Mayors give mixed reviews to July 9 proposals

MICHAELA RODRIGUE

IQALUIT — Nunavut’s mayors will take more time to consult residents about which day should be declared a public holiday to celebrate Nunavut’s creation.

The Nunavut government is proposing to declare July 9, the anniversary of the proclamation of the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claim Settlement Act in 1993, as a public holiday for all residents.

Others favour using April 1, the anniversary of the day in 1999 when the Northwest Territories were divided and Nunavut was created.

Government literature hails July 9 as a turning point in Nunavut history and says everyone, not just Inuit, should be given the day off.

“Paying tribute to the events of July 9, 1993, will preserve the memory of those who gave so much of themselves and will ensure the pride we felt lives on through our children and through their children,” a government release says.

Mayors from across the territory were asked to weigh in on the Nunavut Day debate at a meeting of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities in Iqaluit last week.

South Baffin MLA Olayuk Akesuk presented mayors with information about the government’s bill aimed at turning July 9 into a public holiday and eliminating the August civic holiday.

Akesuk chairs the legislative assembly’s government operations committee charged with studying the bill. Last month, the committee asked for more time to consult with Nunavut residents.

Several mayors said the government should mark April 1, the day Nunavut was born.

“April 1 is when Nunavut was born. There has to be some manner of recognition,” said Aigah Hainnu, deputy mayor of Clyde River. Hainnu predicts that residents will oppose April 1.

“July 9 was just the day they signed the agreement, but April 1 is the birth. It is commons sense to choose April 1,” said a Hall Beach delegate, adding that spring weather makes April 1 a better time of year for a holiday.

Others support July 9. “We have chosen July 9 because of the elders, because of the disabled people. It will be easier for the disabled and elders to celebrate with us,” said a delegate from Taloyoak.

Akesuk said some communities would like a public Nunavut Day and at the same time, keep the traditional holiday on the first Monday of August that produces a long weekend for most people.

But the Nunavut government says keeping both holidays would cost the territorial government, hamlets, local housing organizations and other government-funded bodies about $1.5 million in lost productivity. It would also mean a day lost for business.

One delegate scoffed at the cost. “To spend $1.5 million on a one-day holiday – that’s ridiculous,” one delegate said to applause.

After a protracted back and forth discussion, no clear consensus emerged, so Akesuk suggested that Nunavut mayors take more time to consult their communities and report back to the committee by way of a motion.

Nunavut’s mayors will now consult their communities and forward their response to Akesuk’s committee.