Legislative assembly to open in Cambridge Bay

DENISE RIDEOUT

IQALUIT — Next week the Nunavut Legislative Assembly is heading west: to Cambridge Bay, that is.

The territory’s MLAs and ministers will meet in that community May 16-31 as part of the Nunavut government’s mission to make itself more accessible to people outside Iqaluit.

This will be the first time the Nunavut Legislative Assembly has sat in the Kitikmeot region.

The assembly already sat in the two other regions, having held several sessions in Iqaluit and one sitting in the Kivalliq community of Rankin Inlet last year.

Nunavut Commissioner Peter Irniq explained the importance of moving the assembly around Nunavut during his throne speech to the Legislative Assembly in February.

“The process of taking the lawmakers to locations across Nunavut is designed to ensure that the connection of all the people of Nunavut is maintained and enhanced as this assembly conducts its important business,” Irniq said.

Strike likely a big issue

The upcoming Cambridge Bay sitting represents a reconvening of the assembly’s fifth session, which ended March 29 in Iqaluit.

While the last sitting was heavy on budget debate, this session may be a little lighter.

Some financial issues may come into play, however, because the auditor general of Canada’s report on the quality of the GN’s financial records is expected to be tabled.

This session may also give MLAs more chances to raise community issues and express constituents’ concerns.

As well, Nunavummiut can expect to hear about the current labour dispute between the Nunavut government and the Nunavut Employees’ Union.

“Obviously because of the job action and the strike, that could possibly be a issue,” said Kelvin Ng, the GN’s finance minister.

In mid-April, 179 GN workers went on strike, picketing government offices in Iqaluit and Cambridge Bay.

Though the picketing has ended, employees are now on a work-to-rule campaign.

Nunavut’s 1,300 government workers, who are part of the Nunavut Employees Union, will soon vote on whether to reject or accept the government’s latest contract offer. The vote is scheduled for May 15 — one day before the assembly begins its session.

The union may call a full-blown general strike if workers reject the government’s final offer.

A few pieces of legislation will also make their way into the upcoming sitting.

One of those is the Loans Authorization Act, which sets out rules for loaning money to municipalities.

Ng said the assembly may also introduce an Integrity Act. It would replace the current conflict-of-interest laws found in the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act.

While there’s much work to do during the two-week session, there may be time for a little fun.

Cambridge Bay’s annual spring festival, the Omingmak Frolics, is scheduled to take place during the May 25 long weekend. The festival features a seal hunt, snowmobiling races and children’s games.