EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
My general comments and my questions to Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, I haven’t completed them because of the motion that was made earlier.
This has to be very well prepared when we’re dealing with this because it deals with Inuit and culture.
I move to report progress at this time.
Thank you, Minister Tapardjuk, and I thank your officials.
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the officials from the witness table.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Item 21.
Your committee has been considering Bill 1 and the main estimates and would like to report progress. Also, Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Is there a seconder? Mr. Arvaluk.
I seek unanimous consent to return to Item 5.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Arvaluk. (interpretation) The member is asking consent to return to Item 5.
Proceed, Mr. Arvaluk.
I would like to recognize my friend Denis Nutarak from Pond Inlet.
Denis, welcome. (interpretation ends) Item 5.
I was afraid you weren’t going to see my hand up.
I would like to recognize a person from Rankin Inlet, from my community, and he’s our Mayor Lorne Kusugak.
Welcome, Mr. Mayor.
(interpretation ends) Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation) There’s no more. (interpretation ends) Item 22.
A reminder; a meeting of the Full Caucus tomorrow morning at nine o’clock in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Orders of the Day for March 15:
This House stands adjourned until Thursday, March 15, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 17:28
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Pages 344 – 401
Ministers’ Statements 344
Members’ Statements 348
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 352
Oral Questions 353
Tabling of Documents 372
First Reading of Bills 373
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 373
Report of the Committee of the Whole 399
Orders of the Day 400
Thursday, March 15, 2007 344
023 – 2(4): Interim Financing Program (Akesuk) 344
024 – 2(4): Pro-Sealing Rally: Up the Anti (Simailak) 345
025 – 2(4): Languages of Instruction Workshops (Picco) 346
026 – 2(4): Rankin Inlet Healing Correctional Centre (Okalik) 347
027 – 2(4): Drop the Pop Campaign 2007 (Aglukkaq) 347
051 – 2(4): Inuit Heritage and Artefacts (Curley) 348
052 – 2(4): Dog Team Race from Arviat to Churchill – Hudson Bay Quest (Alagalak) 349
053 – 2(4): Suppport for the Pro-Sealing Rally (Kattuk) 350
054 – 2(4): Passing of Metuq Nowdlak (Picco) 351
055 – 2(4): Constituency Meetings (Aglukkaq) 351
058 – 2(4): Safety of School Facilities (Barnabas) 353
059 – 2(4): RCMP Use of TASER Guns (Curley) 355
060 – 2(4): Renewal of KBDC Contribution Agreement (Tootoo) 357
061 – 2(4): Power Bill Payments (Kattuk) 358
062 – 2(4): Long-Term Funding for Cambridge Bay Wellness Centre (Peterson) 361
063 – 2(4): $40 Million Funding from the Federal Government (Arvaluk) 364
064 – 2(4): Hydro Energy Project (Barnabas) 366
065 – 2(4): KDBC Annual Report (Tootoo) 368
066 – 2(4): Barge Stuck in Baker Lake (Alagalak) 369
067 – 2(4): Financial Support for the Hunters (Kattuk) 371
039 – 2(4): CLEY Schedule of Vote 1, Vote 2 and Vote 4 Grants and Contributions 2005-06 Fiscal Year (Tapardjuk) 372
040 – 2(4): Environmental Rights Act Annual Report for the Period January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006 (Netser) 372
041 – 2(4): Ministerial Meeting Report – Intergovernmental Ministers Responsible for Workers’ Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut January 2007 (Netser) 372
042 – 2(4): Communications Protocol between Ministers Responsible for the WCB, Governance Council of the WCB, Workers’ Compensation Board and Members of the Legislative Assemblies (draft) (Netser) 372
043 – 2(4): Drop the Pop Posters (Aglukkaq) 373
Bill 05 – An Act to Amend the Local Authorities Elections Act – First Reading 373
Bill 08 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – First Reading 373
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2007-08 – Consideration in Committee – Culture, Language, Elders & Youth 374
Speaker (interpretation): Good afternoon Premier, Ministers, and Members. (interpretation ends) Item 2. Ministers’ Statements.
