EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I want to tell the people of Taloyoak that school will be over soon and they will be having a good summer.
Member’s Statement 071 – 4(2): Sivuliqtiksat Internship Program (Hickes)
On Friday, the Premier made a Minister’s Statement talking about the Sivuliqtiksat intern program that is currently undergoing in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I participated in this program early on in my career with the Government of Nunavut.
Although I didn’t technically graduate, as I had to leave the program to accept another employment opportunity with the government, I likely would not be here in this Assembly without the guidance, experience, and learning that I received directly from the late Mark Mackay and Brad Chambers, a supportive deputy minister, and the team that I worked with.
Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure of connecting to a number of interns from all across this territory during my period of time with the intern program.
I always look forward to seeing the continued success of this program and of the friends I made during my time with that program.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to give notice to the Premier that I will be asking questions at the appropriate time on this topic.
Item 4. (interpretation ends) Returns to Oral Question.
Hon. Minister Ugyuk.
Return to Oral Question 042 – 4(2): Food Price Survey (Ugyuk)
A return to oral question asked by Joe Enook, 42 – 4(2), asked on May [26], 2014.
The subject was “Food Price Survey.”
“My question, Mr. Speaker, is: because there’s a high cost of living in Nunavut, what are you going to do after you complete a review of food prices in Nunavut?”
The answer:
The high cost of food in Nunavut continues to be an issue affecting all Nunavummiut. The Nunavut Food Price Survey, funded by the Department of Family Services and coordinated by the Nunavut Bureau of Statistics, is part of the Government of Nunavut’s efforts to improve food security.
The results of the survey will not only provide an accurate measure of food costs, but will examine the differences in food prices in each community in Nunavut and to the rest of Canada.
The Government of Nunavut will use the survey report to assist in the decision-making, planning, implementation, and evaluation of various programs, including the Social Assistance Program, when reviewing current benefit rates and reform of the program.
Further, the results of this survey will assist the Department of Finance when evaluating the northern allowance benefit rates and the Department of Health when examining the cost of healthy versus unhealthy foods and different food choices, to name a few.
The Nunavut Bureau of Statistics is currently analyzing the data and expects to release the report before the end of this session.
The Department of Family Services will work closely with the bureau to determine ways in which the statistical information can be used to support our ongoing efforts.
Question 088 – 4(2): Sivuliqtiksat Internship Program (Hickes)
During my Member’s Statement a little while ago, I talked about the Sivuliqtiksat program that’s in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, in the Premier’s Minister’s Statement from Friday, he talked about the two-day orientation to develop learning plans and to build networks to support each participant of this intern program.
Mr. Speaker, how many interns are there across the territory today?
I thank the member for that question. Over the years, I have noticed that there’s keen interest in getting more Inuit into the workforce, and I appreciate that.
Mr. Speaker, there are eight positions at this current time that are in the internship.
The internships last from one to three years and in various degrees. There are eight at this time and there are four new positions that have been approved for staffing.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the Office of the Auditor General’s report on HR capacity tabled in 2010, it made some comments stating that the HR resources available are not sufficient to handle the workload, leading to the result that many participants may have not received all the support they needed to graduate the program.
Mr. Speaker, since moving responsibilities, what is being done to address this issue and make sure that all participants receive the support they need to advance their careers with the Government of Nunavut?
Mr. Speaker, moving the HR position into Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, we have taken over the Inuit employment training and that’s one of the issues that were identified in the past. Through the department, we are hoping that we can increase more Inuit training, more participation, and more completions of all these trainings that have been taking place in the past.
Since Sivuliqtiksavut internship started in 2004-05, there have been 23 interns who have graduated. The purpose of the internship is to develop Inuit into the managerial, professional, and specialized positions within the government. It’s a sign that we are doing well.
We have 23 who have moved on into the managerial and senior personnel positions since that time, Mr. Speaker.
Although I didn’t graduate, I would like to think that I’m a success story of the program itself.
Mr. Speaker, one of the programs that I took when I was participating in that program was the Nunavut Advanced Management Program.
Mr. Speaker, since 2004-05 and until the public service annual report was tabled for 2012-13 just recently, it stated that there were 84 employees, of which 74 percent were beneficiaries who had graduated through the Nunavut Advanced Management Program.
At the time of the report, 24 employees were enrolled, of which only 54 percent are beneficiaries.
Mr. Speaker, with the desire to meet the Inuit Employment Plan of increasing Inuit numbers in management positions, how are these numbers decreasing?
