At GN, no accountability for carrying out policies

I would like to comment on your editorial that you wrote regarding an energy policy for Nunavut, or lack of one.

For the last year, I have contacted over a dozen people in as many departments, from municipal to territorial to federal, proposing ideas on various programs that could be implemented to help Nunavummiut save energy.

Aside from the current global interest in climate change issues, Nunavut is facing its own set of unique challenges, of which I believe two to be on the top of the list of major roadblocks to Nunavut’s social and economic future.

These challenges, as I see them, are waste management and energy management. I’ve yet to come across anyone or any department that is dealing with waste management, but when I locate one, I will be sure to write again.

As for energy management, there is one department that surfaced a few years ago and put out what is called the “Nunavut Energy Management Program,” which has several pilot programs that on the surface seem like a good start. However actually getting into the program seems to be a whole other matter.

Your comments on establishing an energy policy, although well-intentioned would still leave Nunavut with the problem of who is actually going to implement it and enforce it.

If you ask me, what we need is more accountability. It’s all fine and dandy to write up a bunch of policies, but if the policy simply sits on a shelf collecting dust, then why bother writing one?

In my opinion, we already have all the policies we need in the Pinasuaqtavut, and direction for implementing this with guidance from the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. What we need now are department leaders who can establish goals, develop plans, and be accountable for ensuring those plans are carried out in the most efficient manner possible.

I’ve only been a resident here for a short few years but I’ve already seen more then I care to of money being wasted due to a lack of accountability, and an attitude from some of simply not caring.

As far as energy management goes, if anyone actually reads this, I have a product that I’ve been testing called the Fitch Fuel Catalyst which current testing on over a dozen different vehicles in Cape Dorset, Iqaluit, and Rankin Inlet is resulting in a fuel reduction of over 30 per cent.

With a current fuel budget of over $40 milliion a year you would think someone would be interested in looking into this. If you know anyone in Nunavut like that, I would be very interested in speaking with them.

As for waste management, if anyone reading this knows where this department is please let me know as I have a bone to pick with them as well.

Claude Constantineau
Cape Dorset