EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
(7) The date specified in Rule 91(6)(c) must be within 30 calendar days of the date of the filing of the provisional response.
(8) No more than two provisional responses may be filed in response to the same report.
Recommendation #2: Oral Question Period
The Standing Committee recommends that Rule 39(4) be amended as follows (amended provision in bold):
(4) When a Minister answers an oral question, only two supplementary  questions per Member directly related to the same subject may be asked.
Recommendation #3: Petitions
The Standing Committee recommends that Rule 43(5) be amended as follows (new provision in bold):
(5) When a Member presenting a petition shall be answerable for any
impertinent or improper material that it contains. A petition may not contain potentially libelous, false, defamatory, scandalous or groundless statements or allegations against any identifiable individual or official.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Pages 4331 – 4375
Opening Prayer 4331
Ministers’ Statements 4331
Members’ Statements 4332
Returns to Oral Questions 4335
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 4337
Oral Questions 4339
Tabling of Documents 4355
Second Reading of Bills 4356
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 4358
Report of the Committee of the Whole 4371
Third Reading of Bills 4371
Assent to Bills 4373
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 4373
Orders of the Day 4374
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 4331
270 – 3(3): Update on Nunavut Coastal Resource Inventory (Arreak) 4331
448 – 3(3): Appreciation for ASIST Program (Aupaluktuq) 4332
449 – 3(3): Application of Client Escort Policy to Breastfeeding Mothers (Oshutapik) 4333
450 – 3(3): Nunavut Cadet Skills Competition (Elliott) 4333
451 – 3(3): Appreciation for Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit (Tapardjuk) 4334
Return to Oral Question 555 – 3(3): Status of Kimmirut Airport (Taptuna) 4335
Return to Oral Question 553 – 3(3): Communications with DEAs (Aariak) 4336
586 – 3(3): ASIST Training for Educators (Aupaluktuq) 4339
587 – 3(3): Status of New Structure at the Baffin Correctional Centre (Rumbolt) 4341
588 – 3(3): Inuit Language Standardization (Tapardjuk) 4343
589 – 3(3): Status of Peary Caribou Management Plan (Elliott) 4345
590 – 3(3): Application of Client Escort Policy to Breastfeeding Mothers (Oshutapik) 4346
591 – 3(3): Collaboration against Cancer (Curley) 4347
592 – 3(3): Support for District Education Authorities (Enook) 4350
593 – 3(3): Driver’s Licences for Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt) 4351
594 – 3(3): Drums of Fuel Stored across Nunavut (Elliott) 4353
342 – 3(3): Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund Annual Report, April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 (Arreak) 4355
343 – 3(3): Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund Annual Report, April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012 (Arreak) 4355
344 – 3(3): News Release: Government of Canada Helps Prevent Homelessness in Nunavut (Ningark) 4355
345 – 3(3): Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal Annual Report 2011-2012 (Shewchuk) 4355
346 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut’s Response to the Recommendations of the Minister’s Task Force to Review the Nunavut Liquor Act (Peterson) 4355
347 – 3(3): Nunavut Sexual Health Framework for Action 2012-2017 (Peterson) 4355
348 – 3(3): Draft Ilagiitsiarniq – GN Family Violence Prevention Framework for Action (Peterson) 4356
Bill 52 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Teachers Association Act – Second Reading 4356
Bill 57 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2013 – Second Reading 4356
Bill 58 – Public Service Act – Second Reading 4357
Bill 59 – Collaboration for Poverty Reduction Act – Second Reading 4357
Bill 60 – An Act Respecting the Nunavut Law Foundation – Second Reading 4358
Bill 54 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Consideration in Committee 4358
Bill 56 – Write-off of Assets Act, No. 1, 2011-2012 – Consideration in Committee 4363
Bill 53 – An Act to Amend the Medical Care Act – Consideration in Committee 4364
Bill 55 – An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act – Consideration in Committee 4367
Bill 47 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2012-2013 – Third Reading 4371
Bill 48 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2013-2014 – Third Reading 4371
Bill 53 – Act to Amend the Medical Care Act – Third Reading 4372
Bill 54 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Third Reading 4372
Bill 55 – An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act – Third Reading 4372
Bill 56 – Write-off of Assets Act, No. 1, 2011-2012 – Third Reading 4372
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Mr. Tagak Curley, Honourable Monica Ell, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Joe Enook, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Hezakiah Oshutapik, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Mr. Louis Tapardjuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo.
