EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I think this being a funny Friday that this is a sign of some things are often left behind by some members, but we have to catch up with current events today. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 312 – 2(4): Rankin Inlet State of Emergency (Curley)
As reported earlier, they are dealing with the shortage in power in Rankin Inlet for the state of emergency. We were made aware by the minister and his officials that all of the houses are not lit but they still have to have precautions in their homes.
I thank the staff of the Power Corporation and the minister that they have been assisting through the times of hardship in Rankin Inlet and undoubtedly, some of the mechanics have maybe been lacking sleep and rest.
The staff were taught and trained in the community of Rankin Inlet because of the power that has broken down and some of the staff that were trained are being relieved by people in the community of Rankin Inlet.
The CGS community emergency measures team have been really working hard with the people of Rankin Inlet and their staff.
The Avataq Tournament in Rankin Inlet has been delayed due to the problems in the community that arose.
We are still worried about some of the older houses that have broken pipes.
For this reason, I’ll be going home this afternoon. The Member for Rankin Inlet South will also be in Rankin Inlet for the weekend.
We would like to thank the Government of Nunavut for assisting us with our state of emergency in Rankin Inlet.
Member’s Statement 313 – 2(4): Congratulations to Aurora Players (Tootoo)
I guess it doesn’t surprise me that shots have been fired across the floor. Personal agendas and feelings should not get in the way of us doing our jobs.
So much like Mr. Workman, I’m not very much surprised.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues about a moving event that took place last week at the Inuksuk High School here in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, the Aurora Players presented a play called “Emotional Roller Coaster.”
This exceptional group of young people played roles that require a dedication to acting and roles that were extremely challenging.
Mr. Speaker, the cast put on 10 performances, and each of the performances expressed a different theme.
These themes targeted difficult issues that our young people face.
I would like to congratulate the cast for their dedication to the performing arts, as well as depicting and bring to light and bringing forward some of the important issues that they deal with on a regular basis.
These young people are:
Teresa Tufts, Eden Tootoo, Emmanual Morakinyo, I’m sorry if I pronounced that name wrong, Emmanual, Eric Blair, Daniel Verreault, Sara Tufts and Allan Heath, and the directors for the performances were John and Renata Solski.
Mr. Speaker, the cast was very grateful for the support that they received from the high school staff and their colleagues who are fellow students that were doing all of the technical work involved to make the play possible. I believe that a well-rounded education includes an appreciation for culture, music and creativity.
I encourage these young students to continue their efforts in promoting performing arts at the high school, and I ask all members to join me in congratulating Iqaluit’s Aurora Players.
Members’ Statements. Member for Iqaluit East, Mr. Picco.
Member’s Statement 314 – 2(4): Constituency Meeting Items (Picco)
Earlier this week, I hosted a constituency meeting in Apex.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who took the time to attend the meeting and voice their concerns and comments, and indeed, Mr. Speaker, made very many proactive observations and suggestions on aspects of our government.
Mr. Speaker, there were several topics that were raised, including the new language bills and the new Education Act, concerns with residential schools, the need for more Inuktitut at home, at the workplace, and indeed, in public throughout Nunavut, the Harvester Fuel Tax Credit, and infrastructure issues were also raised.
Mr. Speaker, concerns with having elders phoning the new hospital and getting automated as opposed to real life people at the switchboard was also raised.
Mr. Speaker, I have had an opportunity to speak with my colleagues, Minister Tapardjuk and indeed Minister Aglukkaq, on the issues raised and will follow up with them in writing these concerns.
Mr. Speaker, the questions and input from the constituents was well welcomed, and Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity not only to thank the people who attended the meeting but the translators, the town staff who helped me set up the Abe Okpik Hall, as well as the catering for the event which helped make it a success.
Going back to the Orders of the Day. Before we proceed, this morning I was informed by the people of Pangnirtung that they are finally able to see us live, so I would like to welcome them first and foremost.
If there are none... I hear there’s an emergency outside.
This morning I would like to recognize Sylvie Boucher, who is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister as well as for the Status of Women, who is here with us.
With her are the staff Mila and Nathalie and Therese. Welcome to the Gallery.
Just a bit of background, Sylvie Boucher was here yesterday to sign an agreement with YWCA Canada for funding for homeless issues for women for NWT, Nunavut, and the Yukon.
She will also be here meeting with the Qulliit Status of Women Council staff and will be touring some of the facilities, the women’s shelters in particular, in Nunavut.
I also want to thank her for an opportunity last night; I had an opportunity to meet with her for dinner to talk about some of the challenges faced by women in Nunavut.
