Current ads
Jobs
Tenders
Notices
General

Click below

June 6 , 2003

Job description debate pits Inuit against Qallunaat

Inuit MLAs want artificial qualifications dropped

PATRICIA D'SOUZA
IN BAKER LAKE

Inuit MLAs took aim at Qallunaat bureaucrats during an emotional discussion of revised job descriptions in the legislative assembly's committee of the whole this week.

Peter Kilabuk, the former human resources minister, tabled the revised job descriptions in the assembly during the last sitting in Iqaluit.

The document lowers the education requirements of certain positions, and requires human resources staff to take into account life experience when recruiting for senior positions.

Members called for the document to be discussed in committee of the whole, and the process began on Tuesday with Manitok Thompson, the current human resources minister.

James Arvaluk, the MLA for Chesterfield Inlet and Coral Harbour, lamented that many former politicians have had a difficult time finding jobs after their terms in office were over.

"Some Inuit do want to work for the government, but the government is afraid to hire them because they are so powerful."

Jack Anawak, the MLA for Rankin Inlet North, told the assembly that he doesn't have the level of education required by most jobs in the Government of Nunavut.

"If it said Grade 12 education is required, I wouldn't be qualified because I have Grade 8 education."

The issue was a personal one for many MLAs who have seen the effects of unemployment in their communities and believe that Inuit can do many of the jobs required by government, even though they don't have the required education.

"I believe many people in my community, perhaps they do not have a specific degree or diploma, but they can do the job," said Donald Havioyak, MLA for Kugluktutk.

David Iqaqrialu, the MLA for Qiqiktarjuak and Clyde River, said Inuit should receive first priority for jobs.

"I saw Nunavummiut up here who have never had a job within Baker Lake. There are so many jobs here. But once a job ad is open in Baker Lake, I guess they're going to have to hire from Newfoundland," he said.

"Inuit here who are able to work in Baker Lake should be hired for those jobs."

The discussion hit a sensitive point during remarks by Ammituq MLA Enoki Irqittuq. The committee session had gone on for about an hour when Irqittuq leaned into his microphone and told Ed Picco in brusque Inuktitut to put on his earpiece and listen to what he was saying.

Picco complied briefly, and later left the room.

The discussion had not progressed past the introduction stage by press-time this week.

June 6 , 2003

Kivalliq medevac deal negotiated this week

Baker Lake MLA Glenn McLean asked for an assurance from Health Minister Ed Picco this week that the medevac contract for the Kivalliq would be split between the two major airlines serving the region.

However, Picco told the assembly on Monday that the contract is still being negotiated – this week, in fact – and that he could not discuss the terms until the process was complete.

He did say, however, that heath department officials were negotiating with two carriers, and had hired analysts KPMG to examine the economies of scale regarding medical travel.

June 6 , 2003

GN forgives student loans

The Government of Nunavut forgave $107,000 in student loans for the year ended March 31, 2002, according to non-consolidated financial statements tabled in the legislature on Tuesday by Finance Minister Kelvin Ng.

The loan forgiveness extends to 33 students who borrowed amounts ranging from a few hundred dollars to more than $10,000 to further their education.

In order to qualify, students must meet the academic, employment or residency criteria set out in the Student Financial Assistance regulations.

The list of students who qualify includes Margaret Havioyak, wife of Kugluktuk MLA Donald Havioyak, who borrowed $3,600, and Iqaluit lawyer Euan MacKay who borrowed $7,500.

June 6, 2003

Energy minister freezes power rates

The Government of Nunavut will freeze power rates until April 1, 2004, the beginning of the next fiscal year, Ed Picco, the minister of energy, announced in the legislature on Tuesday.

The decision is a rejection of a request from the Nunavut Power Corporation to raise rates by 10 cents per kilowatt hour as part of a fuel stabilization rider, and a recommendation by the Utility Rates Review Council for a 7.5-cent increase.

"We took this action after taking a close look at the numbers when considering a recent request by the Nunavut Power Corporation for a temporary increase," Picco said during a minister's statement.

"We were not satisfied that the numbers were full and complete."

Picco said the GN also considered the "personal hardship" the rate increase would place on consumers.

However, the decision only delays the necessary rebuilding of NPC's fuel stabilization fund, which prevents a fluctuation in fuel prices as world markets shift.

"What is it they say? It's only prolonging the agony," said Hunter Tootoo, the MLA for Iqaluit Centre, during a break in the session.

The matter has been referred to the committee of the whole, so members can discuss the decision in public.

June 6, 2003

Standardized tests ready in a year, Thompson says

The department of education will develop a culturally relevant method of standardized testing within a year, Manitok Thompson, the minister of education, said during the legislative assembly sitting in Baker Lake this week.

"If you move from Kugluktuk to Gjoa Haven and your kid is in Grade 3, he shouldn't go to Grade 2," Thompson said in an interview on Tuesday.

"It has come to our attention as mothers," she added. "People are moving as a result of decentralization. Grade 9 in Coral Harbour may be Grade 10 in Rankin."

In February, the Iqaluit District Education Authority resolved to implement Alberta tests in Iqaluit schools.

But the department of education overruled the decision, saying the English-only tests are not appropriate within the Nunavut education system.

The department began a working group aimed at developing Nunavut-specific tests. And this week, Thompson committed to providing those tests "a year from now."

"Standardized benchmarks can be designed and implemented with our requirements and needs in mind," she said in a minister's statement.

"We can design an education system incorporating our own values and traditions without harming the academics that our children need to succeed."

TOP

Advertising
Specs, rates,
& maps
Multi-paper
buying services
About the market
E-mail ad dept

More Information