EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
It was noted that the additional cost of a committee meeting outside Iqaluit would be $2,200 per day in order to pay for room rental, the cost of interpreters on site, the cost of ensuring that Hansard transcripts could be prepared on site, etc.
Expenditures on behalf of the members.
It was noted that an orientation workshop in Iqaluit had been provided for members’ constituency assistants and that most Members now have offices established with computers, etc.
In response to a question, it was noted that if Members wished computer training, this will be provided by Legislative Assembly staff.
Mr. Speaker noted that the Legislative Assembly has now contracted with a local service provider for Hansard, which is produced in both English and Inuktitut.
Appointments to offices under the jurisdiction of the Legislative Assembly and related legislation
It was noted in May meetings, there are several key appointments made on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, whose budget fall under the Legislative Assembly.
The Standing Committee of Ajauqtiit has been co-ordinating the process of selecting names to recommend to the Legislative Assembly which is hoped will happen this session for the following three positions: Language Commissioner, Conflict of Interest Commissioner and Information and Privacy Commissioner.
The Standing Committee of Ajauqtiit will present separate reports to the House with respect to these appointments.
It was noted that once these Commissioners are in place, the Standing Committee of Ajauqtiit has reviewed the need for legislative reform in these three areas.
Being mindful of the Law Reform Commission’s mandate, and the interest of specific departments with respect to, for example, the Official Languages Act, members of the Standing Committee have begun to review information on the changes which have been recommended to and made this past summer to the NWT Legislative Assembly and in consideration of the area of Conflict of Interest, Report of the Chief Electoral Officer on Nunavut Elections - Review of Elections Act.
Members were advised that the Report on the first Nunavut election held on February 15, 1999 would be tabled during this session.
Afterwards, the Standing Committee on Ajauqtiit will be asked to review it and any recommendations therein.
As noted above, the Members will also review the need for legislative reform to ensure the Elections Act is appropriate for Nunavut.
Other initiatives
It was noted that the legislative process had been agreed upon and that Members were now working with it.
In particular the legislative process provides that the draft bills be provided to the appropriate Standing Committee for comment prior to introduction in the Legislative Assembly.
This process will be reviewed once the Members have had the opportunity to work with it over the course of the session.
In terms of other legislative initiatives in the Legislative Assembly, it was noted that a consultation process had been initiated for symbols for Nunavut.
These symbols will be reviewed by the Legislative Assembly.
It was agreed in Baker Lake that there would be no changes to the Flag Act.
However, it is anticipated that symbols for the official flower and other symbols for Nunavut will be selected in the near future as part of this process.
Clarification of roles and relationships on land claims matters
In the May, 1999 Report, the Standing Committee of Ajauqtiit expressed the wish to clarify how the different government departments and the different standing committees would work on land claims matters.
The committee has been advised that a draft protocol with NTI is being worked on by the Office of the Premier and Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
The Committee has expressed its wish to be consulted during this protocol and hopes that this protocol will help clarify this relationship.
Members were pleased to hear the continuing developments by the Legislative Assembly to ensure a role for Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in its systems.
As well, Members want to celebrate Inuit culture and language in the work of the Assembly.
Now that the Legislative Assembly building is finished, there is a permanent home for the public display of the mace and other symbols of the assembly which are unique to Nunavut.
The Clerk advised that elders and youth would play a role in the opening of the new chamber.
Further, efforts have been made to ensure that Inuit art would be displayed in the building for the opening. Members will be advised as to the status of the permanent art collection for the building.
Non Inuktitut speaking staff look forward to taking Inuktitut classes established through the Human Resources department.
Legislative Assembly staff also participated in an IQ workshop organized by the Department of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth and hope to follow up on the recommendations that emerge from that workshop.
Speaker (interpretation): We'll go back to Mr. Tootoo.
The Standing Committee of Ajauqtiit continues to operate.
In the words of one of our members our first year as a new legislature is going to be a learning experience and we'll be identifying issues.
I think it was during the June session that we said we wanted to operate more effectively and more accountably as a new legislature.
We want to think about how we would want to see our legislature be different than the NWT.
I think at some point we need to review how we are doing and where we want to see changes.
We are pleased with the progress of the legislative assembly and look forward to continuing to play a role in reviewing it's work and ensuring it is appropriate to the needs of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I move seconded by the honourable member from South Baffin that the Report be referred to the Committee of the Whole and I further seek unanimous consent to waive rule 91 (4) and have the report moved to the committee of the whole for today.
The member is seeking unanimous consent to waive rule 91 (4) so that the report of the Standing Committee can be referred to the Committee of the Whole for today.
The Committee's report is referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Tabled Document 14 - 1(3): Responses to Petitions
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Honourable Member Jack Anawak, I would like to table responses to petitions number 2-1 (3), 3-1 (3), 4-1 (3), 5-1 (3), Thank you.
