EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
She has failed to represent my region and my riding. It’s an election year, this budget is not worth supporting, and she should voluntarily resign.
That’s all I ask her. Yes or no.
Chairman: Order, please.
I’ll let the committee know that there is no Point of Order again.
The minister is not required to answer questions and that’s her right, Minister Aglukkaq.
I take it that there are no more questions.
Qikiqtaaluk Region. Total Qikiqtaaluk Region.
Though I would like to ask a question, but looking at the time, it’s getting close to six o’clock. I believe that I’ll be asking questions way beyond six o’clock, so I would like to move to report progress.
I could ask questions tomorrow instead.
Item 20. Report of Committee of the Whole. Member for Uqqummiut, Mr. Arreak.
There is a motion on the floor. Is there a seconder to the motion? Thank you, Mr. Arvaluk.
The motion is carried.  Item 21.
For tomorrow morning, a meeting of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Accountability at 9:00 in the Tuktu Boardroom, and a meeting of the Full Caucus at 11:00 in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Orders of the Day for November 6:
This House stands adjourned until November 6, 2007, at 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Pages 2373 – 2457
Opening Prayer 2373
Ministers’ Statements 2373
Members’ Statements 2378
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2387  Oral Questions 2388
Tabling of Documents 2410
Second Reading of Bills 2410
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2416
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2456
Orders of the Day 2456
Tuesday, November 6, 2007 2373
114 – 2(4): Condolences to Family of Constable Douglas Scott (Okalik) 2373
115 – 2(4): Improvements at the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Simailak) 2374
116 – 2(4): Archaeology and Palaeontology Student Grant-In-Aid Program (Tapardjuk) 2375
117 – 2(4): Public Health Strategy (Aglukkaq) 2376
118 – 2(4): Introduction of the Education Act (Picco) 2376
119 – 2(4): Nunavut Municipal Archaeological Site Inventories (Tapardjuk) 2377
247 – 2(4): Condolences to Family of Constable Douglas Scott & Community of Kimmirut (Akesuk) 2378
248 – 2(4): Peter and Cecile Nelvana Kamingoak (Evyagotailak) 2378
249 – 2(4): Cambridge Bay Airport Expansion (Peterson) 2379
250 – 2(4): Audit of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Tootoo) 2380
251 – 2(4): Recognition of Dustin MacDonald – MAHL Hockey League (Brown) 2381
252 – 2(4): Poor Air Service in the High Arctic (Barnabas) 2382
253 – 2(4): Government of Nunavut Not Using Inuit Traditions & Culture (Kattuk) 2383
254 – 2(4): Act of Bravery by Gjoa Haven Teacher (Aglukkaq) 2384
255 – 2(4): Concerns with the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation Audit (Curley) 2385
256 – 2(4): Expectations by Nunavummiut of the Government of Nunavut (Arvaluk) 2386
326 – 2(4): Dissatisfaction with the Performance of the Minister of Health and Social Services (Curley) 2388
327 – 2(4): Audit of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Tootoo) 2392
328 – 2(4): Qulliq Energy Corporation’s Mandate to Own & Operate Telecommunications (Peterson) 2394
329 – 2(4): Elaboration of Comptroller General’s Referral to RCMP (Tootoo) 2398
330 – 2(4): Patient Who Could Not Return Home (Arvaluk) 2400
331 – 2(4): Clarification of Trades Training in the Kitikmeot (Peterson) 2401
332 – 2(4): Audit of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Curley) 2404
333 – 2(4): Audit of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Tootoo) 2406
334 – 2(4): Status of P3 Policy (Peterson) 2408
146 – 2(4): Developing Healthy Communities: A Public Health Strategy for Nunavut 2008-2013 (Aglukkaq) 2410
004 – 2(4): Bill 4 – Amendment Adding Subheading “Object de la Loi” Before Clause 1.1 of French (Tootoo) 2424
005 – 2(4): Bill 4 – Amend Clause 5 by Adding “And” to the end of English Subclause (1)(b) (Tootoo) 2430
006 – 2(4): Bill 4 – Clause 91 Amend by Deleting Subclause (3) and Renumbering Subclause (4) as (3) (Tootoo) 2445
007 – 2(4): Bill 4 – Clause 106 Amend By Deleting Subclause (4) (Tootoo) 2447
008 – 2(4): Bill 4 – Subclause 169(m) Amend by Striking Out “That the Commissioner, on the Recommendation of the Minisiter, considers” (Tootoo) 2454
Bill 20 – Midwifery Profession Act – Second Reading 2411
Bill 21 – Education Act – Second Reading 2411
Bill 04 – Workers’ Compensation Act – Consideration in Committee 2417
I would like to ask Mr. Curley to say the opening prayer. Mr. Curley.
