EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I would like to welcome them to the House and recognize they work very hard every day and I would like to recognize them.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): I am sorry Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, when we were still part of the NWT, I went to visit the House in Yellowknife and Amittuq MLA Titus Alooloo recognized me so I owe him a recognition in the House. Today I will pay him back this debt and therefore I would like to recognize Titus Alooloo.
Welcome to this gallery.
I have not had much opportunity to recognize people but today I would like to recognize the people that come from my constituency.
First of all, Isa Ipeelie is my brother in law from Clyde River.
And from Qikiqtarjuaq, Lizzie Anaviapik Arnaquq.
Also from my constituency, Saila Kayak and Jennifer Jaypoody.
Those are the people that are here for the para-legal program and training.
First of all I would like to recognize a constituent as well, Kim Tologanak, who is one of the students on the Health Careers Access Program, leading up to nursing.
Stand up please Kim.
I also would like to recognize Mr. Speaker, a former colleague of mine in the NWT Legislature, he will probably end up owing me a recognition, that’s Mr. Titus Alooloo, who has been recognized already.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I also have a former colleague from Justice, a former Justice Minister of the Yukon Territory and also a former Education Minister of the Yukon Territory who happens to be doing some work here with our Department of Justice, that is Lois Morcraft.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation) I would also like to take the opportunity to recognize someone as well, while I am in the Speaker’s chair.
This is my assistant who has been helping me, and tomorrow she will be leaving for home.
Doris Nancy, please stand up.
(interpretation ends) Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Question 165 – 1(5): Fur Price Assistance for Fox Pelts
I would like to direct this question to the Minister of Sustainable Development in regards to his earlier statement.
The fur price subsidy for fox fur was 25 dollars and 30 dollars for sealskin.
We realize that the sealskin prices have increased up to about 45 dollars per skin. Will the subsidy that is given by the Nunavut Government go up to 45 dollars.
For example, the fox pelt could also go above 40 dollars per pelt.
The sealskins and the fox pelts sell at different prices each year.
Sometimes our supply of sealskins is not adequate when we sell them at the North Bay fur auction, for example when we brought down the seal skins they were bought out right away.
It is possible that next year they will have the same price range and we could review the prices again at that time, as soon as we find out about the prices. If they keep going up we will consider it in the future.
First of all, if I could ask the minister, what does he mean by “in the future”.
Perhaps if we have very good prices for the fur prices in the next year, then it could be the year after that.
He said that he would review the price of the subsidy.
In his statement, he said that it depends on the quality of the sealskin or the quality of the fox pelt.
Is that part of what he is talking about.
I am not really sure at this time but I will get my officials to look into it and I will give you a response.
Mr. Speaker, he said that they are doing a review on the pricing of sealskins and that the price goes by the quality of the skin or the fur.
He said previously that he would be reviewing the pricing of fox pelts and sealskins.
I assumed that he was talking about the subsidy of those two items.
Those two things that he said he was going to do a review on, is he going to be reviewing them together or is he going to be reviewing them separately.
It would be better to do them together instead of separately.
Question 166 – 1(5): Mining Opportunities and Employment
It is very good to be able to hear him talk about the mining activities in the north, so Nunavummiut could be assisted in getting employment in the mining sector.
There are various kinds of employment in the mining sector, and different types of mining.
Nunavummiut should take advantage of the employment in the mining companies.
What is the minister doing in trying to get employment for Inuit in the mining sector.
Minster Akesuk.
Some other members have asked this question and I will give the same response as previous ministers have.
The Department of Sustainable Development is looking at opportunities to deal with employing people in the mines in Nunavut.
In Arviat there is a prospector's course to teach the people that would like to work at a mining company and the Department of Education will be working with our department to do more for employment of Inuit in the mining sector.
I know that they should be done as soon as possible and we will continue to look at the training needs of the Inuit, Nunavummiut.
I would like to ask the minister another question.
I know that there are some people that have worked in mining industry before and took some training and will they be considered for that kind of training.
We are trying our best to do whatever we can for Nunavummiut in regards to training them for employment, to get them ready.
We will be looking at the training that they have in the prospector's course in Arviat to help them gain employment when it comes, when the mining comes into Nunavut.
The prospector's course in Arviat, how long does it take them to take that kind of training.
Speaker: Thank you. Mr. Akesuk.
It is a very important program and there are various training opportunities available and once the arrangements are completed we will be able to take in students.
Your third and final supplementary.
