EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, Inuit leaders from across the circumpolar world met this week in Ottawa to deliberate on the issue of natural resources development.
I look forward to the adoption of a circumpolar Inuit declaration on responsible resource development principles in Inuit Nunaat, which is a document that I would be extremely pleased to see tabled in this Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, I welcome the President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated’s announcement that NTI will be undertaking a review of its policy concerning uranium mining in Nunavut.
As members are aware, this policy was passed in 2007.
Subsequent to the adoption of the policy, NTI signed Memorandums of Understanding with Forum Uranium Corporation and Kaminak Gold Corporation concerning uranium exploration on Inuit owned lands.
Mr. Speaker, in light of this week’s welcome news, I wish to take this opportunity to suggest that the GN and NTI should work together to jointly hold public consultations on uranium mining in Nunavut.
As I noted earlier, the government has already announced that it will hold public forums on this issue, so it makes sense for both organizations to cooperate in order to ensure that public consultations are undertaken in an inclusive and effective manner.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions next week to the Premier concerning this issue, and I hope that she will take the opportunity over the next few days to speak with the president of NTI about ways that the two organizations can work together in coming months on behalf of all residents of the territory.
Member for Quttiktuq.  Member’s Statement 375 – 3(2): Narwhal Tusk Ban (Elliott)
Earlier this week, the media reported on our MP’s recent visit to the High Arctic. In the article, it mentioned how there were many questions posed regarding the recent proposed drop in narwhal quota and ban on the sale of narwhal tusks and products produced from these tusks.
Mr. Speaker, I believe these lines of questioning show the genuine concern that my communities have for the well-being of having a healthy, happy community.
Mr. Speaker, constituents in my communities rely on country food to offset the high price of the family food budget.
As all members are aware, country food does not only taste great but is also very healthy as it contains all of the vitamins and nutrients needed for a healthy diet.
Narwhal meat is not only used for sustenance; it is also used to continue a traditional way of living.
Mr. Speaker, as southern values and interests continue to creep into our communities, it is hard for people to continue to live a more traditional way of life.
The meat from narwhal is used to feed many dogs for our dog teams. Mr. Speaker, there is also the lost income from the sale of narwhal tusks and products produced through carving.
This income will be missed since there is a ban on the sale of the ivory.
Mr. Speaker, why would my constituents not ask these questions or raise these concerns?
It’s only natural, while our MP, our representative on all federal matters and policies, was in the community, that they would seek answers to questions they have not received answers to and not continue to harp on issues that have been dealt with.
When a community like Arctic Bay sees a drop in the proposed narwhal quota from over 100 tags to 28 tags, it will raise concerns.
Again I commend my constituents for being aware and for not being afraid to let their concerns be known. It is only through open and candid communication that issues can be brought forward, discussed, and dealt with.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions regarding this matter for the Minister of Environment at the appropriate time.
Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove.  Member’s Statement 376 – 3(2): Hockey Tournament this Weekend in Rankin Inlet (Kusugak)
It’s not a very celebratory Friday compared to yesterday because the Montreal Canadiens lost to the Maple Leafs, but the good point about today is that we will have a short day today.
I would like to remind my constituents of Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove that if they wish to contact me, I am always available. My assistant, David Kritterdlik, in Whale Cove is always available, and Johnny One in Rankin Inlet is the main contact and he is always available.
I thank both of my assistants because they are very capable and competent.
Furthermore, starting today, there will be a hockey tournament in Rankin Inlet and the younger people will be playing.
There will be a lot of people watching and playing.
Please be welcomed in Rankin Inlet and I know you will be made to feel hospitable.
This is the time to start preparing for the Avataq Cup in Rankin Inlet, which will be next Friday.
We will have 10 teams that will arrive in Rankin Inlet to partake in this tournament.
We look forward to welcoming them to play in the hockey tournament.
I hope they have a good referee; they did not have a very good one last night.
Member’s Statement 377 – 3(2): INAC Water Use Inspection Reports (Ningark)
Mr. Ningark: Good morning.
I rise today to bring attention to the urgent need to improve waste management facilities in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, during yesterday’s sitting of the House, I tabled the water use inspection reports which were prepared by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada for the two communities that I represent: Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay.
Later today, at the appropriate time, I will be asking questions on these reports.
Mr. Speaker, these INAC water use inspection reports that many of my colleagues have been asking questions about this week have clearly revealed that the majority of Nunavut communities are not compliant with their water use licences which are issued by the Nunavut Water Board.
Mr. Speaker, as human beings and stewards of the earth, I believe we are all tasked with protecting our eco-system.
One of our guiding principles as Inuit is Avatittinnik Kamatsiarniq, which means to respect and care for the land, animals and the environment.
Mr. Speaker, Tamapta states, and I quote, “All Nunavummiut deserve to have their basic needs met.
