EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the federal Competition Bureau, which has the mandate to review proposed mergers to, and I quote, “determine whether they will likely result in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition,” has confirmed that it will review the proposed Canadian North-First Air merger.
Mr. Speaker, I ask for consent to finish my statement.
Mr. Enook: Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Thank you, fellow members.
(interpretation ends) I would hope that the Competition Bureau will take into account the views of northerners during its review process.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavummiut (interpretation) deserve to know where our own government stands on this issue, and I will have questions on this important subject at the appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 043 – 4(2): Update on Polar Bear Attack Victims (Shooyook)
I rise today in relation to when I first arrived, I went through an unfortunate situation and I was not able to make a statement since we were advised that a polar bear mauled my grandchild, thinking that perhaps he had died.
I am happy to report that my grandson survived.
I really applaud him for making a quick recovery because that time, my daughter and I were waiting at the hotel to see the details up until the wee hours of the morning.
It turned out that even though he was hurt, he wasn’t badly hurt.
Originally, I was not happy since I have never seen him in that kind of condition. His back had great scratches and he had many bite marks on his head.
It affected my life. It seemed that they were going to be spending a long time at the hospital, but it turns out that they will be going home soon already.
I thank my colleagues who made sympathetic remarks concerning this matter.
Member’s Statement 044 – 4(2): Pangnirtung Turbot Fishery (Mike)
I rise today to speak in relation to the fisheries operations, which have been in operation for many years. Ever since the turbot fisheries have been going, this winter, the fishing was not as good due to poor ice conditions.
They were only able to get over 700,000 lbs. The money that came into Pangnirtung and to the fishers was close to $1,250,000.
This winter’s turbot fisheries were also used to remember that person we just mentioned as a remembrance for his life.
Lyvee Kullualik was really into fishing and hunting. It was his whole way of life. This fishery is now dedicated to the remembrance of Lyvee Kullualik.
I wish Lyvee’s wife and children all the best today, as well as to the fishers in Pangnirtung.
We were able to get assistance from Greenland in order to carry out our fisheries operations, to which I am making a statement now, especially more in relation to provision of employment for those who are not able to work in offices.
Please proceed, Mr. Mike.
Hon, Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Whew!  >>Laughter
I, too, am happy in serving Pangnirtung. They are able to have a quota of 40 narwhal.
However, there was a decrease in that number recently. Congratulations to the HTO of Pangnirtung for defending the quota of 40.
I, too, was not pleased because it seems that there was an arbitrary decrease in the quota without consultation whatsoever.
The people of Pangnirtung had to work together in order to have the quota reinstated, which will now be at 45. I am quite pleased because this was to have been the original request.
I am very thankful to the people who pushed for the increase in the whale quotas, including the RWOs and the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board.
Members’ Statements. I have no more names on my list.
I would like to recognize the Speaker of the Nunatsiavut Government, Sean Lyall, who is here in the Gallery, and welcome.
Question 044 – 4(2): Program Review (Angnakak)
Ms. Angnakak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My questions are for the Minister of Finance.
In yesterday’s Budget Address, the Minister announced that the government will, and I quote, “review all its programs to ensure they are being delivered in ways that are economical, efficient, and effective.”
As the minister will recall, the previous government spent over $836,000 for an external consulting company to undertake the GN’s “report card” project. Can the Minister of Finance indicate how the new government’s program review process will be different than the one we spent almost one million dollars on five years ago?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Keith Peterson.
The difference is it would be anticipated that it would be less costly and we will have many of our own people working on the program review. We are hiring an independent, outside organization to provide us with some objectivity during the program review.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for your answer.
The Minister’s Budget Address indicated that the GN will “review all its programs.”
Mr. Speaker, there are literally dozens of programs that are administered by our departments and Crown agencies, and I am not convinced that it’s realistic to promise that each and every one of them will be reviewed in depth.
Can the minister indicate which specific programs will be reviewed as the government’s first priority?
I wish I could provide a detailed answer to that question from Ms. Angnakak.
At this time, I can’t provide a list of the priority programs and services that we are going to review.
Ms. Angnakak (interpretation): It’s already my last question. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As the minister will recall, I have suggested that we need to look at a new governance model for the Qikiqtani General Hospital, including an independent management board. Will the minister commit to ensuring that this issue is considered as part of the government’s program review exercise?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I can’t commit to that.
Mr. Speaker, I was the former Minister of Health, so I’m very aware of where Ms. Angnakak is coming from. I would have to talk to my colleague, the Minister of Health, to see if she’s willing to consider something that you’re talking about.
