EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I believe it was not even a year ago that there was a different location, and I think it was the Armshow Long River site, or it was a site on this side of the bay, that was the preferred site and since then, there has been some changes.
So I’m just wondering if the minister could give a little update of the process on how that change came about to be.
This guy is asking questions to Minister Picco.
The member is correct, this has been a process that we have been working on for over five years and the first thing we did a little over five years ago was to look at energy potential.
There are all kinds of energy potential, but it really throws me off sometimes when we look at some of the things that are being raised publicly.
First of all, Mr. Chairman, as you know, wind power seems to be some opportunity.
We have followed that up and we have actually met with the largest developer of wind power in Toronto this summer, and that’s Sky Power.
They’re moving forward to do some work for us in the Kivalliq region. We think that’s a good thing.
We have talked to, for example, alternative energy sources, including solar, and we have talked to nuclear people on nuclear power. At the end of the day, it would seem that the biggest bang for our dollar would come from hydroelectric, it’s a renewable resource.
So at one point, we had 15 locations, but we didn’t have the water flow that a lot of people know about. One of the sites that were looked at, for example, was the Sylvia Grinnell River. It’s a major fish river and the idea that you had to put a big dam there, it would be very hard to negate or even mitigate the damage to the fish, and so on, in the river, and also, it runs through a park, so that would be a concern.
When we looked at some of the other sites, we started taking them off the list because there wasn’t enough water flow, there weren’t enough hydro sites, and so on and so forth, so we narrowed it down to six and then to four sites.
There are four sites on what we would consider the Kinngait side of the bay, which is the western side of Frobisher Bay, and we have two sites on the eastern side of Frobisher Bay - Anna-Marie Port, which would give us between eight and ten megawatts; Cantley Bay, which would give us between 14 to 17 megawatts; James Inlet, which would give us about eight to ten megawatts; and Armshow, which would give us in excess of 15 megawatts.
The total peak capacity in Iqaluit is ten megawatts and that’s only at certain times of the year, so you’re not always running at ten megawatts. So what you would need to be able to do is put in place logistic, as well as the administrative and the financial package to be able to develop that monies and that package.
So it’s gone from 15 down to four.
The preferred site that was identified at first was the Armshow and the Armshow flow was considerable but is a very large site.
The cost to do that, the preliminary numbers looked at about $350 million to $500 million and that was the price tag.
However, the James Inlet process would be about $180 million to $300 million. When you look at the economies of scale, it would probably be a better site to develop. At the same time, we’re still doing the hydrological studies on Cantley Bay and Anna-Marie Port because we haven’t ruled those out.
What has to happen now is the pre-feasibility study on the four different sites to see which one would be the best one geologically, meaning the underlying strata, are there faults, are there concerns with the morphology of the rocks underneath when you’re constructing a dam and the pens up.
You have to look at, number two, is the hydrological water level, and so on; number three, what is the least disruptive to the community and to the animals; and number four, look at other cost contingencies, for example, if it’s going to go through a park, if it’s on Inuit owned lands, is there an IIBA that needs to be signed, and so on.
So all that is part of the process and that’s why, when they originally looked at Armshow, they looked and said that the best site potential for hydro is Armshow, but they didn’t put in the other mitigating circumstances, such as costs, the logistics, and the administrative issues, and that’s why we’re still having four.
We have narrowed it down to four sites and of those four sites, two are optimum, being Armshow and James Inlet.
Very briefly, I hope that helped explain the situation regarding the hydro sites.
I would like to thank the minister for that brief explanation.
I think it was earlier this week in Monday’s paper, and I’m sure the minister probably is aware, I think it was reported that one site had been chosen.
Just from hearing the minister’s comments on it confirmed that the Qulliq Energy Corporation hasn’t chosen one site yet.
As he indicated, they’re looking at four different sites prior to making a final decision.
Again, I think it’s important to point out that if you’re going to move forward on a $150 million, $200 million, or $350 million project, you better make sure that all your ducks, as it were, are lined up and you need to ensure that, as I said earlier, the morphology of the area, and so on, are suitable.
