Published by Senator Charlie Watt on 26 November 2009
Yesterday I read the results of the “North Poll.”
This survey was conducted as a snapshot of Canadian public opinion on the Arctic and issues related to the Inuit of Canada. It was commissioned by ITK, and conducted by Ipsos Reid.
The findings of this report support my opinion that Canadians really don’t know very much about the Inuit, and they still tend to lump First Nations, Inuit and Métis together under one big umbrella. Yet, we are very distinct people with a unique relationship to the crown.
I am astonished to read that only 25% of Canadians are aware that Inuit pay all taxes, including income tax, GST and PST. The Inuit are paying taxes on goods services which cost approximately 4 times the price of comparable goods in the south (for more information on the cost of living see testimony from Rita Novalinga, General Manager Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec at the September 16, 2009 Standing Senate Committee on National Finance)
However, I am not surprised to read about Canada’s continued love for the north, and learn that people of Canada are starting to understand that issues like the seal hunt are very important to our survival. In fact, it is reassuring to learn that “seven in ten Canadians ‘agree’ (38% strongly/34% somewhat) that they ‘oppose the European-Union ban on Canadian seal products and support the traditional Inuit seal hunting practices for cultural, economic, and subsistence reasons’.”
I encourage you to read this survey, and measure your own knowledge of Canada’s north.
For more information on ITK, and the Inuit of Canada: http://www.itk.ca/media-centre/media-centre
For more information on the seal hunt: http://www.sealsandsealing.net/
Nakurmiik,
Honourable Charlie Watt
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