EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I wonder if he could repeat his question.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Can you repeat your question Mr. O’Brien?
Mr. O’Brien: Mr. Speaker, my question was given the fact that we’re right in the midst of abolishing the Education Board, will the Minister give consideration to abolishing the Board of Governors for the Arctic College.
Minister of  Education, Mr. Arvaluk.
Hon. James Arvaluk: Mr. Speaker, I haven’t discussed that with the Government of Nunavut.
To make that kind of decision, discussion would have to take place with the Government of Nunavut and I haven’t done that.
Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to bring this forward for discussion so we can get an answer to this question?
Hon. James Arvaluk: I’ll bring the request to the Government of Nunavut and then I’ll reply to all the questions.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you.
Question 120 - 1 (2): Future of Workers Compensation Board
My question today is to the Minister responsible for the Worker’s Compensation Board.
Mr. Speaker, I believe, currently, we have an agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories to share the Worker’s Compensation Board until at least the year 2003.
I know this government is in its infancy and we’re only 2 months into the mandate but we’re here.
We have a Nunavut Government and we’re up and running.
Would the Minister consider re-evaluating our agreement with the GNWT and maybe fast-tracking, setting up or splitting the current arrangement that we have with the GNWT.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. McLean.
Minister responsible for the Worker’s Compensation Board, Mr. Ng.
Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct.
I believe there is a joint management agreement with the GNWT in respect to the management of the WCB that does run, I believe up to the year 2003.
But there also, at the same time, is a clause in there that allows the decision to be made prior to December 31st of 2000 in respect to what’s going to happen to the WCB.
One of the options, of course, is whether or not to pursue establishing a separate WCB for Nunavut.
It is one of the issues that we will be looking at and review it in consultation with all Members and other interests in this area, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ng. Oral question, Mr. McLean.
I think I’m correct in my assumption that the Minister is going to re-evaluate our current agreement on the WCB and look at setting up our own Worker’s Compensation in Nunavut as soon as possible.
I believe that was more of a statement than a question but, yes, it is an issue that, obviously, will have to be looked at quite seriously.
We have to recognize that the WCB is an independent Board.
It’s funded by employers who provide, through premiums, the operating funds for the WCB.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ng. Oral questions.
Oral question, Mr. Tootoo.
Question 121 - 1(2) : House of Commons Standing Committee Report
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister responsible for Community Government, Housing and Transportation.
Mr. Speaker, on May18th the Minister went back to me in regards to a question I asked on the House of Commons Standing Committee report.
He indicated at that time, that the department was reviewing the report and I’m just wondering, Mr. Speaker, if you could provide us with an update on their review, if they reviewed it and any directions that they have taken.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Tootoo.
Minister responsible for Community Government, Mr. Anawak.
Hon. Jack Anawak: I had not had a chance to get down to discussing the actual report, however, we have a copy as tabled by the Member, copy of that first report or whatever, for lack of a better word.
We will be looking at it very closely and I can assure the Members that once we start going into the issue of what more we could do with the assistance of the Aboriginal Affairs Committee in the House of Commons we will be seeking assistance from the regular Members.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Anawak.
Question 122 - 1 (2): Gjoa Haven Co-op Building
Thank you for answering my question of yesterday.
I have another question to the Minister of Sustainable Development.
In his letter, we were thinking about a broader perspective on this building.
I wonder if he looked at the whole thing.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister for Sustainable Development Mr. Kilabuk.
I was just clarifying that I have received this letter and I also sent a copy to the Minister of Public Works.
I also said that this building should be given consideration as a retail outlet.
If you need further information the Co-op in Gjoa Haven, in my constituency, they have proposed that this building become an office retail complex.
So, if you need further information I would be happy to provide you with more information and there’s been a lot of correspondence about that.
Maybe the Minister of Public Works needs more information.
We’re willing to work with them and I’d like to work with her and the Board of Directors of the Co-op in Gjoa Haven and ACL are the people to consult but, Mr. Speaker, the Co-op in Gjoa Haven have asked for assistance in financing these projects.
That’s why I’m asking about this to the Ministers.
Minister responsible for Sustainable Development, Mr. Kilabuk.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you Speaker.
I would like to go back to the original answer I gave to the Member.
The Minister responsible for this project is reviewing the letter and I would like to inform the Member that the Minister responsible would not be giving my department the funds.
I think that she would work directly with the Co-op in Gjoa Haven.
Question 123 – 1 (2) Highway Construction
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Thank you Speaker.
This is directed to the Minister of Transportation.
The plan that is underway right now, when are you going to consider actually going through with the construction of the highway?
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Irqittuq.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Thank you Speaker.
We have been talking about establishing a highway link to Nunavut and some of the reviewing or surveying that’s been done.