Before we proceed with today’s sitting, I would like to ask Mr. Oshutapik to start us off with a prayer, please.
Minister’s Statement 270 – 3(3): Update on Nunavut Coastal Resource Inventory (Arreak)
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Good afternoon, people of my constituency and Nunavut.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to announce that the department has completed 11 coastal resource inventories to date and is currently undertaking its 12th in Pangnirtung.
Since 2007, the department has completed inventories in Igloolik, Kugluktuk, Chesterfield Inlet, (interpretation) Arctic Bay Kimmirut, Qikiqtarjuaq, Sanikiluaq, Gjoa Haven, Iqaluit, and Repulse Bay. (interpretation ends) Most recently, in November 2012, an inventory was conducted in Grise Fiord with another underway this month in the community of Pangnirtung, both of which were the result of a partnership with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.
The department has recognized the growing urgency throughout the territory to identify, record, and conserve Nunavut’s biological, cultural, and ecological knowledge.
Communities are asking for support to build these databases of information that have their origins in the living memories, experience, history, and skills of the people who live in this territory. By undertaking a coastal inventory, communities have an opportunity to share and record their knowledge on the local environment and take a lead role in the ownership and use of this information.
Mr. Speaker, these inventories are an effective way to document Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit of coastal resources and activities within Nunavut, and transform local knowledge into effective action for sustainable use of resources and conservation.
The final reports have been used broadly by communities in land use planning, conservation, and economic development and will continue to be used for the foreseeable future.
Our intention is to continue to create coastal resource inventories until they have been completed in all of Nunavut’s communities.
Member’s Statement 448 – 3(3): Appreciation for ASIST Program (Aupaluktuq)
I rise today to express my appreciation for the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, which is known as the ASIST program.
Mr. Speaker, I was delighted to listen to a radio interview that took place last month with a student at Nunavut Sivuniksavut, a program I am proud to be a graduate of.
The student expressed strong appreciation for the opportunity to take the Nunavut version of the ASIST Program. He said that the ASIST curriculum was excellent, the filmed-in-Nunavut video clips were powerful, and the training delivery was very professional. He felt that he and his classmates had learned and role-played some very practical suicide intervention skills.
He thought everyone in Nunavut should consider taking this important training.
Mr. Aupaluktuq: Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the Department of Health and Social Services, NTI, and Living Works Education, the creators of ASIST, for the work they have done in adapting this program to Nunavut. I further wish to acknowledge Health Canada for their role in funding the adaptation project.
I also want to commend both Nunavut Sivuniksavut and the Nunavut Teacher Education Program for including ASIST in their core curricula. They are doing what they can to better equip Nunavummiut to be ready, willing, and able to take action to help people in distress to choose life over death.
Mr. Speaker, in 2010, the Nunavut Coalition of District Education Authorities passed a motion urging the Department of Education “as a matter of the highest priority to make suicide alertness and intervention training available to ALL staff in Nunavut schools who wish to take it, as soon as possible and on an on-going basis.”
Mr. Speaker, I was disappointed to note that the Minister of Education’s Return to Written Question 14 – 3(3) on “Suicide Prevention Activities” did not commit to developing a business case for the delivery of the ASIST program to educators across Nunavut.
Responsibility for delivering ASIST in Nunavut has been left to the Department of Health and Social Services and I note that its website does not advertise any ASIST workshops beyond the end of the current fiscal year.
