EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
723 – 3(3): Dental Services in Pond Inlet (Enook) 4894
724 – 3(3): Homelessness in Nunavut (Ugyuk) 4896
725 – 3(3): Office of Patient Relations (Ningark) 4897
726 – 3(3): Dental Services and Contracts (Curley) 4898
727 – 3(3): Baffin Island Caribou Survey (Oshutapik) 4900
728 – 3(3): Diagnostic Services in Nunavut (Elliott) 4901
729 – 3(3): Update on Pond Inlet Arena and Baseball Diamond (Enook) 4903
730 – 3(3): Federal-Territorial Relations (Ugyuk) 4904
731 – 3(3): Dental Services and Contracts (Curley) 4906
732 – 3(3): NNI Policy and Procurement Practices Review Status (Elliott) 4907
402 – 3(3): Nunavut Planning Commission Workshop in Cambridge Bay (Tapardjuk) 4908
403 – 3(3): Nunavut Film Development Corporation Annual Report 2009-2010 (Taptuna) 4909
404 – 3(3): Nunavut Film Development Corporation Annual Report 2010-2011 (Taptuna) 4909
405 – 3(3): Nunavut Film Development Corporation Annual Report 2011-2012 (Taptuna) 4909
Bill 69 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2013-2014 – Consideration in Committee 4909
Bill 32 – An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act – Consideration in Committee 4914
Bill 40 – Representative for Children and Youth Act – Consideration in Committee 4918
Bill 69 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2013-2014 – Third Reading 4934
Bill 32 – An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act – Third Reading 4934
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Mr. Tagak Curley, Honourable Monica Ell, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Joe Enook, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Hezakiah Oshutapik, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Mr. Louis Tapardjuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Jeannie Ugyuk.
Before we continue with today’s session, I would like to ask my good friend, Mr. Ningark, to lead us off in a prayer, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningark. (interpretation ends) Moving on in our orders of the day.
Minister’s Statement 319 – 3(3): Long-term Sustainable Planning for Community Infrastructure (Kusugak)
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Good day and thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I say “hello” to Whale Cove and Rankin Inlet residents. I’m glad to be back here today.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to advise the Members of this House of the official launch of the buildingnunavut.com website.
This website houses all Nunavut integrated community sustainability plans, which you may also know as ICSPs.
Mr. Speaker, ICSPs are community-specific infrastructure plans, meaning that no two ICSPs are the same.
They reflect community goals and priorities as identified by hamlet councils.
They also include cultural, social, economic, and environmental values associated with each community infrastructure priority.
The ICSP project began in 2009 to identify each community’s current infrastructure situation as well as its future needs.
This was a specific requirement in order to ensure continued access to gas tax funding.
Mr. Speaker, this project could not have moved forward without funding from the federal Gas Tax Fund through Infrastructure Canada.
The Government of Nunavut has taken this a step further by creating the buildingnunavut.com website to ensure that each ICSP is updated on an annual basis and remains a current and accurate depiction of Nunavut’s community infrastructure.
This website has two functions. It makes each community’s ICSP publicly available and it also serves as a valuable planning tool for each community when identifying their future infrastructure priorities.
Mr. Speaker, all Nunavut communities have participated in an in-depth training session providing them with the knowledge required to access and update their ICSPs online.
The creation of this planning tool is built around the idea of Qanuqtuurniq, being innovative and resourceful. It also helps foster community self reliance, which is a key Tamapta priority.
The Government of Nunavut has created this planning tool in order to help the communities maintain and update their infrastructure plans for years to come.
Minister’s Statement 320 – 3(3): Congratulations to Peesee Pitseolak-Stephens: 36 Years of Service (Shewchuk)
On behalf of Nunavut Arctic College and the Government of Nunavut, I rise in the House today to acknowledge the tremendous accomplishments of the Nunatta Campus Dean, Ms. Peesee Pitseolak-Stephens.
