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June 14, 2002
Why NTI is fighting the
GN
Nunatsiaq News
On May 9, just days after
NTI lawyers filed notice of their attempt to quash the one-year NNI grandfathering
extensions in court, Paul Kaludjak, NTIs vice-president of finance, made
a lengthy behind-closed-doors presentation to the Ajauqtiit committee of MLAs.
Kaludjaks remarks
provide many clues that reveal NTIs thinking, and what motivates their
anger at the GN.
Here are some excerpts
from his presentation:
Domination by Iqaluit?
"The pressure
[to extend the grandfathering period by one year] primarily was applied by Iqaluit-based
large corporations.
"What we are dealing
with is an Iqaluit phenomenon, and an invitation for the Inuit of Nunavut and
everyone from other communities to continue to be dominated from Iqaluit by
a handful of these companies."
A surprise for NTI?
"During the
first annual review of the NNI policy, carried out jointly by the GN and NTI
and concluded in March 2002, the grandfathering clause was discussed.
"Both the GN and NTI
representatives concluded that it was unnecessary to make any recommendations
on this subject, as the grandfathering period was due to expire.
"It was, accordingly,
a complete surprise when we learned that on April 4 the cabinet had extended
the grandfathering clause for a further 12 months."
Peeved at bulk fuel
exemption
"At the same
meeting, the cabinet approved the exemption of the bulk fuel contract from the
NNI policy for a period of three years, with an option to extend the exemption
for two further years.
"As I understand it,
this is the largest contract offered by the GN.
"So with the grandfathering
of several large non-Nunavut corporations, the exemption of the fuel oil contract,
and the already exempted sole-source contracts, there is not much left for the
NNI policy to apply to."
Violations of agreements?
"Not only has
the GN jeopardized the principal means for implementing Article 24, it has done
so without consulting NTI as it is required to do under Article 24.3.7.
"The failure to consult
also contravenes Section 21 of the NNI policy, and provisions contained in the
Clyde River Protocol."
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