EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I am unsure which of the criteria are considered the most important or whether or not it was sole sourced. Perhaps it wasn’t sole sourced. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Minister Kusugak, would you like to respond?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): I’m not trying to confuse anyone here, Mr. Chairman, as they were tendered and not sole sourced and the member knows that very well, as it was tendered out and not sole sourced.
The member should be aware of that.
With respect to his comments on the importance placed on certain criteria, we don’t have that information in front of us, Mr. Chairman, so I can’t respond to that question.
As to his comments about past contracts being larger than prior contracts, we thought it wouldn’t be brought up. We didn’t bring that information to this review about past contracts since we felt it was in the past.
The reason why we can’t respond to the question is we don’t know whether or not that information is factual and which contracts he is referring to. I don’t want to cause any confusion and that is why I can’t respond to the questions.
We’re still on page J-9.
Please be advised that members will not be voting on the funding amount as it is only open to questions at this time.
Mr. Curley, do you have further questions to ask?
Mr. Curley: Yes (interpretation) and I also have a bit of time as well.
Mr. Chairman, our need to ask questions sometimes causes problems and it isn’t fun to deal with them all.
As to the factuality of the figures, I am not arguing that as I can request that information from the government as to the exact figures contained in the contract and we can get that information. I will set that aside for the time being.
It makes one think about this scenario. Many families received an evaluation. I don’t know whether it was done independently or with the family as a whole.
However, we have to ask questions about the funds used for contracts in Nunavut to ensure that contracts are adhered to fully. They also have to be fair.
If the NNI Policy review had been fair, then this comprehensive review wouldn’t have to be done by cabinet.
This is already in the past now. Yes, we ought not to mention it anymore.
That leads me to my next question. With respect to the division starting operations, quite a bit of capital equipment owned by Nunavut started to break down, especially fuel trucks.
Further, I have heard about communities in the Kitikmeot where the fuel trucks have to be run 24 hours a day providing jet fuel and diesel. Many of the fuel trucks were freezing up since there wasn’t shelter available and that is why they now have to be run 24 hours a day. Is this beneficial?
Do we have to run it in this manner?
I wonder if the fuel trucks are inspected by the staff of CG&S as to filling their operational requirements under the contract.
Once the contract is awarded, are they left to their own devices?
Aren’t they evaluated once they have a contract?
In this case, the fuel trucks have no garage to house them. We all know how cold it gets in the winter and that is why they run them all night long.
Is this efficient use of fuel? It seems obvious that they are consuming a lot of fuel to run all night long.
So how does the department ensure that standards are met by the contractors?
I am happy to hear the questions members pose to our department.
It is best to ask questions, especially when you want answers, and we are here to provide the information requested by the members.
When contracts are awarded, the companies are monitored as to whether they are abiding by the contracts, and we are talking about fuel contracts here. The fuel trucks are purchased by the government and the contractor tries to ensure that the vehicles are in good running order.
I asked my deputy whether he had heard if there was a case where a vehicle had to be kept on all day and night and he had no information.
I had no information either. No one ever told me whether they had to be kept running due to the lack of a garage.
We will look into this to see if that is the case and in which community it happened.
Perhaps if Mr. Curley can give me more information on that and if there was a problem, we can find out whether it’s causing any environmental damage. We want to find out which community he is referring to. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, that’s very good to hear. So if you do inspect these vehicles, you would already know.
I don’t think the expensive vehicles are being inspected to ensure they’re in good running order. Sometimes there is only one fuel truck available because there are no garages for these vehicles a lot of the time. Diesel fuel trucks should not be kept outside in the cold. (interpretation ends) These are essential equipment.
(interpretation) If you do not inspect these vehicles, I can tell you that you won’t get the facts. If you periodically send in inspectors, not only buildings should be inspected.
Also, airport vehicles and health facilities should be properly inspected.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. I didn’t hear a question, but if you want to comment, Minister Kusugak.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Tagak, for bringing these issues up.
