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Inuit Pleased at Co-Developed Federal Government Directive Aimed at Implementing the Government Contracting Promises (Article 24) of the Nunavut Agreement

Press Release

Inuit Pleased at Co-Developed Federal Government Directive Aimed at Implementing the Government Contracting Promises (Article 24) of the Nunavut Agreement

(Iqaluit, August 15, 2019) Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) is pleased at the release of the new co-developed federal government procurement Directive relating to contracting activity in the Nunavut Settlement Area.

“The implementation of a Nunavut-specific federal procurement policy is required to meet the federal government’s contracting obligations under Article 24 of the Nunavut Agreement. We have advocated and worked for this for many years,” said NTI President Aluki Kotierk. “It is an important breakthrough and one that will make a difference in the wellbeing of Inuit.” Throughout the negotiations, NTI has consistently interpreted and defined the policy objectives under Article 24 as falling under three separate and independent pillars:

  • the right of Inuit to own and operate companies
  • the right of Inuit to work and be employed through government contracting, and;
  • the right of Inuit to undertake skills training and development, for the appropriate contracts

NTI is pleased that the Directive works to implement all three of these vital pillars and will complement and reinforce the positive effects for Inuit of the NNI Policy at the territorial government contracting level.

Proper implementation of Article 24 has long been a priority of NTI. Lack of implementation figured in NTI’s 2006 lawsuit against the Crown, and renewed implementation efforts featured in the 2015 out of court settlement to that lawsuit.

NTI is mindful that the co-development of this policy turned in a measurable way on the open-mindedness and creativity of some key federal officials involved over the last year.

The creation of the Article 24 focused working group followed soon after the issue was referred to mediation and arbitration under the new dispute resolution provisions (Article 38) of the Nunavut Agreement.

A copy of the new Directive can be obtained at: Directive on Government Contracts, Including Real Property Leases, in the Nunavut Settlement Area.

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For further information:

Oo Aqpik

Director of Communications

Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated

Tel: 867-975-4941

Email: OAqpik@tunngavik.com

www.tunngavik.com

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