EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The standing committee notes that the Department of Finance’s draft 2014-17 business plan indicates that “work continues with the Nunavut Housing Corporation to clarify roles and responsibilities regarding the Staff Housing Policy.”
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee strongly supports the government’s Summer Student Employment Equity Program, which provides valuable work experience for Nunavut youth.
Approximately 1,945 students, 75 percent of whom were beneficiaries, have participated in this program since 2001.
In recognition of the fact that many of our territory’s smaller communities do not have a significant Government of Nunavut presence, the standing committee urges the minister to consider such ideas as providing wage subsidies to municipalities and other employers to hire summer students in smaller communities that do not have a large Government of Nunavut presence.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2014-15 main estimates and 2014-17 business plan of the Department of Finance.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Hickes, for your brief opening comments.
Do members have any opening comments?
After the opening comments I just read on behalf of the committee, I have some comments from a personal standpoint.
Mr. Chairman, minister, we’ve had a lot of discussions here in the Legislature covering a lot of the issues that I’ve outlined in the committee’s opening comments.
I’ve had a number of questions along those lines during question period and including the last sitting.
Some of the things I want to bring focus to are the strengthening of the Liquor Commission’s social responsibility, continuing regulations and policies that support the pilot project beer and wine sales in Nunavut.
A lot of concerns that I have with long-term casual staffing and Inuit employment target goals.
We need to fulfill the capacity across the GN and the minister needs to get creative in how to fulfill that void.
There’s also with the upcoming program review across the GN. I can’t emphasize enough the wish of myself of that review goes on very soon and speedily so that we can stop getting the answer that all programs are currently under review.
To respond to Mr. Hickes’ comments, I’ve been listening quite intently over the last couple of weeks. I’ve heard many if not most of the concerns from all the MLAs and I talked to my colleagues, so we continue to listen.
That’s our job, MLAs asks questions and raise the issues.
It is the job of ministers in cabinet to act on the concerns and issues.
We do have a government to run and there are many, many issues, many demands, I think I have stressed in my responses to MLAs. We’re doing our best. We ourselves have limited resources, and I’m not referring only to financial resources, we have limited human resources.
There are many things to do.
It’s going to take time. We can’t stretch our officials too thin on a lot of fronts. Otherwise, we’re just not going to be able to accomplish everything that we want to do.
We do want to get a lot of things done. I know you’ve been going through our business plans. We wouldn’t have put those priorities in our business plans unless we fully intended to act on them.
Some of them will be multiyear priorities. We’re not going to get everything done in one year, maybe not in two years.
We do have a whole mandate to work on improving the government’s delivery programs and services and strengthening our public service and strengthening our financial controls within the government.
I don’t have any other names for the opening comments.
We’ll go page-by-page review.
On C-4, Finance.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $2,692,000.
Go to page C-5. (interpretation ends) Branch Summary.
Policy, Planning and Financial Management.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $8,163,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Page C-6. (interpretation ends) Finance.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $1,609,000.
My apologies if you didn’t see my hand right away.
I tried to raise my hand after we went to page C-6.
Mr. Chairman, if you could agree with me, I believe we have done a lot today and it’s Friday, so I would like to move a motion to report progress.
I will now rise to report progress. (interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the officials out.
Going to Item 20. (interpretation ends) Report of the Committee of the Whole.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be agreed to. (interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
(interpretation) Item 21. (interpretation ends) Third Reading of Bills. (interpretation) Item 22. (interpretation ends) Orders of the Day.
