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Mr. Speaker, last Christmas Eve, two of my constituents, Willie Kolola and Tommy Palluq, departed by snowmobile from Iqaluit to head home for the holidays.
As Members of the House are very much aware, although the highway to Kimmirut is well travelled, any journey of this type has risks, especially in winter.
Mr. Speaker, Tommy and Willie encountered mechanical trouble with their equipment less than halfway to their destination.
Despite their best efforts, they were left with no alternatives but to attempt to return to Iqaluit on foot.
Mr. Speaker, Tommy and Willie faced a long journey.
It was only because of their determination to support each other over the course of a very long night in the cold and dark that they were able to make it as far as they did.
On Christmas Day, search and rescue volunteers located the two individuals just outside of Iqaluit. This was the best possible Christmas present for their families.
Mr. Speaker, although this incident ended happily, not every situation does. It is extremely important that anyone who is going out on the land to be well prepared for the environment, and it is essential that family and friends back home are aware of your planned route.
I didn’t hear any nays. Mr. Joanasie, please proceed.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I am very grateful that my two constituents were unharmed during this incident, and I ask all members to join me in paying tribute to the hundreds of Nunavummiut who are involved in search and rescue.
Member’s Statement 207 – 4(2): Ilinniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit Graduates (Taptuna)
I rise today to celebrate the graduation of all the students of the Ilinniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit School Community Counsellor program. I wish to extend my congratulations, as they will graduate tomorrow.
From a personal perspective, there are a couple of Kugluktuk residents in the course who I want to acknowledge. My nephew, Ken Taptuna, who is in the gallery, as well as Margo Kumik-Nivingalok, whom I also want to acknowledge. Many thanks for your dedication.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, school community counsellors are one of the first points of contact for our students and parents. The position of community school counsellor is very important and a valuable component to the connections between school, parents, and the students.
I also want to recognize the efforts of all partners in making this training a reality. (interpretation) Thank you one and all for your assistance.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, by taking this program over the past two and half years, these graduates now have the training and the skills needed to better equip them with helping our students and communities.
This type of training is truly an asset and aids in the betterment of our children’s success.
Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of Ken Taptuna, Margo Kumik-Nivingalok, and all the rest of the community school counsellors who are graduating this weekend. I ask that you and all of us in this House join me in congratulating them on their achievements. (interpretation) Thank you.
Member’s Statement 208 – 4(2): Ilinniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit (Kuksuk)
I rise today to recognize the school counsellors who partook in the training and who will be graduating this coming (interpretation ends) weekend (interpretation) with the ceremonies held then.
Mr. Speaker, this role is an essential position and it can be very stressful. Nonetheless, even though that may be the case and even though they had to leave their families to undertake this training over a period of about three weeks, for many days, these students have left behind their children, grandchildren, spouses, and immediate family members in order to complete their course highlights their dedication and commitment to their positions. Additionally, this will provide tremendous benefits to our school student bodies.
(interpretation ends) Dealing with issues such as suicide and how to counsel our young people in and out of schools takes a special kind of person.
The work of Ilinniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit will have a very positive impact on our communities.
Mr. Speaker, two of my constituents, Mr. Mike Gibbons and Mr. Billy Okotok, are graduating this weekend.
Mr. Gibbons is a respected elder. He attended each session.
He was a leader in and out of the program and ensured that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit was present during the program.
I say “thank you” to these two for their hard work and future contributions to our students.
Mr. Speaker, for our young people who find school hard or for young people who quit college or drop out from school because they are bored, look at these Inuit who are graduating from the Langara College program.
They are from all walks of life: working mothers, grandmothers, grandparents, who show that when you persist, you can succeed.
I am proud of Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Okotok, and I am also very proud of my sister, Mary Tatty, who is also graduating from this program this weekend.
On behalf of your families, your communities, and indeed, your colleagues, we congratulate you and celebrate with you on your graduation.
Mr. Speaker, (interpretation) I would like to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
I didn’t hear any nays.
Mr. Kuksuk, please proceed.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, my colleagues. (interpretation ends) Thanks a lot.
(interpretation) As I was saying prior to this, I wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate the students, as they will celebrate their graduation and their role is to guide and support the students in life skills counselling. With their imminent graduation, I wanted to share this good news and ask all members to join me in congratulating these two individuals, (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 209 – 4(2): Encouraging Volunteerism (Hickes)
I just learned that Mr. Gibbons was a relation of mine when we were talking outside, so welcome to the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to make some comments today to address some of the endeavours and the goodwill that a number of our teachers and members of the RCMP have in our community with regard to volunteering with our youth.
