EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
However, we have not had any funding provided or set aside for the airport in Chesterfield Inlet.
However, if we become aware of any emergencies that has to be a priority for the government and we will look into that matter further.
If the member can wait in order for me to look into the matter further then we will deal try to deal with this as soon as possible.
I thank the minister for that response.
However, he is saying that if this was an emergency then his department would look into it as soon as possible.
According to Federal guidelines, I know this is a Federal Government responsibility, but can the minister elaborate a little bit more.
If this is going to create a problem in the future or if the airlines are having problems with the airstrip then if we feel that this is an emergency case then we will look into it as soon as possible.
However, after discussing this with the mayor of Chesterfield Inlet to see how we can provide him with funding so they can get some more gravel, he indicated they would be happy to get some funding for gravel upgrades on the airstrip.
If it is going to be a safety hazard, then the Department of Transportation will work on it as quickly as possible.
I know that we are talking about a crack on the runway.
The runway is made up of something other than gravel because there is no gravel available to upgrade the runway with.
Would the minister commit himself to ensuring that gravel is provided to fill in the crack in the middle of the runway.
Will he be setting up a plan to deal with this rather than reversing in the future.
Now the work on the gravel site, I am sure that our department is aware of this problem and we will be dealing with it.
I can only indicate to the member that headquarters would provide funding to crush rock to make gravel so we can fill the crack in the runway.
I can only indicate to the member that the planning is in the beginning stages and we are moving towards filling up the crack in the runway.
It is still in the planning stages and the financial aspects of it have to be worked out.
Question 036 - 1(4): Commercial Sale of Igunaq in Hall Beach
I will direct my question to the Minister of Health & Social Services.
I do not want to put him on the spot, but I do have some questions that I would like to pose to him.
Mr. Speaker, on September 13, 2000, he was written a letter by a person who wanted to set up his own business in Hall Beach.
This person wanted to set up his own country food store.
I want to ask the minister if there has been any progress made regarding this person’s business.
Mr. Speaker, the issue surrounding the business start up was the proponents idea of selling Igunaq and he had come to the Department of Health & Social Services to find out what type of requirements or regulations would be needed to be able to sell that product.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this morning I faxed a copy of my response from the Department of Health & Social Services to the person.
The person is in town and I had a call from the office this morning so we sent that letter to him.
He would have received that this morning.
Question 037 - 1(4): Small Business Start Up Funds
I will be asking today about funds available to help small businesses get up and running.
I want to know how much of those funds have been allocated to private businesses.
I want to clarify that there are different types of businesses and different levels of funding available for different businesses.
I want to ask him what type of business he is referring to.
I am talking about small businesses.
Those businesses I am talking about are for those who own their own building such as restaurants.
Those who wish to have a store.
Those kinds of small businesses.
Those people who want to start up their own small businesses.
Is that clear enough Mr. Speaker.
The reason I am asking is that he is asking how much of the funding has been allocated to Kitikmeot.
I am asking if his question is pertaining to one small business or to all the small businesses in the Kitikmeot.
I do not have all the information here with me today as to how much of the funding has been allocated and there are still some proposals or requests for funding coming in.
I cannot exactly specify how much has been allocated this year.
If I understood the minister clearly, he is saying that he does not have the information available at this time.
I would appreciate the information.
Mr. Minister, how much funding has been allocated for all the small business ventures in the Kitikmeot region.
Yes, I have that available but it will take awhile to go through all of them.
If it is okay with the member, the member’s question on how many small business ventures have been funded, Mr. Speaker, I don’t have this information on hand, so I will have to get back to him.
Speaker: Oral questions. Mr. Havioyak.
Question 038 - 1(4): Job Opportunities in Mining
As you know in Kugluktuk, there are many mining companies there, and you can hear it in the news and on the radio.
There are many companies in our area and in the Kitikmeot area, because there are a lot of mining opportunities.
Some of them say there are going to be many jobs opening at the mine.
What kind of jobs would there be at the mining companies, what are they.
I would like to know so people can find out and try to start their own businesses.
It would be good if these people could get some business training.
Minister, have you spoken to these people, about the kinds of jobs that are available.
Speaker: I believe this question is directed to Mr. Kilabuk.
First, I would like to thank the member for asking that question.
I know that there are different mining companies in the Kitikmeot.
There are some that are still in the exploratory stages and there are some that are actually mining.
Right now, they are working closely with my department and they often correspond with our headquarters so sometimes I get to read those letters.
I know that our department deals with mining and exploration.
We have been keeping up with all those statistics and information as to the progress of the mining corporations in the Kitikmeot region.
I have not had a chance to really catch up on the information.
A mining company has said there will be many jobs available but in Kugluktuk and in the Kitikmeot people are not trained.
The people in these communities would like to work.