Tabled Document 15 - 1(3): NTPC Annual Report 1998/99
Mr. Speaker, as the Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation in Nunavut, I want to formally table the 1998/99 NTPC Annual Report.
This report was originally released this past July.
It has been distributed to all Hamlet offices in Nunavut and I am pleased Mr. Speaker, to present these copies in English and Inuktitut for all the members of this assembly and I will make them available to the public.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday November 4th, I will move the following motion;
I move, seconded by the honourable member for Cambridge Bay that notwithstanding rule 4, when the house adjourns on Wednesday November 3, 1999, it shall be adjourned until Wednesday February 16, 2000.
And further, at any time prior to February 16, 2000, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the executive council and members of the Legislative Assembly that the public interest requires that the House should be meet at an earlier time during that adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and transact it's business as if it had been duly adjourned to that time.  Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time we'll be seeking to address this issue today.
Notices of motion.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, November 4th, I will move the following motion;
I move seconded by the honourable member from South Baffin, that Elaine Keenan-Bengts be appointed as Information Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut with a term of five years.
And furthermore, that the appointment be effective November 15, 1999.
And Mr. Speaker, I will seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion under Item 16.
Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills.
Item 16. Motions.
I move seconded by the honourable member for Cambridge Bay that notwithstanding rule 4, when the house adjourns on Wednesday November 3rd, 1999, it shall be adjourned until Wednesday February 16th.
He has to ask for unanimous consent if he can make a motion.
Speaker: I'm sorry Mr. Arvaluk, he is seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion for today.
Mr. O'Brien, you have to ask unanimous consent.
Motion 4 – 1 (3): Extended Adjournment
Mr. O'Brien: Thank you, Mr. Speaker for that very important observation.
I move seconded by the honourable member for Cambridge Bay that notwithstanding rule 4, when the house adjourns on Wednesday November 3rd, 1999 it shall be adjourned until Wednesday February 16, 2000.
And further that at any time prior to February 16, 2000, if the Speaker is satisfied after consultation with executive council and members of the legislative assembly that the public interest requires that the house should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the house shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact it's business as if it has been duly adjourned to that time.
The Motion is in order.
Mr. O'Brien, your motion is carried.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today.
Mr. Tootoo is seeking unanimous consent to deal with his motion today.
Mr. Tootoo, you have unanimous consent.
Motion 5 – 1 (3): Appointment of Information and Privacy Commissioner
Mr. Speaker, the motion is on the appointment of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
Whereas, Section 61 (1) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act permits the appointment of an Information and Privacy Commissioner by the Commissioner of Nunavut after the approval of the appointment by resolution of the legislative assembly;
And, whereas, the legislative assembly considers the appointment of an Information and Privacy Commissioner essential for ensuring access to government information and protection of personal privacy and compliance with the spirit, intent and provisions of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act;
And, whereas, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner is vacant and whereas the Legislative Assembly is of the opinion that the appointment of the Privacy Commissioner should now be made;
Now, therefore, I move seconded by the honourable member from South Baffin, that Elaine Keenan-Bengts be appointed as the Information and Privacy Commissioner for the term of five years and further that the appointment be effective November 15, 1999.
The motion is in order. To the motion.
Mr. Tootoo, the motion is carried.
Item 19, Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and other matters.
Bill 3 – An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act; Standing Committee Reports, 8-1 (3), 9-1 (3).
Notwithstanding my instructions given to the members on Friday October 29th and according to the authority vested in me by motion 3-1 (3), the Committee of the Whole will stay in session until it reports itself out, with Uriash Puqiqnak as the Chairperson.
Chairperson (Mr. Puqiqnak) (interpretation): Prior to dealing with Bill 3, in the Committee of the Whole, Standing Committee Reports and other matters.
First of all I'd like to ask the members here what their wishes are.
Mr. Nutarak: Thank you Mr. Chairman.
I recommend that we take a ten minute break.
Chairperson (interpretation): We'll take a short ten minute break.
Chairperson (interpretation): We have a quorum now.
Bill 3 – An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act.
Standing Committee Reports 3 – 1 (3).
I would like to know the wish of the committee.
The Standing Committee reports are very brief and I would like to deal with the motions first Mr. Chairman
Chairperson (interpretation): Motions 8 – 1 and 8 – 2 (3).
Are you agreed that we deal with them first. 8 – 1 (3) Standing Committee on Government Operations and Services we will consider this.
I had tabled the standing committee report with the assistance of Mr. Iqaqrialu, from Government Operations & Services.
I will be reading the motions one by one and once we vote on them I will go on to the other motions.