Speaker: Thank you. Members, I would like you to join me for a moment of silence in memory of RCMP Constable Douglas Scott, who died in the line of duty in Kimmirut.
Thank you, Members. (interpretation) Good afternoon, Mr. Premier, Ministers, and Members.
Minister’s Statement 114 – 2(4): Condolences to Family of Constable Douglas Scott (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) On behalf of all Nunavummiut and particularly the Members of this House, I would like to extend my sincerest sympathies to the families, friends and colleagues of RCMP Constable Douglas Scott.
Late last night, Constable Scott was shot and killed in the line of duty in Kimmirut.
The tragic death of Constable Douglas Scott has deeply saddened me and I extend my deepest sympathies to those who knew and loved him.
We have lost a kind and heroic young man.
I appreciate the continued selfless efforts of the members of the RCMP in keeping our communities secure and safe. In times like these, we are reminded of their bravery and commitment to us and all Canadians.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the members who responded to this tragedy. This is a thank you to their good work that the community has been secured and the suspect is in custody.
Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and the officers who served with him.
Minister’s Statement 115 – 2(4): Improvements at the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Simailak)
Yesterday a review of the activities of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation, conducted for the Legislative Assembly by the Auditor General of Canada was tabled in this House.
The Auditor General has issued a denial of opinion and I take this very seriously.
Effective today, I have directed that the corporation’s lending activities be temporarily suspended.
I have accepted the resignations of three members of the board of directors, including the chair and the vice chairperson. In the coming days, new members of the board will be appointed on an interim basis.
Mr. Speaker, I have also directed officials to work in collaboration with NBCC officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan to address the issues identified by the Auditor General.  Furthermore, today, the Comptroller General of Nunavut has referred the matter of financial records and controls to the RCMP for consideration.
I want to assure members that clients of the corporation will not be affected by these measures, and that the impact on the business community in the territory, in terms of access to capital, will be short-term.
It is also important to note that the chief executive officer and officials who were employed during 2005-06, when the Office of the Auditor General conducted their examination of the books of account, are no longer with the corporation.
Mr. Speaker, the Assembly has heard repeatedly in previous reports of the Auditor General of problems within the NBCC, and our government has directed the corporation to act on those recommendations.
We learned of further problems in November 2006, when the Office of the Auditor General advised the Department of Finance of the seriousness of the 2005-06 fiscal year financial audit.
We took immediate action, Mr. Speaker, which included the Internal Audit Services Division providing assistance to the Office of the Auditor General. Significant improvements have been made since then.
Mr. Speaker, in the coming months, I look forward to working collaboratively with the members of the standing committee, the Board of Directors of the NBCC, and the Office of the Auditor General to implement further improvements.
Minister of Human Resources and CLEY, Minister Tapardjuk.
Minister’s Statement 116 – 2(4): Archaeology and Palaeontology Student Grant-In-Aid Program (Tapardjuk)
I will be making a statement on the issue of archaeological sites.  Mr. Speaker, since April 1, 1999 the Government of Nunavut has issued approximately 200 permits for the investigation of archaeological and palaeontological sites.
These studies provide important opportunities for Nunavummiut to participate in scientific research projects and to receive hands-on training from specialists.
In order to take full advantage of these opportunities, we must encourage researchers to engage more closely with communities.