Based on our understanding, all of the vehicles have garages.
So we will look into this further. If this is not the case, they are inspected to ensure that they are not neglected. Also, in the regional offices, I will stress the fact that they need to be more informed.
Having fuel delivery services is very important. I will try to instruct our staff to be more vigilant. I thank Tagak for bringing this up because it’s a very important issue.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Kusugak. Going back to J-3. (interpretation ends) Department Summary.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $208,397,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Yes, I did agree to that item. Coming from the Kitikmeot region, I just want to comment on this.
In Kugaaruk, I have not heard a house freezing over due to lack of fuel. I just wanted to make that comment. Thank you.
Chairman (interpretation): You agreed to $208,397 on page J-3.
Do you agree that we have concluded the Department of Community and Government Services?
Minister Kusugak, if you want to make any closing remarks, I give you the floor.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman and my colleagues. I’m glad that you are able to approve this budget. It takes a long time to prepare these figures.
Your questions are usually very effective. It’s always pleasing when we’re being advised, so please continue to advise us to ensure the smooth operation of government services. I thank everyone.
Also, I thank my officials for assisting me, especially our search and rescue partners.
I think we should be very grateful as Nunavummiut because they deal with important tasks.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Kusugak. Thank you, Mr. Green and Ms. Power.
Pursuant to Rule 6(1), I will now recognize the clock and report progress to our Speaker.
This House stands adjourned until Friday, March 1, at 9:00 a.m.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Pages 3539 – 3580
Opening Prayer 3539
Ministers’ Statements 3539
Members’ Statements 3542
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3547
Oral Questions 3547
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3563
Tabling of Documents 3563
Notices of Motions 3565
Second Reading of Bills 3565
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3567
Report of the Committee of the Whole 3579
Orders of the Day 3579
Friday, March 1, 2013 3539
233 – 3(3): QEC Obtains COR Accreditation (Ell) 3539
234 – 3(3): Iqaluit Students Attend Toronto Student Film Festival (Aariak) 3540
235 – 3(3): Inaugural Delivery of the “Nunavut Environmental Assessment Course” in Partnership between the Department of Environment and the Arctic College’s Environmental Technology Program (Arreak) 3540
236 – 3(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit (Arreak) 3541
237 – 3(3): 2013 Frozen Globe Awards (Taptuna) 3542
392 – 3(3): Safe Housing in Nunavut (Ningark) 3542
393 – 3(3): 2012 Frozen Globe Awards (Aupaluktuq) 3543
394 – 3(3): Sanikiluaq’s First Responders (Rumbolt) 3543
395 – 3(3): Appreciation to Interpreters (Tapardjuk) 3544
396 – 3(3): Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Recipients from Pangnirtung (Oshutapik) 3544
397 – 3(3): The Success of the Northern Youth Abroad Program (Elliott) 3545
398 – 3(3): Avataq Hockey Tournament (Kusugak) 3546
511 – 3(3): Conduct of Recent Municipal Elections (Aupaluktuq) 3547
512 – 3(3): Meeting with Nunavut MP (Schell) 3549
513 – 3(3): Exemptions in Official Languages Law (Tapardjuk) 3550
514 – 3(3): Medical Boarding Homes for Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay (Ningeongan) 3552
515 – 3(3): Liquor Regulation in Nunavut (Elliott) 3555
516 – 3(3): Problems with Mould in New Houses in Kugaaruk (Ningark) 3556
517 – 3(3): Marine Infrastructure in Chesterfield Inlet (Ningeongan) 3558
518 – 3(3): Status of Devolution Negotiations (Curley) 3561
312 – 3(3): Correspondence from Kugaaruk Education Authority (Ningark) 3563
313 – 3(3): Chronology of Exchanges between the Standing Committee on Legislation and the Minister of Justice Concerning Bill 32, An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act, and Bill 44, An Act to Amend the Justices of the Peace Act (Ningeongan) 3564
314 – 3(3): Nunavut Housing Corporation’s 2011-2012 Annual Report – Innovation in Action (Taptuna) 3564
315 – 3(3): Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Contracting and Procurement Activity Report for the Year Ended March 31, 2012 (Taptuna) 3564
