Keep climate a national priority
A New Democrat, a Liberal, a Conservative. Knives, raw fish and blood. The table is set for the debate between the candidates for the Nunavut riding — incumbent Lori Idlout (New Democratic Party), Kilikvak Kabloona (Liberal Party of Canada) and James T. Arreak (Conservative Party of Canada).
The three aspiring parliamentarians cut small pieces of fresh fish with one of the ulus on the table — "a knife used by Inuit women,” whispers an Inuit woman to Le Devoir’s reporter — then listen attentively to the 30 or so voters who have come to ask them questions at the invitation of the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre.
Judging by the topics discussed, the cost of living overshadows all other issues on Baffin Island.
In Nunavut, a quarter of people aged 18 to 64 — “working age” — suffer from food insecurity, the facilitator points out. “Hear, hear!” shouts a virtual spectator through the speakers of one of the laptops broadcasting the discussion on Facebook and Google Meet.
First, the three candidates for the single seat representing Nunavut in the House of Commons agree to review the Nutrition North Canada program, which the Harper government launched in 2011 to make food more accessible in the region. Many Inuit suspect that retailers are pocketing some of Ottawa's financial assistance, which would limit the reduction in the retail price of essential products on Nunavut grocery store shelves.
The New Democrat specifically accuses the Northwest Company of making excessive profits through the program. “We need to make sure that Nutrition North is supporting people, not for-profit companies like the Northwest Company,” said the lawyer, who is seeking a second term in Ottawa.
Last February, the Trudeau government appointed Innu leader Aluki Kotierk to review the program. A good move, said Kabloona, after the only microphone was pointed at her again.
Two-way race
Nunavut was once Liberal red (1997-2008, 2015-2016) and Conservative blue (2008-2015) before turning New Democratic orange (since 2019). Canada's largest riding is now the scene of a two-way race between the NDP and the Liberals, according to poll aggregator 338Canada.
Kabloona says she agreed to run under the Liberal banner on condition that Mark Carney's team also commit to continuing the government's Inuit Children First Initiative, which aims to guarantee Inuit children access to health care (speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy), social services (programs focused on land or cultural beliefs and practices) and education (screening tests, technical and electronic assistance).
“This is just the start” of the Liberal plan to address food insecurity, which is hitting Inuit communities in Nunavut hard, she said.
“We need small harbours, we need ports. Those are the things that will reduce the cost of food in the long term. We also need immediate support, such as food banks and food centers in other communities. We need full-time hunters so that there's local food and jobs, not just imported food,” she said calmly. “There are opportunities in Nunavut for us to feed ourselves and for us to export food. All of that will allow people to eat and work.”
Kabloona also makes this an issue of land tenure — and Canadian sovereignty in the Far North.
Idlout argues that the Liberals are “not keeping their promises,” either in the South or in the North. “Liberals have promised that the Inuit Children First Initiative would be extended, but they have cut staff,” she says.
“Feeding their families”
Idlout is not content with simply urging Ottawa to strengthen its existing programs. She is calling on Nunavut employers to end the blanket requirement for a university degree to get a job.
“Inuit are experts in land management, wildlife management and their arts and skills. We need to recognize and make sure that it’s easier for them to earn an income so they can feed their families,” she repeats, keeping an eye on her remaining speaking time on her phone screen.
On his side of the table, Arreak points out that the CPC is proposing a cut of “15% of the lowest income bracket, which will put an extra $900 in the pockets of those that deeply need this,” before acknowledging that many Inuit do not file income tax returns.
He then called Carney a spender, “more than Trudeau,” and denounced the new gun restrictions and carbon tax imposed by the Liberals. “Every litre of jet fuel used to bring food up has been charged with the carbon tax,” he said, before being called to order by his New Democratic opponent. Planes carrying essential goods for Nunavut were exempt from the carbon tax, Idlout pointed out, regretting that her Conservative friend was spreading “fake news to confuse voters.”
Most of the debate spectators leave the community hall with answers to their questions, and some with Ziploc bags filled with traditional foods. The knives are sheathed and the traces of blood (from fish) are wiped away.
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