EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Member’s Statement 47 - 1(3): Appreciation to Kimmirut Residents
I would like to thank the people of Kimmirut.
When I was there for four days they were very receptive and very welcoming and I will take every opportunity to go to Kimmirut now and then.
Member’s Statement 48 - 1(3): Innamariit Piqusingit Society
In this year, 1999, which is the year of the elder persons, I rise to recognize an organization from my community.
There is an elders council called Innamariit Pijasiniq Society.
This society has been operating for a number of years now without guaranteed operations and maintenance budgets.
They have elders who sit on this society and they produced learning materials for the schools and I know this personally, because I used to work for them and learned a lot through that experience and now I can apply what I learned from them.
I would like to rise to recognize those elders.
Back to the orders of the day.
Item number 4.
Return 01 - 1(3): Difference between Tenders and RFPs
This is a return to an oral question that was asked by Hunter Tootoo on October 21, 1999.
I would like to make a reply (interpretation ends) to define what the difference between a tender and a request for a proposal is.
My apologies to the members for not responding verbally at the time the question was asked.
I misunderstood the question that was posed by Mr. Tootoo and thought he was looking for a formal, legal definition of an RFP or tender.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise Mr. Tootoo and all the members of the legislature that a request for proposals is a request for proposed solutions to a defined need or problem.
It is not an offer, but only contemplates an offer.
The receipt of a proposal is not an acceptance and does not result in a contract.
On the other hand, a call to tender, is the beginning of a contract and must result in a contract.
When the government tenders, they know what they need and are shopping for the best price for the goods or services they require.
If any member of the Legislative Assembly would like further examples or clarification please do not hesitate to contact me and I will be pleased to expand or help in any way.
Returns to oral questions.
Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.
When I was making my statement about literacy and people working on a volunteer basis, the reason I raised this was that the executive director is here and I want to show you this autographed poster that was signed by Peter Gzowski and the other people.
I will put it out here and if it is okay with the Speaker, I would like to put it somewhere where it is permanent.
The executive director, Mark Tindall, if you would rise.
Speaker: Welcome to the Gallery.
Yes, you have my permission.
When I stand up to recognize people in the gallery, I don’t want to leave out anybody in the Nunavut area.
I always feel like I am missing some people that I should recognize.
Even though this is the case I would like to recognize a person who used to live in my community, Phoebe Hainnu.
She is here in the gallery.
We wanted to keep her in our community but she relocated to Iqaluit.
I believe she is still working for the Department of Education.
Phoebe if you would rise please.
I would like to recognize these youth who are the pages.
They will be our future and they are our future leaders.
I would like to recognize the pages, the youth.
As you see the people coming in I would like you to recognize them and I want to let you know that they are here.
(interpretation ends) Our special visitors, friends, neighbours from Sisimiut Greenland.
The elders from Sisimiut are here to meet the elders from Iqaluit as part of the international year of older persons.
Mr. Speaker, coincidentally, Sisimiut and Iqaluit are twin communities.
I would like to thank the citizens of Iqaluit for hosting the elders and welcoming them to their homes.
There are 24 elders here and representing them is the chairperson, I would ask him to stand up, Martin Brezellson. (interpretation) Please give him a warm welcome.
I think you understand Inuktitut. The Canadian Inuktitut.
We also have elders seats and you are welcome to sit in the elders seats if you would like to.
They are on the inside part of the gallery.
I would like to recognize all the people in the gallery who weren’t recognized.
Item number 6, in the orders of the day, oral questions. Oral questions.
Question 59 - 1(3): Disaster Compensation Policy
Over the last year or so we have heard from numerous hunters and trappers about their losses, through no fault of their own, those who have lost equipment due to acts of God and natural disasters.
The effect on these people is devastating because a lot of them don’t have secondary incomes.
My question today is to the minister responsible.
Does this government have any kind of disaster relief program to compensate hunters, trappers and fishermen for acts of god.
Ma’na Uqaqti.
Minister Responsible for Ikupiktullirijiit Mr. Kilabuk.
Yes, we have inherited from the GNWT the disaster compensation policy.
It is at this time that these policies are under review and I will be making the results of the review known once they are available.
It is reassuring to hear that.
I am sure the honourable minister will bring that forward quite soon.
But in this policy will there be a compensation package to replace snowmobiles or boats or motors, things like that.
Will that be looked at and will that be in this compensation package.
Right now, as I indicated, we are reviewing all of the policies and as a matter of fact we are reviewing the compensation for lost snowmobiles, lost equipment due to environmental hazards, or unforeseen, unpredictable events where our game or the bigger mammals may damage equipment.