Member’s Statement 449 – 3(3): Application of Client Escort Policy to Breastfeeding Mothers (Oshutapik)
Good afternoon, fellow community members. I will be seeing you very soon.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address an issue that has been raised with me by a number of my constituents in Pangnirtung.
Mr. Speaker, the importance of breastfeeding for the health of newborn babies is well known.
A recent report titled “Early Inuit Child Health in Canada” indicates that “Breastfeeding is important for both infants and mothers. Breast milk is widely recognized as the best source of nourishment for the baby.”
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services has been making efforts to encourage breastfeeding in Nunavut. I support these efforts and applaud the department for recognizing the importance of breastfeeding.
However, Mr. Speaker, a number of my constituents have indicated that there is a problem with the way that the department’s client escort policy is being applied to breastfeeding mothers with young infants.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, in some cases, breastfeeding mothers who are escorting an older child to a medical appointment in Iqaluit or Ottawa are being told that they cannot bring their infant with them on the trip.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the department needs to be more flexible in this area.
In some cases, breastfeeding mothers are raising their children alone, and there may not be anyone else available to perform escort duties and take care of the infant.
There are none. Please proceed, Mr. Oshutapik.
Mr. Oshutapik: Mr. Speaker, when it comes to routine medical appointments outside of the community, a breastfeeding mother who is prepared to perform escort duties and take care of her infant should be allowed to do so.
Member’s Statement 450 – 3(3): Nunavut Cadet Skills Competition (Elliott)
I rise today to congratulate Nunavut Army Cadets on their successful participation in the Eastern Arctic Area Skills Competition which was held in Iqaluit during the weekend of March 8 to 11, 2013.
Mr. Speaker, three teams from the communities of Arctic Bay, Repulse Bay, and Rankin Inlet took the opportunity to demonstrate some of the skills they have learned over the current training year.
Mr. Speaker, the cadets competed in basketball, soccer, outdoor leadership “taskings,” and a drill routine.
Mr. Speaker, the cadet unit from Repulse Bay won three out of the four events and was the top unit.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut’s Regional Cadet Support Unit based out of Winnipeg organized the event but local staff from Nunavut ran the competition with help from the Iqaluit Detachment of Joint Task Force (North).
The representative from Winnipeg noted how well turned out all the cadets were. We should be proud of them.
Mr. Speaker, events such as this are sponsored by the Department of National Defence through the Canadian Cadet Movement, which encourages all young Canadians aged 12 to 18 to become active, responsible members of their communities.
Mr. Speaker, the cadets had a fine time in your community. They were able to compete, showcase their skills, take in some shopping, go to the movies, and visit with family while here in Iqaluit.
I ask all members to join me in congratulating these fine youth from across the territory.
Member’s Statement 451 – 3(3): Appreciation for Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit (Tapardjuk)
For once, I want to extend my gratitude to the Nunavut government, particularly the Department of Culture and Heritage.
During our session, on an earlier announcement, the minister for this department stated the appointment of members to the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
I am also quite pleased that the riding of Amittuq that I represent is part of the continuation of this very important body.
We are aware of our ancestors’ lifestyles and traditions. Those of earlier generations, especially our grandfathers and grandmothers admonished us to always listen to older people and this is part of being an Inuk, leading a healthy life and respecting others, especially those of the older generations, our grandparents. Since they are quite knowledgeable of their own experiences, they can speak to the matter from the heart.
Even though they have never attended school, they know about life.
Mr. Speaker, I continually reiterate that Inuit cultural values have to be incorporated into this government and the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit members create our expectations that they can provide assistance in this area.
For the most part, the electorate and the elected MLAs constituting a majority of representatives who are also Inuit means that our government has to become closer to Inuit.
What I can say about this is that although that is the case, most government operations, legislation, and policies require further revisions that we have to complete in partnership with one another.
