EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I’m wondering if I might ask another witness to come in. I would like to thank Ms. Hardy for her participation.
Chairman: Thank you. Does everybody agree to bring the other witness in?
Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the other witness in, please.
Minister Peterson, could you please introduce your new witness.
Mr. Thomas Druyan, our Legislative Counsellor, has joined us.
Are there any general comments on the opening statement?
If there isn’t, I don’t see anybody’s hands up, we will move on to the clause-by-clause review of Bill 48 starting on page 1.
Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2010, No. 3. Reprint.
Chairman: Now we’ve got to go back to page 14.
Chairman: Now just go to Schedule B on page 14.
Chairman: Go to Schedule C on page 15.
Chairman: Go back to clause 13.
Chairman: Go to clause 16 and go to Schedule D on page 16.
Chairman: Now we’ve got to go back to Schedule E on page 17.
Chairman: Go back to clause 17.
Chairman: We’ve got to go back to Schedule F on page 18.
Chairman: Now we will go back to clause 24.
Chairman: Then we will go to Schedule G on page 19.
Chairman: We will go on to Schedule I on page 20.
Chairman: Now we will go to Schedule J on page 20.
Chairman: Are the members agreed to Bill 48 as a whole?
Chairman: Pursuant to Rule 62(2), are members agreed that Bill 48 is immediately ready for third reading?
Chairman: I would like to thank the ministers and officials.
Are there any closing comments?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Again, Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank yourself and the standing committee for your excellent work with us on miscellaneous statutes amendments again.
We are hopeful that by the end of the term of this Assembly, we will have all of our legislation up to date and have removed the references to the Northwest Territories and incorrect wording, and have it brought up to date.
I would like to thank my officials for their hard work, both the officials who are here today and the officials at the other office here in Iqaluit.
Now we will move immediately to Bill 50. Does the minister have any opening comments?
Bill 50 – Nunavut Outfitter Liability Protection Fund Act, Repeal – Consideration in Committee
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Chairman, if I may, I would like to bring in another witness and allow my Justice officials to be removed from the witness table.
Chairman: Thank you. Does the committee agree?
Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, could you please escort the new witness in.
Minister Peterson, for the record, could you please introduce your new witness.
I feel like the coach of a hockey team, I’m moving players in and out. To my right is Mr. Chris D’Arcy and he is the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Department of Finance.
Chairman: Thank you. Do you have any opening comments, Minister Peterson?
Hon, Keith Peterson: Yes, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman and Members, Bill 50 will repeal the Nunavut Outfitter Liability Protection Fund Act, which came into force on October 1, 2008.
The “seed money” of $3 million to start up the Nunavut Outfitter Liability Protection Fund came from the Federal Community Development Trust.
There have been no applications and no claims on the fund since its creation two years ago.
Given the fact that there are more affordable insurance alternatives within industry, it is time to repeal this legislation and re-profile monies from the fund to economic development opportunities within the Department of Economic Development and Transportation and the Department of Environment.
Provisions will be made to accommodate any applications to the fund between the time Bill 50 is introduced and when the Act is repealed, should the legislation receive assent.
Please proceed, Mr. Ningeongan
As Chair of the Standing Committee on legislation, I am pleased to make some very brief opening comments as we begin consideration of Bill 50, Nunavut Outfitter Liability Protection Fund Act, Repeal.
As members will recall, the most recent annual report on the operation of the Nunavut Outfitter Liability Protection Fund was tabled in the House on June 8, 2010.
This report and other information provided by the government indicated that there have been no applications for coverage under the fund since its creation in 2008.
Members also recognize that other sources of liability coverage are available to outfitters.
Accordingly, members recognize that the need for the government to maintain this fund no longer exists.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments. The standing committee recommends the passage of Bill 50 to all members.
Chairman: Thank you. Any general comments?
I thank the hon. minister. I don’t have anything to state here other than I am sure we will all be keeping a close watch on the $3 million start-up fund.
No other comments? I don’t have anybody on the list, so we will go clause by clause. We have only one page on here.
