EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman, with respect to Nunavut Emergency Management, our department has been working hard to improve the response programs available to the public in the area of search and rescue.
We are continuing our work with community SAR organizations, or search and rescue organizations, hamlets, and individuals to assist in coordinating activities with the RCMP, military and community groups.
We look forward to continuing progress in this important area.
(interpretation ends) The Territorial Fire Strategy Implementation Plan is also continuing and is providing a substantial amount of training and equipment to local fire departments throughout Nunavut.
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman, I hope that these brief comments give an appreciation of the variety of programs, services, and the various mandates that are the responsibility of Community and Government Services.
Our vision of the future is one of partnerships, collaboration, and continued efforts to meet the needs of our client groups in order to better support communities and Nunavummiut as a whole.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Kusugak. Are there any questions on the opening comments?
I move to report progress. (interpretation) Thank you very much.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. There is a motion on the floor to report progress and the motion is not debatable.
All those in favour of reporting progress, please raise your hand.
All those opposed to reporting progress.
The majority of members would like to report progress, so the motion is carried.
Orders of the Day for June 9:
This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, June 9, at 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Pages 175 – 234
Opening Prayer 175
Ministers’ Statements 175
Members’ Statements 177
Returns to Oral Questions 180
Oral Questions 180
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 198
Written Questions 198
Tabled Documents 199
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 200
Report of the Committee of the Whole 233
Orders of the Day 233
Tuesday, June 9, 2009 175
014 – 3(2): Minister Absent From the House (Curley) 175
015 – 3(2): Cold Weather Aerospace Testing – Iqaluit Airport (Taptuna) 175
016 – 3(2): Energy Teacher’s Kit (Kusugak) 176
017 – 3(2): Nunavut Participation in Growing Forward from 2009 to 2013 (Taptuna) 176
023 – 3(2): Baker Lake Graduates of Nunavut Sivuniksavut (Aupaluktuq) 177
024 – 3(2): Operation Nunalivut 2009 (Elliott) 178
025 – 3(2): Whale Cove High School Graduates (Kusugak) 178
026 – 3(2): Pangnirtung Turbot Fishery (Komoartok) 179
027 – 3(2): Resource Development Opportunities in Nunavut (Ningark) 179
Return to Oral Question 019 – 3(2): Review of NHC Maintenance Management Programs and Operations (Tootoo) 180
032 – 3(2): NHC Acquisition of Telehandlers (Schell) 181
033 – 3(2): Status of GN’s Review of Business Development Centres (Aupaluktuq) 182
034 – 3(2): Protecting Arctic Waters from Pollution (Elliott) 184
035 – 3(2): Government of Nunavut Input into Review of Food Mail Program (Ningeongan) 187
036 – 3(2): Resource Development Opportunities in Nunavut (Ningark) 188
037 – 3(2): Update on New Power Plant for Cape Dorset (Schell) 189
038 – 3(2): Housing Maintenance Costs per Unit (Elliott) 191
039 – 3(2): H1N1 Swine Flu Update (Ningark) 193
040 – 3(2): Project Tendering for Cape Dorset (Schell) 194
041 – 3(2): Arctic Bay Health Centre (Elliott) 195
042 – 3(2): Update on Arctic Bay Airport (Elliott) 197
001 – 3(2): Employment of Agency Nurses (Aupaluktuq) 198
021 – 3(2): Quotes for Equipment Purchase (Schell) 199
022 – 3(2): Procurement Activity Report, 2007-2008 (Kusugak) 199
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Community and Government Services – Consideration in Committee 200
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Finance – Consideration in Committee 225
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Honourable Tagak Curley, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Adamee Komoartok, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (Hon. James Arreak)  (interpretation): Before we proceed, I would like to ask Mr. Daniel Shewchuk to say the opening prayer.
Good afternoon, Premier, Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, Nunavummiut, and residents of Clyde River, especially my grandchildren.