Could somebody in Arctic College or elsewhere, have you been keeping up with trying to figure out what jobs are going to be available.
What job responsibility people might have.
I am asking about that because young people are not aware of what jobs are available or will become available in the future.
To date the Department of Sustainable Development have developed a plan specifically identifying opportunities.
Six mining companies have been identified.
We can get people trained in terms of mining and exploration and right now, the Kitikmeot people have the best opportunity to start training this area.
To date to fill our staffing capacity there still needs to be a lot of training locally, so that we will have better trained people to work in the mines.
To use an example, I would like it known that the mines have said that they would like to work with the construction companies in Lac De Gras.
They said close to 1000 people would be working there.
In the Kitikmeot we have many young people that want to work.
However, the young people are not sure of what jobs are available or what training they should take.
If I worked at Arctic College I would make this a priority.
I would like to encourage you so that young people can become more aware.
So that hamlets become more aware of what jobs are available.
I hope you understand my question.
Yes, its true that our department and the GN seem to be going slower because when we formed the government on April 1, 1999 there was no policy in place in regards to employment.
Keep in mind that within Nunavut there are no courses of that kind but we are in the planning stage.
We want to do a survey and it will not be just our department but also the Department of Education and Nunavut Tunngavik and the Federal Government, so that Nunavummiut will get proper training and have all the information they require.
In Kugluktuk, there is an office that they should know about regarding mining.
They help look for jobs for them, and for training.
There are personnel that work there.
Will there be somebody working there so that person can inform the people of Kugluktuk so people a have better idea of what’s going on.
It might be easier if somebody is working there.
Would the minister do this.
We have planned to put someone into place, not just in Kugluktuk.
Mr. Speaker, there will be one in your community, one in Arviat, and one in Iqaluit.
The office for the Kitikmeot will be in Kugluktuk, for the Keewatin, Arviat and for the Baffin in Iqaluit.
Question 039 - 1(4): Lack of Training Opportunities for the Mining Sector
Uqaqti, I would also like to direct a question to the Minister of Sustainable Development, in regards to training and mining opportunities.
You may not be able to answer the question.
In my experience in the last year and a half, we’ve been talking a lot about mining, and training and things like that, but this government doesn’t seem to be taking it seriously enough.
The reason I say that is because if there’s a thousand jobs in the Lac De Gras mines, there’s probably opportunities for 500 Nunavummiut to gain employment.
This means when you talk about decentralizations and its importance to these communities, 500 job opportunities is as big, if not more and it is outside dollars.
I wonder if the minister responsible would try to work with his cabinet colleagues, of coming up with a program or proposal to train people in the smaller communities to be prepared for mining opportunities in these sites.
Because right now I just don’t see it happening.
I responded that the planning that we have begun for mining, it is also with the Federal Government and Nunavut Tunngavik as our counterparts.
The process of training people in mining is very slow because it is a very tight budget.
Within the last year, we have heard a lot about this, but at the time we became Nunavut, that’s when they identified mining as an issue, before that it was not well prepared.
But we are going to be pursuing this and we will eventually get back on track, the way we want to.
As the government, we will be working together, and I want to apologize that it is going slower then we thought it would.
I’m glad the minister responded to that, because I don’t want to look like I’m picking on him in regards to training opportunities in mining.
But there may be three to four mines coming on stream in Nunavut within the next three to four years, with the potential of two to three thousand people being employed in that sector.
I have to stress those are outside dollars and the private sector is profit motivated, they have to make a profit.
Sometimes if they don’t have qualified people in Nunavut to take these jobs, they have to go outside and that means nothing to us, income taxes, royalties etc, etc.
Would the minister commit to bringing a policy forward with his cabinet colleagues within the next year to try to train more Nunavut people to be ready for mining.
The work we have done has been going slowly.
This is the initial planning stage and it is taking a while but as I said earlier, we are working with the Department of Education and there will be some steps taken.
At the time I expect to have a policy in place but we have to follow the Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti policy too.
Question 040 - 1(4): Criteria for Direct Staffing Appointments
Mr. Speaker, I believe my question again is for the Minister responsible for Human Resources or it could be for the Premier, I am not sure.
They can listen to it and decide who wants to claim it.
Mr. Speaker, I guess it will be for the Minister responsible for Human Resources.
Earlier I asked him about the new positions and yesterday about direct appointments and he said he was going to look at finding out numbers on appointments.
I would like to ask the minister what types of situations does the government fill positions by appointment.
Under what circumstances and what criteria do they use when deciding whether to go to direct appoint or putting a position out.
I believe I heard two questions there.
Mr. Speaker, it depends on the circumstances obviously.
Any minister can sponsor a direct appointment within their area of responsibility to try to fill a vacancy.
It could be a circumstance where an individual was designated as a training position to move into a position.
So when they are trained they become qualified.
