EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
This government has indicated that they would like to follow through with the aboriginal rights in Canada and I’m sure that they will do that.
They have an aboriginal lawyer and I’ve had meetings with Jody Wilson-Raybould, of whom I’m very proud. I’m sure we will have a good, productive relationship.
Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Cultural and Heritage, Mr. Kuksuk.
Return to Oral Question 077 – 4(3): Elders’ Issues (Kuksuk)
I say “good day” to my fellow Nunavummiut, as well as the people of Whale Cove and Arviat.
I have a return to oral question No. 77 –4(3) asked by the Member for Gjoa Haven on October 28, 2015 concerning the Nunavut’s 2010-14 Elders Program Strategy as tabled.
The question was, “When will the minister be tabling his department’s update strategy?”
Mr. Speaker, this return is quite detailed.
I have filed it with the Clerk for transcribing into Hansard for the public record and for distribution to all members.
Mr. Speaker, here is my return to oral question that was asked to me by the Member for Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Speaker, I will table an updated elders strategy during the fall sitting of the 2016-17 Legislative Assembly.
It is not being tabled until a year from now due to capacity within the Department of Culture and Heritage’s Elders and Youth Division.
The division worked on changes to the youth strategy this past year, including holding regional youth workshops, delivery of the on-land program, and the production of “Inuit Kinship.”
The elders strategy will be the focus of the division during the next year, including holding regional workshops.
Regional gatherings of community elders committees worked together to focus on four key areas: Empowering Elders, Promoting Respect for Elders, Passing on Traditional Knowledge, and Creating Healthy Lives and Families, as a part of the 2010-14 Elders Strategy.
Elders provide a valuable community resource and strengthen and enhance our culture and language, as they have a highly respected role in Inuit society and help keep families strong.
Mr. Speaker, Culture and Heritage will once again be working with regional elders committees to identify objectives that the Government of Nunavut and communities will need to work on that will improve the lives of elders and strengthen our communities.
Once Culture and Heritage has completed the engagement process, we will incorporate new priorities identified by elders into the strategy.
I hope this response is of assistance and look forward to the additional opportunities we will have to discuss elders and in our government’s commitment to strengthening and assisting elders committees.
Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Ms. Ell-Kanayuk.
Return to Oral Question 089 – 4(3): Cancellation of CARS Agreement with NAV CANADA (Ell-Kanayuk)
This is a return to an oral question asked by Alexander Sammurtok, MLA for Rankin Inlet South, No. 89 – 4(3), on the cancellation of the CARS agreement with NAV CANADA.
One of the impacts of this decision was the cancellation of the observer/communicator training course that had been offered at the Kivalliq Campus of [Nunavut] Arctic College.
The observer/communication training program is funded by NAV CANADA and had been offered at Nunavut Arctic College in Rankin Inlet prior to the termination of the CARS contract on March 31, 2015.
Subsequently, a request was made to NAV CANADA asking them to consider keeping the training program in Rankin Inlet. However, the decision was made to provide the program from the NAV CANADA training facility located in Fort Smith, NWT.
Nunavummiut are still actively participating in this program. Five students from Nunavut registered for the course in the summer semester.
Four of the five students were successful and are now qualified observer/communicators.
The recruitment of Nunavut students for the winter semester, which begins January 6, 2016, has already begun.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation) I have no more names on my list. (interpretation ends) Item 5.
Like I stated in my Member’s Statement today, it’s with a lot of pride that I stand here today to recognize these visitors in the gallery that were able to make it and take the time out of their busy days to attend this session.
I would first like to thank my assistant, Jessica Patterson, for helping me organize all this.
I would like to welcome to the gallery:
Ms. Emine Neary;
If you can please stand when I call your name.
Joanne Curioland;
Anthony Jordaan;
Bonnie Berzamina;
Christopher Afah Lang;
Floreen Demavivas and his wife, Nenette;
Christelle Djouaka;
Judy Sessua and her daughters Alessia and Kirsten.
Welcome to the House and welcome to Canada.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Welcome to the gallery and welcome to Canada.
Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, Ms. Ell-Kanayuk.
My constituents from Iqaluit-Manirajak are rarely in the House, so I would like to recognize Janet Brewster.
I would also like to recognize my constituents.
We don’t see people from Igloolik very often in the House.
I am very pleased to recognize Judah Sarpinak, Andy Attagutalukuttuk, and Steven Qaatani Sarpinak.
We also have Dexter Koonoo.
These people are from my community of Igloolik and I would like to recognize them.