316 – 3(3): Nunavut Housing Corporation’s 2013-2014 Projected Construction Report (Taptuna) 3564
317 – 3(3): Nunavut Minister of Justice – Nunavut RCMP Commanding Officer – Shared Directional Statement 2012-2014 (Shewchuk) 3564
318 – 3(3): Article from iPolitics Concerning Arctic Search and Rescue (Elliott) 3564
043 – 3(3): Extension of Review Period for Bill 40, Representative for Children and Youth Act – Notice 3565
Bill 47 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2012-2013 – Second Reading 3565
Bill 48 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2013-2014 – Second Reading 3565
Bill 51 – An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act – Second Reading 3566
Bill 53 – An Act to Amend the Medical Care Act – Second Reading 3566
Bill 55 – An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act – Second Reading 3566
Bill 49 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2013-2014 – Health – Consideration in Committee 3567
Speaker (Hon. Hunter Tootoo): Qujannamiik, Sergeant-at-Arms. Before we proceed with today’s sitting, I would like to ask Mr. Elliott to start us off with a prayer, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Elliott. (interpretation ends) We will move on with our orders of the day.
Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Minister Ell.
Minister’s Statement 233 – 3(3): QEC Obtains COR Accreditation (Ell)
I say “good morning” to the residents of Iqaluit East.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce that on January 8, 2013, the Qulliq Energy Corporation was awarded certificate of recognition accreditation after successfully passing an external audit of its safety program by the Northern Safety Association.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the Northern Safety Association is the only certifying body in the territories from which a certificate of recognition can be obtained and QEC is the first company in Nunavut to achieve this accreditation.
The certificate of recognition is an occupational health and safety program accreditation for industry employers aimed at reducing the human and financial costs associated with workplace incidents and injuries.
The Northern Safety Association is a Yellowknife-based operation funded by the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (WSCC).
Mr. Speaker, to achieve certificate of recognition accreditation, QEC has made significant improvements to the existing health and safety program.
To ensure QEC’s safety program is based on continuous improvement and to maintain the certificate of recognition accreditation, QEC shall undergo an [external] audit of the program every three years and must also successfully pass an internal audit of the entire health and safety program on an annual basis.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, QEC’s participation in the development and operation of the Certificate of Recognition program with the Northern Safety
Association and the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut will substantially contribute to reducing workplace accidents, ill health, and their associated costs both to QEC and, more importantly, to our employees and the public.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the health and safety team at the Qulliq Energy Corporation for all their hard work in this accomplishment.
Minister’s Statement 234 – 3(3): Iqaluit Students Attend Toronto Student Film Festival (Aariak)
I say “good morning” to all Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the Aqsarniit Film Club in Iqaluit is an inspiring example of how our younger generations are brining Nunavut to the rest of the world.
Twelve students from the Aqsarniit Film Club have produced eight short films and submitted them to the annual Toronto Student Film Festival competition.
The students and film club instructor Mark Caine will travel to Toronto for the screening of their films on Friday, April 26, at Innis Hall, University of Toronto.
Mr. Speaker, the Aqsarniit Film Club is an exceptional filmmaking education program offered after school for the last four years. The club helps students develop the skills needed for filmmaking. It exposes them to the wide variety of career opportunities in the film and television industry and broadens their understanding of the social issues that affect their culture, community, and environment.
In the past, students in the Aqsarniit Film Club have produced powerful films dealing with the issues of drug and alcohol abuse. This year, they have focused their filmmaking efforts on the subject of bullying.