Just a reminder that tomorrow, there is a meeting of the Regular Caucus at nine o’clock and a meeting of the Full Caucus at two o’clock. Both meetings will take place in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Motion 5 – 4(2)
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Monday, June 9, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 17:27
Pages 697 – 769
Opening Prayer 697
Ministers’ Statements 697
Members’ Statements 698
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 702
Oral Questions 703
Tabling of Documents 713
Notices of Motions 714
Motions 715
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 716
Report of the Committee of the Whole 768
Orders of the Day 769
Monday, June 9, 2014 697
037 – 4(2): Status Update on OAG Recommendations (Quassa) 697
038 – 4(2): Connected North Pilot Project (Quassa) 698
085 – 4(2): Income Assistance Program Review (Angnakak) 698
086 – 4(2): 2014 Pangnirtung Graduates of NTEP (Mike) 699
087 – 4(2): Wishing Students a Good Summer (Shooyook) 700
088 – 4(2): Celebration of Pride Month (Hickes) 700
089 – 4(2): Amazing Race – Cape Dorset Style (Joanasie) 700
090 – 4(2): Congratulations to Graduates of Mine Training Programs (Savikataaq) 701
091 – 4(2): Thoughts and Prayers for the People of Igloolik (Quassa) 702
092 – 4(2): Congratulations to Graduates of Baker Lake (Mikkungwak) 702
138 – 4(2): Support for Elders (Angnakak) 703
139 – 4(2): Nunavut Mine Training (Savikataaq) 704
140 – 4(2): Homeownership Programs (Sammurtok) 706
141 – 4(2): Support for Baker Lake Hospice Society (Mikkungwak) 708
142 – 4(2): Iqaluit Landfill Fire (Hickes) 709
143 – 4(2): Consultation with Municipal Leaders (Enook) 710
144 – 4(2): QEC Procurement and Contracting (Angnakak) 711
145 – 4(2): Hamlets Act (Enook) 712
023 – 4(2): Nunavut Food Strategy Action Plan 2014-2016 (Ell) 713
024 – 4(2): Contract Activity Report 2012-2013 (Sammurtok) 713
025 – 4(2): Procurement Activity Report 2012-2013 (Sammurtok) 713
026 – 4(2): Lease Activity Report 2012-2013 (Sammurtok) 713
027 – 4(2): Heavy Equipment Training Centre (Enook) 714
028 – 4(2): Report of Members’ Absences from Sittings of the House and Meetings of Committees and Caucuses for the Period July 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013 (Speaker) 714
029 – 4(2): Report of Members’ Absences from Sittings of the House and Meetings of Committees and Caucuses for the Period October 28, 2013 to December 31, 2013 (Speaker) 714
030 – 4(2): Report of Members’ Absences from Sittings of the House and Meetings of Committees and Caucuses for the Period January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2014 (Speaker) 714
006 – 4(2): Establishment of a Special Committee to Review the Education Act – Notice (Joanasie) 714
005 – 4(2): Extended Adjournment (Mikkungwak) 715
006 – 4(2): Establishment of a Special Committee to Review the Education Act (Joanasie) 715
001 – 4(2): Extended Sitting Hours (Enook) 747
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2014-2015 – Finance – Consideration in Committee 716
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2014-2015 – Economic Development and Transportation – Consideration in Committee 730
Mr. Tony Akoak, Ms. Pat Angnakak, Hon. Monica Ell, Mr. Joe Enook, Mr. George Hickes, Mr. David Joanasie, Hon. George Kuksuk, Hon. Johnny Mike, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak, Hon. Paul Okalik, Hon. Keith Peterson, Hon. Paul Quassa, Hon. George Qulaut, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok, Hon. Tom Sammurtok, Mr. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Isaac Shooyook, Hon. Peter Taptuna, Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk.
Welcome, Members, Nunavummiut, Ministers, and visitors.
Minister’s Statement 037 – 4(2): Status Update on OAG Recommendations (Quassa)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to update my colleagues on the work my department has done guided by the Auditor General’s recommendations.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the safety of our schools and daycares and the children, staff, and community members who use these facilities is of the utmost importance to us. Immediately after the Auditor General’s report on safety was released, we took steps to make changes to address the concerns raised in the report.
All child care facility inspections have been completed and all facilities have current licences. We also intend to assist licensed child care facilities in non-governmental buildings cover the cost of installing enhanced security systems.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, the audit of education in Nunavut has given us a clear indication of where we are currently in implementing the Education Act.
