Here’s your chance to vent about Nunavut’s social assistance system

An earlier public discussion of poverty in Nunavut May 12 to 14, 2014 in Rankin Inlet. On Nov. 24 in Iqaluit, the Government of Nunavut will host a pubic session on social assistance at the Anglican Parish Hall, starting at 7 p.m. (PHOTO COURTESY OF SARA STRATHAM)

If you live in Iqaluit and you’re frustrated by how the Government of Nunavut doles out social assistance, the government is giving you a chance to vent — in a constructive manner.

The departments of Family Services and Economic Development and Transportation are hosting a public session at Iqaluit’s Anglican Parish Hall Nov. 24, says a news release issued Nov. 23 by the two departments.

The session will be held to collect public input, “so [that] changes can be made to better support training, career development, employment and economic opportunities for Nunavummiut.”

The two departments began this public engagement process in September, the release says, and plan to visit every Nunavut community.

“One of the final public meetings is scheduled in Iqaluit,” the release says.

Nunavut MLAs recently showed their displeasure at how the Department of Family Services has been run over the past two years by ousting its minister, Jeannie Ugyuk, during a mid-term leadership review earlier this month.

With the ousting of Ugyuk, who also resigned her seat as MLA for Netsilik, Premier Peter Taptuna assigned the troubled department to George Kuksuk and relieved Kuksuk of another troubled portfolio — housing.

The public engagement session on social assistance will run Nov. 24 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the release said.