EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Bill 27 – An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member Arviat, that Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 27 is ready for assent.
Bill 28 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2010-2011 – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove, that Bill 28, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2010-2011, be read for the third time.
Bill 28 is ready for assent.
Bill 30 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2010-2011 – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove, that Bill 30, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2010-2011, be read for the third time.
Bill 30 is ready for assent.
There is a reminder that there is a meeting of the Management and Services Board tomorrow at ten o’clock in the Tuktu Room.
This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, June 9, at 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Pages 2307 – 2368
Members’ Statements 2311
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2317
Oral Questions 2317
Tabling of Documents 2336
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2339
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2366
Third Reading of Bills 2366
Orders of the Day 2367
Wednesday, June 9, 2010 2307
174 – 3(2): Midwifery Services and Training in Cambridge Bay (Curley) 2307
175 – 3(2): Fur Production and Design Student Wins Top Prize at 2010 Fur Reinvented National Student Design Competition (Shewchuk) 2308
176 – 3(2): Respecting Our Elders (Tapardjuk) 2308
177 – 3(2): Tourism Sector Development Strategy (Taptuna) 2309
178 – 3(2): Nunavut Justice Centre Project (Kusugak) 2310
267 – 3(2): Happy Wedding Anniversary of 16 Years to Wife (Rumbolt) 2311
268 – 3(2): Infrastructure Needs of Smaller Communities (Schell) 2311
269 – 3(2): Success in Quttiktuq (Elliott) 2312
270 – 3(2): Reorganizing Health and Social Services (Ugyuk) 2313
271 – 3(2): Igloolik Akulliq Cup Champions 2010 (Tapardjuk) 2314
272 – 3(2): Pangnirtung Youth Activities (Komoartok) 2314
273 – 3(2): Akitsiraq Law Program (Okalik) 2316
274 – 3(2): Search and Rescue Volunteers of Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove (Kusugak) 2317
412 – 3(2): Greenland-Canada Joint Commission on Polar Bears (Arvaluk) 2317
413 – 3(2): Investigation of Incidents in Baker Lake (Aupaluktuq) 2320
414 – 3(2): Transparency at the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Elliott) 2321
415 – 3(2): Implementation of New Language Laws (Okalik) 2323
416 – 3(2): Suicide Alertness and Intervention (Komoartok) 2324
417 – 3(2): Child and Family Services Act Review (Elliott) 2325
418 – 3(2): Labour Costs Associated with Nunavut Housing Trust (Schell) 2327
419 – 3(2): Update on Waste Management Issues in Pangnirtung (Komoartok) 2329
420 – 3(2): Country Food Trade in Nunavut (Okalik) 2330
421 – 3(2): Northern and Family Residency Program (Aupaluktuq) 2333
176 – 3(2): Information Concerning Qulliq Energy Corporation Job Competition (Okalik) 2336
177 – 3(2): Correspondence Concerning the Government of Nunavut’s Uranium Development and Mining Management Plan (Aupaluktuq) 2336
178 – 3(2): Operation Nanook 2010 Information Brief (Elliott) 2336
179 – 3(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation; Eight Annual Report, Year Ending March 31, 2009 (Tootoo) 2336
180 – 3(2): F/P/T Ministerial Report to the Legislative Assembly, Northern Premiers’ Forum, Whitehorse, May 13 to 14, 2010 (Aariak) 2337
181 – 3(2): Communiqué Northern Premiers’ Forum, Whitehorse, May 14, 2010 (Aariak) 2337
182 – 3(2): Annual Report for the Nunavummit Kiglisiniartiit, 2007-2008 (Aariak) 2337
183 – 3(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation: Letter of Expectation 2010-2011 (Tootoo) 2337
184 – 3(2): Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of March 31, 2010 (Shewchuk) 2337
185 – 3(2): Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board, Annual Report 2007-2008 (Peterson) 2338
186 – 3(2): Legal Services Board of Nunavut Annual Report for 2008-2009 (Peterson) 2338
Bill 35 – Licensed Practical Nurses Act – First Reading 2338
Bill 37 – Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act – First Reading 2338
Bill 31 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2010-2011 – Consideration in Committee 2339
Bill 29 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2010-2011 – Consideration in Committee 2355
Bill 20 – An Act to Amend Certain Acts Related to Education – Consideration in Committee 2363
Bill 29 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2010-2011 – Third Reading 2366
Bill 31 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2010-2011 – Third Reading 2366
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. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Paul Okalik, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo, Jeannie Ugyuk.