They will be able to showcase their work at this important international film festival in Toronto thanks to the generous support of First Air, CISCO Canada, Virtual Researcher On Call, and the Iqaluit District Education Authority.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish the filmmakers from Aqsarniit Middle School in Iqaluit great success at the competition. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 235 – 3(3): Inaugural Delivery of the “Nunavut Environmental Assessment Course” in Partnership between the Department of Environment and the Arctic College’s Environmental Technology Program (Arreak)
I rise today to inform this House about how the Government of Nunavut is helping to prepare Nunavummiut to have a greater say in managing the development of our lands and resources, an important commitment that this government made in Tamapta, the Government of Nunavut’s action plan.
To do this, the Department of Environment has partnered with Nunavut Arctic College to deliver training and capacity building in environmental assessment.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut holds significant deposits of mineral, oil, and gas resources.
The development of these resources has the potential to bring investment and tax revenues, as well as jobs and business opportunities to Nunavut.
However, Mr. Speaker, large-scale development projects also bring significant social and environmental issues that Nunavut must address through the environmental assessment processes that were created under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
This year, the Department of Environment developed a brand-new course to train Nunavummiut on how decisions are made to allow companies to develop Nunavut’s resources.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that this month, the first group of students has completed the “Nunavut Environmental Assessment Course.”
This unique course is now part of the curriculum of the Nunavut Arctic Colleges’ flagship Environmental Technology Program, and will continue to prepare Nunavummiut to participate in the decisions that are being made for a wide range of new development projects being proposed in the territory.
Minister’s Statement 236 – 3(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit (Arreak)
I will put on a different hat. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize the 11 members appointed recently to the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
They will serve as an advisory on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit to the Government of Nunavut and its agencies.
The appointments are for three years
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to read the names of the appointed members:
Saul Qirngnirq - Gjoa Haven
Ovide Alakannuark - Kugaaruk
Annie Napayok - Whale Cove
Gamailee Kilukishak - Pond Inlet
Josephine Kublu - Igloolik
Daniel Qattalik - Igloolik
Okpik Pitseolak - Iqaluit
Martha Michael - Iqaluit
Martha Tikivik - Iqaluit
Adamie Veevee - Pangnirtung
Levi Evic - Pangnirtung
Mr. Speaker, I am looking forward to receiving recommendations, advice, and support from the new Katimajiit.
Their work will contribute to the implementation of Inuit societal values and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit within all aspects of the Government of Nunavut operations and its public agencies.
Minister’s Statement 237 – 3(3): 2013 Frozen Globe Awards (Taptuna)
Ullaakkut, colleagues, Nunavummiut, and Kuglukturmiut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to the Nunavut businesses which were honoured at the inaugural Frozen Globe Awards ceremony held in Yellowknife on February 21.
Al and Joyce Lahure of Baker Lake Contracting and Supplies came home with the Best Nunavut Entrepreneur Award, and Dr. Leia Cunningham’s NunaVet Animal Hospital won the Business on the Rise Award.
Organized by Up Here Business, the Frozen Globe Awards recognize northern businesses and entrepreneurs for achieving excellence in their industry.
The development of our business sector goes hand in hand with the development of our economy and improving standards of living.
So it is important that we continue to recognize innovative businesses who offer competitive goods and services in Nunavut’s communities.
The next Frozen Globe Awards ceremony will be held in Whitehorse in 2014, and we can look forward to Iqaluit hosting the awards ceremony in 2015.
Member’s Statement 392 – 3(3): Safe Housing in Nunavut (Ningark)
I rise today to speak about the importance of safe housing in our communities.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, many of our constituents live in public housing units. I have been a strong supporter of the government’s efforts to obtain additional federal funding with which to construct much needed new public housing units in Nunavut.
However, Mr. Speaker, we need to be realistic and recognize that our housing shortage will not be solved overnight.
In the meantime, it is important that we make every effort to ensure that the homes in which our constituents presently live are safe and in good condition.
Mr. Speaker, it is a well-known fact that mould in homes can contribute to significant health problems.
A number of my constituents have raised concerns that their units, including ones that were constructed relatively recently, are suffering from such problems as mould.
