EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, I will be having those discussions with my officials and with federal officials when the appropriate time happens.
Question 261 – 4(3): Language Instruction Requirements in Nunavut Schools (Angnakak)
Mr. Speaker, there is only one French language school in Nunavut.
As you may be aware, Nunavut’s Education Act has distinct provisions relating to education for French language speakers.
Unfortunately, in upholding French language rights under the legislation, it seems that the Inuit language rights of those who attend the French school are not protected.
There is no requirement for the Inuit language to be taught in Nunavut’s French language schools.
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for that question regarding Inuit language in our schools.
I will respond in English.
(interpretation ends) Of course, as everybody probably knows, Language of Instruction Regulations came into force in September 2012.
Of course, these regulations outline the ways in which school teams are to carry out language of instruction provisions in the Education Act.
You are right that the rights of the French linguistic minority population are protected under Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
In addition, as per section 158 of the Education Act, these charter rights prevail over any part of the Education Act, in particular, with respect to language of instruction.
Since the implementation of the 2008 Education Act, my department has been working with CSFN to provide a 0.5 PY in order to allow for Inuit language instruction.
Mr. Speaker, I would just like to add that I had talked to the chair of CSFN and brought that issue up.
As the Minister of Education, I am very looking forward to working more closely with CSFN on that issue. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, one of the lessons learned by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was that the residential school policy of forbidding children from speaking their mother tongue was devastating to their identity and future well-being.
Will the minister commit to upholding the Inuit language rights of all Nunavut youth and ensure that the Inuit language is taught in all Nunavut schools without exception?
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague as it is quite apparent how dedicated she is regarding this matter. I believe all of us should feel that way about our Inuktitut language and its importance to our people.
We should also remember that amendments are being drafted to improve the Education Act after the requisite legislation review called for in the Act. It includes the (interpretation ends) language of instruction (interpretation) that ended up being one of the main topics during the committee review of the Education Act. This has resulted in several options I have reviewed related to languages.
With the legislated requirements (interpretation ends) under the Inuit Language Protection Act, (interpretation) that is critical to this and I will work diligently to try to implement this.
Question 262 – 4(3): Update on the Fire Truck Replacement Project (Sammurtok)
Mr. Alexander Sammurtok (interpretation): Good morning, my fellow residents of Rankin Inlet and Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, during the fall 2015 sitting, the Legislative Assembly approved $500,000 in capital funding for the department to begin replacing two fire trucks in Nunavut each year, beginning in the 2016-17 fiscal year.
On October 28, 2015, the minister at that time indicated that Rankin Inlet and Cape Dorset would each receive a fire truck in the 2016-17 fiscal year.
Can the minister provide a specific date in which Rankin Inlet will receive this replacement fire truck?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister for Community and Government Services, Mr. Joe Savikataaq.
I can’t give him an exact date, but by sealift in 2016, a brand-new fire truck will roll off the ship onto Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Awesome, so I thank you.
(interpretation ends) Can the minister indicate what the specific model of fire truck his department has ordered to replace the aging fire trucks in Rankin Inlet?
No, I don’t have the kind of detail as to the make and model and how much water it can pump per minute. All my officials have gone through that, they know what is needed, and they have the specs.
I can assure the minister that the new fire truck for Rankin Inlet will be adequate for its use and purpose.
I apologize for referring to you as the Chairman.
(interpretation ends) Can the minister indicate what the lifespan for this new fire truck would be?
I believe the lifespan of most, if not all, fire trucks is 20 years. This new fire truck should be within service for 20 years.
They may have to do renovations somewhere in between, but the normal lifespan of a fire truck is 20 years.
Question 263 – 4(3): Northern Premiers’ Forum (Mikkungwak)
Good morning to Baker Lake people and all Nunavummiut.
Last June, the annual Northern Premiers’ Forum was held in the community of Kugluktuk.
Following the meeting, the three territorial governments issued a joint statement.
This statement indicated, and I quote, “Premiers noted the federal role in supporting the northern transportation system.”
Can the Premier indicate if he has had discussions yet with his NWT and Yukon counterparts concerning the recommendations that were contained in the recently released final report from the federal Canada Transportation Act Review Report?
Mr. Speaker, the three territorial premiers met in beautiful Kugluktuk in June.
Of course, in our discussions, one of our number one priorities is infrastructure or lack of infrastructure.