I will be able to ask more questions tomorrow but my next question is while they're planning courses for prospecting, we just mentioned people with previous training, will you ensure that people with no training will be involved as well.
We will have to work with the mining industry and it is important that we work with them right away so that people are trained in the jobs that will be coming up.
To have the people trained by the time the mines open.
Question 167 - 1(5): Staffing Competitions and Capacity
Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister responsible for Human Resources.
First, I'd like to thank him for showing the recognition to our long service employees, 5 to 30 years that they have and I certainly hope they continue to appreciate and recognize the hard work that these people do.
Mr. Speaker, my question is, in the minister’s statement yesterday, he indicated that the staffing division had initiated 115 competitions in the last quarter.
I'm just wondering out of those 115 competitions, how many of them were successfully filled.
Mr. Speaker, that's very detailed information that I don't have with me, I would be willing to commit to finding out and advise the member on that.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to that answer, maybe if he's looking into it, the minister, if he can also look at of these competitions that we're advertising, are they competitions that were recently advertised in the past, been vacated and recently filled again.
I was just wondering if the department have a method where they track different things like that.
Mr. Speaker, we are, as the members know in the past on discussing this matter, we are trying to develop a system that more adequately and quickly and in a timely matter, puts together the information so we can have accurate information to work from. Based on the decisions on and I have told members that there were plans that they would have it by the end of this fiscal year which is next week now.
I think that we have fallen a bit behind on that, but certainly I know there's been a considerable amount of work done and I'll be happy to report on that as well.
Mr. Speaker, I just would like to ask the minister if they have, if the department has the capacity to be tracking what our turnover rate is within the public service right now, Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, that is part of the overall human resource information system that we are trying to establish.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Speaker, I take it then the department does not now have the capacity to be able to track, or find out what our turnover rate is.
I would like to ask the minister if it is no, that they don’t have the capacity to do that, how soon, or is it something they are monitoring or they are concerned about. If they do have the capacity to monitor and determine what our turnover rates are, I'd like to ask the minister if he could inform this House as to what it is.
Mr. Speaker, I didn't say we don't have the capacity. I said, as members know this has been a manual system that we have and we are trying to update it so we can have adequate information in a timely manner, so that is part of what I was indicating, a new automated human resources information that we're trying to develop.
The issue for me quite frankly, Mr. Speaker, is whether or not we dedicate human resources that we are trying to staff up now, to provide information manually to go back over all the records and to provide information that may not really be what we would feel as valuable at this stage.
I think with our resources right now we are trying to focus on hiring first of all, on the staffing division and secondly trying to establish the human resource information system so that we can in the future have the timely information in a manner that I think would help the government and help members as well.
Question 168 - 1(5): Communities Eligible for Training
Earlier he talked about sealing during his minister's statements, he talked about the Nunavut Sealing Strategy and he talked about a sewing program that would be developed so that people can go take training in Iqaluit, in April I believe.
It mentions Kitikmeot and Kivalliq.
How many students would be attending that program.
I appreciate Ms. Williams’ question.
The students would be coming in from all three regions but I cannot state how many students could be taking the program but I will get back to her with that information.
In the communities in Nunavut there are a lot of individuals skilled in the art of sewing and garment making.
Are all communities informed about that course that is coming up.
We will inform the communities and we will inform the member of how many students take the program.
We will find out how many students will be coming in from each region.
It will be open to all the communities.
Question 169 - 1(5): Fur Price Subsidy Limit
We seem to be aiming our questions at the same minister, although this is not planned.
It is a question that was raised earlier regarding sealskin subsidies.
These sealskins are purchased by Renewable Resources. He talked about seal skin and fox furs, are they increasing, the skins that are bought by Renewable Resources and is there a limit of how many can be bought in each community.
The number of seal and fox skins that are purchased change each year.
Some years there are many foxes and seals to harvest and other years there are less.
There is 120 thousand that is available to purchase sealskins and fox pelts.
The past year we spent 290 thousand because there was a good harvest.
We do not know yet what it will be like this year.
The hunters, do they sell them for the same price in all communities in Nunavut.
I suppose they would be the same for all the communities, but I will look into this and give him the information that I find.
For the individuals that are unemployed, some the hunters are provided with income support under the Department of Education.
If an individual is subsidized and the person receives income support do they have their support reduced.
For example, if I was receiving income support and I sold two sealskins to Renewable Resources for 250 dollars and I went to the income support office would they take that money out of what I would have received during that month.
I am sorry but I can’t respond to your question.
Perhaps if I could discuss this matter with the Minister of Education then I would be able to respond to you further.