What the study has done so far is only a feasibility study to construct the highway from Manitoba to Nunavut through Keewatin.
We’re going to have to work very hard with the Federal Government to assist us in this project and also we’ll have to work with the Government of Manitoba and maybe we’ll have to consult with the GNWT as well.
I don’t think we’re going to know in the near future what we’re actually going to be doing.
We are working with the Premier and the Premier is working very hard on this issue but we’re unable to say at this time as to when we will proceed with the project.
Mr. Speaker, the highway that is being proposed, is it going to be for cars?
What kind of traffic is going to be travelling in the highway?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Irqittuq. Mr. Anawak.
We don’t know that yet, but whenever we’re talking about a highway we’re talking about vehicle traffic.
We have to determine what kind of construction we would be looking at and we can’t say that at this time.
When we’re talking about a highway, for vehicle traffic like trucks, we would have to do a study first on what kind of highway we would want and whether it would be for just passenger vehicles or heavy trucks.
We know that this is going to be a very expensive undertaking but now that we have Nunavut this is one of our first priorities to link ourselves with the rest of Canada.
Oral questions Mr. Irqittuq.
Mr. Speaker, those of us living in the Baffin region, are our constituents going to be consulted about this construction of the highway?
We haven’t got any firm plans yet for the future yet.
What we are concerned about at this time is that a link with southern Canada is going to benefit not only Kivalliq but, if the highway goes to Baker Lake or Arviat and we have a good airstrip in Rankin Inlet, once we have a highway linkage to Keewatin then it would be easier to transport to Baffin region and Kitikmeot.
Your question would be addressed in the planning stages.
Question 124 – 1(2) Seniors Housing
Mr. Speaker, my question is addressed to the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
In particular in his responsibility as Minister for the Elders.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday we spoke and heard many comments regarding the concern in the lack of housing for Nunavut’s pioneers, I guess, or elders.
I realize that the Minister of Housing has some financial responsibility for housing and I’m curious as to what assistance or what role the Minister for elders can play in this situation to try to help and assist with this concern that we have regarding the lack of housing for elders.
Minister for Culture, Language, Elders & Youth, Mr. Havioyak.
Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation): Thank you Speaker.
I can only respond by saying, concerning elder housing; yes, I am listening to all the elders and the youth and if I do get information from some of the elders, for example, it’s the concern about elder homes, I would be the one that you speak with and I would, in turn, go to the appropriate Minister of your concerns, such as housing.
I would go to the Minister of Housing.
I would always support the elders and the concerns that they have.
We will be dealing with all of the concerns of all the people, especially the elders, for example, if it’s a concern for housing coming from the elders, I will help them in any way that I can and on any concerns of the elders and I will be having regular contact with our elders and after hearing their concerns then I would go to the appropriate Minister with your concerns.
I hope that answered your question.
Oral question Mr. O’Brien.
Mr. Speaker, would the Minister consider , conducting is a formal review of the state of housing for elders, given the concerns that we heard yesterday.
Minister responsible for Elders, Mr. Havioyak.
Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation): Yes, Speaker, yes.
And also I would just like to state that we are new.
We are starting a new government and we also are concerned about youth as well.
We are looking at the youth and the elders together.
Thank you, Speaker.
Question 125 – 1 (2) Arena Material on Sealift
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you Speaker.
This is to Minister Mr. Anawak.
I would like to bring this issue up again.
I wonder if you able to identify funds in the near future for the material for the arena as it would have to come in by sealift this coming season.
If you don’t work on it now we will miss the opportunity to ship the material for the arena this coming summer.
Minister responsible for Community Governments, Mr. Anawak.
I know that you’re concerned about timing on this issue.
I think we can respond ahead of the sea-lift .I think right now the reason that it’s going slowly , is that once the decision for this needs to be identified by the residents of Kimmirut.
It has to be inspected by the Department of Health.
Health issues have to be addressed first.
I know that there’s a need to work on these issues, because the materials would have to come in the Sealift and we need to make those orders as soon as possible.
I have had a discussion with the Minister of Health and I conveyed to him that we need to work on this right away.
We will continue to treat this as an urgent matter and once hurdles have been jumped, I think that we would have time to get the materials by sealift to Kimmirut on time.
Question 126 – 1 (2) Staff Housing
Mr. Speaker I’d like to ask the Minister responsible for Public Works, Telecommunications and Technical Services.
If she has made any progress or looked into the question, that I asked on May 18, that she took as notice in regards to staff housing.
If there’s been any progress that I can expect to see on that.
Speaker: Qujannamiik Mr. Tootoo.
Minister responsible for Public Works and Telecommunications, Ms. Thompson.
I was talking to my staff this morning where my responses are, so they should be getting their act together and give me some feed back from the department soon.
Speaker: Qujannamiik Ms. Thompson.
