IDEA stakes claim to school tax

The Iqaluit District Education Authority is not happy with mayoral candidate Keith Irving’s proposal to use the city’s $600,000 school tax to fund tax rebates for homeowners and elders.

The money, which is collected by the city on behalf of the Government of Nunavut, goes into the GN’s general revenues.

The IDEA has been trying for several years to claim that money for Iqaluit schools. “All we were told was, sure, you can have it for Iqaluit schools but we’re going to take it back on the other end,” said Kathy Smith, chair of the IDEA, who is also up for re-election next week.

“A lot of people think that when they pay that money that they’re helping education…. I can’t even explain what $600,000 of extra funding would do for our schools.”

For his part, Irving said he is open to helping the IDEA claim the money for Iqaluit schools. His goal is simply to use the money in Iqaluit.

“What’s troubled me is the lack of transparency, and here we were collecting this money for schools and it wasn’t reaching our schools,” he said.

“I think, as mayor sitting down with the GN, if they can come back and guarantee to me that we’re going to see 10 teaching assistants in Iqaluit schools with that money that the city’s collecting on behalf of the GN then I could support that. By putting this idea on the table I’m hoping to force the hand farther than the DEA’s been able to force it.”