(interpretation ends) Item 2. Ministers’ Statements.
Minister’s Statement 014 – 3(2): Minister Absent From the House (Curley)
I rise to advise my colleagues that the Hon. Louis Tapardjuk will be absent from the House on June 9 and June 10.
Minister’s Statement 015 – 3(2): Cold Weather Aerospace Testing – Iqaluit Airport (Taptuna)
Most Members of this House are aware that the Iqaluit International Airport has built an international reputation as the world’s premiere cold weather aerospace test centre for the European aircraft manufacturing industry.
Since 2005, when cold weather testing began, it is estimated that more than $3 million has been spent in Iqaluit by six companies, including Airbus and Eurocopter.
I believe we can see this sector grow considerably in the next few years.
In order to continue this type of activity, it is important to continue to market the Iqaluit International Airport and place the airport solely in the customer’s mind and keep it there.
On June 10, Mr. Speaker, I will be leading a delegation from the Department of Economic Development and Transportation to the 48th Paris International Air Show.
With nearly 2,000 exhibitors from over 40 countries and 154,000 trade visitors, the show is the world’s largest and most important aerospace event.
I will be meeting with prospective aviation clients from the commercial, business, and military aviation sectors, and will be promoting the use of the Iqaluit International Airport for cold weather testing.
We will be pursuing the next phase of the Eurocopter EC- 175 flight test program, as well as the forthcoming Airbus A400M military transport test program, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and the Airbus A350XWB.
I have meetings scheduled with senior management from each of these aircraft manufacturers.
Cold weather flight testing, Mr. Speaker, reveals another dimension to economic development in Nunavut.
The cold weather testing business requires minimal capital investment but yields immediate economic benefits through local provision of services, including accommodations, catering, vehicle rentals, and ground support, including the sales of fuel, clothing, and local arts and crafts. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 016 – 3(2): Energy Teacher’s Kit (Kusugak)
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to announce that an Energy Teacher’s Kit will soon be available for schools across Nunavut.
The energy kit will provide teachers with easy-to-use teaching resources so that they are able to incorporate energy topics into their learning discussions.
The teacher’s kit is tailored for kindergarten to grade 12 students and will be available in English, Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, and French.
Teaching topics will include renewable and non-renewable energy, energy production, energy conservation, and energy efficiency.
Mr. Speaker, the energy teaching resources will provide students with opportunities to explore energy use and develop strategies to encourage energy conservation in their schools and communities.
The Energy Teacher’s Kit will be distributed while we work to develop energy curriculum for all Nunavut schools.
The development of energy curriculum is an important initiative of our Energy Strategy.
We recognize that responsible decision-making about energy will require today’s students to understand energy and all related issues as tomorrow’s leaders.
Mr. Speaker, one of the four main goals of our Energy Strategy is the development of energy-related business and employment opportunities in Nunavut.
By introducing energy curriculum, we hope to inspire Nunavut students to pursue employment in the energy field. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 017 – 3(2): Nunavut Participation in Growing Forward from 2009 to 2013 (Taptuna)
Members of the House, we all recognize the economic and cultural significance of the traditional economy in Nunavut.
We are proud to support our harvesters.
They provide healthy food for our families, pass cultural knowledge to our children, and are the foundation of our communities.
On March 27, my department signed a bilateral agreement with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada under the Growing Forward Framework.
Under Growing Forward, joint federal-territorial funding will support sustainable and innovative harvesting activities and contribute to community economic development.
Growing Forward funds in Nunavut will support caribou herd management studies, food safety training, and other capacity building initiatives, including commercial harvesting initiatives and market development initiatives.
An Hon. Member: Hear, hear!
Growing Forward programs in Nunavut will also support the advancement of research and demonstration projects relevant to the Nunavut harvesting and value-added industry.
In the coming year, the department will undertake studies on innovative community freezer technology, community markets for country food, and community greenhouses.