A very good afternoon, Premier, Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, people of Nunavut and Qikiqtarjuaq.
Going to our orders of the day. Item 2. (interpretation ends) Ministers’ Statements.
Minister’s Statement 174 – 3(2): Midwifery Services and Training in Cambridge Bay (Curley)
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to day to make a statement about midwifery services and training in Cambridge Bay.
The Nunavut Maternal and Newborn Health Care Strategy demonstrates our commitment to supporting and increasing access to midwifery services and improving maternal care services across the territory.
As part of the strategy’s implementation plan, midwifery services have been offered in Cambridge Bay since January 2010. Since then, there have been four babies delivered by midwives at the beginning of this year.
Mr. Speaker, having a birthing centre with a complement of trained midwives in Cambridge Bay provides safe and high quality birthing services to many new expectant families in the Kitikmeot region.
Through midwives, mothers can also access enhanced prenatal and postnatal care.
Mr. Speaker, to further support the expansion of midwifery services in the Kitikmeot region, I am pleased to announce that the Midwifery Education Program will be offered by Nunavut Arctic College in Cambridge Bay starting in September 2010.
This program has been very successful in Rankin Inlet and includes an extensive learning component on traditional Inuit midwifery practices.
Inuit elder midwives advised on curriculum content to ensure that the training and services provided thereafter are culturally relevant.
Mr. Speaker, having more community-based capacity to deliver maternal and newborn health care, supported by registered midwives and maternal care workers, offers the potential for women and their families to receive local care that is safe, focused on health promotion, and based on Inuit culture and knowledge.
I wanted to make a statement about that, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 175 – 3(2): Fur Production and Design Student Wins Top Prize at 2010 Fur Re-Invented National Student Design Competition (Shewchuk)
Once again, I am pleased to announce that a student of the Arctic College Fur Production and Design Program recently won the “fur re-invented” student design contest at the North American Fur and Fashion Exposition in Montreal (NAFFEM), May 2 to 4.
The Department of Environment is a proud supporter of the Fur Production and Design Program and would like to offer congratulations to Rosie Audlakiak, this year’s grand prize winner.
Rosie is originally from Qikiqtarjuaq, is a first year fur production and design student currently studying at the Iqaluit campus.
Her winning design was a red sealskin women’s vest which also incorporated fox and raccoon fur.
The garment was showcased on the fashion runway at NAFFEM and was on display for the duration of the event.
Rosie’s success is the latest of many of the Fur Production and Design Program and is an indication of the high level of dedication and professionalism on behalf of both the students and their instructors.
Thanks to them, Nunavut Arctic College has gained recognition in the fur design world as a leader and innovator, particularly in sealskin design.
This is the third year our students have participated in this exciting contest and we are grateful to the festival organizers supporting our students with the opportunity to participate.
Our sealskin and fur designers promote the Nunavut sealing and fur industry by presenting their own fashionable designs and conveying the cultural significance behind their work to the international audience attending these high-profile events.
We must continue to celebrate our designers, seamstresses, hunters, and all Nunavummiut who rely on sealing and fur through successes such as this.
Minister’s Statement 176 – 3(2): Respecting Our Elders (Tapardjuk)
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): A very good afternoon, Mr. Speaker.
I have always believed that elders deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
The role of elders has been very important and crucial in our history to address social wellness issues.
