EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
However, the partnership and cooperation seems to lack within the Nunavut Government itself, or the department.
Coral Harbour, last year tried to get funding from the Department of Education through the assistance of Arctic College to have the Manitoba College run a welding course in Coral Harbour, so that the students don’t have to leave to Fort Smith or elsewhere and the instructor would have been brought in.
The answer was that we run those kinds of courses as Nunavut Arctic College somewhere else.
It may be in Fort Smith or elsewhere, so we can’t approve you having a partnership with the Manitoba College to carry on your local welding course.
There may be other examples of lack of cooperation from other departments and agencies that could have been very easily dealt with a bit of imagination.
We don’t blame you as a government, or Nunavut Arctic College but sometimes they don’t have the readily available expertise.
I think from the Minister’s budget address, that in the future we will be a little bit more open, and have a little more initiative in trying to get more post-secondary training and technical training for all Nunavummiut.
Member’s Statement 392 – 1(6): Explanation of Questions during Question Period
I would like to explain a little bit about the questions that I ask the Ministers.
It seems like questions that I ask of the Ministers are long-winded, so if I could explain that sometimes when I ask a question, I try to explain the situation properly to ensure that my questions are understood.
If not, we will move onto Item 5.
Member’s Statement 393 – 1(6): Past Incidents in Repulse Bay
I would like to thank you for allowing me to make my Members' Statement and I will talk about my constituents of Repulse Bay.
There was an event that happened that was very hard for the people of Repulse Bay.
I would like to help them because they are my constituents.
Here are the things that happened to the people of Repulse Bay.
The hamlet office as well as the community hall burnt down on December 24, 2002.
They also had an incident where the telephone communications were down shortly after that.
Also, they had a power outage afterwards and they had to go through hardship for a while.
They have rectified those problems that they had a little while ago in Repulse Bay and I would like to say that it is very encouraging that they are in a better position now.
Member Statements. Are there any further Member Statements?
Member’s Statement 394 – 1(6): Presentation of Kamiks
You gave me the liberty in my role as a Finance Minister as well, but I am using the Member’s Statements forum because Members do not get an opportunity to see the media lock up that happens with Finance Ministers.
And the presentation of the kamiks, which took place earlier, I asked for Members, before it is reported, I asked the eldest Member of our legislature, Mr. Alakannuark to find a pair of kamiks from Repulse Bay and because we used kamiks this time has double the significance.
Mr. Speaker, first of all there has never been any kamiks used from the Kivalliq, second of all, Repulse Bay, as you know, is a non-decentralized community.
And as well, they had the tragedy with the loss of their hamlet complex there.
So, in recognition of rebuilding in Repulse Bay, that is why I chose it and asked Mr. Alakannuark to assist me.
As well, Mr. Speaker, when it was learned that I was looking for a pair of used kamiks, our Commissioner, Peter Irniq offered a pair of his and of course, we graciously accepted that.
And he said to me, Mr. Irniq said that this was another Inuit custom of helping out somebody else and borrowing and sharing and so that is why he offered it, but I think that was symbolic.
And as well, Mr. Speaker, this year, we did something different as well in that recognizing the future, our youth that we have all talked about, I asked a young lady to present a boutonniere to myself as part of the media celebration.
And that was Ms. Amy Alainga, who I believe is about five years old, six years old, I could be corrected, but anyways, a young lady that represents the future of our territory also participated in the ceremony.
So, I just wanted to let Members be aware of that.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Ng. Members’ Statements. Ms. Thompson.
Member’s Statement 395 – 1(6): Thanks the Minister of Finance for Hard Work
The Minister of Finance presented our last Budget Address and was very welcoming for the people of Nunavut and I would like to also say that it has been a trying time for the 19 of us and we have accomplished a lot for a young territory.
I would like to thank the Minister of Finance for the careful planning of our budget that we have used during our term in our office.
And for it to continue for the next Assembly, to continue properly and I would like to also say thank you for giving us information about the new health facility that is going to be built in Rankin Inlet.
As you know, they need to have people trained and employed and that should be happening when the construction begins.
I would also like to state that in Chesterfield Inlet and in Whale Cove, especially in Whale Cove, we did not have a RCMP station there and they have been requesting the RCMP to be stationed over there for quite a while and their accommodation is being built right now and I would like to say that I greatly appreciate that as well.
And also, thank you very much to the Finance Minister.
They should have all of their roses today.
Speaker: Member Statements.
Item 5: Returns to Oral Questions.
Item 6: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to welcome to the gallery, one person who needs no introduction to the Members in this House; she is Ms. Anne Hanson.
Anne has been working tremendously on a lot of issues over the last few years.
She was the former Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories.
