EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, the presentation was excellent, I might add the presenter, Mr. Wilson, went into some depth on some of the technical as well as some of the logistic concerns with the power grid and the line, as well as, I guess from this Government’s point of view some of the major financial implications.
Thank you Mr. Picco.
I am not quite sure Mr. Picco if you understood my question or whether you answered it.
I was asking the next step in the process and I am glad to hear, it’s nice to hear that you did have a private meeting or consultation with the minister and his staff, but by the same token, I believe that the people that were at the presentation, the Keewatin Mayors and other guests would have liked to have asked questions to yourself and others regarding some of the concerns they had in reference to some communities being bypassed or not included in this report.
So I think it would have been helpful if you had been there.
Mr. Speaker, again my question was, what is the next step in this process.
We have had a pre-feasibility study and it is my understanding and the minister can correct me on this, there is another, further detailed analysis and an environmental study required.
Given that situation, where does the minister stand on this.
Mr. Speaker, it is Manitoba’s report, it is Manitoba Hydro’s report so I can’t be accountable for what communities are included in the report and what communities were left out of the report.
What I can say Mr. Speaker, is that the member is correct.
The next step is a feasibility, this is a pre-feasibility study the next step would be a feasibility study.
Myself as Minister of the Nunavut Power Corporation, which we are trying to get up and running right now, our plan is to do a comprehensive review internally for the Nunavut Government, on the impacts of the Manitoba pre-feasibility study.
So that would be the next step.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to differ with the minister, it is my understanding that there were individuals, bureaucrats, that were involved in this study from our side and also the former GNWT staff, that sat in on various meetings and consultations.
Mr. Speaker, I think we should tip our hat to the Province of Manitoba, that they went out on a limb to pay for this study, then went to Ottawa and found some additional money to pay for this study.
My feeling is that I think it is about time that we got in the driver’s seat and started taking the lead on this study, because the benefits to this region, and to Nunavut, are phenomenal.
So, Mr. Speaker, I would ask the minister, what are his plans and in what way will his department be proactive in taking the lead on this very, very important study. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I think it is safe to say that Mr. O'Brien has probably been one of the strongest advocates for this project, going back over the last couple of years and I commend him for that support.
As the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Power Corporation, which we are still trying to get started, that we’ll have some opportunity to discuss in some detail this afternoon with the Ikuma Report, I submit to the member that the next step is to do a review.
This is Manitoba Hydro’s report, there were some people from the Northwest Territory’s Government involved in some aspects of it, they did not do the report, Manitoba Hydro did it.
It’s a technical study and all it says, Mr. Speaker, in basic terms is that it is possible to build a hydro line, but the cost, Mr. Speaker, could be 350 million, it could be 500 million dollars.
Mr. Speaker, some of the things they talk about is every house, every residence, every business in the Keewatin that would be supplied by this grid would convert to electric heat.
Mr. Speaker, the cost impacts are great and before this government takes on that type of role, we need to do a comprehensive study of the Manitoba Hydro report from our point of view, from the Nunavut Government’s point of view.
Mr. Speaker, that is the prudent thing to do and that is what I as the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Power Corporation, intend to do.
Over the next several months when that report is complete I will present that analysis to the member and to this House and for public discussion here in Nunavut.
Hon. Paul Okalik: Point of Order, Mr. Speaker.
Point of Order, Mr. Premier.
The member for Arviat was implying that we did not attend a meeting.
We were not invited and if we were invited we would have gladly have attended such a meeting.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Premier.
Although I didn’t attend that presentation we will look at your point of order and we will continue with the oral questions.
You have one more supplementary Mr. O'Brien.
Mr. Speaker, I am not going to speak to the point of order, I am not quite sure if it’s allowed at this point in time.
My question was directed to the Minister for the Power Corporation and in reference to his comments of Friday last, that there was a delegation coming and that we would all hear what the news was and what the presentation was going to be about.
That was what my question was in reference to.
Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that this was a public meeting, open to the public.
I don’t think that any of us need a private invitation to attend a public meeting.
So, Mr. Speaker, my final comment to the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation is, whether it is 200 million dollars or 600 million dollars, I think the project deserves to be taken on as a new initiative on the part of this government, I think we have to be proactive, take the lead, find out whether it is feasible and what the pros and cons are for the project.
Mr. Speaker, I couldn’t agree more with the member.
I think this government is being proactive.
We have to look at the costs and the implications.
It is very difficult for me as a minister of this government, to commit this government to millions and millions of dollars until we know exactly what the costs will be.
That’s why we are doing the next stage, Mr. O'Brien, that is why we are going to do the comprehensive study of the Manitoba report.
