EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I’m sure few believed that volunteers would succeed in completing the church to this day.
I am especially proud to express my gratitude to the following individuals who sacrificed their own time and effort as volunteers, who have met every Monday evening since 2004:
Ed. Picco, a former MLA of this House;
Mary-Ellen Thomas;
Rebekah Williams;
Frank Pearce;
Susan Gardener;
Malise Elliott; and  Deirdre and Jerry Peet, both of whom have since moved elsewhere.
These individuals have worked very hard as unpaid volunteers and have noticeably helped change the community for the better.
Member’s Statement 281 – 3(3): CanNor’s Funding Cut to CEDOs (Ell)
As someone who has been an entrepreneur in my hometown of Iqaluit, I know how challenging it is to start one’s own business and to keep it running successfully.
Small business owners and entrepreneurs throughout Nunavut have always known that they could turn to the community economic development [officers] in their region for support in areas, such as training, education, child care, and business development.
Many Nunavummiut have benefited from using their local CEDOs.
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency has announced that the federal aboriginal economic development programs that support Kakivak in the Qikiqtani region and other Inuit CEDOs will be cut by $1 million.
Some Member: Shame, shame!
Hon. Monica Ell: This funding cut endangers the current level of programs and services, Mr. Speaker.
CanNor has chosen to achieve their programs’ reduction targets only in Nunavut and only by reducing the programs that support the operation of Inuit CEDOs.
Kakivak alone delivers over $5 million worth of programming funding to beneficiaries in the Qikiqtani region every year, which has a demonstrated impact on the quality of life here.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask that my colleagues join me in calling for CanNor to amend this decision and to reinstate the 2013-14 funding for Inuit CEDOs.
I received a letter on this matter from the chair of Kakivak Association’s board of directors and will be tabling the letter at an appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 282 – 3(3): Rankin Inlet Study for a Port Project (Kusugak)
Good afternoon. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank my colleague, the Member for Baker Lake, for raising the issue of a port study for Rankin Inlet, the issue he raised on May 31.
I think it’s very important to note that the community of Rankin Inlet has taken the initiative to approach CanNor for funding to undertake the study as a community and regional initiative.
This is to be commended as an example of a community trying to address its own development.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge and express my appreciation to the mayor and council and our Member of Parliament, Leona Aglukkaq, for supporting this application.
Although this is just a preliminary study, I believe that if a project like this goes ahead, the benefits will accrue to the entire region.
This could also help with concerns relating to the cost of food and miscellaneous goods due to improved efficiency.
Mr. Speaker, again I wish the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet well in conducting the study and in pursuing this facility.
Member’s Statement 283 – 3(3): Congratulations to Arctic Bay Residents (Elliott)
Before I begin my Member’s Statement, I would like to take the time to congratulate Mr. Terry Audla, a former resident of Quttiktuq, on being named ITK president yesterday at their annual general meeting.
I wish Terry all the best in his new position.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have the opportunity today on the second last day of our sitting to congratulate a number of Arctic Bay residents who have been recognized by the Commissioner of Nunavut for their efforts.
Mr. Speaker, the Commissioner’s Awards are open to individuals from any community across Nunavut.
Anyone can nominate another individual for an award and forms are available on the Commissioner’s website and through her office.
I am very pleased that the Hamlet of Arctic Bay took the important step of collecting nominations from the community and forwarding them for the Commissioner’s consideration.
Mr. Speaker, on March 27, 2012, Commissioner Edna Elias was in Arctic Bay to recognize the following individuals.
For bravery, the following individuals received Commissioner’s Awards: Titus Eecheak, Matthew Taqtu, Chris Qaqqasiq, Jayko Olayuk, Lisha Levi, and Simeonie Allurut.
Titus Eecheak rescued Isaac Shooyoo, who had fallen overboard from his boat.
Titus managed to hold Isaac in the water and give him CPR until help arrived.
Matthew Taqtu rescued young Ikilluaq Pullat, who fell into freezing water from an ice pan and could not get back on to the ice.
Chris Qaqqasiq and Jayko Olayuk saved six children from a devastating fire.
Lisha Levi and Simeonie Allurut rescued Olayuk Naqitarvik from drowning and recovered the body of Saqpinak Pitseolak.
For volunteerism, the following individuals received Commissioner’s Awards: David Kalluk and Philip Qamanirq, both of whom are no longer with us. During their lives, they served on many committees, boards, and agencies within the community of Arctic Bay.
For humanitarian work, Paul Oqallaq, Naisana Eecheak, and Tom Naqitarvik received Commissioner’s Awards for their roles saving individuals from suicide.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would request unanimous consent to continue with my Member’s Statement today.
And Qaapik Attagutsiak received a Commissioner’s Award for special skills for a lifetime of passing on traditional skills to younger generations and for working on medical terminology for modern medicine.