CLEY continues to work with elders and other GN departments to raise awareness and education on this issue.
My department recently collaborated with the Department of Health and Social Services under their pan-territorial mass media campaign funding to develop a series of posters that have been distributed to all Nunavut communities.
Public awareness is the key to address the needs of our elders and ensuring that they are treated with the respect and dignity they so deserve.
The posters also highlight the Elders Support Phone Line, where support in the form of peer-to-peer counselling is provided to unilingual elders.
Mr. Speaker, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day takes place on Tuesday, June 15, 2010, which the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth supports fully.
This day puts the spotlight on sharing information, learning more about the issue, and discussing the prevention of elder abuse. In light of this day, I would like everyone to take action against elder abuse and promote respect and honour towards the elderly not only once every year but in their everyday lives.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all members and Nunavummiut to promote respect and honour towards the elderly. Please join me in encouraging all Nunavummiut to get involved and advocate on behalf of our greatest resource – our elders.
Minister’s Statement 177 – 3(2): Tourism Sector Development Strategy (Taptuna)
Good afternoon, colleagues and Kuglukturmiut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to present to the House our Tourism Sector Development Strategy.
This strategy is available on our website for public access.
We have been working closely with Nunavut Tourism to create this framework for the purpose of moving the tourism sector forward in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut has a lot to offer as a tourism destination and by working together with our industry association, the federal government, Inuit organizations, and our communities, we are building a common vision for the tourism sector that will support and strengthen the economy of our territory.
The strategy has three phases.
The first phase entitled ‘Taking Leadership, Building Partners’ is already being implemented and this involves the creation of a new Division of Tourism and Cultural Industries within my department and the creation of a roadmap for building partnerships in all of the key elements of our tourism sector development.
The second and third phases involve the development and implementation of a consultation plan.
In our consultations, we will be working with industry, Inuit organizations, communities, and government to build a comprehensive Nunavut Tourism Strategy that will lead to a vibrant tourism sector that provides for economic opportunities for Nunavummiut throughout the territory.
Mr. Speaker, there are natural linkages between the development of our tourism sector, our transportation infrastructure, and in the development and promotion of Nunavut’s cultural industries.
Our government will be taking a much more active role in strengthening these linkages and building a greater presence throughout Nunavut.
We have the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and dynamic communities that will attract tourists in ever increasing numbers.
We have programs in place to encourage businesses to provide services and opportunities for tourists.
Mr. Speaker, our end goal is to make Nunavut an attractive destination for tourists and tourism investment.
Tourism has significant potential for our territory and we will be working to ensure this sector provides a positive contribution to our economy.
Minister’s Statement 178 – 3(2): Nunavut Justice Centre Project (Kusugak)
Good day to you, fellow Nunavummiut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform Members of this Assembly that in addition to the recently announced award we received for the John Arnalukjuak High School in Arviat, the Iqaluit Nunavut Justice Centre project has now been chosen to be published in the 2010 American Institute of Architects Justice Facilities Review Journal.
This facility was designed by Number 10 Architectural Group, constructed by GC North, and managed by Community and Government Services on time and on budget.
Mr. Speaker, the Justice Facilities Review recognizes proven strategies and the latest trends in the design and construction of justice facilities.
Their distinguished jury chooses projects that demonstrate quality of form, functionality, and architectural responses to complex justice design issues that support programs.
This particular project, Mr. Speaker, also incorporated an integrated and thorough planning and design process that incorporated Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ).
Mr. Speaker, the design of the new justice centre draws inspiration from Inuit carvings, artwork, and the broad, sweeping vistas and beauty of arctic tundra landscapes.
A local team of specialists and interpreters were crucial to enhance the subtleties and complexities of the design.
The goal of the facility was to preserve and promote the elements that help frame the Inuit identity and promote the culture.
This recognition once again emphasizes that Nunavut does have world-class facilities and we are increasingly being recognized as industry leaders in architectural design and implementation.
