EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
There is little time to be proactive or to keep on top of new initiatives and programs that might benefit from my input.
In light of this, I have made the decision to discontinue my law practice so that I can concentrate more fully on the work of the Information and Privacy Commissioner and I anticipate that by the end of 2014, my work will be focused solely on my role as the Information and Privacy Commissioner in both Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
This will mean that I will have more time to deal with requests on a more timely basis and to address, more pro‐actively, those issues that arise from time to time.
While I do not believe that a full-time Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nunavut is yet justifiable, I do believe that it is time to begin planning for the day in which it will not only be justifiable, but required.
It may not happen in the next year, or even the next three years, but certainly within the next five or six years, there will have to be some serious thought about a permanent office in Nunavut with a full time Commissioner/staff.”
During her September 18, 2014, appearance before the Standing Committee, the Information and Privacy Commissioner stated that:
“There are lots of projects that I would like to involve myself more in.
For example, with the new authority given to me under the privacy provisions of the Act, I would like to be able to undertake privacy audits of various departments and organizations to see how they’re doing and make suggestions for improvement.”
“We believe that privacy audits are actually a great tool in determining risk factors to breaches in privacy that, as frontline employees who are working towards the function of service, we don’t necessarily see ourselves.
We believe that doing privacy audits could be a great tool and the expertise of the Information and Privacy Commissioner would be a great asset for us moving forward [in] ensuring that we’re living up to our expectations under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.”
The Standing Committee recommends that the Government of Nunavut co-operate with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner in undertaking at least one formal privacy audit of a department, Crown agency or territorial corporation during the 2015-2016 fiscal year, and that the results of the privacy audit be tabled in the Legislative Assembly as soon as practicable.
Pages 1258 – 1340
Opening Prayer 1258
Speaker’s Statement 1258
Ministers’ Statements 1258
Members’ Statements 1262
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1267
Oral Questions 1268
Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters* 1284
Tabling of Documents 1287
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1288
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1339
Orders of the Day 1340
Wednesday, October 29, 2014 1258
065 – 4(2): Ilinniarvingmi Inuusilirijiit Training Program (Quassa) 1258
066 – 4(2): Human Anatomy Glossary in the Official Languages (Okalik) 1259
067 – 4(2): Seal Product Access to the European Union (Taptuna) 1260
068 – 4(2): Canada-Nunavut Job Fund and Job Grant (Ugyuk) 1260
069 – 4(2): Nunavut Community Aquatic Monitoring Programs Completed in Igloolik, Coral Harbour and Kugluktuk (Mike) 1261
149 – 4(2): Housing Shortages and Overcrowding in Gjoa Haven (Akoak) 1262
150 – 4(2): The Importance of Communication in Health Care (Mikkungwak) 1262
151 – 4(2): Opening of First Nations Community Banking Centre in Pond Inlet (Enook) 1263
152 – 4(2): Conditions of Government Offices in Resolute Bay (Shooyook) 1263
153 – 4(2): The Need for an Elders Facility in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok) 1264
154 – 4(2): Kinngait Fine Arts Studio (Joanasie) 1265
155 – 4(2): Congratulations, Hannah Suluk (Savikataaq) 1265
156 – 4(2): Polar Bear Overpopulation (Mapsalak) 1266
242 – 4(2): Communication in Health Care (Mikkungwak) 1268
243 – 4(2): Addressing the Need for Permanent Nursing Staff in Nunavut (Savikataaq) 1269
244 – 4(2): Status of the New Wastewater System for Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt) 1270
245 – 4(2): Linking Students in Related Fields of Employment (Hickes) 1271
246 – 4(2): The Need for an Elders Facility in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok) 1273
247 – 4(2): Generator Sets at Cape Dorset (Joanasie) 1274
248 – 4(2): Foxe Basin Polar Bear Population (Mapsalak) 1275
249 – 4(2): Designating a Minister for Elders’ Issues (Angnakak) 1275
250 – 4(2): Impact of Baker Lake School Closure (Mikkungwak) 1277
251 – 4(2): Fuel Tax Rebate Program (Hickes) 1280
252 – 4(2): Assistance for Seniors (Hickes) 1281
253 – 4(2): Fuel Tax Rebate Program (Joanasie) 1283
Committee Report 004 – 4(2): Report on the Review of the 2012-2013 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut (Hickes) 1284
Committee Report 005 – 4(2): Bill 5, Write-off of Assets Act, 2013-2014 (Savikataaq) 1286
045 – 4(2): 2015-2016 Planned Construction and Land Acquisition and Development Report (Kuksuk) 1287
046 – 4(2): Conditions of Government Offices in Resolute Bay (Shooyook) 1287
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016 – Nunavut Housing Corporation – Consideration in Committee 1288
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016 – Community and Government Services – Consideration in Committee 1320
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016 – Health – Consideration in Committee 1336
Welcome, my fellow Nunavummiut and members, ministers, and visitors in the Gallery. Welcome.
