EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Members remain concerned however, that Inuit employment statistics for the corporation have steadily decreased over the past two years.
The Standing Committee encourages the Corporation to go beyond training for housing maintainers and work creatively with other Government Departments to develop an institute for apprenticeship programs in Nunavut.
Mr. Chairman, the Members are concerned because Local Housing Organizations are struggling to make ends meet within the current funding formula.
Once again, the Standing Committee is not wondering whether the Hamlets have been delegated additional responsibilities without adequate resources to fulfill those responsibilities.
Members are concerned that LHOs have trouble retaining staff because they cannot provide the same benefits as the Government of Nunavut.
The Standing Committee strongly urges the Government to ensure that Hamlets receive adequate funding to fulfill the housing responsibilities.
As Members are aware, many Hamlets are in deficit situations.
A situation made worse by the fact that funding formulas for LHOs has remained unchanged.
Mr. Chairman, we all know that Nunavut suffers from an acute housing crisis.
Some communities have various empty housing units whereas those access housing units or staff housing units, Baker Lake being an example.
The Standing Committee strongly urges the Corporation to be flexible in its management of the housing stock to ensure that some units do not remain vacant while others are extremely overcrowded.
Mr. Chairman, the report of the Minister’s Task Force on housing was tabled almost three years ago.
Members noted that the Corporation’s business plan continues to move forward on those recommendations.
One of those recommendations is to improve housing designs.
Mr. Chairman, Members continue to stress the importance of building designs, there are units that are being built today do not get as consideration to extreme cold or winds that are part of daily life in the Arctic.
A member are aware of situations where people living in units with only one door that freezes shut and causes problems for much of the year.
The Standing Committee strongly urges the Corporation to change the housing designs that are currently in use and to ensure that Contractors build units that are designed and situated in a way that takes our weather into account.
Mr. Chairman, Members were pleased to hear the Minister’s commitment in the Budget Address to carefully monitor the new rent scale during its first year of implementation.
The Committee is looking forward to reviewing the issue with the Minister at the end of the year.
Mr. Chairman, the Budget Address also mentioned the development of a new staff housing rent scale and Members noted that the Corporation intends to continue policy and procedural work in the areas of staff housing.
The Committee has enjoyed a good working relationship with the current Minister in the past, especially with respect to public housing rent scale review and tenant to owner programs and looks forward to meeting with the Minister regarding policy changes as they are formulated.
Members are aware that some Government of Nunavut positions have been posted without housing.
This limits the number of qualified applicants that apply for the position.
The Committee is in support of initiatives to increase staff housing in all communities.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my comments on the Main Estimates of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Individuals may wish to raise questions or make comments as we proceed.
Chairperson (interpretation): Are you going to be in discussion?
Mr. Arvaluk: I want to take time to read through these again and review it, therefore, I move report to progress.
Chairperson (interpretation): There is a Motion on the floor to report progress.
Mr. Speaker can go back to the Chamber now.
Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 30 and the Main Estimates and would like to report progress.
There’s a motion on the floor.
That was a tough battle but Mr. Alakannuark, you’re the seconder.
Deputy Clerk (Ms. Tupik) (interpretation):
Orders of the day for March 25, 2003,
Bill 33
In accordance to the authority provided to me by Motion 002-1(6), this House stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 25th, at 10:00 a.m. That’s 10:00 a.m., for extended hours.
