EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, on May 4 Minister Johnny Mike, Minister Joe Savikataaq, and I visited Pangnirtung with some of our staff.
I would like to thank the hamlet council and community for their hospitality. It is always a pleasure to visit Pangnirtung and indeed all the communities in Nunavut.
On this particular visit we had a very good tour and learned a lot.
Mr. Speaker, two years ago on this very date, June 5, 2015, I visited Pangnirtung with the Premier and Minister Johnny Mike.
At the time it was in the aftermath of the tragedy of the Pangnirtung power plant burning down. We went there to recognize all the community responders, volunteers, firefighters, police, nurses, school officials in Pangnirtung, and many more; too many to name, to recognize their efforts. We had an awards ceremony at the school.
We had an opportunity to recognize the efforts.
As the QEC minister, of course at the time, we promised Pangnirtung and the residents that a new power plant would be built by the fall of 2017 at the latest. Even I am astounded by the fast turnaround on the power plant in almost two years.
While in Pangnirtung on this trip, I had an opportunity to tour the new plant. It is very modern. It’s a source of pride to the community.
I would like to thank my colleagues who followed in my QEC minister portfolio, Minister George Hickes for his efforts to keep that project going and Minister Johnny Mike as well. When a minister makes a promise, you want to make sure that we fulfill those.
Again, the plant burned down on April 2, 2015. That was tremendous news when I heard the news that they reopened the new one on April 3, 2017, almost two years to the date, Mr. Speaker. It’s tremendous.
I would like to acknowledge some key QEC people who responded in the extremely critical few hours and days after the tragedy at the time.
Jamie Flaherty, Julianne Miller, and Natalie Chafe-Yuan were the key people that kept me informed of what was going on.
Their efforts in the early days set the tone for this two-year delivery.
I would also like to thank the QEC board, engineers, plant operators, and everybody else who made the new plant possible.
Member’s Statement 576 – 4(3): Transportation Trouble at Iqaluit International Airport (Enook)
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express concern about an issue that has been raised with me by constituents from Pond Inlet regarding transportation at the Iqaluit airport.
Mr. Speaker, I understand that safety is the foremost priority, both for the airlines as well as for members of the public.
As the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation will be aware, many of my constituents are required to travel to and from Iqaluit for medical treatment, including a significant number of elders.
As the minister will also be aware, both Canadian North and First Air provide scheduled service to Pond Inlet and other Baffin communities.
As you yourself know, Mr. Speaker, passengers on flights are required to go between the Iqaluit terminal building and the aircraft via shuttle bus.
However, the problem arises with respect to the different way in which passengers travelling are transported.
Mr. Speaker, in the case of First Air’s flights, passengers are transported by shuttle bus directly to and from the aircraft and the terminal building.
However, in the case of Canadian North’s flights, passengers are also transported by shuttle bus, but they must pass through the security gate that is located between the parking lot and the apron.
Passengers are required to show the security staff their boarding passes.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleagues.
As I was saying, in the case of Canadian North’s flights, passengers must pass through the security gate. Passengers are required to show the security staff their boarding passes, which is not the case for First Air’s flights.
I have been advised that if they cannot find their boarding passes, they are ejected from the shuttle bus and required to walk the rest of the way to the terminal.
This is what I have experienced coming in from Pond Inlet where a very elderly passenger was forced to get off the bus.
As well, the previous week, I heard that another elderly passenger from Pangnirtung was also forced to get off the bus.
Mr. Speaker, this may sound like a minor issue, but it is ridiculous to subject our elders to this kind of treatment.
We also heard on the radio this morning where a passenger was relating their experience in being treated in that manner. Why?
What is the reason for differentiating between the two airlines?
One comes from the left or northern sector towards the terminal building while the other comes from the right or southern sector, both heading to the building from planes intraregional, yet one set of passengers are subjected to a security check with boarding passes checked.
If they lose their pass, they must walk to the terminal. The other airline has never been subjected to this requirement.
This matter is something I will try to have clarified at the appropriate time to see if we can resolve this issue for the benefit of my constituents and those from other communities in the Baffin region facing this situation where they arrive into Iqaluit and face this potential problem.
Member’s Statement 577 – 4(3): Appreciation of Volunteers of CSFN (Hickes)
As members of the legislature and voted-in representatives of our communities, I would be remiss to [not] discuss the work that other people who are voted in, in different capacities within our communities to for one, like our guests here today with the CSFN and DEAs across the territory… .
This is our full-time job, Mr. Speaker, as you very well know. As I can attest, it’s oftentimes not enough hours in the day for all the hard work that we put in.
This is our full-time job for other representatives such as our guests with the CSFN.
