EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I ask all members to join me in saluting Rangers across Nunavut.
Member's Statement 237 – 2(2): Housing Shortage in Nunavut
At times, we get nervous, especially today.
It is no secret that a major crisis facing us today in Nunavut is the shortage of housing.
Many of my colleagues have spoken on both sides of this House on this issue.
(Interpretation ends) Members of this House have shown frustration with respect to the lack of housing in Nunavut, especially members are frustrated by the seeming lack of understanding by the federal government.
On Tuesday night, CBC National News aired a program highlighting the housing situation in Nunavut for a southern audience.
I only hope that this lends understanding to our dilemma.
I know the 3rd 2004-2005 Capital Supplementary Appropriation Act includes $490,000 for the purchase of three properties in Gjoa Haven, to be used as staff housing for Government of Nunavut employees.
Gjoa Haven is not the only community with existing housing available for purchase.
There are two units for sale in Chesterfield Inlet that are vacant, due to the inability by the owner to meet mortgage requirements.
It is shameful that these units are being allowed to sit empty and become run down while there is such a great need for housing in our communities.
I urge the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation to investigate the possibility of purchasing these units, and similar units across Nunavut to include them in the Housing portfolio.
I would like to take this opportunity to invite my colleagues to join me to thanking the CBC for calling national attention to the housing tragedy in our territory.
Member's Statement 238 – 2(2): Federal Responsibilities in the North
Before I go into my Member’s statement, I just want to say I feel very tiny, the same way I feel when I go out onto the land and feel very small.
Knowledge wise, I feel that way today with the tremendous knowledge-base that is surrounding us here in the Assembly. I really want to acknowledge their presence.
They remind me of where we came from and it makes me appreciate where we are and reaffirm where we want to go.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to address the issue of federal responsibilities in the north.
Mr. Speaker, since we are getting close to Good Friday, I would offer the observation that you know the federal Easter Bunny is coming to town, and we get not one, but two federal press releases on the very same day announcing funding for new projects.
Yesterday in this House, my colleague from the High Arctic made reference to a town hall meeting that the Federal Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs held earlier this week in Yellowknife.
Mr. Speaker, I’ve seen some notices in town announcing that the federal minister will be at a breakfast tomorrow for members of his own political party, but I haven’t seen any opportunities for the general public to speak directly to him.
This is certainly a disappointment, as I know people in Iqaluit have a lot to say about such issues as housing and health care.
Mr. Speaker, a little over a year ago, the Auditor General reported to Parliament on the issue of transferring federal responsibilities to the North.
One of her observations was, and I quote, “The audit found that Indian and Northern Affairs Canada … does not measure its performance in achieving the objectives that were agreed upon by the federal and territorial governments and Aboriginal groups.”
Mr. Speaker, I understand that the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee will be holding hearings in Iqaluit next month on the issue of federal performance in this area.
These ought to be worth attending.
There are a number of federal shortfalls that need to be addressed.
The lack of a public commitment to date on acting on the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated’s 10-year action plan for housing.
Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
There are no nays, please proceed Mr. Tootoo.
The lack of a new implementation contract, the lack of action in addressing concerns related to contracting practices.
Mr. Speaker, I’ve written letters to the appropriate officials on such issues as the need to hire locally on North Warning System summer projects.
Despite the two Easter eggs we found this morning, we want a full loaf of bread, not just crumbs.
I think that we the people of Nunavut deserve at least that.
Member's Statement 239 – 2(2): Birthday Wishes
First of all, I would like to welcome the visitors in the Gallery, they are the leaders of Nunavut.
This month of March, there are many people who have their birthdays in the month of March, and if there is anyone enjoying their birthday today, I give them my best wishes.
I didn’t get on the greeting lines on CBC today, so therefore I wish everyone a happy birthday.
My aunt, Meeka Kilabuk, my cousin Jonah Kilabuk, my brother-in-law Timothy Dialla, and also our very own Mr. Mapsalak, and our premier’s employee, Peter Ma, I wish them all a happy birthday.
