Nunavut not yet ready for more powers: report
Last Updated: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 | 1:19 PM CT
CBC News
Nunavut isn't ready to take on more responsibilities from the federal government, says a long-awaited report that urges a slow approach to devolution.
The 48-page report, released Tuesday, was written by Montreal lawyer and senior ministerial representative Paul Mayer. He looked at the transfer of province-like responsibilities to Nunavut — especially control over land and resources.
"We should move forward with devolution, but we should do it in a phased approach. We should try to take one step at a time," Mayer told CBC News.
"In order to achieve devolution, one of the key things that we have to look at today is, will Nunavut have the human resources' capacity to assume the responsibilities of land management and resource management."
Currently Nunavut lacks the necessary capacity to take on more responsibilities, Mayer concludes.
He said that a key to achieving that capability will be creating a more stable employee base, despite a difficult environment where it is hard to retain qualified staff.
He recommended that Ottawa work with the territorial government and the territory's land claims organization, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., to develop the skills that Inuit need to work in the professional positions being devolved.
Mayer held consultations with a number of organizations, government officials and others before preparing the report.
Nunavut and the Northwest Territories have been pressing Ottawa to turn over more responsibilities to them. The Yukon signed a devolution deal in 2003.
