EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
This recent Wildlife Officer’s conference what the process of bringing in all the Wildlife Officers and getting their input; without their input, even our department is going to have no basis to start reviewing the community consultations accordingly.
From there, next year’s budget which is incorporated here, is going to train them once. The drafts are available to everyone and circulated.
Right now you are absolutely right; it is just a training document.
Last year was to bring them in for input, this year it will be, hopefully, to roll out.
But if it is not provided in terms of a final document then there will be other training.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. You seem to have a vision even before the regulations come up.
Mr. Curley, you will be able to ask later on.
In line with my colleague’s question, they were very good questions because even before it was made public we sort of knew.
I wonder if the minister can tell as to how many people were involved in making the regulations.
I mentioned that Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the government have been working together on the drafting of the regulations.
Very likely the RWOs are going to be involved during the discussions of the draft regulations.
At this time they are just drafts so the HTOs and the RWOs are going to have their input in it.
Once it’s completed, it will be given to the Members of the Legislative Assembly for your input.
We have been working on these draft issues since 2001.
We are currently working on it still and it is progressing very well.
In the coming months to make sure that the regulations are made in Nunavut.
I can only say that Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board have been full participants of the drafting of the regulations following the NOC.
Chairman: Mr. Mapsalak.
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you.
It doesn’t seem like we have very many Inuit involved in the drafting of these regulations and it seems that there’s quite a number of quotas established.
It seems like all the decisions that are pending are based on the regulations.
The other question I have is in 2005/06, and if I am off topic Mr. Chairman, you can stop me.
In regards to the field service officers, they were trained in 2005/06, and once they have completed their training, which communities are they going to be based in?
They will maybe be based in the 26 communities.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Joe Tigullaraq has been involved through the whole process since the beginning and he is representing the Government of Nunavut.
For the next three years, we are going to be training three Inuit as wildlife officers.
We are looking at three more and we have not decided which communities those wildlife officers will be based in.
Once the budget has been approved then we will decide what course of action to take.
In my opening comments, the office in Igloolik doesn’t have the number of wildlife officers that it should have.
What’s your target date to have every position filled?
The laboratory in Igloolik is quite old.
Over this year if it goes accordingly, we will definitely have to do renovations on the existing laboratory before we can fill those positions.
Mr. Awa can supplement my response.
Chairman: Mr. Awa.
Just to supplement the minister’s comments, the laboratory is quite old.
It’s a big mushroom shaped building and the insulation, of course, since it’s very old has to be changed.
The federal government has been looking for some individuals who can dismantle or renovate it, but maybe due to safety issues, they can’t find anyone to dismantle or to renovate the building.
Once the renovations are complete, then we’ll start advertising the positions according to housing availability. Once the renovations are complete, we’ll look at filling the research positions to be based in Igloolik.
Because you are waiting for the renovations for the building, is it putting the project behind?
We are currently using a laboratory and researchers from the south.
We’re looking at basing them in Igloolik or in Nunavut but marine specimens are being done by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
First of all, I have a question.
Could the Minister tell us how many people are sitting on the working group.
I can’t give you a number but we’re looking at approximately 6 or 8.
I think there are two from Nunavut Tunngavik INcorporated, two from the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and two from the Government of Nunavut and I believe two more positions for lawyers.
I think there are about 8 sitting on the working group who are drafting up the regulations.
Well, I heard that the two representing the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated can’t say much.
They are given the draft for review but they don’t have much input.
I would like to ask you, it seems like there is constant opposition to the draft regulations but then again they’re the ones who are sitting on the working group.
Are they doing something they don’t like to do or what’s happening over there?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): We’re trying to draft the best regulations that we can.
They have been working diligently as a group and usually there is correspondence going on between the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.
To date, we have draft regulations and nothing would go forward if there was no agreement between the parties.
After there is an agreement between the parties, they will start consulting with the organizations out there in the communities.
If they didn’t come to an agreement, then there would be no community consultations.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): We’re going to be having our next session on April 26th and you stated earlier that prior to that date there would be an agreement between the parities and you would be able to go to the communities for consultation, but we hear that there is disagreements between the parties on the wording of the draft regulations.
Do you think that April 26 is a realistic date to table the draft regulations in the House?
We’ll definitely have to go forward.
