EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, some of these participants now will be invited to the Nunavut Poverty Summit, where they will join invited representatives from this government, Inuit organizations, non-profit organizations, and the business community to prepare Nunavut’s Poverty Reduction Action Plan.
Mr. Speaker, this summit will be co-chaired by Premier Aariak and by NTI President Cathy Towtongie.
This illustrates the continuation of the partnership we have had with Nunavut Tunngavik since we launched the poverty reduction campaign together one year ago.
We will continue to work together and, with all our partners, for as long as it takes to reduce poverty in our territory.
During the poverty summit, which takes place November 28 to 30 here in Iqaluit, we will decide together on the path we must take to reduce poverty, and then together follow that path.
Minister’s Statement 077 – 3(3): Nunavut’s Poverty Reduction Action Plan (Aariak)
Mr. Taptuna outlined the progress that has taken place during the past year to prepare Nunavut’s Poverty Reduction Action Plan.
I would like to announce the next step in this process.
I would also like to express my gratitude to the hundreds of Nunavummiut who have taken the time to participate in the public engagement process that was used to identify our priorities for action to reduce poverty in Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, at the centre of this process is our belief that everyone in Nunavut has a role to play in poverty reduction.
With this role comes responsibility.
This means that government, Inuit organizations, communities, private sector, and non-profit organizations will have to adapt and make changes.
We recognize that it may be difficult, but these decisions are being made by all of us, including the public that we serve.
And if we continue to do things the same way, we will continue to get the same results, which is poverty.
Next month, I, along with my co-chair, President Towtongie of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, will bring together all of our partners, including people who are currently or who have, in the past, lived in poverty.
Decision-makers will be invited to meet here in Iqaluit next month and, together, we will decide on the actions we will take to reduce poverty in Nunavut in the long term.
Together, we will take responsibility for those actions.
We will put these commitments into Nunavut’s Poverty Reduction Action Plan, which will be prepared on the spot and made available to the public immediately following our meeting.
This historic gathering will take place here in Iqaluit at the Cadet Hall on November 28, 29, and 30, 2011. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 123 – 3(3): Congratulations to Recent Graduates (Aupaluktuq)
I would like to say “good morning” to all the people in Baker Lake and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour and celebrate the achievements of the Jonah Amitnaaq graduating class of 2011.
This year, a total of 12 students graduated from school.
This achievement is a reflection of their hard work, dedication, and the entire community of Baker Lake is proud of their accomplishment.
As their Member of the Legislative Assembly, I was very honoured to take part in this year’s graduation ceremony and present the Pilimmaksarniq Award.
The Pilimmaksarniq Award is presented each year to a graduating student who has demonstrated the quality of acquiring and developing skills through observation, practice, effort, and action.
Pilimmaksarniq is an important principle in our culture, and I was very pleased to present this year’s award to a very deserving student, Ms. Renee Pudnak.
I believe that support for education and lifelong learning must be a key priority for our government.
We all want our young people to succeed in life and take on the responsibilities of leadership.
Education is the strongest tool by which our youth will succeed in the future, in the present, and also to be able to contribute to their communities as well as Nunavut.
I encouraged all of our graduates to continue their education.
Mr. Speaker, learning does not stop when you leave high school. It has only begun.
I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize the commitment of our teachers, school staff, parents, and volunteers.
I would like to conclude by honouring each of the graduates by name:
Adrianne Iyago
Tammy Kinnowatner
Kayla Mariq
Tracy Nateela
Troy Owingayak
Eric Perkison
Renee Pudnak
Trina Qaqqaq
Skye Sweetland-Otak
Bobby Tagoona
Virginia Ullyot, and
David Uqayuittuq
I ask all members in congratulating these youth.
Member’s Statement 124 – 3(3): Arctic Bay’s 3045 Royal Army Cadets (Elliott)
I rise today to salute the 3045 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, which recently launched into its 19th year of providing an important youth service for the community of Arctic Bay.
Mr. Speaker, the cadet program is a national program for all youth ages 12 to 18 who want to participate in fun and challenging activities while making new friends.
The cadet program promotes teamwork, leadership, and citizenship.
It helps develop decision-making skills and increases self-confidence and physical fitness.
Mr. Speaker, the Hamlet of Arctic Bay is a proud sponsor of the 3045 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, which is affiliated with the Royal Regiment of Canada in Toronto, Ontario.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the dedication of Arctic Bay’s army cadet staff under Commanding Officer Lieutenant Frank May. They are Officer Cadet Patricia McNeal, civilian instructors Mallory Potty, Jennifer Hafenbreck, and Mickey Akkakulu; Mickey is a former cadet of this corps, and volunteers Irene Swoboda and Barb Huminchuk.
