Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada made a following statement on the delay of the Missing and Murdered Inuit Womens and Girls National Plan last week.

Ms Rebecca Kudloo is the President of Pauktuutit.

She says a year after the MMIWG Inquiry’s final report; it is very disappointing to find out that the National Action Plan will not be ready by June.

Victims’ families participated in the Inquiry in good faith and with a great deal of pain. They need to know that their testimony was heard and valued and that it has led to positive change.

Pauktuutit has provided recommendations to inform Inuit-specific response to the Calls to Justice and we are ready to apply our Inuit- specific co-development framework now in place to support the development of the National Action Plan with Inuit women from across Canada.

While these necessary consultations with victims’ families, women, governments and Inuit Organizations are ongoing, Pauktuutit continues to advocate for immediate investments to increase the safety and security of our women and children. This includes a commitment of Federal Funding of $20 million for the construction of five emergency shelters and transitional housing units that are desperately needed.

COVID-19 pandemic has put Inuit Women and Girls in Inuit Nunangat and urban centres at even greater risk of violence and exploitation. It is critical that the National Action Plan is delivered this year.

The Woodward’s oil tanker is currently on its way to the north coast.

We spoke with Vice President Dennis White with Woodward’s.

He says the oil tanker is making her way down to Makkovik.

The community of Makkovik ran out of fuel this past Friday on May 29th, 2020.

White adds that the oil tanker will be arriving to Makkovik tomorrow.

The tanker is scheduled to leave Makkovik early Thursday and will then travel to Postville Friday and then makes her way down to Hopedale Saturday, then to Natuashish on Monday, then head to Nain Wednesday and back to Rigolet by Saturday.

He adds that the Woodward’s Oil tanker will be on its regular schedule.

Newfoundland and Labrador is starting the month of June with no new cases of COVID-19, the fourth day in a row with zero.

The province’s case total stands at 261 with 255 people having recovered from the virus, the provincial government announced Monday at a briefing.

Monday also marked three weeks of the province living under Alert Level 4 of the provincial government’s reopening strategy, with move to Alert Level 3 tentatively planned for June 8.

“Our ability to keep the case numbers low during this phase is a true testament to what our consistent and collaborative efforts can achieve,” said Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald during the briefing.

As of Monday, 12,253 people have been tested for the virus — 57 since Sunday’s update.

Opposition Calling for Public Discussion of Alert Level Restrictions

The Opposition Leader says in the face of the province’s success in flattening the curve, that a public debate is needed on determining whether another 28 days are needed in order to pass to the next Alert Level.

The province is moving to Alert Level 3 on Monday, June 8th, but it will be another month before we move to lift even more restrictions.

Ches Crosbie is joining with business leaders and others who are seeking discussion on that approach.

In the meantime, Crosbie is accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of dereliction of duty in failing to provide assistance to the province’s oil and gas industry – reeling due to a global downturn.

He says to attract and retain leading exploration companies to do the work needed to ensure a vigorous and strong economy.

He says the message Ottawa is sending right now is “You guys aren’t welcome.”

Story courtesy of VOCM.

The Hopedale Inuit Community Government would like to inform their residents about the operations within their community freezer.

We spoke with Donna Flowers who is the acting Town Manager.

OKâlaKatiget contacted each community to get another update within their community freezer to see what they have for their community members.

Click here to find out more about the Hopedale Community Freezer.

Effective May 29, people may further expand their double bubbles by up to six people. However, this does not mean you HAVE to invite more people to join your bubble.

We would still encourage you to keep your number of close contacts as low as possible, as this is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of getting COVID-19. A close contact is someone you live with or have been closer than two metres to for periods longer than 15 minutes.

Before determining if, and how, to expand your double bubble, it is best to have a discussion with other members of your existing bubble to decide how, and to whom, your bubble should be extended. Please remember, when you invite others into your bubble, you are also indirectly coming in contact with members of their bubble as well.

We cannot help you decide who should join your bubble, or if you should decide to expand your bubble at all. Please use good judgement for what is best for your personal friends and family based on the guidelines provided.

More information can be found online at www.gov.nl.ca/…/indi…/expansion-of-household-bubble/

Yesterday it was announced that Newfoundland and Labrador has no new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The total number of confirmed cases in the province remains at 261.

The regional breakdown of the 261 cases is as follows:

• Eastern Health – 243
• Central Health – 8
• Labrador-Grenfell Health – 6
• Western Health – 4

Fifty-two per cent of cases are female and forty-eight per cent are male.

One person is in hospital due to the virus, 255 people have recovered.

There have been three deaths from COVID-19.

To date, 12,196 people have been tested.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are reminded to follow the public health orders and directives issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

To be successful in Alert Level 4, individuals should practice good infection prevention and control practices.

For the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.

June has begun, which means the extended tax deadline is officially here for Canadians.

Due to COVID-19, the Canada Revenue Agency shifted the deadline to file taxes to June 1, while the deadline to pay any amounts owed has been extended to September 1, 2020.

As there have been significant delays in processing paper returns, the CRA recommends filing taxes online and registering for direct deposit to get refunds faster.

Meanwhile, a national tax specialist is offering advice to those still needing to file their taxes.

Gerry Vittoratos of UFile says having a copy of the previous year’s return plus the notice of assessment handy is helpful.

He says sometimes there are “carryforwards.” Vittoratos explains that someone’s income may not have been high enough to claim the year previous; for example, someone with tuition credit that could carry forward.

Another scenario could be if somebody had capital losses in previous years and did not have capital gains, meaning they were not able to use them.

He says these amounts can reduce tax owing if they apply.

The Hopedale Inuit Community Government are still following the COVID-19 precautions.

We spoke with Marjorie Flowers who is the AngajukKâk for HICG.

She says the public offices are still closed and non-essential travelers are prohibited.

Flowers adds that there seems to be a higher alcohol coming in to their community and that’s very concerning for the town and for the public.

Stay tuned to AtjiKangitut today to hear AngajukKâk Flowers as she give us an update on the community of Hopedale.

Nunatsiavut Group of Companies President and CEO Chris Webb has released the following statement:

“At the close of business on May 26, 2020, Universal Helicopters Newfoundland and Labrador LP made a decision to cease operations. The decision impacts Universal Helicopters and its subsidiaries, collectively known as Universal Helicopters.”

NGC, through a 40-percent investment by the Labrador Inuit Capital Strategy Trust, obtained a minority stake in the helicopter services company in the fall of 2013. Unfortunately, the investment did not work out as the Trust had intended. The company performed poorly in 2019. This spring, the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting general economic downturn compounded the company’s problems.

Since September 2019, Universal Helicopters’ management and Board of Directors explored various options to stay in business, including discussing potential solutions with its banks. Labrador Inuit Capital Strategy Trust supported the company’s efforts in this regard. Those efforts were not successful.

The financial impact of the decision upon NGC and its affiliates will remain uncertain until the proceeds of the Partnership assets are determined.

For further information, contact Chris Webb, NGC President and CEO at 709-896-8505.