Mr. Speaker, along with my colleague, the Minister of Justice, and on behalf of the Department of Community and Government Services, I am proud to share this recognition with my colleagues and all Nunavummiut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member for Hudson Bay, Mr. Rumbolt
Member’s Statement 267 – 3(2): Happy Wedding Anniversary of 16 Years to Wife (Rumbolt)
There are times when we are attending these proceedings of the House that we miss important moments with family.
Mr. Speaker, we can only hope that our families understand that we are away from home to help make life better for more than just our own families.
With that being said, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to send out a very long distance “happy wedding anniversary” to my wife of 16 years.
Member’s Statement 268 – 3(2): Infrastructure Needs of Smaller Communities (Schell)
As we approach the end of our current sitting, I want to look ahead to the fall and make some comments today on the infrastructure needs of our smaller communities.
Mr. Speaker, when we reconvene in the fall, we will be considering the government’s proposed capital estimates for the 2011-12 fiscal year.
I want to take this opportunity to remind the government about the importance of ensuring that the needs of our smaller communities are not forgotten during the capital planning process.
Mr. Speaker, I will use my community of Kimmirut as an example. The GN’s current five-year capital plan does not list any projects for Kimmirut in the 2011-12 fiscal year.
It does not list any projects for Kimmirut in the 2012-13 fiscal year. It does not list any capital projects for Kimmirut in the 2013-14 fiscal year. And it does not list any projects in the 2014-15 fiscal year.
Mr. Speaker, we recognize that thanks in part to what’s happening to the Nunavut Housing Corporation, our capital dollars are in short supply. However, I want to emphasize the importance of ensuring that capital planning is fair and equitable.
Mr. Speaker, we cannot leave our smaller communities behind.
For example, Mr. Speaker, if we have a choice between building a new community hall for a community that already has one or building a new community hall in a community that doesn’t have one, we should choose the community that currently has nothing.
Member’s Statement 269 – 3(2): Congratulations to Quttiktuq Youth (Elliott)
I rise today to speak of the many successes in Quttiktuq. Springtime is a wonderful time to celebrate for many reasons.
It ends another successful school year and people become excited as they start to head out on the land. The end of the school year allows us to celebrate the many successes that people have made over the past academic year.
Mr. Speaker, I was very privileged recently to travel to Ottawa on Saturday, May 15, to attend the Nunavut Sivuniksavut graduation.
I am a strong supporter of this program because I have seen its success first-hand.
I love to attend their graduation ceremony and hear the speeches that the youth make as they come to realize the potential they hold within.
This year, Amanda Muckpa from Arctic Bay graduated from the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program and I congratulate her on her achievement.
Mr. Speaker, on Friday, May 28, I unfortunately was unable to attend the grade 12 graduation ceremony at the Umimmak School in Grise Fiord. This year’s graduating class saw a total of four high school students receive their graduation certificate.
Terry Noah,
Bryan Noah,
Kevin Kiguktak, and
Jason Qaapik.
Mr. Speaker, both Terry Noah and Jason Qaapik’s name may sound familiar because they both participated in the Students on Ice program and had the opportunity to travel to the Antarctica.
Also, this year, over the summer, there are three youth from Grise Fiord who will be participating in the Northern Youth Abroad Program.
They are: Kristine Watsko and Michael Muckpa participating in the Canadian Phase of the program and  Arnarulunnguaq Audlaluk participating in the International Phase and will be traveling to Africa.
Mr. Speaker, on June 3, Robby Qammaniq from Arctic Bay attended his convocation at Trent University receiving his Bachelor Degree in Science.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut Arctic College in Arctic Bay offered a pre-trades math and science course this year. Recently, one of the career development officers from the Department of Education came to Arctic Bay to administer the pre-trades entrance exam.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that eight people passed this test and are now ready to start their apprenticeship.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating all of these individuals on their success. They make us proud.