Unfortunately, due to my own time constraints, I haven’t been able to volunteer coaching as much as I have in the past few years, but I can attest that a number of my fellow coaches in the past have been members of the RCMP and teachers within our communities.
From what I understand, in a lot of the smaller communities, there is a very high demand for coaching for our youth.
Teachers, invariably, are ones that step up to the plate, and I would like to commend them for their activities.
With regard to that, one of the concerns I have with this is that it has come to my attention fairly recently that some of our teachers had challenges getting time off through the administration to attend coaching activities within our youth, including some of our cadet programs with Arctic College.
I would just like to encourage the minister of Arctic College and the Minister of Education to take into consideration the community needs with our youth and to applaud the activity and the volunteerism that our educators have in our communities and, where reasonable, if conditions permit, to allow them to participate to their fullest.
I have no more names on my list. (interpretation ends) Returns to Oral Questions.
I had mentioned some of the people in speaking about the life skills counsellor course.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to again recognize them individually by naming them, as they have been taking courses for a while.
The following people will be graduating from this course and if they could please stand when I mention their names.
Firstly, I want to start off with Mike Gibbons, who is from Arviat.
He is 71 years young as well as being my paternal cousin, so I take double pride in his accomplishment and he is the eldest of the group here.
A student from Gjoa Haven is Allen Aglukkaq.
Rosemary Akoomalik from Igloolik.
Annie Isnor from Cambridge Bay.
Iga Kigutak from Grise Fiord.
Eunice Paningayak from Taloyoak.
Christine Porter from Gjoa Haven.
Kenneth Taptuna from Kugluktuk.
Billy Okotok from Arviat.
David Akearok from Iqaluit.
Helen Blewett from Cambridge Bay.
Sam Inaksajak from Kugaaruk.
Mary Kellypalik from Cape Dorset.
Margo Nivingalok from Kugluktuk.
Opah Picco from Iqaluit.
Jane Pudnak from Baker Lake, and
Mary Ulivvaq Tatty from Rankin Inlet.
Additionally, I want to recognize the instructors in the program over the last few weeks, and the first person I want to recognize is Elizabeth Fortes.
Raj Gill.
Leslie Kemp.
Heather MacDonald.
Mukshowya Niviaqsi.
Larry Railton.
Sarah Takolik, and
Elik Tologanak.
These are the people I wanted to acknowledge.
Thank you for your dedication. I know that they will fulfill their duties and our schools will benefit tremendously with their skills. Thank you again.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Akoak.
It is not too often I recognize people in the gallery. From my hometown of Gjoa Haven are Mr. Allen Aglukkaq, Ms. Christine Porter, and Mr. Walter Porter. Welcome to the gallery.
Member from Rankin Inlet, Mr. Sammurtok.
I want to recognize these visitors in the gallery, my paternal cousin, Paul Sammurtok, and Mary Tatty from Rankin Inlet.
I, too, would like to recognize ladies from my constituency, Anne Isnor, Helen Blewett, and also Elik Tologanak.
They are well loved and respected in our community and in our schools with all the children.
I would also like to make a special recognition to Elik.
She has served 25 years with the Government of Nunavut, a long-term service award [employee]. Unfortunately, she had to come here two weeks ago when I was over in Cambridge Bay presenting awards, so I am very honoured to now say that she has 25 plus years with the Government of Nunavut. Congratulations, Elik.
I wish to recognize a visitor in the gallery, my paternal uncle, Mathewsie Kellypalik, and his daughter, Theresa, my first cousin, Theresa Kellypalik.
My uncle Mathewsie’s wife is also present here to attend the graduation, so I want to welcome her.
Further, Mukshowya Niviaqsi, please feel welcome. She is another resident of Cape Dorset.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you again, Mr. Speaker.
I am aware some of the following have already been recognized earlier, but it is rare for people from my community to visit the gallery. While I have the chance, I wish to acknowledge the following visitors and to welcome them warmly, although they were already mentioned.
Mr. Mike Gibbons from Arviat also happens to be my wife’s brother, my brother-in-law, so I welcome him.
Also, Billy Okotok, a fellow resident of Arviat, is here in the gallery today and I am pleased to see him here.
Also, the third and final person I wish to recognize, who wouldn’t smile at me (interpretation ends) after today (interpretation) if I didn’t acknowledge her, Mr. Speaker, is my sister. I have to recognize her, so I acquiesce in acknowledging her just so she can smile back. If I didn’t do so, she would pout.
The member who acknowledged these people earlier, Aarulaaq, might have overlooked his own wife, Elisapee Quassa.
I acknowledge and welcome her to the gallery.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): I apologize for that.