At least, they will be able to tell me where they were born and what time they were born, and some of them, I am sure, were born literally at the same time, no matter where you were born, whether in a tent or a house, I will be able to tell them that I wish them happy birthday.
Happy birthday, Mr. Mapsalak.
Member's Statement 240 – 2(2): Income Taxes
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): I would like to welcome the elders and I feel comfortable around them and it reminds me of my grandparents.
Well, actually, I was raised by my grandmother so therefore it reminds me of that time.
I will try to obtain your knowledge and your wisdom so that I could become wise like you, that is if I don’t die before you do.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the issue of income taxes.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday in the house, I posed some questions on this issue. (interpretation ends) I went down to the post office this morning to pick up my tax forms, and I want to quote one section of the income tax guide:
“The maximum you can deduct on line 208, whichever of the following amounts is less: the unused RRSP contributions shown on your Notice of Assessment or Notice of Reassessment for 2003, plus the total of your RRSP contributions made from March 2, 2004, to March 1, 2005, not including amounts you designate as HBP or LLP repayments, see Lines 6 and 7”.
Mr. Speaker, I doubt that many English-speakers understood that at all.
Just think about what it’s like for a unilingual Inuktitut-speaker.
I then picked up the phone and called the Northern Store in Sanikiluaq.
They told me that they do not have an H&R Block service at the store.
I asked if they would take my form, and send it to Iqaluit, where the Northern store does provide the service.
Mr. Speaker, again, they said no.
Almost two years ago to this day, on March 19, 2003, the former Minister of Finance made a Minister’s Statement about how the Department of Finance was working with the federal government on the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Kattuk, your time is over.
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, almost two years ago to this day, on March 19, 2003, the former Minister of Finance made a Minister’s Statement about how the Department of Finance was working with the federal government on the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
I know that income taxes are primarily a federal responsibility.
I hope that our ministers will raise this issue with the federal ministers who are in town this week.
If the federal government wants our tax money so much, maybe the federal government could provide Inuktitut-speakers to help on their 1-800 number.
However, our income tax forms also include Nunavut’s portion of income taxes.
I see from the tax form that the only Inuktitut word is “Nunavut”. (interpretation) That’s the only the only word in Inuktitut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I want to see the GN do better in working with communities to help provide assistance to our constituents.
Perhaps, Government of Nunavut staff in smaller communities could be granted permission to spend some time away from their desks helping elders and others with these forms.
Member's Statement 241 – 2(2): Locating Biological Fathers
I would like to welcome our leaders, the elders.
I would like to make a member’s statement.
Perhaps, I will be nervous.
What I want to talk about is something that happened years ago, perhaps around the early 1900’s, when Europeans started coming in to Nunavut.
The Europeans started coming into Nunavut and have children here.
I am not against anybody and I want to work with everybody, whatever religion or colour they may have.
There are a lot of people in Nunavut with non-native parents or fathers and a lot of them don’t know who their real fathers are.
They don’t know who to turn to when they are looking for their natural fathers.
I just want to assure them that they are residents of Nunavut, just like everybody else.
Some of the people know who their parents are, but sometimes they probably feel depressed and out of place.
They start to be unhappy with other people and want to commit suicide because of that.
I would like the Government of Nunavut to be able to help those people that are trying to find their real fathers.
This week here in Iqaluit, a lot of people are here for a meeting, and also, I am very proud to introduce the elders that are here for that meeting.
I have seen many of them, I have worked with a lot of them, and I have talked to a lot of them.
I will be naming them, and I know that there are more elders out there not here today.
First of all, I would like to recognize Rhoda Karetak, I would like to welcome her.
Mary Avaalaaq, Aatsia Alaasuaq from Cape Dorset, Peter Ningiutsiaq from Cape Dorset, Jacopie Iqalukjuaq from Clyde River, as well as Mikijjuq and Kanajuq Bruce of Coral Harbour.