We do have a various number of programs within the government. This government is committed to the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principle of Pilimmaksarniq and we intend to increase Inuit employees within the government.
We do have a number of programs that have been transferred into Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs and we do have an Inuit employment coordinator to manage all this.
I know it has been very difficult at times to increase the numbers of Inuit working within the government.
As you know, there are a lot of Inuit who are on casual.
There are also a lot of other opportunities out there that Inuit pursue rather than just going to the government for employment.
There are other organizations out there that Inuit do join up and become employees of these other organizations.
Not all Inuit want to work for the government.
Once some of these Inuit employees get trained up in a certain sector, they do move on to where they want, not necessarily all within the government.
Question 089 – 4(2): Harvesters’ Assistance Programs (Savikataaq)
I would like to ask my question to the Minister of Environment.
On Friday, May 30, I asked the minister some questions on one of his hunters’ assistance programs, wildlife prevention, and I would like to quote his response from the Hansard which are unedited. “NTI’s hunters’ assistance program will be suspended, apparently, by the fall.
With respect to the hunters’ assistance programs from the Government of Nunavut and NTI, there was consensus that it would be better for NTI to carry out an assistance program for hunters instead of the Government of Nunavut...”
I ask the minister if there are going to be no more hunter assistance programs from the Department of Environment because this government feel that it is NTI’s role or responsibility.
I have been speaking only Inuktitut and he asked his question in English.
I have looked at my answer this morning and what I stated in Inuktitut was not the same as the English. Once they have been provided to my office in Inuktitut, if we are to review the Inuktitut version, it was not the same as the English.
I have stated in English thusly.
NTI has presently suspended their hunters’ support program up until the fall. This coming fall, they may have a new hunters’ support program. However, I’m still speaking in Inuktitut in that way.
Mr. Speaker, I stated that we have to review our programs because it will have an effect on some of our own governmental hunters’ support programs that we provide to the hunters.
We understood that the English translation was not the same as what my Inuktitut statements were previously.
Member for (interpretation ends) Arviat South, Mr. Savikataaq, your first supplementary.
Therefore, let me ask the minister if they are reviewing that program in their provision of the support to hunters.
Are they working with NTI, who have also reviewed their hunters’ support program?
I have stated personally in that manner.
My department and NTI have two programs available for hunters. What needed to be paid attention to… .
We have not stopped any of our assistance programs that we provide as a government to our hunters.
However, there is some concern that hunters who are being supported should be receiving their support in a timely manner.
While NTI is reviewing their program, perhaps as an example, if we have two different programs altogether for the hunters, then the hunters’ support program would not be as beneficial if they were similar.
All I’m stating is that as a government, we are reviewing our hunters’ support programs. NTI has reviewed their programs and had them suspended.
It would indicate in what direction they have moved, and then we would be able to provide better hunters’ support programs to our hunters if our programs weren’t similar.
Let me then ask the minister if the GN will be telling us what their program will be like only after NTI has a review of theirs.
Minister of Environment, Mr. Mike.
The harvesters’ support program that we have as a government is under review.
While our department is doing their review, we will still be able to provide what we do have currently. We have to think about them carefully. We will not be suspending our harvesters’ support program in any way whatsoever, Mr. Speaker.
Question 090 – 4(2): Development Partnership Agreements (Mikkungwak)
I say “good day” to my fellow residents of Baker Lake.
(interpretation ends) As the minister is well aware, the government’s development partnership agreement for the Meadowbank Mine near Baker Lake was signed in 2007.
Under the Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s Development Partnership Agreement Policy, companies that enter into a DPA with the government are required to produce implementation reports.
Will the minister commit to tabling a copy of the most recent implementation report for the Meadowbank project before the end of the current spring sitting of the Legislative Assembly?
I say “good day” to my fellow Nunavummiut, especially my fellow residents of Arviat and Whale Cove.
Mr. Speaker, I’m not sure if I can provide an answer to the question. If there were no impediments providing that answer now, I would provide it because I don’t have it at this time.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The proposed Meliadine gold mine project near Rankin Inlet will affect all Kivalliq communities, including Baker Lake.
Can the minister indicate if discussions have started towards signing a development partnership agreement in respect to this project?
Mr. Speaker, we presently have one agreement. He was talking about another mining company.
There are other various companies that we may be having DPAs with and we are having discussions with them at the present time and during this fiscal year. Once we complete them, we will provide the answers.
The proposed Kiggavik uranium mine near Baker Lake is also moving forward. Can the minister indicate if discussions have started towards signing a development partnership agreement in respect to this project?