As an addendum, they are full-time hunters. They make a huge contribution to our community in all sorts of ways. They are professional hunters, they participate in search and rescue, and they make a huge contribution to our community.
I would like to recognize them and introduce them to the Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome to the gallery, my fellow community residents.
Question 126 – 4(3): Wildlife Research Methods (Shooyook)
Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, I asked the minister a number of questions related to the current methods that are used to survey wildlife in Nunavut.
On November 19, 2013, the minister of the day tabled the department’s statutory report on wildlife to the Legislative Assembly.
This report indicates that the 2009 Nunavut Wildlife Symposium included representatives from all co-management organizations to develop constructive communication about the most important issues related to Nunavut’s wildlife.
This report indicates that one of the shared objectives of these organizations is to find alternatives to handling wildlife in research and that using innovative, non-invasive ways to conduct research must be a focus.
Can the minister specify what non-invasive methods for researching wildlife in Nunavut has been identified to date?
I say “good day” to Nunavummiut and I welcome the new Canadians, our newest fellow residents who are here in the gallery.
Last year, I indicated that changes have occurred in the wildlife research field using less dangerous practices and more non-invasive methods to lessen the impacts.
With respect to the tranquilizing of animals, I spoke to the issue last year, that this method would no longer be used in wildlife research and that less invasive methods would be used that result in no handling of animals or touching by any human hands.
These are the changes we have made to date in this field, Mr. Speaker.
I recognize that various organizations and wildlife boards have stated their support for the use of aerial surveys as an alternative to capture and collaring of wildlife which has been shown to affect the behaviour of polar bears and caribou.
Can the minister indicate if his department examines the effects that the aerial surveys may have on the natural behaviour of caribou and polar bear populations in Nunavut and, if so, what are the department’s conclusions on this area?
I can’t tell you exactly as to how it affects the wildlife.
If we’re talking about aerial surveys, I don’t know how it affects the natural behaviour of wildlife.
I can’t respond to that question right now, but I can look into that and get back to the member.
Can the minister indicate what aerial surveys, if any, are currently planned to take place within the next two years?
We use aerial surveys depending on what animal we will be surveying because the aerial survey method of wildlife varies.
We use aerial surveys especially for surveying caribou.
Recent surveys that we have done on caribou in the Baffin region were aerial surveys.
As for the next two years, I’m not sure what other alternatives we will be using other than aerial surveys.
Question 127 – 4(3): Status of Housing Initiatives (Angnakak)
Today, my questions are for the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation. I haven’t asked him a question yet.
Mr. Speaker, one of the goals in the framework for the Government of Nunavut Long-term Comprehensive Housing and Homelessness Strategy is to, and I quote, “encourage GN employees to move out of staff housing and become homeowners.”
Mr. Speaker, as we are all very much aware, it’s not cheap to be a homeowner in Nunavut.
In April of 2015, the president of the Nunavut Housing Corporation appeared before the Committee of the Senate of Canada.
In her testimony, she stated that, and I quote, “The cost of owning and operating a house in Nunavut ranges from $158,100 to $186,000 per year,” This is the minimum income you would need to be able to afford homeownership in various communities.
Can the minister indicate how the Nunavut Housing Corporation is working to make it easier for Nunavummiut to afford the high cost of homeownership?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for her question.
Mr. Speaker, we try to deal with the homeownership programs to the best of our ability to make sure that we provide services.
We have different programs for homeowners, for example, the tank replacement program and other programs that we use. Through our programs, we try to provide support.
Our support has increased because we have heard in the past years or in the past month that it’s very cumbersome for homeowners to keep up with their bills.
When we heard about it at the time, we decided to discuss it so that we have various programs to provide support to homeowners in Nunavut.
Another one of the goals in the framework for the Government of Nunavut’s Long-term Comprehensive Housing and Homelessness Strategy is to, and I quote, “discourage GN employees from remaining in staff housing indefinitely.”
I certainly agree that high-income employees should not be living indefinitely in subsidized staff housing.
What specific actions is the Nunavut Housing Corporation taking to discourage GN employees from remaining in staff housing indefinitely?
I can say today that when we have many homeless people in the communities and when we lack social housing and staff who are living in staff housing, we have been encouraging them and we can provide support to the staff to encourage them to become homeowners. We provide support to discourage them from remaining in staff housing. We encourage the staff to move out of GN staff housing.
We have a supportive program for the staff to get into homeownership.
That is what I can say, Mr. Speaker.
I think things like the condo project that we had for our GN employees would be something to look at again.