It could be a circumstance where there was a vacancy and there have been difficulties in filling the particular vacancies for various reasons, whether it be it was a specialized position, it had been vacant for quite a number, for quite a time, or the fact that maybe somebody was acting in that capacity for quite an extended period of time and gained the knowledge and skills to be able to carry out that position.
Those are some of the factors that could lead to direct appointment.
Mr. Speaker, I can recognize, I guess, that there may be many different circumstances in which direct appointments may be made.
Where the minister talked about training or difficulty filling vacancies, or acting positions.
In any type of new positions that may be, that I referred to earlier in my comments, how do those new positions come forward from the departments.
Would any of those types of positions be filled by direct appointment.
Mr. Speaker, again it would depend on the circumstances and there would be a possibility if there was a reorganization within a department and somebody did not want to displace somebody as a result of a new job description, then there may be a direct appointment as well in those circumstances.
Mr. Speaker, in light of the minister's comments on reorganization of the departments. I am wondering, since last spring we approved the 2000-2001 business plans and organizational charts, I am wondering how many new positions were added to date that were not previously in the work charts.
Mr. Speaker, I could not answer that here.
It would obviously entail reviewing the work charts of the departments and I know all Standing Committees will have an opportunity to go into detail in reviewing the business plan of what exactly has transpired since last year.
But again similar to the other information I will commit to try to put it all together in a concise manner and I will report back.
As indicated by the clock, question period is now over.
Item 7. Mr. Havioyak.
Mr. Havioyak: I would like to go back to Item 5 for a few minutes.
Speaker: Member is seeking consent to go back to item 5. Recognition of visitors in the gallery.
Mr. Havioyak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Because I do not often recognize visitors.
This person used to be my constituency worker, Mary-Jane Anablak. I would like to recognize her.
Item 7. Written questions. Mr. Tootoo.
Motion 004 - 1(4): Minister’s Statement 007 - 1(4): Fuel Price Increases to Committee of the Whole
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Rule 34 (5) I move seconded my the Honourable Member from Kugluktuk that Ministers' Statement 007-1(4) Fuel Price Increases be moved into Committee of the Whole for discussion.
Minister’s Statement 007-1(4) is referred to Committee of the Whole.
Motion 005 - 1(4): Minister’s Statement 006 - 1(4): GN Staffing Capacity & Inuit Employment Statistics to Committee of the Whole
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Rule 34 (5) I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Akulliq, that Minister’s Statement 006-1(4) Government of Nunavut Staffing Capacity and Inuit Employment Statistics be referred to Committee of the Whole for discussion.
Minister’s Statement 006-1(4) is referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Motion 006 - 1(4): Minister’s Statement 008 - 1(4): GN Interim Financial Statements to Committee of the Whole
Pursuant to Rule 34(5), I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Tunnuniq, that Minister’s Statement 008 - 1(4), GN Interim Financial Statements, be moved into Committee of the Whole for discussion.
Minister’s Statement 008-1(4) is referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Item 8. Returns to written questions.
Petition 001 - 1(4): Residents of Cambridge Bay on Time Zone
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from the residents of Cambridge  Bay.
The residents of Cambridge Bay petition the Government of Nunavut to immediately respect our wishes and desires to leave the present Nunavut time zone unchanged.
The original time zone represented a fair compromise in favour of unity and communications; the amendment now unfairly penalizes the people, businesses and organizations of Cambridge Bay, and disrupts and jeopardizes our lifestyles, our natural and historical education, medical, transportation, and business relationships with the west, by moving us 2 hours ahead in the winter months and one hour in the summer months.
Mr. Speaker, it’s signed I am told by the Mayor in a letter that I’ll table later as well, it’s signed by 431 signatures.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ng. Item 10. Petitions.
Petition 002 - 1(4): Residents of Kugluktuk on Time Zone
Also from the people of Kugluktuk I have a petition.
The residents of Kugluktuk petition the Nunavut Government to restore the Mountain Time zone to the Hamlet of Kugluktuk.
It is signed by 178 residents.
Tabled Document 006 - 1(4): MOU on Co-operation GN & Greenland Home Rule Government
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Merci, Messieur President.
As you all know and I indicated through my Minister’s Statement I have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Greenland.
I am very happy to be able to table the agreement.
Tabled Document 007 - 1(4): Letter from Mayor of Cambridge Bay on Time Zone
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a letter from the Mayor Keith Peterson of Cambridge Bay to myself. Requesting me to accept the petition of 431 people from Cambridge Bay, asking if I would table it today and asking that the government rescind their decision to amend the current Nunavut time zone.
Tabled Document 008 - 1(4): DSD Community Economic Development Programs
I wish to table a document of compiled information from the Department of Sustainable Development.
All this information has been compiled by my department.
