Some Inuit tradespeople actively seeking work in Iglulik are being overlooked by a Quebec-based contractor building houses in the community, according to Amittuq MLA Joelie Kaernerk.

SA国际影视传媒淭here are Inuit electricians, carpenters, plumbers, and oil burner mechanics. Inuit are skilled in these sectors. However, there always seems to be a caveat as southerners treat them with disdain even though they are qualified,SA国际影视传媒� Kaernerk said in the legislative assembly on Tuesday. SA国际影视传媒淭hey hired the bare minimum of Inuit, and hardly any employment income is coming into the community.SA国际影视传媒�

He called on the GN to increase Inuit labour in the construction industry.

Community and Government Services Minister Lorne Kusugak said GN-issued contracts are continually reviewed and the Inuit labour component is determined based on many factors.

SA国际影视传媒淒ifferent communities also have limited capacity or no experienced workforce, and that happens on occasion,SA国际影视传媒� Kusugak said. SA国际影视传媒淪ome communities hire over 60 percent Inuit and many times the contractors end up fighting over the same labour force.SA国际影视传媒�

In addition, some Inuit workers stop showing up for work after receiving a couple of paycheques, Kusugak added.

SA国际影视传媒淚t happens with many community projects and I imagine you have observed that in your own community,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淪ome Inuit will work for part of the project but never seem able to work to the end, especially after a few pay periods.SA国际影视传媒�

The minister acknowledged, however, that the government is striving to find ways to boost local benefits from contracts and he welcomed specific suggestions from MLAs.

Arviat North-Whale Cove MLA John Main then pointed out that the Inuit labour requirement for the upcoming Cape Dorset health centre construction project is only 25 per cent.

Kusugak admitted that the target is low.

SA国际影视传媒淚 am not defending what they are doing but when the contracts are of a larger amount, if you donSA国际影视传媒檛 reach the 25 percent Inuit labour content, you will be penalized for not reaching the Inuit employment levels because they work their penalties into them,SA国际影视传媒� Kusugak said.

Main said he would like to see proof that the government is regularly exercising a provision to include Inuit training programs in its large construction contracts.

Kusugak said the GN admittedly has more work to do on that front and the government has identified a way to put more focus on Inuit training.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have seen that there is a big need to improve on that,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e are working on getting a requirement for Inuit training/employment form included in all capital projects of any significance and that that form has to be filled out at the same time as filling out the (request for proposals). I think itSA国际影视传媒檚 a very positive step.SA国际影视传媒�

After Aggu MLA Paul Quassa began a line of questioning about hiring more Inuit, Kusugak gave an impassioned response:

SA国际影视传媒淭his is not a frivolous matter, but quite serious when talking about Inuit wanting employment and those with the capability to work hard, as this isnSA国际影视传媒檛 a trivial issue,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

SA国际影视传媒淎nd further, we want to be conveyed this information either by Inuit who arenSA国际影视传媒檛 being hired or especially in situations where Inuit who are able and willing to work arenSA国际影视传媒檛 hired and we especially want to hear from those Inuit. Many contractors just say that no work is available even though there is space. We want to hear from the people looking for jobs who are not given jobs. We want Inuit to be employed every time thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a contract. We want them to seek out Inuit employees. I am absolutely committed to this requirement, as I want to see a day in our future when the entire workforce for these contracts are working and comprised of local Inuit without a legal requirement to hire locally due to the high numbers of qualified Inuit and no longer need the (Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti) policy due to the numbers of qualified Inuit construction workers.SA国际影视传媒