Minister’s Statement 023 – 2(4): Interim Financing Program (Akesuk)
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to advise the Members of this House of a new program, the Interim Financing Program, that the Nunavut Housing Corporation has introduced to help new homeowners who are constructing new homes.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation has received many calls from Nunavummiut who are building new homes, who have an approved construction mortgage and who have been refused financing until there’s substantial progress on the construction of their house.
Most banks in Nunavut consider interim financing a high risk and do not provide it.
Many first time homeowner clients need assistance to bridge the gap between their approved construction mortgage and the contractor’s requirement for cash flow, especially in small communities with small local construction companies.
Interim financing up to 85 percent of the approved mortgage amount is now available to eligible clients of the Nunavut Down Payment Assistance Program and the Material Assistance Program.
The Housing Corporation will mitigate the risk of this program by offering counselling, monitoring and by maintaining a close working relationship with clients, banks and contractors.
Funds under this program will be fully repayable upon the completion of the house.
Mr. Speaker, Pinasuaqtavut states that families and individuals in Nunavut have fair access to arrange an affordable housing option.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation is demonstrating its commitment to Pinasuaqtavut by extending the range of affordable options to Nunavummiut by providing the Interim Financing Program.
Mr. Speaker, I’m looking forward to an exciting and challenging year.
Minister’s Statement 024 – 2(4): Pro-Sealing Rally: Up the Anti (Simailak)
Today an important rally is taking place on Parliament Hill sponsored by the Fur Institute of Canada. ‘Up the Anti’ is taking place on the same day as worldwide anti-sealing protests.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation is pleased to participate in ‘Up the Anti.’
My department has sponsored Nunavummiut to attend the rally and to help support the traditional seal hunt. Senior officials from our department are also present to lend a hand and show that Nunavut is committed to sending a positive message of Canada’s sealing industry.
Mr. Speaker, by joining together at this event, Canadian sealers will raise a strong and unified voice to counter the false information being put forward by anti-fur activists who oppose the seal hunt at any cost.
It is important that we work together with other sealing jurisdictions within Canada because we share the same markets for our sealing products.
Inuit have been harvesting seals for many centuries. The use of the seal is still an important part of our way of life.
Seals remain an important source of food and continue to provide an irreplaceable source of materials for traditional clothing, for a growing fashion industry, and for our arts and crafts.
Sealing also provides a modest income to those that would otherwise be more reliant on government.
No one respects the welfare more than Nunavut’s hunters.
Seal hunting in Nunavut has always been conducted in a sustainable and humane manner using the whole animal. The hunting of seal is central to Nunavut’s Inuit culture and it is a principal way that Nunavummiut pass along our traditions and our values to our youth.
The event this week in Ottawa will be seen across Canada and around the world. It will provide an excellent way for Nunavut to speak up for our seal hunt, and its importance to our way of life. It is again the time for Nunavummiut to raise their voices and be heard on this important issue.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking the Fur Institute of Canada for organizing this very important event.
Minister’s Statement 025 – 2(4): Languages of Instruction Workshops (Picco)
I am very pleased to be able to update my colleagues on Languages of Instruction activity taking place across Nunavut.
During the month of February the department held information workshops in both the Qikiqtani and Kivalliq regions. The workshops brought together District Education Authorities, school administrators, and Inuit educators from our communities.
The Kitikmeot region has already undertaken Languages of Instruction activities.
It is essential for the successful implementation of Languages of Instruction and the plan that community members be involved.
With the assistance of the District Education Authorities and school staff, the department will extend the Languages of Instruction workshops to our communities over the next six months. The workshops are designed to give communities the information they will need to ensure successful implementation of the model of the languages of instruction that they choose.
The successful implementation of Languages of Instruction also requires the establishment of Community Language Committees. The Language Committees will require representatives that are knowledgeable about their language.
