EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, for the second consecutive time our team was awarded the distinguished “Most Sportsman Like” trophy.
Mr. Speaker, our team also joined firefighters from across the country in a vehicle rescue training seminar and attended the Annual General Meeting of the Aboriginal Firefighters’ Association of Canada. At the meeting a proposal was made that Nunavut hold this prestigious national firefighting competition in 2009.
The Nunavut team consisted of Atsaina Eyeevadluk (Kimmirut), Luutaaq Qaumagiaq (Cape Dorset), Iqaluk Toonoo (Cape Dorset), Norman Nowyook (Pangnirtung), Thomas Tiktak Jr. (Rankin Inlet), and Kevin Haynes (Cambridge Bay).
The team was coached by Fire Training Officer Jeremy Hamburg (Office of the Fire Marshal in Iqaluit).
Mr. Speaker, the department extends congratulations to this team of firefighters and thanks them for their outstanding efforts.
Minister’s Statement 112 – 2(4): Katjaqnaaq!
(Netser)
Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) During Parks Day last summer, I launched a new program aimed at increasing knowledge and building awareness about the importance of Nunavut’s territorial parks for protection, education, enjoyment and recreation.  Nunavut’s Territorial Parks, Heritage Rivers and other special places are more than simply destinations – they are part of our identity and need to be experienced, used and celebrated.
Mr. Speaker, the goal of the program is to highlight and market Nunavut’s territorial parks and special places to the increasing numbers of visitors from around the world and to strengthen parks-based tourism in local communities. Their value is immense and far-reaching to their communities, their people and their visitors.
The launch includes new informational brochures and programs highlighting Nunavut’s territorial parks and special places, as well as an updated website www.nunavutparks.com. The website now includes information on local guides and outfitters who can take visitors out to the parks, lists community and other local events, provides updates on new and ongoing initiatives in the parks, and allows visitors to the parks to post trip reports, and to post their own images in a visitor’s gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I invite you to celebrate our parks and special places, to share the beauty of Nunavut, to listen to the voices of the land, and exclaim, “Katjaqnaaq!”
– I am happy here, what a beautiful place.
Minister responsible for Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Minister Tapardjuk.
Minister’s Statement 113 – 2(4): Continuation of Priority Hiring Policy (Tapardjuk)
It is with great pride that I rise today to announce that the Government of Nunavut’s Priority Hiring Policy has recently been extended to March of 2010.
The Priority Hiring Policy ensures that qualified beneficiaries receive priority consideration during the recruitment and selection process and this policy is applied to all job competitions within Government of Nunavut departments and public agencies.
Mr. Speaker, through the Priority Hiring Policy, and in conjunction with other initiatives aimed at increasing beneficiary employment in the public service, representation of beneficiaries in our workforce has been increasing.
Since the introduction of the Priority Hiring Policy in August of 2000, the number of beneficiaries in the public service has risen from approximately 950 in December 2000 to approximately 1,500 as of March 2007.
This is indeed an accomplishment – one that must continue with increased momentum.
Mr. Speaker, we have a great deal of work ahead of us in order to achieve a representative public service.
The most recent Inuit employment goal for this government has been set at 56 percent by 2010.
As of March 2007, we are at 50 percent.
Through the implementation of human resources programs, services and policies, my department continues to support the achievement of this goal and the longer-term goal of 85 percent beneficiary representation in Nunavut’s public service.
Mr. Speaker, the Priority Hiring Policy is an integral as well as vital component of the Government of Nunavut’s Inuit employment plan and is a clear demonstration of our commitment to fulfilling the requirements of Article 23 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement by building a representative public service.
Mr. Peterson: Sorry, Mr. Speaker, I was a little slow. I would like to go back to Members’ Statements. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The member is seeking unanimous consent to go back to Members’ Statements.
There are no nays. Go ahead, Mr. Peterson.
Revert to Item 3: Members’ Statements
Member’s Statement 241 – 2(4): Nunavut Arctic College Campus (Peterson)
I would like to thank my colleagues for that permission.  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House about my concerns regarding the government’s commitment to training Kitikmeot residents for career and employment opportunities in the mining sector.
Mr. Speaker, it has been clear for a number of years that the Kitikmeot will be the economic engine of Nunavut when major mining projects come on-stream and begin production.
Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot is home to some of the world’s largest and richest mineral deposits, which are attracting the interest of global mining companies. In 2007, Zinifex from Australia acquired Wolfden Resources.
They were developing the High Lake project and own the Izok Lake zinc deposit. Newmont Mining from the U.S. is in the process of acquiring Miramar Mines. Sabina Minerals has one of the largest undeveloped silver projects in the world near Hackett River.