Anne has been working on an IMAX Film that many Members have heard about.
I just had a short discussion with her on that film.
She’s still looking forward and awaiting some news from myself, as her Member of the Legislative Assembly on how that will proceed.
I would also like to add very quickly Mr. Speaker, an introduction to Anne.
She gave a very good book to read on the issue concerning suicide, which we will have an opportunity to talk about again this afternoon.
Mr. Speaker, people like Anne are the people who are in the constituency that I have an opportunity to talk to and take advice from.
Also, in that vein, there is a good man here who’s represented people here for many years.
I met him first as the principal in Cape Dorset about 15 years ago.
He’s now the president and leader of the Nunavut Employees Union.
I am sure he’s here for budget day.
His name is Mr. Doug Workman.
Next to Doug, Mr. Speaker, is Lootie Toomasi, the good mayor from Qikiqtarjuaq.
There is another man, Mr. Rick Lefevre who is now a constituent of mine in Iqaluit.
He used to live in Tundra Valley, he and his good wife.
They’ve moved to Iqaluit. Mr. Lefevre is the facilitator for First Air, known by many of the Members here.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome those individuals to the gallery today.
I would like to recognize my grandson in Clyde River and some people named Iqaqrialu after my father and as well Lootie Toomasi from Broughton Island but now living in Iqaluit.
Members before we continue onto the next item, we will take a twenty-minute break and then return.
>>House recessed at 14:48 p.m. and resumed at 15:14 p.m.
Speaker: Orders of the day.
Question 389 – 1(6): Presentation of Kamiks to Finance Minister
I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for the Department of Finance.
First of all, I would like to extend my gratitude that he mentioned Pond Inlet in his Budget Address and he spoke about, in his Member’s Statement, a little girl and of Mr. Alakannuark presenting him with kamiks and a little rose.
The audience in the public land out there wanted to see what kind of kamiks he’s wearing, so I was wondering if he is able to show the kamiks he’s wearing.
I am sure on the way out Mr. Ng would be more than pleased to show his kamiks.
Question 390 – 1(6): Update on Dogs Destroyed by the Federal Government
I hear that he’s wearing black kamiks with no fur, made of sealskin.
I don’t know what you call it.
I have a question for the Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs to the Premier. Mr. Irqittuq along with Mr. Iqaqrialu as well and myself have made statements in regards to the dog teams being killed off by the Federal Government.
After mentioning these incidents, to date, can he update me on whether they are doing any studies along with the Federal Government?
We have not been asked to date.
The Inuit organizations have not asked us for any support but we are willing to assist them if they ask.
What I am trying to consider, I know that this is going to be a long task to deal with and it is a very old issue.
It seems like they extinguished the lives of Inuit.
Even when Inuit hunters came from the camps, when they went to the settlements, the officials would kill the dogs.
I was wondering if the Minister was willing to create a commission.
For example, using long time political people such as John Amagoalik in the commission, along with lawyers, so I ask whether they can come up with a commission for that?
Yes, I can look into that but it is the Inuit organizations that took on that responsibility and they took the lead on that issue.
We will have to be very sensitive to their requests, so therefore, we will have to speak with the Inuit entities first and if they can complete their proposals, even though we are not involved with them, we have to work closely with them, so therefore I can’t say whether we will or not.
Our friend who was involved, Alan Angmalik, who has passed away and since he passed away, I don’t know if Inuit organizations are working hard to this effect.
I was wondering if the Premier can speak with the Inuit organizations to make sure that this is fast tracked.
Mr. Speaker, my question is, that the individual's whose dog teams were killed off are now elders and their dogs were slaughtered.
I am sure that they do not have many years to live. I was wondering if this issue can be completed before these individuals die off?
So, I was wondering if the Premier can speak with the Inuit organizations whether Government of Nunavut and Inuit organizations can work together to lobby the Federal Government.
Yes, we can look into the Inuit organizations and ask them if they need support and assistance in their endeavours.
I know that this has an impact on everyone’s family such as mine and there was a negative impact with the slaughtering of the dogs.
I think every person is equally, negatively impacted by this because the individuals we deal with, are the individuals who have been hurt by the slaughtering of the dogs.
And also, we deal with Chesterfield Inlet boarding school, residential school students and also, there were other incidents that Inuit people experienced.
I think this is one of the last issues that have yet to be reconciled.
So, I was wondering when he will be able to deal with this.
Yes, I can write a letter to the entities that are responsible and individuals because yes, we have been dealing with different issues such as relocation of the graves in Hall Beach.
For those kinds of incidents, yes, we will be able to work on these issues and as the Nunavut Government, we can lobby the Federal Government to complete this by working together with the Inuit entities.
Speaker: Oral Questions, Mr. Puqiqnak.