Mr. Speaker, Qaapik is our eldest elder in Arctic Bay and will be celebrating her birthday next week, so I wish her a very happy birthday.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would also like to recognize Arctic Bay resident Frank May for being awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
The Diamond Jubilee medal is a national award which honours significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. Individuals are nominated through the office of the Governor General of Canada. The Commissioner of Nunavut presented Frank with the Diamond Jubilee medal for his ongoing work over the years in volunteering with various boards in the community and most recently as the commanding officer of the 3045 Royal Canadian Army Cadets.
I would like to thank the Commissioner for coming to Arctic Bay to present all of these awards in person and I look forward to her travelling to the communities of Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay to recognize the good work of the people from those communities as well.
Member’s Statement 284 – 3(3): Unmanned Drones (Curley)
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you. Good afternoon to the residents of Rankin Inlet, especially the people who are making preparations to go out on the land.
Mr. Speaker, the reason why I rise today is to restate the issues that I directed to the Premier last week on the federal government’s proposal to use unmanned drones to conduct surveillance flights in the Canadian Arctic as part of their sovereignty exercises, particularly to police the Northwest Passage related to shipping traffic.
We noted the Premier’s response that she had not been consulted on this matter and was not aware of this proposal.
Regular members would like to have this matter reviewed and looked into.
Additionally, I would like to state that this is not the first time the matter has been voiced in this House.
I would like to name the first member who spoke to this issue in the past.
Our current Speaker, when he was a regular MLA for Iqaluit Centre, brought up this issue and I wish to read it for our information.
“I rise today to express my shock and disbelief of the news that the federal Department of National Defence is considering the purchase of a fleet of unmanned drones to patrol the Canadian Arctic.”
So this is not the first time the federal government has brought up this idea, as this statement was made in 2007, when our current Speaker spoke to this matter in this House.
Just recently, last week, we were informed that the federal government is again considering the idea of purchasing up to six unmanned drones, with an approximate price range of $150 million to $170 million each.
If the federal government was to indeed purchase these six unmanned drones, the total purchase price would surpass $1 trillion.
In my opinion, this is an absolute useless proposal for the Inuit homeland. I want it on public record that I consider it a pointless exercise.
Furthermore, I would like support from this House to voice a common position that they ought not to even consider this idea for the Inuit homeland of Canada’s Arctic since they will not be used by the Inuit. Additionally, I want further support to make the recommendation to instead reallocate this amount to resolve the current challenges Inuit in the communities already have with their feet on the ground, showcasing Canadian sovereignty to the whole world.
If my recollection is correct, I think they were called “Predators” and that was the only time that I was not a Predators fan.
Member’s Statement 285 – 3(3): Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (Arreak)
Since today is close to the end of our session, I wish to make a Member’s Statement.
When I was elected to this office in 2004 and in 2008, I had to swear an Oath of Allegiance.
At that time, I swore my allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II to serve in the office.
Concurrently, it also happens to be the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, commemorating her 60th anniversary as the Queen.
From the time I took my first breath to now, she has been our Queen and I am quite proud of her continuing reign.
Further, I have a grandson whom I will provide some background on since he cannot tell his side of the story due to his age. He is five years old.
My grandson has stated previously that his best friend is Queen Elizabeth.
When he was only two years old, his parents wrote his Christmas wishes to Santa Claus for what he wanted for Christmas.
He wrote down that he wanted a picture of Queen Elizabeth from Santa Claus.
On top of that, when he asked for a dog, which was given, he was asked what name he preferred for his new pet. I am sure you can just imagine his answer: Queen Elizabeth.
Yes, I am very proud of my grandson.
I am also proud of our freedom of speech in Nunavut and the ability to make our own decisions.
Return to Oral Question 366 – 3(3): Rent Scale for Public Housing (Taptuna)
I would like to respond to Mr. Oshutapik’s question of June 1, 2012 concerning the public housing rent scale, Question No. 366 – 3(3).
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Oshutapik was seeking a response that he felt was outstanding from my predecessor as Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
I have reviewed the Hansard from the last sitting of this House and would like to refer to Question 229 – 3(3), Affordable Housing, posed by Mr. Oshutapik on February 21, 2012.
However, Mr. Speaker, I welcome the opportunity to provide information on the public housing rent scale to my colleagues.
My predecessor as Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation indicated in February that the proposed changes to the rent scale would be in place by the end of the year.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation has developed options for the revision of the public housing rent scale which has been approved by the Nunavut Housing Corporation Board of Directors during their May 2012 meetings here in Iqaluit.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation is currently preparing a submission for cabinet consideration. Any approved changes will likely be implemented in 2013.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to provide some clarification on the current rent scale. In terms of affordability, rents are based on household income and range from 10 to 28 percent, which is below Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s defined threshold.
