As the Government of Nunavut struggles to meet demand for social housing based on federal funding, Housing Minister Patterk Netser is turning to land claims organization Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) to help alleviate the housing crunch.
SA国际影视传媒淚 voted for Nunavut too, and those of us who are beneficiaries of Nunavut are a part of the people who are experiencing a housing shortage,SA国际影视传媒� Netser said in the legislative assembly in June. SA国际影视传媒淚t would look very good if Nunavut Tunngavik could build houses for the beneficiaries in Nunavut. I would completely welcome Nunavut Tunngavik if they could give us funding for housing. I want to see that.SA国际影视传媒�
Netser characterized federal funding for housing as SA国际影视传媒渇airly insignificant.SA国际影视传媒�
Ottawa committed $240 million over 10 years in 2017 toward the issue, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 estimated that the 3,500 new homes that the territory needs would exceed $1 billion.
SA国际影视传媒淲e need tangible assistance from the federal government and Nunavut Tunngavik to mitigate overcrowding and the housing shortage we face,SA国际影视传媒� Netser said.
Aluki Kotierk, president of NTI, was not available for an interview this week.
photo courtesy of the Government of Nunavut
Cathy Towtongie, MLA for Rankin Inlet North/Chesterfield Inlet and a former president of NTI, doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 think it would be wise for NTI to dip into its trust fund that has grown to almost $2 billion due to accumulating interest. Investment income from the trust has made scholarships, bereavement travel and harvester support programs possible. It has also aided Inuit businesses and covered operating expenses of NTI and the regional Inuit organizations.
SA国际影视传媒淚nuit received a one-time only payment for the extinguishment and surrender of all rights,SA国际影视传媒� Towtongie said. SA国际影视传媒淚 would be concerned if we looked 20 or 30 years down the line because we have a very high birth rateSA国际影视传媒� I would be worried if NTI took on a greater role in housing.SA国际影视传媒�
The territorial government receives an annual transfer payment of approximately $1.6 billion. Because Inuit pay taxes, SA国际影视传媒淚 am inclined to say the Government of Canada should step up,SA国际影视传媒� Towtongie said, placing the responsibility on Ottawa.
ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 no provision in the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement for the federal government to provide housing in Nunavut, Towtongie acknowledged. The Nunavik land claim in northern Quebec, however, includes an article pertaining to government funds for housing.
SA国际影视传媒淭he primary goal was to have a public government,SA国际影视传媒� Towtongie said of terms of NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 claim. SA国际影视传媒淭hey (the government) only negotiated social, cultural, programming and program designSA国际影视传媒� practical items like housing, nobody wanted to negotiate.SA国际影视传媒�
photo courtesy of the Government of Nunavut
Paul Quassa, Aggu MLA and also a former president of NTI, said he strongly encourages NTI and the GN to work together, even to cost share on projects such as public housing. Together, they can help make Nunavummiut self-reliant, he said.
SA国际影视传媒淭hese are common issues that both entities are very concerned about,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淒o something.SA国际影视传媒�
The Inuit organizations have proven capable of constructing hotels, office space and even being a partner in building the legislature over the past two decades, Quassa noted.
SA国际影视传媒淓ach entity could dip in so many millions of dollars. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 another route,SA国际影视传媒� he said regarding public housing. SA国际影视传媒淭he Nunavut trust funds are there to help beneficiaries any way they can. Certainly this is one particular area that the beneficiaries need help in, which is housing, adequate housing.SA国际影视传媒�
