The federal election is just around the corner and Makivik asked the candidates running in the Abitibi--Baie-James--Nunavik--Eeyou electoral district a list of common questions.
Here are the answers we received. Click on a name below to expand their Q&A
Q1 - The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the inequalities that Inuit across Inuit Nunagnat face. The lack of high-speed internet, food security, crowded housing and the reliance on Air transportation were just a few examples of issues that were amplified over the course of the pandemic. Though federal funding did temporarily help address some of these problems during the pandemic, unlike Covid-19 these issues will not disappear. What commitments do you feel the Federal government needs to make to permanently address some of these major issues that Nunavimmiut live daily?
Q2 - The cost of living for Nunavimmiut can be 4 times higher when compared to southern cities like Montreal, this makes it extremely difficult for businesses and individuals to survive. What role do you feel the federal government plays in ensuring that the cost of living in the north is on par with Canadians living in the south? Should the Federal Government give preference to direct subsidies to individuals or to retailers?
Q3 - During the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement an Inuit Governing System for the North was never addressed. What is your party’s position with regards to Inuit Self-Determination and a possible Nunavik Government?
Q4 - You made the decision to run in the upcoming election, as the candidate for the Abitibi--Baie-James--Nunavik--Eeyou electoral district what issues are the most important to you and how to you feel you could address them?
A4 - I would be very happy to hear people solutions , that I can put them into practice immediately.
I have a great knowledge of all the problems that the natives can overcome and I would really like to help you in the very near future for all your requests..
Transport, medicine, and make the link between nature and industry is one of my priorities , for example , use waste heat from businesses to power green house to be self-sufficient in fruits and vegetables with short distances for delivery ,and at same time create jobs!
My party advocates freedom of speech and choice , as well as direct democracy. we also want to stop experimental vaccination and request an independent investigation to this effect.
Q1 - The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the inequalities that Inuit across Inuit Nunagnat face. The lack of high-speed internet, food security, crowded housing and the reliance on Air transportation were just a few examples of issues that were amplified over the course of the pandemic. Though federal funding did temporarily help address some of these problems during the pandemic, unlike Covid-19 these issues will not disappear. What commitments do you feel the Federal government needs to make to permanently address some of these major issues that Nunavimmiut live daily?
A1 - Canada is a rich country, it's absolutely appalling that lack of access to things like high speed internet, food, decent affordable housing and reliable ways of travelling are still common issues we as northerners have to face. I do agree that funding only temporarily fixes the problem, as we have seen with the establishment parties. That is why in the Green Party, we want to work directly with local First Nations governments to help them build initiatives for clean water, housing, breakfast programs, wireless internet installations and discussions about transportation.
Q2 - The cost of living for Nunavimmiut can be 4 times higher when compared to southern cities like Montreal, this makes it extremely difficult for businesses and individuals to survive. What role do you feel the federal government plays in ensuring that the cost of living in the north is on par with Canadians living in the south? Should the Federal Government give preference to direct subsidies to individuals or to retailers?
A2 - As a Green Party member, I believe that federal elected officials should subsidize seasonal occupations like fishing and hunting, as it is an abundant resource up North that keeps the canadian economy going in this time of crisis. That being said, we also need to tax the rich and big corporations that keep exploiting our lands and lakes for profits. A carbon tax and making the 1% richest Canadians pay their fair share once and for all are incremental steps to favor a transition into a green economy.
Q3 - During the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement an Inuit Governing System for the North was never addressed. What is your party’s position with regards to Inuit Self-Determination and a possible Nunavik Government?
A3 - I am absolutely favorable to Nunavik self-determination. Like Quebec, Nunavik is a distinct society and so we must defend your interests like we do for Quebec. Symbols like the 2013 Nunavik flag that was proposed should be officially adopted. I, like many other people around here, am proud to be from Northern Quebec. However, it's a shame that we are often ignored by the rest of the province. We have such a rich culture and history. We need to fight for better representation!
Q4 - You made the decision to run in the upcoming election, as the candidate for the Abitibi--Baie-James--Nunavik--Eeyou electoral district what issues are the most important to you and how to you feel you could address them?
A4 - The climate crisis, the housing crisis, reconciliation between nations and lack of access to basic human needs like clean water and mental health services. Those issues have been ignored by current politicians in Ottawa. They don't know how these problems affect us in our great region. They pretend to care, but really they just cave to capitalist interests. They only want to enrich themselves and set aside their constituents. I am a people's candidate. As an 18 year old student, I came into politics to represent the unrepresented.
Thank you so much for reading.
If you want to know more about our platform go to greenparty.ca I also have a facebook page. Just type my name onto Facebook (Didier Pilon) and you should find it !
Also remember to vote on September 20th !
Q1 - The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the inequalities that Inuit across Inuit Nunagnat face. The lack of high-speed internet, food security, crowded housing and the reliance on Air transportation were just a few examples of issues that were amplified over the course of the pandemic. Though federal funding did temporarily help address some of these problems during the pandemic, unlike Covid-19 these issues will not disappear. What commitments do you feel the Federal government needs to make to permanently address some of these major issues that Nunavimmiut live daily?
A1 - I understand very well the issues in your region, especially since you are in a northern and remote region, it is inconceivable in 2021 that solutions will not be put forward. If I am elected, I commit myself to work by creating a concertation table in order to bring together all the key players in the field and to find solutions together and address them to the government in order to put in place permanent measures to counter the effects.
We will continue to work with Inuit to improve food security in Inuit Nunangat, including through the Food Resource Grant Program and by modifying the Nutrition North program to make it more transparent and responsive to Inuit needs.
As we have indicated in our ongoing bilateral process, we are committed to meeting regularly with the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee to make progress on Inuit priorities.
- Significant portion of Indigenous community support fund proposals mentioned food security
- In December, the government announced that $30 million of the $100 million Emergency Food Security Fund would be transferred to ISC from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to further address food insecurity within Indigenous communities, and was distributed through the Indigenous Community Support Fund.
- We have committed to supporting the Inuit National Food Security Strategy
- Nutrition North (I know not popular)
Q2 - The cost of living for Nunavimmiut can be 4 times higher when compared to southern cities like Montreal, this makes it extremely difficult for businesses and individuals to survive. What role do you feel the federal government plays in ensuring that the cost of living in the north is on par with Canadians living in the south? Should the Federal Government give preference to direct subsidies to individuals or to retailers?
A2 - We will continue to develop a new national benefit-sharing framework to ensure that Inuit communities benefit directly from major resource development projects in Inuit Nunangat. We will continue to work in partnership with Inuit throughout the economic recovery to support the growth of Inuit economies.
- Canada developed and implemented a directive regarding article 24 of the Nunavut agreement to provide support and assistance to Inuit businesses in order to enable them to compete for government contracts, including real property leases, to increase their participation in government procurement
- Article here: https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/federal-bureaucrats-get-new-marching-orders-to-help-inuit-firms-win-contracts/
- We also delivered on our 2019 mandate commitment to create a policy that will have at least 5% of federal procurement contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses
- We are committed to increasing Indigenous participation in the economy.
Q3 - During the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement an Inuit Governing System for the North was never addressed. What is your party’s position with regards to Inuit Self-Determination and a possible Nunavik Government?
A3 - We will work with Inuit to finalize the collaborative development of a policy for the Inuit Nunangat regions and expedite its implementation.
We will continue our work to fully implement the Inuit Land Claims Agreements. We will fully implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and collaboratively develop an action plan to achieve the objectives set out in the Declaration.
- We are always interested in hearing community visions for self-determination.
- We will continue to work with Makivik as the ongoing implementation of the JBNQA.
Q4 - You made the decision to run in the upcoming election, as the candidate for the Abitibi--Baie-James--Nunavik--Eeyou electoral district what issues are the most important to you and how to you feel you could address them?
A4 -
Health and Mental Health
We will collaboratively develop and continue to invest in a distinctions-based Mental Health and Wellness Strategy that addresses the profound and unique needs of all Inuit. This will address the lasting impacts of colonization and residential schools. This collaboratively developed Mental Health and Wellness Strategy could also address the opioid crisis, include culturally appropriate comprehensive services for addictions and trauma, suicide and life promotion, and the construction of treatment centers focused on Inuit community priorities. We will continue, in close collaboration with Inuit, to deliver distinctions-based support in response to the COVID-19.
We will continue to support Inuit initiatives to eliminate TB in Inuit Nunangat
5-Year Action Plan, Addressing Violence
We will work with Inuit to invest $2.2 billion over five years, beginning in 2021-2022, and $160.9 million in ongoing funding, to address violence against Aboriginal women, girls and 2ELGBTQIA+ people as part of the implementation of the Federal Pathway and the 2021 National Action Plan.
Language
We will continue to fully implement the Aboriginal Languages Act to preserve, promote and revitalize Aboriginal languages in Canada with the support of long-term, predictable and adequate funding.
Children and Families
We will work with Inuit to ensure that the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families Act continues to be fully implemented, with long-term, predictable and adequate funding for this purpose.
Climate Change
We will continue to work in partnership with Inuit to address climate change, specifically through monitoring the impacts of climate change on their traditional lands and waters and developing collaborative strategies for the future.
Housing
Investing an additional $2 billion in First Nations, Inuit and Métis self-sufficient housing, with more than half of the funding available before the next summer construction season
I am priviliged and honored to be the one that will adress your priorities and issues. I am a commited and dedicated person. I will work for and with the Inuit Nation. Together we will have the opportunity to move forward and find solutions that refelects and answers the needs of Nunavik within a re elected liberal Party
Q1 - The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the inequalities that Inuit across Inuit Nunagnat face. The lack of high-speed internet, food security, crowded housing and the reliance on Air transportation were just a few examples of issues that were amplified over the course of the pandemic. Though federal funding did temporarily help address some of these problems during the pandemic, unlike Covid-19 these issues will not disappear. What commitments do you feel the Federal government needs to make to permanently address some of these major issues that Nunavimmiut live daily?
A1 - The legacy of colonialism persists throughout our region. No one in Nunavut should be forced to live in an overcrowded home or without reliable access to clean drinking water. For too long, Canadian governments have denied Nunavummiut basic human rights while exploiting Northern resources. New Democrats are committed to doing things differently.
Our first priority for Nunavut will be to strengthen Inuit self-determination. Hamlets in Nunavut are in the best position to identify their needs and have provided innovative solutions to governments for generations. We will work to make sure that Nunavummiut have their voices not only hear but listened to. New Democrats will fight every day to treat the lack of reliable infrastructure as the emergency that it is. In government, we will invest $4 billion in housing and infrastructure projects, including transportation, ports, highways, access to high-speed broadband and airports.
Q2 - The cost of living for Nunavimmiut can be 4 times higher when compared to southern cities like Montreal, this makes it extremely difficult for businesses and individuals to survive. What role do you feel the federal government plays in ensuring that the cost of living in the north is on par with Canadians living in the south? Should the Federal Government give preference to direct subsidies to individuals or to retailers?
A2 - The federal government can play a leadership role in making investments that make life better for Nunavummiut. By investing in basic services, we can make sure that Nunavummiut have the resources they need to thrive. We’ll also work to make sure that people in Nunavut can find well-paying green jobs to make the improvement to hamlets and communities that they live in. We’ll also support Inuit food sovereignty and reform the Nutrition North program to improve families’ access to food, including country and traditional food. We believe that Nutrition North and programs like it should be social programs that benefit the community rather than a subsidy program for companies.
Q3 - During the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement an Inuit Governing System for the North was never addressed. What is your party’s position with regards to Inuit Self-Determination and a possible Nunavik Government?