Mr. Speaker, since 1991, this fine army cadet corps has produced national star cadets, participated in cadet exchanges, including summer camp travel on international exchanges, and had a number of staff cadets at Whitehorse Cadet Summer Training Centre.
I ask all members to join me in congratulating Arctic Bay’s 3045 Royal Canadian Army Corps on the start of another promising year.
Member’s Statement 125 – 3(3): Problems with Dust Control in Pond Inlet (Enook)
I wish a good morning to the residents of Pond Inlet and my fellow Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise an issue that is a major health concern for the residents of Pond Inlet, especially during the summer, spring, and fall seasons.
I am speaking of the problems caused by heavy dust within the community.
Mr. Speaker, there are dust bowls throughout the community as well as the dust which comes up off the roads. When the wind picks up, the dust storms can be violent and extreme.
Mr. Speaker, the municipality does its best to control the dust on the roads by spreading salt water from a truck.
The effectiveness of this system is short-lived. The water dries and the dust returns.
Mr. Speaker, the dust in the air is more than just a nuisance. Our elders, our infants, and individuals with chronic lung and heart problems are affected.
The dust is a serious irritant for lungs, eyes, and skin. Sometimes you cannot even keep your eyes open when it’s really windy.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am confident that any resident of Iqaluit could attest to the dramatic reduction in dust levels following the paving of this community’s roads.
I am equally confident that there are many communities across Nunavut which could benefit from some type of paving program.
Mr. Speaker, I ask for consent to continue my statement.
There are none. Please proceed.
I would like to encourage the government to consider the feasibility of a Nunavut-wide paving program.
There are a number of different options that could be considered.
One of the greatest benefits would be to the health of our residents.
Question 172 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut’s Fiscal Position (Ell)
(interpretation ends) In the minister’s fiscal update that he provided earlier this week, he indicated that “the projected deficit for 2011-12 is currently tracking slightly lower than our original projection of $50 million; it now stands at $44 million.”
Mr. Speaker, it’s good to hear that the deficit may be smaller than what we feared it would be. (interpretation) Can the minister elaborate on what accounts for the smaller deficit?
I thank Ms. Ell for the question.
Mr. Speaker, on a monthly basis, the Department of Finance receives variance reports from all the departments and the variance indicates lower expenditures for some like wages, benefits, and some of the programs.
That could change. It’s early; it’s only halfway through the year. It’s based on, I believe, September 30, so we still have six months to go.
It could go up or it could go down, but we typically don’t get the final results until some time after the fiscal year and then we adjust our financial statements accordingly.
It is my understanding that over the past decade, a number of departments have lapsed significant amounts of money. (interpretation ends) In many cases, this is because they have been unable to fulfill a significant number of positions, as the minister said. We are now about halfway, as he also said, through the current 2011-12 fiscal year.
Can the minister indicate which departments are likely lapsing funds from their budgets?
I thank Ms. Ell for that question.
Mr. Speaker, as indicated in my earlier question, it is early. It’s only six months.
It could change, so don’t read too much into it.
In Finance, we tend to be a little conservative, so we’re not going to be too excited by tracking lower. All departments appear to be managing their money prudently, as we stressed in the budget speech.
As I said earlier, the numbers may change. We may well come in at a $50 million deficit.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I have heard some concerns that the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth may be lapsing up to $5 million by the end of the fiscal year.
Can the minister confirm whether this is accurate and, if so, what accounts for the department’s budget position?
I again thank Ms. Ell for that question.
Mr. Speaker, I can’t confirm that number.
Can the minister look into that or can he respond to my question? I wonder if the minister can inform us whether or not the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth is predicting a surplus for this fiscal year.
In your line of questions, you can’t switch ministers, so I’ll have to rule that question out of order and you would have to ask it to a different minister in a different question.
Question 173 – 3(3): Government Restructuring (Ugyuk)
Ms. Ugyuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I say “good morning” to the residents of Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Finance.
In the minister’s Budget Address that he gave in March of this year, he stated that, and I quote, “…the time has come for us to consider the structure of government itself. I suggest that we take a thoughtful look at the number of departments and agencies, their mandates and organizational designs.
Members of the Legislative Assembly have offered thoughtful suggestions in this area and will have more, all of which we would carefully consider during this process.”
My understanding is that the minister has engaged a consultant to prepare a report with options for reorganizing the government.
Will he commit to tabling this report in the Legislative Assembly before the ending of the fall sitting, yes or no?
