Premier Joe Savikataaq took a few moments in the legislative assembly on Tuesday to recount what the 5th legislative assembly accomplished during the second year of its Turaaqtavut mandate, which "represents the vision of all 22 MLAs."
These were the highlights he cited:
NNSL file photo
-Increased the minimum wage from $13 to $16 per hour, making it the highest minimum wage in Canada
-Secured funding and partnership with NTI and the Government of Canada for an in-territory addictions and trauma treatment
-Signed the Devolution Agreement-in-Principle
-Was named one of Canada’s “Top Employers for Young People” and “Best Employer for Recent Graduates” by Canada’s Top 100 Employers Project
-Built 108 housing units in 14 communities
-Created 255 student books and teacher resources to improve Inuktut literacy outcomes for students
-Announced the Nunavut Mine Training Centre will be in Rankin Inlet
-Designated the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area and the Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area with Qikiqtani Inuit Association and the Government of Canada, contributing over 50 per cent to Canada’s marine protection goals
-Started the construction of new community health centres in Sanikiluaq and Kinngait
-Made Nunavut Day a statutory holiday
-Developed and began implementing a government-wide Master Inuit Employment Plan and departmental Inuit Employment Plans up to 2023 to increase Inuit employment within the public service
-Distributed $4.35 million for community-led suicide prevention initiatives
-Put the new Public Health Act into force on Jan. 1, 2020 to protect the public and to prevent, detect, manage, and contain health threats
"After the ransomware incident late last fall, and in the midst of the global pandemic, it’s been quite a balance to keep our long-term priorities and our immediate needs on track," Savikataaq said. "However, it is a testament to our hard-working and dedicated public service that we have been able to do just that."