EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I haven’t been home very much since I became a cabinet minister, I think I have been home less than three weeks in four or five months, but I want to assure my constituents out there that Cambridge Bay is still my home, Iqaluit is my second home.
I am very pleased that they sent me here to represent them and I am very pleased to work with my cabinet colleagues and the Regular Members’ Caucus to build a better territory for ourselves and future generations of Nunavummiut.
And I’m not sure when I’ll be home but I think I’ll be home in April and I look forward to seeing them all then.
Member’s Statement 012 – 3(2): Looking forward to the Future of Nunavut (Aariak)
I would like to ask my constituents to have a great celebration.
After my long statement earlier, I will make a brief comment, Mr. Speaker.
First of all, this session is the very first time that we have actual full members ever since after the general election. I am very pleased that we are able to work very closely together and also for those of us new members, there are quite a few of us. So therefore, I would like to thank my colleagues who have previous experience in being Members of the Legislative Assembly for their great support.
I would like to also thank the regular members and also the ministers.
We don’t usually extend our appreciation to the staff, Mr. Speaker, in our offices and also in the departments because they work very hard.
Sometimes they don’t even get to see their family members because they are so busy for us, so I would like to thank them very much.
They work extremely hard and even though they are not elected, they leave their families behind for a long time.
Also, Mr. Speaker, in order to proceed and move forward, we have to work very closely together and I would like to say that I am very proud of all my colleagues, the ones from across and also my ministerial colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
If there are no more, (interpretation ends) Item 5.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Peterson.
It gives me great pleasure to recognize a constituent of mine from Cambridge Bay, Mr. Henry Ohokannoak, who has basically sat through the entire afternoon’s proceedings.
Henry is a good friend of mine from Cambridge Bay and I don’t think he’s any stranger to the House as he has done interpreting. So welcome to the House, Henry.
I would also rise and I would like to recognize a constituent from Arviat that is in the House today too. He’s in Iqaluit attending some mining symposium meetings.
He’s a friend, a fellow hunter and fisherman, and that’s Mr. Paul Pemik sitting in the corner over there.
I rise today to recognize a member from my community who is a long-time friend.
He has been a member of the HTO for many years, he has been on various boards in the community, and at present, I do believe he’s the Chairman of NIRB, the Nunavut Impact Review Board.
I would like to welcome Lucassie Aragutainak.
I would like to acknowledge the Sergeant-at-Arms, who is my constituent, and since today is Nunavut Day, I would like to acknowledge him and thank him for doing a great job.
Thank you, Simanek Kilabuk.
Since I’m from Kitikmeot, I would like to recognize Henry Ohokannoak as well because we play music together sometimes.
Welcome to the Gallery. (interpretation ends) Item 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Tabled Document 001 – 3(2): “Tamatta” – Building our Future Together, Government of Nunavut Priorities (Aariak)
I rise today and I am very pleased to table “Tamapta” – Building our Future Together, Government of Nunavut Priorities.
Tabling of Documents. (interpretation) Premier of Nunavut, Ms. Eva Aariak.
Tabled Document 002 – 3(2): Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Annual Report 2004-2006 (Aariak)
I am pleased to table the Implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Annual Report 2004-2006.
Today’s the appropriate day to table this document.
Tabled Document 003 – 3(2): Report of the Auditor General of Canada on the Follow-up of the 2005 Report to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut (Speaker)
Tabled Document 004 – 3(2): Report of the Auditor General of Canada on the Financial Management Practices of the Department of Health and Social Services (Speaker)
I wish to table today the Report of the Auditor General of Canada on the Follow-up of the 2005 Report to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
The second document I wish to table today is the Report of Auditor General of Canada on the Financial Management Practices of the Department of Health and Social Services.
Tabling of Documents. (interpretation) If there are no more, (interpretation ends) Item 11.
Motion 001 – 3(2): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Elliott)
I give notice that on Friday, April 3, 2009, I will move the following motion:
I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member of Amittuq, that notwithstanding Rule 4, that when the House concludes its present sitting in Iqaluit, it shall be adjourned until June 4, 2009.
Item 12. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills.
Item 13. Motions. Mr. Elliott.
There are no nays. You may proceed, Mr. Elliott.
Motion 001 – 3(2): Extended Adjournment (Elliott)
FURTHER, that at any time prior to June 4, 2009, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as if it had been duly adjourned to that time.
The motion is in order. (interpretation ends) Question has been called.
