Nunavut Legislative Assembly’s fall sitting kicks off this week

The Nunavut Legislative Assembly will reconvene in Iqaluit for its fall session beginning Wednesday, a day ahead of schedule due to a change in airline flight schedules.

Seven bills are to be introduced, including the capital budget.

South Baffin MLA David Joanasie, Secretary of Community and Government Services and Head of Government House, said this meeting is “opportune time” for Lorne Kusugak, the Nunavut 3000 housing plan for Nunavut Housing Corp.

The ambitious plan is to build 3,000 new homes by 2030. To reach the goal, more than 30 new housing units would have to be built every month for the next eight years. The plan is valued at $2.6 billion, according to the housing association.

Nunavut Prime Minister PJ Akeeagok was in Ottawa Monday to appeal for funding for the housing plan.

About 65 percent of the costs are to be borne by governments and Inuit organizations. Akeeagok, along with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) President Aluki Kotierk, met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to withhold this $500 million worth of money to be split between NTI and the Nunavut government. (NTI plans to use its share of the shared funds, if awarded, for its own housing project separate from Nunavut 3000).

Akeeagok said his government’s plan was “very ambitious but achievable”.

“I really feel that the reaction has been really positive and the Prime Minister understands that housing is our priority,” he said.

“I am optimistic that we will continue the dialogue with the Prime Minister and really push housing out of that lens because we know housing is needed.”

Akeeagok said he has yet to receive a response to her funding request and he hopes the money will be allocated in the 2023 federal budget.

Meanwhile, Solomon Malliki, MLA for Aivilik and chair of the regular members’ caucus, said he did not have full faith in the Nunavut 3000 plan.

“Our term is only up to [2025]”, he said. “This government sets the next government for houses. I don’t see how that’s realistic.”

He said the MLAs would ask more questions about it during the fall session.

Malliki would also like to see funds allocated in the territory’s budget to consider establishing a facility for elders in each of the territory’s parishes.

“We hope so,” he said. “The mandate of the government is closer to home, but we want them at home.”

Joanasie said among the other bills to be introduced are legislation to amend the Commissioner’s Land Act and legislation to amend the Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act.

He said he couldn’t give any more details at this time.

“I anticipate a good two weeks ahead and look forward to talking to MLAs and others,” he said.

“I also just want to invite the public if they come in, if they come over, our legislature is open to visitors again… You’re definitely welcome to come and watch.”

The fall session, which begins Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. ET, is scheduled to last about two weeks, ending on Nov. 8.