Originally from Kimmirut, Peesee has been working for the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Nunavut for more than 36 years.
Mr. Speaker, Peesee was recently presented with a long-term service award recognizing her many years of service as an educator to the Government of Nunavut, Inuit, and Nunavutmiut.
Peesee has been working for Nunavut Arctic College for the last 14 years and has worked in various government departments, but always in the field of education.
Mr. Speaker, Peesee Pitseolak-Stephens has always demonstrated a commitment to the belief in lifelong learning.
As a graduate of our Eastern Arctic Teacher Education Program, she has served in a number of capacities: teacher, adult educator, campus dean, and principal of our Nunavut Teacher Education Program.
Peesee was also one of the first graduates of the Master of Education Leadership Degree from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2009.
Mr. Speaker, Peesee has always been a strong and passionate advocate for incorporating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in the workplace.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in expressing our sincere thanks and congratulations to Ms. Peesee Pitseolak-Stephens for her decades of service and lasting contributions to our college, students, community, and all of Nunavut.
Minister’s Statement 321 – 3(3): Be Safe!
And RespectED Resources (Aariak)
Hon. Eva Aariak: Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to inform my colleagues that the Department of Education has partnered with the Canadian Red Cross and the Embrace Life Council to improve the health and well-being of Nunavut’s young people.
Mr. Speaker, we will be bringing to our schools the Canadian Red Cross Be Safe! kit.
This is a personal safety program for children aged 5 to 9, with a focus on child sexual abuse prevention.
For older children aged 11 to 18, we will be introducing the RespectED workshops.
These explore issues of abuse and neglect, bullying, and healthy and unhealthy relationships.
Both kits are delivered in a positive, child-friendly, and non-threatening way.
Mr. Speaker, these programs are designed to be delivered in schools and other learning environments.
Parents, caregivers, and educators will also receive training and information to support the use of the kit with children.
As part of the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy, the Embrace Life Council is undertaking a community pilot of the Red Cross RespectEd Program in three communities: Baker Lake, Cape Dorset, and Clyde River.
Mr. Speaker, keeping children safe is a responsibility shared by parents, educators, and communities.
In order to do this, we must equip our children with the skills they need to understand their rights, stay safe, and protect themselves.
Ministers’ Statements. Minister responsible for the Department of Environment, Minister Arreak.
Minister’s Statement 322 – 3(3): Baffin Island Caribou Workshop and Management Planning (Arreak)
Good afternoon to the residents of Qikiqtarjuaq and Clyde River. I say “hello” to Jimmy.
Mr. Speaker, my department, along with wildlife co-management partners from across Baffin, met on July 23 and 24, 2013 in Iqaluit for a two-day workshop to develop proposed management actions to address the need for caribou conservation on Baffin Island.
Both Inuit knowledge and scientific information suggest that the number of caribou on Baffin Island is very low.
Results from a recent aerial survey indicate that there are fewer than 5,000 caribou in the South Baffin area.
These results are consistent with social science research and community consultation conducted in all 10 Baffin Island communities.
Harvesters, elders, and community members have told us that caribou are becoming increasingly difficult to find and have also expressed concern about the negative impact of a variety of factors, including land use and climate change.
A community-based approach that supports Inuit systems of wildlife management was identified as the preferred system for caribou conservation on Baffin Island. Under this system, local hunters and trappers organizations (HTOs) will work with community members and co-management partners, including the Government of Nunavut, to establish community-based regulations and management actions.
This winter, community consultations on the information shared in the workshop will be presented to each community and HTO for further discussion and input, with the intent of developing a comprehensive Baffin Island caribou management plan.
Minister’s Statement 323 – 3(3): Remembering Doctor Eric Prosh (Taptuna)
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Unnusakkut, colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to remember Dr. Eric Prosh, Director of Minerals and Petroleum Resources with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, who passed away suddenly on Tuesday, September 3.
Dr. Prosh was a geologist by training and a scientist and researcher to his core.