Bill 50, Nunavut Outfitter Liability Protection Fund Act, Repeal. Clause 1. Do you agree?
Chairman: Are you in agreement to Bill 50 as a whole?
Chairman: Pursuant to Rule 62(2), are you agreed that Bill 50 is immediately ready for third reading?
Minister Peterson, do you have any closing comments?
I would like to thank yourself and the standing committee for your support of repealing this Act.
I’m very positive that when the $3 million is freed up, it will go to some very good uses in the Department of Economic Development and Transportation and the Department of Environment.
I, too, as the Minister of Finance, will be keeping a close eye on how those monies are used.
I would like to thank my officials for their hard work on bringing this to us today.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Peterson, and we appreciate you showing up here to answer all of the tough questions we had on this bill.
I would like to ask Minister Shewchuk, on behalf of Minister Taptuna and the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, to make his opening remarks.
Bill 49 – Agricultural Products Marketing Act, Repeal – Consideration in Committee
As I told you earlier today, it’s a privilege to be a Minister of ED&T for the afternoon.
I am pleased to appear before the Committee of the Whole to speak to Bill 49, An Act to Repeal the Agricultural Products Marketing Act. My comments will be brief.
As I explained to the Standing Committee on Legislation earlier, the intent of Bill 49 is to save time and effort for both the Legislative Assembly and the Government of Nunavut.
Of course, I will be pleased to address any concerns the committee may have.
The Agricultural Products Marketing Act provides for the creation of the production management system. Specifically, it regulates the creation of marketing plans and producer boards for eggs, chickens, and turkeys. The Act was duplicated for Nunavut upon division from the Northwest Territories, where there are in fact a couple of commercial egg operations.
As members know, there is no agricultural sector in Nunavut, and there is no reason to believe that we will develop, in the foreseeable future, an agricultural sector that is large enough to need a production management system.
Yet, because it is a statutory requirement under the Act, every year, the Government of Nunavut must approve and table a report in the Legislative Assembly on the activity under the Act.
These reports are always blank, but they still consume time and effort which could be better spent on issues of real importance.
It is for that reason that we have introduced the Act to repeal the Agricultural Products Marketing Act.
I will conclude my remarks here and will be pleased to answer any questions that members may have.
As Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, I am pleased to make some very brief opening comments as we begin consideration of Bill 49, Agricultural Products Marketing Act, Repeal.
The standing committee recognizes that this statute, which was inherited by Nunavut in 1999 from the Northwest Territories, is not appropriate to our jurisdiction’s circumstances given that it establishes a legal framework for the regulation of the marketing of agricultural products that are not actually produced in this territory.
The standing committee would, however, like to take this opportunity to formally express its support for actions on the part of the government to further develop Nunavut’s commercial harvesting industry.
As all members are aware, great potential exists for economic development in relation to the commercial harvesting of caribou, muskox, seafood, and other products.
The standing committee also notes that the Government of Nunavut has previously received support from the federal government under such programs as the Growing Forward Initiative and the Agricultural Policy Framework Initiative.
Members encourage both governments to continue their collaborative efforts in this area.
The standing committee recommends the passage of Bill 49 to all members.
Does Minister Shewchuk, on behalf of the Minister of Economic Development for the afternoon, have any witnesses that he would like to bring to the table?
Chairman: Does the committee agree to bring in the witnesses to the table?
Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, could you please escort the minister and witness to the table.
For the record, Minister Shewchuk, could you please introduce your witness.
I have with me here the Deputy Minister of ED&T, Mr. Bob Long.
If not, we will go directly to page 1.
Bill 49, Agricultural Products Marketing Act, Repeal. Clause 1.
Chairman: Do you agree to Bill 49 as a whole?
Chairman: Pursuant to Rule 62(2), are you agreed that Bill 49 is immediately ready for third reading?
Chairman: I would like to thank the minister for all of the tough questions that he had, and if he has any closing comments.
I just think that it was very straightforward to repeal this bill and all members understand it.
Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, could you please escort the minister and the witness out.
Going to the orders of the day. Item 20.
Your committee has been considering Bills 47, 48, 49, and 50 and would like to report that Bills 47, 48, 49, and 50 are immediately ready for third reading.
The Member for Hudson Bay is the seconder.
We can now go to Item 21.
Bill 47 – International Interests in Mobile Aircraft Equipment Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 47, International Interests in Mobile Aircraft Equipment Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 48 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2010, No. 3 – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 48, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2010, No. 3, be read for the third time.
Bill 49 – Agricultural Products Marking Act, Repeal – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet North, that Bill 49, Agricultural Products Marking Act, Repeal, be read for the third time.
Bill 50 – Nunavut Outfitter Liability Protection Fund Act, Repeal – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin South and Whale Cove, that Bill 50, Nunavut Outfitter Liability Protection Fund Act, Repeal, be read for the third time.
There are no more hands up for this item.
We can move on to the last item. Item 22.
Orders of the Day. Mr. Clerk
A reminder that there is a meeting of the Regular Caucus tomorrow morning at nine o’clock in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Clerk.
This House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. on February 24.
Ron Elliott  (Quttiktuq)
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Pages 3159 – 3205
Opening Prayer 3159
Ministers’ Statements 3159
Members’ Statements 3162
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3169
Oral Questions 3171
Tabling of Documents 3184
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3186
Report of the Committee of the Whole 3203
Third Reading of Bills 3204
Orders of the Day 3205
Thursday, February 24, 2011 3159
235 – 3(2): Remembering Jose Kusugak (Aariak) 3159
236 – 3(2): NHC Continues to Enhance Financial Controls (Curley) 3160
237 – 3(2): Arctic Bay Airport Opening (Taptuna) 3161
238 – 3(2): New Science Campus for Nunavut Research Institute (Shewchuk) 3161
366 – 3(2): Passing of Mary Kuutsiq Mariq (Aupaluktuq) 3162
367 – 3(2): Congratulations to Sanikiluaq’s 2010 High School Graduates (Rumbolt) 3163
368 – 3(2): Social Worker Challenges (Elliott) 3163
369 – 3(2): Passing of Peter Kamingoak (Taptuna) 3164
370 – 3(2): Working Together to Reduce Suicide in Nunavut (Ningark) 3164
371 – 3(2): Nutrition North Canada Program (Ningeongan) 3165
372 – 3(2): Addressing Access to Alcohol in Nunavut (Ugyuk) 3166
373 – 3(2): Narwhal Tusk Ban by the Government of Canada (Arreak) 3168
542 – 3(2): Status of European Union’s Seal Ban (Tapardjuk) 3171
543 – 3(2): Social Worker Challenges (Elliott) 3173
544 – 3(2): Minister’s Task Force to Review the Liquor Act (Ugyuk) 3174
545 – 3(2): Sanikiluaq Health Centre Fuel Leak (Rumbolt) 3176
546 – 3(2): Repulse Bay Water Pump (Ningark) 3178
547 – 3(2): Baker Lake’s INAC Water Use Inspection Report (Aupaluktuq) 3179
548 – 3(2): Operations of the Qulliq Energy Corporation (Schell) 3181
549 – 3(2): Financial Reports of NHC (Elliott) 3183
273 – 3(2): Correspondence from Constituent Concerning Nutrition North Canada Program (Rumbolt) 3184
274 – 3(2): Lease, Contract and Procurement Activity Report 2008-2009 (Kusugak) 3185
275 – 3(2): Lease, Contract and Procurement Activity Report 2009-2010 (Kusugak) 3185
276 – 3(2): Statistics on Suicide in Nunavut (Ningark) 3185
277 – 3(2): Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay’s INAC Water Use Inspection Reports (Ningark) 3185
278 – 3(2): Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Report (Taptuna) 3185
Bill 52 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2009-2010 – Consideration in Committee 3186
Bill 53 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2010-2011 – Consideration in Committee 3188
Bill 54 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2010-2011 – Consideration in Committee 3190
Bill 52 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2009-2010 – Third Reading 3204
Bill 53 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2010-2011 – Third Reading 3204
Bill 54 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2010-2011 – Third Reading 3204
Speaker (Hon. Paul Okalik)(interpretation): Good afternoon.