Question 045 – 4(2): Management of the Public Service (Savikataaq)
My questions are for the Minister of Finance too.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut’s new Public Service Act was passed last year by the previous Legislative Assembly.
As the minister is very much aware, a longstanding concern that has been raised on many occasions is the government’s over-reliance on the use of casual employees.
According to the government’s most recently tabled quarterly employment report, there were approximately 2,300 casual and relief workers employed by the government as of December 31, 2013.
Can the minister indicate what actions are being taken by the government to reduce the use of casual employment?
Mr. Speaker, I am very aware of the issues with the casuals across Nunavut in all departments. I have asked for a full report on all the casuals in all departments across Nunavut just to get an idea of how long they have been in the casual positions, in some cases, years.
I have asked for my department to pull some files to look at their employment work history and terms of the competition.
I have asked my officials to stress to the departments that over-reliance on casuals is something that we don’t want to continue and, where possible, to convert some of those positions to term positions or go out to competition.
Another longstanding concern that we frequently hear from constituents is that the use of casual staffing can be abused in a way that allows for favouritism and nepotism in the hiring process.
Can the minister indicate what actions his department is taking under the new Public Service Act to address the issue?
We have been working very diligently in my Department of Finance on the human resource side.
There’s only so much we can do.
We’re very pressed with time-consuming issues on the HR side, but I have asked, again as I indicated in my earlier answer, the department to remind all departments about the Public Service Act.
We do promote people and hire people based on merit, and we will promote people based on merit. Again, we have to ensure that departments don’t rely on casuals, but they should either be identified as term positions or go out to competition on an indeterminate basis.
There are mitigating factors. If there’s a housing issue in a community, it could complicate the hiring of indeterminate employees.
There are other factors, but we’re well aware of the issue and we’re working hard on it.
The 2011-12 Public Service Annual Report was not tabled in the Legislative Assembly until March 13, 2013.
Can the minister explain why the 2012-13 Public Service Annual Report is not yet ready to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly?
I thank my colleague for reminding me of that.
Mr. Speaker, I’ll check with my staff and ensure that we table the report at the earliest possible opportunity.
Question 046 – 4(2): Activities of the Nunavut Liquor Commission (Hickes)
Minister Peterson is going to feel like he’s in the hot seat.
My questions are also for the Minister of Finance, who is responsible for the Nunavut Liquor Commission.
In yesterday’s Budget Address, the minister indicated that, and I quote, “there is a role for the government to play in helping Nunavummiut to make healthy and informed decisions about alcohol.
These decisions would become increasingly important in the context of beer and wine stores.”
Mr. Speaker, as the minister will recall, I asked him questions in the House earlier this year concerning the process that his department will undertake to consult communities and Nunavummiut about whether or not to open a retail beer and wine store.
Can the minister clarify how his department will determine whether or not there is sufficient community support to warrant the opening of a beer and wine store?
It is getting awfully hot in this corner over here on May 27.
Mr. Speaker, I think I have been clear in the past that if a community approaches the Department of Finance and indicates that there is an interest in a beer and wine store, then we would consider it, but at the same time, as I have also stated, it would be on a pilot project basis.
It’s not to say that a beer and wine store would necessarily open in any community and, if so, we would still monitor the results and progress of a beer and wine store on a pilot project basis.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I may have to speak to the minister to get a little bit more clarification on that later.
Also in yesterday’s Budget Address, the minister indicated that his department will take steps to “strengthen the government’s social and corporate responsibility with respect to liquor.”
Earlier this year, amendments to the territorial Liquor Regulations were approved.
Mr. Speaker, these amendments provide that a “maximum of $500,000 per fiscal year…may be paid out of the Liquor Revolving Fund for expenses related to education campaigns promoting the socially responsible use of liquor.”
Can the minister outline some of the specific initiatives that the government will be undertaking during the coming year in this area?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member’s enthusiasm for the government in terms of our expediency on implementing some of the programs.
We just recently received approval from my colleagues to use some of the funds from the revolving fund and it will not be $500,000.
I think the maximum we would use this year is $125,000.
I anticipate that there will be programs rolled out in all communities and possible TV spots, radio spots, posters, and coasters where they serve alcohol and things like that.
We will be educating people about the dangers of drinking while pregnant, for example.
We will be working with our client departments as well to ensure that the social responsibility education programs we do implement will meet Nunavut’s requirements.
I realize that it doesn’t happen overnight.
Mr. Speaker, my fellow colleague from Arviat South has raised the issue of introducing civil forfeiture legislation to fight bootleggers and drug traffickers.