Also, Joanna Qamaniq from Iglulik, if you would stand up.
And, Kunuk and Leoni from Iglulik.
Simon Nattaq and his wife from Iqaluit.
Inga Alainga, also from Iqaluit.
Martha Michael from Iqaluit.
Inuapik Sageaktuq from Iqaluit.
Lucienne Ukalianuk, who works for justice.
Simeonie Aqpik from Kimmirut, over there. Alice Ayalik from Kugluktuk. Joe Angutingungniq from Kugaaruk.
Leana Arnaqaq and Simeonie Keenainak from Pannirtuuq.
Elisapi Ootoovak from Pond Inlet.
Emileen Kowmuk from Rankin Inlet.
Aupilardjuk from Rankin Inlet and his son who escorts him is Pierre Aupilardjuk.
Peter Kattuqaq from Repulse Bay and David Igutaq from Taloyoak.
I would like welcome them to the house and to our work place.
Those are the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimaajiit and their chair person is Miriam.
These people are Miriam Aglukkaq who is the chair and Kananginak Pootogook, co-chair, Henry Isluanik, Jackie Napayok, Rynie Audla, Attima Hadlari, Mary Ann Tattuinie, and Josie Peter.
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Board members who are here today as well, they work very hard.
To assist the Government of Nunavut, Joanna Nutarak, David Mablick, Pelagie Owlijoot, Jonah Kelly, Annie Gordon, Mary Wilman, Solomon Awa and Andrew Tagak Sr. and Toomasie Panikpak.
The people that are here too as well, Elijah Erkloo and our employee Shuvinai Mike.
I would like to welcome them all to this house.
I would like to recognize the board members for climate change adaptation in Nunavut: Gino Akkak,Bob Konana, Jerome Tattuinie, Apak Qaqqasiq, Jamesie Mike, John Kaunaq, Nathan Qamaniq, Lisa Siarnut, Joanasie Akumalik, Lucassie Ajagutainnaq, Willie Nakulaaq and Kunuk Ujukuluk.
Those are the people who are here for a meeting on climate change. I would also like to recognize Manitok Thompson who is here with us today as well in the gallery.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome to the gallery some of my constituents who are with us and joining the elders’ meetings.
First of all, Simon and Annie Nattaq, who I just recognized earlier.
Also Martha Michael and Inga Alainga.
A respected elder sitting behind the Mr. and Mrs. Bruce, a respected elder and employee of the Department of Education, Ms. Elder Manitok Thompson, and Manitok will be beginning the education tour for the Education Act, and I am sure all of the members here wish her well on that.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity welcome some of the staff members also to Cathy Burke, Naullaq Arnaqquq, Tony Rose, sitting behind me Annie Gordon, also Eva Onalik from Canadian Airlines.
And Mr. Speaker, from Ottawa, we are very pleased, Mr. Speaker, the last several days here in Iqaluit to have from Ottawa a well-known recognized Nunavut resident, a guy I bought the speakers off of in 1984 and I still use them, Mr. Joanasie Akumalik.
And Mr. Speaker, over there as she’s looking straight at me, Mr. Speaker, she’s probably the most recognized person in Nunavut, she has a show now that has gone national, and by that light, picking it up in Florida.
I understand, Mr. Speaker, right now in Singapore it’s number one on the hit parade after American Idol, our very own Rebecca Veevee. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We agreed earlier that we were able to greet them.
I just want to welcome everybody and somebody across...like I made in my member’s statement that my uncle and my brother-in-law, and I would like to welcome Paul from Rankin Inlet, who is Aupilardjuk’s son because when we see people from our community, you give us strength, please come to the Assembly.
I would also like to welcome John Qaunnaq, he will be the captain during the bowhead hunt and I am very proud of him because he is quite initiative and quite creative, and there’s also a visitor, when I was a minister, Kelly Kalo and beside her Eva Onalik, welcome.
I would also like to welcome Annie Gordon.