>>House adjourned at 18:29 p.m.  Nunavut Canada
Tuesday March 25, 2003
Pages 3149 – 3244
Opening Prayer 3149
Ministers’ Statements 3149
Members’ Statements 3152
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3158  Oral Questions 3159
Tabling of Documents 3175
Consideration to the Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3176  Report of Committee of the Whole 3242
Revert to Item 18: Second Reading of Bills 3243  Third Reading of Bills 3243
Orders of the Day 3243
Tuesday March 25, 2003 3149
146 – 1(6): Transportation Infrastructure Studies (Thompson) 3149
147 – 1(6): Initiative to Advance Nunavut’s Languages (Akesuk) 3151
148 – 1(6): Counselling Gathering in Pangnirtung (Picco) 3152
488 – 1(6): Incorporating IQ – Wildlife Act (Arvaluk) 3152
489 – 1(6): Counselling Gathering in Pangnirtung (Irqittuq) 3154
490 – 1(6): Transportation Infrastructure Studies (Nutarak) 3154
491 – 1(6): Government Projects (Iqaqrialu) 3154
492 – 1(6): Travelling on the Land (Alakannuark) 3155
493 – 1(6): Thank Sandy Hicks and George Okalik (Thompson) 3155
494 – 1(6): Congratulate Meeka and Abraham Arnakak (Kilabuk) 3156
495 – 1(6): Kimmirut Training Program on Production of Sealskins (Akesuk) 3157
496 – 1(6): Gun Legislation (Kattuk) 3157
486 – 1(6): Polar Bear Collars (Irqittuq) 3159
487 – 1(6): Update on Pangnirtung Airport Study (Nutarak) 3160
488 – 1(6): DEW Line Site Cleanup (Iqaqrialu) 3161
489 – 1(6): Garry Lake – Cleanup of American Military Site (McLean) 3162
490 – 1(6): New Wildlife Act to Incorporate I.Q. (Arvaluk) 3164
491 – 1(6): Plans to Keep Mining Area Near Kugluktuk Contaminant Free (Havioyak) 3166
492 – 1(6): Plans to Construct Women’s Facility (Williams) 3168
493 – 1(6): Update on Collective Bargaining (Tootoo) 3169
494 – 1(6): Research on Caribou (Alakannuark) 3171
495 – 1(6): Diesel Fuel Testing in Baker Lake (McLean) 3172
496 – 1(6): Rental Scale (Iqaqrialu) 3173
497 – 1(6): Number of Communities Contacting Public Works and Services on Heating Fuel Problems (Nutarak) 3174
099 – 1(6): Terms and Reference on Language Issue (Akesuk) 3175
100 – 1(6): 2002-2003 Implementation Activities for Nunavut Tourism (Akesuk) 3175  101 – 1(6): 2001-2002 Annual Report for the Nunavut Development Corporation (Akesuk) 3176
Bill 33 – Tobacco Control Act – Second Reading 3243
Bill 22 – An Act to Amend the Securities Act – Third Reading 3243
Minister’s Statement 146 – 1(6): Transportation Infrastructure Studies
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the members about the various projects and studies that my department has undertaken with respect to transportation infrastructure.
The Department of Community Government & Transportation is committed to working with communities and other partners on projects to improve our transportation infrastructure throughout Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, a critical component of transportation infrastructure is planning.
Planning provides an opportunity to review the benefits, costs and impacts of proposed projects.
My department has undertaken a number of studies ranging from environmental assessment to preferable locations of ports, roads and terminal buildings.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the members of the studies that are being conducted by the department.
Mr. Speaker, as part of the S.H.I.P program with Transport Canada, we have just awarded a contract to a consultant company to perform environmental assessments for the three airport terminal buildings (ATBs).
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, the terminal buildings will be in Coral Harbour, Gjoa Haven and Pond Inlet.
This study has been commissioned to obtain environmental approval from the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) for the proposed construction of the air terminal buildings.
Once approval has been received from NIRB, we can proceed with the construction of the terminal buildings.
Mr. Speaker, in partnership with the Department of Sustainable Development the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, the Kitikmeot Corporation and other private sector partners we have conducted a feasibility study on the Bathurst road and port project.
We are now waiting for the decision by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada on how they want to conduct the environmental review prior to moving forward on the project.
And Mr. Speaker, with regards to deep-sea port and road, at the end of September 2002, again in partnership with the Department of Sustainable Development we initiated a study into the Kimmirut Deep Sea Port and an All Weather Road project.
The study is in the initial stages but we are looking forward to the results of the study.
Mr. Speaker, my department continues to make the development for the Kivalliq to Manitoba road a priority.
