EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Furthermore, as per my earlier statement as a resident of Igloolik with numerous walrus within our vicinity, there is a local research facility in Igloolik. We are reviewing the best avenue to house a laboratory to test walrus meat samples and the most appropriate placement for it. We are in the midst of this review.
As per my earlier comment of the facility in Igloolik, if you were to envision the community of Igloolik and perhaps if I were to say it in English, it is the (interpretation ends) mushroom (interpretation) building, as locals call it, which used to provide the testing of walrus samples in the past.
I reiterate that this is currently being reviewed to date where we would place this laboratory.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok: Qujannamiik, Mr Speaker.
The community of Iqaluit is not only home to the Nunavut Research Institute headquarters but also has a full-time veterinarian in the community.
Will the minister commit to working with local professionals towards establishing a meat testing facility in Nunavut so that hunters and other consumers of locally harvested game, such as walrus and polar bear, can get quicker results when there is a suspicion of trichinosis?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Mr Quassa.
This is for all our information that samples are usually not tested immediately as it requires trained lab technicians. Perhaps we should request more information to that end from the Department of Health as it is more pertinent to their mandate.
However, it is impossible to conduct testing immediately upon receiving the sample.
We require a lab technician present to conduct this testing. As per my earlier comments, the (interpretation ends) Nunavut Research Institute (interpretation) has been researching ways to implement this to allay concerns expressed in the past.
Your statement is truthful that to date, we’ve had to send our walrus meat for testing in Northern Quebec due to the availability of trained lab technicians.
We have commenced preliminary discussions about possible locations for a lab.
Yes, walrus are quite numerous in the (interpretation ends) Foxe Basin (interpretation) where residents of Igloolik, Hall Beach, Coral Harbour, and Cape Dorset harvest from, and this includes certain Kivalliq communities.
We must consider these issues. We are looking for a possible solution by reviewing all related factors.
Question 269 – 4(3): The Elimination of Plastic Bags in Nunavut (Okalik)
I would now like to ask a question to the Minister of Environment.
As people are well aware, throughout Nunavut, many retail outlets still offer plastic bags that tend to litter our environment.
Even with that knowledge, they still use the plastic bags. I wonder if this can be phased out in the future.
In the south, they use paper bags that are biodegradable and won’t have a detrimental impact on their environment.
My question to the minister is whether this practice can be implemented in our stores through legislation by our government.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I refuse to answer the question of the Iqaluit-Sinaa member.
Speaker (interpretation): Your first supplementary, Mr. Okalik.
We publicly state that the environment is of prime importance to this government, so I am asking if the department has any plans to ban the usage of plastic bags in our retail outlets throughout Nunavut.
I just indicated that I refuse to answer the question from the Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa.
The minister refuses to answer the question.
Therefore, I’ll go to the next name on the list.
Question 270 – 4(3): Nunavut Graduation Rates (Joanasie)
He tabled yesterday the annual report for 2012-13. On page 36, I read that the graduation rate in Nunavut was 32.2 percent in 2013.
Can the minister indicate what the number one barrier is for Nunavut students completing their grade 12 certificate?
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for asking questions relative to educational issues consistently.
There are different underlying reasons that are obvious, as no single barrier is the sole cause.
Due to these issues, we are trying to resolve the challenges we face. Perhaps one reason can be inconsistent attendance.
As per my statement that there are various factors, parental engagement in their children’s education and their encouraging their child to attend school consistently is one aspect for success.
Perhaps another matter we have noticed that I indicated earlier is how we can strengthen linguistic skills, such as reading and writing within (interpretation ends) literacy, (interpretation) which is another reason for our push towards literacy programming.
Another matter that faces us in this area is the concept of standardization or a (interpretation ends) standardized system (interpretation) that has been studied and which we are trying to resolve.
These are some of the various factors that come into play, not just a simplistic barrier.
What I can state towards this goal is that ever since Nunavut came into being, the numbers of graduates have continued to rise, and here I am speaking about (interpretation ends) graduation rates (interpretation) from Nunavut’s inception in 1999.
During our review of the rates in 2012-13, starting from the year 2001-02, the (interpretation ends) graduation rates (interpretation) rose from 117 in 2001 up to 216 in 2013.
The numbers continue to rise from 2001 at a rate of 22.8 percent in the numbers of graduates.
With that being the case, we are trying to place an emphasis on the rising numbers of graduates since Nunavut’s inception, which I take pride in, albeit rather slowly, but it is rising since Nunavut entered Confederation.
The minister didn’t indicate what the number one barrier is. He said that there are many factors and one of the responses, I believe, was attendance.