If they don’t like it then they’ll let us know.
Of course, you can’t please everybody at the same time.
You can’t please all of Nunavummiut all at the same time.
If the majority likes the draft regulations, then we’ll go ahead.
As I stated earlier, we want to start our consulting tours next month and we will want to give a copy of those regulations to the communities.
Just to go ahead.
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated because they represent all the beneficiaries of Nunavut, and the Government of Nunavut representing the people and Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, even if all these parties agree, and you probably heard and I heard that if there is anybody who disagrees from the general public, and who will be going to the public meeting that you are going to hold.
They are going to make comments that are from their own opinion.
Are there are going to be any independent representation?
I don’t know but when we are going to the communities they will have their own independent opinions and they will participate in the debates.
We don’t want to base anything on heresay or anything because of course it is hard to respond to anything like that.
I am sure that the communities will voice their independent opinions, but I don’t know of anybody who will be following us around as an independent lobbyer.
Since CBC is the major media up here, are they going to be involved in the community tours?
Are you going to be extending an invitation to follow the tours?
I would be up to the CBC.
If they want to participate and because they are an independent body it is up to them.
We are going to be open.
It is a consultation tour.
If they want to participate and because they are an independent body, it is up to them.
You would welcome the media, right?
Yes I would because they’re the only ones that disseminates the information and the news around our region.
The main question that I wanted to ask you is in regards to the draft regulations.
First of all, to catch up on the issue of caribou.
These regulations are for the general public.
Its for the general public, whether they are beneficiaries because they have every right to harvest the caribou.
The Member for Rankin Inlet North stated that anybody can harvest up to the maximum of five caribou every day.
With that clause does it apply to the sports hunts that have to have guides that are approved by the HTOs, or are we talking about any Nunavummiut of the general public?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): I can’t really respond to that question because I don’t even have a copy of the draft and we can’t discuss it in the House when it’s just in draft form.
I could respond to you after I have looked at it.
Perhaps during the end of the April Session, perhaps we will be able to read the draft at that time and we will have to get used to the draft and we should get the copy of the draft two weeks prior to our Session so that we can at least discuss that matter in the House.
Perhaps two weeks before our actual Session if you could provide us with the draft regulations.
Once it’s completed, then I will provide it; as I stated earlier on last week that I would provide that information to the regular members in my minister’s statement.
Once it’s completed, I will provide you with the information.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Then I will save my voice until then. Thank you.
I would like to ask a question in regards to the research.
I stated in my general comments that I do have a concern in regards to doing research on environment in Nunavut. We lack a laboratory in Nunavut.
Perhaps the laboratory in Iglulik that we heard mentioned of earlier on; is that the only laboratory available in Nunavut?
We are still working on that laboratory and we do have a Nunavut Research Institute that is utilized, but the laboratory such as university labs, we also utilize those university labs.
Yes, we are quite concerned about the pollution coming up by air to the north and it can become a concern of the international countries.
In the past, there were some studies done and we noticed that the snow is different.
After there was a snowfall, we realized and noticed the difference in the snow when the snow is polluted and when you see the polluted snow that just fell, you can really notice the difference between the clean snow and the polluted snow.
Once we get snow samples, where can we send them out because are quite concerned about those or such issues like that?
The HTB wildlife officers in the community level, we would urge the community to work closely with the renewable resource officer of whether they have a concern or if they observe something strange or if they observe something really odd.
I would urge the members to work closely with the renewable resource officers then they can make a decision as to what next comes on.
Yes, the pollution is becoming so evident in the north and we are becoming concerned about that.
As my colleague stated earlier on, as Members of the Legislature have not seen the draft regulations and I would like to ask the Minister for a copy of the draft regulations as soon as possible because the Inuit harvesting methods or the use of traditional harvesting should be approved.
Therefore, I truly believe that I have to see the draft and I’m sure that there is going to be high interest out there by Inuit for the use of traditional hunting methods and technology and I do want to get a copy of the draft regulations.
Chairman (interpretation): That was a comment.
We’re on page I-5.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) I want to follow up on what Mr. Jarett said to the committee that without the support of the Wildlife Officers, our regulations cannot become a reality.
Is that in the Act?
I’ll let Mr. Jarett answer the question.
