Latest news with #Nunavut3000
Hamilton Spectator
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Nunavut premier prioritizes family in decision not to seek re-election in fall
In a 'family-first' decision, Nunavut's Premier Pauloosie Jamesie (P.J.) Akeeagok will step away from politics during the upcoming fall election. The premier made the surprise announcement on his official government page July 8, one day before the territory celebrates the 32 year of Nunavut Day. 'I am stepping away because this is the right moment to spend more time with my young family—time that public life often demands we set aside,' Akeeagok said in his detailed post addressed to the people of Nunavut. Born in Grise Fiord, Akeeagok attended Nunavut Sivuniksavut and then studied political science and Indigenous Studies at the University of Ottawa, where he met his wife Parniga. Prior to entering the political arena, he was the two-term president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, the organization that represents the rights and benefits of Qikiqtani Inuit. He also held senior roles at Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. At 36-years-old, he was elected as MLA in October, 2021 to represent the riding of Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu. In November, he was subsequently chosen to represent the territory as its sixth premier by the newly-elected MLAs in the consensus-style government. Achieving goals Akeeagok cited numerous accomplishments in his nearly four years at the helm of Canada's newest territory. When first elected, Akeeagok highlighted a magnitude of issues faced by the territory. He said the territory was in crisis and youth were crying out to be heard. He said solutions were needed for mental health and addictions issues, elder care at home, food insecurity, and affordable childcare. He called for partnerships with other governments to help build much needed housing in the territory. He also highlighted the fisheries industry as an alternative economic opportunity for communities not benefitting from the mining industry or government jobs. In his address, he said negotiating the historic devolution agreement, the national early childhood agreement, the renewal of the Nunavut Agreement implementation contract, and the launch of Nunavut 3000 were among the achievements he felt stood out during his political term. Confidence retained It wasn't always a smooth journey for Akeeagok, however, as he navigated through governing the vast territory. Dissent began growing within the legislature, with workplace culture, staff changes and transparency becoming issues of contention. In 2024, Solomon Malliki, the MLA for Aivilik, became critical of Akeeagok's leadership style for its lack of transparency and a growing 'toxic environment', and put forth a vote of non-confidence. A resulting narrow vote of 10-8 kept Akeeagok in his premier's seat however, and he responded by calling the motion a 'sledgehammer' approach to the allegations. Akeeagok said he anticipates future projects that 'reinforce Canadian sovereignty' and respond to urgent community needs will help build a strong territory and will 'form the backbone of a stronger, more resilient Arctic rooted in Inuit values', leading to a true partnership with Canada. Akeeagok emphasized the reason for his departure from politics in his address, and gave no indication in his message of where the future may lead him. 'I remain deeply committed to public service and to the future of this territory, and I look forward to continuing that service in new and meaningful ways, wherever that path may lead.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CBC
29-05-2025
- 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.
