Kivalliq leaders support pilot project

IQALUIT — Kivalliq leaders voted this week to support the controversial Keewatin pilot project.

Under that plan, tens of millions of dollars worth of territorial govenrment infrastructure and programs would be transfered to an association made up of the Keewatin’s municipal governments.

At a recent meeting in Rankin Inlet, most Kivalliq mayors spoke in favor of the projects.

If the project goes forward, municipal governments will gain financial control for public spending on things like schools, airports, garages, public housing.

Manitok Thompson, a Keewatin MLA who is minister of municipal and communities affairs, stated in a GNWT news release that the pilot project will give decision-makers at the community level more control over local development.

“That’s what it’s all about,” Thompson says.

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. is opposed to going ahead with the Keewatin pilot project before division. They say that Nunavut’s legislative assembly should get a chance to look at it first.