Baffin mayors sound off at GN over poverty

Economic development minister Peter Taptuna, left, and Ed McKenna, head of Nunavut’s anti-poverty secretariat, right, watch a video about poverty recorded by Premier Eva Aariak and NTI vice president James Eetoolook during the Baffin Mayors Forum in Iqaluit Feb. 15. (PHOTO BY CHRIS WINDEYER)

The Government of Nunavut continues to try to drum up support for its anti-poverty initiative, but some Baffin mayors are skeptical of the GN’s intent to make changes while spending little to no money.

“When there’s no money available it’s very difficult to initiate anything,” said Igloolik deputy mayor Paul Quassa.

The GN last fall launched what it calls a “public engagement process” to canvas Nunavummiut for solutions to poverty.

The next step is a series of regional roundtable discussions this spring in Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet, Pond Inlet and Iqaluit.

But GN officials have also acknowledged that there’s little money to spend on new programs to help the poor.

Finance minister Keith Peterson has said this year’s budget, to be tabled March 1, could include a deficit.

In his speech to Baffin mayors, economic development minister Peter Taptuna avoided completely the issue of cost, focusing instead on process and promising that the government won’t implement a one-size-fits-all solution.

Poverty, he said, has different causes in different communities and so attempts at solutions may vary from hamlet to hamlet.

“We need to bring the wisdom of our communities into the rooms where the decisions about the future of Nunavut are made,” Taptuna said. “With a problem like poverty reduction, we can only be successful if everyone is included.”

Pond Inlet mayor Joshua Arreak said any solution to Nunavut’s poverty problem is going to cost money and hamlets will need money to implement new programs.

The problem of alcohol and drug abuse will also have to be addressed, he added.

But he also said individuals also bear responsibility, mentioning those who quit training programs before they’re finished “even though they’re able.”

“We will have to look into our culture too,” Arreak said.

Hall Beach mayor Ammie Kipigak said rising costs for hunting supplies like gas, ammunition and other gear are making it harder for Nunavummiut to harvest country food.

“It costs $395 for a caribou. That’s the cost of poverty,” he said.

Grise Fiord mayor Meeka Kigutak said Nunavummiut who are able need to share with those in need.

“That’s our tradition.” The government needs to attack the roots of poverty, including mental illness, she said.

During an appearance by Premier Eva Aariak, Iqaluit Mayor Madeleine Redfern took issue with the government’s apparent reluctance to set a basic definition of poverty in Nunavut.

But Aariak said it’s more important to study the reasons why people are poor, without settling on a specific definition.

“I think it’s very important that we get the definition from the public,” Aariak said.

The GN’s meetings, roundtables and reports will culminate in a poverty summit scheduled for sometime this fall in Iqaluit.

From there, the government will adopt a poverty reduction action plan.