"Action Not Just Issues" Update

During the April 1, 1999, election my platform was called "Action Not Just Issues." As part of that campaign I promised to update you on the progress I have made with my election platform.

Daycare and Daycare programs

During the election campaign I committed to supporting a review of our daycares and daycare programs. I also committed to working toward a better formula funding and addressing the O&M costs of our daycares. I supported the Department of Education's review of daycare programs. These and other issues were addressed in the Looking Towards the Future comprehensive report/review of Nunavut's daycares that was released on September 19. As a result of the  report all licensed  daycares in Nunavut will receive an increase of 10 percent based on the per diem/per space funding formula.

As well other pro-active changes to the formula-base, the Government of Nunavut will also move forward on over 20 other recommendations from the report, including the incorporation of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit as a foundation for early childhood programs.

Health Care and Health Care Programs

I committed to supporting a base-funded nursing program as well as an access year for nursing students. This has been implemented. I committed to reviewing the current escort and medical travel policy; this has been completed and implemented. I committed to reviewing and implementing a recruitment and retention strategy for our medical professionals, nurses, etc. The Recruitment/ Retention Strategy has been completed, the 21 recommendations have been accepted and implementations begun.

Looking into and reviewing treatment programs, especially in the area of drug and alcohol programs, was another commitment. This is on-going with continued emphasis on capacity building and training at the community level.

Social and  Private Homeownership/Homelessness

The federal Government withdrew all funding for new social housing construction in 1993. I promised to support a new Government of Nunavut-introduced plan to build social housing. I endorsed our Government's efforts to build 100 new social housing units for Nunavut and to continue with a program similar to the DAP for Nunavut residents to own their own homes. The DAP program has been very successful here in Iqaluit and our new social housing units have begun construction. Also, an allocation was made in the Government of Nunavut budget to help defray the cost of utilador hook-ups for the residents of the lower base area of Iqaluit.

A working group looking at short-term homeless issues, specifically in Iqaluit and a second group for a Nunavut-wide strategy to deal with homelessness have been working for the past few months on an action plan to provide a continuum of care. Premier Okalik appointed me as Minister Responsible for the Issue of Homelessness in Nunavut. Nunavut is the only jurisdiction in the country other than the federal government to have such a ministry.

In the next newsletter I will continue to update you on progress I have made with my election campaign platform. As you can see a lot has been accomplished, but there is still much more to do.

New symbols for Nunavut

On May 1, 200, the Legislative Assembly designated the following to accompany Nunavut's Flag, Coat of Arms and Mace as symbols of our new territory: the Rock Ptarmigan as our official bird, the Purple Saxifrage as our official flower and the Canadian Inuit dog, commonly called the husky, as our official dog. To learn more about these and other Nunavut symbols contact the Legislative Assembly at 975-5004.