So that pre-feasibility work will continue over the next 18 months.
And I would suggest to you that over the next 24 months, we will have most of the data that we need. Again, you can’t just go out and build something because the water is flowing, you need to know what amount of water is flowing there, and you need to be able to take that climate data, that hydrology, and that’s hydro, we need hydrology studies in water flow and so on.
So the member is correct and again, no decision has been made that we’re going to go in one certain place and build. What we have said is that out of the 15 original sites and then eight and down to four, now we’re looking at mainly two areas but we haven’t discounted the other two.
Again, those four sites seem to have the most potential.
But with this type of a program, when the amortization cost is over a longer period of time, you want to make sure that you get it right the first time.
So I strongly believe that the Power Corporation is doing a good job in ensuring that all the t’s are crossed and all the i’s are dotted on this area.
The minister indicated earlier that one of the things that they look at is water flow and I think one of the things that were reported recently was the fact that there was a considerable amount, I think they reported 100 percent more water in the water runoff, and I would assume that’s in your spring runoff.
But if you look at it, like this year, over the last few years, the amount of snow we’ve had has been very little and if it keeps getting like that, I’m just wondering if the snow is not there, then the runoff isn’t there.
I’m just wondering if that’s something that has been looked at as well, down the future, when they’re taking a look at their numbers because with the way things are going, we didn’t have very much snow last year and in a couple of days, it seemed like it was all gone.
It could get worse if the climate keeps going the way it does. So I would just like to get a confirmation from the minister that that’s something that they have taken into account when they’re looking at the water flow or water runoff.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Tootoo. (interpretation) I believe someone has their hand up. (interpretation ends) Mr. Mapsalak, is there something that you would like to say?
I just noted the time and my committee has to meet later on.
I would like to report progress because my committee has further matters to attend to and complete.
Mr. Mapsalak. (interpretation ends) We have a motion on the floor to report progress and the motion is not debatable so don’t debate, okay?
I will now rise to report progress. (interpretation) Thank you.
Minister Tapardjuk, thank you. (interpretation ends) Thank you very much, Minister Tapardjuk and your staff.
Your committee has been considering Bills 36, 37, 38, and 39, and would like to report that Bills 36, 37, and 38 are immediately ready for third reading, and Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be agreed to.
A reminder there’s a meeting of the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit at 6:30 at the Tuktu Room. For tomorrow, there’s a meeting of the Standing Committee on Health and Education at nine o’clock in the morning in the Tuktu Room.
Orders of the Day for September 11:
Tabled Document 216 – 2(4)
This House stands adjourned until Thursday, September 11, at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Pages 4716 – 4783
Opening Prayer 4716
Ministers’ Statements 4716
Members’ Statements 4717
Returns to Oral Questions 4723
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 4723
Oral Questions 4725
Tabling of Documents 4744
Second Reading of Bills 4744
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 4746
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 4746
Point of Order 4777
Report of the Committee of the Whole 4781
Third Reading of Bills 4781
Orders of the Day 4782
Thursday, September 11, 2008 4716
209 – 2(4): End of Life Vehicles and Scrap Metal Removal from Iqaluit (Akesuk) 4716
210 – 2(4): Nunavut Advanced Management Diploma Program Delivery in Rankin Inlet (Barnabas) 4717
516 – 2(4): Ceremonies Recognizing Inuit Special Constables (Peterson) 4718
517 – 2(4): Advice from Elders (Curley) 4719
518 – 2(4): Remembering Jimmy Elvis Ekho (Okalik) 4720
519 – 2(4): Transparency or Secrecy: The Choice is Ours (Tootoo) 4720
520 – 2(4): Federal Election and the Lack of Docking Facilities in Nunavut Communities (Tapardjuk) 4721