I thank Ms. Ugyuk for the question. I appreciate her raising the question. I appreciate her participation.
I believe you also spoke to the consultant that we engaged. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I can’t commit to tabling the report. I haven’t even discussed it with our cabinet yet.
Ms. Ugyuk: Mr. Speaker, one of my suggestions to the government has been to divide the Department of Health and Social Services into two entities.
Given the recommendations in the recent report of the Auditor General concerning children and family services, it is clear to me that this would allow for better focus on the two mandates of the current department.
Is this option being considered by the government?
I thank Ms. Ugyuk for the question again.
Mr. Speaker, during the consultations with the consultant with various officials in the government and some of the ministers and MLAs, it was discussed and the consultant has looked at it.
Your second supplementary question, Ms. Ugyuk.
Ms. Ugyuk: Qujanaqqutit, Mr. Speaker.
The minister announced his plans to review the structure of the government in his Budget Address, which he delivered in March. Will the changes to the government’s structure be reflected in next year’s main estimates and departmental business plans?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I again thank Ms. Ugyuk for the question.
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier, cabinet hasn’t even discussed the report yet.
We have to discuss that and then we will have to make some decisions. Depending on what the decisions are, obviously there would be some other decisions made with respect to future budgets.
I don’t know if it will be in this fiscal year or in the next fiscal year.
When there are changes to organizations, there will be changes to budgets.
Question 174 – 3(3): Status of the Government of Nunavut’s Functional Review of Decentralization (Rumbolt)
Earlier this year, I asked questions to the minister concerning the government’s functional review of decentralization. This review is part of the government’s Tamapta Action Plan.
As the minister will recall, she subsequently informed Members of the Legislative Assembly that the government would be paying a Toronto-based consulting firm up to $220,000 to conduct the review, which was scheduled to be completed by June 15 of this year.
Mr. Speaker, it is now late October. What did this review conclude and when will she table its report and recommendations in the Legislative Assembly?
I would also like to thank the member for asking that question.
The review to date has been completed and has been given to the department.
The government’s functional review of decentralization in the communities looked at how we can improve decentralization and looked at the options. Let’s remember that 60 percent of our staff is working in decentralized communities.
Once the review has been completed, we will be reviewing the report and we will have to work at the next steps. They are not available for this fall’s session and we will try to make them available in the next session.
This report was due to be completed four months ago. Can the minister explain why it is taking so long to review and draw some conclusions from this report?
I will look into the review and ask why it is taking so long.
In March of this year, the Minister of Finance announced that the government would be reviewing its organizational structure. I believe that a different consultant was hired for this project.
I don’t know how much this one cost, but can the minister clarify how these two reviews have been coordinated?
Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Madam Premier.
This is important and two reviews were just completed on how the department is going to be organized. Also, we are doing the same review for the decentralized communities.
It’s obvious that we can find out exactly what is common to each one of these areas and what needs to be done in both of them, and it would be much easier to do that.
As an MLA representing a non-decentralized community, I have been frustrated at times with the way that some aspects of the decentralization model that was inherited from the previous government have worked out in practice. For example, the long delays in obtaining driver’s licences have been a real problem for many of my constituents.
Will the minister commit to me that the government will be prepared to move more positions out of decentralized communities if it determines that their location has a negative impact to services and delivery to the public?
This is also in the review process to find out why it takes a long time to have some of the services delivered.
We will take action on that and get that kind of answer once we have determined those measures.
Question 175 – 3(3): Dust Control in Communities (Oshutapik)
On July 10, 2008, the Government of Nunavut announced $12.0 million in road improvements for Iqaluit, including road paving.
In this announcement, the government indicated that, and I quote, “…with less dust, Iqalummiut can look forward to a healthier, more livable community in the near future.”
As I indicated in my first Member’s Statement on Tuesday, my constituents also want to see improvements in dust control in the community of Pangnirtung.
Can the minister indicate whether the government is considering providing funding to any other communities for road paving?
Minister responsible for Community and Government Services., Minister Kusugak.
I thank you for your question about that program.
Those announcements were made prior to my being in this seat, but you should also know that this was part of the agreement between the city and the government.
Now, with respect to dust control in Nunavut, it does cause a lot of problems and, as we just heard one of our colleagues, they even experience sand storms in the summer when the wind blows.
We are reviewing the matter, especially to try to suppress dust in the summer when the land is hot and dry.
We have tried several methods of dust suppression.
However, prior to these options being completed, we are considering what would be the best way to maintain dust control within Nunavut.
