MLA questions whether immigrants are ‘taking over’ Inuit jobs in Nunavut
Minister David Akeeagok says GN prioritizes hiring of Inuit
Aivilik MLA Solomon Malliki suggested Tuesday in the legislative assembly that immigrants are “taking over” jobs that should be going to Nunavut Inuit. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Human Resources Minister David Akeeagok says the Government of Nunavut makes it a priority to hire Inuit.
He was responding Tuesday to a question on immigrants in the workforce from Aivilik MLA Solomon Malliki. During question period, Malliki suggested people arriving from outside of Canada are being hired for jobs intended for Nunavut Inuit.
“There are people coming [from] outside of our country that are taking over the Inuit positions,” Malliki said in Inuktitut.
Akeeagok responded, also in Inuktitut, saying private businesses may target the hiring of immigrants but the GN “does not do that.”
Inuit, he said, “are the priority” when it comes to hiring by the government.
Malliki doubled down in a followup question.
“[It] seems like they are taking over the positions that Inuit should be working in, and everywhere you go, no matter where you go, they are working in the positions where Inuit should be working,” he said, asking how the government will “rectify” this situation.
Akeeagok responded by elaborating on the way the government conducts its hiring.
“We choose individuals according to their ability and their qualifications,” he said.
“With that process, no matter where they come from — whether they come from overseas and they become Canadians — they do have the right to apply.”
The GN has a general Inuit-priority hiring policy which follows Article 23 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. That article sets out how the federal and territorial governments must increase Inuit employment to a level that is “representative” of the territory’s population.
As for the current percentage of GN employees who are Inuit, Akeeagok said he needs to confirm that number.
In May, Akeeagok tabled the Government of Nunavut Inuit Employment Plan 2024 to 2034 in the legislature. The 124-page document details ways the GN intends to fulfill its hiring obligations under Article 23.
Malliki also questioned Akeeagok about language barriers between Nunavummiut and public servants, such as teachers and nurses, who come from out of territory.
Akeegok said the GN is “always looking” for ways to improve those services.
Article 23 is a vial of toxic entitlement and resentment that will forever poison Nunavut.
Immigration had taken over places like Kuujjuaq in Nunavik. Hospital security, hospital employees. The inuit culture has taken second place of importance in inuit communities in Nunavik. Relate to what’s probably happening in Nunavut is not difficult to do. So it’s not just jobs that inuit are missing out on, its in my opinion a threat to inuit cultural priorities. We need municipalities to be more vigilant.
My roommate is Inuk and he worked security at both the boarding home and the hospital and lasted 4 weeks at each. The way he was treated by other Inuk people swore him to never do that job again. A grown man had a tear in his eye and on the verge of breaking down.
I understand why locals don’t apply for these jobs. They get treated horribly by their own. The job still needs to be done. If a local won’t do it, who will?
Agree.
Worked in Nunavut.
Scary place.
Do not vote for the old boys club . Vote new. That is when change is more likely to happen. Be careful who you vote in as MLA.
AND. Please please put your name forward for Iqaluit to avoid acclamations.
This is an important topic to discuss but without prejudice, immigration contribute to Canadian society so those seeking for a better life are welcome, it’s those who aren’t checked and are causing crime (the apex and cam bay ones that was on the news). Also if new comers are coming, and hiring their friends and family and by passing Inuit hiring priority, this is an issue and GNHR needs to do more policing on it or whoever does this in the government.
In the same time, jobs and training should be going first to Inuit who want to work, it’s rooted in the creation of the territory. Inuit need to step up, focus on education.
This is a sensitive topic that cannot be overlooked, Inuit are low in getting educated but high in unemployment and poverty and the way is to get educated, just do it. Housing too is an issue, with new comers, how are they getting housing? Compared to the waitlist for locals. It’s a topic that politicians shouldn’t shy away from. Thanks for bringing it up!
Shouldn’t the criminal record check apply to everyone? BCC is not full of foreigners who break crimes, the courts aren’t filled with foreigners committing crimes. It’s not like if foreigners all leave, crime will disappear. Most of the assaults, domestic or alcohol fueled are not the foreigners. Most of the break and enters and theft are not foreigners.
The criminal record checks should apply to everyone.
Amen.
Talking about prejudice , why does Nunavut not do Criminal Records checks like NWT-lukki ?
Or like the rest of Canada.