521 – 2(4): The Need to Keep “Inuuqatigiittiarniq” (Kattuk) 4722
Return to Oral Question 630 – 2(4): Lobbying Federal Government to Exempt Nunavummiut from Paying GST on Home Heating Fuel (Okalik) 4723
631 – 2(4): Use of Foreign Vessels in Nunavut Waters (Curley) 4725
632 – 2(4): Timeframe of Devolution Negotiations (Peterson) 4726
633 – 2(4): Response to Written Question 15 – 2(4) (Tootoo) 4728
634 – 2(4): Moving the Medical Travel Office from Pangnirtung to Iqaluit (Arvaluk) 4730
635 – 2(4): Status of Remediation of Old Power Plant Site in Baker Lake (Simailak) 4731
636 – 2(4): Hydroelectric Projects in James Bay and Environmental Impacts (Kattuk) 4733
637 – 2(4): Fuel Consumption by Qulliq Energy Corporation (Curley) 4734
638 – 2(4): Nuisance Bears (Peterson) 4737
639 – 2(4): End of Life Vehicle Removal Outside of Iqaluit (Kattuk) 4739
640 – 2(4): Response to Written Question 15 – 2(4) (Tootoo) 4740
641 – 2(4): When Will GN Complete the Fuel Purchase for 2008-2009 (Tootoo) 4742
278 – 2(4): Towards a Representative Public Service – Statistics as of March 31, 2008 (Barnabas) 4744
Bill 40 – An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act – Second Reading 4744
Bill 41 – Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008-2009 – Second Reading 4745
Bill 42 – Miscellaneous Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2008 – Second Reading 4745
Bill 43 – Write-Off of Assets and Debts Act, 2008-2009 – Second Reading 4746
Bill 39 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee 4747
Bill 36 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No 4, 2007-2008 – Third Reading 4781
Bill 37 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008 – Third Reading 4781
Bill 38 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009 – Third Reading 4782
Ms. Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. James Arvaluk, Honourable Levi Barnabas, Honourable Levinia Brown, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Honourable Patterk Netser, Honourable Paul Okalik, Mr. Keith Peterson, Honourable Edward Picco, Mr. David Simailak, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (interpretation): Good afternoon, Mr. Premier, Ministers, Members, and Nunavummiut.
Minister’s Statement 209 – 2(4): End of Life Vehicles and Scrap Metal Removal from Iqaluit (Akesuk)
Good afternoon, my colleagues. (interpretation) I send my regards to the residents of Cape Dorset and Kimmirut.
I say “I love you” to my wife.
(interpretation ends) I am pleased to announce that the first significant project to remove End of Life Vehicles, or ELVs, and scrap metal out of Nunavut is nearing its completion for this year, and its success can be seen on the streets of Iqaluit.
More than 200 derelict vehicles, along with old skidoos, broken ATVs and scrap metal have been collected and processed for shipment to a recycling company in Quebec.
Because of a small window during which this activity could be done and the huge amounts of ELVs and scrap metal, we were unable to complete the project in one summer.
Our plan is to finish the metal clean-up activity in Iqaluit next summer.
The Department of Environment continues to monitor and gather information on all aspects of this project closely.
We want to learn as much as possible about the logistics along with the cost and legal implications so we can expand the program into other Nunavut communities.
Mr. Speaker, what we learn from the Iqaluit project will provide the information needed to develop a comprehensive Nunavut-wide program for implementation in 2009 and beyond.
This project was supported by the Departments of Environment, Economic Development and Transportation, and Community and Government Services, in partnership with the City of Iqaluit.
We are proud of this and other initiatives that assist Nunavut communities in cleaning up solid waste and scrap metal that, in many cases, have been around for decades.
Minister Barnabas.
Minister’s Statement 210 – 2(4): Nunavut Advanced Management Diploma Program Delivery in Rankin Inlet (Barnabas)
Good afternoon, my colleagues. I send my regards to my wife, my children, and my grandchild.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the Department of Human Resources continues to expand professional development opportunities for Nunavut government employees.
I am pleased to announce we have partnered with Saint Mary’s University to deliver the Nunavut Advanced Management Diploma Program in Rankin Inlet this September.
Previously, this program was delivered in Iqaluit only.
