EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Your committee has been considering Bill 8 and would like to report progress and that one committee motion was adopted.
(interpretation ends) Item 21. Third Reading of Bills.
A reminder for a meeting tomorrow of the Standing Committee on Legislation at nine o’clock in the Nanuq Boardroom.
This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, December 2, at 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Pages 818 – 874
Opening Prayer 818
Ministers’ Statements 818
Members’ Statements 822
Returns to Oral Questions 827
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 827
Oral Questions 828
Written Questions 844
Reports of Standing and Special Committees* 845
Tabling of Documents 846
Notices of Motions 847
Second Reading of Bills 847
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 848
Report of the Committee of the Whole 873
Orders of the Day 874
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 818
068 – 3(2): Minister Tootoo Absent from the House (Tapardjuk) 818
069 – 3(2): Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Kusugak) 818
070 – 3(2): Increase in FANS Activity (Tapardjuk) 819
071 – 3(2): Qikiqtani General Hospital Accreditation (Curley) 820
072 – 3(2): Labrador Marine Infrastructure Investigation (Taptuna) 821
099 – 3(2): Nancy Karetak-Lindell Named Director of Arctic Voices Scholarship (Shewchuk) 822
100 – 3(2): Income Support Levels (Ningark) 822
101 – 3(2): Tribute to Long-Serving Member of the Pangnirtung District Education Authority (Komoartok) 823
102 – 3(2): Need for a Community Freezer and Meat Plant in Pond Inlet (Arvaluk) 824
103 – 3(2): Standards for Graduation in Nunavut (Ningeongan) 825
104 – 3(2): Robby Qammaniq Receives Degree from Trent University (Elliott) 826
105 – 3(2): Passing of Mary Uniuqsarak (Okalik) 827
Return to Oral Question 111 – 3(2): Completion of New Bridge in Pangnirtung (Kusugak) 827
149 – 3(2): Enforcement of Liquor Act and Regulations (Okalik) 828
150 – 3(2): Income Support Levels for Akulliq (Ningark) 830
151 – 3(2): Disruption of Services at the Sanikiluaq Wildlife Office (Rumbolt) 832
152 – 3(2): Current Status of Apprenticeship in Nunavut (Elliott) 834
153 – 3(2): Funding for Travel to Dubai and Support to the Kinngait Studio (Schell) 835
154 – 3(2): Need for a Community Freezer and Meat Plant in Pond Inlet (Arvaluk) 836
155 – 3(2): Status of Conservation Officer Investigation (Aupaluktuq) 839
156 – 3(2): Establishing Graduation Standards (Ningeongan) 840
157 – 3(2): Shortage of Fuel in Pangnirtung (Komoartok) 842
002 – 3(2): Graduation Standards Across Nunavut (Elliott) 844
002 – 3(2): Report on the Review of the Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut (Arvaluk) 845
074 – 3(2): 2008-2009 Annual Report Qulliit Status of Women Council (Aariak) 846
075 – 3(2): Schedule for the Student Loan Fund for the Year Ending March 31, 2009 (Tapardjuk) 847
076 – 3(2): Labrador Marine Infrastructure Ministerial Trip (Taptuna) 847
013 – 3(2): Renewal of the Territorial Health System Sustainability Initiative – Notice (Okalik) 847
Bill 11 – The Order of Nunavut Act – Second Reading 847
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2010-2011 – Culture, Language, Elders and Youth – Consideration in Committee 848
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2010-2011 – Economic Development and Transportation – Consideration in Committee 858
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. James Arvaluk, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Honourable Tagak Curley, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Adamee Komoartok, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Paul Okalik, Mr. Enuk Pauloosie, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna.
Speaker (Hon. James Arreak) (interpretation ends): Thank you.
Before we proceed with the orders of the day, I would like to ask Mr. Curley to say the opening prayer.
A very good afternoon, Madam Premier, Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, Nunavummiut, and the people of Clyde River, who are probably unable to watch the proceedings.