As I stated, we only have one agreement at the present time. Kiggavik is also one of those that have yet to make an agreement with our government, so they will be proceeding towards doing that this fiscal year.
Question 091 – 4(2): Approaches on Managing Waste (Angnakak)
Mr. Speaker, earlier today in my Member’s Statement, I spoke of the need for government to work with the people of Nunavut to address problems associated with garbage and waste.
Can the minister update this House on what kinds of support his department offers to groups or individuals who propose innovative ways to address waste management in Nunavut?
There are a number of initiatives that my department has looked into and we have discussions with other levels of government on how we can deal with the issues of landfill management.
Can the minister provide an update on his department’s role in the Modern Municipal Solid Waste Facilities in Northern Climate Project and if any Nunavut communities are participating in the project?
All levels of government recognize that existing practices in managing municipal solid waste programs are not acceptable at this point, and we’re all working together to see what we can do to alleviate the problem with solid waste.
As we are all well aware, the growing amount of garbage is a serious concern not only for the environment but also for our health.
Can the minister provide further detail on what measures are being taken to sort, collect, and dispose of toxic or hazardous waste across Nunavut’s communities?
In most of our communities in Nunavut, what we have done is we have identified, in the development of landfill sites, different areas within the landfill site where solid waste or metal waste and some hazardous material are all separated.
At some point, we will meet with the municipal governments to determine how we can deal with the issues of disposal. (interpretation) Thank you.
Question 092 – 4(2): Telecommunications in the North (Joanasie)
As the minister will be aware, the Department of CGS has made a number of submissions and presentations to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission regarding its review of such matters as NorthwesTel’s modernization plan and telecommunications in the north.
Can the minister outline what goals the Government of Nunavut has with respect to improving telecommunications services in Nunavut?
At the time, in June 2013, CRTC held hearings and reviewed NorthwesTel’s modernization plan.
GN had given its concerns at that meeting and at that time, CRTC stated that NorthwesTel’s responsibilities were not going to increase the telecommunications or Internet services.
They didn’t have the fast Internet, so we were quite concerned about that and we made the submission to CRTC.
In June [2013], I noted that the Department of CGS made an appearance before the CRTC during its public hearings in Inuvik.
At that time, the GN stated, and I quote, “Culturally, information and communications technologies should play a greater role in disseminating traditional Inuit knowledge, enhancing the availability of Inuit languages in digital media and provide new grounds for Nunavummiut to create and distribute new Inuit culture created for a digital age.”
Mr. Speaker, I completely agree with this goal. Can the minister outline what specific initiatives his department his working on to help achieve it?
In government, we have roles and responsibilities.
The government departments also have roles and responsibilities, including the Department of Education and the Department of Culture and Heritage, and we work with these departments.
As the minister is aware, Arctic Fibre is a fibre optic telecommunications project that is “developing one of the largest subsea cable networks in the world.”
Can the minister indicate what discussions his department has had with Arctic Fibre concerning its proposals for improving connectivity in Nunavut?
At the beginning of this year, in January 2014, we held the Northern Lights Conference and we met with Arctic Fibre.
During our discussions, we announced to them that we’re interested in their project. As a government, we have to look for ways and look at other service providers, but once we get the results, we will be able to provide that information.
Question 093 – 4(2): Need for a Medical Boarding Home in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok)
Mr. Speaker, as the minister is aware, Rankin Inlet is an important transportation hub for the Kivalliq region.
Medical patients travel to Rankin from the outlying communities to see visiting doctors and specialists.
However, there is no boarding home or transient centre for medical clients to stay in.
I note that there is a very comfortable and well-operated facility in Iqaluit. Even Churchill, Manitoba has a nice facility operated by our government.
Can the minister provide an update on what consideration has been given to opening a medical boarding home in Rankin Inlet?
I would like to thank the Member for Rankin Inlet South for asking that question.
Our staff is now having discussions with Health Canada officials, so I can’t give you any further details on that.
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am certain that with the improved services at the new Rankin Inlet Health facility, more and more medical clients from across the region will be travelling to Rankin Inlet for medical reasons.
Can the minister describe how she works with her officials to address the accommodation needs of medical clients and escorts travelling to Rankin Inlet?
The officials and staff of the Department of Health are now at the discussion stage with federal officials and they’re now reviewing how the patients in the Kivalliq can utilize the health centre in Rankin Inlet. There are fewer patients going to Churchill now and they’re now utilizing the health centre in Rankin Inlet.
They are also starting to use the hotels. We’re now looking at the population growth of the community.
We’re still reviewing this issue.