Oral Questions Mr. O’Brien.
Question 127 – 1 (2) Gun Bill Court Challenge
Mr. Speaker my question is referring to the Gun Bill but this is not a direct question regarding the actual court case.
My question to the Minister of Justice; Mr. Speaker it’s my understanding when the Government of the Northwest Territories decided to join in this Court Case, it did not wish to have any part of the administration of the Act for the Federal Government.
Mr. Speaker we have a number of wildlife officers that are very knowledgeable very well connected to various HTA's and Organizations, individuals, tourist that come in to the communities and hunt.
Just curious whether the Ministers’ has given consideration to having these wildlife officer’s if they can in some ways can be involved in helping individuals with paper work to get their guns registered, the reason I say this is, I think it’s going to take sometime before we have the actual final conclusion of this case and it could take years.
In the mean time we still have to deal with it, we have problems with residents not able to buy guns, for example if a hunter were to lose his gun and he’s not registered, he doesn’t have certification, he may not be able to get another gun because of that.
As a result he can’t hunt, he can’t bring food home.
So given that fact we still have to deal in some way that there has to be some sort of certification, registration being done.
My question is will the Minister look at having his individuals that work in wildlife, if they can assist in the paper work, at least in the mean time we have something in place to assist the local hunters.
Speaker: Qujannamiik, Mr. O’Brien.
That question was directed to Minister of Justice, Mr. Anawak.
Hon. Paul Okalik: Mr. Speaker, the question involves other Departments in our Governments, I feel that I’m the appropriate person to answer that question.
Speaker: Okay, Mr. Okalik.
We did not pass gun the control bill as a Government, all we can do is try and minimize the first affects of the gun control legislation.
Right now we’re trying to set up the Minister of Justice in meeting with his colleague in Ottawa and to discuss gun control as will.
We’re trying to set up a meeting with NTI to discuss this matter and next week our legal counsel will be talking to the legal officials for the Northwest Territories to review the situation on this matter, so I could get back to the Members on this issue next week.
Oral Questions Mr. McLean
Question 128 – 1 (2): Student Summer Employment
Mr. Speaker I’m trying to direct this question to the Minister responsible, so I’m really not sure of an PWTTS, Community Governments, Housing & Transportation or Culture, Language, Elder’s & Youth under this new Government.
The issue here is, in previous years, there was funding made available to the municipalities in regards to the student summer employment programs, I was just advised by a letter yesterday from the Hamlet Council in Baker Lake, that there’s no funding for this year for any kind of student employment opportunities.
I’m wondering if whoever’s responsible for this now, I know we have a 10 million contingency fund, but would they consider maybe bringing a program forward for the end of the school year to employ some of those summer students out there.
Minister of Finance Mr. Ng
Mr. Speaker the Honourable Member did raise the issue in respect of government employment the other day and at that time I took it as a notice, because I knew that we had some specific dollars with in the Department of Human Resources under the NHRDS strategy and we also had some casual employment through different departments of the Government for hiring students and we were going to try maximize that.
I didn’t have the full details of departmental allocations and that’s the information I was trying to get back to the Honourable Member, but having raised it again and recognizing the importance of it, maybe I’ll discuss this matter with my Cabinet colleagues and see what we can do.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Oral Questions, Mr. McLean
Mr. Speaker it’s nice that you’ll be discussing it and stuff like that.
The school year is coming to an end, so is there going to be any kind of commitments towards employing students this summer outside of the Government of Nunavut with the programs.
Minister responsible for Human Resources Mr. Ng
Mr Ng: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker as I indicated right now it is all of Government of Nunavut sponsored funding, The Member has brought up the point about Municipalities and other organizations, I know there is some Federal employment programs as well that’s why I’d like to quickly assess what is available out there and we want to create as much opportunities as possible.
So I will commit to try to deal with that matter as quickly as possible.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Oral Question, Mr. Tootoo
Question 129 – 1 (2) : Staff Housing
Mr. Speaker my question is to the Minister responsible for Human Resources.
Again last week I asked the Minister a question regarding staff housing and it was taken as notice.
Just wondering Mr. Speaker if the Minister can provide, if there’s been any update or when I can expect to hearing a response in regards to that question.
Minister responsible for Human Resources Mr. Ng.
Mr. Speaker actually we do have the information we’re just compiling it in the format to respond to it, so I plan to have it done next week on Monday or as soon as possible.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Oral questions Mr. Nutarak
Question 130 – 1 (2) : Social Assistance in Nunavut
I would like to direct this question to the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, in respect to social assistance in Nunavut, because there is disparity between the amounts that they receive.
I’m asking when this policy will be dealt with to equalize the payments for all of the welfare recipients in Nunavut.
Minister responsible for Social Services Mr. Picco
Mr. Speaker I believe if the translation is correct that this concerns Income Support and I believe that’s Mr. Arvaluk’s responsibility.