Orders of the Day for June 4, 2009:
This House stands adjourned until June 4, 2009, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 17:14
Minister of Environment; Minister of Human Resources; Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College
Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation; Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation; Minister responsible for Homelessness  Website: www.assembly.nu.ca
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Pages 32 – 59
Opening Prayer 32
Money Message 32
Budget Address 33
Members’ Statements 39
Tabled Documents 55
Notices of Motions 56
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 56
Motions 57
First Reading of Bills 57
Second Reading of Bills 58
Orders of the Day 58
Thursday, June 4, 2009 32
013 – 3(2): Health Care Concerns in Akulliq (Ningark) 39
014 – 3(2): Support for Nunavummiut with Disabilities (Elliott) 40
015 – 3(2): Pangnirtung Students Upinngijut (Komoartok) 41
016 – 3(2): Condolences on the Passing of Victor Sammurtok (Ningeongan) 42
017 – 3(2): Nunavut Member of Parliament Moving Federal Concurrence with the Official Languages Act (Okalik) 42
001 – 3(2): Health Care Concerns in Akulliq (Ningark) 43
002 – 3(2): Letter from Iqaluit Housing Authority to Minister (Okalik) 45
003 – 3(2): Reimbursement for Medical Travel (Komoartok) 47
004 – 3(2): Recycling Program for Iqaluit (Okalik) 48
005 – 3(2): Staff Housing for Kugaaruk (Ningark) 50
006 – 3(2): Senate Delaying Passage of Official Languages Act (Okalik) 51
007 – 3(2): Gasoline Prices (Komoartok) 52
008 – 3(2): H1N1 Swine Flu Cases in Nunavut (Okalik) 53
005 – 3(2): Nunavut Arctic College Annual Report 2007-08 (Shewchuk) 55
006 – 3(2): Towards a Representative Public Service as of December 31, 2008 (Shewchuk) 55
008 – 3(2): Letter to Minister from Iqaluit Housing Authority (Okalik) 55
007 – 3(2): Statutory Requirements for Tabling of Reports and Other Documents in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut (Speaker) 55
009 – 3(2): Return to Oral Question 84 – 3(1) Healing for Residential School Survivors (Clerk) 56
010 – 3(2): Return to Oral Question 88 – 3(1) Sports Trophy (Clerk) 56
011 – 3(2): Return to Oral Question 93 – 3(1) Transportation Costs to Airports (Clerk) 56
012 – 3(2): Return to Written Question 1 – 3(1) Health and Safety Standards for GN Buildings in Iqaluit (Clerk) 56
013 – 3(2): Return to Written Question 2 – 3(1) NHC Contracting and Hiring Activities (Clerk) 56
002 – 3(2): Suspension of the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Nattilik – Notice (Okalik) 56
002 – 3(2): Suspension of the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Nattilik (Okalik) 57
003 – 3(2): Early Adjournment (Ningeongan) 58
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Notice 56
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – First Reading 57
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Second Reading 58
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Honourable Tagak Curley, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Adamee Komoartok, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Paul Okalik, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo.
Before we proceed, I would like to ask Mr. Taptuna to say the opening prayer.
Before proceeding with the orders of the day, I would like to take this opportunity to make two announcements.
Firstly, I wish to advise all members that Mr. James Arvaluk is recovering at home in Pond Inlet following his recent emergency surgery.
On behalf of all members, I wish Mr. Arvaluk a speedy and full recovery. We look forward to his returning to the House later this year.
(interpretation ends) And members, secondly, I would like to take this opportunity to extend congratulations to our own Legislative Librarian, Ms. Yvonne Earle.
Yvonne is this year’s winner of the 2009 Canadian Association of Special Libraries and Information Services Award. This award was made in recognition of her work in leading the efforts of several Nunavut library systems to incorporate Inuktitut syllabics into online cataloguing.
I ask all members to join me in congratulating her.
Congratulations, Yvonne.
Members, I would now like to read the following communication that I have received from the Commissioner of Nunavut and it reads:
Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut the passage of the following bills during the Second Session of the Third Legislative Assembly:
Bill 1, Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010
Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2009-2010
Sincerely, Ann Meekitjuk-Hanson, C.M.
Going back to the orders of the day. (interpretation ends) Item 2.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present our government’s budget for the current fiscal year and to discuss how we are working now to bring about the better future that we all desire.
As we have described in Tamapta, we’re looking forward to the year 2030.Guided by Tamapta, we’re looking ahead to a time when we will all enjoy a higher quality of life.
Our people, our families, will be active, healthy, and happy. Our communities will depend not on government but on ourselves, and our fellow Canadians and neighbours abroad will recognize the contributions that we make.
In this fiscal year, our government is taking steps to develop the economy so that we can afford the future we want to build and we’re taking steps to protect our environment so that future generations can enjoy our land as we enjoy it today.
Mr. Speaker, let me describe what we are doing to reach our goals.
This year, the Government of Nunavut will spend $1.25 billion. We expect to receive total revenue of $1.22 billion. That is an increase of about 5 percent from last year.
This budget forecasts a deficit of $29.1 million.