I hope that she will seriously consider opening up a Status of Women Canada Office in the northern region.
So welcome to the Gallery and welcome to Nunavut.
I would first like to welcome my son who is here this morning.
He will be going back on Monday and he has been coming to the House for the whole week.
I am sure that it has been very educational for him and I’m sure that it will be useful in his capacity as deputy mayor.
I just want to say goodbye to my son as he is leaving us.
I say hi to my son and that I love him.
Question 384 – 2(4): Breakdown of the $89.1 Million Contingency Fund (Tootoo)
Mr. Speaker, in the minister’s Budget Address, he had indicated that they had set aside a contingency of $89.1 million.
I am just wondering if the minister can elaborate in detail what the breakdown of that $89.1 million was.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): In regard to the $89.1 million, it is not really broken down, but it is going to be used for emergencies. For example, if the cost of energy is going up… it’s for contingencies and it’s going to be used for unexpected situations that might arise, Mr. Speaker.
Could he elaborate? They didn’t just pluck $89.1 million out of the air.
Hopefully, there are some categories which equal up to $89.1 million.
That’s what I would like the minister to be able to provide to us. Will he do that?
I will be able to give you a breakdown once we start dealing with the budget.
I looked through the main estimates and there’s nowhere in there where it says $89.1 million for contingencies.
So I don’t know where we can question that other than the fact that he mentioned it in his Budget Address.
Does the minister not have a list of whatever items that they had, like the rising cost of fuel? He mentioned energy related issues that they’re estimating to have a contingency for this amount. Surely, he has a list of that.
They didn’t just, poof, create a number of $89.1 million and it’s not identified in the main estimates exactly where that would be.
So the only place it’s clearly mentioned is in his Budget Address.
So I’m asking the minister: will he provide us with the list and the estimates that they have for that amount that he’s indicated of $89.1 million for contingencies?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): As I stated, I can’t elaborate any further than what I had stated already.
I’m sorry if I’m not making myself clear to the minister but what I’m saying is that the only place it’s mentioned of the $89.1 million contingency amount is in his Budget Address; it’s not outlined anywhere in the main estimates.
So what I’m asking him is: they must have had a list with the amounts, like items, whatever they were, that totalled up to $89.1 million; will the minister provide us with that information?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): I said that I will be making a breakdown of the list and I will be able to identify those categories once we review the main estimates of the Department of Finance in Committee of the Whole.
I don’t know how else to answer the question but my response is that yes, we will provide that information, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister. Oral Questions.
Question 385 – 2(4): Emergency Funding for Plumbing Repairs (Curley)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
For the past three days, we have had a state of local emergency in Rankin Inlet.
I think that the Housing Corporation should be a Member of the State of Emergency Committee.
I have heard from Rankin Inlet that the older social housing units have inadequate insulation and there are so many pipes bursting that the Housing Corporation won’t be able to keep up with them.
For that reason, I would like to ask the minister: is it possible for the minister to increase the amount that’s available for maintenance?
Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Minister Netser.
The Housing Corporation deals with the repairs and fixing the pipes that require repairs. I will speak with Mr. Scott to see how we can assist the residents of Rankin Inlet.
We know that the municipality has a state of emergency and I know that the public housing have to do their work, and I know that if they were not able to keep up with the maintenance costs, perhaps, they could use private contractors to do the maintenance work because they’re in a state of emergency and they need to give some rest to the staff.
So perhaps the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation could provide some funding so that this maintenance budget will not just be eaten up.
There are a lot of private contractors, if you could consider using those individuals in the community.
We have a state of emergency in Rankin Inlet and we are very sensitive to that. Perhaps, after we figure out how much funding has been used for that state of emergency, then we will probably be able to consider the private contractors that the member has just mentioned and probably figure out how to use the private contractors.
After I speak with the President of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, I will inform my colleague.
Question 386 – 2(4): Western Hudson Bay Polar Bear Quote (Alagalak)
The residents of Arviat were able to watch us on live broadcast and they were very pleased to see that. I’m sure that the residents of Arviat are watching, so I say good morning, and I hear that the weather is really nice and it’s not even cold, which I’m very happy about.
I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Environment. (interpretation ends) Over the last six months, there has been much talk of reduction in the Western Hudson Bay polar bear quota.
Can the minister update the House on what plans are in place for allotment for each community in the Kivalliq region, which had a polar bear quota from Western Hudson Bay?
Yes, I would like to work with the communities that are going to be impacted from the reduction of the Western Hudson Bay polar bear quota.