The department will work with the Department of Environment, the Nunavut Development Corporation, hunters and trappers organizations, harvesters, Inuit organizations, communities, societies, and Nunavut businesses to implement projects and initiatives under Growing Forward. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Before we proceed, I wish to inform members that the Member for Iqaluit West, Mr. Paul Okalik, will not be in the House but will return on Thursday.
Member’s Statement 023 – 3(2): Baker Lake Graduates of Nunavut Sivuniksavut (Aupaluktuq)
I would like to send my regards to the residents of Baker Lake.
During the spring, it is the time to make dry meat and I am getting homesick because they are preparing all the country foods, especially for the youth.
Speaking of youth, I wish to mention those who completed the first year of the Nunavut Sivuniksavut Program in Ottawa.
They are: Siobhan Iksiktaarjuk, Paula Rumbolt, Kevin Iksitaarjuk, and also one of my nieces, Aqattuaq Kiah Hachey.
I myself have gone through the Nunavut Sivuniksavut Program in 1992-93. They teach you government systems and how the Nunavut territory was created.
I would like to acknowledge the students who have completed the Nunavut Sivuniksavut Program.
Member’s Statement 024 – 3(2): Operation Nunalivut 2009 (Elliott)
I rise today to pay tribute to the participants in this year’s Operation Nunalivut. As members will be aware, Operation Nunalivut is one of three major arctic sovereignty operations conducted every year by the Canadian Forces.
This year’s operation took place in March and April.
I had the honour of joining our Premier and the Commander of Joint Task Force North Brigadier-General David Millar to welcome the return of the Canadian Rangers from their patrol of Ellesmere Island.
Mr. Speaker, during ceremonies to mark the occasion, Grise Fiord Ranger Jarloo Kiguktak presented the Premier with a commemorative item of rangers clothing.
I know that she will wear it with pride.
Mr. Speaker, other rangers participating in this exercise from the High Arctic were Master Corporal Donald Ittuksarjuat, Ranger Alex Ammaklak, and Ranger Joelie Qaunaq.
Mr. Speaker, I support close cooperation between federal, territorial, and local governments on issues that impact the High Arctic. The Canadian Forces play a critical role in many areas: sovereignty assertion, search and rescue, and disaster relief.
Mr. Speaker, our Canadian Rangers deserve our full support.
I ask all members to join me in paying tribute to this year’s participants in Operation Nunalivut.
Member’s Statement 025 – 3(2): Whale Cove High School Graduates (Kusugak)
Good day to the residents of Whale Cove and Rankin Inlet. It is the spring fishing season and many of us are envious.
I rise today to extend my congratulations to two students who graduated from grade 12 in Whale Cove, Iqipiriaq Aaruaq and Dodai Qitirliq. I’m extremely proud of their accomplishment and quite happy to see them graduate.
I’m sure their parents are quite proud to see them complete grade 12 as it is always a momentous occasion when our children graduate from school. Although Whale Cove is a small community, they are quite active in many areas which I am pleased to see.
They are quite supportive of their children’s attendance in school.
These two students, Iqipiriaq and Dodai, make very good role models and showcase the fact that if one works hard, one can complete their studies.
I, along with my colleagues, would like to congratulate the graduates on their accomplishment.
Member’s Statement 026 – 3(2): Pangnirtung Turbot Fishery (Komoartok)
I wish to inform my colleagues about what has transpired over the course of this year in my constituency. The winter turbot fishing season has just closed for this year and the fishery has also closed.
Last fall, in November, they allocated a further 106 metric tonnes to Pangnirtung and this was to create more jobs in the fish plant in Pangnirtung.
They started fishing this allocation in November all the way into January.
However, the ice outside of Pangnirtung Fiord finally formed solidly this year and we didn’t experience any ice break-up this year, allowing the fishermen to fish continually.
The first turbot landed was on January 22 and the last one landed was on May 15.