Mr. Speaker, the deficit is unfortunate but also unavoidable.
With a global recession underway, this is not the time to raise taxes and slow the economy of Nunavut.
That said, Mr. Speaker, we will not allow the deficit to continue forever. When a government spends more than it receives, it borrows from the future. But deficits and debts are not sustainable and so we must turn to the challenges of growing our economy.
We must earn the money that we need to pay for the future that we want to build.
Let us talk about our economy, about how we manage our wealth and our resources.
Overall, the Nunavut economy is in reasonably good shape, it is relatively stable and preparing for growth.
We will receive $1.02 billion this year.
That amount is secure and provides the backbone of our services to the public.
Our capital plan of $120.8 million will allow us to build the structures that we need for growth and future prosperity.
In fact, by topping up our capital plan with money carried forward from last year’s plan, we expect to fund construction projects this year worth $200 million.
That is a solid contribution to our economic growth.
Mr. Speaker, there is a very serious global recession. When financial markets collapsed, so did jobs and investment. We have seen all of those effects here in Nunavut, where mining companies face challenges in financing their exploration.
Despite the downturn, I am encouraged by what I hear from the mining industry about how they view tomorrow.
I attended the recent Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada meeting in Toronto.
I heard the reality, industry leaders agree that these aren’t the best of times, but they also say things will improve.
The key point for us is that they will still consider Nunavut’s resources to be solid investments and will step up activity when their financing allows.
We heard much the same from the recent mining symposium here in Iqaluit.
So I am encouraged by these positive elements of the mining outlook.
The recession may have slowed the pace of exploration and development activity, but the work of building the mining industry in Nunavut continues.
Next year, we will see the Meadowbank mine open, which creates the prospect of hundreds of new jobs.
Mr. Speaker, we are not simply relying on the mining sector for our economic growth.
Our government has set out to expand and diversify Nunavut’s economic base and to continue our strategic investments in infrastructure.
We are taking measures that mean jobs and growth today, especially in construction.
We are completing the Nunavut Housing Trust. We will spend $62 million this year on social housing units.
This will mean more jobs and better shelter in our smaller communities.
And we will see even more jobs and more shelter thanks to the new federal investment in our social housing. We have received $100 million and we will invest half of that amount this year.
In addition to these projects, Mr. Speaker, we are taking steps to protect Nunavummiut from the turbulence of the global energy market. To offset rising heating bills, we have provided a one-time homeowner energy rebate worth $400 per household.
And to help Nunavummiut get out on the land, we have reduced the price of gasoline by 10 cents a litre.
These measures are helping every community.
Mr. Speaker, these are but a few of the steps that we’re taking to grow a diversified economy. We aim for growth in a range of sectors but also to pursue this growth in a way that reaffirms the traditional way of life.
Sectors like mining, oil and gas, the fisheries, and tourism are certainly important to the creation of wealth.
But, Mr. Speaker, on-the-land activities and cultural legacies are also important to us and deserve our support.
We recognize the value of integrating Inuit societal values into our economic activities and planning.
We see the benefit of Inuit knowledge and culture, and of consulting communities and interest groups about their needs and views.
We also see the value of investing in our communities, our small businesses, and our cultural industries.
I am particularly pleased that the federal government has renewed the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development Program.
Through our dialogue with the federal government, the program has been extended for five more years.
For our part, the government will continue to match this federal program with the $4 million Strategic Investments Program, creating a substantial source of funds that can contribute to business and economic development in the territory.
Also this year, we will begin to develop a new tourism strategy as recommended by our review of the industry and we will further advance our cultural industries.
We began this budget year with the 10th Anniversary Song Competition. We will continue through the year with the Arts and Crafts Development Program.
The world will come to know the Nunavut brand for arts and crafts.
Mr. Speaker, they will see it next winter at the Olympic Games, where we will promote Nunavut as an excellent place to live, work, and play.
In fact, the Olympic Games represent an excellent opportunity for us to attract world attention.
That is why our government has invested $2 million in promoting Nunavut at the Olympics. The world will see Nunavut Day, Inuit traditional games, and cultural performances. And I am looking forward to the Youth Ambassadors program through which we will provide young Nunavummiut with opportunities to become leaders of tomorrow.
Our people will also need the skills of a 21st century workforce. Education is our greatest challenge and opportunity.
We are determined to raise our graduation rates.
Our government will invest almost $195 million this year in education, a rise of 6 percent from last year.
We are also making an investment of $8.6 million to assist the implementation of the Education Act, the Official Languages Act, and the Inuit Language Protection Act.
Mr. Speaker, we are putting young Nunavummiut on the path to a healthy, happy future. We are building the workforce that will lead Nunavut ahead.
Our task will not end on graduation day. Nunavummiut will require training throughout their careers.