(interpretation ends) To fully support student progress and success in an inclusive way, we are providing new literacy and assessment frameworks that support the approved curriculum to be used in every school in Nunavut.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, to meet our language of instruction requirements under the Education Act, we are developing a database to gather data on educators’ bilingual capacities at all levels from kindergarten to grade 12.
We look forward to participating in the upcoming review of the Education Act by the Legislative Assembly.
We are prepared to consider changes to the provisions concerning bilingual education instruction, if necessary, to provide the best education possible to our students.
Minister for Education, Mr. Quassa.
Minister’s Statement 038 – 4(2): Connected North Pilot Project (Quassa)
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) In today’s world making use of the latest technology can provide the support we need to enhance programs and services in Nunavut.
Our partnership with Cisco Canada, SSi Micro, Partners in Research, and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami has allowed us expand classroom experiences and health services delivery through use of high-definition two-way video communications.
Connected North is a pilot project that began in September 2013 at Aqsarniit Iliniarvik in Iqaluit.
They are also working with the Department of Health on a separate project using the technology and connectivity.
Through video Internet streaming and video conferencing, Connected North successfully allowed students to connect with subject experts, such as scientists, elders, and community leaders, whose skills and stories can be shared across great distances.
Students also connected with peers of the same age throughout Canada to share rich educational and cultural experiences.
Mr. Speaker, this technology will help teachers enhance student instruction and support their professional development by providing video-based mentoring, skills development, and peer group sessions.
The Connected North pilot project is expected to have four phases.
The next phase will be delivered at John Arnalukjuak High School in Arviat in September 2014.
We look forward to the success of these pilot projects and the positive impact they have on the lives of Nunavummiut.
Member’s Statement 085 – 4(2): Income Assistance Program Review (Angnakak)
I rise today to encourage our government to reform Nunavut’s Income Assistance program.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Minister of Family Services and her officials for providing a lot of interesting information and detail on the Income Assistance Program currently being delivered by her department.
Mr. Speaker, I was very interested to note that one of the common reasons for income assistance being denied was because of an individual’s “budget surplus situation.” For some individuals, their assessed income goes over the accepted income threshold because they receive the National Child Benefit Supplement. As a result, they lose their social assistance benefits.
Mr. Speaker, the National Child Benefit Supplement was introduced by the federal government to provide additional financial support to low-income families with children across Canada.
Many of those families also rely on social assistance to make ends meet.
Mr. Speaker, it appears as though low-income families in the north, those who have the most difficulty in dealing with our high costs of living, are unable to take advantage of additional supports that are intended to help them provide for their children because of this clawback of the National Child Benefit Supplement.
I recognize that the Government of Nunavut currently uses these clawed-back funds to provide other programs for low-income families. However, I believe we need to take another look at what is in the best interests of families and children across Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage the Department of Family Services to give full consideration to this issue during their upcoming review of the Income Assistance Program and related legislation.
Member’s Statement 086 – 4(2): 2014 Pangnirtung Graduates of NTEP (Mike)
I didn’t expect you to call my name.
Today, I would like my fellow residents of Pangnirtung to join me in congratulating Arctic College graduates that just completed on June 5.
There was a graduation of the NTEP program, Bachelor of Education Degree.
There were 21 graduates on June 5.
I would like to congratulate one individual from my constituency. I would like to congratulate Lynn Kilabuk and I personally congratulate her because she was named after my mother.
Lynn is now a teacher along with the 21 students who took the Nunavut Teacher Education Program and she had the highest grade in her class.
I would like to congratulate Peter and Rosie, who have Lynn as their daughter, who is named after my mother. Along with her grandmother, Geela and Marko, her grandfather, I congratulate Lynn for having the highest grade in her class.
I would like to encourage all the young people to continue to go to school, even if they have their own family with them. If you need support, there is support out there.
Another person who was named after my mother, my niece, Nadia Mike, has completed her Teacher Education Program and received a practicum award for working along with her classmates.
I wanted to congratulate those individuals.