We will look at how we can provide more support and we will want to work closely with the impacted communities so that the economic potential will not be lost.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to get back to my question because he didn’t respond to it.
My question is: how are you going to allocate the polar bear quota and what kind of plans are in place for allotment for each community in the Kivalliq region? How many tags can they get from this reduced quota of the Western Hudson Bay polar bears?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you. If there’s a reduction in quota, we will have to work with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board to figure out how we will distribute the quota to the communities.
We will keep the communities informed as we work on this.
As the minister knows, the hunters in Arviat will have less income this year because of the reduction in the polar bear quota, which means that there will be no income for the hunters as guides for big game hunting.
At the same time, only five percent of sealskins from Nunavut harvests were sold in auctions and it means that the small number of sealskins sold will also have an impact on the hunters’ income this year.
What measures does the minister plan to introduce to assist the hunters in offsetting their only source of income in Arviat? They will be losing quite huge sums of income that they were going to receive.
So what kind of consideration have you made?
Back when there was a moratorium in around the McClintock Channel, we worked with the HTOs of the impacted communities to look at how we can assist them with their source of income.
With regards Western Hudson Bay polar bear quota reduction, we will want to work closely with the impacted communities and look at ways that we can provide some additional funding for the income for HTO’s.
I think this should have been my second supplementary question.
In spite of that, as I stated before, the hunters will lose their income and the polar bears remain in Churchill due to the smell of food and they lose a lot of fat.
It seems like that’s exactly what’s going to happen to the hunters when they lose their income and they will just be watching the polar bears.
Would you be willing to go to Arviat to deal with this issue so that you can meet with the HTO to explain why there was a reduction in polar bear quota and why sealskin wasn’t selling in auctions this year, and how we will be assisting the hunters who rely on the harvesting of wildlife for their main source of income?
Since you haven’t arrived to our community, perhaps, if you’re willing to agree to visit our community you can do so.
Just to remind the members, in your questions, please state the ministers’ portfolios instead.
Yes, I would be willing to visit the community with my officials. I cannot tell you the date at this time but we would be willing to go there.
Question 387 – 2(4): Protocol to be Followed During GN Office Renovations (Peterson)
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut leases office buildings and other facilities across Nunavut to permit their employees to deliver the Government of Nunavut programs and services to the public.
Mr. Speaker, from time to time, these facilities must be renovated or upgraded by the landlords and it’s usually done when the buildings are vacant. As you can see, Cambridge Bay has an office building that is currently being renovated.
My question for the minister: can the minister explain to the House what protocol the landlord must follow when they are required to undertake a major renovation or upgrade to a building while Government of Nunavut employees are still working in the building?
A very good question, indeed, from the member. That’s one of the areas that I think I would have to investigate simply because I have not known how they do it when the building is occupied, especially in the Cambridge Bay situation, where we had looked at the office space because that one was considered for a new release and there were insufficient office buildings.
That one particular building that I’m referring to as an example is the major one that different departments are in, I think there are seven, and that one is due for renovations as was said in this House.
I would have to get back to my technical staff to see what they would do in that case - while renovations are taking place, what would they do with the staff? I appreciate hearing that question because we do have to have a good plan ahead for the staff.
Mr. Speaker, I was in the office building last week. Upon entering the building, it was quickly apparent that I was in the middle of a major construction zone.
I spoke to some Government of Nunavut employees and they told me that there is daily construction and that’s during the work hours of the government. It was very disruptive to them and the visiting public.
My question for the minister: can the minister tell the House why her departmental officials would not instruct the landlord to restrict their renovations and upgrades to weekends and 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., the overnight period, when the Government of Nunavut employees and the public are not in the building and they’re removed from any potential danger?
I will instruct the staff to do so because I’m concerned as well for the safety issues aspect of the building while renovations are happening, but that will be carried through.
I thank the minister for that commitment, I guess, that she gave me.
Mr. Speaker, the situation was even a bit more absurd when I was talking to the Government of Nunavut employees. They told me that they had been asked to move their files and desks so that the construction workers could replace and paint walls and remove carpets. So the Government of Nunavut employees were helping the landlord do their job.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister tell the House if she believes that it is acceptable for the Government of Nunavut employees and the public to have to work or meet in facilities where major renovation projects are in progress?
No, I was not aware of such things happening and it wasn’t brought to my attention.
However, no, I don’t accept that at all because as a former government employee myself, I do know what the job descriptions are and those job descriptions must be followed.
I will check into this further with the staff to see if, in fact, it’s happening.