I was also asked to recognize a person by a member who unfortunately is unable to be present, my niece representing the Netsilik riding, so I was asked to recognize Eunice Paningayak, welcome to the gallery. As well, Sam Inaksajak from Kugaaruk was the other person she wanted to acknowledge. She also mentioned she sends kisses and love to her aunt Sarah Takolik.
I welcome all of you to the gallery.
Thank you. My apologies.
I don’t have any more names on my list. Moving on.
Question 343 – 4(2): Status of Ministerial Approval of Arctic Bay Tourism Initiative (Shooyook)
As the minister will be aware, the Municipality of Arctic Bay has submitted a proposal to establish a new community-owned operation to “create, develop and market tourism products…in a sustainable manner.”
Under the Hamlets Act, municipalities may “encourage local economic development in any manner it considers appropriate.”
However, the approval of the Minister of Community and Government Services is required in circumstances where the initiative would “result in competition with similar services provided by the private sector.”
Can the minister indicate when he will make a decision concerning Arctic Bay’s proposal?
The question he raised is something I have only heard about without any written background.
If the written document can be forwarded, then our department can provide further assistance.
Can the minister explain how his department evaluates proposals such as the one that has been submitted from the Municipality of Arctic Bay?
When the hamlets want to develop an economic development plan, it has to be approved by the minister.
I will cite this example where the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet operates a facility for elders with disabilities.
If any other hamlet wants to undertake this type of initiative, they have to submit a completed document in writing. If a proposal is provided, then we can assist them to work towards that.
Will the minister commit to providing a response to the community of Arctic Bay within the next three weeks?
As per my earlier statement, I can only accept a written proposal outlining their request and only at that time would our department be able to respond. I don’t have any idea when this documentation will arrive, so I can’t really respond until I have seen the information.
Question 344 – 4(2): School Closure Policy Due to Weather (Enook)
To the people of Pond Inlet, I wish them a good afternoon as well as to all Nunavummiut.
Also, I wish to extend a welcome to our fellow Nunavummiut in the Assembly, as your hard work exemplifies the dedication you hold to assist Nunavummiut and especially their children, so for that I thank you.
This winter especially, here in our region, has been abnormally cold and I believe in most of Canada. We hear from the communities that due to the extreme cold weather, schools have had to be closed.
Some school closures are seemingly unconnected in that there is no commonality.
Some closures are for extreme wind chill factors while others are just based on a forecast of stormy weather and they are closed as a precaution.
Although there may be different reasons for these closures, many of our students are still attending classes.
For some of the younger students especially, it can become a safety concern.
What I want clarified here for the benefit of all Nunavummiut and to ensure we are on the same page is what the usual reasons are for school closures related to weather.
What weather-related factors come into play when decisions are made to close schools?
Who is the final arbiter of this closure?
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank my colleague for that question.
Indeed, this is something I have realized in this year that we have had numerous school closures.
There are different factors that come into play and depending on these factors, the decision-makers change with respect to school closures.
With respect to weather-related factors, the DEAs make the decision to close local schools if the weather is too extreme.
With respect to health and safety issues in our schools, when health becomes a concern, then it is the Department of Health that makes that decision.
Due to these many factors, which I spoke to about the closure of schools, if it is weather-related, then the DEA makes that decision.
If a blizzard springs up or if the visibility falls to a specified level or if roads are blocked or if this other rule the DEA follows is related to extreme cold and the figure they use is minus 50 degrees or colder, the DEA makes these types of decisions.
Another factor is if local vehicles are directed not to be on the roads, then the DEA would also make that decision.
In our guidelines, as the Department of Education, we have specific criteria that if reached would result in closure of the school. However, we feel the local DEAs have more expertise of their local conditions that would call for school closures.
Another factor that is used to close schools is if there is something wrong with the actual building, as an example, frozen pipes or equipment failing due to extreme cold that causes these school closures.
Also, since we tend to follow the local decisions of the communities, if the local hamlet council closes down their communities, everything else closes as well.
These are the different type of factors used to close our schools.
I want a bit more information on this issue. I am referring specifically to weather only; I wasn’t asking about the other factors that come into play when decisions are made.
I wanted to make it understandable for everyone. This winter, I also noted that the temperature in Pond Inlet was much colder than it was in Iqaluit, yet the schools closed here.
This difference is what I am trying to address through my line of questioning so that Nunavummiut have a common understanding of these factors.
I also understand now that the local DEAs are the only bodies that can close the schools due to weather-related factors.