We had 31 fishermen fishing this quota and most had assistants.
The turbot landed outside of Pangnirtung Fiord totalled 230,722 pounds altogether. The fishermen earned over $250,000 this season, enabling the fish plant to operate continuously.
Mr. Speaker, there are between 35 and 40 people working full-time at the fish plant during the peak fishing season.
These fish plant workers were employed from January to May processing the turbot that is caught and their earnings were close to $200,000.
Mr. Speaker, this has been very beneficial to the development of fisheries in our community. The fishermen are not just fishing for turbot near Pangnirtung as there are also commercial fishermen who fish for char in the lakes and we have commercial quotas in several lakes.
These turbot fishermen work extremely hard to catch their fish in deep seas, with depths reaching approximately 1,200 feet deep. Sometimes it takes the fishermen a whole hour for the fish lines to reach the sea bed.
I would like to thank everyone for all their support.
Member’s Statement 027 – 3(2): Resource Development Opportunities in Nunavut (Ningark)
I would like to make a Member’s Statement in regard to mining development in Nunavut.
I’m not talking about the negative impacts of mining nor the benefits.
However, when we are initiating economic development or any development on our resources on the land, we have to ask: how will I benefit from this development?
What will we receive in exchange for this development?
Will we get assistance from this development?
With regard to this line of thinking, I was approached by a constituent from Repulse Bay who wanted support for a prospecting course in their community. This included a request on a driller’s course and whether they could get some assistance, which I received from an elder.
The context is that when our constituents request support, we have to provide whatever assistance we can.
Also in Kugaaruk, a youth was interested in prospecting work during the summer months and he wanted assistance in trying to find employment.
I acknowledged the interests of my constituents who are interested in benefiting from economic development adjacent to their community.
Mr. Speaker, when a constituent requests assistance from a member, we have to try to assist them in their endeavours. We cannot stop these projects and it seems we cannot initiate them either here in Nunavut.
With respect to people who wish to work for wages or to help themselves benefit from development to assist their families, we must provide them with help when they request it. At the appropriate time, I will be asking the Minister responsible for Mines some questions with regard to this matter.
Return to Oral Question 019 – 3(2): Review of NHC Maintenance Management Programs and Operations (Tootoo)
I would like to add further information to the question asked by the Member for Hudson Bay on Friday in regard to the review of the housing corporation on the maintenance management programs and operations in the LHOs.
As I promised him, I would confirm and I am very pleased and relieved to confirm that my memory isn’t gone and I did remember correctly that a review of maintenance programs and maintenance operations has been completed in seven communities and those communities are: Kimmirut, Pond Inlet, Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, Pangnirtung, and Qikiqtarjuaq.
I also want to inform him that the housing corporation is committed to conducting reviews of the maintenance programs and maintenance operations in the remaining communities by next winter.
Question 032 – 3(2): NHC Acquisition of Telehandlers (Schell)
As the minister is well aware, I have been expressing concerns about the NHC’s recent purchase of several hundred thousand dollars worth of telehandler units from the company Weagant Farm Supplies of South Mountain, Ontario.
Mr. Speaker, I didn’t know that the NHC had gotten into the agricultural business.
I would like to begin by asking the minister to explain exactly why the corporation did not acquire these units through a public tender process.
We aren’t in the agricultural business as the member would refer to, I think he’s maybe getting that information from somebody, but we’re not in the agricultural business.
Mr. Speaker, the housing corporation, in looking at what we needed to deliver this year, is doing five different types of building that are coming up on sealift for different building types and one of them is the two-storey townhouse.
We had determined and had the approval from CMHC that these were allowable expenses under the trust program to have that type of equipment necessary to facilitate the construction of that type of unit.
The corporation, knowing that there is one company in Nunavut that manufactures, well, they don’t really manufacture it here, they just get it from another company down south, decided that it was most prudent and the easiest way to do it was to do a request for quotations to four different companies on that and that’s how that process was done.
