Part IV - Measures Adopted by the Governments of the Territories - Nunavut
- Article 2: Anti-Discrimination Measures
- Article 3: Measures to Ensure the Advancement of Women
- Article 7: Women in Politics and Public Life
- Article 11: Employment
- Article 12: Health
- Article 13: Economic and Social Life
Article 2: Anti-Discrimination Measures
Legal aid
651. The Legal Services Board of Nunavut began operating on July 1, 2000. Prior to that date, a joint Board of Directors made up of members of both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut administered the delivery of legal services.
652. The Nunavut Legal Services Board receives 85 percent of its funding from the Government of Nunavut and 15 percent from the Government of Canada. The Board provides legal services, education and information for the people of Nunavut and distributes funding to three legal aid regional centers throughout the Territory. These centers provide assistance to all Nunavummuit within the legal system and work closely with Inuit court workers who provide education and information on a regular basis.
653. The majority of clients of the Family Law Clinics, established in 2000, are women. In 2005-2006, a poverty law clinic was established as a pilot project. Permanently staffed since October 2006,the Poverty Law Clinic provides legal aid to individuals in non-family civil matters impacting their livelihood, physical or mental health, or ability to provide food, clothing, and shelter for themselves or their families. The primary areas of service:
- Social Assistance
- Canada Pension Plan – Old Age Security
- Canada Pension Plan – Disability
- Disability
- Employment Insurance
- Landlord/Tenant
- Creditor/Debtor
- Immigration and refugee services
Complaints of gender-related discrimination
654. Nunavut's Human Rights Act came into effect in November 2004. The Act prohibits discrimination on numerous grounds, including sex, marital status, family status, and pregnancy. Additional information on the Act can be found in Canada's Fifth Report on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/pdp-hrp/docs/fifth_iccpr/index-eng.cfm).
655. The Human Rights Tribunal began operating shortly after the Human Rights Act came into force and began receiving complaints in 2006. Since March 31, 2006, five complaints related to gender were filed with the Tribunal.
Aboriginal women
656. Akitsiraq Law School is an accredited law school (L.L.B) program operated in partnership between the Akitsiraq Law School Society, University of Victoria Faculty of Law, and Nunavut Arctic College. The Government of Nunavut, Justice Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and three regional Inuit associations provide sponsorship support to students during the course of their education. Akitsiraq Law School, the first Canadian Aboriginal law school based outside a major university focusing on the educational needs of Inuit in Nunavut, opened its doors in September 2001 with 15 Inuit students enrolled. At the end of 2004-2005, 11 students remained in the program. These 11 students, 10 of whom were women, graduated in June 2005 and are now completing their articling with various program sponsors and some have become lawyers.
Aboriginal women in custody
657. A lthough very few women are incarcerated in Nunavut, the Baffin Correctional Centre in Iqaluit operates a female unit separate from the main institution but on the same grounds. The unit is staffed by female officers although male officers assist with supervision as required. Female offenders who do not match the criteria of the female unit at Baffin Correction Centre are transferred to institutions in Ontario and the Northwest Territories with whom there are agreements in place.
Article 3: Measures to Ensure the Advancement of Women
658. The Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council was established under the Status of Women Council Act of April 1, 1999, to advance the goal of equal participation of women in society and promote changes in social, legal and economic structures to that end. The objectives of the Council are:
- to develop public awareness of issues affecting the status of women;
- to promote a change in attitudes within the community in order that women may enjoy equality of opportunity;
- to encourage discussion and expression of opinion by residents of Nunavut on issues affecting the status of women;
- to advice the Minister on issues that the Minister may refer to the Council for consideration;
- to review policies and legislation affecting women and to report its finding to the relevant government departments or agencies;
- to provide assistance to the Minister in promoting changes to ensure the attainment of equality of women; and
- to provide the appropriate assistance to organizations and groups whose objectives promote the equality of women.