Minister’s Statement 068 – 3(2): Minister Tootoo Absent from the House (Tapardjuk)
I wish to advise my colleagues that Minister Hunter Tootoo will be absent from the House from December 2 to December 4 to attend an FPT ministers of housing meeting in Gatineau, Quebec.
Minister’s Statement 069 – 3(2): Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Kusugak)
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) In light of the upcoming Copenhagen Climate Change Conference being attended by a Government of Nunavut delegation led by the Premier and the Minister of Environment, I would like to take this opportunity to inform the members about our efforts to begin reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr. Speaker, in Nunavut, we are at the forefront of the effects of climate change and must begin taking the initiative to reduce our emissions and act as a role model to other provinces, territories, and nations.
Nunavut now has the Ikummatiit Energy Strategy that will help guide the territory toward a sustainable energy system that is environmentally responsible.
New initiatives will be coming forward to implement this strategy as we access the necessary resources and technologies.
In the meantime, Mr. Speaker, we are already working towards reducing emissions to get the process started.
As an example, we are currently retrofitting government buildings in Iqaluit and will move on to other communities to implement some of these measures in the near future.
In July, the Government of Nunavut adopted the 2005 version of the National Building Code and is currently developing a draft Nunavut Energy Code that will promote more energy efficient buildings.
Through my hon. colleague, the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, we are also working toward ensuring that the much needed new housing is built to be significantly more energy efficient than the current stock of buildings.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation, with federal assistance, will complete 725 new homes in Nunavut, of which 107 five-plex structures totalling 525 units will be built with an energy efficiency level that is 25 percent above the current national energy standards.
One of our largest hurdles in Nunavut is to address our dependence on diesel. Alternative energy sources are being studied and we are gathering information from current solar and wind pilot projects already established in the territory. Residual heating programs in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Arviat are using the heat leftover from electricity generation to heat nearby buildings, thus reducing our overall need for diesel and thereby reducing overall operational costs.
Mr. Speaker, we hope to continue improving our energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years by exploring possible options, such as geothermal and hydro power.
I will keep members up to date as we move forward.
Minister’s Statement 070 – 3(2): Increase in FANS Activity (Tapardjuk)
Tamapta reinforces our belief in the need for a well-trained and skilled workforce in Nunavut to take advantage of the opportunities that lie before us.
A major part of our efforts is to ensure our citizens who wish to pursue post-secondary education have financial support.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise that during the past two years, we have seen an increase in the number of people receiving student financial assistance through the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students, or FANS, program.
Mr. Speaker, the number of students using FANS from 2007-08 to this fall has increased by 43 percent. The growth for beneficiaries was even higher, increasing 49 percent.
For 2007-08, there were 344 students, including 251 beneficiaries, using FANS.
During 2008-09, there were 376 students, of which 302 were beneficiaries.
To date, there are 446 students with 374 beneficiaries receiving support through FANS.
Mr. Speaker, this increase is testimony to the work our schools have done in increasing the numbers of high school graduates as well as the increases in the number of post-secondary and career programs being offered by Nunavut Arctic College in the communities as well as to the increases in the benefits within the FANS program.
Mr. Speaker, the support of my colleagues in this Assembly in ensuring Nunavut post-secondary students do not face unnecessary financial barriers when pursuing their studies is greatly appreciated by the students, parents, and the public.
We expect that we will continue to see increases in the uptake in the FANS program and that more Nunavummiut will be pursuing post-secondary studies in the years ahead to meet the vision of Tamapta.
Minister’s Statement 071 – 3(2): Qikiqtani General Hospital Accreditation (Curley)
It is with great pleasure that I announce today that the Qikiqtani General Hospital was granted a three-year accreditation award.
The acquisition of this status indicates to Nunavummiut and to the rest of the country that the Qikiqtani General Hospital provides quality services and has recognized standards.
