EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
It works the same way with the RCMP and there are remedial steps available for the citizens who are under investigation.
As well, if a police officer perpetrates misconduct within their duties, it requires an investigation and the RCMP also has that procedure they have to follow.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate his response and it’s very understandable and easy on the ears, but I would like to ask him further questions.
You stated that the Nunavut government gives certain powers to the police, so can we produce some kind of policy/legislation in the Legislature that will be followed by the RCMP?
If we have the authority under the legislation, then we can give it the RCMP but there are some laws covered by the criminal code handled by the federal government which the RCMP and the Courts have to follow.
We cannot change this type of national legislation.
But, if it is within our jurisdiction, if we are given the mandate under existing legislation, then we can institute changes, as an example, within our liquor licensing act.
Then we can set out the boundaries, in some areas, with statutes and regulations.
Some of the laws are set out in the Constitution which all Canadians have to follow, so those we cannot change.
Under the federal law and Nunavut Land Claims agreement, we are given different authorities according to different legislation and the agreement we have in Nunavut.
In which area of our territorial jurisdiction as a government, within the dominion of the Land Claim agreement, what powers do we have to enact legislate so that we can work together with the NLCA?
The agreement is included in the Constitution, our rights as Inuit are outlined therein, so we have to use the courts to specify which areas, such as the firearms legislation, where we would like to know what the boundary is and how far we can go.
We consider the NLCA as a very major piece of legislation and we don’t want it to be just put aside our rights especially within the agreement.
That is why we are trying to defend this agreement on behalf of the Inuit and we will be part of those important procedures.
The RCMP has to follow rules that they are given under their mandate and directed by their legislation.
But we have to, as individuals, ask ourselves what boundaries are going to limit us as Inuit.
Question 211 – 1(6): Department Deficits
Mr. Speaker, we’re halfway through or little bit more than half way through our year in regards to fiscal spending and this time of year, we always come up against supplementary appropriations about additional spending in departments and over the last few years, we’ve noticed that certain departments have budget deficits and we find out about that at the end of the year.
Could the Minister in Finance let this house know what departments now, may be showing deficits by the end of the year?
Mr. Speaker, the Member is right, there are some departments that face more pressures than others and in particular, I think we can all relate to the Department of Health and Social Services, who have come forward on a regular basis for additional appropriations.
Right now, we are trying to finalize the second quarter variance reports, in preparation of doing a fiscal update in a few weeks when we return to Iqaluit.
I would like to thank the Minister of Finance; I know that his staff are always working hard at grinding the numbers in trying to keep the departments inline.
Can the minister of Finance give me an estimate of what this years’ deficit in the health department is going to be, because last year I think we faced somewhere around, if I’m correct, somewhere around the 20 million dollar range.
Can the minister of finance give us some kind of ball park figure and what we’re looking at in Health this year?
We’re hoping it’ll be less than last year.
Mr. Speaker Thank you.
Speaker, I hate to button hole the Minister of Finance down, is there any projection what the Health deficits are going to be this year, Thank you.
The Department of Health has provided us a preliminary figure.
I have asked my officials of the Department of Finance to work with Health in trying to firm up and confirm some of those numbers.
I know it’s difficult sometimes to project deficits in this government but, the minister of finance over the past three years has been very good at his budgeting, and his finance people has been very good at working the figures.
I know that he doesn’t want to alarm this house, saying that he is projecting maybe a 15 to 20 million dollar deficit but, can he put us within 5 or 10 million dollars range and what this deficit would be, so we can maybe ask more questions in the house to the health minister.
Mr. Speaker, the member in his estimates is in the ballpark.
Question 212 – 1(6): Update on Correctional Centres in Nunavut
I would like to direct my question to Minister of Justice.
Last year we were planning a correction centre in Nunavut, I just would like an update as to how far into the planning we are because we only have one correction centre in Nunavut, so I would like an update as to where we are at this point.
We are still in the planning stage and last summer I met with the federal government Minister of Justice with regards to correctional facilities, and we agreed they would finish reviewing them but that same person is no longer in that position so that may cause a delay but I have talked to the federal government whether we can cost-share such a facility in Nunavut in different regions.
But I will be lobbying my federal counterparts.
We are in the planning stages, and we are planning to build another correctional centre, one or two, within Nunavut other than Iqaluit, but we will seek those responses.
Thank you, Minister, for your response.
My constituents have been anxiously awaiting this report.