Committee Motion 2 – 1 (3): Decentralization to Proceed in a Timely Fashion
Mr. Chairman I move that the Standing Committee reiterates its fundamental support for decentralization, and strongly recommends that the work of the Secretariat proceed in an effective and timely fashion and that the elected local leadership of communities impacted by decentralization receive formal updates on a monthly basis from the Secretariat.
Committee Motion 3 – 1 (3): Elders Assistance in Work of Maligarnik Qimirujjit
Mr. Chairman I move that the Committee recommends that careful consideration be paid to the challenge of how to effectively and realistically draw upon the special wisdom of Elders in the Commission's review of complex pieces of legislation.
I will speak in English so that we will have clarity.
Committee Motion 4 – 1 (3): Consultation on P3 Issues
Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee recommends that the standing committee be consulted as the Department of Finance moves forward on the P3 issue.
Hon. James Arvaluk (interpretation): Mr. Chairman I have a question.
It states P3 issue, shouldn’t it be spelled issues, or is that spelt correctly.
I would like to get clarification please.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): It should state issues.
Mr. Arvaluk does that answer your question.
Committee Motion 5 – 1 (3): Lack of Staff Housing In Iqaluit
I move that the committee recommends that the Government addresses the issue of lack of staff housing in Iqaluit.
Mr. Chairman, the wording in this clause, indicates that there is a lack of staff housing in only Iqaluit.
I can only assume that there are many communities where there is a lack of staff housing.
Shouldn’t it say where there is a lack of staff housing in all communities.
Would members of the Ajauqtiit Committee like to respond.
I would have to look into that.
Mr. Chairman, I would recommend that it should read, that the committee consider changing it to where there is a lack of staff housing in Nunavut communities where needed or required.
How we doing so far.
The motion was moved but there is an amendment to the motion.
So what is the wish of the committee.
Mr. Akesuk: I move that the committee recommends that the Government addresses the issue of the lack of staff housing in Nunavut communities that require it.
Mr. Akesuk, just read the amendment to the motion.
Would you like to see the amendment written.
To the motion, Mr. McLean.
I apologize, I forgot the member for Pond Inlet.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): I had asked him to make the amendment but it is okay now, Mr. Chairman.
To the motion, since we have made an amendment, I suggest that we get a copy of the amendment.
I would like to see the amendment written and that we deal with it tomorrow then.
The member is requesting to see the amended motion written.
He would like to see the written amended motion.
So therefore, we will take a five minute break while we draft the amendment.
Mr. Tootoo, you may go first.
Mr. Chairman I would just suggest that instead of taking a break that we postpone dealing with that motion and go ahead with 9 – 1 (3) while we are waiting for that to be done.
In order to conduct the progress of the committee session, there was a request to see a written copy of the motion.
I thank you for your recommendation but we can’t do so.
There was a motion on the floor, there should be a motion to defer this motion if you wish to do that.
Bill 4 – in regards to the amendment to bill 4, I move that we defer this motion until tomorrow, or until such time as we are finished this afternoon.
Once we are completed with the rest we will deal with that deferred motion.
Mr. Iqaqrialu moved a motion to defer the motion.
All those in favour of deferring the motion.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Mr. Iqaqrialu’s motion states that it will be dealt with either tomorrow or this afternoon, so therefore, I recommend that we delete the wording tomorrow and deal with the motion today.
Chairperson (interpretation): There is a motion to defer the motion from the member for Uqqumiut.
Would you like to deal with the motion this afternoon or tomorrow.
You have two options, this afternoon or tomorrow.
So clarify yourself please.
It is pretty late in the day now.
I agreed to move it to later on this afternoon.
The motion is amended to state that we deal with this today, this afternoon.
So we will deal with the deferred motion later on this afternoon.
Committee Motion 6 – 1 (3): Standing Committee Materials to be Provided in Advance
My last motion.
Mr. Chairman I move that the committee again recommends the materials for standing committee review be provided in ample time to allow for detailed study by standing committees.
To the motion, questions or comments to the motion.
General comments to the report, we agreed that we concur with the report, that the report is concluded.
The report is concluded. What is the wish of the committee now.
I would like to deal with bill 3 at this point, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, I believe that we asked that motions from the standing committees be dealt with prior to bill 3, and I have two motions to make from Ajauqtiit, so if we could deal with those prior to moving to bill 3, it would be appreciated.
Chairperson (interpretation): We will have to deal with that this afternoon. 9 – 1 (3) report from the standing committee.
Mr. Iqaqrialu had stated that he wanted to deal with bill 3.
What’s the wish of the committee.
If it is okay with that member to deal with the committee report 9 – 1 (3), is that okay with you. Mr. Iqaqrialu.
I would like to say that people who have to make a report or motion prior to the bill should raise their hands first before I open my mouth.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Iqaqrialu I was just asking you if you don’t mind dealing with 9 – 1 (3) first.
