Latest news with #PJAkeeagok
CBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Plan to build 3,000 homes in Nunavut still a success even if it falls short, housing corp. presidents says
Nunavut's premier and housing corporation president are defending the government's record on public housing following the release of a new Auditor General's report, which said Nunavummiut aren't being provided fair access. The report also stated there has been a lack of communication and misinformation about the targets outlined in the Nunavut 3,000 strategy — which aims to build 3,000 new homes by 2030. "We've been open and transparent in terms of showcasing what levels — they're all in different stages in terms of the construction phases," Premier P.J. Akeeagok said in the Nunavut Legislative Assembly this week. Nunavut Housing Corporation president and CEO Eiryn Devereaux said even if that target of 3,000 homes missed, the strategy will still be a success. "If we had kept doing everything the same, building a hundred units a year over nine years, we would have seen 1,000 units come into the territory," Devereaux said. "So we're talking about doubling and trying to triple the supply of much-needed housing." Devereaux said the 3,000 figure relates to units under construction since 2021, not since the launch of the strategy in 2022. "The 3,000 was always a target and it was always a target to drive change, drive the system, to say we have to do better, we have to do things differently because the status quo is just not working," he said. Devereaux said there are currently 440 units at "various stages of construction." "What's more important than people counting the numbers? It's the transformative change," he said. The Nunavut Housing Corporation accepted all of the report's 10 recommendations. More than 60 per cent of Nunavummiut rely on public housing, 45 per cent of which is overcrowded, according to Nunavut Housing Corporation data included in the auditor's report. The audit also found the housing corporation did not know whether publicly funded units were being allocated to applicants who needed them the most. Devereaux said they have a new maintenance management software system for local housing authorities, which should start rolling out later this year. "That'll help to centralize and to get data across all (local housing authorities) instead of them sort of doing it on their own in-house," he said. He said the housing corporation also plans to launch a new tenant relations and portfolio management system to take that burden off housing authorities too.
CBC
22-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Nunavut premier looks back on government's achievements as MLAs return for spring sitting
Nunavut's premier says he is looking back on the progress his government has made as the Legislative Assembly enters its final spring sitting. The sitting begins Thursday and will be the second-last one before the territory goes into an election in October. Premier P.J. Akeeagok said he knows there are some who feel there are issues his government was too slow to respond to. "But there's been work around huge advancements, around key areas like concluding some of the longstanding negotiations that have been ongoing," he said. "I look back to the devolution agreement being one of them, where it really is the next biggest chapter in the territory's history." Elder care expected to be discussed in spring sitting He said he expects subjects like elder care will be discussed in the legislature at this sitting. Joe Savikataaq, the MLA for Arviat South, also expects elder care to be a focus. Savikataaq said this is also the last chance to hold the government accountable for things they should have done. "I think there'll probably be lot of questions on housing, elder care strategy and the elder vans that appear to still not being used yet even though it's been almost a year since they were purchased," he said. Akeeagok announced in October that five vans, meant to help elderly residents get around in their communities, were purchased for about $1 million by the territorial government. These were expected to be used in Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay, Coral Harbour, Pangnirtung and Rankin Inlet. The MLAs are also expected to address a report from Canada's Auditor General about public housing, which will be presented on Monday. Savikataaq said he looks forward to reading the report. "It'll be interesting because housing's been in the spotlight a lot," Savikataaq said. "Not just the lack of housing, but like the allocation process or the ways that communities are allotted housing from the Nunavut Housing Corporation," Changing portfolios and outstanding legislation Iqaluit-Tasiluk MLA George Hickes said he has concerns over the constant changing of ministers' portfolios. The most recent shuffle occurred on May 13. "I've had that responsibility. It typically takes six months to a year to really get your head wrapped around what you don't know, never mind actually learn the intricacies of your responsibilities as a minister," he said. "With all the revolvement in this cabinet, I'm not surprised that we're getting frustrated with the lack of responses that we're getting." Then there's outstanding legislation. David Joanasie, the government house leader, said five government bills and one money bill need to be presented. The session is scheduled to run until June 3.
CBC
21-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Arctic energy, security on agenda as Western premiers meet in Yellowknife
Premiers from Western Canada are to meet Wednesday for the first of a two-day conference in Yellowknife. Premiers from Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut are set to attend the annual conference. Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson's office says the leaders will discuss a range of issues, including Arctic and energy security, trade and emergency preparedness. It says housing, economic corridors and tariffs are also on the agenda. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's office says he plans to discuss a number of priorities he's put to Prime Minister Mark Carney to take on, including strengthening the Criminal Code and allowing provinces to have full responsibility of the industrial carbon levy. Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok says his main focus will be on the Arctic and the need for infrastructure to protect the security and sovereignty of the North. He says the Arctic has incredible resource potential, which is why he wants to see more conversation around infrastructure building.
CBC
12-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Pamela Gross named Nunavut justice minister in cabinet shuffle
Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok has reassigned some portfolios among his cabinet ministers. In a news release on Monday, the premier said Pamela Gross is now minister of justice, minister responsible for labour and minister responsible for the human rights tribunal. Gross, who's also the deputy premier, will remain as education minister in addition to her new portfolios. The justice, labour and human rights tribunal portfolios were previously held by Minister David Akeeagok. He now takes on two of Gross's previous portfolios, as human resources minister and minister responsible for the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission, and also stays on as community services minister. The new assignments are effective immediately, the premier said. The announcement is the latest in a number of cabinet upheavals since P.J. Akeeagok was named premier in 2021. Six people have resigned from cabinet over that time, and the premier also faced a confidence vote in the legislature last fall. The next territorial election is just a few months away, on Oct. 27.