Can the minister outline what new enforcement initiatives the Nunavut Liquor Commission will be undertaking to cooperate with law enforcement authorities to fight the illegal sale of alcohol?
I don’t have any information on new initiatives, but I do know that the Nunavut Liquor Commission, through the Department of Finance, cooperates fully with the RCMP.
We exchange information on unusual orders that may warrant some investigation by the RCMP, but I can’t speak to any new initiatives.
Question 047 – 4(2): Safety and Security at Sanikiluaq Airport (Rumbolt)
My questions are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation and they concern the issue of safety and security at Sanikiluaq’s airport.
One of the ongoing priorities in the business plan of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation is to review the needs of Nunavut’s airports.
Concerns have been raised with me that Sanikiluaq’s airport currently lacks an emergency back-up generator. As the minister will appreciate, this poses a safety and security risk at the airport, especially at night.
Will the minister commit to reviewing this issue as part of his department’s ongoing assessment of Nunavut’s airports?
The Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. Kuksuk.
Good day to my fellow Nunavummiut.
In all of Nunavut, we do not want any of the airports to have any kind of dangers or safety concerns with the actual infrastructure, electrical lights, and the airstrip.
However, due to some of the locations of these airstrips, it is somewhat impossible to correct them properly. I can direct my department to look into your concern to see if there is planning for it.
Where airports are located outside the communities, security can become an issue.
Within the last few days, Sanikiluaq’s airport suffered a break-in.
Although the damage and theft resulting from this incident was limited, the community is concerned that security is inadequate at the airport.
As the minister will be aware, and as my friend from Tununiq will clearly recall, his department has provided security upgrades to some airports in Nunavut, including the installation of cameras.
Will the minister commit to reviewing security measures not only at Sanikiluaq’s airport but at other Nunavut airports?
In the previous year, some airports have been broken into, including aircraft. It was really worrisome. We really have to do something about it, especially with aircraft security, to ensure that they are not broken into.
I agree with my colleague that some Nunavut airports have security cameras installed.
We always wish we had enough money to install the security systems to all the airports in Nunavut. I can say that in the past few years, we did the priorities and they have been involved in those airports.
We can look at your community to see if we can install the same system in it as well.
I wonder if the minister can indicate how his department is working with NAV Canada to review the needs of Nunavut’s airports with respect to making safety improvements in such areas as navigational aids and GPS systems.
Installing GPS systems in airports would help in take-offs and landings and basic navigational aides. The airports don’t have them yet, but my department is looking to see if we can have those installed. We are working with NAV Canada to see if those systems can be installed in areas where there are more travellers.
Question 048 – 4(2): Proposed Merger between Canadian North and First Air (Enook)
As the minister will be aware, the parent companies of Canadian North and First Air have announced that they have entered into merger negotiations.
The federal Competition Bureau, which has the mandate to review proposed mergers to “determine whether they will likely result in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition,” has confirmed that it will review the proposed Canadian North-First Air merger.
Can the Minister of Transportation indicate if the Government of Nunavut will be making a formal written submission to the Competition Bureau concerning the proposed airline merger?
We all have heard that there will be merger negotiations between Canadian North and First Air.
For that reason, many things have to be prepared and we have no plans in place at this time in that respect.
It’s no secret that I have expressed serious concerns about the impact that this proposed merger will have on the flying public in Nunavut.
For the benefit of the public record, can the minister indicate what the Government of Nunavut’s position is on the proposed airline merger between Canadian North and First Air?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said earlier, we all know that Canadian North and First Air will be merging.
As a government, we will not be doing anything because there are many things that they have to do. As you know, the federal government will have to do all kinds of things while the two airlines are merging. While Transport Canada and the airlines are doing their work, we cannot do anything about it.
As the minister and we are aware, the Government of Nunavut spends tens of millions of dollars per year on airline travel, including medical travel on scheduled flights.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, (interpretation) will the minister commit to having his department undertake and publicly release a study on the impact that a merger between our two largest airlines would have on Nunavut?
I stated that they are doing their work at this time and there is nothing we can do as the Government of Nunavut because the federal government is dealing with this.
We cannot do anything about it at this time while the federal government and the two airlines are negotiating with the merger at this time. Transport Canada is dealing with this.
Oral Questions. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Mikkungwak.
Question 049 – 4(2): Office of the Public Trustee (Mikkungwak)
As I stated earlier in my Member’s Statement, my questions are for the Minister of Justice, (interpretation ends) who is responsible for the Office of the Public Trustee.