Yes, I can only concur with that statement since the local DEAs make the decision to close the schools due to inclement weather. Also, as per my earlier statement, the hamlet council can also close the community down and the schools have to follow that decision as well. Yes, I concur that the DEAs are solely responsible for weather-related school closures.
Let me ask this other question to the minister. I understand that the local DEAs can only close the school due to weather. I understand that part completely if it is weather-related.
This question I want to ask now is: what about the Department of Education, the portfolio under you? Does the department provide guiding principles to guide school closures in the communities that they can use as a foundation for school closures due to inclement weather?
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague as he is trying to clarify the situation so everyone understands the background. The communities are all different and perhaps what I spoke to earlier is yes, there are guidelines that are weather-related.
If a blizzard is too strong, they can close the school.
If the temperature is too extreme, they can also close their schools. If the winds are gusting too strongly, then they can also close the school. If the roads are closed and vehicles are taken off the road and in most communities, they have taxis now, so when they close, that is another reason for closure.
I can reiterate to my colleague that I have directed my officials to review these guidelines, as I have noted as well that we have had many closures because like you, I live in Igloolik and schools will be open there while schools in Iqaluit are closed.
This is where consistency will be important and due to that, I have asked that this issue be revisited.
I have stated in the past that our schools have to be more consistent in applying various guidelines to close schools.
To date, we have tended to acquiesce to the local DEAs, but we may have to revisit these guidelines.
Question 345 – 4(2): Nunavut Food Security Coalition (Akoak)
Mr. Speaker, in my view, a sustainable market for the sale of country food and other food produced within Nunavut would be beneficial for consumers and harvesters in the territory.
On June 9, 2014, the previous Minister of Health tabled the Nunavut Food Security Coalition’s strategy and action plan for 2014-16.
This action plan indicates that one of the coalition’s goals is to “Promote research that involves assessing the cost-benefit of northern food production.”
Can the minister indicate what specific research initiatives his department is currently undertaking to assess northern food production?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Okalik.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I wish we had more caribou to market here in our territory.
I am not the minister for the trade of country food, but I have discussed the issue of transport of country food subsidies with the federal Minister of Health when I met with her recently to see if we could expand the Nutrition North program to assist us in transporting country food throughout our communities. That is the furthest extent I have been involved in this so far. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Information provided on the coalition’s website indicates that the Department of Health is “working with the Nunavut Food Security Coalition to develop country food policies and procedures that make it easy and safe for government-funded facilities and programs to serve the country foods they want, however they want.”
Can the Minister of Health explain what these “country food policies and procedures” will entail?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) We do provide technical and other expertise to the strategy group.
However, we also work with other departments to ensure that we follow our laws in terms of quotas for wildlife. Those things have to be considered before we advance this further.
I will work with my colleagues and make sure that we complete the studies. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
What is the minister’s timeframe for completing these policies and when will they be made publicly available?
I also thank the official next to me for providing that information. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, there’s a draft that has been produced and we will be looking at the draft and making sure that each department has considered the draft carefully and adopt it, hopefully, in the near future. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 346 – 4(2): Marine Infrastructure (Keyootak)
Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday of this week, I asked questions about the need for new marine infrastructure in my constituency of Uqqummiut.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the government’s business plans for the upcoming fiscal year were presented to this House.
I was very pleased to note that the business plan for the Department of Economic Development and Transportation indicates that “a business case has been completed for the Qikiqtarjuaq facility.”
Can the minister confirm whether or not this business case has been submitted to the federal government for possible funding?
This plan has been completed for the community of Qikiqtarjuaq and it will be submitted in the future to the federal government.
At this time, I don’t think we have submitted the documentation to them.
When does the minister expect to receive a response from the federal government concerning this proposal?
With respect to this issue, first of all, the original report for Qikiqtarjuaq and Clyde River within the (interpretation ends) Small Craft Harbours (interpretation) program requires further studies and we have to complete these plans and the title is (interpretation ends) concept development. (interpretation) That still has to be completed and once this aspect of the plans has been completed, we can move forward. That is the part we have to complete.
Will the minister commit to tabling a copy of this business case in the Legislative Assembly before the end of our current winter sitting?
I would like further clarification on what I should be tabling in the House before the end of this current winter sitting.
Speaker (interpretation): I’ll give you an opportunity, Mr. Keyootak, if you would elaborate further.
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to thank our colleague for that question.
The construction of these small craft harbours is primarily intended for fishing vessels. A preliminary report was released by our government and this plan was developed from that report.
The (interpretation ends) small craft harbour report, (interpretation) which is the proper name, is the report that is the foundation of this plan and this plan is still a part of the department.
The report was compiled in 2005, the plan was finalized in 2006, and we are still working towards that goal.