This is in addition to their full-time jobs and although they receive some type of honoraria, it takes away time from their families and other obligations.
I would just like to take this time to really show my appreciation for other groups that volunteer to make sure that community initiatives, community beliefs, and community drive are represented by people that take time out of their personal lives to make sure that our children get the best direction, to make sure that initiatives are provided from a community to, in this case, the Department of Education to make sure that we’re representing the population of this territory.
At the appropriate time I’ll recognize individuals, but I would like to again just thank you guys for all the hard work that you do here in Iqaluit. I have witnessed it from experience on the transition that the CSFN has made in the last five or six years, and I know how hard these individuals work.
As I stated earlier, we appreciate the CSFN members. They’re celebrating their 15th anniversary. I would like to congratulate them again.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, again I would just like to reiterate my congratulations to the Trois-Soleil school for celebrating its 15th year anniversary.
Although the French education in Nunavut has been in our territory for the last 25 years, I think it’s a great moment for us Nunavummiut to open our arms and accept our good Nunavummiuqatiit.
This morning I would like to recognize these very important individuals, Mr. Luc Brisebois, who is the CSFN president, Mr. Daniel Hillman, who is the vice-president of CSFN, Ms. Jennifer Colepaugh, who is a CSFN member, and of course Mr. Michel Potvin, who is the CSFN interim director general for our Trois-Soleils school here in Iqaluit. (interpretation) Thank you very much and let’s be proud of them.
Like Minister Quassa, I normally don’t try to re-recognize people, but I have to take this opportunity.
When the minister just mentioned Mr. Michel Potvin as the acting director general for the CSFN, he stepped into that role as a past chairman of the CSFN and covered a need at a time when it was very critical to the ongoing capacity.
I would also like to pay special recognition to the chair, Luc Brisebois. I know how hard they continue to work for our children.
Mr. Daniel Hillman, who I very much appreciate; also his work life, I appreciate the makings of those on occasion as well too, Mr. Speaker.
I would also like to pay special recognition to my friend and neighbour, Ms. Jennifer Colepaugh, who again stepped up to the plate to cover a need within the CSFN.
Together they work tirelessly to help represent the French community and the French education structure here in Iqaluit.
I, too, would like to recognize our colleague who is celebrating his birthday today.
Happy birthday to Mr. George Hickes.
Question 753 – 4(3): Nunavut Arctic College Law Program (Angnakak)
Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College.
During last Friday’s sitting of the Legislative Assembly, the minister announced that 25 individuals have accepted offers of admittance into the college’s law program.
Will the minister tell us if the names of the successful applicants will be announced?
I also thank the member for asking for that information. Yes, I take great pride in all the applicants, as we received numerous submissions.
We actually had 86 applicants for the spots in the law program.
With regard to my colleague’s question about employees, there were 10 people from the public service currently working who were accepted into the program.
We are proud of these 10 employees. Further, out of these employees, four were Inuit, but the other five were from Nunavut. I am proud of their success in applying to the program and they are eagerly anticipating the start of the program.
Though the names will be announced, I don’t wish to mention them at the moment, but the announcement will surely be forthcoming.
Before I conclude, the law program will start in September.
Information published by Nunavut Arctic College about the new law program states that, and I quote, “With more legally trained Inuit, it is hoped that other areas of law will start to take more shape in our jurisdiction, such as corporate law and family law.”
Mr. Speaker, I applaud this goal.
However, I imagine that I am not the only person who is wondering why almost a third of the entering class is non-Inuit.
Can the minister clarify why this is so?
There were 25 successful applicants and 18 were Inuit, but please know that any courses developed are open to all Nunavummiut.
Therefore the selection committee selects the applicants and carefully reviews each candidate applying for the law program.
They can be accepted into the program once they have successfully completed the entrance exam, as they want capable people.
I am not saying that others are not capable, but they must have knowledge in different areas.
I can state that this is open to all Nunavummiut. My colleague was probably aware that I can talk in French…
…Inuktitut and English.
Those are the three Nunavut languages and the students are all in the same boat.
I am proud of the fact that there are 18 Inuit who will take the law program.
I thank the minister. Now I’m going to ask a question that you alluded to a little bit, but I would like further information on it.
Information published by Nunavut Arctic College about the new law program states that, and I quote, “Students may be eligible for Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students through the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Family Services or through their Regional Inuit associations.”
Can the minister clarify how many of the 25 individuals who have been accepted into the law program are territorial government employees who have been granted paid educational leave?
I thank my colleague for requesting more information.
As I stated earlier, there are ten current government employees who were accepted and there are nine employees that have been accepted for financial assistance by the Government of Nunavut, or (interpretation ends) educational leave financial assistance. (interpretation) I apologize. There are 10 who were approved to keep earning a part of their salary.