This incident isn’t isolated to Cambridge Bay, but it could happen anywhere in Nunavut. We have 25 communities and we have government employees working in many facilities across Nunavut, so it could happen anywhere.
With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, would the minister commit today to have her officials review all phases of any renovation upgrade plans with their headquarter and regional managers affected by work anywhere, to find acceptable construction schedules that do not disrupt the operations of the Government of Nunavut employees or the visiting public, or expose them to any worksite hazards or dangers during the course of their work?
There is always a first time, I suppose, in every situation and in every part of the world.
However, I will do that; I will ask for a review of the situation and what’s happening in the member’s community.
I, too, am curious to know of the outcome.
I know the staff of CGS do their reports very efficiently and they would tell me of something out of the ordinary.
This one is news to me, so I will, for certain, ask for an investigation.
Question 388 – 2(4): Relocation of Repulse Bay Landfill Site (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, the minister probably remembers that I have raised this question before in regard to the dump in Repulse Bay.
When I met with the hamlet council, they had a major concern with the location of the dump.
This winter, a lot of snow fell and the fence doesn’t do much help and debris is flying onto the runway, so the location should definitely be moved.
Has this been looked into?
Yes, I recall how it is and I actually went to the community.
There were going to be plans made but I can’t remember if we did do some allocation for that. Maybe we’ll be able to bring this up in Committee of the Whole.
I do feel for their concern and if there’s any funding, then we can try and help them, especially since there shouldn’t be any debris flying around on the runway.
So I’ll urge my officials to work with the hamlet council.
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Minister.
Yes, this should be treated as an emergency case.
They’re being told not to burn the dump because it might interfere with the airlines coming in and I know it will cost a lot to relocate the site of the dump.
Can the minister treat this as an emergency situation and maybe come up with funding to relocate the site of the dump this summer?
I will work with the planners and I will keep the community informed as to how we can work together to deal with this.
If they treat it as an emergency, then we can move some money around to try and address the situation.
We will definitely look into this and I’ll inform my colleague of the process.
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for her response.
Can the minister inform the hamlet council via correspondence in the near future of what she just said?
Yes, I do agree. This must be a major concern in the community and they have to know in advance what plans there might be.
I will discuss this with our staff in Rankin Inlet and in the Keewatin region, and I will direct my staff to write up a letter or have a conference call with the hamlet council.
Question 389 – 2(4): Photo Identification (Kattuk)
I’m not sure exactly who my question is directed to but you might know. The residents of Sanikiluaq have to go through Montreal, and we still don’t even have any equipment to make IDs.
I wonder if the minister can provide such equipment for the community of Sanikiluaq for ID purposes.
Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, he showed us that we need identification cards and we are currently working on that.
I also know that the community of Sanikiluaq will eventually get equipment in the summertime.
What is the reasoning behind the fact that they will have to wait until summertime to get such equipment?
This is the first that I have heard of that.
I don’t know why they have to wait until summertime to get equipment and I’ll check into this. I feel that the community shouldn’t have to wait until summer to get equipment, especially when people have to be medivaced or are on medical travel.
He mentioned that he is willing to work with me on this but he said that he didn’t know that they’re waiting until summertime.
I wonder if the minister can commit to providing equipment before summertime.
Yes, I agree with him.
Tomorrow or next week; can he inform me when?
Before summertime.
Question 390 – 2(4): Closure of Grise Fiord School (Barnabas)
Mr. Speaker, today the school is closed in one of my constituencies, Grise Fiord.
Does the minister have any idea how long the school will be closed? Thank you.
The member is correct. There has been an incident raised in the community of Grise Fiord, and in cooperation with the superintendent of the school and the principal, it was decided to close the school and that’s what has occurred.
I would like to ask the minister again, as some teachers don’t want to return to the community, will those teachers be replaced immediately?
What is the situation on this?
Again, there has been an incident in the community and there have been some concerns raised. What I can say to the member and to the people in Grise Fiord is that we take this issue very seriously, we have been kept up to date on it, and that we would hope to be in a position to open the school on Monday morning if everything goes well.
The community, as a whole, has a concern because their children have to attend school.
If the school is going to open, what will happen to the students and the teachers?
First of all, I want to say that the security of the staff at the school and the students are of the utmost importance to the government, and indeed, we believe that over the weekend, we will be able to look at what has occurred.
My understanding right now is that we would be in a position, hopefully, to open up the school Monday, but again, I want to make sure that the Members in the House know that we want to ensure that the safety, of course, is utmost in the situation.
Question 391 – 2(4): Need for a New Community Hall for Baker Lake (Simailak)