Earlier this year, the Nunavut Housing Corporation issued a request for proposals for the coordination and productions of the Government of Nunavut Housing Action Plan. A contract worth a maximum of just a little over $297,000 was awarded to Outcrop Nunavut to undertake this work.
Can the minister tell us when the Government of Nunavut’s housing action plan will be ready for tabling in the Legislative Assembly?
If I’m correct, I’m not too sure if she’s asking about the Blueprint for Action on Housing, but the contract was going to be awarded.
Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that there are lots of stakeholders that will be taking on this responsibility along with NTI and government.
Mr. Speaker, we will be dealing with this action plan in the 2016 fall session. We’re planning to table that information at that time.
Question 128 – 4(3): G.R.E.A.T. Program Rollout (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Family Services.
On October 23, 2015, the minister announced a new pilot project called “Getting Ready for Employment and Training,” the G.R.E.A.T. program.
Perhaps I can provide some suggestions for making this G.R.E.A.T. program into an even greater program.
In her statement, the minister indicated that the G.R.E.A.T. program includes ten weeks of labour market training and a tailored two-week work placement for income assistance recipients “that is specific to the needs and choices of each client” in their home community.
Can the minister clarify whether this program was designed by taking into consideration the labour needs in each community?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for asking about the G.R.E.A.T. program.
Nunavut Arctic College is helping us to deal with this program to make sure that we provide employment and training programs.
The recipients usually choose which program or training they would like to take.
They look at the client’s ability and they meet with each other to decide which training program they’re best suited for.
Many community-based organizations and groups have a variety of needs and could use support in the form of labour.
Can the minister identify which employers have agreed to train and place income assistance clients in work positions through this program?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to thank the member for that question.
The instructors are working with the communities.
That’s the response I can provide.
As part of its review of the Income Assistance Program, can the minister clarify whether her department is considering making changes to the eligibility criteria for income assistance clients that would require clients to make small contributions to the territory by such means as labour?
We would like to put the income support clients under training.
Funding is provided to make sure that they can be trained for employment. Once their training has been completed, how can we put them back into the workforce?
Looking at the ability of each individual and to make sure that they get into the workforce, the Career Development Division sets these programs with the help of the Income Support Division. The instructors meet with the communities to find out what kinds of training programs are required.
Question 129 – 4(3): Status of Site Remediation in Baker Lake (Mikkungwak)
My questions today are directed to the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, we appear to have established a new tradition in this Assembly.
Each sitting, my colleague from South Baffin asked the minister about the status of the new power plant in Cape Dorset, and I asked about the status of the environmental clean-up at the site in Baker Lake that was inherited from the Northern Canada Power Corporation.
It has always been QEC’s position that the contamination in Baker Lake is, and I quote, “100 percent attributable to federal activities.”
However, the federal government has not acknowledged its responsibility.
Earlier today, a new federal cabinet was sworn into office. What plans does the minister have to raise this issue with his appropriate federal counterparts?
I thank Mr. Mikkungwak for the question and pointing out the annual tradition.
I’m hoping to break that tradition.
Moving forward with Mr. Joanasie’s power plant, we’re going to hopefully build it in his lifetime.
Unfortunately, I can’t say that we’re going to clean up Baker Lake’s contaminated site in your lifetime.
I’ll meet with my colleague, the Minister of Environment, and we will talk about the issue. There is a GN contaminated site working group that is looking at all the contaminated sites in Nunavut to establish the ownership.
I did meet with the Auditor General of Canada last week for an hour. We did discuss contaminated sites. It’s a serious issue.
The Auditor General of Canada is taking it quite seriously and has asked me to assure them that the Government of Nunavut will move forward on contaminated sites in the future.
I believe it could be accomplished in my lifetime also.
When I last raised this issue at our House sitting on June 1, 2015, in the Nunavut Hansard as indicated, stated that the government was also, and I quote, “…working on a process to identify all the sites in Nunavut that are contaminated, who owns them, and processes like that.”
Unfortunately, I’m not the minister with responsibility for that file. All I can tell him is that the Auditor General and I have talked about contaminated sites in Nunavut from a public liability point of view for our public accounts.
When I last raised this issue at our sitting of June 1, 2015, the minister indicated that the Qulliq Energy Corporation was considering, and I quote, “four remedial options” regarding the contaminated site in Baker Lake.
Can the minister tell me today which process QEC will be pursuing?
Speaker (interpretation): Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Peterson.
Mr. Speaker, currently the Qulliq Energy Corporation has what we call the Waterloo Emitter barrier system that has been put in place to clean up the sites and ensure that contaminants didn’t get into their drinking water. The annual maintenance is provided on it. There was annual maintenance this past July and it has continued to provide good results.