Members of the committees should consist of elders, District Education Authority members, school staff and other knowledgeable representatives from the communities.
Mr. Speaker, I’m very pleased to also inform my colleagues today that we will be providing each District Education Authority with $10,000 to assist with the cost of the Language Committee that each community will need to establish as part of the successful implementation of the Languages of Instruction.
Mr. Speaker, please join with me in wishing our communities success in the implementation of Languages of Instruction. This will be one of the most important decisions that will be made by our District Education Authorities.
Minister’s Statement 026 – 2(4): Rankin Inlet Healing Correctional Centre (Okalik)
My department recently conducted consultations in Rankin Inlet and there is widespread support to construct a healing correctional centre in Rankin Inlet.
The department’s plan to complete a new correctional healing facility will meet the needs of all low risk territorial inmates from 2011 forward.
(interpretation) I am pleased that there will be a correctional facility in each of Nunavut’s three regions.
This facility will have room for 36 remand and sentenced offenders and will meet the Kivalliq’s needs when it opens.
Rankin Inlet has many resources to offer our corrections team including elders, addictions and spousal abuse counselling services already in place. (interpretation ends) Reintegration of remanded and sentenced offenders from the Kivalliq will allow more community and family involvement in their healing closer to home.
Inmate counts have been increasing over the past few years. In response, the Department of Justice has the increased the use of outpost camps during most of the year.
As well, increased transfers to Ontario and the Northwest Territories have helped to limit the strain on the Baffin Correctional Centre and its staff.
After 2011, we hope to be able to house most of our inmates in Nunavut. (interpretation) I thank the community of Rankin Inlet for supporting this initiative. Their help and expertise in implementing this healing project will be central to its success over the coming years.
The preparations for the facility and training of staff will also provide jobs and business opportunities to the Kivalliq region.
Minister’s Statement 027 – 2(4): Drop the Pop Campaign 2007 (Aglukkaq)
The Drop the Pop campaign for 2007 started on March 12 across Nunavut.
This made-in-Nunavut solution was developed by the Department of Health and Social Services staff and is a success story I would like to share.
The first Drop the Pop campaign was held in 2004. Its goal was to help prevent diabetes by promoting healthy eating choices.
Using a contest approach, it encourages kids to drop pop in favour of more nutritious drinks such as water, milk or real fruit juice.
Over the years, the goal has broadened to promoting healthy living such as finding enjoyable ways to exercise to maintain healthy weight.
The Drop the Pop idea has been adopted and adapted by other jurisdictions, including the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, Saskatchewan, various school districts in Ontario, and the James Bay Cree Health Board.
Stories about it have run in national magazines for nutritionists, teachers and health promotion. This year, the Drop the Pop challenge is being held at the same time in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
With solid support from corporate sponsors like Arctic Cooperatives and the Northern Stores, each school that registers will receive $350 for their campaign and each student who drops pop will receive a jelly bracelet and a temporary tattoo. The overall school winners receive a week of free nutritious drinks for each student.
Last year, Quqshuun School in Gjoa Haven was the winner.
Mr. Speaker, Drop the Pop is funded by the Department of Health and Social Services, the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, and the Federal Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative. Arctic Co-op’s are running messages on each cable service and the Northern Stores are using the posters as screen savers on their cash register.
I invite the Members of the Legislative Assembly to encourage schools and daycares in their constituencies to participate in Drop the Pop 2007 and perhaps take up the challenge themselves.
Member’s Statement 051 – 2(4): Inuit Heritage and Artefacts (Curley)
Today it’s almost a blizzard out there and everything is kind of quiet.
I rise today to talk about our ancestors and feel that it is very important to our way of life today.
Such things as artifacts that have been taken by people not knowledgeable are supposed to be left where they lay.
Not just those, but also the gravesites.
They have to be preserved in Nunavut because we know that we don’t have any written history.
Mr. Speaker, I received a call recently from one of my constituents in regard to the importance of the grave sites.
