In search of our federal government

MAYOR KEITH PETERSON
(Cambridge Bay)
Vice-President, Nunavut Association of Municipalities

CAMBRIDGE BAY — Last month, we stumbled across an e-mail from within our very own federal government that indicated an intent to determine “Nunavut’s priority issues.”

Of course, since there has been no real effort made by the federal government to decentralize their decision-making, and move staff positions out of Iqaluit and into the communities (in line with the Nunavut model of government that they initially supported), determining priorities at the community level presents a problem.

Maybe this explains why many of the federal government’s program priorities are a total mismatch for Nunavut.

Maybe the broken lines of communication contributed to a federal decision to allocate only $2 million in funding for Nunavut, of a $2-billion national pot, for municipal infrastructure development over a five-year period. Exactly how much infrastructure will this construct?

Alternatively, if the federal government is actually aware of our infrastructure needs and community priorities, then this policy statement indicates a total disregard for Nunavut.

Let’s think about the real implications, and ask ourselves what statement is being made. If this is how our priorities are addressed, then I think the government of Nunavut needs to make a stronger effort to further our interests with Ottawa. That, or the regional office of the federal government, needs to brief its own ministers more thoroughly and convincingly on the struggle that Nunavut’s communities are facing.

Where is the federal government? Our communities question its centralized location in Iqaluit. How can they know the community priorities?

The recently-established “Nunavut federal council” is, presumably, a means to achieving that objective. But does consultation with the government of Nunavut’s deputy ministers constitute a review of our priorities? Will community and regional representatives be called to participate?

While investigating a current federal issue that impacts our territory, we were advised by federal sources that Robert Nault, the minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, does not have the political influence to address issues of this magnitude. Rather, we were told that perhaps the prime minister, or the minister of finance, Paul Martin, should be approached.

If this is the case, then what is the real capacity of committees of senior bureaucrats to make a difference for Nunavut? It’s fairly obvious to our residents, and in fact to the government of Nunavut, that we require more than just a touch up. Who do these committees report to? What do they actually achieve? Are they listening to, and responding to, the needs of our communities?

Do we, as Nunavut, have the capability to influence federal decisions? I believe that we do, but it will require a coordinated effort of the government of Nunavut, and some of Nunavut’s largest, and most influential organizations. And if we’re not generating results, then we’re not recognizing the true needs of our residents – without this sort of commitment, it’s difficult to negotiate effectively.

And it will take a stronger effort by the federal government to recognize what the community priorities are, followed up by a real commitment to address them. Committees that meet to discuss Nunavut’s issues, with no real decision-making authority, and without the commitment of their federal counterparts, are probably nothing more than a drain on the taxpayers.

Nunavut needs real solutions, not strategic action plans that are ignored by Ottawa. I believe Nunavut needs more than “recognition.” The communities need to participate in the identification of priorities, and these priorities need to be taken forward in a coordinated and effective manner for action. And if this can’t happen, then there’s no point in developing Iqaluit-based councils and committees to talk about them.