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GN hosts dog-and-pony show in Ottawa

Paul schmoozes with Stephen, Jim and Stockwell

JIM BELL

The seven-page document, a report for cabinet prepared May 18 by David Omilgoitok, deputy minister of intergovernmental affairs, says the GN hired the well-known Ottawa lobby firm, Hill and Knowlton, to help set up meetings on May 16 between Nunavut ministers and their federal counterparts.

The premier’s entourage also hosted a lunch reception May 16 in the parliamentary restaurant. The purpose of the exercise was to acquaint the Tory government with Nunavut’s priorities.

This may be the first time that the GN has lobbied the federal government en masse.

In a section headed “Communications,” the document says “Premier will discuss the effort with local media and in the Nunavut Assembly.”

That hasn’t happened, as of our press-time this week. But thanks to the generosity of an anonymous leaker, Nunatsiaq News can now reveal that:

• Premier Paul Okalik met Prime Minister Stephen Harper, DIAND Minister Jim Prentice, and Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day;
• Jim Prentice told Okalik that he will direct his officials to discuss with Nunavut the idea of setting up a working group to implement the Berger report;
• Prentice will develop a “northern vision” to replace the Northern Strategy process launched by the old Paul Martin government, and has sent a discussion paper to the three territorial premiers;
• Prentice is in the process of getting approval from the federal cabinet for a mandate to start devolution talks with Nunavut.
• Stockwell Day told Okalik that he will consider discussions on sharing the cost of a new correctional facility in Nunavut;
• Okalik told Stephen Harper that Nunavut supports Tory efforts to assert sovereignty in the Arctic, and that he “welcomes” future constitutional talks, should they be announced;
• Okalik thanked Harper for the $200 million worth of social housing money granted in the recent federal budget, and looks forward to getting more in the future;
• Harper asked Okalik how climate change is affecting Nunavut; Okalik answered by saying it wrecks ice roads used by mining companies and ice platforms used by Cumberland Sound fishermen;
• Olayuk Akesuk, the transportation minister, told Lawrence Cannon, the federal transport minister, that the GN’s deep-sea port priority in south Baffin is for a port at Kimmirut connected to Iqaluit by a road.
• David Simailak, the Nunavut finance minister, lobbied Jim Flaherty, the federal finance minister, on formula financing, the northern residents tax deduction, “efforts to strengthen financial management in Nunavut,” the fiscal imbalance, rising energy costs and other issues.

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