Mr. Speaker, those companies are all planning to bring mines into production and join Tahera Diamonds, which began its operations in 2006. There will be many excellent career opportunities in all areas of mining operations, including management.
Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot recognized many years ago that we need to begin to train and educate our residents for careers in the mining sector if we are truly to benefit from our resources.  We proposed to acquire the Lupin Mine and turn it into the Kitikmeot Mine Training School.
However, we did not receive much support or interest from the government and that opportunity was soon lost.
Mr. Speaker, we have also lobbied for many years for a new Kitikmeot Nunavut Arctic College Campus that would incorporate modern classroom, lab, and shop facilities to train our residents for careers in the mining sector. The new facility is required to replace the current campus building that is at least 40 years old, and unsuited to being an education facility. To date, we have been unsuccessful on that front, as well.
Mr. Speaker, the government committed to spending several million dollars for the Rankin Inlet Trades School and less than $1 million to upgrade the Kiilinik High School trades shop. The upgraded trades shop, while appreciated, will be unable to offer the specialized training that many mine jobs require.
It is also unclear how these two facilities will train Kitikmeot people for careers in the mining sector.
It is important that the Government of Nunavut demonstrate that it understands the Kitikmeot’s need for modern facilities and specialized training that our residents require if they are to fully participate in the unprecedented mining development that is currently underway in the Kitikmeot.
Mr. Speaker, when the Government of Nunavut is establishing its capital planning priorities, I urge it to keep the interests and future of Kitikmeot residents foremost in their planning and include a new Nunavut Arctic College campus that will accommodate our post-secondary training needs for the next 20 years.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Peterson. (interpretation) Item 3. Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 242 – 2(4): Tribute to our Youth (Tootoo)
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Tootoo, or Mr. Speaker.
It’s not Friday but I think we’re all moving kind of slow after our... for some of us, the once a year we play hockey, so some of us are moving rather slow today.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to our youth.
Last year on November 9, 2006, this Legislative Assembly held its very first Youth Parliament.
I was very impressed by the young parliamentarians and the issues they brought forward in this House.
Mr. Speaker, community infrastructure, ‘No Junk Food’ Day, school disciplinary policies, alcohol, drugs, gambling, the importance of Inuit culture, and youth rights in Nunavut were just a few of the issues they voiced here in this House.
Mr. Speaker, Seane d’Argencourt was one of the students chosen to participate in the Youth Parliament. As one thing that was going around as some members were here at that time when they were saying, “These are our little mini-me’s out there,” and Seane is here today and she was my mini-me.
She was taking my place in the Youth Parliament.
Mr. Speaker, Seane is planning to go to the University of Ottawa next year. She has also applied to the House of Commons Page Program. If accepted, she will be the first individual from Nunavut to ever participate in the program.
Mr. Speaker, Seane is a very active individual.
She volunteers for the help line, the AIDS line, the YEAH North Group, and last year, Mr. Speaker, Seane participated in the International Human Rights of the Child conference at Western University. She made a presentation and had the opportunity to meet the keynote speaker, Mr. Stephen Lewis.
Mr. Speaker, I believe she makes an excellent role model for our youth today and we need to support our youth and we can learn from what they have to say.
Mr. Speaker, today is also Seane’s 17th birthday. I would just ask all members join me in wishing her a very happy birthday and the best of luck in the future, and Mr. Speaker, now she knows why her mother asked her to come here today.
>>Applause  Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tootoo.
Member’s Statement 243 – 2(4): Regional Soccer Tournament (Arvaluk)
I would like to appreciate today the CLEY and Sport Nunavut for young people coming down here from all over Baffin to play soccer over the weekend.
I especially would like to congratulate the young guys from Pond Inlet and their coach, Gregory Hope, for coming in second overall in the Baffin games.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to state one more time that this demonstrates our need to recognize that our young people need us. They need our leadership; they need our support to make life better and happier for Nunavut’s young people.
I also would like to take this opportunity to urge the government that those young people who are unable to vote cannot speak for themselves. We, as members, will have to do that.
We try to show the government that these young people need our leadership in making good decisions for sports infrastructure programs in our communities.
I, once again, would like to congratulate all the players from Baffin coming down to our capital to play those games.
We congratulate all the athletes from Baffin Island.
Member’s Statement 244 – 2(4): Public Awareness on Elections for Youth (Curley)
I would like to rise today to make a brief comment.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that we need to encourage, in Nunavut especially, our youth who will be our leaders tomorrow.
There is hardly any information available in regard to democratic process and how they teach this program in the schools.
Mr. Speaker, since we expect our youth to be our leaders in the future, we need to give them support and provide an understandable curriculum.