Too “special”?😜😂
Yes, you’re correct and I’m not being a double standard and in my initial post, I didn’t say there wasn’t issues at home, it was a long post and comments in a forum are left with interpretations. There are already local issues, I’ve personally felt them and the issues are caused by alcohol and now if add hard drugs, that already brings violence and pain in an already overwhelming situation in our communities.
The violence is mainly caused by my inuqatiks and these home ground issues should be addressed. I’m in agreement with you, the preps are local and I’m not going to ignore that fact, it’s an issue that needs to be brought up too., thanks.
Some in the media or among community-funded journalists may try to frame this as an extreme or racist attack. That isn’t what’s happening. The member is reflecting concerns that constituents have raised and observations that are being made elsewhere in the world but often ignored by the leftis media or misrepresented. These are real issues that deserve discussion. Raising them should not automatically be dismissed as racism.
Its a public Government and its only right for Inuit to express concern when they are surrounded by mass migration of people who in general wont have the same values, language or culture but want to benefit from all the northern money and the land claim that Ijuit suffered and fought to gain.
Critical thinking and reality should allow people to see what they say and questions things or demand answers. The media trying to frame any opposition to immigration that happens way too fast and is clearly only contributing further to the hosuing crisis and other social issues is just gas lighting and will create nothing but a massive backlash at some point.
Bold of you to assume “they in general wont have the same values, language or culture” when many immigrants come from Countries who’ve experienced brutal colonialism centuries longer than Inuit have. Read a history book on Africa Bro.
A history of oppression is not culture, langue or a value bro
Nunavut should be grateful for non-Inuit coming here and bringing us out of the stone age. Most successful Inuit in GN are half qualunat. Racist people see differences, real IQ see family.
The MLA from Aivilik has a good point. In 2015, the Prime Minister of Japan said they were going to attend to domestic challenges first. All good for Canada to help out, but not at the expense of local citizens, same goes for Nunavut politicians. You do not need to be reminded, look after your own community, the territory.
I wonder if the part of the issue comes from contractors filling positions that they were not able to hire locally for? The jobs need to be filled so we end up with a lot of contractors from out of territory.
“consultants”
Consultants and contracting services are often used to fill positions that cannot be filled by local hires. If no one here is willing to take the position, for whatever reason, how else do you think the jobs will be filled?
These positions that you mention for local hires, do they include housing? Full benefits? Indeterminate positions? No, not for local hires, local hires get no housing, a 3-6 month term position that will keep being a short term position for years, with less benefits.
So many instances where local hires are on short term position, casuals, for years with no housing or full benefits, surprisingly it gets difficult to hire locals, so you find your people from the south, with full benefits and housing, consultants getting paid a 1000 per day plus a place to live while here and per diems on top of that, their flights paid for to travel back and forth.
Each department at the GN does this, it keeps this transient system will oiled and working like a charm for the GN. We’ve seen this for far too long now and I am hopeful a younger generation of MLAs will not be afraid to tackle this issue and make some serious changes to our government.
With a huge 3 BILLION dollar annual budget for our government we deserve better and enough with the economic drain of a transient government.
Mr. Maliki here is a step by step instructions to take on the roles you are referencing
1. go to school everyday
2. graduate high school
3. apply to FANs for college or university.
5. Finish college or university
6.apply to job ad.
What is the statistics on members of the community having degrees to fill those positions?
While doing all that will not change the system in place at our territory government, it’s set up for transient workers not building local capacity, we see it in all levels at our government, now we are seeing it in construction for the Nunavut 3000, NETP and Nunavut Arctic college is not working, Arctic college has been a sleep when they should of had programs to build capacity for Nunavut the last 20 plus years, looking at all the positions that people from Nunavut should have in our territory and having Nunavut Arctic college setting up classes to meet those positions should have been a priority back when Nunavut was created, instead it has regressed and offer very few and broken and outdated programs.
The system currently in place for the GN is outdated and broken, not for the people of Nunavut but geared towards a transient system.
The Government of Nunavut & Inuit of Nunavut has had 26 years to prepare, plan the transition for Inuit to take over the positions, I’d like to know the latest on that.
Its great to see many Inuit youth pursuing education, they’re free to come and work again in Nunavut or where ever they want, when they’re done with schooling.
If the person is qualified and doing work, that’s enough for me.
It has never been a priority for the GN to build local capacity, continually deferring the education act and watering the education act that last 20 years, changing the procurement and contracting in the early 2000s making it difficult for local contractors and businesses to apply.