Minister responsible for Social Assistance Programs, Mr. Arvaluk.
Hon. James Arvaluk: Mr. Speaker, income support delivery comes under my Department, but I think the policy development of what the Member is asking, that comes under the Sustainable Development.
In this case if it’s a policy question, I’ll just pass that on to Mr. Kilabuk.
That must be a hard question we had to deal with three Ministers.
I think there was a couple of questions, it was being deferred, so I’d like to hear the question again. Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Nutarak: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker. My original question was in respect to income support and whether that policy will be reviewed, because those who receive income support have different levels of funding and I’m looking at equalizing payment for all income support clients and I was asking when that would be dealt with.
Minister responsible for Sustainable Development Mr. Kilabuk
In response to the question, yes we will review the policy and it’s through that there is disparity in funding and the present way that is operated, based on what they will receive as income support.
I know it became clear that the different dealings with certain parts of the social assistance followed in 3 departments, but we will review it and when the information is available I will table it in the House.
Question 131 – 1 (2): Commercial Fisheries, Shrimp Fishing
In respect to Sustainable Development I would like to ask about fishing commercially and I would like to ask whether they have a responsibility for commercial fisheries.
Minister responsible for the Sustainable Development Mr. Kilabuk.
Our Department deals with tourism and Economic Development, yes; we are responsible for new program developments for economic development within the communities.
In respect to the 2 communities which are within my constituency there has been a lot of experimental fisheries for shrimp and turbot by using the trawlers.
I’m wondering in respect to Baffin Bay and Davis Strait there’s a lot of shrimp there and there’s a big opportunity to create economic development.
When we were talking about these types of renewable resources, I know you are involved with it and I’m wondering if I can work with you to deal with that issue.
Minister responsible for Sustainable Development Mr. Kilabuk.
In respect to the fisheries, I have personally been involved with it for number of years, as you know.
I want to remain open for that kind of future development with anybody who wants to be involved in respect to the fisheries, because this is a big part of our department.
Yes we can work with you especially in the area of fisheries.
Speaker: Qujannamiik Mr. Kilabuk.
Oral Questions, Mr. O’Brien
Question 132 – 1 (2) : Post Secondary School Criteria
Mr. Speaker my question is to the Minister responsible for Education and it relates to the Arctic College.
Mr. Speaker can the Minister tell us about the criteria or restrictions, for example if the individual wants to go to Arctic College or they may decide they’d like to take the training down South in one of the Southern Universities or College.
What are the restrictions or criteria when they make decision whether that student has to go here for example Iqaluit or go south to Winnipeg or elsewhere to take some training.
Minister of Education Mr. Arvaluk
Hon. James Arvaluk: Thank you Mr. Speaker that really depends on what kind of request is made to the Arctic College, so the Member has to be specific.
For example some programs can be made available in Nunavut or our partners in Northwest Territories for example Fort Smith, but other programs that are not available will have to be taken in the South or else where, so this really depends on the program that has been requested.
Oral Question Mr. O’Brien
Mr. Speaker if the courses that individual were seeking were not available in Arctic College here in Iqaluit or in the North.
I guess I’m asking what restriction or criteria does an individual have to look at before they can go south to take training.
Minister responsible for Education Mr. Arvaluk.
There is no general restriction that the Member is asking of any sort, because everyone has the right to be educated and with that there’s a known bursary system for individuals who want to take a specialised course in or outside of Nunavut.
Oral Questions Mr. Nutarak
Question 133 – 1 (2) Pond Inlet School Problems
This question is directed to Minister of Education, I asked him previously and I also commented that there’s a problem with the school in Pond Inlet and I asked him whether he would review the situation.
Has he conducted the review?
Yes I have conducted a review, I have also met with my staff and officials who travelled to Pond Inlet to review the situation.
I told my officials to meet with other departments for example, the Department of Public Works and as well the blue prints and to deal with the engineers.
They stated that they couldn’t agree in respect to the old School and the new School.
The older school was constructed in 1964 and it had different set of codes and the new School does not have a gym as part of the building in respect to the question would you raised as the Member from Tunnuniq .
If there was to be a tunnel or a cross walk built this part of the building is so large and with a different codes, I told you it was not possible and as I stated previously I told my staff that I wanted to be given a different option which we may have a possibility of implementation.
With the Department of Education, I want to be able to negotiate with the local Education Authority in Pond Inlet.
I was told that what I wanted would have to be planned for about 2 weeks.
Now within that period I will be expecting after 2 weeks a different set of options with which we can deal with the problem we have with the school in Pond Inlet.
Oral Questions, (interpretation): let’s return to Orders of the Day Item # 7, written questions.
Item # 8 returns to written questions.
Item 8: Return to Written Questions