In Our View

September 28, 2001

Nunavut needs an EDA

MAYOR KEITH PETERSON (Cambridge Bay)
Vice-President of Nunavut Association of Municipalities

It is interesting that a quick search on the Internet for information about a "Northern economic development strategy" yields very few results — not much more than a June 8, 2000 press release by the Yukon government regarding northern foreign policy, with a tag-end that says, "We are also looking forward to getting to work on the Northern Economic Development Strategy, a project announced in the 1998 federal budget."

It sounds, very much, like a plea for action and that we all share.

It was not hard to research the history of the various federal economic development and diversification agreements that have been signed with the provinces. In 1996, a co-operation agreement on economic diversification was signed with the province of Nova Scotia, followed by an economic development agreement with Newfoundland and Labrador in 1997 (both signed by the federal minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency).

In June 1988, the Western Economic Diversification Act established the federal Department of Western Economic Diversification, with its main activities centered on the westem diversification program. Their stated mandate was the development and diversification of the economy of western Canada, and to advance the interests of western Canada in national economic policy.

Economic development agreements were also signed with Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and in May, 2000, a multi-million dollar joint agreement with British Columbia was announced by federal Environment Minister David Anderson.

But the North has nothing — no economic diversification agency, and no economic development strategy. Our communities are in desperate need of assistance — not continued handouts, but real investments in basic infrastructure, stimulative investment policies, tax breaks, and economic development strategies.

Our municipalities are almost 100 per cent dependent on government transfer payments. A territory cannot create economic wealth for its people when this situation exists.

The potential for Nunavut’s economy must be recognized and supported by our governments. It is critical that sector-specific development strategies are created and implemented that will lead to employment opportunities, and allow us to capitalize on opportunities in global tourism, small business, mining, renewable resources, and technology, to name a few.

Otherwise, our communities, and the territorial economy, will be fighting an uphill battle for decades to come.

The Government of Nunavut, and Inuit organizations, cannot do this on their own. This is a national issue, with potential for the entire Canadian economy, and needs to be recognized as such. Clearly, without an economic development agreement — or "EDA" — in place for Nunavut, the investments required for major economic growth will be limited.

Exactly what is the timeframe for an EDA for Nunavut? While researching this article, I spoke with contacts in the government of Nunavut, the Yukon territorial government, the federal government, and met briefly with the minister of Indian affairs when he travelled to Cambridge Bay.

I was able to confirm that "something is in the works" for the North. An urgent question is: What is in the works for the North, if no one outside of government in the North is involved?

Another question: how long will it take for consideration and approval?

Proposals on any major economic initiative like this must first go to the cabinet committee on economic union, which is a committee of federal cabinet ministers, for approval. The originating department (in this case Indian Affairs), must convince the committee that an EDA for the North has merit, prior to any consideration by cabinet.

We wonder if this proposal made it to the cabinet committee, or even out of Indian affairs? Catch-phrases like "in the line-up," or, "on the table" aren’t very comforting to those of us on the frontlines in the North.

It’s becoming increasingly evident that Indian Affairs will need lobbying support from the three territorial governments, and the support of our members of Parliament and other federal ministers, for an EDA to be tabled and implemented in a reasonable time.

Otherwise, we will be asking these questions again next year, and the year after, and the answers will be the same. We can’t continue to accept these responses. Can we afford to wait?

Nunavut has a long wish-list, but a short and concise list of major priorities that require immediate action. These include basic territorial infrastructure, the formula financing agreement, and an EDA with Ottawa. In terms of political strength, it is worth mentioning that we share these issues in common with the NWT and Yukon.

An EDA is only "one of the tools", albeit an important one, for economic development. It must be accompanied by strong leadership, innovative economic strategies, projects that attract federal funds, and committed partnerships.

Much will depend on the ability of Nunavut’s leaders to maximize our potential. What is the alternative?

TOP

September 14, 2001

Tackling Nunavut’s social ills

MAYOR JOHNNY NINGEONGAN (Coral Harbour)
President of Nunavut Association of Municipalities

The Conference Board of Canada was recently commissioned by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Government of Nunavut and the Department of Indian Affairs to study the current and longer-term prospects of Nunavut’s economy. This study was released a number of weeks ago.

As one would expect, the state of Nunavut’s infrastructure was described as a very serious problem.

However, the real heart of the report was dominated by even more basic structural deficiencies — in education, and health and social care at the community level.

We were very concerned with, but not surprised by statements like "The health status of Nunavummiut is much lower than that of other Canadians."

Or stark reminders that "...health-related services and education... are in desperate need of attention."

In fact, failure to improve our health conditions and upgrade our education levels is indicated as one of the greatest risks to our future development.

Those of us who work at the community level are reminded of this on a daily basis, and understand that without healthy, happy citizens our economic growth will be limited. Without this social foundation, economic initiatives cannot be effective.

Social issues are much more difficult to understand than any number of infrastructure deficiencies, and the impact of not addressing these problems is far more damaging. The cost of a municipal system can be estimated very closely, and we know that the investment will have a specific impact. For example, an environmental concern may be completely and knowingly eliminated with appropriate funding.

Mental health is much more complex, and no one investment and no amount of money will address this overnight. Yet this issue is putting a significant drain on resources at the community level, in large part because it may lead to other social concerns such as alcoholism, drug abuse and family violence.

So where do we start? Our association is urging the Government of Nunavut to review the funding levels provided to operate crisis shelters in communities where they exist. Currently, the actual cost of operations is not reflected by the funding that is received.

With the usage of these centres on the rise, we need to be assured that these essential facilities will not be closed, and that the availability of services will not be reduced.

We are also lobbying our government for the construction of one alcohol treatment centre in each region in Nunavut, to facilitate the treatment of both the patient and family.

To date, the Department of Health & Social Services has stated that residential treatment programs, away from the home community are of little value. Yet we understand these centres are working in Nunavik and can see no reason why they would not work here.