We are pursuing the initial studies for this project in partnership with the Kivalliq Inuit Association and the Manitoba Department of Transportation and Government Services.
While Minister Robert Nault of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has indicated support for the required initial studies, approval has been slow.
My officials will be meeting with the members of the partnership later this month in Winnipeg to determine this projects next step.
It is our hope that our federal partners can formalize their involvement in this project soon.
I would also like to focus on the studies currently underway in Pangnirtung with regard to the proposed airport relocation.
In 2002, the Hamlet and my department jointly commissioned a study on the construction of the new airport in Pangnirtung.
The current airport presents a number of safety concerns as well as hindrance to growth for the community.
The current study will select a site for the airport and determine how best to access to it and will estimate the price for the whole project.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I have just presented the members with a number of studies that are taking place with my department and government.
While we are committed to working with communities and to developing a transportation infrastructure to serve Nunavummiut, we recognize that there are limited funds available to the Government of Nunavut.
While studies are a first good step, our budget challenges will be a factor in determining which projects will proceed and which will have to be deferred.
I am committed to working in partnership with communities to improve the infrastructure in Nunavut and hope that these studies assist us in determining which projects are feasible and ready to proceed.
Minister’s Statement 147 – 1(6): Initiative to Advance Nunavut’s Languages
Good morning, Colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, at midnight on April 1, 1999, the linguistic map of Canada changed.
Canada suddenly had a jurisdiction where the majority of its people spoke neither English nor French.
Nunavut is the only jurisdiction in Canada where the majority people speak an aboriginal language.
Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun.
Now that Nunavut has been created it is no longer acceptable that unilingual Inuit be obliged to communicate with the government in English.
When they enter a government office, or call on the phone, Nunavummiut expect that there will be someone there who can speak to the in Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun and French as well.
Nunavut deserves to be served in their own languages.
Given the decentralized model of government of Nunavut this will take work, coordination and change in every department.
The Languages Commissioner and Ajauqtiit have recommended that the department put together a group of senior officials to plan a work to achieve these goals.
Mr. Speaker, the government agrees with these recommendations and continues to be committed to the goals of the Bathurst Mandate.
In 2020 Inuktitut in all its forms will be the working language of the government of Nunavut.
In 2020 we are committed to be a fully functional society in Inuktitut and English, respectful and committed to the needs and rights of French speakers.
(interpretation ends) I am pleased to announce that my department will now take the lead in two GN wide initiatives to respond to language issues.
Both groups will be made up of assistant deputy ministers and other senior officials.
The Official Language Service Group will develop a strategy that will enable each department of the government to deliver services in public in Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English and French.
The Working Group Language by 2020 Group will have a longer term and more comprehensive mandate.
It is being asked to find ways to achieve the commitment made in the Bathurst Mandate to establish Inuktitut as the working language of the government.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, by establishing these two working groups, the government is taking historic steps, unique to Canada, in recognizing aboriginal language rights, and the language rights of French speakers.
I will table the terms of reference for both working groups later today.
They will of course, be provided in Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English and French.
I will continue to report to you on the progress being made in this work.
Minister’s Statement 148 – 1(6): Counselling Gathering in Pangnirtung
Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell you about an exciting project my department has initiated.
We have approached the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and they have enthusiastically agreed to co-host a first ever gathering of Inuit counsellors and wellness workers.
The gathering, to be held in Pangnirtung, will bring together approximately a dozen counsellors from the Baffin region.
Mr. Speaker, while my department has excellent staff, many have limited knowledge of holistic Inuit counselling practices.
This event will give them an opportunity to learn to better serve Nunavummiut in a more culturally appropriate way.
It will also create a venue for counsellors and wellness workers of the Baffin region to share and exchange counselling strategies with one another.
In addition to this special event, Meeka and Abraham Arnaqaq, counsellors from Pangnirtung, will conduct workshops on counselling skills for nurses, social services staff and allied health professionals in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay, during April and May.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to reiterate my department’s continued commitment to the inclusion of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in the service we provide to Nunavummiut.