The three northern premiers work very well together. We do get support from our southern colleagues. For the most part, there are many things that we discuss in the Northern Premiers’ Forum.
Of course, infrastructure is one of the key components and it’s a pillar of our northern vision.
Mr. Speaker, we haven’t had a chance to review or look at the new Act that has come out on transportation. We intend to do that next month in Whitehorse when we have our Northern Premiers’ Forum there.
I think I have stated in the House a number of times that I come from the community of beautiful Baker Lake, which I represent.
The Municipality of Baker Lake recently passed a formal motion concerning the need to support the Amaruq project near the Meadowbank mine.
Another one of the announcements made at last year’s Northern Premiers’ Forum was that, and I quote, “Premiers continue to support and endorse their joint proposal to the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency for new funding to support a Pan-Territorial Framework for Industry Training.”
Can the Premier update us today on the status of this issue?
Mr. Speaker, during our Northern Premiers’ Forum, we absolutely put in our wish list to the federal government. One of them, of course, is infrastructure capital base plus funding that we have been requesting from the federal government.
As you know, all three territories lack major infrastructure, highways, marine facilities, housing, and other necessary infrastructure that benefit our northern communities.
At this upcoming meeting, I certainly will be pushing for more infrastructure funding from the federal government.
This framework for training, as the member is well aware, I have been recently appointed along with the Minister of Nunavut Arctic College to the Inuit Training Corporation and we intend to utilize that to our advantage for beneficiaries, whether we’re partnering with municipalities, other organizations, the government, including the mining industry, to best find avenues of training our Inuit people for employment.
To what extent are the three territories working together to make recommendations to the federal government concerning its review of the Nutrition North Canada Program?
Although we are one of three territories, our uniqueness is slightly different when it comes to the Nutrition North Canada Program.
I certainly have written a letter to the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs to voice our concerns.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, we do collect food basket prices from all communities and this is the data that we use to put forth our arguments on how the program can improved.
Mr. Speaker, we will certainly be talking about that.
Of course, the program is targeted mainly for the northern communities and this is one of the things that the federal minister is certainly willing to review and look at to improve the program for our northern communities.
Question 264 – 4(3): Social Passing in Nunavut Schools (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to ask my question to the Minister of Education.
As you know, we have made education a priority and I believe our government committed to dealing with social passing in our schools. I would like to know the status of that situation in our classrooms. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for that question on that issue.
What I can speak to with regard to (interpretation ends) social passing (interpretation) is that we look at it from a different perspective.
We are trying to resolve this issue in a different way in such areas as literacy and reading skills.
We have started to implement stronger linguistic foundations within our schools for (interpretation ends) literacy (interpretation) courses due to its importance in education.
Without strong literacy skills, it seems students fall behind when they can’t read and speak properly. This is why literacy comprised of advancing reading skills is very critical. We have implemented (interpretation ends) literacy (interpretation) as a core course, including mathematics and (interpretation ends) science. (interpretation) These form the basic curricula we consider important to our schools.
In fact, we have started to develop new curricula for specific courses, especially in light of past comments about this issue concerning students who are particularly far behind on certain subjects to the point it is quite noticeable at times.
That is why we are facing this challenge through this other venue of strengthening our courses to move from social promotion, which we don’t support as a department.
Nonetheless, we have focused on other ways to combat this principle.
In fact, we have introduced the concept of parental engagement and increasing student attendance rates.
These are some examples of how we are trying to resolve this challenge related to social promotion.
However, our efforts will continue.
Further, it seems obvious that it will benefit our students as they work towards completion of their High School Diploma, along with the numbers of graduates who are on par with their peers.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Can the minister explain when the department will get rid of social passing in our classrooms?
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I can’t really respond to that question.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) There are no plans in place to get rid of social passing in our classrooms. Am I correct with that response?
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I think I answered the question on the first question stage where we are doing a lot of work in terms of improving our literacy rates.
We’re putting in learning coaches.
We’re putting a lot of emphasis on how we can ensure our students are graduating at the same level as any other Canadian schools across Canada.
Certainly, this is something that the Department of Education has been eloquently working towards.
With this new Education Act that was just being reviewed, these are areas that we certainly are working towards to ensure that all our students are graduating at the same level as any other Canadian students across Canada. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 265 – 4(3): Vacant Houses (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, Nunavummiut. Welcome, visitors in the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, there are a number of houses that were once owned by homeowners and have since foreclosed due to various reasons.