Arctic college over the years removing programs, not updating or creating new programs to fill jobs at the GN.
The qualifications keep changing to continue the status quo, if the GN really wanted to make changes to support and grow local capacity they would have from day one, but you see, you’ve outlines what the GN has not done, that was on purpose, what many fail to see who really controls the GN, all the transient workers that do not want to see this change as it is against them and they would have a harder time getting these cushy jobs, year after year we get so many new employees from the south, a lot of them with family or friends in the GN who help them get these jobs.
It would be interesting to see some statistics on how many new employees GN gets yeah year and if those numbers have changed since Nunavut started. Has it gotten less or has it gone up?
Our leadership continues to keep it this way and not many will talk about it, why is that?
Many of the jobs existed before the immigrants arrived. They were either installed or staffed like a rotating door. The problem isn’t the people who come and want to work, it’s the people who live here and don’t. Whine and complain all you want about not being able to get a job while sitting at home posting on Facebook as your job application. Do the work to get the work! Also, when you do get a job, be reliable! Show up to work on time and every day. If you miss too much work you’ll get terminated and someone new will be hired. Simple! Don’t complain about people who are willing to show up every day and work hard for their pay. If they’re doing that they deserve the job, whether they’re local or not. Taima!
Who says Inuit don’t want to work you got statistics showing we don’t want to
Perhaps if one inuk can’t stay at the job long as you claim
Hire 2 Inuit to do the job yes that one job
Give them part time hours
If that’s what it takes
So we all know these southern hires bring up their friend and family to work here so who is to say Inuit don’t want to work is it these same mangers that bring up their friends and family so they are able to keep practicing bringing friends and family up instead of locals
By far, India contributes the most immigrants to Canada.
In India, the public school system is rated 90th in the world, and it is common for Indian parents to pay $1,000-$3,000 CAD per year per student out of their own pockets for their children to attend private school.
Most Indian immigrants, and certainly a high percentage of Indians working in Nunavut, have a post secondary education, which is paid by their family, usually without any other support, to the tune of $5K per year up to $42K for an entire program.
India is a multi-lingual state, which means most Indians have to be proficient in at least 2 languages.
Although basic health care is free in India, the treatments and services available at government hospitals is basic. A significant amount of health care costs must be born by the family or individual out of pocket.
An Indian immigrant to Canada faces learning a completely different climate, society and increasing racism.
Using India as an example, it is clear that a foreign born worker in Nunavut has had to overcome significant barriers in order to achieve some measure of personal success and well-being.
We Inuit should feel threatened by foreign workers up here. The obvious question is; if they can do it, why aren’t we?
Article 23 is not “toxic entitlement.” It’s the promise that Inuit lead in their own homeland. But I’ve also seen Inuit call Black workers the N-word and newcomers mistreated just for being different. That same hate, if it grows, will destroy the very culture we’re trying to protect.
This isn’t about “immigrants taking over.” It’s about building Inuit capacity so no outside hire is needed. Education, training, and mentorship are the answer — not division. Hate is imported; it’s not part of Inuit tradition. Let’s not bring Trump-style politics of fear into Nunavut.
Nunavut is strongest when it stays true to its values: fairness, dignity, and community. Hate has no place here
Here’s a far-out idea: someone provide well-researched numbers on how many “foreigners” are taking Nunavut jobs and under what circumstances. Of course that would require knowing whether the “foreigners” were actually recent immigrants or were Canadians who came to this county (or their parents came) many years ago.
Hi everyone, Iqaluit resident here, and having lived here for ten years, I’m going to ask the obvious that I don’t see in the comments: where are all of these new people getting housing? I mean, seriously, is it all staff housing? Because there’s nothing to rent or buy here!
Some people are willing (and maybe even grateful) to live in over-crowded situations to have a chance at a better life, a career, and a means to provide for themselves and their families. Not everyone in this world were lucky enough to be born in a place like Canada.
Cop Out Quesrion and Commeny by a Public Elect. This MLA requires a Public Apology as it’s wrong and narrow sighted as well as prejudiced.
Any Single Qualified Non Inuk or Nunuvvmiut are “NEEDED” in all places and communities and GN Positions.
Boo Hoo. Talk to Inuit about attending School. Graduate with bBasic Fundamental Skills to be able to learn. Get Post Secondary Degree or Qualifications and Apply for Work and Employment. Public gaff. Even a half hearted Apology will suffice. So simple,e that its difficult to do?