I hope I answered her properly.
That was a short response.
As I stated earlier, there are ten Government of Nunavut employees who were accepted and nine of them were approved for paid educational leave.
According to the (interpretation ends) Human Resources Manual, (interpretation) they can get paid educational leave.
If the Government of Nunavut employees want to take educational leave, they can get paid between 50 and 80 percent of their salary.
That will be the case for the nine employees who were accepted or approved by the Government of Nunavut for educational leave.
Question 754 – 4(3): Kitikmeot Air Ambulance Service (Qirngnuq)
Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My questions are for the Minister of Health.
In June of 2016 the government issued a request for proposals for air ambulance service in the Kitikmeot.
The RFP closed on August 3 of 2016.
In April of this year the government awarded the new contract for medevac service in the Kitikmeot.
For the record, can the minister confirm which company or companies have been awarded the new contract to provide medevac service in the Kitikmeot?
I do know the contract was awarded, but I don’t have the level of detail on who the winning proponent was.
I’m not sure if it has been publicly announced yet, so I would have to look into that over the next little bit and follow up with the member.
Your first supplementary, Mr. Emiliano Qirngnuq.
I know the minister can’t respond to my next question, so I’ll move on to my final question.
(interpretation ends) Section 1.1.3 of the government’s request for proposals indicated that the government was, and I quote, “accepting proposals…to supply dedicated multi-engine turboprop and/or turbojet-powered fixed wing aircraft.”
For the record, can the minister confirm what types of aircraft the new medevac provider will be using in the Kitikmeot?
From what I recall from my briefing, it’s the same aircraft that are currently available. There is a dedicated King Air 350 out of Cambridge Bay, King Air 200 out of Yellowknife, and King Air 200, non-dedicated, out of Yellowknife, along with the twin otter.
Question 755 – 4(3): Transportation Trouble at Iqaluit International Airport (Enook)
As I stated in my member’s statement regarding patients coming from smaller communities to Iqaluit, depending on which airline they’re on, they’re treated differently.
I’m sure the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation listened to my comments, so I have a question to the minister.
Let me first ask: was the process set up by your department?
Firstly in regard to the member’s comment, let me elaborate.
I apologize to the patients who were treated that way at the Iqaluit airport.
I want to tell all the airline passengers that we have given (interpretation ends) directives (interpretation) since we heard of this incident. We don’t ever want to hear of another incident like that.
In regard to my colleague’s question, there are many policies and the Iqaluit airport has to adhere to many (interpretation ends) federal regulations. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As the minister stated, the Iqaluit airport has to adhere to many federal regulations.
Are the passengers treated differently in accordance with federal regulations? If they come in from the left, they have to go through here and if they come in from the right, they can go directly to the airport.
Whose regulation is it?
Mr. Speaker, I apologize.
I have a bit of a sore throat, so my voice is not normal.
Mr. Speaker, (interpretation ends) Canadian aviation security regulations (interpretation) state that for anyone at the Iqaluit airport, there are two different processes.
For example, First Air stops at the (interpretation ends) terminal apron. (interpretation) According to the (interpretation ends) security regulations (interpretation) that I just alluded to, if the plane stops there, the passengers deplaning or boarding the plane have to go through the (interpretation ends) unrestricted area.
(interpretation) Canadian North, which you alluded to, lands in the unrestricted area and when the shuttle bus has to go through the restricted area, the steward has to ask for (interpretation ends) boarding passes. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to get clarification on the minister’s response.
If I understand the minister correctly, she stated that her department gave a directive after they heard about this incident so that this does not occur again.
I believe I understood that correctly.
I also seem to understand that First Air stops at the restricted area and that the passengers can go directly to the terminal building.
Canadian North stops at the unrestricted area and that’s why they have to stop.
One thing I don’t understand, and I have used both airlines personally, is they are both inside the fenced area.
Nobody from the public can access the fenced area.
If you travel through Canadian North, then why did we have to come up with a directive?
(interpretation ends) Why did you do a directive?
(interpretation) I just wanted to get clarification on what you stated.
The shuttle bus drivers have to be trained and we’re giving the airlines, such as Canadian North and First Air, directives that they relook into the regulations.
We don’t want to see this occurring again in the future.
I’ll elaborate further to my colleagues and to the listening public. When we start using the new airport in August, they will no longer be required to use shuttle buses because everything will be the same with non-restricted and restricted areas.
Question 756 – 4(3): Telecommunications in the North (Mikkungwak)
During our winter sitting I asked the minister a number of questions concerning the issue of telecommunications in the north.
As the minister is aware, the federal government has announced that its “Connect to Innovate Program” will be investing $500 million by the year 2021 to bring high-speed Internet to rural and remote communities in Canada.