In reference to what appears to be a perception of some, rent does not increase as soon as a person is employed. Rent increases only occur every September and are based on the previous year’s income.
As such, no rent increases take place until almost a year after finding employment.
Minister of the Nunavut Housing Coronation, Minister Taptuna.
Tamapta seeks diversity in housing options. Today, I would like to recognize board members for Habitat for Humanity Iqaluit who are here with us today for their tireless dedication to promoting homeownership as a viable option for those who would not likely be able to afford a home without the community’s and organization’s support.
Mr. Speaker, the board members are:
Glen Cousins
Don Sinclaire-Chenier
Ms. Elizabeth Kingston
Clarence Synard
Warren Borg
Kerone Folkes-Borg
Berta Azevedo, and
Melanie Abbott.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I made a statement regarding this great organization and, as you noted, Mr. Speaker, I don’t get very many opportunities to recognize visitors in the Gallery.
I would also like to take this opportunity to invite my fellow members and all Iqalummiut to the upcoming June 23 midnight sun build, noon to midnight, where volunteers will have the opportunity to work alongside Habitat’s Global Village volunteers to help build under the midnight sun.
There will be a public barbecue at noon and midnight at the building site at Apex.
Mr. Speaker, please help me in giving applause to the board members of Habitat for Humanity Iqaluit.
As I said to the minister yesterday, I look forward to seeing him at the annual golf tournament.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. We will move on in our orders of the day.
Question 394 – 3(3): Mental Health Strategy (Enook)
Good afternoon, residents of Pond Inlet, as well as my fellow Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, Canada’s Mental Health Commission announced its national strategy and called upon the federal government to provide additional funding especially for mental health care.
There is a growing awareness across Canada of the need to tackle mental health problems at a societal level.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that here in Nunavut, there is a growing realization that we need to break down the stigma associated with mental health problems and we need to acknowledge and address mental health issues up front.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister indicate whether he has reviewed the newly released national Mental Health Strategy and whether he has approached the federal Minister of Health to request additional funding to address this important issue?
I thank Mr. Enook for the two questions.
I appreciate your answer, Mr. Minister.
Objective 2.5 of the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy Action Plan, which was tabled in this House in September of 2011, commits the Department of Health and Social Services to, and I quote, “strengthen mental health and wellness services available in Iqaluit, which serves as a catchment area for other communities.” Part of this objective was to “identify the level of mental health and wellness resources required”.
Can the minister describe whether all the required resources have been identified and what funds have been set aside to provide for them?
Mr. Speaker, I have been advised by my officials in my department on behalf of the implementation committee that most of the objectives, if not all, for 2011-12 have been achieved or continue to be worked on and they’re working on other objectives.
Mr. Speaker, for 2012-13, the Government of Nunavut is investing a considerable amount of resources into mental health in all the communities in Nunavut. As the national Mental Health Strategy that was released last month indicated, it’s going to take time for all governments to start prioritizing and redirecting funds to mental health and addictions. That’s clearly stated in that strategy.
The mental health folks, I understand, are coming to Nunavut in the near future. I hope to meet with them as well to talk about the strategy and how they can assist Nunavut to find resources and redirect resources to mental health.
Mr. Speaker, as we saw in the winter session, this House approved funding to renovate a facility in Iqaluit to convert it to a mental health facility to provide services to Iqaluit and, hopefully, to the rest in Nunavut.
I also indicated, I think, at the time, that I would be approaching the House at a later date, likely this fiscal year, to get additional resources to operate that facility.
Your second supplementary. Mr. Enook.
The Department of Health and Social Services committed to completing Objective 2.5 of the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy Action Plan by March of 2012.
Can the minister update this House on his review of mental health needs for Nunavut?
Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Mental Health Act will be under review. It’s an internal review to update it and make it more suitable for Nunavut issues.
So it’s a process that’s underway.
Question 395 – 3(3): Public Housing Rent Scale Review (Curley)
First of all, I would like to thank the minister for his Minister’s Statement in regard to the housing rent scale.
I would like to ask a question in regard to that.
On June 1, 2012, one of my colleagues posed questions to the minister concerning the public housing rent scale review.
The minister informed the House that “One of the things that we’re trying to do with the review and amendments to the rent scale is to encourage economic activity and employment.”
Can the minister explain how the new rent scale will promote economic activity and employment in communities?
Mr. Speaker, the rent scale, as you know, has been ongoing since the formation of this third government.
It was debated quite a bit and there were a lot of concerns surrounding the public housing rent scale.
As you know, going through the process, there are a lot of entities involved, including Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and, of course, Income Support had to be consulted to try and alleviate some of these concerns that Nunavummiut had.