I will be reading in English. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, Accreditation Canada measures hospitals using 15 national standards, of which the Qikiqtani General Hospital met or exceeded 10 of those standards.
In fact, Mr. Speaker, the diagnostic imaging department, or x-ray department, exceeded the national standard with a final result of 100 percent.
Mr. Speaker, QGH has also been recognized by Accreditation Canada for have a leading practice in Canada.
Fetal fibro-nectin screening is a tool used to identify when a pregnant woman experiences labour before her due date.
I would like to acknowledge Dr. Sandy Macdonald, Director of Medical Affairs, and Audrey Saxton for their work in achieving this special recognition.
Mr. Speaker, my department is committed to providing the highest quality of standards and services at the Qikiqtani General Hospital and the hospital staff continue to work hard to address all recommendations made by the survey team during their site visit.
I would like to extend my appreciation to all staff of Qikiqtani General Hospital who went above and beyond their job requirements to make this happen.
Without their dedication and commitment, Mr. Speaker, the Qikiqtani General Hospital would not have received this accreditation award. (interpretation) Thank you.
Minister Peter Taptuna.
Minister’s Statement 072 – 3(2): Labrador Marine Infrastructure Investigation (Taptuna)
Good afternoon everyone, colleagues and Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to rise before the Members of this House to inform them of a trip I took last summer to examine marine facilities the federal government has provided in communities on the Labrador coast.
We started our trip in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, which is slightly larger than Iqaluit.
We went from there to Hopedale, which, at 625 people, would be considered mid-sized in our territory of Nunavut.
We finished off our trip in Rigolet, which, with a population of 350 people, is not much different than our smaller communities in Nunavut.
The similarities in the size and makeup of these communities with our own were enough to make me feel very much at home during the course of our visit.
But the purpose of my trip was to see the difference in marine development between Labrador communities and our own communities.
And that difference, Mr. Speaker, was like the difference between night and day.
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Alongside the huge concrete dock in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, there were two ferries, the MV Sir Robert Bond and the MV Northern Ranger, which, between them, provide weekly low-cost passenger and cargo connections between all communities on the Labrador coast and Newfoundland.
In Hopedale, there were breakwaters enclosing a sheltered harbour and we watched the ferry come right alongside the concrete wharf where passengers, vehicles, boats on trailers, and pallets of goods were offloaded directly by crane onto the dock.
The whole turnaround operation to offload and load this ship took about an hour and a half.
And as I said, Mr. Speaker, this service runs weekly from June to November, providing an enormous amount of capacity and flexibility in getting people and goods in and out of communities at a reasonable cost.
In Rigolet, we did not see the ferry come in, but we did have a good look at the long pier and concrete caisson dock where the same operation we saw in Hopedale could be completed with the same efficiency.
Mr. Speaker, the people in Labrador continue to face many of the same obstacles we face here today in Nunavut, but there is no doubt the marine facilities we saw contribute to the viability of the Labrador communities.
There is also no doubt that Nunavummiut are as deserving of federal assistance in getting those facilities constructed as people on the Labrador coast and the rest of the country have all of these infrastructures in place.
I would like, therefore, to inform the Members of this House that we will continue to make it clear to the federal government that they overlooked Nunavut when they were constructing marine facilities, that docks and harbours are critical to our viability, and that we will work with them in any way possible to ensure their oversight is corrected.
If there are no more, going to the orders of the day. Item 3.
Member’s Statement 099 – 3(2): Nancy Karetak-Lindell Named Director of Arctic Voices Scholarship (Shewchuk)
I rise today to acknowledge one of my very well-known constituents, Nancy Karetak-Lindell, in being appointed as the Director of the Arctic Voices Fellowship created under the Gordon Foundation.
This is a program that aims to strengthen the participation of northerners in shaping the policies governing the Canadian Arctic.