Violence against women and girls
659. According to Statistics Canada's report Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends 2006, women in Canada's three northern territories, including Nunavut, report higher rates of spousal violence than those living in the provinces. Police statistics also indicate that women in the territories also experience higher levels of sexual assault and homicide.
| Rate per 100,000 population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Nunavut | |
| Crimes of violence | 942.9 | 7,041.9 |
| Homicide | 2.0 | 6.7 |
| Attempted murder | 2.4 | 16.7 |
| Assaults (level 1 to 3) 1 | 727.4 | 5,974.9 |
| Sexual Assault | 72.2 | 796.9 |
| Other sexual offences | 8.5 | 26.7 |
| Robbery | 88.8 | 20.0 |
| Other crimes of violence 2 | 41.5 | 200.1 |
1. “ Assault level 1" is the first level of assault. It constitutes the intentional application of force without consent, the attempt or threat to apply force to another person, or openly wearing a weapon (or an imitation) while accosting or impeding another person.
2. Includes unlawfully causing bodily harm, discharging firearms with intent, abductions, assaults against police officers, assaults against other peace or public officers and other assaults.
Source: Statistics Canada, CANSIM, table 252-0013.
Aboriginal women
660. The Family Abuse Intervention Act , S.Nu.5.2006, c.18, was introduced in 2005 and subsequently passed by the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. The Act provides for emergency protection, community intervention, assistance and compensation orders, which would be available to anyone in a spousal, intimate, family or care relationship, as well as victims of stalking. The Government will provide training and educational programs on the Act throughout the territory. This law will come into force in 2007.
661. The Government adheres to the principle of Inuuqatigiitsiarniq by identifying the need for healthy communities by closely involving community members in the administration of justice, providing support to families who are going through difficult times, providing conflict resolution opportunities and the development of culturally relevant programs for offenders.
662. Through inter-governmental working groups and agencies, the Government contributes to fulfilling the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles, partnering with communities, listening to the people, and consulting with Tuttarviit, the Government's Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit working group.
Shelters for victims of violence
663. Qimaavik is the only transition house in Nunavut and employs three full-time and three part-time workers. The Government of Nunavut provides f unding for the Nunavut Transition Home as follows: $632,000 in 2003-2004; $677,000 in 2005-2006; and $770,000 in 2006-2007. There are safe homes designated in all 25 other communities of Nunavut.
664. According to Statistics Canada, shelter use in Nunavut rose 54 percent between 2001 and 2004, compared to 4.6 percent in the rest of Canada. This increase use was due to increased awareness.
Article 7: Women in Politics and Public Life
665. Of the 18 members of the Nunavut Legislative Assembly, two (11 percent) are women. The Member of Parliament in Nunavut is a woman.
666. Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council participated in the Federal of Canadian Municipalies project Increasing Women's Participation in Municipal Consultation Processes. Multiple methods, including focus groups and key informant interviews, were employed to learn from Inuit women in particular what barriers they face to participating in the municipal process. Barriers identified included racism, sexism, self-esteem, knowledge, language and childcare. The project report recommends that information from local government be disseminated to women and that a local Inuk women or women facilitate further action.
Aboriginal women
667. There is no data available on the number of women participating in negotiations of land claims agreements. However, it appears that very few women have taken an active role over a sustained period of time for the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement.
Article 11: Employment
Employment measures
668. Women make up 73 percent of the Government of Nunavut workforce and 48 percent of the Nunavut population. Forty-six percent of Government of Nunavut staff are Inuit.
669. Since 2004, the Government has encouraged the promotion of flexible working arrangements as one way to help its employees establish a good work-life balance.
Affordable childcare
670. The Early Childhood Program encourages the development of early childhood programs and licensed childcare facilities. It provides start-up and annual operating funding to eligible non-profit licensed childcare facilities and family day homes. There are 47 licensed programs in 23 communities. These licensed facilities include daycares, preschools, Head Start Programs and after school programs.