Due to these reasons, I want to express my complete appreciation and faith in our elders who will represent Inuit expertise within the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit, who will work towards a future where Inuit values are embedded in the government. It is only through their dedication and commitment that government policies and legislation will truly reflect Inuit, especially within government operations, service provisions, especially family services, as well as life skills.
We want to see them implement a “Nunavutized” government as opposed to the parliamentarian and western governance system, which has been our sole means of governance up to this time. We want to see these developments occur here.
Mr. Speaker, I want to share with my colleagues my gratitude towards our visitors in the Gallery.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tapardjuk. (interpretation ends) Item 3.
Return to Oral Question 555 – 3(3): Status of Kimmirut Airport (Taptuna)
This is a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Fred Schell, MLA for South Baffin, No. 555 – 3(3), March 11, 2013, on the status of Kimmirut’s airport.
Has the work on the runway surface and on the airport electrical system been successfully completed?
In 2010, the department initiated a 4,000 cubic metre crushing program (800k), followed by a $1 million overlay program, which was successfully completed in 2011.
Unfortunately, there were not sufficient funds available to complete the airport electrical system portion of the project.
Currently, the department has an Airport Capital Assistance Program application submitted to Transport Canada for a lighting improvement project at $1.2 million.
Has Economic Development and Transportation initiated a preliminary study on the feasibility of relocating the Kimmirut Airport?
No, the department has no immediate plans to replace the Kimmirut Airport and, therefore, we are not considering a feasibility study on its relocation.
We will continue to upgrade all of Nunavut’s airports as funding becomes available.
What would be the approximate cost for a new airport in Kimmirut?
The cost to build a new airport would depend on many factors, including length, width, and in Kimmirut’s case, the location.
Until a detailed study and design are completed, it is not possible to determine with any degree of certainty the cost of a new airport in Kimmirut.
Return to Oral Question 553 – 3(3): Communications with DEAs (Aariak)
I say “good day” to all Nunavummiut and Iqalummiut.
This is a return to an oral question asked by Johnny Ningeongan, MLA for Nanulik, to the Minister of Education on March 11, 2013, and the subject is “Communications with DEAs.”
Please be advised that officials from the department have met with the executive director of the DEA coalition several times over the last few months to discuss this letter and the discussion paper that the coalition commissioned.
The Department of Education can confirm that this letter was received from the DEA coalition. A formal response to the DEA coalition’s letter has been drafted and will be provided to the coalition chairperson in the near future.
The department has provided the executive director of the coalition with a draft version of the department’s response to the discussion paper.
The final version of this response is currently being translated and will be provided to the DEA coalition in the near future as well.
Additionally, please be advised that the department has recently undertaken a number of projects in collaboration with the DEA coalition. The department will be working with the coalition to provide finance training to DEA office managers and a DEA operations manual for all DEAs.
The finance training for office managers will take place later this month and the draft working version of the DEA Operations Manual is planned for the fall of 2013.
The department remains committed to working with the DEA coalition to determine the best approach for ensuring that training resources will be sustainable for and accessible to all DEAs.
I am pleased to recognize and would like to thank Mr. Tapardjuk for his kind comments under Members’ Statements.
When I say your names, please stand up or put your hand up.
Saul Aqslaluk Qirnirq – Gjoa Haven
Annie Napayok – Whale Cove
Josephine Kublu – Igloolik
Daniel Qattalik – Igloolik
Okpik Pitseolak – Iqaluit
Martha Tikivik – Iqaluit
There are people who are not here today, but they will be arriving later. They are:
Ovide Alakannuark – Kugaaruk
Adamie Veevee – Pangnirtung
Levi Evic – Pangnirtung
Those are the members.
Their staff is also here, Shuvinai Mike.
I don’t want to just bypass anybody, especially an individual who recently passed on who was to have become a member of this committee, as this person also held a lot of traditional knowledge and she just recently passed away, Martha Michael, who I am remembering at this time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Arreak. (interpretation ends) Welcome. It is a pleasure to see you here in the Gallery. Item 5.
