Dear Editor:
On April 1, 1999, the map of
Canada changed for the first time in 50 years.
On that day we collectively celebrated the establishment of Nunavut,
Canada’s newest territory. Nunavut,
or “Our
Land” in the Inuit language of Inuktitut, is larger than Newfoundland,
Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec combined. This vast territory encompasses
approximately two million square kilometres, and is equal to roughly one-fifth
of Canada’s total landmass.
The new territory of Nunavut is made up of the central and eastern
portions of what was the Northwest Territories with Iqaluit (population 3,600)
as its capital. The remaining western
region of the territories will continue to be known as the Northwest
Territories. Through their new
territorial government, the people of Nunavut have now taken direct control
over education, health and social services (with the help of transfer payments
from the Government of Canada). The new
government has powers like those of the existing territorial governments, with
an elected legislative assembly, a cabinet and a territorial court.
The Government of Nunavut is highly decentralized to respond to the
needs of the 28 communities that make up the new territory. It will also help to make Canadians more
aware of daily life in the North – including the challenges posed by geography
and climate, and the economic potential of mining, tourism, construction, Inuit
foods, arts, and culture. In addition,
since Inuit make up approximately 85% of the population of Nunavut, Inuktitut
will be a working language of the government (government services will also be
offered in English and in French).
Nunavut is a significant step in the ongoing process of building
Canada. It clearly demonstrates the
flexibility of the Canadian federation.
All Canadians can take pride in the birth of this new territory, and the
peaceful and democratic means by which it was realized. In conclusion, I would encourage each of
your readers to find out more about this new geographic member of the Canadian
family. To assist with this, I have
provided the Huron and Bruce County Libraries with a video that explores this
matter at length. I would invite you to
view it and to contact my office if I might offer any further information
regarding our new territory of Nunavut.
Huron-Bruce