NTI lauds NNI review

Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak launches the review of the NNI policy Mar. 1 in the Nunavut legislature. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. pledged its support and full participation March 1 to a review of the Government of Nunavut’s contracting process.

That pledge came after Premier Eva Aariak told the Nunavut legislature earlier on Thursday that officials will conduct a review of the GN’s internal public procurement practice.

Aariak did not give a timeline for the review’s completion, but said its final recommendations would be presented to cabinet and eventually implemented.

Nunavut’s Finance Minister Keith Peterson first announced that the GN planned to review the Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti policy during his budget address Feb. 22, to address “fairness in government procurement.”

The policy, spelled out in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement’s article 24, is meant to favour qualified, Inuit-owned or Nunavut-based business bids in government contract awards.

But the policy has come under fire in recent months.

NTI President Cathy Towtongie said Nunavummiut have noted inconsistencies and gaps in procurement, which she said can lead to an unhealthy business environment.

“NTI negotiated the NNI policy in good faith, to ensure that Inuit firms compete effectively and play a major role in the Nunavut economy,” Towtongie said in a March 1 news release. “We look forward to working with the GN to develop the terms of reference, budgets and timetable for this important process.

“It is time to correct these problems.”

A recent report from the office of the Auditor General of Canada called for “clearer direction and timely training” in consistently applying the NNI policy.

“NTI negotiated the NNI Policy in order to implement the NLCA Article 24,” Towtongie said. “Failure to apply the policy consistently means the GN is failing to live up to their obligations in the NLCA.”

NTI plans to review its own Inuit Firm Registry which evaluages which companies are majority-Inuit owned.