Member’s Statement 270 – 3(2): Reorganizing Health and Social Services (Ugyuk)
I rise today to call upon the government to give serious consideration to establishing separate and distinct departments for health care delivery and for social services delivery.
This is an issue that I raised in my first statement in this House.
Mr. Speaker, in my view, having one department responsible for service delivery across so many different and demanding fields leads to a crippling inability to deliver those services effectively.
Mr. Speaker, we only need to look at the number of services that are being contracted out to see that our current system cannot manage with the demand.
There has been much discussion in this House of the contracting of agency nurses, but the contracting of social workers is an equally disturbing trend.
Mr. Speaker, under its current structure, the Department of Health and Social Services is stretched to its limits.
The government is so busy with crisis intervention and putting on bandages that there are very few resources left to do proactive social work and seek solutions.
There is not enough investment in healthy lifestyle, advocacy, and prevention strategies for family violence and child abuse, to name just a few examples.
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that Nunavut needs to put a strong focus on addressing social issues.
Nunavut has the highest suicide rate in Canada.
Family welfare is not receiving the attention it needs. Communities have lost touch with making themselves healthy and strong.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that wherever there is high unemployment, there will be outstanding social and economic issues.
It is clear that progress in the areas of housing, employment opportunities, and education will help to relieve some of the pressure.
However, it takes resources, time, and dedicated effort to heal, to become healthy, and to improve our well-being.
There are none. Please proceed, Ms. Ugyuk.
I urge the government to consider separating departmental responsibility for the delivery of medical care and for the delivery of social services.
Both of these areas need independent and dedicated focus, attention, and resource allocation.
Under the current system, there will always be competing needs and interests with neither area receiving the complete attention it deserves.
Member’s Statement 271 – 3(2): Igloolik Akulliq Cup Champions 2010 (Tapardjuk)
Based on the schedule, most of us will be watching the Stanley Cup playoffs this evening.
I want to speak to a different level of hockey. There was a tournament from April 1 to 6 and the following communities had teams attending: Igloolik, Pond Inlet, Pangnirtung, along with two teams from Clyde River were in Clyde River.
Unfortunately, the team Qikiqtarjuaq was sending could not make it due to the weather.
The trophy these teams vied for is called the Akulliq Cup and these teams fought hard to try and win it. I wanted to share the good news that the team from Igloolik was able to win the tournament. They must have been a good team in order to beat all of the other teams, Mr. Speaker.
With respect to your local hockey team, they require a bit more training and practice… just kidding.
What I wanted to speak to was the prize money of $10,000 that was awarded to the Igloolik hockey team for winning was initially going to be divided amongst the players.
The players made a decision not to take the funds but to use it to make equipment available for people who can’t afford it.
They also made a decision to make a contribution to the Zamboni fund.
It is due to their zeal to get this Zamboni that led them to make this contribution and they are going to be raising the rest of the monies. We are very proud of people who take those types of initiatives.
Since this was the case, I would like to extend my congratulations to the captain, Wayne Ungalaq, and all of his teammates and we are proud of them.
They are role models to the youth, so please keep participating and promoting healthy living by playing your sport.
I would like to congratulate them and I would urge the members to congratulate them also.
Member’s Statement 272 – 3(2): Pangnirtung Youth Activities (Komoartok)
Today, I wish to speak about the high school students in Pangnirtung and what part of their activities were this winter.
In particular, our local youth participated in suicide prevention and a position was created with funding from Health Canada.
Lizzie Karpik, who has been working in our school for about a year and five months, was able to set up all sorts of programs, activities, and projects for the school.
She was looking to promote cultural pride in the students, including healthy living initiatives.
She also started a small engine repair shop. This included the promotion and celebration of the Inuit culture to the students. This included the cultural instructors and other Inuit who work at the school, who have to be thanked for their tireless efforts and dedication towards their fellow Inuit.
These are just a sample of the activities she dealt with.