Mr. Speaker, the housing corporation and the banks have interest with many or perhaps all of these houses. However, these houses sit empty for much of the year, sometimes years at a time.
I would like to ask the minister: can he indicate how many foreclosed houses currently sit empty in Nunavut communities?
When a resident of Nunavut goes through a foreclosure process, it is with a financial institution usually being a bank. When a bank forecloses on a property, they become the owner of the property.
Unless the Nunavut Housing Corporation has an invested interest in the property, it is dealt with through the normal financial processes of a bank.
As the Nunavut Housing Corporation, the only involvement we would have is if we have a lien on the property or a mortgage that would be held through NHC, which then would be a quick claim where NHC would purchase the property back.
With the severe housing shortage in Nunavut, every house out there that sits vacant is seen as an empty home for a family who might not have a home or is living in overcrowding.
I know that they go through the (interpretation ends) Office of the Public Trustee.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister: can he explain the working relationship the Nunavut Housing Corporation has with the (interpretation ends) Office of the Public Trustee, (interpretation) who handled the estates that would involve the title to private homes?
I’m not aware of a direct relationship between the Public Trustee and the Nunavut Housing Corporation. Whenever a property would be put up, it would typically go up for auction through the bank or a tender process.
Obviously, the Nunavut Housing Corporation would be interested in participating if the private market in that community is unable to purchase that home.
It may be something that the Nunavut Housing Corporation might look at purchasing from the bank through its own capital expenditure dollars to be able to put either another staff housing or a public housing unit on the books for that community.
As far as I’m aware, there’s not a direct relationship between the Public Trustee and the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Although I know that there are foreclosed houses, there are public houses that are boarded up that need maintenance or renovations.
In addition to private houses that sit empty, there are many public houses that are boarded up that need maintenance and renovations.
Can the minister indicate how many public housing units currently sit vacant due to the need of major renovation or repair?
This is a question that has been raised to me a couple of times now in private from other members in my office of concerns with the lack of housing that we have in Nunavut.
We have almost borderline derelict properties that are in communities that are in dire need of upgrading to make them habitable.
It’s something that I’m very much aware of and it’s something that the housing corporation staff has been looking at doing an inventory. I don’t have that exact number right now, but it is something that the Nunavut Housing Corporation is working towards.
We will be working with the LHOs in the communities to identify retrofit dollars to be able to bring those units up to code as fast as possible.
That being said, as I’m sure all members are aware, the Nunavut Housing Corporation is very tight for capital dollars.
It is something that we’re continuously striving to work towards.
Some houses are extremely dilapidated, if you want to call it that, where we have to identify whether it’s worth fixing them or replacing them, depending upon the age.
Overall, our housing stock is, if I recall the number correctly, about an 83 percent ratio of quality.
Question 266 – 4(3): Support for Baker Lake Hunters (Mikkungwak)
My question will be directed to the Minister of Environment.
Earlier this morning, the minister made a statement about sealing issues and funds made available by the government to assist hunters.
With that being the case, the Minister of Environment is well aware that I come from an inland community, representing inland Inuit who harvest only terrestrial animals during their hunting trips.
I would like to ask the minister: what about our situation? Has the minister reviewed any issues particular to the inland Inuit who depend on the terrestrial furbearers and whether he would commit to the same kind of assistance for Inuit who harvest terrestrial furbearing animals for resale?
Can the minister elaborate on this issue and whether assistance will also be provided to them as well?
Yes, that issue has been an ongoing undertaking throughout all of our work related to terrestrial furbearing animals or as you said, animals with four legs that gallop.
This continues to be a matter that is continuously being worked on within the Department of Environment for the Nunavut territory. In my previous statements over the past two years, the Nunavut Harvester Support Program was identified for review, which was completed, and I expect to see the results in the short term once the cabinet has completed their review of this report.
Would the minister commit to the same kind of announcement for this sector that he made for the sealing industry assistance program? What kind of funding assistance could be announced under the federal government funding agreement with respect to fur sales? Is there any agreement to that effect?
Yes, regarding my colleague’s question, it is related to the sealing industry.
The sealing industry and fishing industry, particularly marine fisheries, have comprised the main focus in the recent past, as seal fur prices suffered a drastic decline in prices after a ban was enacted. Sealing issues and sales of sealskins was our focus during the EU ban on sealskins.