Mr. Speaker, I call on the Nunavut Housing Corporation to make every effort to ensure that our public housing stock is in good condition and that such issues as mould are addressed as a matter of priority.
Member’s Statement 393 – 3(3): 2012 Frozen Globe Awards (Aupaluktuq)
Along the lines of my colleague, Minister Taptuna, I rise today to congratulate Nunavut’s winners of the 2012 Frozen Globe Awards.
Mr. Speaker, the Frozen Globe Awards is organized by Up Here Business magazine.
Its partners include the three territorial governments.
The gala awards ceremony was held in Yellowknife, as indicated, in late February.
Mr. Speaker, three dynamic businesses were recognized in the category of “Nunavut Entrepreneur of the Year.”
The winners were Al and Joyce Lahure of Baker Lake, who own Baker Lake Contracting and Supplies Ltd. The Lahures are well-respected residents of Baker Lake who have been in business for many years.
Mr. Speaker, the other Nunavummiut who were recognized in this category were John Hickes and Page Burt of Rankin Inlet, who own and operate Nanuq Lodge, as well as Sandi Gillis of Cambridge Bay, who owns and operates Qillaq Innovations.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, I have spoken in this House on a number of occasions about the importance of a dynamic and healthy business sector in Nunavut.
The businesses that were recognized at the Frozen Globe Awards are all excellent examples of locally owned and operated enterprises.
The entrepreneurial spirit demonstrated by these companies is complemented by their commitment to being fully a part of the communities in which they operate.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in congratulating Nunavut’s winners of the 2012 Frozen Globe Awards.
Member’s Statement 394 – 3(3): Sanikiluaq’s First Responders (Rumbolt)
I rise today to pay tribute to Sanikiluaq’s first responders.
Mr. Speaker, as the House is aware, a tragic incident occurred in Sanikiluaq shortly before Christmas when a Perimeter Aviation flight from Winnipeg crashed on approach to the community.
Mr. Speaker, a young infant died in this incident.
I know that you and other members join me in extending our sympathies to the family.
Mr. Speaker, the community’s response to this incident was inspiring. I want to express my appreciation to the municipality, the local search and rescue committee, the RCMP, the health centre staff, the Canadian Rangers, airport staff, housing association staff, local businesses, and community volunteers who worked quickly and tirelessly in the aftermath of this incident.
Mr. Speaker, officials from the federal Transportation Safety Board arrived in Sanikiluaq shortly after the incident occurred.
I am confident that the investigation into the incident will be comprehensive and that recommendations will come forward to help improve aviation safety in and around Sanikiluaq.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in paying tribute to Sanikiluaq’s first responders.
Member’s Statement 395 – 3(3): Appreciation to Interpreters (Tapardjuk)
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good morning” to my constituents, especially those in Hall Beach, as they were finally able to watch the proceedings via television the day before yesterday.
Mr. Speaker, the reason why I rise today is to identify and to extend my gratitude, as well as to recognize the interpreters here in Nunavut, including the translators who provide language interpretation into the other languages.
We tend not to recognize the interpreters who go through some very hard training and who connect unilingual people. The interpreters manage to connect these people.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, we were informed by the Minister for Languages, my Annuraaqatik, that the Official Languages Act will come into force on April 1.
I’m assuming our interpreter/translators will have a lot more duties to perform to ensure that the people of Nunavut understand the laws.
Mr. Speaker, right now, our current interpreters in this House are legal interpreters and they also interpret at other meetings.
I want your support to thank and recognize the interpreters.
I thank the interpreters.
Member’s Statement 396 – 3(3): Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Recipients from Pangnirtung (Oshutapik)
Good morning to my fellow residents in Pangnirtung and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to thank my fellow MLAs.
I also rise today to recognize my constituents in Pangnirtung, the three recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. In Canada, we have a sovereign queen. They were proud of their achievements and also for the work they performed to be recognized for the medal.