I wish to recognize a couple of visitors to the Gallery originally from our community although they haven’t lived in our community for some time, but I still consider them fellow community residents.
I would like to share with my colleagues a warm welcome to an employee of QEC, David Veevee originally from Pangnirtung. Also, another person who was just recognized who I recognize is Shuvinai Mike.
A good day’s wishes to Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove residents.
We rarely receive any visitors from the community of Whale Cove, and I want to also recognize this person from Whale Cove, Annie Napayok.
I wish her a warm welcome, and further if my maternal uncle is listening, I wish him a very good afternoon, and his name is Jackie Napayok.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Kusugak. (interpretation ends) Welcome to the Gallery, Ms. Napayok.
Good afternoon wishes to the residents of Pond Inlet including in all Nunavummiut.
I also want to welcome the visitors who have been recognized in the Gallery.
Furthermore, this elder whom I take great pride in and acknowledge, one of our community elders who is part of this committee, my fellow community resident, Mr. Gamailee Kilukishak. Please welcome him.
I, too, also wish to recognize individuals already recognized earlier, but I shall break one of our rules.
I wish to recognize these two individuals from Igloolik that were picked due to expression of interests for membership in this committee.
My Qiturngaqatik Josephine Kublu, and my in-law, Daniel Qattalik, were appointed to the committee, and I wish to welcome them to the Gallery.
They don’t usually travel to Iqaluit, but they have come here due to their recent appointment. I would like them warmly welcomed by my colleagues to this House.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Tapardjuk. Item 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): I wish a good afternoon to residents of Rankin Inlet, along with Nunavutmiut, as well as the viewing audience in Nunavik.
I, too, wish to acknowledge these people who were already recognized. Due to our rules of a member recognizing an individual only once, I will also be breaking our rules along with my colleague.
We don’t get too many visitors, especially our esteemed elders, so I want to welcome all our visiting elders.
When our Chambers are graced by elders’ presences, it really helps the members as well as Nunavutmiut by showcasing the elders’ place in our territory.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to welcome all of the elders, but sometimes members have their siblings visit on the rare occasion during our sessions here. Whenever members of our immediate families enter, even just a glance makes one glow with pride.
I want my colleagues to share in welcoming my sister who is in the Gallery, Annie Napayok, and her fellow elders.
On an occasion like this, I do not have a problem exercising my discretion to welcome these individuals to the Gallery.
Question 586 – 3(3): ASIST Training for Educators (Aupaluktuq)
I say “good afternoon” to the people of Baker Lake. It is nice to see the elders visiting us too.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, earlier today, I expressed my appreciation for Nunavut’s Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training.
As the minister is aware, the Coalition of Nunavut DEAs passed a resolution that “as a matter of the highest priority, suicide alertness and intervention training be made available to ALL staff in Nunavut schools who wish to take it, as soon as possible and on an ongoing basis.”
The minister strongly supported the delivery of ASIST training when the program was first launched.
Can she explain why her department has not implemented this resolution?
I would like to thank the member for asking a very important question in regard to ASIST.
Prevention is very important to the people of Nunavut.
There are quite a lot of options we can take on. (interpretation ends) Suicide intervention and prevention is a very serious social concern in Nunavut that is often difficult to deal with.
The goal of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training is to help people feel more comfortable, confident, and competent in helping to prevent those who are at immediate risk of suicide.
The Department of Education is committed to providing training to all school staff who are comfortable learning the skills that will help them respond to emergencies and take place in the community, including sudden loss of life. (interpretation) We are going to be training the educators on suicide prevention, and all employees who are willing to take the training program will have the option to go.
At times, there are employees who cannot take the training program because of… .
(interpretation ends) Sometimes it is difficult for individuals to take the training, especially if one has experienced a recent loss due to suicide, and they would rather wait until they are personally ready to take the course. Of course, the commitment to train all staff is important.