Having been briefed by him and having spoken to him privately on many occasions, I can attest that he was highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his field.
From the beginnings of his career, Nunavut’s geology figured predominantly in his work. He completed his PhD thesis working with the Geological Survey of Canada on the geology of arctic islands.
His work with industry and academia took him around the world before he signed on with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation in 2006.
Mr. Speaker, he made many important contributions to our territory in his seven years of public service and his leadership and expertise influence our approach to mine training, the evaluation of carving stone deposits, and prospector training. He also worked diligently on the Government of Nunavut submissions to the review of proposed mining projects.
Dr. Eric Prosh worked towards Nunavut’s future prosperity through the development of our mineral resources, but he was also strongly committed to building geological knowledge for Nunavut’s own sake.
As recently as this summer, he was engaged in fieldwork on Southampton Island. He was passionate about geological mapping and committed to his work and efforts with the Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office, Nunavut’s geological survey.
He was a colourful character who never hesitated to share his opinion, and anyone who knew him will tell you that he cared deeply about people. In the words of one of his many friends, “Eric has such a lively presence, and such vitality, boldness and zest.”
Nunavut was lucky to have him and he will be greatly missed.
Please join me in offering my condolences to Eric’s friends, family, and colleagues.
Minister’s Statement 324 – 3(3): 2013 Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship (Ell)
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Good evening, Nunavummiut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
At this time, I would like to congratulate this year’s recipient of the $5,000 Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship.
This scholarship is in memory to an outstanding contributor to the creation of a made-in-Nunavut electrical utility and is awarded annually to an exceptional Nunavummiuq pursuing their post-secondary studies.
Mr. Speaker, choosing the recipient this year was more challenging for the selection committee than last year.
The level of desire and commitment to success shown by all the applicants is exceptional and I am very proud of every one of them.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, this year, the selection committee has selected Ronald (R.J.) Oolooyuk of Rankin Inlet. R.J. is currently attending the University of Manitoba as the first Inuk enrolled in the Engineering Access Program (ENGAP).
He is a great example to all for persevering through some challenges and to be doing very well academically in a tough program.
Mr. Speaker, R.J. could have chosen to quit and follow other paths, but as he stated in his application, “My goal is to continue on my path and show other Nunavut students that if I can do it, they can too, and to never give up,” he said.
So not only has he chosen to do better for himself; he is also committed to helping other Nunavut youth achieve their dreams.
Mr. Speaker, this young man is proving to be a great example to all in his home community of Rankin Inlet and a positive example for youth across our great territory.
We all wish him continued success.
Minister’s Statement 325 – 3(3): New Application Forms for Career Development Programs (Ell)
As Members of this House are aware, the new Department of Family Services is now responsible for the delivery of funding for post-secondary education and training.
This includes the FANS program as well as the labour market programs, such as Adult Learning and Training Supports, also known as ALTS, and the training-on-the-job wage subsidy.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report to the House that since taking over these programs, Family Services staff has created new application forms for all career development programs that could now also be filled in online.
These new forms will make it easier for Nunavummiut to apply for the programs and will cut down on administrative time and errors.
The new applications are already in use and both applicants and staff have commented on how they have improved and are less complicated.
Member’s Statement 551 – 3(3): Caring for the Animals in our Communities (Aupaluktuq)
I rise today to follow up on a project that is very close to my heart, the Buddy Fund in Baker Lake, which supports a number of activities in caring for the family animals and pets in our community.
The annual Buddy Fund will provide veterinarian services beginning Friday, September 13, in Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, the Buddy Fund supports the Canadian Animal Assistance Team in bringing veterinarians into the community for clinics, vaccinations, spays, and neutering.
One of the objectives of the Canadian Animal Assistance Team is also to support local mushers in keeping dog sledding and good sled dog lines alive.
As all Members of this House will be aware, the Qimiq, Canadian Inuit Dog, is the territorial animal of Nunavut, as chosen by our predecessors in the First Assembly of Nunavut’s legislature.