I listened to the elder that gave me a call. First of all, I would like to say that we respect the grave sites and the old grave sites, and the people that have lived in that area.
Last week, when I was listening, I was told that when this individual’s husband was still alive, they buried their daughter on the hill. It had a cross as a marker but last week, just recently, she stated that the grave has been moved so they could have a construction or housing area, so she was told.
She went over there to see what was happening. What she said was when she saw all of the earth removed from the grave; she found bones, human bones.
Mr. Curley, proceed.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I listened very carefully to that elder and I’m sure that it was very much part of her heart.
She and her husband were there and it must have been very sad because they erected the cross as a marker there.
Now that woman is a widow and she’s very concerned every day about the daughter’s grave being bulldozed.
Those are not the only things that we should be concerned about. There have been lots of times that the people would find artifacts that are in the graves and they have taken them away from Nunavut.
I would like to tell everyone out there that this should not be happening and it should be written in our legislation.
We should have our right to not have our artifacts taken away but this one happened recently.
Can we agree as Members of this House that it’s too bad this happened to this elderly woman and we do not want to see something like that again done by anyone else?
I would like to encourage the members that have the concerns that I have and say that they didn’t do anything with those people that bulldozed the graves but it’s too bad that happened, and it’s a very sad state.
Member’s Statement 052 – 2(4): Dog Team Race from Arviat to Churchill – Hudson Bay Quest (Alagalak)
I rise today to remember the individuals and I think there’s going to be a lot of activities happening in Arviat in the next week or so.
I would like to state my support to the people who are going to be congregating over there.
On Saturday … and David said he’s going to be going to Arviat … but on Saturday there’s going to be a dog team race from Arviat to Churchill.
I would like the people of Arviat and the participants to know that I will have them all in mind.
I would like to urge the people to participate and to remember the Inuit culture during this event. This is called ‘The Hudson Bay Quest.’ The elders, I’m sure, would like to participate in the race but wouldn’t be able to do so.
I wanted to make this comment and I would like the people of Nunavut to know that there’s going to be ‘The Hudson Bay Quest’ in Arviat.
I would like to urge the people of Nunavut to give their support to those individuals.
Member’s Statement 053 – 2(4): Suppport for the Pro-Sealing Rally (Kattuk)
The Minister of Economic Development made a statement about the pro-sealing rally and I would like to state my support for the people who are going to be participating in that pro-sealing rally.
As you are probably aware, Sanikiluaq doesn’t have any caribou so we rely mainly on the marine mammals.
Seals are used for food and for clothing. The entire seal is used for different purposes.
A long time ago when there were still outpost camps, we relied solely on seal meat and its by-products.
The seal was very important to all the members who lived in the outpost camps.
It’s very, very important but with the sealskin, we used it as skin for the Qajaq, it’s used to make Kamiik for both human and dog. We relied a lot on sealskins and it’s still being used today.
Mr. Speaker, the meat is still being consumed by Inuit. Even though there are larger populations in the established communities, they skin and the seal meat and by-products are still being used today.
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to thank the members.
As I was saying earlier, we still go seal hunting. We still use the skin, the meat, and the by-products for both traditional purposes and also for commercial use.
There are full-time hunters who sell the pelts as they have no other means of making revenue.
For your information, and we all know, that we do not club seals as our southern counterparts. As you are probably well aware, we use guns and the boys are taught how to handle guns at a very early age.
The seal is used for both traditional and commercial use.
Member’s Statement 054 – 2(4): Passing of Metuq Nowdlak (Picco)
It was with great sadness that we heard of the passing yesterday of a well known and respected Iqaluit elder, Mittuk Nowdluk.
Mr. Speaker, Mittuk was a tireless worker for her fellow Inuit all across Nunavut. She served as a founding member of the Inuit Qaujimanituqangit Katimajiit, and her wisdom and knowledge of Inuit Qaujimanituqangit issues were well welcomed by the members and the committee.