On the public meeting, Mr. Speaker, Manitoba Hydro officials through the Clerk’s Office or whatever department, they invited people if they wanted to see the report, because there was interest in that here.
There was a presentation and everyone had an option to go to view that report, but my understanding was that it was for the ordinary members.
There was a previous presentation made a few months ago, and I wasn’t able to attend that one because I was at Federal/Provincial/Territorial meetings in the south.
So, Mr. Speaker, as to the member’s question, yes we are being proactive, yes we will do the comprehensive study and yes, Mr. Speaker, that study will come back to this House for review.
Question 204 - 1(3): Retroactive Funding to Municipalities for Fuel Increases
My question is directed to the Minister of Community Government & Transportation.
This year, since the beginning of this year, January 1, the fuel price rates have gone up for the Hamlet Councils in the communities too.
They utilize fuel for heating and they are a major fuel customer in the communities.
Are you going to be looking into whether you can subsidize the Hamlet Councils for fuel for the three months since the price went up.
We have not dealt with a subsidy program so therefore I cannot give you an adequate response as of yet.
I will take your question as notice as to if we can subsidize the municipalities for the three months.
We will look into that but I cannot give you detailed information as to how much subsidy will be given out.
If you will be looking into this, how much money will you be committing for the subsidy program for the new year on April 1st.
I am talking about whether you will be including January, February and March to subsidize them retroactively.
Minister for Community Government & Transportation, Mr. Anawak.
If we are going to be looking into these details, since our fiscal year ends on March 31st, if we can find the money for a subsidy program it will be for up to a full year.
We utilize fuel less in the summer time than in the winter time.
I cannot tell you whether we will subsidize January, February, March retroactively or whether it is for a full year.
Perhaps we could subsidize from January 1.
Question 205 - 1(3): Training for Aqaumajuq Fisheries Employees
My question will be directed to the Minister of Sustainable Development.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to work with the department and I would like to thank them for supporting the Pairivik Fisheries.
The minister has been giving support to the Pairivik Fisheries and since then the work order has been stopped by the Workers' Compensation Board, perhaps due to safety concerns.
The staff from the Workers' Compensation Board felt that our diving fisheries, Pairivik Diving Fisheries needed more training.
I would like to ask the minister if your department would be able to give us support on the training part of it so that they can get back to work.
He asked if the Department of Sustainable Development would be willing to give those people more support.
If the clam fisheries wish to apply we will give them support.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Iqaqrialu, oral questions.
As soon as my community can get back to work, they want to get back to work.
Will the minister be able to tell us when the training program will be implemented.
I don’t know if training has been done, there is none that I know of.
Perhaps if they request further training and a certification program for the divers, they can ask or apply to get some funding if there is any funding left over.
Is the department working with the Workers' Compensation Board to make sure that the training and certification that is being planned will be acceptable to the Workers' Compensation Board so that the divers can be allowed to go back to work.
Perhaps if he could elaborate to me some of the details so that I could give you an adequate response.
I will allow you to ask another question.
And rephrase it if you want Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Please allow me any old time you want.
We’re talking about the divers training and also why did the WCB put a stop work order on these divers.
For safety reasons?
We’re talking about training for divers and certification for the divers and these divers have been diving for 2 years now and they are very knowledgeable about their job.
Why did they do the stop work order.
Perhaps we need further training.
I don’t even know why we would need further training.
I’m sure you can look into it.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Iqaqrialu, you had already asked your oral question to Mr. Ng and I apologise to Mr. Ng, the Minister of Finance as he already responded to you by taking your question under notice.
Question 206 - 1(3): Premier’s Travel
I would like to direct my question to our Premier.
Since the Premier is usually invited overseas and around the world and since he is travelling quite a bit, does his travel benefit the Nunavut communities.
Yes, I’m usually very proud to go visiting and thankful.
I realise how we can help and give support to the communities of Nunavut and every time I go to the communities, they make me realise what their needs are, or what their requirements are and what their issues are so it’s very beneficial when I visit the communities.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): I apologise Mr. Speaker, when you realise something, to me that means you never knew, but you realise it for the first time.
I just wanted to clarify that term.
I know that touring the communities and visiting the communities does benefit him a lot. Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, I ask again, will the benefits you see be reflected in the budget.
Yes I attend all sorts of meetings.
I deal with financial aspects and it’s very interesting to see the communities that require assistance and I know that when you have seen them, you really believe what the requirements are and I report to my colleagues about the concerns and the issues that I have heard.
These are very beneficial because they don’t just come from me, they come from the communities themselves.
Question 207 - 1(3): Gun Control Legislation
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I direct my question to the Minister of Justice.
It’s along the line of the question I asked about gun control.