One of the things we are looking at is probably a blanket policy to cover this area and be able to compensate the hunters of Nunavut for their lost equipment.
Question 60 - 1(3): Financial Services in Smaller Communities
I asked this question last spring to the Minister of Finance.
I asked this question in the earlier session because we are lacking financial institutions, in the smaller communities especially.
Therefore, even though only six months have gone by, I would like to ask the appropriate minister what the status is with providing financial institutions to the smaller communities of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, officials from the Department of Finance have approached the financial institutions and I understand that the banks are interested, they are looking at developing some proposals to see what kind of services they can provide for the communities of Nunavut.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Oral questions. Mr. Puqiqnak.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since you stated that you have approached the financial institutions and your staff are working on it, how long do you expect to wait for the announcement and will you be announcing it in the House before Christmas.
Mr. Speaker, I want to clarify that it isn’t the Department of Finance that is working on any proposals, it is the financial institutions that are doing it themselves and are looking at what options may be available.
We have merely passed on a need.
As you know, I indicated in my past responses to this question that the availability of financial services outside of the regional headquarters and the capital were a component in the evaluation of banking proposals for the Government of Nunavut.
We did sign off on a two year deal with the Royal Bank, but obviously there are other banking institutions that are interested in our business and once again, when the proposal calls for banking services for the government comes up for competition that certainly will be a key criteria for the evaluation of any proposals.
Third supplementary Mr. Puqiqnak.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Thank you, I apologize, I did not understand your first response.
I thought it was your staff doing that work.
As you have stated that you have given this responsibility back to the financial institutions, do you expect they will be making their results known by Christmas or before Christmas.
Mr. Speaker, I guess just to clarify again, it isn’t a government responsibility to provide private financial services to constituents throughout the territory we represent.
However, we do recognize the importance of it and are trying to facilitate expanding the financial services that are available in our communities.
I can’t say definitively when the banks will report back.
I know, as I indicated, there is an interest and we can follow up with them to see what kind of time lines they would be looking at.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Ng. Mr. Nutarak.
Question 61 - 1(3): Sealskin Ties
I would like him to respond appropriately because when you don’t get the appropriate response it is not very pleasant.
Since you are wearing a seal skin tie, that is the very first time I have seen somebody wear a seal skin tie.
My question is where did you get it.
>>Laughter and applause
Minister for the Department of Sustainable Development, the one with the seal skin tie, Mr. Kilabuk.
I would like to thank you for recognizing the tie I am wearing.
I am not going to say where I bought it from but I can only say that it was made here in Iqaluit by an Inuk person.
Another question to the Minister of Sustainable Development.
Could he get that person to make those ties for us so that we all could get one.
Yes, that is a very great idea and I appreciate his idea, however I can respond by saying that I ordered this myself personally and I encourage you to do it personally as well.
Question 62 - 1(3): Dead Bowhead Whales
I have another question for the Minister of Sustainable Development.
As we have heard in the past around the Hall Beach and Igloolik areas there have been Bowhead Whales killed by killer whales and nobody has been voicing that concern.
Perhaps if these killer whales were human beings it would be viewed by all the people of the world.
I was wondering what you are going to be doing with these whales that have been killed.
Minister for Sustainable Development.
I just want to explain that marine mammals are not under the jurisdiction of the Nunavut Government.
The Federal Government Department of Fisheries and Oceans have that jurisdiction.
The information I have received to date is that killer whales have been killing Bowhead Whales.
I can tell you our department has no jurisdiction.
Speaker: Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Perhaps the Nunavut Government should write a letter making a recommendation to get killer whale numbers reduced.
We use those animals for our subsistence, and we do not like to see them depleted by another animal.
At this point in time I cannot say much without direction from the communities, but what I can say to you right now is that the Federal Government Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the NWMB, we work together on co-management and after working with them and getting clear direction from them, I will have a response for the Inuit.
That’s why I cannot talk on this issue because we don’t have jurisdiction, only the Federal Government.
Question 63 - 1(3): Consultations with Communities
I will direct my question to the Premier or the Minister of CGHT.
In Baker Lake we said we would consult with the communities first to find out their priorities before anything is initiated.
I would like to know if you are going to consult with the communities first.
Mr. Premier…or Mr. Anawak.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): I apologize Mr. Speaker, I didn’t get his question.
I will give you an opportunity to rephrase your question Mr. Akesuk.
My question is, when the communities are making a request are you going to be consulting with the communities first to find out what their priorities are before you make any capital purchases or buildings.
Speaker: Minister Responsible for Community Governments.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): I apologize I didn’t understand your first question.
When Nunavut was established we worked very hard to be more people friendly for the people of Nunavut.