A3 - We will respect Inuit self-determination by co-developing the federal government’s Arctic Policy and Northern Framework through shared governance within the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee, including through the adoption of an Inuit Nunangat policy. We will support the economic and social self-reliance of Inuit by addressing the massive infrastructure deficit in Northern communities, including housing, access to high-speed broadband, and airports, and ensuring that federal election ballots include Indigenous languages like Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun.
Q4 - You made the decision to run in the upcoming election, as the candidate for the Abitibi--Baie-James--Nunavik--Eeyou electoral district what issues are the most important to you and how to you feel you could address them?
A4 - The people who live in Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik-Eeyou deserve a federal government that listens to them, recognizes their incredible contributions to the prosperity and strength of the whole country, and will bring their voices into Parliament every single day. I believe it’s time for change that makes life better for everyone across the riding, and the New Democrat platform and history in Parliament of fighting for people across this constituency is a cause I want to be a part of.
Q1 - The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the inequalities that Inuit across Inuit Nunagnat face. The lack of high-speed internet, food security, crowded housing and the reliance on Air transportation were just a few examples of issues that were amplified over the course of the pandemic. Though federal funding did temporarily help address some of these problems during the pandemic, unlike Covid-19 these issues will not disappear. What commitments do you feel the Federal government needs to make to permanently address some of these major issues that Nunavimmiut live daily?
A1 - When our leader and future Prime Minister Erin O’Toole released his 5 pillars plan to place Canada back on the recovery road, one was about creating an essential and strategic reserve of products so that never again in the future, can our country be caught off guard by another worldwide pandemic. And because, the conservative is a party that respect all Canadians especially those coming from isolated areas, we will be able to react much quicker and no more be dependent on other countries.
Q2 - The cost of living for Nunavimmiut can be 4 times higher when compared to southern cities like Montreal, this makes it extremely difficult for businesses and individuals to survive. What role do you feel the federal government plays in ensuring that the cost of living in the north is on par with Canadians living in the south? Should the Federal Government give preference to direct subsidies to individuals or to retailers?
A2 - Why not a little bit of both. As part of our recovery plan, we quickly want to regain the million jobs loss since March 2020. We want to increase salary and we want our economy to perform rapidly. When that is put in place, we must investigate how specific measures for isolated and northern areas of our country can be supported to face those issues of inflation of high cost of living. This government has led down Canadians living in far northern region, and it is time to act.
Q3 - During the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement an Inuit Governing System for the North was never addressed. What is your party’s position with regards to Inuit Self-Determination and a possible Nunavik Government?
A3 - We will always support concrete measures that are aiming towards a reconciliation process with all indigenous people so that every community in Canada can fully participate in our country’s economic recovery. When our economy is performing, it is much easier to address other issues so that would be priority number one.
Q4 - You made the decision to run in the upcoming election, as the candidate for the Abitibi--Baie-James--Nunavik--Eeyou electoral district what issues are the most important to you and how to you feel you could address them?
A4 - Without a doubt, increase services for any urgent and non-urgent health issues. As a partner to the Province of Quebec, we the conservatives want to increase and stabilize regular and new federal funds so that provincial government will promptly be able to react and invest in the health system. 60 billion is set over the next 10 years to face those issues.
Q1 - The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the inequalities that Inuit across Inuit Nunagnat face. The lack of high-speed internet, food security, crowded housing and the reliance on Air transportation were just a few examples of issues that were amplified over the course of the pandemic. Though federal funding did temporarily help address some of these problems during the pandemic, unlike Covid-19 these issues will not disappear. What commitments do you feel the Federal government needs to make to permanently address some of these major issues that Nunavimmiut live daily?