My next question is: what Nunavut-wide measures that promote attendance in schools does the department implement?
Could the member rephrase his question so that I understand it?
What I’m trying to ask the minister is: what is your department doing to increase the attendance rate of students in Nunavut’s schools?
I would like to thank the member for rephrasing his question.
As I indicated earlier, there are various reasons. We’re also trying to increase the attendance rate.
For example, we are looking at setting up different programs and curriculum in the schools.
Again, exercise is very important for the students. For example, we have team competitions in the various communities.
Sports competitions are very important and help to increase the attendance rate because they want to participate in the team competitions.
We are also looking at the programs that are set in the schools and we have set up Nunavut-relevant programs because as people from Nunavut, we would like to see a made-in-Nunavut curriculum.
We usually get parts of programs from other jurisdictions.
When they come up here, we adapt them so that they become Nunavut-relevant and our students become more aware of their territory.
That’s what we’re doing to increase the attendance rate.
This is my last question. As I indicated earlier, in your annual report, it said that [32.2] percent are graduating.
Attendance was one of the problems and that usually leads to dropping out, as the minister is aware.
I would like to know from the minister what the dropout rate is and how many return to the high school after a short break.
I hope I was clear. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The dropout rate is calculated using Statistics Canada methodology as a percentage of those aged 20 to 24 who are not attending school and who have not graduated from high school.
For a variety of reasons, the Department of Education does not report dropout rates. We do report the positive side of high school completion metrics in the form of graduation numbers and rates, which are presented in the report.
Graduation rates are also available through the Nunavut Bureau of Statistics website.
The Department of Education feels that all Nunavummiut who have not completed high school are encouraged to have the opportunity to do so at any age.
We, therefore, feel that a dropout rate which suggests that a portion of the population is incapable of succeeding in school takes away from that focus.
(interpretation) It is primarily due to this reason that we put more emphasis on the ability of students to resume their studies and we send out encouragements to that effect.
Our focus is to have students who quit for any reason return to their class using the (interpretation ends) PASS (interpretation) program.
This is our primary focus to try to resolve that challenge.
Moving on. (interpretation ends) Mr. Premier Taptuna.
I seek consent to go back to Item 5 on the order paper. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): The member, (interpretation ends) Premier, (interpretation) would like to return to Item 5, Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
I don’t hear any nays. (interpretation ends) Mr. Premier, (interpretation) please proceed.
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in the past and this morning, we work very well together with our sister territories, Northwest Territories and of course, the Yukon.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize in the House today Northwest Territories Member of the Legislative Assembly Kieron Testart.
Again, Mr. Speaker, both legislative assemblies work very well together administratively and politically.
I am quite pleased to welcome also the Minister of Education from the Northwest Territories to the House.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome to the gallery. Item 7.
Committee Report 011 – 4(3): Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act (Sammurtok, T)
Mr. Tom Sammurtok: Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report that Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act, has been reviewed by the Standing Committee on Legislation and that the bill is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.
Bill 15 will be placed on the order paper for Monday, March 14.
The Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Mike.
Tabled Document 095 – 4(3): FPT Ministerial Report – UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties COP21 in Paris, France (Mike)
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to table the FPT Report on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties COP21 in Paris, France, November 30 to December 11, 2015. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member of Economic Development and Transportation, Ms. Ell-Kanayuk.
Tabled Document 096 – 4(3): Nunavut Airports 20-year Infrastructure Needs Assessment 2014-2034 (Ell-Kanayuk)
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to table the Nunavut Airports 20-year Infrastructure Needs Assessment 2014-[2034]. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 097 – 4(3): Contract Activity Report 2014-2015 (Savikataaq)
Tabled Document 098 – 4(3): Procurement Activity Report 2014-2015 (Savikataaq)
Tabled Document 099 – 4(3): Lease Activity Report 2014-2015 (Savikataaq)
I am pleased to table the following three documents:
Contract Activity Report 2014-15;
Procurement Activity Report 2014-15; and
Lease Activity Report 2014-15.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Tabling of Documents. Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Taptuna.
Tabled Document 100 – 4(3): Response Letter from Premier to the Airlines (Taptuna)
I am pleased to table the Response Letter from Premier to the Airlines.
I have no more names on my list. (interpretation ends) Item 14. Notices of Motions. Item 15.
Hon. Minister of Health, Ms. Monica Ell-Kanayuk.
Bill 14 – Public Health Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Tasiluk, that Bill 14, (interpretation ends) Public Health Act, (interpretation) be read for the first time.