As many of you know, Ms. Lindell served as the MP for the NWT and Nunavut from 1997 to 2008, and contributed greatly to the creation and operations of our wonderful Territory of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, as MLA for Arviat, I congratulate Nancy and her family on her appointment and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
Member’s Statement 100 – 3(2): Income Support Levels (Ningark)
Winter is already here in our Nunavut communities and the days are getting shorter in some parts of Nunavut. In some communities, the sun doesn’t even come up at all. It is getting colder in Nunavut and will continue to do so.
In some Nunavut communities, there are houses being built.
Usually, even if both couples are working, they are not going to be able to keep up with household expenses. They also have to pay property taxes and other utilities. Even in the winter, because of the high price of fuel, some homeowners put up snow blocks around their house, banking snow to give it further insulation.
When I was on the campaign trail, Mr. Speaker, I indicated that the homeowners need help, even the working homeowners. Even the people who are unemployed were making very good money when the sealskin pelts were high, carving, and so on.
Today, it’s getting harder and harder to keep up with household expenses.
For those people on income support, they have no other means of income and they require assistance during the winter for purchasing heating fuel and in paying their electrical bills due to the increased demands of the season.
When we reach the appropriate item of Oral Questions, I will be directing my questions to the Minister of Health and Social Services on options to further assist people who have no employment income but have been saddled with homeownership.
There are also ways to help them when they are assisting those who are homeless in their communities. We, as a government, are not doing enough to assist them.
Member’s Statement 101 – 3(2): Tribute to Long-Serving Member of the Pangnirtung District Education Authority (Komoartok)
I rise today to earmark a momentous occasion we would like to pay tribute to in this House that relates to the longest-serving member of the Pangnirtung District Education Authority.
Mr. Speaker, the person in question, Taina Angmarlik, was first elected to serve on the community’s education committee in 1984.
She has run in every election since that time and as a testament to the steadfastness of her character, she has been re-elected every time, as people in our community have faith in her abilities. A quarter century has already passed. In 2009, it will be 25 years since Taina was first elected and became a member of the local education council.
Mr. Speaker, Taina is a trusted and adored elder in the community who has dedicated her life to preserving Inuit societal values, language, and culture.
Her volunteer work in the community and its schools has served to build bridges between the generations.
She is welcoming to all people, irrespective of whether they are youth, adults, or her peers.
As Members of the Legislative Assembly, we often state that the importance of education is one of our priorities, including the proper education of our youth.
However, these lofty goals are impossible to attain unless you have committed members who believe in these goals and it is even more meritorious to see one that committed in our community.
Mr. Speaker, Taina has long been married to Seemee Angmarlik, whom she has grown old with, and he recently retired after 40 years of service as the local fuel delivery driver.
This is not to say that Taina and her partner have not endured hardship since they have endured several stressful periods over the years, but their strength, their perseverance and teamwork is an inspiration that we all have to try and emulate in our lives.
Mr. Speaker, I ask and encourage all of my colleagues to acknowledge Taina Angmarlik as we celebrate her landmark 25th anniversary as a member of the Pangnirtung District Education Authority.
We are very proud of Taina.
Member’s Statement 102 – 3(2): Need for a Community Freezer and Meat Plant in Pond Inlet (Arvaluk)
I rise today to inform the House of a successful community meeting that recently took place in Pond Inlet.
Before returning to Iqaluit for the sitting of the House, I was pleased to have had the opportunity to host a community meeting with my constituents.
As always, a significant number of community residents attended the meeting to express their concerns and suggestions to me.
A number of my colleagues have been raising questions related to the federal Food Mail Program. This program is still lacking or has a major gap in its applicable foodstuffs since country foods are not included. Many Inuit try to order different country food from outlying communities to vary their diets.
I would like to focus today on some related issues that arose at the Pond Inlet community meeting. I would like to mention that the Pond Inlet Hunters and Trappers Organization buys and sells country food.
The HTO is also the manager of many species which are sought after by our local hunters, including assistance program allocations to our local hunters.