Mr. Jarett: I don’t know what’s in the Act.
All I know is that our input from the department is, first of all, with our community representatives, which are the wildlife officers.
The only way we can get the voices from the community input is by listening to those avenues.
I’m a little amazed over the new reality that the only way to get wildlife regulations, or concerned input is through the wildlife officer.
Mr. Jarett knows very well that there are a whole slew of communities that don’t have wildlife officers.
So, without a wildlife officer in the community, if they’re the only means of getting your concerns raised, that’s news to me.
I really believe that if the draft regulations are being proposed, discussed, considered and approved or changed without the Minister ever seeing them, can we propose new proposed regulations even through here without the Minister first having seen them.
Mr. Jarett: No.
Nothing will be proposed or anything any further unless the Minister sees it and introduces it to his colleagues.
The fact is the Minister indicated earlier that he has never seen the draft regulations.
That is really an abdication of responsibility because the Act is quite clear that the Minister shall, the Minister will this and the Minister etc.
Without the authorization or recommendations from the Minister, public hearings or input cannot be done.
Maybe that is why we couldn’t see these draft regulations because there is nothing secret if the wildlife officers can take a good look at it and propose changes to it, why couldn’t I see the draft first even prior to the Minister reading it.
I should be able to see that proposal.
Chairman: Mr. Akesuk, would you like to answer?
It is not just the government who is working on this document.
Like I said earlier, the document has to be approved by the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., because we’re working together and without them agreeing to release the draft document, I can’t release it until they release the draft, then I can release it and it’s released to me too at the same time.
The working group is working very hard together to make sure the draft document respects both government’s position and also the position of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc and the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.
So the fact is that until Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and the government have agreed to release the document, that’s when we could release it.
It will be a public document after that.
I just can’t hand it out to the regular members or to anybody in fact without the government and the two organizations agreeing on the document.
Chairman: I guess especially of you, I have never seen it like that.
Mr. Curley: I believe I am not 100 percent sure that there’s a particular clause in the legislation that says the documents or regulations have to be approved by either public bodies.
I am very surprised to see that provision.
I need the minister to be very clear of whether or not, in fact, that’s in the legislation.
I do believe the minister has a right to consult with the public; I am sure that’s in the Act, but the Act normally doesn’t give any other public body a similar right for approvals that only applies with the minister.
So I need that information because I don’t want Mr. Jarrett nor the minister to mislead this House.
So could you clarify of whether or not the Act allows the public body like Nunavut Wildlife Management Board approval of that regulation before it can be tabled?
I really believe it’s at your discretion to release that information, if you can release it to the public bodies, you can release it to this House.
There’s nothing preventing you from doing that.
Why don’t you want to do that?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: I think it’s important that we respect each other and our mandate as a government is to work with Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and whoever is in the body, too, to make sure that we have something that we could work together and to make sure that we don’t mislead the people in Nunavut that we are not working together.
I believe it’s the best message right now is to make sure that we work closely with them.
I am asking the minister to get the facts right because I don’t want to appear to be misleading the public because they are watching some of it; that the Act allows that it’s at your discretion that you can release it to anyone you want it to be released, whether it’s a consultant, if you can release it to the public officials who are being paid by this government, an opportunity to review and recommend changes, I believe there’s nothing preventing the minister from releasing that document.
I believe you are wrong when you say Nunavut Wildlife Management Board must have the approval.
I don’t believe that’s in the Act, I think your interpretation is separate from the law that public bodies like Nunavut Wildlife Management Board must have a prior approval.
There’s no such thing.
Could that be clarified so that we have the actual wording of the Act and also if the minister wanted to work with him, the best thing he should do is to consult with it now and release the draft regulation.
That would indicate the minister is willing to work with us.
It’s important that there’s a protocol that was written down in Clyde River and we are trying to respect those to make sure that we work closely with Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, and I certainly could release the draft document when it’s ready.
I don’t think it’s ready right now.
There are translations to do and once the document is ready, as I stated in my minister’s statement, that we are going to release the draft document once it’s ready and we are planning to do that.
I think it’s important that we respect the protocols that have been dealt with in the past within Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and the government, and I think that’s what we should do is to make sure that we work closely with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.