I request consent of this Assembly to waive the one-day notice requirement to allow for the second reading of Bill 14, Public Health Act.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The minister is requesting that Bill 14 be read for the second time today.
Bill 14 – Public Health Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member of Tasiluk, that Bill 14, Public Health Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill provides for a modern and comprehensive public health system for Nunavut. Specifically, it provides for the requirements to be met in order to protect public health and for duties and powers of the minister, the chief public health officer, and other officers in ensuring the protection and promotion of public health.
The motion is carried and Bill 14 is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
>>House recessed at 10:37 and Committee resumed at 10:56
Chairman (Mr. Enook)(interpretation): Good morning, Nunavummiut watching the televised proceedings and listening to the radio broadcast.
Good morning, Minister.
Mr. Chairman, we wish to continue with the review of the 2016-17 Main Estimates of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, followed by Nunavut Arctic College, the departments of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Environment, Culture and Heritage, Justice, and the Legislative Assembly.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker...I mean Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. Thank you for the almost promotion. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt.
Are we in agreement that we continue with the review of the main estimates for the Department of Economic Development and Transportation?
Minister, as you only made your opening comments yesterday, I didn’t get a chance to ask you and I’ll now ask if you have officials that you would like to bring to the table.
Minister Kanayuk.
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Yes, I have officials that I would like to bring to the table.
Do members agree to bring in Minister Kanayuk’s officials?
Minister Kanayuk, for the record, please introduce your witnesses.
On my right is Deputy Minister Sherri Rowe and on my left is Jim Stevens, our Deputy Minister for Transportation.
In the gallery, we have Tanya Winmill, Manager of Finance.
Ms. Rowe and Mr. Stevens, welcome to the Assembly.
Let us continue.
Minister Kanayuk already gave her opening comments yesterday and the standing committee’s opening comments were read.
Before we proceed, I would like to remind you that if you have questions, please wait until we get to the appropriate page.
There was no show of hands.
We are on page K-4 and we will start from there.
Does anyone have questions or comments on that page?
I have a few questions regarding grants and contributions. There’s a line item for grants and contributions, so I’ll take a chance and ask my questions in this particular area.
In my opening comments, I spoke about the importance of providing clear information about the purpose of each of the department’s grants and contributions expenditures as well as the actual results and outcomes, especially when it comes to handing out money to for-profit businesses.
I’ll take a company like Arctic Kingdom for an example. In 2013-14, your department provided a total of $219,000 in three separate contributions to the company.
What was the purpose of each contribution?
I think he’s talking about the (interpretation ends) Strategic Investments Program. (interpretation) I’ll refer that to my Deputy Minister, Ms. Rowe, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Ms. Rowe.
Ms. Rowe: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
In 2013, we funded Arctic Kingdom under our Strategic Investments Program.
The Strategic Investments Program has two streams to it, one for not-for-profit businesses and one for actual businesses. That’s called the Nunavut Economic Investment Fund.
The actual details of what we funded Arctic Kingdom for, we do not have that information with us today, but what we can do is we can provide that information to members.
Before to I return to Mr. Rumbolt, I wish to remind all ministers, even the ministers who haven’t appeared before the committee yet, that as part of your preparations prior to the documentation reviews, it would be very advantageous to all parties if you brought the relevant information related to your presentations.
It would also behoove us if some forethought was given to the contents, particularly matters that may raise questions.
Even when members try to ask questions on specific line items, the rote answer is always, “We don’t have that information,” and it really breaks down the review process.
You are also well aware that members are very inquisitive about certain matters, particularly regular MLAs.
I urge you to be more cognizant of this requirement and it applies to every minister here and those who will appear before us as witnesses.
Again, this is just a recommendation.
I realize that they will have to get back to me with the information, but I will continue my questions in this particular area.
I chose Arctic Kingdom because they are a for-profit organization.
My next question is: how does your department evaluate or measure the results of the spending that you provide to for-profit organizations?
Just for the member’s information, Arctic Kingdom is from the fiscal year 2012-13. We can’t be bringing everything to our table all the time, but we would be pleased to provide what we can to members when asked.
I’ll ask my deputy minister to answer his question.
Chairman: Ms. Rowe
Ms. Rowe: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For our Strategic Investments Program, before we fund the clients or an applicant, we have an assessment process.
In the contribution agreement, if a project is approved, it outlines the outcomes we’re expecting.
What we do is the payments to the clients are spread out. We have the first payment on the initial signing of an agreement, and then we do not release the second payment until we’ve got the accounting and the activity reports from that client.