First of all, I would like to ask Ms. Ugyuk to say the opening prayer.
Good day. The first item in our orders of the day is Ministers’ Statements.
Minister’s Statement 235 – 3(2): Remembering Jose Kusugak (Aariak)
Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I speak about the recent passing of a teacher, a politician, a friend, and an advocate for Inuit across Nunavut: Jose Kusugak.
When Jose passed away on January 19, the memories and stories came pouring in from across Nunavut and beyond.
Jose was my first Inuktitut teacher at residential school in Churchill, Manitoba more than 30 years ago.
He was a wonderful teacher, always full of stories and jokes.
Many of us had left Nunavut for the first time, and Jose had a way of instilling in us so much pride in our language and culture.
He inspired us not only to be better students but to be better people.
His expectations were high: he expected us to go out in the world and truly make a difference.
I know there are many people, Mr. Speaker, in this room who also have wonderful memories of Jose, especially his brother, our colleague, Minister Lorne Kusugak, and one of his first employers and colleagues, Minister Curley.
I’m sure there are many others.
We all know Jose’s legendary history as an Inuit activist and politician, working for Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Inuit Language Commission, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Kivalliq Inuit Association, and the Inuit Circumpolar Council.
It would take many hours for me to detail all of the work that Jose accomplished in his short lifetime.
Suffice to say, his accomplishments in advocating on behalf of Inuit and his passion for our language and culture have forever changed the political and social landscape of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to travel to Rankin Inlet to be present at the funeral service with Mr. Curley, a funeral service held in his honour, and to pay respects to Nellie, Jose’s wife and our Deputy Commissioner.
A few weeks later, a memorial service was held in Ottawa, and here in Iqaluit, we held a celebration of his life to allow those who could not make it to Rankin Inlet to have an opportunity to say goodbye.
Mr. Speaker, a book of condolences has been displayed here at the Legislation Assembly, and those who would like to leave a message for the Kusugak family are welcome to do so. This book will be sent to the Kusugak family, along with photos of the Iqaluit memorial service, at the end of the month.
Jose will be dearly missed by many people.
His memory will live on in the great strides made by our children and grandchildren, who will no doubt go out in the world and make a difference.
We remember him well, and he was a friend of mine. We used to call him José. Thank you.
Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Minister Curley.
Minister’s Statement 236 – 3(2): NHC Continues to Enhance Financial Controls (Curley)
I, too, agree with our Premier because we used to work closely with him and we send our condolences to the family.
Good afternoon to the people of Rankin Inlet.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I previously spoke of the major steps taken by this government and the Nunavut Housing Corporation of relocating the finance division and strengthening the IT infrastructure of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Because Nunavutmiut and the members demanded we take decisive action to address the root causes of the CEAP and NHT over-commitments, Mr. Speaker, I want Nunavutmiut and the members to know of the other measures that this government and the Nunavut Housing Corporation are taking to ensure we are ready for the next round of major federal investments in housing when they come.
Mr. Speaker, this government and the Nunavut Housing Corporation are committed to ensure that Nunavutmiut are served with the utmost transparency and accountability.
Mr. Speaker, I want to reassure the members that the Nunavut Housing Corporation has met all of its reporting requirements under the ministerial directives issued last April.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Housing Corporation has complied with providing O&M expenditure reporting and capital budget status reports to the Department of Finance on a monthly basis.
Also, Mr. Speaker, reporting showing status of completion in spending to date has been implemented and, Mr. Speaker, all change orders to construction contracts now flow through the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s directorate to ensure overall budget control.
In September 2010, Mr. Speaker, as part of the corporation’s internal review of the financial administration system, a comptrollers’ forum was held here in Iqaluit to identify issues and develop an internal action plan to implement the changes needed to fundamentally improve the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s oversight of its overall financial administration system.