The Pond Inlet Hunters and Trappers Organization plays an extremely important role in the lives of Pond Inlet residents.
The HTO has led the initiative for many years and lent its support to local voices clamouring for a new community freezer and meat processing plant to be established in the community.
Due to the opinions voiced during this community meeting, the attendees drafted up a motion which was passed unanimously, with no dissenting vote, to work towards attaining a new community freezer with a meat processing plant.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the HTO’s suggestions are good ones. We often speak in this House about the need to find alternatives to social assistance. I believe the establishment of a meat… .
I believe that you weren’t finished with your statement, Mr. Arvaluk. If you would like to conclude your statement, you must ask for unanimous consent.
It’s almost done, so I would like to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Mr. Arvaluk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, the HTO’s suggestions are good ones.
We often speak in this House about the need to find alternatives to social assistance.
I believe that the establishment of a meat processing plant would help to increase the opportunities for seasonal work for my constituents.
A new community freezer would make it easier for residents to have a healthy diet.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Pond Inlet HTO for bringing their concerns to my attention. I look forward to the government taking action.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Economic Development at the appropriate time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 103 – 3(2): Standards for Graduation in Nunavut (Ningeongan)
I rise today to voice a concern that has been brought to my attention from my constituents in Nanulik.
However, I am confident that it is also an issue across all of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, my constituents are concerned that the standard of educational success in Nunavut is far below the standards in other jurisdictions across Canada.
My constituents feel that their children are being deprived of educational opportunities as a result.
Mr. Speaker, the residents of our smaller communities are aware that the larger communities have far more resources than they do.
This applies not only to infrastructure and employment opportunities but also to education, especially in the areas of curriculum and staffing.
Mr. Speaker, imagine a parent devoting their time, dedication, and energy to encourage their child to attend school, to study hard, to stick with it, and to complete their high school education.
Imagine the parent’s disappointment in discovering that the level of education that their child has received upon graduating from high school in Nunavut does not give their child the basic academic skills to continue in post-secondary education.
Mr. Speaker, according to the government’s vision expressed in Tamapta, education is one of our territory’s highest priorities.
However, the system that we have in place does not even guarantee a minimum standard of education that is comparable to the rest of Canada.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that there are unique challenges in delivering education in Nunavut, such as language issues. However, there are examples from other jurisdictions, such as Nunavik and Greenland, where bilingual education programs produce successful graduates.
Mr. Speaker, the Qanukkanniq Report Card that was commissioned by our government indicated the following and I quote… .
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I seek unanimous consent from my colleagues to conclude my Member’s Statement.
Mr. Ningeongan (interpretation): Thank you for giving me the opportunity.
(interpretation ends) And I quote, “Many people said they are distressed over the high dropout rates; the standards, relevance and quality of Nunavut’s K to 12 education programs, and the limited post-secondary offerings for people in the communities.”
In fact, Mr. Speaker, the first nine recommendations in the Qanukkanniq Report Card address the state of education in our territory.
Recommendation #5 recommends that the government benchmark the content of made-in-Nunavut curriculum against other jurisdictions to ensure that educational standards in Nunavut are comparable in quality to other jurisdictions.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the government to take immediate steps to improve our education system before too many more children find that they have not been taught the basic skills that enable them to follow their dreams. I urge the government to raise our educational standards before too many more parents feel let down by the standards we have now.
Member’s Statement 104 – 3(2): Robby Qammaniq Receives Degree from Trent University (Elliott)
Hopefully my tongue will work better today.
Mr. Speaker, it’s with great pleasure that I get to announce the successful completion of university for one of my constituents. Robby Qammaniq is one of Nunavut’s newest graduates.
He is a graduate from Trent University and he has successfully received his Bachelor of Science in Biology.
I know that he was one of the recipients and has benefited from the FANS program that the minister spoke of earlier, and would not have been able to be successful without the assistance from that.
As well, Mr. Speaker, it’s the support of his family and friends that have allowed him to succeed.