First of all, we’re approving a project where we have already stated what the expected outcomes are of this project, and then before we release the final payment, we go through the reports that they give us to make sure they have done what they were supposed to do with that money.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Rowe.
I would like to remind the members that if you have questions, please raise your hand so that we can write your name down.
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the fact that they may not have the information from 2013-14.
I’m trying to use Arctic Kingdom as an example because they’re a for-profit company that received quite the substantial amount of money from the department.
I will continue to ask these kinds of questions and hopefully, when they do come back to us, we will have clear information on how the money is spent.
Again with Arctic Kingdom, did the money that was provided to them create any full-time or part-time jobs for Nunavut residents, with the money that they received from this government?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the member for that question.
The program that we’re discussing allows us to support strategic businesses and economic development projects proposed by businesses as well as not-for-profit organizations and municipalities, so there are two streams.
The funding Schedule A, which is for Nunavut equity investment funds, this fund provides the maximum equity contribution of $250,000 to larger Nunavut business ventures in strategic sectors and where businesses have export potential.
For the other one, Schedule B, which my deputy minister explained, Nunavut Economic Foundations Fund, this provides support to a maximum of $50,000 to organizations and municipalities to carry out activities that improve the abilities of Nunavummiut to participate in Nunavut’s economy.
For his latter question, Mr. Chairman, we can get back to all members.
We shall expect that information.
Like I said, I know she didn’t have the information before and I still have questions regarding this particular company, so I’m going to read off the rest of my questions because I know the same answer is going to come for each question, so just to speed up the process a little bit.
My next question was going to be: did this particular company, Arctic Kingdom, build any physical infrastructure in Nunavut communities with the money that they received from the government? Another question I had was: can the department explain exactly how Nunavut benefits from providing this money to Arctic Kingdom?
Another comment I will make is I think this particular company is in Mississauga, Ontario.
When ED&T is reviewing requests for grants and contribution funding, does it give priority to Nunavut-based companies?
I’ll accept any comments that the minister may have on those particular questions.
Yes, we’re talking about two fiscal years ago. It’s not from the present time.
Mr. Chairman, through you, we will provide the response because I don’t have that information right now.
We will expect that then.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you and welcome.
In your business plan, page 191, it talks about the NNI Policy and creating a new NNI Policy. You say that the final draft has been completed and is being reviewed.
When will the implementation of it be in place?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have been dealing with this issue in great detail and we have completed this.
The NNI Secretariat was negotiating with Nunavut Tunngavik and many other government officials.
We will be coming up with a new, amended NNI Policy aimed at helping more Inuit and businesses in Nunavut. We will be taking better advantage of the (interpretation ends) Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
(interpretation) It’s on this basis that we’re now starting to plan the approval of this policy and we’re expecting to have it approved some time in the near future. However, even after the NNI Policy is approved in the House, we expect its implementation will start in the spring of 2017 because we have to make consultations on how the policy was amended.
Ms. Angnakak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Where are the changes made?
Chairman: Minister Kanayuk.
The proposed amendments are numerous and I’ll cite a few examples. Some recommendations under consideration will be put forward for approval, if they are passed.
The usual bid adjustment today goes up to 21 percent in the (interpretation ends) bid adjustment formula (interpretation) for approved Inuit businesses.
We have recommended changing that from 21 percent to 25 percent.
There are several different changes as well, such as a 5 percent change in the three levels of approved Inuit businesses.
These are sole proprietorships, 100 percent Inuit owned businesses, that can have their (interpretation ends) bid adjustment (interpretation) included.
The second tier of Inuit businesses is where Inuit are the majority owners but share ownership with other Inuit from Nunavut or elsewhere. If the other owners are from Nunavut comprising 51 percent up to 100 percent, this would add to their approved adjustments.
The third level relates to the commitment to hire Inuit or when they have an Inuit employment plan and they reach the level they identified.
Conversely, if they didn’t reach the level stated on their application, the original method was to penalize them financially. Now, when their commitment to hire Inuit with specified numbers of employees was not fulfilled, the business would be excluded from any future bids on other projects.
Ms. Angnakak (interpretation): Thank you. It is very interesting to hear the changes to the NNI Policy.
Also regarding the (interpretation ends) NNI Policy, you have a current NNI Contracting Appeals Board.
Is that going to be changed, and will the board have a broader mandate to hear appeals?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Minister Kanayuk.
At this time, the board gets direction from the government about appointees, as well as from Nunavut Tunngavik and business representatives from the (interpretation ends) Baffin chamber of commerce. (interpretation) Together, we are able to appoint board members.