When I raised this issue with the minister, he informed the Legislative Assembly that the Government of Nunavut has been working with different parties to access the federal funding.
Can he update the House today on what progress the Government of Nunavut has made to access the new federal funding?
I can inform the member that we are still working with proponents to access some of this $500 million and we have put in applications.
At the moment I can’t elaborate on who or what we have supported on this application, but I can let the member know that we are trying to access some of this funding for Nunavut.
During his testimony to the committee, the minister stated that the Government of Nunavut has been undertaking studies and considering various options to improve access to broadband, including a fibre-optic link through the ocean, as well as low earth orbit satellites. Can the minister update us on the results of its work in this area?
As the member is aware, the government works at a slow pace, whether you’re our government or the federal government. We’re working with the federal government.
The application process is done. We have met their deadlines to apply within the dedicated timelines. Now we’re awaiting the federal government’s announcement on which proposals they will be funding or they figure should go ahead.
Currently I can inform the member that we are awaiting the federal government’s announcement on these issues.
Can the minister indicate what support he received from the federal Members of Parliament concerning the need to improve access to broadband in the north?
I can inform the member that they were sympathetic to our needs for better and faster broadband in Nunavut.
I explained to them and tried to get it across to them as best as I could that our Internet is really slow here.
One of the examples I used is when the hospital does a CT scan, they can’t send it down south immediately. It will take a long time or they wait ‘til the off-hour at the middle of the night, then they send it when no one is using it.
They are aware now that our Internet is very inadequate for all our needs. There are so many more things that we as a government could do for the people of Nunavut if we had better broadband, but we just don’t have it.
With our current technologies, we can’t get it. We’re hoping that these proposals that we have in the federal government will rectify our needs for better and faster broadband in Nunavut.
Question 757 – 4(3): Decommissioned Airport Terminal Building in Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt)
As the minister is aware, one of the priorities in her department’s business plan is to, and I quote, “Complete planning work for remediation and removal of decommissioned airport buildings in Qikiqtarjuaq, Coral Harbour, Nansivik, Sanikiluaq and Resolute Bay.”
As the minister will recall, I have raised this issue on a number of occasions.
The Government of Nunavut is still currently working towards decommissioning the old airports in Sanikiluaq, Coral Harbour, Qikiqtarjuaq, and Resolute Bay.
I can tell the member as of today that there really has not been that much of an update.
When I raised this issue in March of 2016, the minister and her officials stated in the House that the department was planning, and I quote, “an omnibus kind of approach to remediation.”
Can the minister clarify if her department still plans to remediate all of the decommissioned airport terminal buildings at the same time, or will she be establishing a priority list for the different communities?
Mr. Speaker, the department has done an environmental safety on the decommissioning of the airport buildings. The buildings deemed to contain hazardous materials will be removed in an environmentally safe and responsible manner.
I can tell the member for Sanikiluaq that the department requested capital funding in 2017-18 for Sanikiluaq, which would be about $400,000. However, at this time the project was denied. We will continue to put forward capital requests for these projects.
When the minister put a request towards the cabinet to have this building remediated and she said it would cost approximately $400,000, what kind of response was received from cabinet when she requested this funding?
Speaker: It’s out of order.
Question 758 – 4(3): Cape Dorset Power Plant (Joanasie)
I say “good afternoon” to the people of Cape Dorset, Kimmirut, and Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, the minister made a statement about the new power plant in Pangnirtung.
I would like to ask about and I was very pleased to note that the Qulliq Energy Corporation recently awarded the contract to build Cape Dorset’s much-needed new power plant.
For the public record, could the minister confirm which company was awarded the contract and what the budget for the new power plant is?
Regarding the Cape Dorset power plant, everything is going according to plan. Kudlik Construction Ltd. was awarded the contract.
The minister didn’t answer part of the question, but I’m sure he will get to it later.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister indicate when Cape Dorset’s new power plant is anticipated to become operational?
The estimated budget for 2015-16 was in two parts.
After discussions with the hamlet council, it was determined that the old power plant cannot be extended or expanded.
We have decided to move the new power plant to another location.
Including the move, development of the land, road construction, and putting in the piles, it would be a little over $28 million.
It has gone up from the original budget of $24,800,000. We had to increase the budget for the relocation because we have to work on the new lot for the power plant in Cape Dorset.
Can the minister indicate what impact, if any, the cost of constructing the new power plant will have on the power rates paid by the residents of Cape Dorset?
I also thank my colleague for asking questions about that.
Once the project is completed, we will know exactly how much it cost.
As I indicated earlier, we have budgeted a little over $28 million.
We will have discussions on what impact it will have on the consumers in Cape Dorset.