Is MLA working for Inuit?

Mr. Tootoo, MLA for Iqaluit Center, has voiced concerns on issues related to Inuit in the past which are troubling.

On the issue of removing artificial barriers to increase Inuit employment within the Department of Justice’s plan to increase Inuit employment by way of shortening shift hours… instead of encouraging the initiative, he questions whether the Government asked the employees (again, who comprises the current workforce within the department?).

On education, Education Minister Ed Picco recently gave numbers of Inuit graduates steadily increasing over the years. Instead of applauding this, Tootoo points out that Picco’s figures still mean the majority of non-beneficiaries who attend Nunavut schools are not graduating… and goes on to say, “That is the not-so-rosy picture of our education system.” Where are your figures, Mr. Tootoo, and where are the majority of non-beneficiaries attending school? I would assume Iqaluit, where the majority of the non-beneficiaries attend school, furthermore, the majority of the parents of the students are transients… of course these students will not graduate from our schools.

On the issue of staff housing and the government’s encouragement for home ownership… “what about the people that are here for a short period of time?” is what he asks.

As for the statistics of Inuit employment in a community you represent, Inuit comprise less than one third of the government workforce within your riding — have you ever made a point of this?

Just whose interests are you serving?

(Name withheld by request)
Iqaluit