Many researchers are committed to providing training opportunities for Nunavummiut, but they often lack adequate financial resources to do so.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that commencing in 2008-09, the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth will offer grants-in-aid to post-secondary student researchers. Each year, five grants-in-aid valued at $5,000 will be awarded.
My department will continue to act proactively to promote the training of Nunavummiut through participation in heritage research projects. By doing so, we promote broader awareness and understanding of Nunavut’s culture and heritage and, hopefully, inspire young Nunavummiut to pursue careers in the heritage sector.
Minister’s Statement 117 – 2(4): Public Health Strategy (Aglukkaq)
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and my condolences to Constable Scott’s family as well.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that later today I will be tabling: “Developing Healthy Communities: A Public Health Strategy for Nunavut.” The first ever Public Health Strategy for Nunavut has been finalized and is ready for implementation.
Many hours of consultation with community members, Inuit organizations, and members of our department, have guided the development of this strategy.
Mr. Speaker, we want to increase the capabilities of communities to reduce unhealthy lifestyles and improve the overall wellbeing of residents. Our strategy is designed with the intent of supporting community driven public health interventions for community identified health needs.
Promoting and protecting health and preventing disease and injury are integral components of the department’s vision. The strategy is a critical response to the health issues facing Nunavummiut. It is designed to holistically improve preventative health care delivery.
Mr. Speaker, the Public Health Strategy is a living document and a five-year plan. Goals within our strategy include increasing healthy birth outcomes, increasing the number of children achieving age appropriate developmental milestones, and improving food security for all families, especially families with infants and children.
Additionally, the strategy aims to reduce the number of people experiencing mental, physical, emotional or sexual abuse, particularly children. It aims to decrease the incidence of our youth engaged in risk behaviours. And, it endeavours to minimize substance abuse such as tobacco use, or drug and alcohol misuse in order to protect the health, safety and quality of life for all, with special attention to the needs of children.
Minister’s Statement 118 – 2(4): Introduction of the Education Act (Picco)
Mr. Speaker, on several occasions over the past few years, I have informed the House about progress in the development of our Nunavut Education Act.
Mr. Speaker, later today we will be giving second reading of Bill 21 and formally introduce this important piece of legislation.
The Department of Education, in partnership with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, has worked together with the schools, parents and communities to build an Act that supports student success based on Inuit Societal Values and the guiding principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.  Over the course of two years and more than 100 meetings with stakeholders, we have drafted a completely revised Education Act.
It is a document that reflects Nunavut and addresses the needs of our people.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation will inject $14 million into Nunavut’s education system. Among the biggest changes, this bill puts more power into the hands of our local District Education Authorities, allowing for more control within our communities.
The Act also includes stronger measures to support our students and encourage them to attend school and learn, while bilingual education aims to produce graduates competent in both Inuktitut and English.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage you and the House to examine Bill 21 and recognize that we are focused on collaboration with parents, schools and communities. Information packages will be available to more fully explain the document and highlight the changes.
Mr. Speaker, the department has listened to Nunavummiut and we have incorporated their suggestions into our new Nunavut Education Act.
This landmark legislation continues the fundamental shift in Education since 2004 and will be the foundation for Education in Nunavut for 2007 and beyond. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of CLEY and Human Resources, Minister Tapardjuk.
Minister’s Statement 119 – 2(4): Nunavut Municipal Archaeological Site Inventories (Tapardjuk)
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are approximately 8,900 archaeological sites recorded to date in Nunavut, and the numbers increase each year.
Heritage sites in Nunavut are threatened by natural events, such as erosion and by many types of human activity. Activities such as land use and development projects, which have increased dramatically in number since 1999, can have significant impacts on heritage sites.
To help address this issue, my department has prepared community maps depicting the locations of all known archaeological sites situated within the municipal boundaries for every community in Nunavut. The Nunavut Municipal Archaeological Site Inventory maps have been developed as reference documents for community planners.