The Nunavut Advanced Management Diploma Program consists of ten modules providing ‘hands-on’ experience.
Faculty from Saint Mary’s University will travel to Rankin Inlet to deliver each module.
Nunavut government participants will be required to complete group and individual exercises that gives them practical knowledge for immediate application in the workplace.
Mr. Speaker, participants completing the program will earn a Nunavut Advanced Management Diploma from Saint Mary’s University.
Although the courses being offered do not carry university credit, Saint Mary’s will consider the completed diploma for acceptance into some of its executive development programs.
Mr. Speaker, this initiative demonstrates the commitment by the Nunavut government to Ilippallianginnarniq: Continuing Learning, as well as the provision of management training for leaders in their own communities.
I look forward to congratulating those who successfully complete the program.
Member’s Statement 516 – 2(4): Ceremonies Recognizing Inuit Special Constables (Peterson)
I rise today to update the House on an important issue that I have raised on a number of occasions during the past two years.
Mr. Speaker, I have previously informed the House that there were four individuals in our community of Cambridge Bay who we believed used to serve as special constables with the RCMP.
However, they had never been properly recognized for their services through the placement of an official RCMP headstone at their gravesites.
Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to tell the House that three individuals have now been identified as special constables.
Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, August 23, 2008, family and friends gathered at the old cemetery to honour Special Constable John Tologanak.
It was a moving ceremony and the weather seemed fittingly appropriate with some wind and rain while the sun shined.
There were five RCMP officers present at the ceremony in their dress uniforms. Their presence was very much appreciated.
Mr. Speaker, the attending minister recognized the services of all special constables and RCMP officers, past and present, who have put their lives on the line to protect our Nunavut communities.
The ceremony brought closure to the family by the formal recognition of their father’s invaluable services to our community and the Kitikmeot.
Mr. Speaker, Special Constable Jimmy Nahogaloak’s family is planning a graveside ceremony for their father. His RCMP headstone is in Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Speaker, the family of Special Constable Andre Evaglok is planning a ceremony for their father next year when his headstone arrives.  In speaking to some family members, they are very happy and proud that their fathers are being recognized.
Mr. Speaker, we have found photographs that may help to identify and confirm that the fourth individual was a special constable.
That information has been sent to the RCMP for review.
We have our fingers crossed in hopes that the information confirms his position.
Mr. Speaker, the families are very grateful to the many people who have assisted in identifying their fathers as special constables and making the ceremonies possible.
In particular, Ms. Sue Coogan at the RCMP office in Iqaluit has been very helpful in dealing with the RCMP archives in Ottawa.
Sergeant Louis Jenvenne at the Cambridge Bay Detachment devoted his free time preparing the graves with the headstones. And, of course, former Special Constable Johnny Lyall of Cambridge Bay has been the inspirational force behind the effort to recognize his colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask the House to join me in saluting the services of the special constables in Cambridge Bay and special constables across Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 517 – 2(4): Advice from Elders (Curley)
I would like to make a statement in remembrance of our past lifestyle. Our elders are the foundation of our knowledge.
So when they discuss issues with me, I have to share them with other Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, this is what I wish to make a statement on.
I could have made a written statement, but I never got around to it.
Mr. Speaker, when discussing issues with an elder, it jogged my memory and I believe this applies to all the communities in Nunavut.
This elder noted that due to the changing environment, several of the streams and rivers in the vicinity of Rankin Inlet that contain anadromous char are experiencing changes affecting the fish.
He stated that the characteristics of these watersheds are changing with some of the rivers experiencing erosion problems, especially more so during the spring melt.
Some of these streams and rivers, which originally had char, are being affected both due to the lack of water or barriers affecting the upstream migration of the char.
The barriers include rocks and boulders which are blocking the upstream migration in these bodies of water.
This would comprise an excellent summer project for unemployed youth. If we are to try and preserve the fish in these rivers, then we need to clean up these rivers. If we are to continue to have char in our diets and to share them with our people, then something has to be done about these streams and rivers.
I told the elder that this is a matter for the wildlife organizations as well as government departments to resolve.