Question 391 – 1(6): Furniture and Supplies for Taloyoak Drop-In Centre
I would like to direct my question to the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth Minister.
In my riding in Taloyoak, there is a drop-in center, which is owned by a private business.
And as Nunavummiut, especially when we start our businesses privately, we do not have all of the equity to start up a business in Taloyoak, and this center will be used by the youth.
I was wondering if the Department can give support to buy furniture and supplies since that unit is going to be used by the youth.
So, I was wondering if the Minister can look into if they can purchase furniture and supplies for that drop-in center.
I can respond by using either portfolio that I hold and in regards to the Small Business Initiative of the Department Sustainable Development, they can be given $5,000 grant as a start up initiative and we can use that program in this instance.
And secondly, for the portfolio of Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, the program that is geared more towards Heritage and Culture, so in regards to your question, it could provide initiative program through the Department of Sustainable Development so that we can look at how we can provide more support to private businesses.
We should be sensitive to the needs of the Taloyoak Hamlet Council because they, in turn, have been very sensitive to their youth by providing assistance and support even though the hamlet itself is in a deficit situation.
They have provided the unit to the youth.
They have paid for six months heating fuel for that place.
Even though they have paid for six months heating fuel, on top of that, they need one thousand dollars for the operations of the unit.
Even though they are in a deficit situation, they have provided funding because they are in support of that program.
I believe that your department is responsible for giving support and assistance to the private businesses.
I was wondering if you can look into the Youth Drop-in Centre in Taloyoak to find out how you can give better assistance and support to the hamlet council there.
I will direct my officials to work with the community to look into how they can give further assistance and support to private businesses.
As a Government, one of our priorities is to give assistance to the private businesses, especially to the non-decentralized communities.
I could work with the Member along with my officials working closely with the community.
Question 392 – 1(6): Funding Allocations for the HTOs
I would like to direct my question to the Department of Sustainable Development in regards to core funding for Hunters and Trappers Organizations in our region.
I would like to ask the Minister because of the fact that each community has different core funding for their own organizations.
What I would like to ask him is how does the budget work?
How does he allocate the funding for each local HTO?
How does he come up with the total of that funding that he allocates to local HTO’s in our region?
That is a very excellent question from the Member for Kugluktuk; I will try to respond accordingly.
There has not been much change to the monies that are given to the Hunters and Trappers Organizations from our department.
We will be dealing with the budget in the coming weeks.
The monies are given from our department for the operations of Hunters and Trappers Organizations.
What is starting to happen is that the monies are given to the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, and then reallocated to the Nunavut HTO’s.
I am sure that we have not completed the negotiations for the funding that the NWMB receive from the Federal Government.
But I will have discussions to see how we can increase the amount of dollars that are received for the Hunters and Trappers Organizations.
We do all we can to provide adequate funding to the local Hunters and Trappers Organizations and we will see what we can do to increase the amount of dollars through discussions with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.
Maybe I did not make myself quite clear but I appreciate your response.
I am glad of your recognition that the funding allocated to the Hunters and Trappers Organization is very small and although they try to operate with this funding, it is never enough.
Do you know exactly how much each community gets?
For example, for administration, their employees and for maintenance, operations and so on, do you know how much money they use for maintenance and administration?
Like I said earlier, each community has different operational requirements and business plans.
This is the question I am asking.
What I am trying to ask is if you know how much a community gets in order to operate their organization?
We are aware that the communities have different requirements and that the Hunters and Trappers Organizations get a varying amount of dollars.
We give approximately 300 thousand dollars from the Federal Government that is channelled through Nunavut Wildlife Management Board to contribute to the HTOs.
In regards to your question, concerning the amount of dollars that each community receives from the government coffers, I can say that the three hundred thousand dollars received from the Nunavut Government is then given to the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, who allocate it to the rest of the communities.
I will be able to answer in greater detail when I am reviewing the figures of the main estimates with you.
I estimate they get 10 thousand dollars plus, based on the previous allocations, that were allocated per Nunavut community.
The money is channelled through the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and allocated to the communities.
I just want to clarify from the Minister.
The question I am asking, regarding the community of Kugluktuk, do you know how much money is allocated for operations and maintenance in the Hunters and Trappers Organization, so that we have an idea how much they get allocated?
Perhaps, there is only one person working in that office and the money is not enough to operate for the Hunters and Trappers Organization in that community.
In order for them to review the numerous land use applications with a very limited amount of money to operate with, they have had to be creative.
They cannot hire any more staff.
I would like to see funding increased so that they can use money for their operations.
Mr. Havioyak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe I will say it in English As I stated earlier on my statement, the HTO’s that do not have enough funding to operate, only the examples are used in that statement, was that the HTO has the responsibilities to review these land use applications.