Mr. Speaker, it is important that we work collaboratively with communities to protect Nunavut’s heritage resources. It is hoped that the maps will raise awareness of both the existence and the importance of heritage site protection, and reduce the incidence of damage to heritage sites located within municipal boundaries.
These maps will be distributed to all the communities next month.
Member’s Statement 247 – 2(4): Condolences to Family of Constable Douglas Scott & Community of Kimmirut (Akesuk)
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, very much, for giving me this opportunity.
I would like to send my condolences to the relatives and loved ones of RCMP Constable Douglas Scott. I know that the residents of Kimmirut, whom I represent, will undoubtedly help one another and we will keep you in mind and in our prayers at this time.
I would just like to tell them to keep going, and also for the people of Nunavut who send their prayers and thoughts to the people of Kimmirut and the bereaved.
This will be very beneficial to the community of Kimmirut at this time of tragedy.
Member’s Statement 248 – 2(4): Peter and Cecile Nelvana Kamingoak (Evyagotailak)
I rise today to congratulate Peter and Cecile Kamingoak of Kugluktuk on their recent anniversary.
Mr. Speaker, Peter and Cecile have been married now for 64 years.
They were married on October 11, 1943.  They have had 11 children, 25 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
They are predeceased by two of their daughters, Joanne Adjun, Sandra Kamingoak and son George.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing them many more years of happiness.
Member’s Statement 249 – 2(4): Cambridge Bay Airport Expansion (Peterson)
Last week the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation told me in Committee of the Whole that the price tag to expand the Cambridge Bay Airport runway has soared to $20 million.
Only a few years ago, it was half this amount. In another three years, it could be double that amount.
Mr. Speaker, it is very discouraging to continue to hear that the Government of Nunavut has been unable to find a way to finance a long overdue expansion to our airport.
It was identified as one of one Nunavut’s four strategic airports in the 2001 Nunavut Transportation Strategy.
The 2003 Nunavut Air Services System Implementation Options Report clearly revealed that the Cambridge Bay Airport has major limitations in servicing jet aircraft.
Indeed, Transport Canada has had to issue “deviation from standards” ratings for our airport runway.
Mr. Speaker, I understand that capital dollars are in short supply and the GN can only do so much, given that it must rely heavily on the federal government to supplement our airport capital funding.
In Cambridge Bay, we have an airport which statistics show is one of the busiest in Northern Canada.
One study after another indicates that the runway needs to be expanded.
Mr. Speaker, the federal government has poured money into the other strategic Nunavut airports from the Airport Capital Assistance Program while it downgrades our airport with deviation from standards ratings, thus placing aircraft, aviators and passenger who use our airport at some risk.
Last March, the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation told the House that yet another ACAP proposal was being prepared and submitted to the federal government for October 2007 – it now appears from his answers to me last week that ACAP will not fund our urgently required airport expansion.
Mr. Speaker, the Cambridge Bay Airport is a “gateway airport” in Western Nunavut.
Aside from the obvious safety improvements that would occur if the runway was expanded, an immediate expansion would enable the Kitikmeot begin to unlock some major economic development and tourism opportunities that exist in Western Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation has concurred with me that the Cambridge Bay Airport is a strategic Nunavut airport.
Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to continue my Member’s Statement.
He referred to a new seven-year federal program called “Building Canada” that will provide $25 million per year to Nunavut to fund projects such as gateway airports.  Mr. Speaker, I urge the minister that as soon as those federal funds become available that he immediately work to allocate resources to the Cambridge Bay Airport as the Government of Nunavut’s priority airport capital project for an expansion.
Speaker (interpretation): Members’ Statements. Member for Iqaluit Centre, Mr. Tootoo.
Member’s Statement 250 – 2(4): Audit of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Tootoo)
I rise today to address the issue of the Auditor General’s Report to the Legislative Assembly on the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, earlier today, the Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Government Operations and Accountability publicly announced that it will be holding hearings at the end of this month on the Auditor General’s Report.
These hearings will be open to the public and media to observe. I invite and encourage all Nunavummiut to follow our proceedings.
