National Inuit org interrogates the federal political parties

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami has sent a questionnaire to federal parties to ask their positions on Inuit-specific issues.

As in past years, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami has sent a questionnaire to federal political parties that seeks their view on issues pertaining to Inuit.

“They have been circulated to the federal parties and we will post each party’s complete response to the questionnaire in the order that they are received,” ITK said in a media release, issued just before the organization’s general meeting in Cambridge Bay.

This year, ITK asks eight questions:

1. In the opinion of your Party, what is the most important current issue and/or opportunity for Canadian Inuit and what would your Party do on this file in the next 5 years?

2. How does your Party view the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and what, if anything, would your government do about implementing the recommendations made in the TRC report?

3. How would your government acknowledge and incorporate Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland, in federal policy to ensure that all Inuit regions (whether North or South of 60) are included in programs designed for the North, recognizing that Inuit are a distinct people with unique legal, historic, social, cultural and linguistic considerations?

4. What policies would your government put in place to ensure the timely and effective implementation of Inuit land claims agreements?

5. How would your government work with Inuit to support the creation of a sustainable housing supply in Inuit communities?

6. What measures would your government put in place to address the cost of living in Inuit communities?

7. What approach would your government take toward working with the Inuit of Canada, especially in regard to ensuring the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent?

8. What is your Party’s position on the importance of collecting and analysing Inuit-specific data to guide policy and decision making? What, if any, measures would your government put in place to strengthen Canada’s ability to collect and analyse Inuit-specific data?

ITK says any answers to these questions will be distributed on social media and posted on their website: www.itk.ca.

Bob McLeod, the premier of the Northwest Territories, sent a letter to four federal party leaders this past Aug. 18 that contains seven questions on northern issues.

However, neither the Nunavut government nor the Nunavut premier have sent an election questionnaire to political parties or candidates.

Editor’s note: We have reproduced the list of questions as they were received from ITK and have not changed non-standard punctuation and mechanics.