Question 130 – 4(3): Harvester Support Programs (Enook)
I would like to direct my question today to the Minister of the Environment.
I would like to speak to my questions today properly because I have been asking the same question for many years and it has become obvious how they have become defined.
In May of this year, the Department of Environment provided funding in the amount of $50,000 through the hunter support program to Coral Harbour hunters who lost their hunting equipment.
First of all, I’ll ask the minister: under the Harvester Disaster Compensation Program, the incident that I just talked about, what did you identify it as?
Was it a natural disaster or just an accident?
When harvesters lose their equipment, they report what happened, whether the cause was weather-related, and those things are considered.
We know the Coral Harbour incident was weather-related. When the ice broke away, it was weather-related and that’s what I have been informed of.
In my community, there have been accidents with exactly the same types of circumstances, but people who applied for compensation were always refused by the department.
We are just told that it’s an accident or a natural disaster.
With the incident in Coral Harbour, why was it treated differently?
The hunters and trappers organizations are involved with filling out applications for compensation by submitting a letter of support and these are requirements of this process.
With respect to inclement weather resulting in loss or damage of hunting equipment, they have to apply for compensation. The HTO board identifies the hunters that lost equipment and outline the circumstances.
That is how it is set up.
In cases where the hunter is aware that inclement weather is forecasted or if the weather is considered dangerous but the hunter leaves anyway knowing weather is forecasted as being bad or if they are aware that the ice conditions are becoming dangerous but they set out anyway, then it is more difficult.
They have to consider all the factors when reviewing the application and can result in their claims not being approved. All the reasons are considered. Whether they approve or deny the applications, they look at it from all angles.
This is where it gets confusing when the minister states that if the local HTO supports the harvester’s claim, it is acceptable to submit the claim for losses, yet when a harvester submits a claim with the support of the HTO, the department usually denies their application.
The local HTO, knowing their hunters, supports the replacement of the lost equipment applications, but the department doesn’t approve the application in the majority of cases and that is why it is so confusing to get that response. When communities follow the criteria, it is denied anyway. That is causing the confusion.
Nonetheless, I have to move forward. Mr. Minister, you are well aware that a report was created by this government and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated regarding harvester compensation programming as a joint report.
Recently, you sent a letter to my attention that this report has been fully reviewed by your department.
When will the joint report be tabled to us?
Speaker: The Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Mike.
My colleague asked a question regarding the compensation needed by our harvesters.
I believe that Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated is currently reviewing this report, although they stated that a review would be commenced on the compensation programming.
The Nunavut government’s Department of Environment released their harvester compensation or assistance programming.
Last week, our colleague, Mr. Mikkungwak raised a question on when this report would be tabled and my response now will be the same response I provided to the member.
The review of the programming is complete; the report is in my office now. I returned the report to the officials to consult the communities, especially the local HTOs, to review the report so that I can table the report in this House.
It has been returned to the communities for consultations because I want further clarification since the HTOs are involved in this process, whether the report is true.
This winter, a final report will be finalized and I believe I will be able to table this report at our winter session after the consultations with the HTOs, including other wildlife management organizations who we work with on harvester compensation programming.
That’s where it stands right now.
Question 131 – 4(3): Internal Capacity Enhancements (Hickes)
Mr. Speaker, on October 27, the minister tabled the Department of Health’s annual report on the operation of the medical care plan.
I realize that some of the numbers in here encompass both insured and non-insured health expenses.
It does state that more than one-third of the department’s total operational budget is spent on costs associated with medical travel, almost $65 million, and physician and hospital services outside the territory over $57 million.
Mr. Speaker, on page 3 of that report, it speaks to the access to a range of hospital and specialist services that often does require residents to travel outside the territory, but it does state that the two regional health facilities in Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay, as well as here in Iqaluit, the Qikiqtani General Hospital are enabling Nunavut to build internal capacity and enhance the range of services that can be provided within the territory.
I would just like to get an update of what type of internal capacity enhancements have been ongoing as projects of the Department of Health to alleviate some of these cost pressures.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) We have undertaken a number of initiatives.
The primary one is training our own nurses here in our territory. That’s ongoing. The other one we have been working with the federal government is called NunaFam where locums come to our territory and do their practicum in our hospital here.
From there, they usually stay in our territory and provide much needed doctor services for our community.
There are some things that we can do within our territory, but a lot of times, we can’t maintain specialized fields of medicine.
For those instances, we have to make sure that the patient is taken care of outside our territory and that we provide those services. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
That leads into my next question.