Mr. Speaker, it is deeply troubling that we have arrived at this point.  Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, I and other members have been asking questions for a long time about this agency.
Standing committees in both the First and Second Assemblies have been noting concerns with the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation in their reports to the House.
Concerns regarding this Crown corporation have been raised year after year after year.
Mr. Speaker, it is difficult to understand and comprehend why these warnings were not acted on decisively.
However, Mr. Speaker, we have a situation to face, and the members of the standing committee are determined to fulfill their responsibility to give full scrutiny to this matter.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to rising in this House in the New Year to report our findings and recommendations to the House.
Member’s Statement 251 – 2(4): Recognition of Dustin MacDonald – MAHL Hockey League (Brown)
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today on behalf of my colleague from Rankin Inlet North to congratulate a superstar who is from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Dustin MacDonald, who played his first professional hockey game in the United States of America over the weekend of November 2, 2007.
Dustin MacDonald is playing in the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League, MAHL, a new five-team premium hockey league developing players to the next level in professional hockey.
Mon Valley Thunder is the team Justin plays goalie for out of Pennsylvania, USA.
In Justin’s first professional game he was the only Canadian on the team and was the first Canadian Inuk goalie to play a professional hockey game.
In his first pro hockey game Justin got the first scoring assist and was pounded with pucks and he made save after save.
The Valley Independent online newspaper reported “Wooster Warriors throwing shot after shot at Thunder goalie Dustin MacDonald for a total of 61 shots at MacDonald in his first game.”
That’s like playing two or three games facing that many shots.
At the end of regulation time the score was tied forcing overtime and Wooster was on the power play with the man advantage.
The Valley Independent now reports “put up ten shots in the five minute period but MacDonald stoned the Warriors in all ten attempts.” This forced the first MAHL overtime shootout and after the shootout the score still remained tied facing a sudden death shot-out, shootout.
The member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statements.
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
(interpretation ends) Justin played Junior A in Saskatchewan and Ontario. He is widely known for taking an eleventh place team in SJHL into first place with his goaltending skills. Justin played in Nunavut since he was four years old to bantam, then played in the south.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to congratulate Mr. Donald Clark of Rankin Inlet who has been elected President of Hockey Nunavut. It’s people like Donald and Mr. Justin Merritt of Rankin Inlet, Treasurer of Nunavut Hockey, that make it possible for young people like Justin MacDonald and Jordin Tootoo of my riding to make their dreams come true.
Like Justin and Jordin would say, stay in school, follow your dreams, believe in yourself.
It is volunteers like Donald and Justin, and many more throughout Nunavut, who are dedicated to our young players that make it possible.
I would like to thank Donald and Justin for their time and efforts, also all those other volunteers in Nunavut from all of us here in the Legislative Assembly, who are all fans of Montreal Canadiens...
Hon. Levinia Brown: ... in our heart of hearts, as our Premier knows very well. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 252 – 2(4): Poor Air Service in the High Arctic (Barnabas)
I rise today to talk about the issue of transportation in the High Arctic.
On March 30, 2006, the First Air officials went up to the High Arctic to have a meeting with the representatives in my riding and they were told by the residents about their concerns.
To date, there has been no implementation or follow up done on any of the responses that we had heard.
At that time, First Air stated that they were no longer going to be using the 748 carriers, but to date, they are still using those 748s and they will be used as freight carriers.
The people in my riding also stated that when they’re flying from the south, from here and if they’re going to be going to Resolute Bay, Nanisivik, or Grise Fiord, they have to pay for excess baggage when they weren’t charged from a southern point to Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, in one community in my riding they use Kenn Borek as their regular carrier, and I wrote a letter to the President of Kenn Borek but to date I have yet to receive a response.
It outlined the concerns of the people of Grise Fiord and I wanted the management to hear about them.
Grise Fiord uses a small carrier and at times, because of the size of the carrier, they have to make two flights.
When I was trying to go there the last time we had a mechanical problem and we just couldn’t get to Grise Fiord.