As we know, our constituents would like to hear more and more of what the Government of Nunavut is doing.
I understand you have stated that you’ve been meeting with the federal government in regards to that.
I would like a clearer understanding as far as my constituents are concerned, exactly how many months, 6 months, a year will pass with the planning, reviewing of the prospective location.
The formal federal minister of justice, I personally asked him to specifically tell me how many months it would take, but he’s no longer in that portfolio but I still have not reached the new Minister of Justice.
I will be dealing with that issue with the new Minister in the near future but we haven’t really specified which community will be the location.
Kugluktuk is the only community that have requested to have a facility built there, but we don’t know where exactly where it will end up, as we are still in the planning stages.
But, we hope to have a location determined prior to the end of the year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Let me ask this question so that I’ll have a better idea.
He stated, this new minister of corrections, when will you be meeting with the new minister of corrections, along with your federal counterparts.
The new minister was just appointed this month and I have written to that person and next week, there will be a meeting for Justice Ministers and I will attempt to meet with that person.
But that person is very new to that position so may be after he knows more about the issues, I will be able to communicate with him directly.
But I will advise the Minister what our infrastructure needs are in Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 213 – 1(6): Utilizing Elders For I.Q. Development
Yesterday, I didn’t have time to ask a question because the meeting was going on too long.
I want to remind, and to wake up one of the ministers with a question, also to entertain him.
This question is directed to the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
With his opening remarks yesterday, a couple of days ago, he mentioned there was an elders meeting in Igloolik, and that the elders came from all over Nunavut.
What did they talk about, what was the topic?
He did not say, he mentioned the meeting but my main question is if this particular topic was discussed.
This topic is Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and it is mentioned frivolously by every department and Minister, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit that is.
That it is going to be implemented.
I am happy to hear that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is going to be applied.
I want to ask the Culture, Language, Elders and Youth Minister, the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit issue, how is he planning to utilize Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit?
I don’t know what the procedure is going to be.
I believe that there is going to be another Elders’ meeting regarding that.
I want to thank the Member.
When we met with them in Igloolik last fall, the elders came from various places, although we wanted to include all the communities, unfortunately it was not the case.
When they first discussed issues, it focussed on the work that we do in our office.
Things like the finances going towards these organizations.
I spoke with them afterwards to ask how the elders role is doing since our government was formed.
If Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is going to be applied and we are in the process of setting up a committee on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and elders will be included along with all the necessary administrative resources.
Like I said, we are still in the process of setting it up.
The committee that was working on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit will be working together to see how Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit can be implemented into our government system.
And we have to do that, if we are going to include Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
The elders had a meeting, probably to continue working on the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
We are told that we are going to be utilizing elders as well to help us with our government system, especially local governance.
Is this going to be part of the review?
We are still working on this to include elders in Inuit communities, especially where the elders have an existing society or group.
Just as an example, we give money to radio stations in the communities, it is not much but still, it is a contribution to operate local radio.
We are working on this issue as we still do not have any policies in place to fund our societal groups, such as youth or elders within my department. We also know that there are youth and elders’ committees in some communities.
If all the committees were set up in all communities it would be easier.
And we will be asking the communities if we were to contribute some money, could it be utilized towards elders’ committees but we cannot say if it is going to be used by the government.
But we’re going to have to work with the hamlet and social services department in this regard.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, in respect to the elders.
We have at present, a minister for Culture, Language, Elders and Youth and presently he is one of the MLA’s.
We will have to work with the elders and youth and as such promote them, they are going to be a major part of our work in the future.
How is that going to be set up?
That was the plan because if we are going to be utilizing Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, then of course we are going to be using elders as they are the experts.
I believe that it’s in the process, in the works, so I want the Minister to verify how the elders are going to be included in this.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Thank you, Speaker.
Like I said, I spoke with the elders in Igloolik and asked them, when they worked within their traditional roles, how did they work?
When the government came to the north, they took over the traditional role of the elders.
Although the politicians always mention that we have to continue to incorporate Inuit traditions into our government processes, it seems like we are still not putting our money where our mouths are.
That is why I said that we have to work together with the elders and I am still working towards setting up an elders committee.
Up to now, the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit issues have been incorporated half hasardly into various departments, depending on their requirements.
We will be looking at working with the elders’ committee along with their roles and responsibilities.
Some of the duties for elders committee unfortunately are not set up yet.
And we will be asking the MLA’s if they can forward some names of the elders to be part of our elders’ committee but we expect that, once the elders have the committees, then they can collaborate with the government on the issues that were raised in the context of the creation of Nunavut.