Because we wanted to do that we are going to be doing our budget session for 2000/2001 and prior to that we will be going to each of the Nunavut communities, which will be a show that we are closer to the people of Nunavut.
Question 64 - 1(3): Vacant Positions in Igloolik
I am not sure who I should be directing this question to.
There are a lot of unfilled positions in Igloolik and I would like to know if there have been any changes to the number of staff positions that were allocated to Igloolik.
We are going to be building offices in Igloolik and we now have some staff in place and we will be staffing the vacant positions.
Next month we will identify which jobs will be going to which individual community in the decentralization plan.
The numbers have not changed to date, especially Qamanittuaq and Pangnirtung where there were too few positions.
Thank you Mr. Premier.
Could I get a signed letter that says that there will be no changes to the number of positions slotted for Igloolik.
Yes, I could do that very easily.
We first brought out the numbers in the spring and using those figures I will give you a letter.
I will probably wait until next month because I want to identify which jobs will be going to Igloolik and when they will be filled.
Question 65 - 1(3): Contaminated Fuel
Mr. Speaker, my question is to the minister responsible for petroleum products.
Mr. Speaker some time ago my colleague from Gjoa Haven raised an issue about bad gas in their community and the effect it had on their snow machines and other vehicles.
Mr. Speaker, I use my colleagues example for the reason that if this situation has not been resolved it may effect other communities such as mine.
I am wondering if the minister can explain to us the outcome of the study that was done on the fuel and what the proposed solutions were.
Minister responsible for Public Works, Telecommunications and Technical Services, Ms. Thompson.
This was a concern in Gjoa Haven and we dealt with this issue for a long time and did some tests.
My staff have had discussions with various snowmobile owners and looked for some solutions to the problem.
They were also asking the users what kind of modifications would be needed on snowmobiles.
The reports are back and we have heard this on the radio also, we are working on it and there are no other concerns in regards to the problem that we had earlier.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister tell the House about the gas that was purchased or used in Gjoa Haven, where this gas came from and has it been shipped to other communities.
The gas was brought to Uqsuqtuq and there is some going to Taloyoak and Cambridge Bay.
I believe it came from Alberta, but I don’t have my paper in front of me.
This same gas went to three communities; Gjoa Haven, Cambridge Bay and Taloyoak.
Question 66 - 1(3): Polar Bear Management
I have a question for the Minister of Sustainable Development in regards to the statement he made on polar bear management.
You said that it would be at the communities discretion and since there are a lot of rules and regulations, does that mean the MOU with the communities will give more discretion in the management of the polar bears.
To respond to that question, I think we have to have a clear understanding.
We are not going to make changes on our own, it will be through consulting with the communities.
We will include the communities through consultations with the public so that we'll have a better understanding.
I would also like to say Mr. Speaker, that the wildlife regulations which we inherited from the Government of the Northwest Territories are quite old.
They will have an effect on us and we are having a review done Mr. Speaker.
This spring in June, I asked a question about the harvesting of male polar bears only, which effects our lifestyles and the polar bear species.
When the male population of polar bears is overpopulated, when the young male polar bears become overpopulated, it's not going to be too good for the polar bears.
Speaker: Mr. Kilabuk.
Again, the regulations and the MOU as they stand are still in effect. Possibly if we hear some suggestions for changes from the communities when we're reviewing the Wildlife Act, we can make some amendments.
Question 67 - 1(3): Cost of Living Increase for Income Support
This morning I was listening to the radio and there was an interview with the Minister of Education on CBC radio and in the conversation, it was brought up that 50% of the residents of Nunavut on are on income support.
It's a statistic but it's not a healthy statistic for Nunavut.
It's a fact of life for a lot of people.
My question to the minister responsible is, has there been a cost of living increase for social assistance recipients in Nunavut in the last couple of years.
Speaker: Ma'na Mr. McLean. (interpretation) Thank you Mr. McLean.
As this is an issue from our previous government, I will give the Minister of Education, Mr. Arvaluk, the option to respond to the question or not.
Hon. James Arvaluk: (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Yes there have been increases from what I've heard from the past government.
Since the Nunavut Government was created there have been no increases and I cannot tell the member exactly how much of an increase there will be to social assistance due to cost of living increases.
Does the minister responsible plan to do another study over the next year on income support and the cost of living and groceries, because we know groceries tend to increase significantly whereas maybe social assistance doesn't.
Hon. James Arvaluk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement on the mandate for the review committee said that it will allow significant review and recommendations to my department.
Some of the review I hope will focus on community involvement through the one window approach to program delivery, including employment counselling.
Moving from dependence to self-sufficiency from the government; priorities; addressing the social needs of residents of Nunavut; and fiscal responsibility of the government budget.