However, he stated that this is not a single case in the immediate vicinity of Rankin Inlet, but that there are several streams which are now too shallow and the rocks are impeding the migration of the char.
It would be a glorious employment and knowledge building opportunity for our youth and the government ought to explore options for these cases.
DFO should be collaborating with the local communities and HTOs, especially with our esteemed elders to deal with these rivers as they know exactly which streams and rivers require repairs.
If we are to retain our diet to include fish, we will have to preserve and maintain these rivers so that char can continue to use them.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to refer this to Cabinet for their deliberation.
Member’s Statement 518 – 2(4): Remembering Jimmy Elvis Ekho (Okalik)
Today, we tend to remember those people who have suffered hardship, especially after the 9/11 catastrophe happened. I also remember a past friend who used to work here in our chambers, who suddenly passed away this spring.
Most people knew this person rather well. He was Jimmy “Elvis” Ekho from Iqaluit. He used to emulate Elvis.
He was from my riding and it was regrettable to hear that he died from an illness this spring. As well, I would like to acknowledge the relatives he left behind, Akiruq, his wife and his children. As well, he left behind sisters.
We are keeping the people he left behind in our minds.
I also would like to thank him as he used to work here at the Legislative Assembly during our sittings in Iqaluit and he also worked at meetings all over Nunavut.
He used to work at the museum and contributed a lot to our communities, and showcased our culture to visitors.
So we really appreciate and thank Jimmy “Elvis” Ekho for all the contributions he made.
On behalf of my colleagues, I thank him for everything that he did.
Member’s Statement 519 – 2(4): Transparency or Secrecy: The Choice is Ours (Tootoo)
I rise today to address a choice that we have: transparency or secrecy.
Mr. Speaker, in June of this year, I posed a written question to the government on the issue of disclosures and withdrawals under our Integrity Act.
As members are aware, section 15 of the Act sets out the procedure to follow when an MLA or a minister has reasonable grounds to believe that he or she has a conflict of interest in a matter.
The Act requires that every disclosure and withdrawal that occurs at a meeting of the Executive Council be recorded.
Mr. Speaker, I asked a simple question: how many times has this occurred since March of 2004?
Mr. Speaker, the government’s response which was tabled this week creates more questions than answers. The response simply stated that all such meetings are confidential.
Mr. Speaker, by contrast, when I asked a written question last year concerning how many meetings of the Executive Council took place between June and September and who attended them, an actual number was provided, although the names of participants were not disclosed.
Mr. Speaker, I simply do not see the value of keeping this kind of information secret.
Mr. Tootoo: It serves no useful purpose and only causes the public to be even more suspicious of their elected representatives than they already are.
Mr. Speaker, there are better approaches that we could adopt.
For example, the language in British Columbia’s Conflict of Interest Act that deals with the issue of disclosures and withdrawals is similar in some ways to ours.
However, it goes further by making records available for public inspection.
Mr. Speaker, better disclosure in this area would serve to enhance our credibility in the eyes of the public. I believe that this is the right choice to make.
Member’s Statement 520 – 2(4): Federal Election and the Lack of Docking Facilities in Nunavut Communities (Tapardjuk)
I wish to send greetings to my constituents in Hall Beach and Igloolik.
I would like to make a festive announcement about an event that occurred in my constituency this summer. As most of you are aware, a bowhead whale hunt took place in Hall Beach this past August.
The hunters were successful in that they caught the bowhead whale shortly after receiving their license. I think the whale caught was 44 feet long.
I would like my colleagues to join me in celebrating the immense ability of these hunters.
As many people know, Inuit are skilful hunters and they know their marine environment. They also know the traditional hunting skills that enable them to survive, which they apply when hunting marine mammals.
Be that as it may, I would like to speak to the federal election which seems to be gearing up. We would like to enlist all of the federal candidates’ support to fight for more infrastructure in Nunavut as the majority of our communities are void of even the most basic infrastructure, such as docks and small craft harbours.
This is also becoming an urgent matter for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to consider.