Everybody knows that Tagak Curley wants to be the Premier, and under Nunavut's consensus system of government, he has a chance to be. The MLA's meet in a few weeks, to elect a Premier, a Speaker and a cabinet.
The Premiership (soccer reference ;) ) battle is going to be interesting, especially since it looks like Mr Curley from Rankin Inlet is running publically. He released a 10 point plan which outlines what his administration would do.
I like 10 point plans, they are long enough to contain policy but short enough to be digestable. Here is his, with my comments in ITALICS AND CAPS
In the next Legislative Assembly, Tagak confirmed his priorities, among others, will include to:
1. examine the feasibility of establishing a breakfast program for all schools in Nunavut;
NUMBER ONE FOR A REASON. SOME SCHOOLS HAVE TRIED THIS ALREADY, WITH GREAT RESULTS
2. improve health care including better and more reliable air travel for the ill and their families;
NO SURPRISE, IF I HAD A NICKEL FOR EVERYTIME I HAVE HEARD MR CURLEY OR ONE OF THE REGULAR MEMBERS BRING UP MEDICAL TRAVEL, I WOULD HAVE A SHIT LOAD OF NICKELS
3. double the number of new housing units to be built;
EASIER SAID THAN DONE
4. encourage more local Inuit training and employment opportunities;
WHY FLY PEOPLE OUT TO TRAIN, WHEN YOU CAN FLY PEOPLE IN TO TRAIN THEM
5. improve government contracting practices allowing more local business to benefit from government business;
KEEPING BUSINESS LOCAL IS A GOOD IDEA, BUT THERE ARE ALREADY BONUSES AND QUOTAS IN PLACE, EITHER THEY AREN'T WORKING AND NEED TO BE RE-EXAMINED, OR ARE WORKING AND THIS STATEMENT IS JUST POLITICS... GOOD POLITICS BUT POLITICS
6. more roads, and a harbour or a wharf for all communities;
A+ FOR THE IDEA, PROBLEM IS THAT WHARVES ARE A FEDERAL RESPONSABILITY. EITHER THAT TAKES A LOT OF TERRITORIAL MONEY BEING SPENT OF A FEDERAL RESPONSABILITY, OR IT TAKES CRACKING SKULLS WITH THE FEDS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
7. improve cargo handling at community airports and improved food mail for more affordable healthy food choices;
MORE FEDERAL AREAS, ALTHOUGH EVERYONE CAN AGREE THAT THEY NEED TO BE REVISITED
8. increase capacity for the local administration of justice, including more local court houses;
LOCAL OFFICIALS, SURE. LOCAL COURTHOUSES, I DON'T KNOW, DO WE NEED A BUILDING JUST FOR THAT? WHY NOT BUILD MULTIPURPOSE COMMUNITY HALLS, THAT COULD BE OF USE MORE THAN JUST ON COURT DAYS. WHY BUILD TWO BUILDINGS, WHEN ONE COULD DO TWO THINGS?
9. increase in number of local police; and
NO ONE IS GOING TO DISAGREE WITH THAT ONE
10. more reliance on elders and traditional knowledge for regulating local hunting.
AGAIN, IF YOU LISTEN TO MR CURLEY IN THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, USING MORE ELDERS IN WILDLIFE STUDIES IS A PET ISSUE OF HIS. SMART SCIENTISTS WILL TELL YOU, EYEWITNESSES TO LONG TERM CHANGE ARE INVALUABLE.
So, this sounds like the stuff he has been talking about all along. Gives it a ring of truth, don't you think, that consistant message.
I think Mr Curley's biggest challenge is going to be outrunning his reputation, as he has been known to speak his mind to his own detriment. That is a trait I know all too well, being one of those "talk first, think later" types myself.
I don't think that is always such a bad thing, but people here seem to prefer the strong silent type over leading with your chin. If people see this as a time where there needs to be a louder voice in Iqaluit, that could help as much as hurt.... we'll have to wait and see like everyone else.
His region kicked out all their cabinet ministers, the thirst for change is being fueled by the Kivalliq. Could be an interesting forum on leadership, and Mr Curley can't be discounted.
No matter who wins, please steal the breakfast plan idea from him, if it is not him who wins.
Me, I'm still wondering who will be the Speaker... I'll worry about Premier after a few days of post election non-political thinking.
For example, Friday's story.... SEAL SKINS!!! NO politics of any type, I feel like it is Christmas.
Let's see, where was I?
1 year ago