We want to get the message out there that the rent that’s charged to the folks out there who are in public units is a matter of putting in their income and that income is gathered from taxation in Revenue Canada to help the local housing authorities evaluate the rent to charge for the specific people who move into public units.
One of the things that were obvious was that once a person becomes employed, the rent charges go up accordingly to the rate of their income for that household.
That was more of a deterrent for keeping people employed. So we looked at that and that’s being addressed with this new draft that will be out soon.
Mr. Speaker, I’m not sure whether I understood exactly what his economic incentives are for Nunavutmiut because the rental housing policy in Nunavut is not a mechanism for creating economic activity or a mechanism to promote economic activity and employment.
On October 26, 2009, all Members of the Legislative Assembly announced that “comprehensive reviews of the public housing rent scale and the income support program are required.
Can the minister clearly indicate how the Nunavut Housing Corporation is working with the Department of Education’s Income Support Division to ensure Nunavutmiut who are currently on income support are given incentives to work?
Mr. Speaker, over 60 percent of our tenants who are in public units pay less than $100 a month.
When we talk about economic activity, we’re talking employment too. Mr. Speaker, once a person is employed, they usually have difficulty in adjusting to sudden increases in their rent.
Some of these folks, after having paid the minimum rent charged at $60 per month for a certain number of years and they become employed, it’s rather a shock to the tenants and the whole family when their rent goes up from $60 to $1,200 to $1,400 because of the new income opportunities that they have found through employment.
So we’re trying to find a way to alleviate some of these things with the help of the Department of Education, Income Support.
Question 396 – 3(3): Fuel Supply in Grise Fiord (Elliott)
My questions are for the Minister of Community and Government Services and are based around the Petroleum Products Division.
We have heard during the spring sitting that there are two communities across the territory that are short on fuel.
I just received, actually, some alarming emails from Grise Fiord that all flights to Grise Fiord are cancelled because there’s no jet-A fuel left in the community.
Could the minister confirm that there is a fuel shortage in Grise Fiord?
I thank my colleague for the question. I could assure him that there are issues with fuel in his community.
Other communities have long enough runways to be able to land a Herc with specialized fuel tanks to airlift fuel into the communities.
I know Grise Fiord is definitely serviced by twin otter.
I’m wondering: what will the government do in this type of situation?
We will be replenishing the airplane fuel, for lack of a better term, in the community. To the best of my knowledge, we will be using twin otters to do the task.
Thank you for that assurance. I’ll definitely pass it on to the residents of Grise Fiord.
Again, being at the end of the supply chain, I think there is concern and worry, and with some of the dynamics of the runway, ensuring the continued service of people as well as goods and services going into the community is definitely a concern, so I think that will help.
Like I said, my overarching questions are about the Petroleum Products Division.
Annually, we see communities running out of fuel.
I had sent correspondence to the minister over the past year questioning the amount of fuel that was being put into Grise Fiord and the reply that I received, if memory serves me correct, was that a two-year supply is supposed to be delivered to the community.
I guess my question would be: why, in this case, was that not happening? Was there an increase in flights going into Grise Fiord?
As far I know, there has been no overburden of planes going in and out of the community.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to respond to my colleague’s question.
Mr. Speaker, we are looking into why this happened and hopefully we will resolve that issue and start to deal with the big issue of fuel shortage in municipalities.
This seems to be the year that we had this issue spring up in more than one community, but we are looking into the matter.
Hopefully we will have the issue dealt with and we won’t come across this kind of issue again, but we’re looking into it right now, Mr. Speaker.
I’m not so sure whether this year is a year that’s unique because I know last year, there were a couple of communities.
I remember hearing that Rankin Inlet had fuel brought in. The previous year before that, there was Coral Harbour experiencing it.
I know one of my other communities, Rankin Inlet…or Resolute Bay… . I don’t want to take on four communities; I only want three.
Resolute Bay had a similar situation. It wasn’t jet-A fuel, but it was gas.
In Grise Fiord’s specific case, is it? In terms of explaining sometimes why fuel is not put in the communities, is Grise Fiord’s problem the capacity in terms of the tanks that are in the community for holding the proper amount for the community?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: …as the plane flies over us.  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question.
I can’t confirm that for sure, but once we confirm exactly why this is happening, I definitely will report back to my colleague.
Question 397 – 3(3): Kugaaruk Water Quality (Ningark)
I think the minister knows that in Kugaaruk, the water reservoir is very salty this year.
I appreciate and thank the minister for the assistance that we received, but it still gets salty in the fall and the reservoir is becoming too shallow. Another reservoir has not been found. There were two or three places where people have started going to for water, but they were used for swimming.
I would like to ask the minister: can he tell me if he is planning with the community to search for a better water reservoir for the community?
I also thank Mr. Ningark for bringing that issue up.