NTI are responsible for the Land Claims Agreement and the beneficiaries.
We have to pay close attention to the beneficiaries so that they can follow the statutes.
I was wondering if you have met with the NTI in regards to gun control.
The Government of Nunavut is not really working on the gun control issue.
We don’t have that responsibility, it’s the Federal Government that has that responsibility through the RCMP.
I myself have not met with the NTI in regards to this issue but I have met with the person who worked in that area to find out how we can make it easier for gun registration.
But the Government of Nunavut does not have the jurisdiction so therefore I have not met with NTI.
Question (Out of Order) 208 - 1(3): Gun Safety Training
My question is directed to the Minister responsible for gun control, gun safety, and training.
I’ve never seen any kind of training on gun safety.
Do we have any certified people who can instruct gun safety.
That was out of order.
Question 209 - 1(3): Letter from NTI President on Fuel Increases
I have a question for the Minister of Petroleum Products.
The president of NTI did write a letter to your department.
Could you table the letter minister.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister responsible for Petroleum Products, Ms. Thompson.
I have a copy of this letter from Paul Quassa.
I’ll be tabling that letter today.
Question 210 - 1(3): Alcohol & Drug Treatment Centres
My question today is to the Minister of Health.
We’re almost completed one year in our mandate, Mr. Speaker, and a concern was brought up in my community about drug and alcohol treatment centres.
Does the minister responsible have any kinds of plans to open up any new treatment centres.
Because I think that there is, in my feeling, a need for these drug and alcohol and healing centres in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, this is a very interesting and serious topic.
In 1992, we opened up the first residential treatment centre in Nunavut.
At that time we projected that 216 people would need residential treatment each year at that centre here in Nunavut.
In actuality, Mr. Speaker, instead of seeing 216 clients, we saw 7 clients in 1994, 34 in 1995, 57 in 1996, 25 in 1997 and 21 in 1998.
A total of 119 patients in four years.
Mr. Speaker, the cost of that program in 1998/99, according to the figures presented to me was 640 thousand dollars, Mr. Speaker.
So what we’re trying to do as a government is to analyse where we should be putting our resources.
Should we be putting our resources into the community and developing the capacity within the drug and alcohol counsellors at the community level or should we be putting them into building a facility and then putting programs in that facility.
So that’s the question Mr. Speaker, we’re doing a review of that right now.
Most residential treatment centres in my understanding Mr. Speaker, in the north are closed.
In the Yukon, the treatment centre is closed, the Northwest Territory treatment centre is closed, and indeed Mr. Speaker, the residential treatment centre in Apex is also closed.
So we’re not unique in that aspect, but Mr. Speaker, let me say, if someone in Nunavut needs residential treatment, then they will receive it and they have been receiving it and according to my notes again, we have been sending people out of the territory.
We’ve had four people so far this fiscal year.
That answers part of my question and in our communities and I’m sure the honourable minister has lived in some of them, that when you have an individual that has an addiction problem whether it’s alcohol, drugs, or whatever other inhalant, sure we have capable, very capable, drug and alcohol workers in our communities.
But sometimes the individual is in circumstances where an outpatient service does not provide the type of care they need.
In some cases I would think that the person would have to be removed from the community to get away from the peer pressure of the alcohol, drugs and inhalants.
The minister replied to me that there are four people in the south.
To me, that is going against what we were talking about when we were creating Nunavut, was taking care of our own and looking after each other, self-reliance and everything like that.
Does the minister foresee in the very near future having an institution or a little place that people can go to and rehabilitate rather than sending them south.
Mr. Speaker, this has been a very interesting topic because there are different types of addictions.
Mr. Speaker, there’s the psychological and physical addiction to a certain drug or problem, for example, alcohol.
For those with true addictions Mr. Speaker, the option of residential treatment is one that we’ve been looking at in the Apex Treatment Centre.
But if we’re going to treat people Mr. Speaker, we have to treat the whole person.
Taking Ed Picco out of Hall Beach or Baker Lake and putting him in Iqaluit and then treating him for six weeks has been found not to work.
That’s why those treatment centres in those other communities have closed.
If the member is asking me is this government contemplating opening up treatment centres in all of our communities, the answer would be no.
What we will do Mr. Speaker, is build a capacity which we are trying to do right now in each of our communities to be able to treat people with the different types of addictions that they have.
The member is right, some of those are drug addictions, and some of those are alcohol addictions and so on.
Each addiction is different, they can all be treated differently, the different types of substance abuse that they’re having trouble with.
Remember Mr. Speaker, let me make it clear, that any person that needs treatment receives the treatment that they need.
Final supplementary Mr. McLean.