This means working together with families and communities to ensure affordable, healthy food, safe water and a home.”
It also states that a priority of the government is “stewardship of our environment and wildlife.”  I’m watching my time here.
Mr. Speaker, there’s an old saying: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Mr. Speaker, I also recognize that there’s no quick fix as the resources that are required to address this issue are considerable.
I would like to ask my colleagues to conclude my Member’s Statement.
The Member for Akulliq is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Member, you may proceed.
The federal, territorial, and municipal levels of government all have responsibilities and I encourage them to work together for the sake of our communities and our environment.
Member’s Statement 378 – 3(2): Kitikmeot Hockey Tournament (Ugyuk)
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Good morning.
I say “good morning” to my constituents in Nattilik. They must just be starting to wake up now.
Just prior to my trip, I helped open the hockey tournament which was held from February 18 to 20 in Gjoa Haven. The residents of Gjoa Haven were very hospitable and welcomed the visiting hockey teams.
One of the winning teams was a team from Gjoa Haven.
I celebrated that team because they came first.
I am also very happy because the team from Taloyoak came in second.
It must have been very boisterous during the hockey game when everyone started cheering their team. It’s unfortunate that I missed it because it becomes very exciting to watch the teams from Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven. For that, I’m grateful.
The third place team was the team from Cambridge Bay. I also congratulate them for placing third.
There were four communities that went to this hockey tournament. One of the teams was from Kugaaruk, and they came in fourth and the fifth place team was the second Gjoa Haven team.
They had two teams from Gjoa Haven participating.
Team 1 won the tournament while the other team finished fifth.
I thank the residents of Gjoa Haven for hosting a very good tournament.
They are very hospitable when they conduct these kinds of tournaments.
They were very welcoming and the players were looked after and well fed.
We are expecting next year that the Kitikmeot Cup will be played in Kugluktuk.
The year after, in 2013, it will be held in Taloyoak.
This year, it was supposed to have been in Taloyoak, but unfortunately, our arena was not ready and available, so they ended up having to work.
I would like to remind everyone that our arena will not be ready for 2013.
Member’s Statement 379 – 3(2): Iqaluit Pages of the Legislative Assembly (Aariak)
Good morning. I say “good morning” to my constituents of Iqaluit East, and Adamie Itorcheak, who is at my constituency office. I thank him for his very good work.
I stand today, Mr. Speaker, (interpretation ends) I would like to recognize these young people here in our Chambers, wearing these beautiful Amautit and Atigit.
These youth from Inuksuk High School have worked very hard this week in providing us all the water that we need and the notes and messages that need to be passed around.
It is no doubt that they have been very patient, and I truly hope that we have inspired them.
Perhaps one day they will sit here where we are seated and represent their people, just like we are representing our people here in the House.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that three of the four here are from my riding, Iqaluit East, and I would be honoured to recognize Simonie Alainga, (interpretation) he is sitting here, (interpretation ends) Margo Crawford, (interpretation) over there, (interpretation ends) and Jennifer Moore, (interpretation) over here, and Samuel Tagalik over there. (interpretation ends) They have done us very proud.
I would like to congratulate Simonie, Margo, Jennifer, and Samuel.
We are all very proud of you. (interpretation) Thank you.
There are no more hands up. We can now go to Item 4.
Return to Oral Question 523 – 3(2): Pandemic Flu Plans (Curley)
This is a return to oral question asked by (interpretation ends) MLA Ron Elliott (interpretation) on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, Question 523 – 3(2), regarding pandemic flu plans.
Mr. Speaker, this is quite a lengthy response, so I would like to have it entered into the record as read (interpretation ends) into the Hansard.
On February 22, 2011, the member from Quttiktuq asked an oral question in the legislature regarding the Department of Health and Social Services (HSS) on the status of Nunavut’s pandemic flu plan and an update on the current flu season situation.
Mr. Speaker, HSS is continuing to complete revisions to the Nunavut pandemic plan for the health sector.
The territorial, regional, and community levels of Health and Social Services plans have all been updated.
The territorial plan has been extensively rewritten from the last draft plan of 2006.
The regional plans are being revised and will require finalizing when the territorial plan is completed to ensure that they link with both to the territorial and community plans.
The community plans have been revised and completed in each community by the regional HSS staff with support from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
During this process, HSS has consulted with community partners, such as the hamlets and RCMP.
In the future, revisions to all levels will be considered on a regular basis to all plans.
On February 16, 2011, HSS, with assistance from the Public Health Agency of Canada, emergency preparedness staff and exercise planners held a full day tabletop exercise.
This exercise was to test the territorial plan.
The exercise was held in Iqaluit, Pangnirtung, Rankin Inlet, and Cambridge Bay HSS offices using Telehealth with PHAC facilitators in each office and was successful.