Member’s Statement 488 – 1(6): Incorporating IQ – Wildlife Act
Good morning. I would like to talk about the consultation process about the Wildlife Act, I have not seen it and it has not been seen by the public.
They are making consultation tours in Keewatin and Qikiqtaaluk Region and I have seen the consultation group when I went to Rankin Inlet.
One thing that I am concerned about every time we have Bills for Wildlife, they use Qallunaaq-style.
Who are the harvesters?
Like for example, like they treat the hunters like non-native people, as if they are shooting.
And also, we do get sports hunters into Coral Harbour and the harvesters point out this animal that the sports hunter will be shooting.
It is likewise in the Act.
If they would like to incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, the Department of Sustainable Development, our drafters will have to consider Inuit traditional culture.
The father or the captain of the boat is the hunter and the rest in the boat are the subordinates and they are still harvesters, even though they may be hunters, but they are the subordinates of this lead hunter.
Whether it be walrus or bowhead, it is the captain who leads the hunt and they are shooters, even though they are called hunters.
According the Inuit culture, it is not a real hunter, they lead or the lead hunter or if there is captain did not manage them, they would not know what to do.
It is likewise with our father, would make us practise hunting and he would tell us where to shoot.
I am almost finished my statement.
I would like unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
And thank you, my Colleagues.
What I am trying to make a Member Statement on is that the Wildlife Act Bill, I know that we need to manage our wildlife and we need to consider the younger generation that we need sustainable harvest.
But we have to recognize the respecting of elders, the respect of the father and the uncles who are the hunters will have to be included in the Act because many Inuit people are not too happy about the Act when they are respectful of this elder, when the hunters arrive.
The son who is 14 or 16 or maybe 19 years old, is the one who harvested the walrus and this teen in Inuktitut is foreign.
It is not the culture of Inuit people.
We will have to revive the Inuit culture.
If we are going to call a big game hunter, an individual, cannot be a hunter because a group of hunters will have to harvest a big game.
So, therefore we have to recognize the lead or the captain of the hunters.
Member’s Statement 489 – 1(6): Counselling Gathering in Pangnirtung
Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a Members’ Statement that is not, oh, I am very pleased that my friend, Mr. Picco, made a Ministers’ Statement on counselling gathering in Pangnirtung by counselors from Pangnirtung, Meeka and Abraham Arnaqaq will be conducting the workshops and counselling skills.
I am very pleased about it and my friend made a statement on the recognition of the Inuit people and I know these two individuals, councillors from Pangnirtung and they are Inuktitut-only speaking people.
For that reason, I am very pleased about the Ministers’ Statement and I am sure that he did not want to make that Ministers’ Statement, but and these two individuals of Nunavut have been recognized on their skills on providing counselling.
There are many individuals in all, most of the communities of Nunavut that are truly capable as such as these two individuals from Pangnirtung.
And I hope that the Department of Health and Social Services recognize these Inuktitut-only speaking counsellors more and I am very pleased about the Ministers’ Statement on the counselling gathering in Pangnirtung.
Member’s Statement 490 – 1(6): Transportation Infrastructure Studies
On behalf of Pond Inlet residents, I would like to thank the Minister responsible for Transportation for making a statement on transportation infrastructure studies and Pond Inlet has been, for five years, have been working, and trying to get their airport terminal building.
On behalf of Pond Inlet residents, I would like to thank the Minister for working on the Airport Terminal Building in Pond Inlet.
Member’s Statement 491 – 1(6): Government Projects
Although I did not make a plan to make Member’s Statement, but I do want to make a Member’s Statement on the Ministers’ Statements and every time they make Ministers’ Statements, it is very good to hear these things coming out and we were expecting to see all these things being acted on and at least we are not being just provided with a lip service, this is being acted on.
On behalf of Nunavummiut, I congratulate and acknowledge the Nunavut Government because we are actually working on the or acting on some of the things that we wanted to see and I am now at least feeling peace at times.