Item 16. Motions. Mr. Ng.
Motion 002 - 1(4): Adjournment
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Kugluktuk that notwithstanding Rule 4, when the House adjourns on Friday, October 27, 2000, it shall be adjourned until Tuesday, October 31, 2000.
Bill 2 – An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Board Act
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker I move second by the Honourable Member for Pangnirtung that Bill 2 – An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Board Act be read for the first time.
Bill 2 has had first reading.
Bill 3 – An Act to Amend the Statutes Revision Act
Hon. Jack Anawak: I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Sanikiluaq that Bill 3 an Act to Amend the Statutes Revision Act be read for the first time.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Anawak. Motion is in order.
Bill 3 has had first reading.
Bill 4 – An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act
Hon. Jack Anawak: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Rankin South that Bill 4 – An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act be read for the first time.
Bill 4 has had first reading.
Bill 5 – The Floral Emblem Act
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, I move seconded by the Honourable Member for Rankin South that Bill 5 – The Floral Emblem Act be read for the first time.
Question. All those in favour.
Bill 5 has had reading.
Bill 6 – An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly & Executive Council Act and Other Acts in Relation to the Legislative Assembly
Hon. Kelvin Ng: I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Rankin North that Bill 6 – An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly & Executive Council Act and Other Acts in Relation to the Legislative Assembly be read for the first time.
Bill 6 has had first reading.
Item 18. Second read of bills.
Item 19. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and other Matters. Bill 1, Committee report 1-1 (4), Minister’s statements 6-1 (4), 7-1 (4), 8-1 (4).
We'll have Mr. Puqiqnak in the Chair.
Prior to commencing with the committee of the whole we'll recess for 15 minutes.
>>House recessed at 3.15 p.m. and resumed at 3.42 p.m.
Chairperson (Mr. Puqiqnak) (interpretation): Thank you, for returning.
Good afternoon my colleagues.
Our meeting as Committee of the Whole is now commencing.
We will deal with Bill 1, Committee report 1-1(4) Review of the Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Nunavut, Minister’s statements 6-1 (4), 7-1 (4), 8-1 (4).
The first item for discussion is Bill 1-1(4).
Chairperson (interpretation): Report of the Ajauqtiit Standing Committee 1-1(4).
Do all the members have a copy of this report.
I believe everyone will have new copies of the recommendations distributed to them.
So if we can continue from where we left off on recommendation 23.
The other day Mr. Alakannuark was going through the recommendations.
We are going by recommendations. Recommendation 23.
Proceed. Mr. Alakannuark.
Committee Motion 023 - 1(4): Elections Nunavut Advice on Advance Notice
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Chairman, recommendation 23.
I move that the committee recommends that the government seek advice from Elections Nunavut to determine what advance notice will be required for the calling of an election to ensure proper administration of an election or by-election within the 35 day- time period.
Committee Motion 024 - 1(4): Review of Voting Age
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, the issue of age requirements was raised.
Recommendation 24 reads,
I move that the committee recommends that should the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut move to further consider dropping the age of voting to 16, a more direct manner of determining the opinions of the people of Nunavut, such as a plebiscite or formal opinion poll should be conducted on this question.
All those in agreement. with the motion.
Chairperson (interpretation): Are there any nays.
Mr. Alakannuark continue.
Committee Motion 025 - 1(4): Residency Requirement
The issue of residency is very important to the people of Nunavut.
Particularly in these times when people are moving to go to school or take up new jobs.
Recommendation 25.
I move that the Committee recommends that eligibility to vote in Nunavut continue to require one year of residency in Nunavut in the new Elections Act and that Nunavut residents who move to a new community at any time in the year prior to an election should be able to vote in that community.
Before we continue on to 26.
There was a question on the floor on recommendation 24.
There was a question on it.
I had my hand raised.
I apologize to my colleagues.
It states here that should the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut further considers dropping the age of voting to 16, a more direct manner of determining the opinions of the people of Nunavut.
I think this voting age of 16 was more geared towards bringing up the required number of electors.
They provided for age 18 and up with provisions.
Mr. Tootoo do you want to answer that.
I am not sure what the minister is asking for.
As far as someone getting privileges the same as 18 year olds, maybe if I could ask him to clarify his question.
Before I go any further, this recommendation is just stating that was the question we asked. What do people think about this and we had strong feedback both for and against.
We are not making any recommendation on changing it, we are just stating that if there is a decision to look at changing it a more formal process such as an opinion poll or plebiscite be held before that decision was made. Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Recommendation 24.
Before it was agreed I think we should have asked for comments or questions.
Now it has already been carried.
It is too late to change it now, because we have already agreed to it.
It is no longer open for debate.
Now we are going on to 26.
Committee Motion 026 - 1(4): Continuation of Students on the Voters’ List
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Recommendation 26.