I am sure that they think that we select many things but the reason why we do elections is…it seems like our constituencies cannot elect the Government Leader of Nunavut but I can tell you that the Communist Governments in the eastern countries elect their own Premier.
Mr. Speaker, briefly, let me say that if the election process is not understood by young people, then I believe that we need to do a lot more public awareness, provide more information to high school students, provide more support to the youth, and provide them with the meaning of why they need education.
In a Communist country like China, that’s what they’re doing and they’re not even high school students. They’re doing that and elementary school students are now electing the leaders in the school.
For that reason, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that I’m sure there’s a lot more room to encourage the people.
We were in Manitoba and there’s a program where the Speaker goes to the high schools to explain to students why elections are very important.
We would like to see that happening more in Nunavut. Thank you.
Member’s Statement 245 – 2(4): Encouragement & Recognition of Youth (Arreak)
I, too, would like to rise and celebrate the youth.
I was very proud of the Kugluktuk youth when they started the cut down on alcohol use.
We were very proud of them.
We need to be proud of our youth who work very hard because we hear that alcohol and drugs come in, and then we hear it’s just young people.
I don’t think that it’s just young people who experience that.
We, the older people, should be aware that we also experience that as well.
We always say that our youth are our future leaders, then why aren’t we leading them?
We should be leading them, instead of just expecting them to be our leaders in the future.
We should be showing a good example to be good leaders and role models for our young people. The elders should be helping the youth in initiating positive things. I encourage the adults to be good leaders for young people.
I not only wanted to state how proud I am of the youth, I would like to say that I am very proud of them and would like to encourage them to lead a healthy life. I would like to stand up again in the future to say how proud I am of the young people.
Member’s Statement 246 – 2(4): Gun Legislation (Kattuk)
In the past I have made statements in the House in regard to the gun legislation and how it’s inadequate for Inuit. It’s not acceptable.
I can say that prior to the gun legislation being introduced, the rifle was used to hunt animals with, and that’s the only thing I know how to use the rifle for. I know that in some parts of the world, they believe that this rifle is to be used for human beings.
Mr. Speaker, what I’m trying to say is that the gun legislation is not acceptable for us because our children need to be taught how to use the rifle as they’re growing up. This gun legislation doesn’t seem to be right for us.
At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking questions in regard to this.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Kattuk. Item 3. Members’ Statements.
Going back to the Orders of the Day. Item 4.
I would like to welcome the visitors to the Legislative Assembly, and I also would like to acknowledge Malcolm MacPhail. He used to be a child at the same time when our Sergeant-at-Arms was, too. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly.
Thank you. Item 6. Oral Questions.
Question 315 – 2(4): Status of Gun Legislation (Kattuk)
I think I’ve been asking this question annually now, and it’s in regard to the gun legislation.
I have not heard about this issue for quite some time now, and I believe that Nunavummiut are interested in hearing it, but today, we have been concerned about the gun legislation because it’s not acceptable for Nunavut Inuit.
Since the Conservative Government came into power, what is the status of that now?
Yes, this has not changed too much, even though the federal government had made a statement that they want to do away with this legislation.
I’m not too sure what they’re going to be doing at this time.
I would like to thank them for trying to change that but they will need support from one of the other parties if they are going to do away with that legislation.
I think that is where the stumbling block was.
At this time, I really don’t know what the status of it is now.
The minister had been keeping me up to date with this and he said that this was in the courts, and that was why he was unable to comment on it.
Are they still in the court process?
This issue has not changed too much and that’s why I did not mention it.
Yes, it is still in the court system and if any news comes up on this, I will be making a statement on it.
The federal government’s proposal is the latest one, so that’s why I mentioned it.
Well, if it’s still in the courts, does the Premier know when it’s going to be over?
I have absolutely no idea when it’s going to be over because the courts operate on their own.
I have been lobbying the federal government to see if we can come to some kind of agreement outside of the courts.
Could the minister work with his federal counterparts; because you have to keep Nunavummiut informed about this issue; could the minister work closely with his counterparts to come to some agreement?
I’ll be having a meeting with my federal counterparts in about two weeks, and the Minister of Justice for Canada will also be there.
Question 316 – 2(4): Report on Staff Housing Review (Peterson)
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut’s Staff Housing Policy has significantly increased Government of Nunavut housing rents across Nunavut over the last 22 months. I believe it was implemented in January of 2006.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Business Plan of 2007-08 priorities state that the Housing Corporation will monitor the impact of the new staff housing rent increases and demand for the Rental Assistance Program, and prepare a report for the spring of 2007.