The plan will be further modified and finalized when input from the recent tabletop exercise is provided.
Mr. Speaker, the 2010-11 influenza season in Nunavut has been similar to the influenza seasons in prior years, with the exception of the 2009 H1N1 influenza season.
This year, as in the past, Nunavut has offered all of our residents the influenza vaccine at no cost.
In each community, our nurses have been providing the vaccine (“the flue shot”) and have let community members know when and where the vaccine is available.
To date, the types of influenza seen in Canada and in Nunavut are all protected against by the vaccine.
A new protocol for treatment of seasonal influenza with antiviral medication (“Tamiflu”) was developed by the office of the CMOH, the director of medical affairs, and the territorial pharmacist, and this protocol was distributed to all health centres on January 31, 2011. (interpretation) Thank you.
Minister Curley is asking that it be entered into the record as read.
We are on Returns to Oral Questions.
Item 5 in our Orders of the Day. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
I would like to recognize a visitor to the Gallery who is from Pangnirtung.
He is my cousin and an esteemed carver, Jaco Ishulutak.
I am quite glad to see you as you seem to be the only visitor in the Gallery.
We can now go back to our orders of the day. (interpretation ends) Item 6. (interpretation) Oral Questions.
The first one who would like to ask a question is the Member for Baker Lake.
Question 550 – 3(2): Development Partnership Agreement with the Meadowbank Mining Corporation (Aupaluktuq)
As members are aware, the operations of the Meadowbank gold mine have a significant impact on the community of Baker Lake.
In 2007, the Government of Nunavut signed a development partnership agreement with the Meadowbank Mining Corporation.
This entitled the company to be eligible for benefits under the GN’s Fuel Tax Rebate Program.
The development partnership agreement was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on March 12, 2008.
Under Article 9 of the agreement, an annual report is required to be prepared on the operations of the agreement.
Can the minister indicate when the most recent annual report was provided to his office and will he commit to tabling it in the Legislative Assembly?
Minister of Economic Development.
Once the report is available, I will surely table the report.
Under the terms of the GN’s development partnership agreement with Meadowbank, the corporation, the Government of Nunavut, and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada participate in a Meadowbank Socio-Economic Monitoring Committee.
Last year, one of the priorities in the business plan of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation was to “compile and collect information on poverty through the Socio-Economic Monitoring Committee indicators.”
In light of the minister’s ongoing work to develop an anti-poverty strategy for Nunavut, would he commit to tabling in the Legislative Assembly a report on the activities of the Meadowbank Socio-Economic Monitoring Committee?
We do have three socio-economic monitoring committees; one within each region.
They do work with the corporation and other organizations in determining how well the economic activity is going within the communities, within the activity, within the mine site there, and around the surrounding communities.
We do get those reports and I would be pleased to table those reports once they are available.
Under the terms of the Government of Nunavut’s development partnership agreement with Meadowbank, there is a requirement to develop guidelines for Inuit and local hiring.
Can the minister indicate if his department is satisfied with the levels of Inuit hiring at the Meadowbank mine?
We are absolutely elated there are over 200 Inuit people working at the mine site, and that’s not including another 200 or so that service the company through various contracts.
So we are pleased that there are a lot of Inuit content, a lot of Inuit employed within the company.
Of course, within the next couple months, we are hoping to get a report on the exact numbers.
We are pleased that there is a certain element to the DPA where Inuit employment is discussed, but for the most part, there are also the IIBAs, which the company negotiates with NTI. There are inclusions and agreements in there for Inuit content and employment within the company.
Member for Baker Lake, your final supplementary.
I am very pleased to hear that the minister is pleased to see that Inuit in Nunavut are contributing to the economy and social development of Nunavut.
I am pleased to see that the minister indicated the IIBA because my final question, Mr. Speaker, is in regard to the people of Baker Lake have concern about whether or not our socio-economic needs will be met and will there be any contributions.
So my final question, Mr. Speaker, to the hon. minister is that the Kivalliq Inuit Association has an Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement in place with Meadowbank, as the minister indicated.
I recognize that it is KIA’s responsibility to ensure that the company is living up to its socio-economic commitments in the IIBA.
Can the minister indicate whether or not the KIA shares any information with the Government of Nunavut with respect to the implementation of the IIBA?
The IIBA negotiated between KIA and the company is confidential. We do not have jurisdiction, or authority, or we don’t have privy information to what is in the contents of the IIBA.
There are reports that we can gather, especially on the side of the number of Inuit employed within the company, but for the most part, we deal with our own DPA, the development and partnership agreement, and we try and maintain that through the agreements that were signed by both parties.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. Member for Amittuq.
Question 551 – 3(2): Funding for Docks (Tapardjuk)
I was very pleased when he spoke to the issue about building access roads to fishing areas and areas where people enjoy time on the land.