So we are looking for the best practical methods, whether that is paving the road. They don’t actually use asphalt or concrete.
We’re researching ways and means to try to deal with this problem that a lot of communities experience, Mr. Speaker.
Yes, none of us were here when this program was announced, so I understand completely.
With respect to our community, we would just not be looking at this road, but we would also want to pave the airstrip. If you have ever come to our community, you have noticed that the airstrip runs practically right down the middle of our community.
It’s not just the airstrip, but we also get very strong winds in Pangnirtung and whenever any vehicles are on the road, a lot of dust is produced.
Once the government has set aside funds into this area, I’m wondering if this could be initiated promptly, especially in our community.
I know there are 24 communities, but I wonder if the minister would be able to develop a program for our community as well.
Dust suppression is something we’re continuing to work on for all of Nunavut and to determine what method would be the best solution.
Now, in regard to which communities would be prioritized, I won’t be able to decide that, but we do have a body that deals with deciding who gets first priority and so on.
I know for a fact that if your community is very concerned about dust control, this would be dealt with by this body if it were required to deliberate on the matter, Mr. Speaker.
Question 176 – 3(3): Graduating Students and Academic Qualifications (Ningeongan)
Mr. Speaker, recently I rose in this House to congratulate the grade 12 graduates of Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet.
Their achievement is an important step towards a successful future.
However, every year after graduation, it seems that we hear from a number of very disappointed young adults and their disappointed parents who discover that their grade 12 graduation qualifications are simply not adequate for them to enter the post-secondary program of their choice.
Can the minister clearly describe what steps are taken now to ensure that our grade 12 graduates have the necessary courses and qualifications that they need to pursue higher education?
Education is indeed a very important aspect and we have to be very concerned if we notice areas that need improvement.
There are various factors that cause these issues in the schools, which we are now starting to understand how students’ learning is slowing down.
Attendance is very important, especially daily attendance.
This requires collaboration amongst the parties, not just at the school but with parents.
Whenever I am asked to attend a graduation ceremony for grade 12 students, the majority of graduates express their appreciation to their parents for waking them up and telling them to go to school.
This is what it focuses on, that parents are very important in solving this problem.
Teachers also try and see how students can be helped to achieve their potential in that grade. They have meetings to see what is inadequate in their schooling. Various committees are there to find out what is required for students to improve upon within the school system.
Maybe if the students need more help on reading or math, remedial actions are determined for them.
Mr. Ningeongan: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) What I want known with my question is that parents and teachers, as well as the students generally celebrate graduation from high school.
My question was with respect to graduates who tend to run into problems.
As they reach grade 12, parents have to be the ones to wake them up in the mornings, as disciplinarians understand that. This was part of my question.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, a recent story on this issue in the media indicated that the Department of Education is going to focus on the career planning process to help students prepare for their future after graduation.
Can the minister update this House on what kind of career planning process is being made available to high school students across Nunavut?
In 2010, there were 241 students who completed grade 12 and we celebrated them.
That’s the highest number that we have received so far, up 106 percent since there have been graduations in Nunavut.
As I said earlier, parents should be more involved when students are choosing their courses for grades 10, 11, and 12.
Sometimes when students select courses that are not academic and finish grade 12 and they apply for university, they find out that if they had chosen this and that course instead, it would have been much more beneficial.
If parents and teachers can work together with the students to find out what kind of academic requirements the university or college will need, then they can make preparations.
Not all of the courses are available in the north, so they have to choose other courses during the school year.
For instance, if the child is all by himself or herself to try and choose what kind of post-secondary school to get into, then that’s when more academic upgrading is required.
There are people who do help within the school to prepare them for the future.
We are working on training the teachers as well as the people in the school to try and train them to find out how to help students going beyond grade 12.
I hope you understand what I’m saying.
One of the questions that I would like to pose is: can the minister update this House on how many schools in Nunavut currently employ staff, such as guidance counsellors, who can help students plan what courses to take in order to help them reach their post-secondary goals?
How many schools have guidance counsellors? The reason why I’m asking this question is that in the smaller communities, there are fewer guidance counsellors and the students have fewer options.
That’s why I’m asking this question. How many schools in Nunavut have guidance counsellors?
It’s very important to have guidance counsellors in the schools for the assistance they provide.
Also, students’ needs vary and special needs students need more assistance. We have to identify where students require more help than others.
I would also like to say again that the options students can take… . For example, to finish high school, the Aulajaaqtut school curriculum is available. It includes life skills and its aim is to help students have a better chance of graduating.
Once I find out how many guidance counsellors we have, I will get back to the member.