I don’t have any problem with any other non-binding statements at the previous gathering or any other, I think it’s all great that we shall work together, but if you want us to work together we have to know exactly what we are dealing with.
I have heard from many of the beneficiary groups that they are really quite worried because they feel now that some of their rights that they have negotiated under the, particularly the sustainability and some of the, if they are going to be dispersed and give the rights to non-Inuit without the basis or facts whether or not the increases are needed.
If they need to be increased, and I believe they should be still on the quota system instead of the wide open proposal.
If the wildlife officers of the government have already taken a good look at them, I amazed that even the public officials, elected representatives cannot even have a copy of the draft regulations.
What is more important than the wildlife officers than the members of the Legislative Assembly?
The draft regulations are still in drafts.
Once the draft is done, like I said, when the drafting is finished, before the consultations, we’ll make sure you get the document.
I don’t think the Wildlife Officers had a chance to go through the draft document because it is not ready.
It is just an input of how we are going to deal with the consultation and how the wildlife officers would be accessed, or be helpful to the community, when the draft is ready.
No, we can’t release the draft until it is finished by the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
The wildlife officers haven’t even had a chance to see them.
I think my deputy might want to add to the question.
Mr. Awa (interpretation): Just to add to the minister’s response.
The Committee that was looking into the regulations they had to be finished before December.
We wanted them to do the community consultations in January.
During the fall and up to date some of the regulations could not be agreed to.
They have not been completed yet.
I have taken a look at them unfinished, some of the wording was not included, and so they are not complete yet, so we were not ready to provide them to this House.
Two weeks ago, I had a meeting with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and Nunavut Wildlife Management Board some of the disagreements were discussed and we have done a great deal of work with the regulations.
If the disagreements have been resolved, that the regulations would be finished, but before they agree, we can’t release the regulations.
I believe that what Mr. Jarett said, that they had already had a meeting with the draft regulations.
The minister stated that he has not seen the regulations that they are working on.
The deputy minister said that they had not been completed.
We have heard that the proposals that the non-natives could hunt caribou.
We are not really sure what they are doing now is sustainable or not.
The minister was invited to the Committee and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated was there as well along with the President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. About a month after we got here they stated that the definition of hunting rights under Article 5, in regards to traditional methods with spears and harpoons will no longer be used.
I just wondered if some of those statements are true or not.
The hunting methods that we talked about have been agreed to already and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated is in agreement with that.
Some of the things that we don’t agree on are the ones that still have to be consulted upon.
That is what is delaying the drafting of the regulations.
The Wildlife Officers have not seen that document yet because they can’t be given a copy until everything is done.
They just held a workshop in regards to how the public consultation will take place.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): I’m not really sure but some people call proposals and some people call them draft regulations.
Exactly what kinds of stuff do you have to meet about?
(interpretation ends) Who proposes them?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and the government and using the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
The working group is dealing with those draft regulations.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Yes I know who the members are of the committee but who’s putting in the wording.
They were in a dead-lock.
That’s the reason I was asking the question.
Who is doing the drafting?
Who heads up the drafting of those regulations?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): I will let my deputy minister answer that question.
Chairman: Go ahead Mr. Awa.
The draft regulations were taken out of the Wildlife Act and the regulations are the work of the committee.
The wording is done by the committee itself.
Those three organizations work together and they work with the lawyers and the lawyers draft the wording after there has been an agreement amongst the three organizations.
What happens is they discuss it and then they tell their legal counsel to word it in a certain way.
There are three bodies that are dealing with that.
Perhaps if I could respond, the minister is the head person because we want to work together.
That’s the way it is by the three organizations.
I wasn’t really sure because the minister has not even looked at them.
It seems like the minister has to give the direction and those are only proposals at this time but the draft regulations should be looked at by the minister’s department and by his legal counsel.
That’s the way I think it should be done.
Perhaps after some more consultation with Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, we would have to work together to give better wording to what’s inside the regulation.
I know there’s going to be a lot of disagreement.
We will work diligently to look at those draft regulations and I will provide the members with the copy of them once the draft is finished.
We would be able to talk with each other to see why did you use this word, can you use this wording instead, and so on, and so forth?
I have other questions about hunters and trappers’ policy in regards to compensation and if they had a 24 percent income from their harvesting, that’s the only time that they are eligible for compensation.