Iqaluit to consider half-time mayor

MICHAELA RODRIGUE

IQALUIT — Iqaluit Town Council may switch to having a half-time mayor.

Council wants administration to study the benefits of beefing up the mayor’s job to a half-time position.

Coun. John Matthews made the recommendation at a development, works and public safety committee meeting last week. The recommendation was adopted by full council this week.

Right now, Iqaluit’s current mayor, Jimmy Kilabuk, works about a quarter of a week

Matthews said a municipality as large as Iqaluit may need a half-time mayor.

“I just think the position is quite demanding, the community is growing. I think it just makes sense,” Matthews said.

If council goes ahead with Matthews’ idea, the number of hours the mayor spends at the Town will increase, as well as the pay that goes along with it.

Kilabuk told council he did not ask to have his wages increased.

“I never said I wanted to be paid full-time,” Kilabuk said. But he cited Cape Dorset, which has a full-time mayor.

“We have to look at the work of the mayor. It’s something FLAC (the finance, legislation, administration and community services committee) can do.

Council directed staff to report back to the FLAC committee.

Coun. Lynda Gunn supported the motion and said councillors have been discussing the need for a couple of months.

“For the next election it’s likely to draw more potential candidates if they know there’s a better indemnity.”

Matthews said the proposal could be implemented before next fall’s municipal election.