Don’t question those willing to contribute and participate because you cannot protect the vested interests in a narrow statement while Lack of Positions Filled. How many Teacher Positions are Filled? How many Social Workers? How many Nurses and Dr’s are Inuit Beneficiaries? Not enough because Immigrants into Nunavut
Don’t Challenge what is being done to fill needed Positions as long as Qualifed and Applied then let well enough be. So simple,e it’s difficult? If tou dare to Challenge the Public please Challenge Inuit Parents to “Parent” the Litters to at least go to bed, wake up and go to School for Starters. You might have more broader sights and reasonably too there would be respect and hope for bigger and more pressing thinfs than uneducated and skilled vying for Fight for Inuit Beneficiaries Caped Crusader old rhetoric and crap… There are more important and meaningful Issues and Crises’s to worry about Buddy.
Need Vision. Try it.
A question that should be asked and debated all over Canada.
Saying you prioritize but put barriers for it not to succeed instead of supporting, training and educating, it will remain status quo.
It’s been 20 plus years of having this government and we have not seen any improvements.
The drain in having transient workers in our government has taken its toll on Nunavut, a government that doesn’t represent Inuit very well and caters to other people more is a system of failure, draining our economy as most of the money flows south, you look at all the conferences the GN organizes, mining symposiums, majority in the room are not from Nunavut.
The bureaucracy at the GN reflects a system designed to keep control outside of Nunavummiut.
Hidden in plain sight, what is socking is there are Inuit in key positions at the GN that reinforce this system to go against their own people. We really need stronger politicians and leaders at the GN to start addressing this instead of continuing with the status quo. Copying what other governments do in southern Canada does not work here for Nunavut, it does not represent Inuit.
Treating people with respect, using a reasoned approach in decision making, embracing principles of natural justice, collaboration and good communication are not Inuit-specific things. It applies to all people. We have more in common with other people than there are things that differentiate us.
Communication in English? Only?
Let’s say you got your way. The government gets rid of all foreign and southern workers.
Already a shortage of nurses and doctors willing to come north now, good luck on surviving with the amount of trained and certified Inuit able to be nurses and doctors.
Already a massive shortage on teachers, but let’s get rid of the southerners and foreigners and have only qualified Inuit teaching the classes. Good luck.
Massive shortage on trades people right now, but let’s get rid of the southerners and foreign trades people. Good luck getting housing built up to code, not nearly enough trained Inuit to serve Iqaluit let alone the other communities.
You have all these transient workers because there is not enough trained Inuit to do these jobs.
Should the government just go hand our certification? Should the government just appoint Inuit to be teachers and plumbers and road builders and nurses? Or should they need to get the schooling like everyone else. Nothing you said suggests anything be earned, but given.
That’s the thing, the GN has had 20 plus years to work towards building local capacity but it’s not a real priority but a token one.
This system in place is geared for transient workers, consultants and it’s a huge drain on our Nunavut economy as every few years the southern hires build up their resume and bank accounts and head back south.
All the while things are not getting done at the GN.
It’s such a huge drain on Nunavut’s economy, status quo doesn’t work, much improvements and true leadership is needed to make those changes and improvements.
For every single non government jo, whether it’s nonprofit, or journalism, Northmart or security every office (incl and especially government) need to be better at creating spaces for Inuit to feel comfortable and valued to work in. I’ve seen the change that has occured in our stores from mostly Inuit staff to new immigrants. But then I also remember the stories I’ve heard from friends where the store manager was genuinely unfair, or the workplace is otherwise toxic or sometimes the work itself is traumatic. Family services is full of useless staff, but when you have a connection to so many in your community it is hard to be in that role in good times of support and hard times of safety. I don’t have the solutions to making these workplaces safe but the gn nor any of the private businesses they bend over backwards for care to ensure a safe working environment is met. We don’t need a safe space per whatever colonial/southern standards we need safe working spaces that cater to what Inuit culture needs in a safe space. This will be expensive and a lot of ppl will feel attacked and rather than lash back ask why does that idea hurt my feelings that I need to lash out? Is lashing out indicative that I’m not suited to the safety needs of this space. I can watch my friends and coworkers argue, but the reconciliation is often present and part of what makes for these safe spaces. White ppl don’t always get along at work why is that expected of Inuit? Also Northmart and ventures etc can alllll kick rocks if you haven’t seen a white manager be rude to a 16 year old inuk you’re lying. We all need to be better at stepping up in those situations incl myself.