Qimiq has long been part of our northern culture and dog sledding is an ongoing cultural activity.
This breed is facing some serious threat to its survival with the lack of access to vaccines to prevent common canine diseases like distemper and parvovirus, as well as interbreeding with non-sled dog breeds.
With so many dogs tethered together in large communities and stray dogs roaming in the area, the spread of disease is hard to control.
Mr. Speaker, while I certainly appreciate our government’s involvement in providing rabies vaccines to sled dogs across the territory as a public health initiative on behalf of our human population, I believe more could and should be done.
As an example of what more could be done, the Quebec government recently sponsored veterinary clinics across Nunavik’s Hudson Bay communities providing free vaccinations for all dogs and cats to prevent the spread of distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus.
Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to note in the media that in the Minister of Health’s constituency, the Cambridge Bay “Diamonds in the Ruff” program recently hosted a very successful vet clinic in their community.
It is very gratifying to see the spirit of community activism for the health and well-being of our pets and animal friends across Nunavut.
It is my hope that the minister will consider the importance of our government also supporting an expansion of animal vaccination programs across Nunavut’s communities.
Member’s Statement 552 – 3(3): Strengthening Public Confidence in the Health Care System (Ningark)
I rise today to address the importance of strengthening public confidence in the health care system.
Mr. Speaker, as you will appreciate, some of the most difficult times that we face as human beings is when a serious illness strikes us or our loved ones.
Although we are grateful, I would like to underline that term, for the care and attention that we receive from our health care professionals, no system is perfect.
I would also like to underline that. It is part of the understanding here.
From time to time, people are not fully satisfied with their experience in the health care system. They may have questions that they feel were not adequately answered and they may feel that they have not received the services to which they are entitled.
Mr. Speaker, the issue of how to deal with public concerns about the health care system is extremely challenging.
I would also like to underline that. As legislators, it is not our role to second-guess the medical decisions of health care professionals.
However, we are frequently asked by our constituents to help with such matters as escorts and boarding home services.
Mr. Speaker, two months ago, the Hon. Minister of Health announced the establishment of a new Office of Patient Relations.
This is a good step forward, and I will have questions for the hon. minister on this new office at the appropriate time today.
Member’s Statement 553 – 3(3): Unresolved Issue of Compensation of Hall Beach Elders (Tapardjuk)
A good afternoon greeting since I was informed that the community of Igloolik now has the audio feed, as they could only view the proceedings.
I wish a good afternoon to my constituents in Igloolik and Hall Beach.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about our esteemed elders.
Nunavut is losing many of our elders who lived and intimately knew Inuit traditional customs and laws.
Mr. Speaker, in this calendar year, we have lost many wise elders in Igloolik and Hall Beach, as elders continue to pass away.
Mr. Speaker, I want to return to this issue to provide more background on it as we have discussed this matter ever since the Nunavut legislature was first created. The Inuit of Hall Beach were mistreated by federal government representatives, especially the elders who were directed to dig graves and move them to another site.
Mr. Speaker, back when we had the Assembly in Yellowknife and the late Mark Evaluardjuk was our MLA, and then when we got the Nunavut Assembly, our MLA at the time, Enoki Irqittuq, and now reaching to my term as the MLA, we have continued to raise this matter.
It is, indeed, unfortunate that this government has no feelings or empathy for the tremendous difficulties Inuit endured during the colonial days, when they would be tasked to do unpleasant things and they could only acquiesce.
It is becoming obvious that we will have to continue to raise this issue.
Mr. Speaker, the last person who was in that cemetery relocation group finally left us this summer. Mr. Simeonie Qaunaq passed away.
His immediate family is still regretful over the lack of resolution of this matter, as they had expected this completed prior to their father’s passing.
I, too, regret immensely that I was unable to resolve this matter while the man was still alive.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to share in acknowledging the relatives left behind who have been mistreated by our governments to ensure they empathize with the relatives.