So we are working towards setting this up and the question we will be working on it.
Thank you, Mister Speaker.
Question 214 – 1(6): Correctional Services Facility
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Yesterday, we didn’t get to question period, which was unfortunate.
Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, during my members’ statement, I alluded to the issue of correctional facilities or the lack thereof in my region.
I got beaten to the question by my colleague, but I would like to ask the Minister of Justice a question in regards to this issue.
Mr. Speaker, the department of justice stated that they’re in the process of finishing a plan in Nunavut to plan the next corrections facility working along with other departments, as well as with the federal government.
Can the minister state whether there are plans to build a facility?
I realize he responded to a question earlier on to another question from a member, but when will this facility be built?
I can’t say for sure when that’s going to take place.
Like I said I want to work with the federal government first in order for this to go on, for this to continue.
I can’t say for sure exactly when it’s going to be, but we’re still planning.
We will see to it that it’s up here in Nunavut but, I’m sorry I can’t say when that is going to be.
In the Kitikmeot region, and in the Kivalliq region, for example in Kitikmeot, I think there are about 7 thousand people who live in Kitikmeot and that’s not including the non-Inuit and the population is growing.
The government knows this and all the people of Nunavut know that the correctional facilities in Baffin region are full all the time because of the inmates from the other regions.
There have been two suicides committed from the people of Kitikmeot that were in the Baffin facility.
I would very much like to be able to know when that facility can be built and how fast can the Department of Justice work on this issue and I encourage them to hurry up with the building of that facility.
We realize that there’s an urgent need for the facility.
We certainly want to set it up, but unfortunately at times it’s not possible.
We will continue to push, seeing that might be, we will continue to work towards that.
I’m not able to say exactly where it’s going to be, but I can’t say before the plans.
But earlier on when you responded to one of the questions from the member for Kugluktuk, when he asked how many people have requested that facility to be built in their region, and you mentioned that there’s one person that wanted the facility to be built in Kugluktuk.
This is not a new request, Mr. Speaker.
We wanted to be able to get a facility built at that time when we had a GNWT Government, and your Deputy Minister knows that Kugluktuk is not the only community that have requested that facility to be built there.
You should read the requests coming from the communities and this individual knows that there were a lot of requests from other communities for that facility to be built in their communities and in their region and your Deputy Minister.
Have you been working with your Deputy Minister because there have been quite a number of requests from various regions for that facility to be built.
Have you read some reports or some requests from each community?
There has not just been one from the Kitikmeot region, have you read those requests yet coming from the communities for that facility to be built?
Yes we have that report.
We have to look at each request carefully if we are going to work towards that and we have to be available to everyone.
We have to make sure everything is safe for the sake of everybody.
We are looking for anybody who is willing to and wishing to see these facilities opened.
Final supplementary. Mr. Puqiqnak.
I would like to thank the other member from the Kitikmeot that their community has requested the facility to be built.
I am asking the Minister whether the Deputy Minister looks at the requests coming from the communities or from the regions because they have some information that is provided to the Department of Justice.
The person is the same one from the previous government, is there no corporate memory?
We as the Nunavut Government have been given a mandate to push to have that facility built.
It must be that the Department realizes that they have some requests from each community or each region.
Perhaps if there is some information that is in the hands of the Federal Government or in the hands of the GNWT, about the facility that we have wanted for quite some time now.
Maybe that would help with the urgent need and the urgent building of that facility.
I urge the Minister to work harder to realize the dream Kitikmeot has in having their own facility.
I am the Premier for the whole of the Nunavut Government.
I am not favouring any Departments because I have to look over everything for Nunavut.
And as we split up the budget, if we can find any more money from outside Nunavut to keep our options on these facilities open, yes we will look for more.
Question 215 – 1(6): Government Priorities on Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, as mentioned in my Members’ statement, my question, I believe is for the Minister responsible for Finance.
Mr. Speaker, we all know that there have been reports like the May, 2001 Conference Board of Canada report, it talks about the lack of infrastructure in Nunavut and there are a couple of things, I believe in there along the lines of the state of infrastructure in Nunavut is a serious problem.
It is affecting both economic and social development.
And things like per capita funding formulas do not fit with Nunavut.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I would also to state that I was very pleased to hear the Minister of Finance’s comments earlier this month saying that we was shocked and disappointed at the announcement the Federal Government made on the allocation of infrastructure funding for Nunavut.