There was a request for quotations requested from four different manufacturers and that’s what the corporation did rather than going out to public tender.
I would like to ask the minister to inform the House as to whether or not any of the NHC’s current or former employees, contractors, or consultants who made the decision to acquire these units from Weagant Farm Supplies have or had business or personal ties with the company.
The member seems to be referring to some inappropriate actions being taken by corporation staff.
I can assure the member, as I assured him in my office, that there are no personal dealings, involvement, or relationship between any of the people who were involved in setting up or doing the request for quotations and the successful proponent.
As I mentioned earlier, NHC has apparently decided to acquire units from a company that normally supplies farming equipment to folks in sunny southern Ontario.
It’s my understanding that the other company that was asked to provide quotes, Case Toromont, submitted a quote for equipment that is specifically designed to operate in arctic conditions.
Can the minister explain to the House exactly what steps, if any, NHC took to determine that the Weagant Farm Supplies equipment will actually work in Nunavut throughout the year?
I would like to just confirm for the member that when the corporation staff indicated and did their request for quotations, they consulted with the manufacturers that made suggestions of things that would be required for operation here in the north and our cold temperatures.
Those things were taken into consideration and were included in requirements to be addressed by both of the proponents that he mentioned.
It is clear that there are many unanswered questions surrounding this situation.
Will the minister commit to tabling a complete and comprehensive disclosure package in this House of all information concerning the process by which NHC made this purchase, yes or no?
I have no problem providing and tabling information that I have already provided to the member outlining exactly that information.
He could table it himself, he’s got it. But I would be more than happy to table information that we gave him in regard to that if that’s what he’s looking for.
Question 033 – 3(2): Status of GN’s Review of Business Development Centres (Aupaluktuq)
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My questions are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Hon. Minister Taptuna.
Last September, a copy of the report An Evaluation of Business Development Centres in the Kitikmeot, Kivalliq and Qikiqtaaluk Regions was tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
This was of August 2008.
The department’s business plan indicates that one of its priorities is to “implement the recommendations” of this assessment.
Can the minister update the House today on the status of this work?
Thank you for that question. I just need some clarification on exactly which section that you’re talking about, the Kitikmeot or the Kivalliq. (interpretation) Thank you.
The question wasn’t specific for the whole evaluation of all of Nunavut and the business development centres of the Kitikmeot, Kivalliq, and Qikiqtaaluk, but I’m particularly interested in the Kivalliq.
I’ll have to get back to the hon. member on that as I don’t have that information at present.
I also thank the hon. minister for the response and I look forward to a reply as well.
The reason why I asked about that was because I know you will get back to me on this later as well.
One of the observations in the assessment of the business development centres was that the Kivalliq Business Development Centre is “not fully operationally engaged at the present time.”
Can the minister indicate how this concern is being addressed?
This is where my questions were leading up to, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Thank you very much.
The Kivalliq Partners in Development, I’m assuming that you’re asking questions on that organization.
As I had mentioned previously, the government is going to be doing an in-depth review throughout the report card process and that’s going to be analyzed, evaluated, and once evaluated, the best option to help Nunavummiut and the Kivalliq will be taken.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. (interpretation ends) Your second supplementary, Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I also want to thank the minister as well for the response.
The question I was referring to in this sense was the status of the Kivalliq Business Development Centre.
But the supplementary question that I would like to use in the meantime, Mr. Speaker, is as the minister is aware, under the department’s Program Partnerships Policy, the Kivalliq Partners in Development Corporation used to deliver business development programs in the region.
However, this relationship ended in 2005.
I agree with suggestions that it’s time for the government to revisit this issue.
Will the minister commit to me that he will review the idea of renewing his department’s relationship with the Kivalliq Partners in Development Corporation?
Yes, there’s going to be a review done on the whole process and how the economic funding, or contribution agreements, or programs are delivered in the Kivalliq region.