Mr. Speaker, Mittuk was well known for her sewing abilities. Her Kamiik were in great demand, and during the April 1, 1999, Nunavut celebrations, she made several pairs for the ceremonies and the RCMP.
Throughout her life she was always available to listen and to give wise advice. On behalf of our family, I’m sure, the members, and the Government of Nunavut, we would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Mittuk’s family and friends.
Mr. Speaker, she will be missed.
>>Applause  Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Picco.
Member’s Statement 055 – 2(4): Constituency Meetings (Aglukkaq)
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.... (no interpretation)… (translation)… I had the opportunity to meet with my constituencies of Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak over the last two months.
I enjoyed my meetings with them and visiting family and friends.
In Gjoa Haven I held a constituency meeting on January 11 and in Taloyoak I met with my constituents on January 18. I am pleased to report that both meetings were well attended and that I was able to discuss a number of my constituents’ issue and concerns with them.
Mr Speaker… Constituency meetings are a great opportunity to hear ideas, issues and to reflect on past accomplishments as well as a good opportunity to plan for the future.
I would like to thank Sterling Firlotte and my Constituency Assistant Helen Tiriraniaq of Gjoa Haven as well as Maria Totalik and my Constituency Assistant Johnny Kootook of Taloyoak for helping me with the meeting arrangements.
I would also like to thank constituents in both Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak for meeting with me during my visits and for sharing with me their ideas and concerns.
My constituents can rest assured that I will follow up on any items that require it and put forward their suggestions.
I would like to recognize and welcome the Mayor of Arviat, Johnny Mamgark.
With him also is the Senior Administrative Officer for the hamlet office, Carey Merritt.
Thank you, and welcome.
I am not representing this individual but he does represent the whole of Nunavut.
I have been working with him for quite a long time, I think approximately 20 years, and he’s always very receptive.
This individual is the Second Vice-President of Nunavut Tunngavik, Mr. Raymond Ningeocheak, one of the very well known people in Nunavut.
I would also like to recognize these individuals.
First of all, Raymond Ningeocheak, welcome to the Gallery.
He has been living in Rankin Inlet for a very long time. And also Donna Napajuq, who is Raymond’s assistant and also my cousin. We also have Danny Autut, who is the Human Resources person for Nunavut Tunngavik.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation ends) Item 6.
Question 058 – 2(4): Safety of School Facilities (Barnabas)
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Education.
There have been some accidents in the schools.
We have had school fires and roofs have been blown off. There has also been mould build-up in the schools.
I would like to just show you what studies have been done in the schools in my riding.
There have been several concerns in regard to the Nunavut schools and how they should be safe. In regard to the schools being studied, the issue of health is one of the top priorities if there’s going to be anything requiring capital expenditure.
There are also some reports that were put together by the fire marshal.
Can the minister tell the House exactly what kinds of steps have been taken to ensure that Nunavut schools are safe and up to code?
What has been done to address the studies that have been done over the years and what are the department’s next steps going to be?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. (interpretation ends) Minister of Education, Honourable Ed. Picco.
First of all, under Community and Government Services, the Department of Education works closely with them to monitor our facilities and all of those facilities across Nunavut, which also includes all Nunavut Arctic College buildings and our community learning centres.
All of our buildings have to be up to code and up to standards. On a regular basis, Mr. Speaker, we do inspections of the schools. If we find, for example, issues where there’s mould in a given school, then that’s addressed by the department.
At the same time the member mentions several different issues.
For example, weather related issues: storm damage we know for example here in Iqaluit. Part of the roof blew off the Inuksuk High School. We had to close the school for a few days while the repairs were undertaken so that the roof was back in good shape so that the students were not at risk.
In all cases work is carried out to make sure that our schools are a safe environment not only to attend classes but also to be able to work in for our staff.
Can the minister provide an update on how often schools across Nunavut are inspected for compliance with health and safety regulations?
Schools are part of the capital infrastructure that is in place belonging to the Government of Nunavut. Regular inspection takes place on an annual basis as well as on a need basis.