And I am sure likewise with the other residents of Nunavut and I am sure they are looking forward to seeing these things actually being acted on in the communities and it would be ideal to see these projects go through.
>>Applause  Speaker: Mr. Alakannuark.
Member’s Statement 492 – 1(6): Travelling on the Land
Mr. Speaker, spring is coming and the young people will start going out hunting.
Mr. Speaker, once again, spring has begun, people will begin travel further into the land by snowmobiles, some will go fishing and others will be visiting relatives in other communities.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to give advise, especially to the younger people, when you plan to travel on the land, tell your relatives where you plan to go and when you expect to be back.
Even when you plan to travel a short distance, be sure to be prepared and have a good spring.
Member’s Statement 493 – 1(6): Thank Sandy Hicks and George Okalik
On Mr. Nutarak’s Member’s Statement, he reminded me of the airport terminal in Pond Inlet.
They will be receiving airport terminal.
At least we are happy that we are starting to get the things that the community needs and Mr. Iqaqrialu had written me a note and gave me the Inuktitut terminology on environment, which are Avatalirijikkut and Nunavut Impact Review Board.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the two individuals from Whale Cove, Sandy Hicks and George Okalik.
They are the instructors, especially Sandy Hicks, in Whale Cove, they were coaching the Minor Hockey Team and the hockey team went to Rankin Inlet.
The Whale Cove parents and grandparents had gone to gather in Rankin Inlet and I went to Rankin Inlet during the weekend and the games were very interesting even though people from the smaller communities such as Chesterfield Inlet had participated in that hockey tournament.
And the Whale Cove came and played against Rankin Inlet, and they were almost tied, but nobody would really lose.
It was very enjoyable, Mr. Speaker.
The parents were cheering on their teams.
And the mothers and grandmothers were cheering their sons and they were yelling in Inuktitut and they were cooing in the direction of their grand children while they were playing hockey.
They were yelling and cheering, and it was very loud.
Mr. Speaker, every time someone got checked, they would reprimand the hockey player, especially my daughter-in-law, Jacqueline, even though she may be small.
She is my in-law, every time they checked her grand child or her son, she would yell back.
Mr. Speaker, I am almost concluding my Members’ Statement, I would like unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
To conclude, Whale Cove now has a hockey arena.
Every since they their arena opened they have been participating in all the tournaments.
I thank them, and the children are very interested, and enthusiastic about playing hockey.
I would like to thank Sandy Hickes and also the parents for bringing their children into the hockey tournament, so I thank each and everyone of them.
And also the children, and I also thank George Okalik.
Member’s Statement 494 – 1(6): Congratulate Meeka and Abraham Arnakak
First of all I have not said anything to my own Kevin for a long time so, as well as Josie and Jenna.
I would first of all like to congratulate Meeka and Abraham Arnakak for their achievements.
And also I would like to thank them because, of course, they help our community, and provide counselling to their fellow community members.
I am sure that there is other counsellors in the community who are doing traditional counselling.
I would like to acknowledge them.
And also Meeka and Abraham Arnakak, who have provide counselling services tirelessly on a volunteer basis for a very long time.
I wish them the very best in the future.
Member’s Statement 495 – 1(6): Kimmirut Training Program on Production of Sealskins
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to touch up on an issue that has been going on for a long time, but I just did not want to hear it and keep it to myself.
This is in Kimmirut.
They have a training program on selling of seal products. They have a training program on the production of sealskin products.
They started this project a few days before Christmas.
And then the second set of students started right after Christmas.
They are taught in traditional Inuit methods, and undertook sealskin projects.
It is part of enhancing and promoting the traditional usage of sealskin products.
I would like to see more and more of that happen at the community level.
There were twenty students who participated in that program.
It was not only Inuit students, there were Qallunaat teachers who participated in that program, and I would like to thank the instructors for setting up a very successful program.
We hope to see more of these types of training programs made available to the residents of Nunavummiut.
Member’s Statement 496 – 1(6): Gun Legislation