And at that office in Kugluktuk, I am using Kugluktuk as an example, in Kugluktuk they have piles of land use applications that they have to review so they could have their input before the land use application is usually approved.
So, I am just saying, I mean, the HTO’s will not have enough funding to hire the staff to review these applications.
Can the Minister find ways to assist that community to increase funding to hire the individual HTO?
I could do a review and see where we can give further support to the Hunters and Trappers Organizations.
We are doing all we can to assist the local Hunters and Trappers Organizations.
Mr. Havioyak: I am glad you are trying to keep up as to what the HTO needs are in each community.
All I am saying is: can you review and also have information as to where the levels of funding are for each HTO in Nunavut?
Just pointing information to the Members that when the RCMP Job Placements are difficult for the Minister to have that type of detail and it may be better asked through a written question and that way, your question will be fully answered and the Minister will be able to provide details.
Minister Akesuk, do you want to provide some information?
The local Hunters and Trappers Organizations finances can be made available only if the local Hunters and Trappers Organizations release them.
It would be up to the communities to release that information, but they are channelled through other organizations before they are given to the communities.
Speaker: Oral Questions, Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Question 393 – 1(6): Provide Information on New Rent Scales
I was not expecting my turn so fast.
Mr. Speaker, I have a question to the Minister responsible for Nunavut Housing Corporation.
At the Housing Task Force, we made a few recommendations in January 2001, I believe it was, but as a committee, there has been no improvement to what was expected by the tenants in Clyde River.
In fact, I’ve heard the situation has deteriorated.
Is it possible to see what kind of work plans or revised rent scales you have implemented so that my community will know what the new rent scales are going to be?
Mr. Speaker, there was confirmation in every community in my understanding, during and before the implementation of the new rent scale.
That has not happened in Clyde River, certainly, we will make sure that it does, but it is my understanding that it has been carried out throughout Nunavut.
In regards to the consultation tour that took place, is it possible to come up with the recommendations you heard from the communities?
Mr. Speaker, I would have to see what information is available, but there were representatives of every single housing authority that took part in workshops, various workshops on more than one occasion as the rent scale was put into place and developed.
But I will check on that to see what information is available and particularly, what is available as a result of the tour recommendations of his community.
I would like to thank the Minister responsible for his appropriate response.
If the housing task force made recommendations and we have a new rent scale that we are not supposed to have, then something is wrong.
This was the form that was given to us by the Housing Corporation.
It is written only in English.
The form was given to me but I was not sure how to fill it out.
This is a copy coming from my community.
It asks me about my income, the number of people and I do not know exactly what is in there because it is all in English.
I do not understand this letter, although it is addressed to me.
Is it possible to have it translated into Inuktitut?
Mr. Speaker, I am sure that it is available in Inuktitut.
Maybe the Member is not getting all the correct documentation but I will make a commitment to find it and provide it to the Member.
Question 394 – 1(6): Processing of Power Bills
Mr. Speaker, this question is for the Minister of the Nunavut Power Corporation.
I was asked to find out about utility rates and the payment centres, which I believe are the Northern Stores and other entities being used as payment centres.
I would like to know what the process is to have these bills paid.
Some individuals who paid their previous bill have had the same amount charged again on the current invoices.
Usually they are considered as delinquent accounts even though they have made a payment, the Power Corporation then sends them a notice to cut off their power.
How can we ensure that there are no improprieties in this process, Mr. Minister?
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Member’s question in this form.
Over the last six months maybe, my office has had many phone calls and letters from irate customers concerning the billing of their power bill.
The Member is correct, there has been a delay in the processing of different invoices dealt with by the Power Corporation and indeed, Mr. Speaker, and there is a lag of about thirty to sixty days on their bills.
What the Power Corporation has done, Mr. Speaker, is acknowledge that concern so that for example when you receive your bill today, the meter reading is not for that month.
Of course it is for a previous month, it could be up to forty-five days before that date of billing.
There are no notices sent to people to pay their bills within a two month or three month delinquency.
What has occurred, Mr. Speaker, is that in each community where we have a Power Corporation Office, or for example in the regional centres we have an Agency Office.
They contact the customers to see what the arrears or the delinquency on the account is.
In many cases, Mr. Speaker, when you go to pay your bill, the agency, whether it is Northern Stores, or one of the Corporation’s own agency, they give you back to the receipt where you paid.
If you fax that to the Agency Office, or demonstrate that to your local Power Corporation Office, then that notification is put on your bill.
The concern has been, Mr. Speaker, that when the bill, as the Member has just said, when it comes out indicating arrears or that even though you have paid the previous month, the bill is still picked up on that.