Just recently, the developments that transpired overseas were our main focus.
Due to the misinformation used to enact that ban, the sealing industry was misrepresented and misunderstood.
My colleague is asking about another matter, but the Department of Environment has continued to provide support through various initiatives for trappers or wolf hunters who depend on these furs.
We have continued to provide support in selling their products. This is solely under our government and doesn’t need to be part of a federal-territorial agreement.
The terrestrial animals that we rely on inhabiting the tundra include wolverines, wolves, polar bears, and grizzlies. Can the minister make an announcement in this House some time down the road on the types of assistance provided to Inuit who depend on these furs to supplement their incomes?
Will the minister commit to making an announcement in the House as to the types of assistance our government provides through monetary incentives?
With respect to polar bears, what we consider true marine bears, I had already made an announcement to that effect here in the House about the drastic drop in polar bear fur prices recently.
In addition, with respect to our hunters who are impacted by this drop in price, I announced support initiatives specific to polar bear hunters and this was due to the drastic decline in pelt prices.
With respect to the other species he mentioned, I concur and I can commit to making an announcement at some point on the fur prices and support programs therein.
Question 267 – 4(3): New Search and Rescue Policy (Rumbolt)
Mr. Speaker, on March 9, I asked a number of questions regarding search and rescue in our communities. In one of the replies to my questions, the minister stated that “A draft search and rescue policy is complete right now, but it is not public yet. We are still consulting with the RCMP because they are part of the organization.”
He also stated, “Once the policy is published, we will inform all search and rescue committees in all communities.”
For the record, when does the minister expect to have the new Search and Rescue Policy finalized and put into force?
Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for the question.
Since there is a third party involved that we have no control over, I can’t give the member a deadline as to when the policy will be rolled out, but as soon as practically possible.
“Practically possible,” I’m not sure how much of a timeframe that is. Years, months, who knows?
To continue, with the review of this policy, did the policy get a total review or were just certain sections of the policy reviewed?
The whole policy was reviewed, but only certain sections of it would have to be added to or changed.
A good portion of this is so that we will have the capability and processing to help volunteer searchers where, under normal wear and tear, the parts of their equipment that they use for searching are replaced plus also, if there are any new equipment that is needed.
Right now, we use satellite phones, other communicating devices, and SPOT units, so we look to see if there is any new equipment that can be used that’s coming up.
The big part of the review is so that we can help the searchers out when their equipment that they use on a search is broken down or needs repairs.
Question 268 – 4(3): Meat Testing Facilities in Nunavut (Sammurtok, T)
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College.
Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues are aware, there have been a number of occasions where meat such as walrus meat has been suspected of having trichinosis.
Currently, the meat has to be sent out of the territory to be tested, which means long delays before communities know whether the meat is safe to eat.
The Nunavut Research Institute, which is part of Nunavut Arctic College, has a laboratory which handles testing such as water samples.
Has any consideration been given to adapting the laboratory to permit the testing of meat?
Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Paul Quassa.
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for requesting information on that.
I completely identify with the subject he is querying about since I am from Igloolik and our marine areas hold abundant walrus populations, which is also well known.
With respect to that issue, you are truthful in stating that the (interpretation ends) Nunavut Research Institute (interpretation) has adequate facilities to conduct this type of testing. Nevertheless, there are reasons related to public safety that we have to deal with.
We work with them on these issues.
They may have the facility, but an actual laboratory technician hasn’t been available, although it has that capacity.
To date, we have yet to change the current set-up where we send samples for testing to Northern Quebec to their laboratory.
However, we are trying to establish the mandated testing equipment to be able to assess samples at the (interpretation ends) Nunavut Research Institute (interpretation) to try to enable them to do this work.
However, we also require the approval of the Department of Health prior to being able to do this work.
I’m sure that the minister is aware that when meat is sent out for testing out of territory, by the time the results come back, the meat is no longer fresh.
People would like to have access to meat.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the good work that is done at the Nunavut Research Institute. The Environmental Technology Program, in particular, has been very successful in promoting the value of science and wildlife management.
Would the minister consider raising the issue of using the Nunavut Research Institute laboratory for the testing of meat samples with Nunavut Arctic College’s board of management?
Thank you for proceeding with that question.
Yes, let us be aware that samples requiring testing have 24 hours after the test for the results to be forwarded.
I wanted to clarify that aspect.