Their skills and knowledge are the keys to success. We must offer lifelong learning and provide income support so that our people can participate fully in our communities and our economy.
That is why I am looking forward to the opening of the Nunavut Trade School in Rankin Inlet.
This is a key step in preparing Nunavummiut for good jobs and good paycheques.
I am also looking forward to continued progress this year in the other operations of the Nunavut Arctic College. Building on last year’s reorganization, we have increased our investment in the college this year by 5 percent.
We are also directing $2 million into a training and development fund for the civil service so that Government of Nunavut employees can improve their skills and we will ensure that all employers can do the same.
Mr. Speaker, thanks to the input we received through extensive consultations with businesses, we will implement the Business Training Tax Credit this year.
This credit will help businesses to encourage their employees to get training.
In addition to better education, we need to keep improving our health care. I look forward to the day when Nunavummiut can expect to live as long as the average Canadian.
According to federal statistics, a baby born here today can expect to live for ten years less than the Canadian average. Ten years, Mr. Speaker.
Not only that but we lag the Canadian average on many other indicators as well. For example, our infant mortality rate is almost four times the Canadian average. We cannot allow these gaps to continue.
This means that we must improve health through prevention and fix our social problems at their roots. We are addressing that challenge. Health and social services accounts for almost one-quarter of our entire budget.
In fact, our budget for the Department of Health and Social Services will rise this year by 4 percent from last year’s levels. We are determined to ensure that our people can lead healthy lives.
Under our five-year health strategy, the government is developing new ways to improve care for mothers and newborn children.
Preventing chronic illness and injury prevention are important priorities, and the government is creating programs to teach our youth about the benefits of physical activity, healthy eating, and wellness.
We are delivering these initiatives in our communities through community health representatives and in partnership with our community health committees.
By engaging our communities, we can deliver the programs and services Nunavummiut need to lead healthier lives.
We will continue to help women and children to escape violence in their homes. The Department of Health and Social Services will develop a policy on family violence shelters and has allocated an additional $1.3 million to support the existing family violence shelters across the territory.
And the government will be making amendments to the Child and Family Services Act as we target further support for children and youth.
Mr. Speaker, in making these investments, we must also recognize that people who need help often cannot find it. Our government will set up a social advocacy office to identify vulnerable people who need help, such as our children, and it will explore ways to address social issues.
In addition to improving education, health and social services, our priorities include housing.
Through more and better housing, we enable our territory to realize its potential.
With good homes, Nunavummiut will be able to participate fully in growing our economy.
We will be healthier and we will enjoy a better quality of life.
This is why we must make housing more accessible, more affordable, and more suitable to the way we live.
We have a long way to go before we can meet these goals, Mr. Speaker, but we are moving in the right direction.
This year, we will complete the three-year Nunavut Housing Trust program, which will have given us 725 units across the territory.
As well, we will build another 285 homes over two years. These are made possible by the additional funding that we have secured from the federal government.
It is a $100 million investment that will help us to reduce overcrowding and meet the needs of our families.
Mr. Speaker, we are talking about building more homes for families, better health care and social services, and better opportunities to learn.
We are working to make sure that our government’s actions reflect Inuit values.
This year, we will strengthen the presence of these values in the government and prepare the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit to assume its responsibilities under the Inuit Language Protection Act.
We are establishing office space, hiring staff, and appointing board members.
By September, we anticipate Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit to be in full operation.
The intent is to ensure that Inuit language is widely used in modern government and business.
Mr. Speaker, we will ensure that Inuit societal values are better reflected in our approach towards law enforcement.
The Department of Justice has agreed with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the federal government to find new ways to settle criminal matters. We will draw on the strengths of our traditional communities. We are strengthening our spousal abuse and family remediation programs and promoting anti-crime awareness.
As the Minister of Justice, I am looking forward to progress under our Inuit Special Constables project. We want to recruit five beneficiaries this year. Through this pilot program and through our consultations, we are adapting our law enforcement system to serve Nunavut’s unique needs.
Mr. Speaker, all that we have talked about must occur so that our society can advance and we can achieve the future that we want to build, but none of this should occur at the expense of our environment.
We live in a territory that is extraordinarily beautiful.
Our wildlife, our fish, and our natural resources are part of our environmental heritage. They require our continued attention and protection.
Among our priorities this year, we will enhance the Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund.
This will be a permanent fund for education, research, and conservation.
As well, the Department of Environment will develop and put in place an education and outreach plan to help foreign audiences see that we manage our environment with care and respect.
I am also looking forward, Mr. Speaker, to the steps our government will take this year toward another important environmental goal. That is to establish a blueprint for a Nunavut-wide recycling program. We will start with the City of Iqaluit and the Municipality of Rankin Inlet.