Member’s Statement 554 – 3(3): Tunnganangniq and Elders (Curley)
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Good afternoon, Rankin Inlet residents, Kivallirmiut, and my colleagues.
I would like to state that we are proud of our elders. The government employees have to feel the same way and be more caring.
I am thankful that the government has a policy. Even though I have not read all of it yet, I have seen the title. The government employees have to be more welcoming to the elders, but I could say that there are too many elders who, when they become ill, are scared to go to or call the nursing station.
They get too scared to call. They are not supposed to be in that situation.
Who else is going to help them?
I don’t think that we should just forget about them.
I think the government could do something more to make the elders feel more welcome.
I was talking with a widow, an elder who is over 80 years old.
She called to tell me that the medical professionals don’t believe her and that they tell her that she is fine when she is not.
The government has to honour its obligation to welcome the elders.
If our elders were not here, we would not be here.
For that reason, I would like to work towards getting more support given to the elders so that they won’t be scared or fear going to the nursing stations or to see a doctor.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Curley. (interpretation ends) Item 3.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to take this opportunity to welcome visitors from the United States Consulate Office in Quebec City.
Here in the Gallery behind me are, if you may stand up as I call your name, Stuart Wilson, US Consul; Franca Ricci, American Citizens Services Specialist; Dominique Nadeau, Political and Economic Affairs; and Kyle Johnson, Information Resource Center Director with the US Embassy in Ottawa.
The Quebec City Consular District consists of parts of the province of Quebec as well as Nunavut.
They are visiting Pangnirtung, Iqaluit, and Rankin Inlet. We hope you find your visit to Nunavut a welcoming and informative one.
I don’t usually stand up to recognize individuals from my community of Coral Harbour, but there is somebody in the Gallery today.
Loretta Nakoolak-Pee from Coral Harbour is here and I would like to thank her for being here.
Loretta works with disabled adults and she also helps out in the church group in my community.
Her husband is a councillor at the hamlet council and is a skilful hunter.
I respect Loretta and her husband because they have given themselves to assist the people of my community.
At this time, I would like to recognize Loretta and for everyone to welcome her.
I would also like to recognize an individual from Rankin Inlet.
Let’s welcome Thomas Suvisak to the Gallery.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Ms. Ell.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t bothered to look immediately behind me earlier and the person I wanted to recognize, Ms. Peesee, while the Hon. Daniel Shewchuk was recognizing her accomplishments, has left. For now, I will recognize a constituent, Letia Obed.
This individual was recognized already. Thomas Suvisak has lived in Repulse Bay and has lived in Kugaaruk. We are the same age, but he has fewer grey hairs.
I would like to recognize and welcome Thomas Suvisak.
I would like to recognize an individual in the Gallery. Her late mother used to be a neighbour of mine; she was a wonderful lady. It’s Letia Obed.
Question 722 – 3(3): RCMP Services in Nunavut (Aupaluktuq)
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My questions are for the Minister of Justice, the Hon. Daniel Shewchuk.
Under the terms of our territorial policing agreement with Public Safety Canada, the Government of Nunavut spends over $34 million on an annual basis for the provision of RCMP policing services in Nunavut’s 25 communities.
Can the minister indicate whether or not any of this budget is used for the construction of new RCMP facilities or detachments?
He’s absolutely right with our agreement that we have with the RCMP and our cost sharing of 70-30 percent for delivering our policing services in the territory of Nunavut.
As far as money is in the agreement for new construction, to my understanding, it is not included in there. That’s a separate and above capital spending, but what is included in there is maintenance dollars for upkeeping the RCMP offices.
The municipality and community of Baker Lake have expressed the need for an expanded RCMP detachment.
The current facility is cramped and no longer adequate to the workload faced by the detachment.
Will the minister commit to raising this issue with the commanding officer of the RCMP “V” Division during their next meeting?