I would just like to let the members know that I am going to have the members who haven’t an opportunity to ask a question yet go first.
Question 170 – 1(5): Staff Housing and Decentralization
Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked the Minister of Finance about staff housing and he responded by saying that he is not responsible for staff housing so he couldn’t respond to me.
So I would like to ask the Minister responsible for Housing since the Minister for Finance has stated that she would respond to me more.
For decentralization, do you expect to see a staff housing shortage.
Chairperson: Minister Thompson.
We don't know what the future holds and as such we don't know how many of the new employees will be from that community with housing already and how many will be brought in that will require staff housing.
So it is hard to give you a definitive answer on that.
However it's becoming evident that is a concern to MLAs and of course something we are working on.
If there was a staff housing shortage in some communities, we would look into it and I am working with my officials on this.
What I can also tell you is in some of the 11 decentralized communities, some of the staff housing units are still vacant.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Although I had said that I was tired, I'm no longer tired now.
The reason I'm asking this question, I don't know whether it's true or not if there was any problem with the housing shortage.
When we have to fill positions, if we have any problems, some of the positions are being filled very slowly.
Do we have any problems in the 11 communities whether it be Iqaluit or Cambridge Bay, is there a staff housing shortage.
Is that why you can't fill some of these positions because of a staff housing shortage in one of the communities.
As the Minister for Public Works, I have not been told of such a problem.
I have not been told that we have opened this position but we can't staff it because of a housing shortage.
I have not heard that.
We don't know if the decentralized communities have existing staff housing or whether they will require housing.
Every time they get these positions, that's the only time we know.
As I have stated before, we are preparing and I met with my officials yesterday, if this is going to be a concern, we want to be prepared for it so that there won't be any stumbling blocks.
But up to today, we have not heard if there is a problem, when Human Resources hire an employee, then it becomes our responsibility for housing.
We have been told, I don't know whether the individual came to Iqaluit to work, but they had to wait 20 days in a hotel while we're paying for the accommodations.
So that's why I'm asking these questions.
Are we encountering any problems.
Is that why employees have to wait at the hotel for their units.
I will look into it to find out if there are any individuals waiting at the hotel.
I have not heard of anybody waiting at the hotel.
I will commit to finding out if we do have employees waiting at the hotels.
Question 171 - 1(5): Court Challenge by David Ward
First of all, I would like to congratulate Nancy Tupik and John Quirke, our staff, for their long-term service awards.
I just saw this in the brochures and I did miss it last night purposely.
Mr. Speaker my statement today on the court challenge by Charles Ward to the federal government on benefits for Inuit people.
Was the minister aware of this court challenge before I brought it up today.
Has the Minister of Justice considered supporting Charles Ward in his bid to secure the same rights and benefits that first nations people have for Inuit people of Nunavut.
Is he going to let us know about it by press release so the population of, for the citizens of Nunavut and update us on it briefly.
Speaker: Thank you. Mr. Okalik.
First of all, it is an issue for Inuit and we are a public government that’s one consideration that we have to look into.
It would be likely NTI that would take the lead on the matter as they represent Inuit and actual Inuit rights, both on the land claims and additional rights that Inuit may have.
The land claim agreement itself provided for an extension of certain benefits and rights that Inuit have had in the past and that was not released so it still continued.
Therefore, we are watching the issue and we talked to NTI and will continue to do so especially in terms of housing which is a real issue for our residents.
That’s the answer that I am looking for. But does it also include and this a public government and I have had numerous requests from students that I represent in my home riding of Baker Lake about accessing this funding to go to post-secondary school and we seem to fall short as a government supplying funding for post secondary compared to the First Nations and I do not want to ramble on here too much but will the minister commit to looking at education and health also.
Yes, when I first heard of this I advised my Department of Justice to seriously look at the case and to monitor how much money they received from the federal government for some resources but a lot of it falls short of other programs that are delivered to other actual people in the country.
I should mention that for students, when I was a student the best funding that I ever received was under Indian funding unfortunately the Government of Northwest Territories cut me off.
So that was the best funding I ever received in my life.
Some Members: Shame.
So I've also asked the Department of Education through the minister, and they are reviewing support for our students overall.
Hopefully that will be done within this coming fiscal year.
Question 172 - 1(5): Elders Societies and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit
I don't recall raising my hand…
…but I will ask a question anyways to the Minister responsible for Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
How far have are you now in dealing with elders’ issues.
Yesterday, a similar question was posed on whether elders’ societies were going well in the communities.
