavut legislative chamber. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Premier P.J. Akeeagok says he’s confident his government will get the funding it needs to get the wheels rolling on its elder van pilot project.
Akeeagok announced two weeks ago that five Nunavut communities — Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, Coral Harbour and Pangnirtung — will be the first to receive the vans, with a plan to get them running early next year.
Purchasing the five vehicles, with shipping, will cost $1 million.
The GN has partnered with Northern Future Skills Development and Arctic Training Ltd. to train drivers and operate the vehicles. However, the announcement two weeks ago came with questions about how the operations will be funded.
“We’ve started engaging our federal partners as well, through the proponent, to explore where there’s potential funds that we could tap into, where the proponent can tap into,” Akeeagok said in an interview.
“I know we’re in discussions with the proponent to make sure that the operations of those vans are successful.”
The topic of elder vans came up Oct. 24 in the legislative assembly when Baker Lake MLA Craig Simailak asked several questions about the implementation of GN’s Elders and Seniors Strategy.
That strategy, which Akeeagok announced in March, includes an extensive list of commitments from the GN, including expediting construction of elder-care facilities, training staff, and preventing elder abuse, among several other goals.
The elder van project is one of the goals the strategy outlines to improve elders’ mobility in communities.
Simailak asked Akeeagok why only one proponent and the five previously mentioned communities were selected for this first round of vans, while other communities with high elderly populations such as Baker Lake and Arviat were not included.
The premier explained that four proponents responded to a call-out for applicants, and one that was selected was able to acquire the five vans and get them on sealift ships to the five communities.
“I very much look forward to as we roll out the five vans now to continue to lobby and to learn from that experience and to really advocate for the other communities right across this territory,” Akeeagok said in response.
Simailak criticized the premier over what he described as “slow progress” on the overall implementation of the elders’ strategy.
Speaking to Nunatsiaq News, Akeeagok said implementation is happening. Some of the items are long-term projects and require legislative approval and working with various GN departments, he said.
“It’s really hard to determine the gauge of the percentage [of what’s been completed], but we do have a very clear outline in terms of what those priorities are,” he said.
Akeeagok emphasized that the strategy was developed through consultations with elders from all 25 communities, as well as those living outside the territory.
“We had to do a thorough review of all government services that address elder programs and services in-territory, so just within a short period of time, we have really done a lot of work,” he said.
PJ harnessing that QIA-energy of not knowing where money comes from but assuming it will be there when he needs it.
Anything for a positive announcement and photo-op.
Actual implementation has never been a PJ priority.
He’ll move on as soon as the photo-ops dry up and questions start getting asked.
Our dear premier gets disoriented when the photo opps cease.
With the GNs nearly 3 BILLION dollar annual budget, I’m sure there is some funds to be accessed, just cancel one of the poster campaigns to save money or a few GN trips south, GN swims in money, it’s more of getting the staff to do a little work and being creative with seems to be asking too much of our GN.
“…The Inuit Orgs are swimming in money…”
Fixed it for you.
How about you and your high and mighty GN executives (at least you think you are high and mighty) take a portion of your over inflated salaries to pay for it? Now that’s a photo op for you! Imagine the headlines? LOL
Seriously! This may be important locally but this is not a Premier task. How about addressing the Housing/Health/High Food Prices issues.
Low hanging fruit or what.
Wait, wait the GN gave a million dollars in GRANTS to a private operation (including Caribou Cabs) and now they are committing to look for more operating money?
What about Pond Inlet and the Iqaluit Society and others who are already operating this service to elders? While they be supported?
Free buses and money for some contractor based in the Yukon? “Training” for vehicles that don’t require any special licensing? Oral tender calls? No NNI?
My head is still spinning as the details keep coming out…..does anyone know the Auditor General’s phone number?
Mr. Speaker, I wish the leader would get his act together and stop spinning tall tales. Hopefully, people will catch on and realize his silver tongue is a masterclass in fibbing. To Nunavut, I say: beware, he’s a pro at telling people what they want to hear, the classic hallmark of a smooth talker! Does he sleep like a baby, dreaming of photo ops and frequent flyer miles?