What I would like to ask the Minister of Finance, what is, as you know when we go into last year of our mandate, what is the government’s strategy, but first let me ask, what are the government’s priorities as far as utilizing what you want to seek this infrastructure?
Speaker: Minister responsible for Finance. Minister Ng:
Our priority is obviously is trying to maximize any federal investments for any kind of programs that are available in assisting in developing the infrastructure across Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, Quana, a favorite phrase of my colleague from Qamanituaq is no secret to some of the projects that the government’s been trying to get infrastructure funding for the said in the past.
You know the only way that some of these projects will go ahead, is if there is a major commitment made by the federal government and that’s things like the Bathurst Inlet road project, the Kivalliq road, lot of other regional health facilities and the Government has said on numerous occasions, that without significant federal dollars and commitment that these types of projects would not go ahead.
The Minister indicated that their priorities were just to maximize these dollars, can the Minister be clearer on any specific projects that the government has, as a priority towards obtaining these infrastructures dollars for it.
Speaker: Minister Ng:
Mr. Speaker, the member is right, there is no secret that our government has put forth the position, in respect to the strategic fund that the federal government had available, the Bathurst road, our projects we have found that as an economic instrument, the social development instrument.
Along with our need for our health facilities with the two projects that we had put forward formally in our proposals to the Government of Canada.
Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, just to ask if you know what the rough idea what some of the priorities are.
What the government’s and the minister’s strategy in trying to meet and obtain the funding for to achieve those priorities.
Mr. Speaker, the first opportunity we had as a government in the formal submission was a letter from the Premier to the than minister responsible the Minister of Finance. Minister Manly, I took that down and met with Minister Manley face to face, articulated our needs as members know subsequent to that from the federal side of things, responsibilities was transferred to the Minister of Industry, Minister Rock who has taken a different approach in the handling of the this infrastructure funding for the territories.
Once we learn of those problems that we dealt in pack in us.
In respect of the 20 million dollar limit in respect of their or his intent to put that in place for each territory, we of course voiced our concerns about that, Premier has been trying to set up a meeting with Minister Rock.
I’ve been trying to set up a meeting with Minister Rock but we haven’t had much success in scheduling that to date.
The Premier has taken an initiative to highest level it can go in this country to the Prime Minister himself, when he had the opportunity approximately a month ago and that’s where it lays right now, Mr. Speaker and we’re continuing pursue the case but we haven’t had much success.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to just acknowledge the efforts made by the Finance Minister and the Premier, on those in their efforts and just reiterate my fact that my comment earlier of the Federal Government being negligent not really looking seriously at the issues, circumstances and challenges that we face here in Nunavut.
I would like to ask the Minister of Finance if it would help if the Members of this Assembly made a motion or something to go down to Minister Rock inviting him to Nunavut to see first hand the challenges and the situations that we face and the extreme costs, differences in doing business up here would assist him in, hopefully, getting more successful in getting through to Minister Rock in Ottawa.
Mr. Speaker, I haven’t suggested anything by any organization that would obviously add support to our proposals and try to move the whole file forward.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Ng. Oral questions.
Question 216 – 1(6): Hiring More Teachers in Igloolik
First of all, I would like to thank the Minister of Education for the extension to the school in my community this past summer.
The question that I would like to ask the Minister is, how many more teachers we will be getting in my community.
Speaker: Minister responsible for Education. Minister Kilabuk.
I think that the Member knows the answer at this time.
What I could say at this time is, that there will be no more teachers to be hired in the communities at this time.
We have told the Members of the Legislature that we have some supplementary funding to be used for the schools in Nunavut.
I could say that there will be no more teacher increases for this year.
Mr. Speaker, other communities have experienced this, but my community has had some problems in the past.
There is one classroom that has about thirty students with one teacher.
If you have so many pupils with one teacher, it is very difficult for the students to learn.
If they extend the classroom in my community there would be more classroom space.
For that reason, my question is, yes, I realize that his response that there will be no more teachers hired.
Because of the space will be expanded I just wanted to know if there is going to be more teacher hired.
I don’t really hear a question.
We try to keep track of the number of students in each classroom in the Nunavut schools.
We do an assessment of how many students are entering the schools in each community. I just want let the member to know that his community has the same problem as other schools in the communities.
Thank you. and we will try to do our best to accommodate that.
Is the minister saying that as soon as the school is completed or the expansion is completed, that they will be able to get an extra teacher?