I recognise that the honourable minister is dealing with an addiction himself in regards to tobacco and he is doing very well and I’d hate to see us have to relocate him south some place which would leave a big void there with the Health Department.
On a more serious note Mr. Speaker, the whole gist of my question here is we had a drug and alcohol treatment centre at Apex and I know he gave me the numbers but I also know there were people dispatched over to the west, such as Yellowknife.
But the thing is we’re talking about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and if we’re going to take people away from their home communities, I don’t think it’s a good idea to send them south because they’re not going to have the people around them that probably can help them deal with their problems as good as Inuit people if they’re trained to deal with their own people in drug and alcohol related issues.
So I encourage the minister to re-evaluate what he’s doing in his proposal and when can we expect to see it.
Minister responsible Health, Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking Mr. McLean, for his support in helping me with my addiction.
Mr. Speaker, 119 people in roughly four years who went through the treatment centre in Apex.
The average cost per person at that time was 50 thousand dollars for a six-week treatment.
Mr. Speaker that equates to 6 million dollars over that four year period.
So the member is right, one of the things that we’re trying to do as a department is to look at the expenditure of the 6 million dollars to see if that money was spent wisely and could we take that 6 million dollars, Mr. Speaker, Mr. McLean, take that 6 million dollars and put it back into the community and train our drug and alcohol counsellors, train our social workers to deal with those types of addictions in our communities.
I agree with the member, I don’t agree with taking someone out of their community and sending them south and that’s why I’m opposed I guess in certain ways to opening up the treatment centre.
Because over the last few years, the studies have shown that if you take a person out of their community and away from their family, and providing that residency treatment, it doesn’t work.
Because they relapse and that person has to go back to that same environment.
I hope that answers the member’s question.
Question period is over. (interpretation) We will break for twenty minutes.
>>Assembly recessed at 3:35 p.m. and resumed at 4:15 p.m.
Speaker (interpretation): Back to the orders of the day.
Item 7.
Item 9: Replies to Opening Address
Mr. McLean: Ma’na Uqaqti and my fellow colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to reply to the Commissioner's address.
As of last week, it's been one year since I had the privilege of being elected as an MLA to represent my home community of Baker Lake.
I still feel good for having been elected.
This strong support that I have received from my constituency was overwhelming.
I want to thank my constituents for having continued strong support and good advice.
It's always difficult to single out certain people who were especially helpful to me because I know some will be left out.
However, I want to mention a group of people who have provided critical support and guidance and continue to be very valued advisors and supporters.
I am grateful to all the elders of Baker Lake, but I do want to make particular attention of some very special people, Barnabus Pariour and his wife were very inspiring to me.
Mr. Pariour has recently been honoured, has recently honoured our community by being appointed to the Nunavut Law Review Commission by the Premier.
I want to thank the Premier for accepting this wise elder for such an important role.
I want to thank the late Titus Ateetnat who sadly passed away not long ago.
Irene Kiktalak is another valued advisor who has recently been honoured with a doctorate from the University of Guelph.
Jacob Akeenalik, a strong member of my campaign committee, and others who provided me with great support were Norman Atungaluk and Sally and David Webster.
Robert Seeteenak was my able official agent and Joe Apaluktuk did a good job as my campaign manager.
Most importantly of all, I wouldn't have run and couldn't have won without the strong support and encouragement of my wife Emily and our children Leean, Kyle and Terrance.
I know that I didn’t get everyone's vote in the last election but I now feel that I represent the entire community.
I believe that we will make progress in our community if we pull together as one voice to make a better life for our elders, children and ourselves.
I have been fortunate in the past year that I haven’t had to be away from home for too long.
That was the main reason I chose not to run for Cabinet.
The people of Baker Lake told me they wanted me to be accessible.
I have opened an office in the Jesse Oonark centre so people can drop in and talk to me, to give me advice and express their concerns.
I am very pleased this is happening now.
In this reply to the Commissioner's Address I want to first turn to some of the very important issues I promised to work on during my campaign.
One of the key issues I spoke about was the need to create more jobs for the growing population of my community.
Decentralization of Government of Nunavut jobs in Baker Lake.
When I was running for office, I knew that the Inuit leaders and the Interim Commissioner had committed to the decentralization of jobs in Nunavut.
I promised to work to ensure that some of these decentralized jobs came to Baker Lake where unemployment is very, very high.
My goal is not only to have these jobs created in Baker Lake but to have these jobs filled by the people of Baker Lake as well.
In that connection, I very much welcomed the Premier's statement on the opening day of this Rankin Inlet session that the decentralization plans of the Government of Nunavut will also include funds to provide training where the capacity may still need to be developed in a community to ensure that the new jobs go to local people.