MLAs grill minister over Cambridge Bay long-term care home ‘photo op’
John Main, other dignitaries attend ground-breaking for 24-bed facility in Kitikmeot
A ceremonial tundra-turning was held Sept. 5 in Cambridge Bay for a planned long-term care facility in that community. From left are Health Minister John Main, Cambridge Bay Mayor Wayne Gregory, elder Bessie Omilgoetok, Cambridge Bay MLA Pamela Gross, Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok, NTI vice-president Paul Irngaut, and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister David Joanasie. (Photo courtesy of Government of Nunavut)
Health Minister John Main wouldn’t say how much a planned long-term care home in Cambridge Bay will cost Monday as some MLAs accused him and other dignitaries of using last week’s tundra-turning ceremony as a photo opportunity just weeks before the start of an election campaign.
During question period at Nunavut’s legislative assembly, Main fended off a charge from Arviat-South MLA Joe Savikataaq that the tundra-turning ceremony last week was a “photo op.”
“It could be seen as campaigning as they may be running back for re-election, and there’s only two weeks left [in this term],” Savikataaq said Monday, the first day of the legislative assembly’s fall sitting.
Savikataaq called the timing of Friday’s ceremony “inappropriate,” adding it was “unprecedented” because the legislature has not yet committed funds to build the facility.
But Main defended the event and his involvement as well as that of other territorial politicians, including the premier.
“One person’s photo op is another person’s accessible and transparent government,” Main said.
“When we were in Cambridge Bay, there was a photo portion to our visit. I also took the time to visit our excellent staff at the Kitikmeot Regional Health Centre,” the health minister said, adding he also interacted with elders and people with disabilities.
Friday’s ceremony, which marked progress on the planned facility, was also attended by Premier P.J. Akeeagok, MLA Pamela Gross, Cambridge Bay Mayor Wayne Gregory, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister David Joanasie, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. vice-president Paul Irngaut and members of Kitikmeot Inuit Association.
“This ceremony was an important opportunity to acknowledge the progress we have made together, to celebrate the partnerships that are driving this work forward, and to reaffirm our shared commitment to improving elder care for Nunavummiut,” Main said Monday in the legislature.
The 24-bed facility is expected to open in 2028, Greg Babstock, assistant deputy minister of health, said in an email.
The Kitikmeot centre would be Nunavut’s second long-term care facility, following the opening of a similar facility in Rankin Inlet earlier this year.
Its funding comes through the Canada-Nunavut Integrated Bilateral Agreement under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, a news release said.
In question period Monday, Iqaluit-Tasiluk MLA George Hickes asked how much the Cambridge Bay project is expected to cost and how the cost would be shared by the federal government and Government of Nunavut.
Main said he would not reveal the specific cost because it’s part of the procurement process.
“We are yet to go through the procurement process and enter into a contract,” Main said, refusing to provide either a dollar figure or cost-sharing breakdown.
After the sitting, Savikataaq described the timing of Friday’s tundra-turning ceremony as unusual.
He said the long-term care facility hasn’t been fully approved in the territory’s capital budget, and noted the ceremony occurred shortly before the legislature is to be dissolved Sept. 21 ahead of the Oct. 27 election.
Main declined further comment after the sitting.
I like you John, but talking about transparency while unable to address the question of cost is next level dissonance…
Who is the real Minister Photo OP. No more please, it’s been too much of an eye sore. GN threw away too much for fake photos.
This was spossed to be in Kugluktuk. Why Cambridge? Need real answers.
The Hamlet of Kugluktuk pursued this and wasted over $1M in planning, site preparation and other associated costs. They did so without any firm commitment from the GN that Kugluktuk would be chosen as the location. The whole ownership and operational plans were troublesome and the GN avoided serious consideration by defaulting to locating these facilities in the regional centers. Consultants made some serious $, and Kugluktuk lost out.
Gross photo op
Re-Elect time that’s why
Wonder who the candidates will be?
For sure Pam will run.
The GN has the option to disband a municipal council and appoint an administrator to operate the town until the ship is righted. That is exactly what the Federal Government should do in the case of Nunavut. Put some professionals in charge until, at least, Nunavut proves it can assemble a competent group of MLA’s.
It’s all coming out now, Mr photo op has been doing this since he got into politics, as long as he looks good everything else does not matter, even if it doesn’t make any sense.
Looks like John is learning from the best.
I am sure glad he is not running again, we need someone that is more interested in helping Nunavut and the majority that are from here, not about how he can get attention and the limelight.
This is the only time these politicians ever worked in their lives
Joanasie should know better. As the House Leader he should pay more attention to life outside of the house.
I guess the photo op boss could not resist one last one before moving onto another gig. We have grown tired of this act and can’t wait for the month to pass so we can see a real government be formed. Just praying the rest of the supporting cast on the photo will be gone with him. On with the real work of helping us voters out, as we are suppose to count.
Nunavummiu extend gratitude to the Master of Photo Ops, wishing you all the best with your family. Your photos and stories of adventure have been a wonderful gift to the people of Nunavut. Hopefully, your travels will help you understand that photography and exploration are not key duties of the Premier.
I for one didn’t vote to be part of Nunavut but beside the point, the central Kitikmeot always seem to be left out alot since Nunavut was created -always about what the east want, my 2 cents.
This is good news for the Kitikmeot region seeing as the surrounding communities Gjoa Haven, Pelly Bay, Taloyoak and Kugluktuk are just a flight away.
You get what you put into it, this region continually play a broken record, victimoness poor me, hands out for free things, the world doesn’t work like that, you have to work to get things, your politicians have to represent you, the staff have to put in the work, no one will just give you money, infrastructure anything just because you ask for it, build up capacity and local people to put in the work, stop waiting for someone else to give you what you want, it will not happen.
Plain and simple.
Mr. Savikittuk needs to go back to pre kindergarten wait forgot this is not available in Arviat. Wait what, wasn’t he premier before…… and he doesn’t know about procurement 101.