Inuit org leaders opt to fly first-class in “extraordinary cases”

NTI President Cathy Towtongie, in defending the organization’s travel policy amendment to allow for upgraded seat class on flights, said Sept. 2 at a board meeting, “We should take proper care of ourselves.” (PHOTO BY STEVE DUCHARME)

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.’s elected leaders will now have the option of upgrading their flights from coach to executive class thanks to a recent amendment to their travel policy, passed Sept 2.

The new amendment, brought forth at an NTI board of directors meeting by NTI President Cathy Towtongie and Vice President James Eetoolook, will allow NTI executives to upgrade their plane seats in “extraordinary cases” of health or volume of travel.

“We should take proper care of ourselves,” said Towtongie during the amendment discussion, saying NTI leaders need to look after their health.

PJ Akeeagok, president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, succeeded in revising the amendment during debate to include a minimum flying time of four hours before executives could request such an upgrade.

Akeeagok voiced concern about the “openness” of the original amendment and reminded the board that all flight upgrades would be paid for through Nunavut land claim beneficiaries’ money — the people they were elected to represent.

Though the motion passed through open debate in principle among NTI board members, the final wording of the travel amendment remains unclear at this point.

Detailed discussion of Akeeagok’s amendment have been moved to a private executive meeting for “clarification of the amendments.”

Prior to the amendment, NTI’s policy was always to seek the most affordable tickets available.

The new policy will not be applicable to NTI staff.

Booked in advance, a one-way non-stop seat in first class aboard Air Canada from Ottawa to Edmonton, a four-hour trip, would cost approximately $1,759.

The same flight in economy is $439.