All these have to be looked at before we can commit on what changes they will be contemplating and how much they're contemplating increases.
Because it's a Canadian standard we really don't know if in fact it reflects the reality of social requirements in Nunavut.
All that will be reviewed and in the meantime, I have no plans to automatically make cost of living increases until we have reports done by the committee that I proposed this morning, this afternoon rather.
Question 68 - 1(3): Lack of Aviation Fuel
My question is directed to the Minister of POL.
The two communities in my riding don't have aviation fuel available in the community.
I was wondering if you could make aviation fuel available in my communities.
I don't quite understand your question.
Speaker: (interpretation): Perhaps rephrase your question.
My question is about aviation fuel.
This fuel is available in most communities but Pelly Bay and Repulse Bay don't have it available.
The reason I'm asking this question is because when we were coming from Baker Lake last spring, we chartered a plane going to my riding.
We could not land in Uqsuqtuq and Pelly Bay because they did not have aviation fuel.
We had problems because although we wanted to land in Repulse Bay, we could not because there is no aviation fuel available there.
I apologize for not understanding your question at first.
In Repulse Bay, I know that we worked on aviation fuel but in Pelly Bay I'm not too sure what happened there but I remember that we left aviation fuel in Repulse Bay. I'll take your questions as notice.
Your question is taken as notice and she'll reply when she can.
Question 69 - 1(3): Housing for Social Worker
My question is directed to the Minister of Community Government and Transportation.
Although I asked this question two days ago to the Minister responsible for Housing, I was wondering if you now have a response in regards to a social worker, if you can provide housing for the social worker perhaps then, we can get a social worker.
We worked on this issue as I stated before, and I was supposed to respond and I apologize for not giving you a response right away.
In Kimmirut the social worker doesn't have housing available.
I was asked if I could provide housing for the social worker.
The health centre has three units.
That person might have room there, so we could ask this question to the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.
The government unit is so old they can't use it at this point and it requires a lot of repairs.
Perhaps the Minister for Health and Social Services can respond to your question because we believe that there is space available at the Health Centre.
Question 70 - 1(3): Health Board Deficit
Yesterday during oral question period, I asked a question to the Minister of Finance.
I will be asking the same question as I did yesterday.
The Health Boards are running in a deficit situation and once we dissolve the Boards of Health and Social Services, we will inherit their deficit.
But in the year 2000, in the main estimates, will you be making proposals to pay for the deficit.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Finance, Mr. Ng.
Mr. Speaker, we have yet to make a final decision on how we're going to deal with the current needs of the three Nunavut Health Boards and how we're going to deal with the accumulated deficits they've carried over.
Question 71 - 1(3): Management of Polar Bears
Mr. Kattuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I will be directing my question to the Minister of Sustainable Development.
This morning you made a statement about polar bear management.
For five years, our agreement was in place and sometimes we ran into a problems because Inuit traditional knowledge was contrary to some of the management plans.
The communities would prefer to use their knowledge and their culture and traditions and I was wondering if your department is going to use traditional knowledge.
That's my question to Mr. Kilabuk.
Just a reminder that I don't want you to mention the ministers’ names.
Yes, in regards to the question, if we look at Nunavut, if we look at the north, south, east and west in Nunavut, we have different populations in Nunavut.
For example, these communities do manage the populations in their zone because we have a memorandum of understanding for the different polar bear management zones.
We have heard about the problems and that they want to review the MOU with the communities.
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps I need to rephrase my question.
I'll use an example. In the James Bay area during the polar bear study, the Sanikiluaq residents’ quota was reduced after the polar bears were surveyed.
There is a lack of employment, and we depend on the polar bear hunts, and since they reduced the quota for the community, will you be making your quotas using the communities needs.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister responsible for Sustainable Development.
These MOU’s are very important.
The Department of Sustainable Development will have to consider these and NWMB will have to be involved too because we have co-management.
We look at all of the results from the studies and after the results and the findings have been agreed to, they make a report and when that happens again, we will utilize the needs and requirement of the communities.
Question 72 - 1(3): Credit Unions
I know I'm always talking about money, as I'm really in dire need of it.
Mr. Speaker, can't we start utilizing credit unions to establish banking institutions in the smaller communities.
Have you considered credit unions in the smaller communities.
Minister Responsible for Finance, Mr. Ng.
Mr. Speaker, I believe in answering this question earlier, not today but in a previous session, I indicated to the Honourable Member that we were aware that the Arctic Co-operatives were looking at the possibility of establishing a credit union or some credit unions across Nunavut.
We were waiting to see whether or not they wanted to pursue that possibility but to date we haven't heard anything from them.