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I believe that establishing a medical boarding home or transient centre in the community of Rankin Inlet would not only lead to cost savings for the department, but would also provide a better service to its medical clients.
Will the minister commit to undertaking a cost-benefit analysis of establishing a boarding home in Rankin Inlet and report on her findings to the Members of this Assembly?
The boarding homes, whether it’s in Iqaluit, for example, in Ottawa, and other places are not owned by the government, but the federal government pays for the medical boarding homes. We get the funding from the federal government and we pay for those.
We’re now at the discussion stage with the organization in Rankin Inlet as to how we can move forward with this. At this time, we have just begun the discussions. I can’t give you any further details on that.
Question 094 – 4(2): Western Canada Lottery Act (Rumbolt)
On March 11, the minister tabled the financial statements of the Western Canada Lottery for 2012-13 in the Legislative Assembly. On May 26, just months later, the minister tabled what seems to be the same document that was initially tabled in March.
Mr. Speaker, I have reviewed both documents and can’t find any differences. Can the minister indicate what the difference is between the two annual reports that he tabled?
If I tabled the same document during two different times, it was an error on my part and I will look into seeing what happened there. (interpretation) Thank you.
The Western Canada Lottery Act was passed by the previous Legislative Assembly on December 8, 2009. Section 4 of the Act provides that “profits accruing to the Government of Nunavut from the Western Canada Lottery shall be used for the purpose of promoting sport and recreational opportunities for Nunavummiut.”
Mr. Speaker, the 2012-13 financial statements of the Western Canada Lottery in Nunavut reports that the lottery’s net profit was over $600,000 for 2012-13.
Can the minister describe how his department is using these profits to promote sports and recreation for Nunavummiut?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Thank you very much for that question.
The sole purpose of having these lottery terminals is to provide money for sports and recreation activities throughout Nunavut.
That’s where all of the money goes. Any money that comes in through the lottery is provided to all sports and recreation activities. (interpretation) Thank you.
It is important that the government is transparent when spending funds that are raised specifically to promote social wellness, including sports and recreation.
Will the minister commit to providing a breakdown of where the profits are being directed?
I would be happy to provide that information. Thank you.
Question 095 – 4(2): Road Maintenance Funding (Mapsalak)
My question will be directed to the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.
Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time that I have asked this question about funding for roads. I also realize that we can’t really change how we can use the money that each community can make proposals to and access money out of in order to use it for roads.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister tell us how many communities access funds out of the road-making funds?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for that question.
Communities are all different in size.
Communities have requested between $25,000 and $50,000.
Does the minister know how many communities have accessed that money? That was my question.
Can you answer that question, please.
The communities like this program and it benefits the programs in different areas. Many communities access money from that program. As an example, in 2012, 19 communities accessed it for roads.
Thank you for that clear response.
I know about this program because I was a settlement administrator once at the hamlet. The money available is not enough for the hamlets, especially when you’re trying to build a road of any length that goes any distance. For the two communities that I represent, it’s just not enough.
It helps somewhat.
Is there anyway that you could increase the limit of $50,000 that communities can ask for?
The reason is that everything has gone up in price. For example, fuel has gone up in price. Can you agree with me when I ask you if you can increase the money that communities can ask for through that program?
I totally understand my colleague and I know what he’s talking about.
I know that it benefits the communities and the hunters.
Mr. Speaker, we would like to give more money to the communities. However, as I stated, each community can ask for $25,000 to $50,000 for access roads.
That’s what we have budgeted right now. If we allowed some communities to get larger amounts, then we would have to give smaller amounts to other communities, but we can look into your question.
Question 096 – 4(2): Iqaluit International Airport (Hickes)
My second question of the day is for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, the Legislative Assembly approved $30,118,000 in capital funding for the new Iqaluit International Airport.
Can the minister provide us with a brief update today on the status of this project?
Mr. Speaker, it’s proceeding well. The contractors that will be doing the actual work… .
The work is being done first to fall because the contractor knows they are doing the project. The old airstrip and the old airport terminal are too small now. It’s June now.
The way I understand it is that everything is proceeding on schedule. The contractors are going to be taking over the project in the middle of July.
When the budget for this project was being considered by the Legislative Assembly earlier this year, the House was informed that the design work for the project was “almost complete.”
Can the minister indicate if the design work has been completed as of today?
With regard to the airport terminal project in Iqaluit, my department and the finance department work together and the project is proceeding well.
I don’t have the answer to your question right now, but I can get back to you.
Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) Do you have one more?
(interpretation) Your final supplementary, Mr. Hickes.