That’s very good, but when you are situated on an island, you cannot really go past the boundaries of the island unless you use a boat to go fishing and caribou hunting.
It’s not conducive for roads.
Mr. Speaker, what I want to speak about is that many communities depend on harvesting, especially my two communities. For example, Hall Beach doesn’t even have a dock or a wharf, and a lot of the boats are destroyed by storms.
So I’m wondering whether the funding that is available for access roads could be diverted to building harbours or wharfs for the communities.
That question is directed to the Minister of Transportation.
The Community Access Roads Program has been a long, outstanding program within our government; it has been an excellent program. There are a lot of communities that access it, especially in the Kitikmeot and the Kivalliq. The member is absolutely right that there are fewer uptakes on this program from the Baffin communities.
The Baffin communities are somewhat more focused on offshore transportation; boats and whatnot.
I will surely look into seeing if there are any other programs that may be available just for that type of operation, whether it is going to be for business or hunting purposes for these communities. I will surely look into that.
I believe the minister is aware that the Arctic is very unique compared to the needs of the southern counterparts.
Our sea freezes over and it becomes a virtual highway for the harvesters when they are out hunting.
Due to our uniqueness, when we identify funding specifically geared towards Nunavut, the needs are always different.
For example, they want docks, harbours, or things that allow them to utilize them even more.
To me, it seems as though it is not much of a priority for the federal government, especially when dealing with Nunavut.
Can the minister check with the federal government to see how best to deal with the needs of Nunavummiut? Again, our infrastructure is very minimal and a lot of communities do not have small craft harbours.
I believe Pangnirtung is the only one with a small craft harbour.
Can the minister check the funding allocations down the road to see what kind of assistance is available for economic development and harvesting? There are usually programs related to economic development and harvesting, Mr. Speaker.
With the department being assigned the poverty reduction file, yes, we are looking into that.
We talk a lot about country food harvesting and that is exactly what we have been saying about more country food for poverty reduction.
It’s a basic need and it’s one of the things that we are working on with that file of poverty reduction, including community freezers.
I will surely pass on his concerns, our concerns, and Nunavummiut concerns about getting more infrastructures to tackle the big problem we have with poverty.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, we will continue with lobbying the federal government on getting more infrastructure and making efforts to reduce poverty in Nunavut.
Again, I believe this is a very important part and it should be a priority.
There are people who want to drill for oil offshore, as well as other activities. With Nunavut becoming a focus, we have to protect our communities.
Although we are considered Inuit and Canadian citizens, the federal government does not seem to pay attention unless there is an issue that pops up.
I look forward to seeing this becoming a more pressing concern or priority in our future because this infrastructure really assists us when we are trying to develop our economy in Nunavut.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. That was just a comment.
Question 552 – 3(2): Addressing the Federal Narwhal Tusk Ban (Elliott)
My questions are directed to the Minister of Environment.
Mr. Speaker, in my earlier Member’s Statement, I spoke of the proposed drop in narwhal quotas and the ban on the sale of ivory.
I was wondering if the minister could explain what his department and the Government of Nunavut are doing to address this issue.
I thank the member for the very good question and concern about narwhal in Nunavut.
The Government of Nunavut was as surprised as anybody when this news came out about the negative non-detriment finding of narwhal in six out of eight populations in Nunavut.
We absolutely are behind NTI. NTI has now filed an application for a judicial review in regard to the process that this narwhal was listed. We would agree with their position that the Nunavut land claims were not followed; there was no proper consultation and proper information gotten from communities, so we support that position.
It is very disturbing.
I have spoken personally with Minister Shea, the DFO minister, about this. I also have written her a letter asking her to lift this export ban until the proper consultation has been done.
We are very involved in this file. Even though, Mr. Speaker, narwhal is not the jurisdiction of the Nunavut government, it is of the federal government under DFO, we still support NTI’s position on the narwhal file.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. Your supplementary, Member for Quttiktuq.
Thank you for that reply. I also thank you for cc’ing all members on the letter that went to Minister Shea.
Just for clarification, does your department agree or disagree with DFO’s statistics and feel that the narwhal populations are dwindling so drastically that such a huge drop is required?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Member. Minister of Environment.
As I stated earlier, the jurisdiction of narwhal is the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
The GN does not do any research on narwhal; that is totally up to them to do that.
Whether or not the population is increasing or decreasing, I think that is why they need to consult with communities and to have community input to provide that information.
The minister mentioned working closely with NTI in terms of the judicial review.
I was just wondering if the minister could explain exactly how the Government of Nunavut is involved with this process.
Maybe the member took my statement out of context.
We are not working with NTI; we support NTI in their position. This whole situation is completely with NTI and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, but we do support NTI and Nunavut in this position.
Earlier this week in questions directed to the minister regarding the EU seal ban, he had explained that financial support was given to HTOs for these types of lawsuits.