My question for the minister: can the minister tell the House if this report is complete, and if so, when will he table it in the House for the members to review?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Peterson. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Minister Akesuk.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you. It has to be reviewed by the Cabinet before it can go anywhere. We are currently working on it and once the report is finalized we will be tabling it.
I’ve asked for that report several times over the last year and the minister refuses to table it.
I appreciate his explanation, but I think we have a policy where it can be tabled it if it’s not translated.
Mr. Speaker, many Government of Nunavut tenants are barely making ends meet, particularly single parents. There has been a real struggle for low income workers to buy food with what’s left over after their rent is deducted from their pay cheques.
My question for the minister: can the minister tell the House how the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Rental Assistance Program, which is mentioned as a priority, helps Government of Nunavut tenants who can’t afford the Government of Nunavut’s housing rents?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to the Rental Assistance Program, we provide this benefit to our employees who are having a hard time making ends meet.
We follow the scale of their income and the number of dependants they have in their household.
We are providing rental assistance to some of our employees who require it.
We do all we can to make sure that we also follow the policies of the government. This program is still in existence within the Government of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, it’s hard to believe that after 22 months the Government of Nunavut doesn’t have a good idea of what the impact of the increased rents are on our employees, particularly our single parent employees who are supporting families of two, or three, or four kids.
My question for the minister: can the minister tell the House if there has been a noticeable increase in the demand for the Rental Assistance Program due to the increase in government rents? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Once I have the information as to how much increase there has been in the rental scale, I’ll make sure that I give you an update.
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are probably a lot of Government of Nunavut employees across Nunavut or ex-Government of Nunavut employees across Nunavut, who have quit their jobs because they couldn’t afford their rent.
So the information is critical that the Members of this House receive it soon.
Mr. Speaker, applicants to the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Nunavut Down Payment Assistance Program exclude the Northern Allowance when they apply to that program for assistance.  Mr. Speaker, my question for the minister: can the minister indicate to the House if applicants to the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Rental Assistance Program are also required to exclude their Northern Allowance when they apply to that Nunavut Housing Corporation program, and if not, why not?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) That’s a very good question.
I would have to look into whether that applies to our Rental Assistance Program.
Again, that’s worthwhile to look into within our policy.
Question 317 – 2(4): Update on U.S.A.’s Proposed Listing of Polar Bears as Threatened Species (Curley)
Earlier this year, the minister travelled to Washington, D.C. to speak against the ridiculous proposal of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to list polar bears as a threatened species under the United States legislation.
Can the minister provide the House today with an update on the status of this issue and indicate to the House whether his efforts have been achieved?
The United States Government has been trying to list the polar bear as a threatened species and there are some opposed to that idea.
Right now, the United States legislators are in a debate. So they’re at that point right now.
I believe that it’s absolutely essential that we counter this disinformation being spread by extremist animal rights groups and urban environmentalists.
Can the minister indicate to the House today what his department’s communication strategy is to tell Nunavut’s side of the story?
Our department is currently working on a communication strategy.
We sent out the information and we have dialogues with entities out there, but we will have a clear and definite idea in January.
I believe it’s important that our side of the story, from Nunavut, is told.
I believe that the minister recognizes that polar bears are far from being endangered and disappearing despite what we might hear on CNN and from the mouths of Hollywood celebrities who live in California.
Will he commit to tabling comprehensive information on this issue for the benefit of members and the public?
Can the minister also indicate to us that he will correctly explain facts that polar bears are not disappearing just because of early ice breakup as CNN claims? If not, why not?
I have received numerous phone calls from news media from the States and across Canada that our polar bears are not in danger and will not be so for a long time to come because of our stringent management system for Nunavut.
Question 318 – 2(4): Foster Parent Payments Processing (Tootoo)
I believe my question will be directed to the Minister responsible for Finance, as last week I questioned the Minister of Health for the program end of the Foster Parent Program.
I believe she indicated at the time that the payment process is now over in the Department of Finance.
Can the Minister of Finance indicate, first off, is that a function that is now being provided through the Department of Finance as a result of the transfers of the financial functions of Health over to the Department of Finance?
As mentioned in this morning’s meetings, it was mentioned that all transactions now are being done within the Department of Finance.
As I said last week, unfortunately, there’s a high demand for foster parents not only here but throughout the territory.
I know that in doing that, there are rates to reimburse or to pay foster parents that are taking that burden away from the government in providing homes and food for these unfortunate young children.
Mr. Speaker, I think it’s important that these people that are providing that service, not only to the government but to these unfortunate children, are not penalized for doing that.
I understand that those payments that are made to people who have children in foster care are processed on a monthly basis.
Can the minister indicate whether that is still the case, or explain how that process goes if he’s aware of it?