Could you answer me, Mr. Iqaqrialu.  Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): I agree.
We will deal with bill 3 later on. Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): Standing committee of Ajauqtiit, report.
Mr. Chairman I apologize, I didn’t put my hand up, I didn’t think I needed to as I thought we had agreed to deal with these two things before we moved into bill 3.
That’s why I didn’t put my hand up.
Regardless of that it is going to be short and sweet anyway, I hope.
The Standing Committee’s report was read earlier today and with your indulgence I have a couple of motions.
Committee Motion 7 – 1 (3): Options for Public Access to the Assembly
Mr. Chairman, I move that the committee recommends that the Speaker present options for ensuring that the public will have access to the chamber when it is in session.
If these options would require additional capital expenditures such as renovations or additions or an additional audio-visual expense, these expenses should be put forward in the five year capital planning exercise.
Committee Motion 8 – 1 (3): Planning for Legislative Assembly Building
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you Mr. Chairman, my last motion.
I move that the committee recommend that the Speaker present options for long term capital planning for the replacement of the Legislative Assembly building in the future and that the need for a Legislative Assembly be placed in the government capital planning exercise and in any future planning by the Nunavut Capital Commission or similar organizations.
Chairman (interpretation): There is a motion on the floor.
General comments to the report.
Are you agreed that the reports are concluded.
The reports are concluded, what is the wish of the committee.
To the motion that was deferred.
Copies will be handed out.
Would you like to hear the deferred motion.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): We had agreed that the standing committee reports be dealt with first prior to dealing with bill 3.
One of the motions was deferred and we are waiting for the drafting of the amendment, I suggest that we take a short ten minute break.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Nutarak, it is already completed so it is ready to hand out.
Would you like the hand out to be read again.
Committee Motion 9 – 1 (3): Lack of Staff Housing In Nunavut
Mr. Chairperson I move that the committee recommends that the government addresses the issue of a lack of staff housing in Nunavut communities.
Comments or questions to the amended motion.
We’ll now go to the committee of the whole to deal with bill 3.
Bill 3 is in your white binder.
Mr. Minister do you have any opening comments.
I would like to speak on behalf of the Minister since he is not here.
Could you proceed to the witness table.
Mr. Premier are you going to invite your officials.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Yes, Mr. Illupalik is going to be coming here to help me, I’m just teasing.
General comments to bill 3.
I don’t really have a presentation for this bill, just a brief summary.
This idea is not new and we have been seeking options for the benefit of Nunavut.
We are trying to remove barriers as representatives of Nunavummiut.
What I was trying to seek was what would best represent Nunavummiut.
This has been dealt with for quite some time now and we have not been the only ones who have dealt with it.
The Mayors of all the Nunavut communities have dealt with it, NTI has dealt with it.
This is an issue that began in discussions in the month of April and this is just part of our mandate and we have many other issues to take on.
This is an issue that effects communities and we also have other issues such as decentralization, and we will want to deal with staff in all of Nunavut.
When Nunavummiut want assistance from the Nunavut Government they can seek assistance at any time.
By way of exercising our authority we established a Legislative Reform Committee and this committee and the one time zone have been two of our initiatives.
This has now been in force for the past two days, so all the Nunavummiut are using the same time zone.
So irrespective of where you are in Nunavut you can call me at the same time.
It is almost 6 o’clock and it is the same time in all the Nunavut areas.
This has a big impact on all Nunavummiut because this is the first time we have taken responsibility and will have a shared time zone.
This will have certain benefits; we can now have better working relationships because of this single time zone, irrespective of whether you are in the west or the Keewatin or from this region.
The single time zone will benefit you and if you want to work with us we will be a participant.
There have been slight problems as we all know but we'd like you to realize that we have one time zone for all communities and we want to experiment with this so we have put forward the legislation.
We have a committee and we want to further clarify it on the legislation and we would like this to proceed so we can start focusing on other issues or greater issues so we can have a better working relationship.
We're still under general comments.
Bill 3, if you were to look at the format under number 3, the first states that the Commissioner of Nunavut by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly enacts as follows; it is already written here when you go down to 4, if this Act receives assent on or before October 31 this Act comes into force at 2:00 a.m. on October 31, 1999.
If this Act receives assent on or before October 31, 1999 this Act comes into force the day it was enacted.
I'm going back to the first one where the Commissioner of Nunavut by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly.
The members of the Legislative Assembly did not deal with this Bill, Bill 3 so therefore it did not follow the proper procedures because it has a negative impact on the people.
The members of the Legislative Assembly have not had a chance to consult with their constituencies in regards to this single time zone.
All the residents of Nunavut are very happy about having a single time zone but the reason why they did not agree with this is because they did not consult and get input from the constituencies, because we dealt with this very hastily.
So, that's where the problem occurs, with us.