Rankin Inlet councillor objects to MLAs rejection of recreation planning funds

On Thursday, Oct. 20, the regular MLA’s in attendance at the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut voted unanimously to support a motion by Nanulik MLA Johnny Ningeongan to remove $500,000 from the capital budget of Community and Government Services, which was intended for planning and design of a new recreation complex in Rankin Inlet.

I very strongly object not only to the result of this vote, but also to the manner in which our government deals with such votes.


Some regular MLAs have been quoted as saying they are being asked to approve funding for projects that they have few details about. My response to this would be “do your homework.” I find it hard to believe that the first time our elected officials heard of this project was during committee of the whole on Oct. 19, where regular MLAs questioned Minister Kusugak extensively on this project.

If you read the Hansard for that day, the questioning starts on page 42. You will see that very detailed answers were given for all questions, and none were deferred to be answered later. When the time came to vote on the motion to remove these funds, I believe all MLAs were well informed of the project’s scope, and underlying goals.


Our community of Rankin Inlet has had a strong need, and a stronger desire, for a new arena and recreation complex for years. I will not get into the merits of such a facility here, because most know how badly this is needed, and how it will benefit our entire region. We were fortunate to receive $200,000 last year towards a study, and planning, for this new complex.

With these funds, a working group was formed with members of Hamlet Council and municipal staff. Many groups in the community were consulted on their needs, and a facility was designed to meet them now, and for years to come.

While the resulting design may not have been exactly what MLAs had envisioned when approving the original funding, the process truly was a case of active community involvement and empowerment, which can be lacking at times.

A community-driven project like this will usually yield a far more beneficial outcome than one that is dictated by bureaucrats in Iqaluit. The next logical step in a process like this was the funding which was denied us, funding that would have provided the engineering and design expertise required to finalize plans and designs for eventual construction.

At no point has the GN been formally asked to foot the entire bill for such a facility. Surely this project will involve multiple levels of government, as well as potential private investment when it moves forward, but the fact is, it can’t move forward until the work these funds were earmarked for is done.

Denying these funds now could also waste the original investment made last year. 
My second issue is the manner in which our elected assembly deals with motions brought forward by regular MLAs. When Mr. Ningeongan’s motion was presented, and voted on, the entire cabinet abstained from the vote. They did not participate in any way, and gave no opinion for or against. We elect individuals to represent us, and expect them to do so on every vote.

This afternoon the communities of Arviat, Whale Cove, Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk, Cape Dorset, Kimmirut, Clyde River and Qikitarjuaq were left without a member in the Legislative Assembly. These communities are represented solely by cabinet ministers, and when cabinet abstains from a vote, each and every resident of their respective communities is left without an elected member to represent them.

The practice of cabinet not participating in motions brought forward by regular MLAs is an affront to democracy. I can not think of one valid reason to abstain from a vote. You are elected to have an opinion, and express it by voting, and when you choose not to, you fail your constituents.

While I understand there are political games played behind the scenes, this is one practice that has no place in government, or in our democracy. In the case of a motion like this, cabinet members should be allowed to vote their conscience, and represent their constituents properly.


In the end, I don’t know what upsets me more; the fact that badly needed funding was denied to my community, or that I, my community, and half the territory were left entirely without a voice in the legislature today.

Kyle Sheppard
Rankin Inlet