I have two sisters so be nice to me.
I think we already had somebody recognized and I am happy to recognize first of all Simeonie Keenainak, I would like to recognize him that when he was playing the accordion last night, I finally danced, Mr. Speaker, and my colleague also recognized Alice Ayalik, my partner.
Leena Arnaquq who is from Panniqtuuq, and behind me Jamesie Mike, I would like to welcome him and recognize him, and Aapak Qaqqasiq, who used to live in Panniqtuuq but now lives in Clyde River, and I want to welcome them to the Gallery.
I am going to recognize my wifee, Joanna Nutarak. Welcome to the Gallery.
We don’t want our elders to get too tired, so that will be it for Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
We will take a 15 minute break to socialize with them a bit.
>> House recessed at 14:20 and resumed at 14:41
Question 305 – 2(2): Update on the Five Year Capital Plan
My question is for the Minister Responsible for the Power Corporation.
I would like to ask the minister, I know I asked him on February 28, March 1, and then March 9, for a five-year capital plan, and I would just like to ask the minister if he’s seen that capital plan.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister Responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Picco.
Subsequent to the member’s asking me, I think in another response, in the Hansard, I said that the capital plan has been tabled and it’s actually in the Utility Rate Review Council report.
Mr. Speaker, the plan for 2005-06 will be authorized and okayed through the board of directors of the corporation.
They’re actually having a teleconference today and I understand that there is a letter to all members outlining the capital plan, as asked by the member.
That should have been received by the members, if they haven’t already got it, over the next 24 hours.
So, the capital plan is actually in the URRC report, in one of the appendices.
It has been tabled.
The 2005-06 has not.
That should be authorized and okayed by the board of directors over the next 48 hours.
I guess it’s reassuring to know that members on this side of the House aren’t the only ones in the dark as to the corporation’s five-year capital plan.
Mr. Speaker, on February 28, and I’ll refresh the minister’s memory, I asked if the mnister would table a detailed five-year capital plan.
I’ll quote him: “I have no problem complying with the member’s request.”
Mr. Speaker, on March 1, he had indicated that they had approved the 2005-06 one and he would make that capital budget and everything available to the members.
On March 9… . I believe it was on one of those earlier two days that he had indicated he would do that within 48 hours.
I know I’ve checked those appendices in the URRC report and the submission on the GRA to the URRC and it only talks about the capital plan for this fiscal year. We know what that is already. What I’m asking for is a five-year capital plan.
In 13 days it’s going to be the new fiscal year.
The minister, on March 9, indicated that there was a capital plan that was approved already, on top of that, and there is an interim capital plan that had been approved by the board, and now I’m hearing him say that they’re going to be meeting to talk about yet another one.
How many capital plans do they have, and when will he follow through on his commitment to table the five-year capital plan?
In response to the members’ question, again, on the asking of the capital plan for the corporation: the corporation is a corporation.
Their capital plan is in a different structure, as the members know, because the annual reports and everything have been filed in this House in the past, in the case of what the capital expenditures are.
Two things have occurred.
One is that the URRC has come back with its rate amount, and as the members know, what the Power Corporation had asked for and what the URRC recommended left a difference of about $4 million.
The capital plan that I have spoken about was the capital plan that had been approved in principle.
The URRC report has come out and that is the plan for 2005-06 that the members of the corporation, via teleconference, are looking at today.
That plan will be looked at, because they have scaled it back based on the revenue requirements and so on.
The power corporation’s capital plan is financed by the corporation, it is not voted, per say, as we do in the House for other capital for the government.
So, that is the clarification.
The URRC, in the appendix, and the member is correct, there was a little over $11 million worth of capital plans there, the corporation spent over $11 million on capital.
The 2005-06 capital plan would be considerably less than that.
The corporation does a projection on the capital requirements for the corporation.
Most of those projections are based on the need for larger items, for example, for generators, and those replacement values are based on the terms and conditions for the generator itself, for example, when the generator would become redundant.
