Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. will receive $65.3 million over five years for Inuit housing from a $130.3-million federal top-up to the Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy. MP Lori Idlout welcomed the money but said housing remains communities' top concern and one-time announcements are not enough. The funds, announced with other Inuit Treaty Organizations, can support construction, repairs, transitional housing, shelters and rent subsidies under Inuit-led decisions. Ministers Rebecca Alty and Mandy Gull-Masty said the investment puts choices with Inuit partners. Ottawa did not set a specific housing unit target for the new money, which Idlout flagged as a gap.
A new follow-up report from the auditor general of Canada says Nunavut has made little progress fixing child and family services, three years after an urgent call to action. Focusing on foster care, it found homes were not properly screened or monitored, caregivers often lacked key health and background information about children, and training was rare. In 90 per cent of files reviewed, there was no evidence of required monthly in-person contact. Deputy auditor general Andrew Hayes said the department has known about these problems for nearly 15 years and called for a whole-of-government approach to protect children and families.
Tununiq MLA Brian Koonoo has resigned from Nunavut's cabinet, effective immediately, Premier John Main announced Monday evening, citing personal reasons. Koonoo had served as minister of culture and heritage, environment, languages and energy since joining Main's cabinet last fall, after he was first elected to represent Tununiq. No further explanation was given in the brief statement. Human Resources Minister Annie Tattuinee, who represents Rankin Inlet South, will serve as acting minister of culture and heritage and of languages. Netsilik MLA Cecile Nelvana Lyall, already responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, will take on environment and energy in an acting role.