This meeting included staff from all three districts, headquarters, and directorate, and has been followed up with regular conference calls to review monthly reporting.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Housing Corporation is tackling its challenges and is working hard to restore the trust of Nunavutmiut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Minister Taptuna.
Minister’s Statement 237 – 3(2): Arctic Bay Airport Opening (Taptuna)
Good afternoon to my colleagues and Kuglukturmiut.
Mr. Speaker, I thank you for this opportunity to rise today before the Members of this House to inform them of the recent official opening of Canada’s newest airport in Arctic Bay.
This project has been in the works for years and the time has come when we are finally able to say that Arctic Bay has its own airport, one that will serve the needs of the community for many years into the future.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, large undertakings like building an airport do not happen without a coordinated effort, and I want to commend the work done by all of the departments and individuals involved in this worthwhile project.
I would also like to thank the people of Arctic Bay, the Premier, and the Quttiktuq MLA.
The Premier, the Quttiktuq MLA, and I had the honour of spending the evening with the community on the occasion of the official opening, and I was touched by their warmth and hospitality and their ability to throw a good party.
Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt that the Arctic Bay Airport will be an integral part of the community and will contribute to the well-being of the community for many years to come.
I am honoured to have played a part in this project, and I think all of the Members of this Assembly and of the previous Assembly should be pleased that their support of projects like this has paid off.
Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Minister Shewchuk.
Minister’s Statement 238 – 3(2): New Science Campus for Nunavut Research Institute (Shewchuk)
Last year, construction equipment tore down the old lab building just across the street from us. The old building had been there since 1978 and was originally used by INAC. Later it became the home of the Environmental Technology Program of the college and then in 1995, became the home of the Nunavut Research Institute.
Now, just 13 months later, I am pleased to announce that new headquarters and science campus of the Nunavut Research Institute is ready for occupancy.
The Nunavut Research Institute’s new science campus is larger, more modern, more energy efficient, and provides greater capacity for research activities and services in the health, natural, and social sciences. The Environmental Technology Program will now work in partnership with the research program.
Mr. Speaker, this is very good news for Nunavut, Nunavummiut, and the very many science researchers who regularly travel to Nunavut each year.
This coming year, we will see the research centre work with large conferences, such as Oceans Technology Conference and the Eastern Arctic Integrated Regional Impact Study meetings.
This project was made possible through $11 million of economic stimulus funding from the Government of Canada’s Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund.
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to announce that Nunavut students will have an excellent facility in which to resume their studies.
We are planning an official opening for later this year and you will all be invited.
Item 3 in the Orders of the Day.
Member’s Statement 366 – 3(2): Passing of Mary Kuutsiq Mariq (Aupaluktuq)
I would like to say “hello” to the residents of Baker, especially to my mother, who slipped and hurt herself.
I would ask that my nephews shovel her steps and porch.
I am very happy to be back in the Legislative Assembly as well as to Baker Lake. I was sick yesterday and I was unable to attend yesterday’s sitting, my apologies.
I rise today in this House to speak about an esteemed elder who has passed away, Mrs. Kuutsiq Mariq.
I remember her family, in particular her sons that I used to play hockey with in Baker Lake. They are in my thoughts.
Furthermore, another issue I am raising the House is that our elders are dwindling. There are a lot of elders that we are losing in Nunavut, especially those who were there when Nunavut was created.
My mother, who just turned 16, moved into a house in Baker Lake.
I do not want elders to be forgotten, especially in my home community, because they are worthy and loveable.
I recall Kuutsiq as she was a neighbour for many years. As a result, her being an elder would remind me of where we come from.
Perhaps what I can reiterate is that the elders should not be forgotten and we have to respect them.
Another issue I wanted to raise is when I spoke about supporting this CLEY initiative.
We also have to remember that youth are an important part. We have to remember that we are working for them.
We must honour and respect our elders as they are our foundation because only through them can we maintain our identity.
This is what I wanted to state to my fellow Nunavummiut.