Scathing housing report should create ‘challenges’ for premier, housing minister
Timing of auditor general’s report critical of Nunavut 3000 progress comes at bad time, just months before election
The 18 units in this apartment building on Siku Crescent in Iqaluit are the only new housing units added to Nunavut Housing Corp.’s inventory since the Government of Nunavut embarked on its Nunavut 3000 initiative in late 2022, the federal auditor general says. (Photo by Corey Larocque)
Whatever kept Housing Minister Lorne Kusugak out of the legislative assembly Monday, it helped him dodge a bullet — one that could be damaging enough to keep him out of the legislature for good after the next election.
The federal auditor general delivered a damning report about Nunavut housing, pointing to a lack of transparency, challenges meeting its Nunavut 3000 targets and a failure to communicate progress.
Kusugak was not in the legislature for the tabling of the report, having been marked “absent” at the start of the day.
Though present, Premier P.J. Akeeagok chose not to answer a Nunatsiaq News reporter’s questions because he hadn’t read the report.
Lack of transparency? You don’t you say?
Deputy auditor general Andrew Hayes painted a grim picture of Nunavut Housing Corp.’s handling of the Nunavut 3000 plan, a cornerstone of this legislative assembly.
In late 2022, MLAs invented Nunavut 3000, an ambitious $2.6-billion project to build 3,000 homes by 2030, which was then about eight years away. It calls for Nunavut Housing Corp. to build 1,400 public housing units.
That plan faces “considerable challenges,” according to Hayes. His report paints a dubious picture of the progress that has been made.
The auditor general reported that, while Nunavut Housing Corp. said 258 public housing units had been built, in fact only 18 have actually been built since the launch of Nunavut 3000.
At that rate, Nunavut 3000 is on track to be something closer to Nunavut 90.
And that’s just what the auditor general had to say about Nunavut 3000. The report, Public Housing in Nunavut, also concluded Nunavut Housing Corp. did not provide equitable access to suitable public housing, nor did it manage the adequacy of the territory’s public housing inventory.
Akeeagok’s excuse for not commenting on the report — that he hadn’t read it — was a little too convenient, especially since the Nunavut Housing Corp. issued a news release minutes after the deputy auditor general wrapped up a news conference about his report. The corporation reaffirmed its “commitment to improved housing services.”
The auditor general throws a wet blanket over one of the government’s hallmark initiatives, but the premier hasn’t seen the report yet? That’s pretty convenient.
If Nunavut Housing Corp. had enough time to draft a news release — including a quote from Kusugak — the premier had enough time to get adequately briefed to speak to a reporter.
As the head of government, a premier needs to be able to step in when a minister isn’t available and answer questions about a controversial issue.
In a lot political environments that adhere to the principle of ministerial accountability, the kind of bungling the auditor general pointed out would result in a cabinet minister losing his job.
Certainly, other Nunavut ministers have been relieved of their cabinet responsibilities for, arguably, less serious matters
The only way the auditor general’s report could have been worse for Kusugak and Akeeagok would be if it had dropped in late September in the lead-up to October’s territorial elections.
Considering the report’s tone and content, some politicians should find “considerable challenges” of their own come election time.
Not one of the MLAs will ask what is the actual cost of a unit to date, they are elected to ask the questions, totally ineffective group. and finish the existing units being constructed. and halt the program until they find out what it will cost.
Most regular MLAs pose questions, but none receive answers. Half of the MLAs are hesitant to challenge the Premier, viewing him as God sent. For the first time, someone has acknowledged the house’s deception since its inception. Currently, the Minister and Premier are absent. Hopefully, this will halt the frequent trips to Ottawa for work-related, leisure then ends for personal reasons.
These numbers were published. I was shocked. I think it was ~$580k
Under this government all housing construction has been sole sourced, mostly to NCC. Except, NCC does not have the people to do the construction. So they’ve taken their mark-up and tried to sub-contract to other firms.
No competative bids.
No credible reports of accomplishment.
No accountability.
No indication that anyone in chage even knows what’s gone on.
I’m sure the money has gone somewhere…
Another banger Editorial, well done.
I like to be fair, so let’s give credit where it is due.
The mandate was ambitious, and Nunavut 3000 is ambitious. It was a breath of fresh air compared to previous mandates, and that is laudable.
PJ and Lorne took on a huge project whose outcome was always aspirational. They truly let their reach exceed their grasp, which is what Nunavut needs. PJ also chose some very good DM’s who are affecting change in a very good way. Justice and FS come to mind.
The regular caucus decided to support this ambition, sometimes just barely, but to their credit they let it ride, recognizing the need for ambitious projects.
Now, for the hard part.
PJ should have been more selective in who he chose as senior staff. Very, very good to see Inuit in senior positions, but there were other Inuit who should have been considered for the top jobs. Some were let go who should have stayed, and some stayed who should have been let go. Too late now, but a misstep.
Partnering up with NCC was a bad mistake. They’re poorly managed, inefficient, and lack the vision and the passion to make Nunavut 3000 work. That infamous tiktok video should have been a wake up call, and the rushed commitment to train 90 apprentices was too little too late. This is NCC’s failure just as much as it is Cabinet’s. Cancel the contract, re-tender the housing builds, and let’s do this right.
Lorne is a very good Finance Minister, but not a very good Housing Minister. He’s worked wonders at Finance to give him credit, but NHC needs a fresh vision. It’s a tall task, and growing pains are to be expected. In the next government, it may be worth handing off NHC to some of the other capable Ministers should they choose to run and win again.
It’s a pendulum – prior governments were a little too timid, and we’re paying for that. This government was a little too ambitious, which is what we wanted, but we are also paying for that. The next government is our chance to catch the pendulum when it’s just right.
Voters, particularly in some of the smaller communities, need to elect people who are nice and popular, but who are also capable and competent. Some of the regular caucus stunts were painful, embarrassing, and counterproductive.
The editorials here are getting better. I think Corey is starting to hit his stride.
I am shocked that PJ premier have NOT read the report !!!! Where is his staff to brief him!!
This premier is not a working premier! He’s just flying all over the place and mostly to Ottawa!!
It is noted that current Nunavut Premier makes excuses to travel not only for photo ops but frequent trips to Ottawa West Embassy and perhaps check out on a private school then over to Kug for family vac. Wish we allI can do that and get away with it.
Kindsa Make.u wonder how someone on a goverment salary is able to send their kids to private school in ottawa, eh?
What new with this government of Nunavut
Since it started 25 years ago
First they got $80 Million to build a new hospital
Then the money was gone
The Nunavut government to get another $100 million from Ottawa and also need Qikiqtaluk Corporation chip in
Now the received 2.6 billion
With only 18 houses built
Perhaps our Priemer will need to do more photo opps and need to ask for more money from the federal government