I thank the minister for that wonderful explanation, but again, I would like to ask him when is he planning on following through with his commitment to table the five-year capital plan for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, whatever he wants to call it.
It is something that he said he would have no problem complying with, and later on he said, about two weeks ago, that he would do that within 48 hours.
So, I’d like to, again, ask him: when will he follow through on that commitment?
As I just pointed out, the corporation has plans in place to replace equipment.
They finance their capital plan not by votes in the House, so their capital planning structure is different than the capital planning structure of government where a supplemental plan and a five-year capital plan for each department is in place.
They base theirs on a year-to-year basis.
So, they have a projection of what needs to be replaced over a certain period of time.
It is based on revenue flow out of the cash resources and so on. That is the work that the corporation does.
The 2004-05 captial plan has already been tabled.
The 2005-06 capital plan, which will be considerably less than $11 million, should be finalized today on the conference call, based on the other information that I explained.
I would be able to bring that forward as soon as it is approved by the board.
That will be today, so I will probably be in a position to table that on Monday.
That will take care of those two years and then I could ask the corporation to list off the following three years.
Is the minister indicating that he didn’t really follow up on that request and that commitment that he made earlier, by not asking? He just indicated that he would ask them to follow up with those other years; his commitment was to comply with my request, which was the five-year capital plan.
Is the minister indicating that he did not follow through with the officials of the power corporation to provide that information until, probably, tomorrow?
No, that’s not what I said. I said that on the request for the capital plan for the corporation: it was in the URRC, so it had already been tabled, 2004-05.
Subsequent to that, the 2005-06 capital plan is impacted by what the URRC decided, and as members know, there are some issues around the way that the corporation finances its capital plan.
So, the 2004-05 is done, the 2005-06 will be completed, I hope, today during the conference call, by the board of directors, today.
I’ll ratify it and will bring that to the House, and ask them to provide projections for the next three years.
So, the information, the members will see. But again, it will be based on the issues around cash flowing in the corporation, some of the other issues, as the member knows, the corporation has to come forward within 90 days with a plan for a capital rider.
And again, that has to be looked at, and that will impact the capital plan of the corporation.
Because of those issues, subsequent to some of the discussions in the House, that’s part of the delay in some of the information.
Member for Nanulik, Netser.
Question 306 – 2(2): Update on the Environmental Technology Program
I’ll follow up on the questions I posed two, three weeks ago on the environmental technology program, regarding the students that aren’t allowed to have rifles.
Has the minister followed up on the issue?
I know he said he was going to talk to the president of Arctic College; I’d like to be updated on this issue, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Education, Minister Picco.
Hon. Ed Picco: After the discussion and the question raised by the member in the House, indeed we had an opportunity to speak to the president of the college, Mr. Clendenning.
The president of the college has followed up on the questions in the House, as well as a formal letter that I received, and I believe the members got a copy of that, about the concerns in the environmental tech program.
The concerns raised by the member were correct, indeed the students did not have guns available in their tents; that seems to be an issue around liability. So, I’ve had discussions with the president to have that reviewed and formally respond to me, in a formal letter that I will be able to copy the member on.
This morning, as another follow up by e-mail, the president actually said that they’re following up on the issue of liability as well on how they could facilitate the issue with the guns and so on, especially during the winter camp.
So, the liabilities… . What they’re saying, then, is if it’s not settled and a polar bear should happen to walk there and the students would get mauled because the Arctic College doesn’t want to be liable for it, the instructor would just watch the bear or the wolf eat the student?
The policy that has been in place and is still in place is that during winter camp exercises for the environmental tech students, the instructors of the camp have rifles and ammunitions in case those types of issues occur.
I would agree with the member, that there should be some type of process, maybe, where each tent actually has a rifle available for the members in that tent.
There are some concerns with having the rifle, during a training exercise, with the students having equipment like rifles, ammunition, and so on in the tent with them, that’s just been the policy in the past.