A1 - I am vice-chair of the Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee. Right from the beginning of the pandemic, I put forward a motion asking the committee to initiate an urgent study of the situation in the communities. I offered the following recommendations when writing the report:
- That government programs be better adapted or be more flexible to meet all the needs of the communities in a way that is equitable for all indigenous citizens;
- That the federal government support Aboriginal businesses through government contracts for the supply of goods and services;
- That the federal government invest in the development, support and implementation of digital and information strategies for First Nations;
- That the federal government emulate Quebec's strategy contained in Bill 66 for the acceleration of the construction of seniors' homes;
- That the federal government accelerate the deployment of high-speed Internet access for all Aboriginal
- That the government make its current Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Businesses mandatory; That the government support traditional food security;
- That the government invest in the construction of housing in the communities;
- That the federal government invest in all the determinants of health, in the economic and social sectors as well as in education and housing;
- That the federal government invest in the necessary infrastructure to ensure the sustainable maintenance of drinking water supply and sewerage services;
- That the federal government urgently assist in the development and maintenance of the telecommunications infrastructure that will link the Canadian Arctic to the rest of the world, a project in which Nunavik residents fervently wish to take part.
Q2 - The cost of living for Nunavimmiut can be 4 times higher when compared to southern cities like Montreal, this makes it extremely difficult for businesses and individuals to survive. What role do you feel the federal government plays in ensuring that the cost of living in the north is on par with Canadians living in the south? Should the Federal Government give preference to direct subsidies to individuals or to retailers?
A2 - Also at the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee, we completed a study on this subject. After hearing from several players and specialists on this subject, a report was published containing recommendations to the federal government. I offered the following recommendations:
- That the Nutrition North program be revised so that its ultimate objective is to contribute to reducing food insecurity, to adapt it more to the realities of the regions and that the direct participation of communities be sought in the revision of the program;
- That the possibility of giving more decision-making power on how to implement the "subsidy" component in each region to better take into account regional specificities in terms of food supply be explored;
- That access to federal programs be improved on community food infrastructure .;
- That the program can be evaluated locally or regionally so that the communities that need it can access it without having to go through years of complex administrative procedures;
- That residents of remote regions be entitled to tax credits that take into account consumer prices; That access to traditional food be
- That the criteria of Nutrition North Canada be relaxed, so that more local inhabitants can obtain certain items and access suppliers;
- That the program be accessible in communities either by being administered by a local cooperative which would use the funds of the program to make access to healthy and quality food at an affordable cost or by redistribution by the RCMs directly to consumers and that the RCMs have access to a management fund;
- That the rules of the Nutrition North program be relaxed to allow more than one store per community to have
Q3 - During the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement an Inuit Governing System for the North was never addressed. What is your party’s position with regards to Inuit Self-Determination and a possible Nunavik Government?
A3 - In the Bloc Québécois, we believe that the application of the right to internal self-determination, as well as the inherent right of the Aboriginal Nations to self-government, are the keys that will allow the full development of each of them. The deployment of the United Nations Declaration must be accelerated so that it can transform reality on the ground. Thus, the Bloc Québécois is proposing to overhaul the Comprehensive Claims Settlement Policy from top to bottom, both to take into account the Declaration, but also with the aim of creating an independent entity that would deal with these claims. Such a body would speed up the processing of requests and put an end to the conflict of interest situation in which this Policy places the federal government. Every nation that wants to exercise its right to self-government will find an ally in the Bloc. The Bloc will promote the co-management of resources with Indigenous peoples
Q4 - You made the decision to run in the upcoming election, as the candidate for the Abitibi--Baie-James--Nunavik--Eeyou electoral district what issues are the most important to you and how to you feel you could address them?
A4 - I hope that the people of Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik-Eeyou will reiterate their confidence in me and allow me to serve a second term in order to continue the work begun. My priorities remain the same. By being very attentive to the population, I know that I must stay focused on the labor shortage, immigration, find ways to attract or keep people in the region, regional development and of course, as the Bloc's spokesperson for aboriginal affairs, I must continue to fight for the federal government to do everything in its power to improve the quality of life of the communities of Nunavik, whether at the level of the food security, housing, access to safe drinking water, internet access, infrastructure development and many more.
Please note: Makivik does not endorse the candidate running in the election, nor do we alter the answers they submit. The intent of this Q&A is to act as an additional source of information to help Nunavimmiut make an informed voting decision. An attempt was made to contact all individuals running in the electoral district.
** Candidates are in alphabetical order.