671. All licensed childcare facilities in Nunavut must follow the Child Day Care Act and Regulations.
672. As signatories to the September 2000 First Ministers' Communiqué on Early Childhood Development and the 2003 Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, the Government of Nunavut is committed to the development of an early childhood system grounded in the growing body of knowledge on the importance of the early years.
Pay equity
673. In 2004, the Government of Nunavut came to a final settlement on employment equity based on the decision Northwest Territories v. Public Service Alliance of Canada (T.D.), [1996] 3 F.C. 182, 1996 CanLII 4055 (F.C.). Following partition of Nunavut in April 1999, employees (resident of Nunavut) of the Government of the Northwest Territories were transferred to the new Government of Nunavut. All collective agreements were transferred also, including the dispute on pay equity.
674. The equal pay settlement reached in 2002 outlined a three-year process to identify eligible employees, verify service, process payments and review disputed services.
675. As of December 31, 2004, the Government of the Northwest Territories had transacted in excess of 10,000 regular, casual, and excluded payments totaling approximately $49 million dollars. There are no figures for the exact amount the Government of Nunavut employees received from this settlement. The Government of Nunavut is drafting a new Public Services Act to support this decision that will include pay equity provisions.
Article 12: Health
676. Research shows that the overall health and life expectancy of Inuit is lower than the rest of Canada. Changes in traditional diets and housing shortages have contributed to health problems and mental health issues, including increased rates of depression, seasonal affective disorder, anxiety and suicide.
677. In 2004, the Government of Nunavut embarked on the Health Integration Initiative (HII) which involved the Department of Health and Social Services, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and Health Canada's Northern Secretariat working in partnership to develop an action plan focusing on increased integration of federal and territorial health promotion and illness prevention programs in the areas of maternal and child health, mental health and addictions treatment and oral health.
678. In 2004, the Government of Nunavut adopted a Community-Wellness Strategy, designed to increase integration, both at the community level and between federal and territorial initiatives. Overall, community-wellness comes from a population health approach that considers all facets of community life. As such, the Strategy is meant to bring communities together by taking an inclusive, interrelated approach to health, education, justice, recreation and employment. To effectively develop integrated community plans, gaps have been identified that, if addressed, will support the Community-Centered Strategy.
Aboriginal women
679. In addition to the measures described above, the Government continues to work with Inuit women in supporting and facilitating initiatives that enhance their health and well-being.
Article 13: Economic and Social Life
Women's access to housing
680. Situated in a remote, Arctic environment, Nunavut faces particular challenges with regarding to housing. Absolute homelessness per force does not exist in the territory. Instead, Nunavut's “ hidden homeless" sleep in shifts within already overcrowded homes, homes that average less than 1,000 square feet in size and that offer living space cramped by potable water tanks, washers/dryers, furnaces and hot water makers.
681. Overcrowding – defined within the 2001 Aboriginal Peoples Survey as more than one person per room – affects every community in Nunavut with very significant consequences. A detailed Environmental Scan of the housing situation in Nunavut illustrates how various elements combine to create the current housing shortage in the territory: the level of overcrowding in Nunavut is twice the national average.
682. According to Statistics Canada, 54 percent of Nunavut residents live in “ crowded" conditions. Over half of Nunavut's Inuit - 14,225 – live in public housing, with 1,000 families on the waiting list . The shortage of housing greatly affects women in Nunavut. Owing to the high cost of construction materials, housing is expensive (construction costs per square foot are roughly three times the Canadian average) and in short supply. Living quarters are cramped: while the average number of occupants in the average Canadian dwelling is 2.39, in Nunavut it is 3.27, and in some communities much higher still.
683. The Government of Nunavut has developed a Ten-Year Inuit Housing Action Plan, that proposes a partnership between federal, territorial and Inuit stakeholders to address the housing need in Nunavut, through the construction of new social housing and additions and/or renovations of existing units. In July 2006, the Government announced a $200 million Northern Housing Trust, under which approximately 725 new housing units will be built in communities across Nunavut over a three-year period.