But I responded by saying that I personally have not heard or been told whether it's going well or not.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Alakannuark.
To date, what's the progress in regards to culture and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and how is it being made relevant to our daily lives.
What difference has been made now.
In the regions of Kivalliq, Qikiqtaaluk and Kitikmeot, the elders will have their meetings this month and as we speak they're having a meeting in Coral Harbour from Kivalliq region.
Next week the Qikiqtaaluk region will have a meeting to discuss what the ideas are and how they can help using their knowledge and experience.
But I can tell the member that the elders are now starting to meet with the youth to discuss their concerns and how they could incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in Nunavut.
My department provides funding and that's how we support the elders.
Can he give us a further update about activities.
What else have you been doing.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister Kattuk, I didn't hear the translation.
The elder's councils in the communities are doing well within their capacity, knowing that they are capable of handling their own affairs.
I have never heard of any problems that they have encountered so far, from our department I have never heard of any to this date.
Your final supplementary.
I would like to ask this question because I want a direct and straightforward answer.
I haven't received my answers so far, so in my last question, I am asking the same question and want a better answer.
Mr. Kattuk,
I didn't hear a question there, maybe if he can ask a question I can answer it.
Speaker: Can you rephrase your question.
To the question I asked earlier that he did not answer, that’s what I want an answer for.
Speaker: I want to say again Mr. Alakannuark, can you rephrase your question so that you can have an answer.
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): On the question, I would like to hear more news on the cultural aspect of the department, how come there's never any news on what your department may be doing.
Is he asking a question on the elders council or is he asking a question on the cultural programs, this is an ongoing day to day program that being operated by the communities and even though it's not in the news often, it's still a program that's ongoing.
Question 173 - 1(5): Payroll Division and Turnovers
I would like to ask the minister if the payroll division of Department of Finance is an area that initiates and terminates employees’ pay on request of either the Department of Human Resources or other departments.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the minister if this is a manual system or automated system.
It's an automated system.
Mr. Speaker, I would assume since it's an automated system that the data from that system could be used in determining our turnover rate. I was wondering if the minister could commit into looking at that information to assist in providing some detail on what our turnover rates are within the government.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes. I could Mr. Speaker.
Question 174 - 1(5): Job Competitions for Decentralization
I didn't expect to ask my question at this time.
On the decentralization programs, I know that jobs are being distributed to the communities, I'd like to direct this question to the Premier.
To date, the jobs that are forthcoming and the jobs that are being filled at this time, do you have any data on the jobs that are available and the jobs that are being created to provide to the House.
The affected communities and mayors and hamlets and the elected officials have been informed of the jobs that are going to be transferred to their communities.
We are waiting for the funding that is going to be available for the decentralization programs to be approved by the House, so before that I cannot release the information.
I know that there's not very much time left for us to meet.
You should have made an estimate by now as to how many jobs are going to be available this year and next year.
He said that there are plans that are being submitted to the House, are these jobs that are being filled to date following the principles that were set out.
I don't believe that the main estimates, the approval of the main estimates, should be used not to answer questions.
Speaker: Mr. Irqittuq  Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
When is the document going to be tabled.
These jobs are going to be available, as soon as the funding is approved then I'll table them.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Irqittuq this is going to be your third and final supplementary.
I'm having a good time now that I'm getting my answers directly.
Mr. Speaker, he, the Premier agreed with me and said that the jobs that are being filled are up to date or have some positions not been filled as of yet.
Is that the information that he will table.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe I answered him too briefly, up to date we are keeping with the plan that was set out.
We are on course.
Question 175 – 1(5): Delay of Court Cases
I would like to direct this question to the Minister of Justice also.
In Nunavut the people that are charged and have to go to court, sometimes they have to wait for up to two years.
Having to wait for so long for a court date makes life very difficult for them.
Has the department made any plans to attempt to rectify the backlog of proceedings.
We know that there is a backlog.
In the communities they have Justice Committees that can help with court proceedings, but they can’t do criminal proceedings and we have separate legislation that deals with that.
We are also trying to acquire another judge and have set aside some money for that reason.
Mr. Speaker, I like the response of the minister but I have worked on one of the community Justice Committees before.
I feel that the people of Nunavut in the communities should deal with those people that have to go to court, so they will not have to wait a long time for their court date.
It brings hardship on the individual if they have to wait a long time for their court date, some may even result in suicides.
I just want the minister to know that they should do a review to see if those people can be dealt with sooner than they do now.