Gas compensation on the way?

Members of the legislative assembly passed a motion in favour of helping Nunavummiut who suffered damage snowmobiles, ATVs and other engines last year thanks to sub-par gasoline.

Tagak Curley, the MLA for Rankin Inlet North, introduced a motion on May 5 asking the government to “introduce, no later than this summer, a comprehensive compensation program.”

Peter Kilabuk, the minister responsible for the gas supply, immediately suggested that the motion ask the GN to “coordinate with Shell Canada” rather than simply “introduce” a compensation packaged on its own.

Hunter Tootoo, the MLA for Iqaluit Centre, agreed: “I think the motion as originally presented left Shell Canada out of it. It might possibly give them the opportunity to wash their hands of the whole issue if the government has admitted fault and accepted the liability.”

Once the wording change was accepted, Finance Minister Leona Algukkaq questioned whether the motion was necessary.

“Basically what I see by this motion is the work that’s been done already…,” she said, “and it has been stated in the house on numerous occasions that this is what we’re doing.”

Curley got the last word on behalf of the members who are not a part of cabinet.

“I would like the people to know,” Curley said, “what we call the government are the Premier and the Cabinet members. They are the ones who can make the decision of whether you are going to get compensated for your losses. The regular Member cannot tell the government to pay compensation. With this motion, it states that it would be nice if the government would get a compensation program by the summer.”