Are you saying government running everything, including stores, is the solution? lol
Friendly reminder: NTI is a private corporation.
NCCD Ltd. Should be hiring professional locals too.
Most locals hired are usually hired for laborer jobs and there are fewer apprenticeship opportunities.
NCCD Ltd. Was created to train and engage Inuit in the trades. They should get the apprenticeship program a priority.
It all started with Justin Trudeau who decided that the population in Canada was too small. Remember when he and his wife, at the time, were all dressed in the traditional wear of India? He opened the door to people of the East. When the doors were opened wide, a horde of people took the opportunity. In came some well educated people who took over many of the security systems.
They come from heavily populated areas. That means that they are very competitive, some with very good education. They accept ANY jobs available. As with any other people they will hire whom they know of like countrymen.
Canada was not ready for this invasion of people.
Nunavut is especially vulnerable with its small population and low education rates. Its recent transition from a nomadic life to commodities made easy and not earned. A life so vastly different and values opposing in some cases to Inuit way of life.
It behooves the government and any organizations that exist in Inuit lands how the majority can be employed without education. Education is the the key to the success of any people.
The prevailing view is that many Inuit are not adequately qualified for available jobs, despite the presence of funding for educational and vocational training. Regrettably, a significant number of Inuit (natives in general) choose to use these resources for substance abuse instead. This mirrors a similar situation in the Northwest Territories, where Native slogans often advocate for immigrants to “go back to your country.” The reality, however, is that an exodus of immigrants would be catastrophic for the North, a fact well-known to both MLAs and chiefs. These politicians often resort to such divisive statements to secure votes. A more constructive approach would involve MLAs and chiefs holding regular town hall meetings to underscore the importance of education, self-reliance, and applying for existing student assistance programs. They should also establish workshops and apprenticeship programs for those who prefer a trade. It’s concerning to see individuals in positions they are not qualified for, simply due to their native status. Imagine the risk of an unqualified healthcare provider or electrician; these are jobs that demand proper education and training. It’s an open secret that many prefer government assistance over employment, which is a disservice to the hardworking native community to whom this critique is not directed.
Please remember that Article 23 of the NLCA only applies to Government jobs at the Federal and Teritorial levels.
every GN job should be given out with the understanding that the job only lasts until an Inuk comes along who wants the job, and the Inuk proves that they have the credentials and capability to do the job. What i am seeing happening here in Nunavut now is sad. As one previous commentor noted, many immigrants here getting the GN positions are inviting their countrymen north for other GN positions. Some of them are living many in a house. And there are many who are getting the GN jobs who might have credentials on paper, yet they lack the common sense and critical thinking skills needed for the job, therefore they are not able to carry out their function at an acceptable level, yet they have their friends who are already in the system to protect them and their positions in the GN. What i am seeing is not good for Nunavut or for Inuit.
1 Billion dollars in wages went south from Nunavut last year, Nunavut is a cash cow for the south,and nobody cares.
Ian, that cash came from the south…
Sims, intended for Nunavut, you can’t seriously see a huge problem here when our very own government is being drained of over a BILLION dollars every year.
It’s no wonder our government has such a difficult time getting anything done and it’s always incredibly expensive.
Sins, that billion dollars came from the Mining Sector, we are a cash cow for Quebec and the east coast , and all that wages grows these provinces economy and is coming from Nunavuts natural resources,
This does not include the wages of southern consultants, or work in the south employees,
Nunavut is part a nation called Canada. In my life time the laws of the country apply to every citizen. There is no homeland, there is no this our land. There is Canada. Canadian citizens can work in any part of Canada.If they have the skills and the ambition to take any job that is offered.
Inuit people have the same opportunity to go any were in Canada for work. Inuit are no special than any other Canadian.
Delbert, does that mean we can take our fishing trawlers down to the Maritimes and fish as it’s in Canadian waters? Or would the local fishermen have an issue with that?
You can as long as you are licenced to fish in that zone.
And it is the same for them if they wanted fish up here.
That’s the requirements or law. That all Canadiens are governed by.
I know some people don’t realize that Canada has constitution. That gives every Canadian equal rights. Again no one group or individuals are treated any differently.
Than there fellow citizens. Even though Nunavut on a percapeta bases. Receives move federal dollars then any other province or territory.
Yes you can as long have a license to fish that zone.
And they would to fish here. If were to fish in the zones up here.
It’s not a difficult answer