Member’s Statement 087 – 4(2): Wishing Students a Good Summer (Shooyook)
I rise today to congratulate people from my community. They just graduated and there will be no school for the summer.
I would like to thank all the parents for helping their children to go to school.
I am happy to say that the students and the parents will be resting or having their holiday for a bit while school is out.
I would like to tell them to have fun while they are out there on the land and learn what they are seeing while they are out camping with their parents.
I would like to congratulate the students in my community.
Even though things that are not very good have come up at times, they have continued.
Member’s Statement 088 – 4(2): Celebration of Pride Month (Hickes)
I rise today to celebrate the diversity of Iqaluit and its people.
Mr. Speaker, as you will recall, I spoke earlier this year about the importance of taking a strong stand against discrimination.
A number of people have asked me why I have been wearing my rainbow tie since June 1.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to take this opportunity today to celebrate Pride Month, which takes place each year in June. Pride Month is observed throughout Canada and a number of other countries to mark progress towards achieving equality and recognizing dignity.
Mr. Speaker, Iqaluit Pride and Friends of Pride bring together residents of this diverse community in a celebration of our common humanity.
Each year at this time, Iqaluit Pride organizes a number of events, and I look forward to the opportunity to join them with my constituents.  Mr. Speaker, much progress has been made in Nunavut in recent years to recognize the universality of human rights, but there is still much work to be done in overcoming discrimination and ending prejudice.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in celebrating the beginning of Pride Month.
Member’s Statement 089 – 4(2): Amazing Race – Cape Dorset Style (Joanasie)
I rise today to announce what had occurred in Cape Dorset.
It was called, “Cape Dorset Heals: Amazing Race.”
It was a race geared towards healing.
Mr. Speaker, last week, on May 31, this event was planned by Rose Rowsell.
Mr. Speaker, over 100 children and women participated in “Cape Dorset Heals: Amazing Race.”
They started off during the day at lunch hour until three o’clock in the afternoon.
Mr. Speaker, within those hours, from twelve to three o’clock, the children and young girls went to places like the RCMP detachment, the nursing station, the hamlet office, schools, and churches, and they were taught that they go and approach these facilities if they require help.
Mr. Speaker, this has been a very important event to inform the children and young girls that if they need help in the future and if they feel stuck, they can approach these facilities and know where to go.
Mr. Speaker, it ran very well, and after that, they celebrated with a turkey feast at the community hall.
Mr. Speaker, due to Rowsell’s work and well-planned event, we thank her. She received support from the teachers and social workers. There were many volunteers who took part in this event and I appreciate them very much.
Member’s Statement 090 – 4(2): Congratulations to Graduates of Mine Training Programs (Savikataaq)
I rise today to recognize seven students from my community of Arviat who recently completed an eight-week driller’s program.
I would like to extend my congratulations to, these are the students:
Michael Karetak, Derrick Gibbons, Jimmy Pingushat, Louis Irkok, Jonathan Mukyungnik, Rene Aggark, and Nathan Amarudjuak.
I also extend my congratulations to those students who have completed the welding and trade-readiness programs in Arviat.
Mr. Speaker, the Hamlet of Arviat has been working with many partners to provide mine training and work-readiness programs.
The most recently completed drilling program was the fourth intake of its kind for the community.
To date, 43 residents have been trained as surface diamond driller’s helpers.
I would also like to recognize Arviat’s economic development officer and the Hamlet of Arviat for providing these opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will have questions on mine training for the Minister of Economic Development and [Transportation]. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 091 – 4(2): Thoughts and Prayers for the People of Igloolik (Quassa)
I rise today to say that we are thinking of the residents of Igloolik. Even though they are facing difficult challenges, we think of them and have them in our prayers.
Member’s Statement 092 – 4(2): Congratulations to Graduates of Baker Lake (Mikkungwak)
I rise today to extend my congratulations to two Baker Lake residents who have gone on to post-secondary programs and are graduating this month.