Mr. Speaker, the Public Trustee program “administers trusts on behalf of minors and administers estates and trusts of Nunavummiut who die without a will or who are in need of protection because of disability.”
Can the minister indicate approximately how many files the Office of the Public Trustee manages on an annual basis with respect to Nunavutmiut who have passed on without leaving a will?
With respect to the member’s question, I cannot respond to his question at this time because there are stuff that are open and closing with respect to those things that are being dealt with by the Public Trustee.
It is very important that Nunavutmiut prepare for the inevitable and ensure that their affairs are in order before they pass on.
Although I am aware that the Department of Justice has produced a sample will guide in both English and Inuktitut for the use of our territory’s residents, the preparation of a will is still a challenge, especially for people with limited experience in dealing with complex documents.
This situation is not helped by the fact that there are very few legal professionals in our smaller communities, which is an issue that I raised during yesterday’s question period.
Can the minister indicate what assistance his department or the Legal Services Board provides to ordinary Nunavutmiut who need help in preparing their wills?
That is a good question. When people die without a will, their property is taken by the Public Trustee and they have to go through the courts to resolve that.
We offer the will kit to avoid this and allow people to do their wills.
If they require the Public Trustee when someone dies, the toll-free number is 1-866-294-2127. People can call that toll-free number in order to get some assistance.
The Office of the Public Trustee performs very important work on behalf of Nunavutmiut and it is very important that Members of the Legislative Assembly are aware of what the office is accomplishing.
Will the minister commit to tabling an annual report in the Legislative Assembly on the activities of the Office of the Public Trustee?
I can say that the trustee’s work is very challenging and they always have to go through the courts. We have a lot of work to do, so I cannot answer at this time. I will find out more information and get back to the member.
Question 050 – 4(2): Kimmirut Airport Relocation (Joanasie)
Mr. Speaker, as the minister will recall, during the Committee of the Whole’s consideration of his department’s 2014-15 capital estimates, $100,000 in small capital funding was allocated to planning work for transportation facilities, including airport facilities.
Mr. Speaker, the minister will also recall that he agreed that a portion of his department’s small capital funding could be used to undertake a new feasibility study for the relocation of Kimmirut’s airport.
Can the minister provide an update on what actions his department is taking to start the feasibility study during the current 2014-15 fiscal year?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for his question.
While we’re talking about the Kimmirut Airport, in 2011, they did a study and it cost $1 million. That’s the response I can give to the member.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I recently received correspondence from the minister regarding the relocation of Kimmirut’s airport.
The correspondence indicated that a “capital project will be submitted for consideration for fiscal year 2015-2016.”
Can the minister clarify if this project is different from the study that I had requested to be undertaken during the current 2014-15 fiscal year?
I again thank the member for his question.
Mr. Speaker, as I said, $1 million was spent on the Kimmirut Airport relocation study, lighting, and other facilities we would like to do.
Perhaps all of these airport facilities will be studied. That’s all I can say at this time.
As I stated earlier, for over two decades, the need to relocate Kimmirut’s airport has been raised by residents of the community and their elected representatives.
During that time, several studies have been completed, but the relocation has not happened.
However, there is information available that can be used as the basis for moving forward on this project.
Will the minister commit to using existing studies to move forward on this much needed project?
As I said with respect to Kimmirut’s airport relocation, $1 million has been spent so far for the study and they will do a study on the lighting and improvement.
We have nothing in place to relocate the Kimmirut Airport at this time.
Question 051 – 4(2): Summer Literacy Camp (Hickes)
I didn’t anticipate you getting to me that quickly.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Education made a Minister’s Statement this afternoon regarding the Cape Dorset summer literacy camp. I listened with a lot of interest.
He listed a number of different partners that are involved in utilizing this or involved in setting up this summer literacy camp, stating at the end that Frontier College will coordinate and deliver this camp.
How are the other partners involved and how are the responsibilities and costs shared?
Literacy is very important to us as a government while the emphasis is on quality education for students.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the education group in Cape Dorset, along with Frontier College, will be cooperating to provide us with some programs.
Perhaps I should add that this is a pilot project in Cape Dorset. I would like to state that these kinds of programs could also be operational in other communities.
Naturally, it will be expanding to other communities as well, but we are responsible for the provision of funding for part of this.
My next question regarding the literacy camp is: how are the students going to be selected to attend?
Is it going to be based on greatest need or voluntary applications that the students within the community will submit to attend the camp?
Participants will be young children ages 5 to 12 years old.
They are not selected in any old way; they would need parental permission.