Mr. Speaker, last week, Dianne Iyago graduated from the Nunavut Arctic College Nursing Program.
We are extremely proud of her.
She has worked diligently for five long years. Congratulations.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to extend my congratulations to Paula Ikuutaq Rumbolt. You will recall me speaking in this House about Ms. Rumbolt’s book, (interpretation ends) The Legend of Lightning and Thunder, (interpretation) which was nominated for a Canadian Library Association Award earlier this year.
This week, Ms. Rumbolt graduates from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec.
I know that her father, my colleague from Hudson Bay, must be very proud of her.
Mr. Speaker, the success of these two young Baker Lake residents is testament to their hard work and determination. They are fine role models for all young Nunavummiut to follow.
I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these two young women on their achievements and wishing them every success in their future careers.
I would like to recognize a very important person to me, and I am glad she came here.
She didn’t really want to leave her grandchildren at home alone, but I am happy she came. She is a grade 1 teacher in Gjoa Haven at Qiqirtaq Elementary School. She is also the daughter of the late Mr. John Takolik.
I am glad she came, but I would like to recognize my wife, Annie Akoak.
I would like to recognize a visitor here in the Gallery from Rankin Inlet. He is an interpreter for the court circuit in Nunavut.
I would like to acknowledge Johnny Ayaruaq.
I would also like to acknowledge Johnny Ayaruaq, who is also from Rankin Inlet where I reside, although Minister Tom already introduced what he does, so I would like to acknowledge Johnny Ayaruaq, my fellow resident of Rankin Inlet.
I would like to announce to members that our colleague, the Member for Aivilik, Mr. Mapsalak, is ill, so he will not be here.
Question 138 – 4(2): Support for Elders (Angnakak)
Mr. Speaker, elders face many challenges in our territory.
When I asked the Minister of Health about a comprehensive elders strategy, she indicated that they were just starting on it.
Last week, in response to questions by my colleague from Rankin Inlet South, the Minister of Family Services indicated that the government had not yet decided on which minister the seniors’ society would fall under.
Can the Premier indicate whether his government is considering designating a minister to be responsible for elders’ issues?
Once a decision has been made, we will certainly let the members know.
As you will know, we have an office dedicated to advocating for women’s rights, we have a commissioner who advocates for language rights, and we have recently appointed a representative who will advocate on behalf of children and youth.
Has the Premier given any consideration in bringing forward legislation that would establish an office to advocate on behalf of elders?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Premier Taptuna.
Once we do some consultations among the cabinet and our departments, we will consider that. Of course, with the input of the MLAs from our beautiful, smaller communities, and once that decision is made, we will certainly bring it to the House.
I thank the minister for that great answer he just gave us. I look forward to hearing more.
The issues facing elders across Nunavut are numerous. Elder abuse is far too common. Health care issues and access to medical services are growing concerns, with different levels of support in place for Inuit and non-Inuit.
There isn’t enough suitable housing. No single organization exists to support elders in accessing programs, services, and benefits that they may be eligible for.
Many of these issues are addressed in detail in the proposal submitted by the Nunavut Seniors Society.
I believe all Members of the Legislative Assembly received a copy of this proposal.
Will the Premier commit to reviewing the proposal submitted by the Nunavut Seniors Society and give full consideration to how his government can best support this important sector of our population?
For the most part, the ministers and the Premier don’t participate in evaluating proposals, but we certainly are aware of them. In each department, we do have committees that evaluate and assess specific proposals and they are funded based on the merit of the proposal.
We will continue to do that, but in any case, we are aware of some of these proposals that do come to our departments.
Once we do have a set plan in moving forward, whether we are getting an elders advocacy group or not, it is yet to be determine and once that is done, with input from all members, we will certainly move on that as well.
Question 139 – 4(2): Nunavut Mine Training (Savikataaq)
My questions today are for the Minister of Economic Development and [Transportation].
As the minister is aware, the Kivalliq region is home to the only operating mine in Nunavut, Meadowbank, as well as two potential mines, the Kiggavik and Meliadine projects.