Before proceeding with the orders of the day, I would like to state that yesterday’s sitting, and you may have forgotten or you may have remembered, marked the one-year anniversary of our election to the Legislative Assembly on October 28.
Everyone has worked tremendously and all of the proceedings of the government have moved forward.
As we reflect on the work that has been accomplished and the work that lies ahead, I wish to publicly express my appreciation to my constituents in Amittuq.
I also wish to take this opportunity to note that yesterday’s ceremony to honour John Amagoalik was a great success, and I thank my colleagues for their participation in this wonderful event. All the members, ministers, and the Premier were able to attend and I thank you all.
Minister’s Statement 065 – 4(2): Ilinniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit Training Program (Quassa)
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day to my colleagues and fellow residents of my community, as well as Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to give an update on a valuable training program for Ilinniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit in Nunavut schools.
Ilinniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit provide personal guidance and counselling to students to promote a positive attitude to education, personal well-being, and healthy lifestyles
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, this program is offered in partnership with Langara College in Vancouver, a leader in counsellor training in Canada. Program instructors include long-term, experienced Ilinniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit, Inuit elders, experienced Nunavut educators, and Langara College staff.
Also, a full-time counsellor is available during every course.
(interpretation ends) The Ilinniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit training program delivers 11 courses taught over eight sessions.
The first course began in October 2012 and the final course will be offered in February 2015.
The program includes practicum experiences in the school after each course.
We are expecting 17 Ilinniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit to graduate.
Mr. Speaker, the program content includes Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and Inuit societal values, counselling skill development, leadership and professional ethics, communication skills, and personal development.
(interpretation ends) This certificate program helps us achieve one of the goals of Qalattuq: The 10 Year Educator Training Strategy 2006-2016 and meet the mandate of Sivumut Abluqta to “Continue to invest in the education and development of all current and potential public servants...”
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, our education system is moving forward. This certificate program will give Ilinniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit the knowledge and skills they need to support the learning goals of our students.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister Mr. Okalik.
Minister’s Statement 066 – 4(2): Human Anatomy Glossary in the Official Languages (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am proud to announce that the Department of Culture and Heritage is releasing the first illustrated human anatomy glossary in Nunavut’s official languages.
The glossary will improve communications between health professionals, medical interpreters, and patients.
Mr. Speaker, during times of stress, it is common for patients to revert to their first language, their mother tongue.
Our elders have long been concerned about the quality of care when accessing health services in Inuktitut.
We worked with more than 75 elders, health professionals, and interpreters from across Nunavut to identify medical terms in Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun for more than 400 terms.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all those who were involved in completing this critical work, especially the elders who shared their knowledge with us.
Sadly, we have lost some of the elders since the project started.
I am honoured and grateful, despite the loss to our communities, that their knowledge will stay among us with this glossary.
The human anatomy glossary will be circulated to medical facilities, and be used by the Department of Health and Nunavut Arctic College in providing medical terminology training to medical interpreters.
I would like to invite my colleagues to visit Culture and Heritage’s booth in the foyer of the Assembly and take a copy of the glossary.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Premier, Mr. Taptuna.
Minister’s Statement 067 – 4(2): Seal Product Access to the European Union (Taptuna)
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Unnusakkut, colleagues, Nunavummiut, and Kuglukturmiut.
Mr. Speaker, on October 10, 2014 the Government of Canada and the European Union released a joint statement on access to the European Union of seal products from indigenous communities of Canada.
We are encouraged that this agreement has been reached and that there is recognition of the importance of preserving traditional ways of life in indigenous communities.
Mr. Speaker, hunting seals is both economically and culturally important for Inuit. Seals in Nunavut have a healthy population and are a sustainable source of food, clothing, and income.
The intent of this agreement is to allow Inuit and other indigenous peoples of Canada to export their sealskins and products made from seal to the European market.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut remains strongly opposed to the European Union ban on seal products, just as we are opposed to any unfair trade restriction that is based on emotion rather than fact.
However, we are supportive of this exemption being established as it may create additional market opportunities for Inuit harvested seals, especially for value added products.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut will be working with the Government of Canada to on the implementation mechanisms for the exemption, and will be striving to ensure that the process for exporting seal products to the European Union is made as easy as possible.
Further, we will continue to provide support to sealers and local manufacturers of sealskin products to ensure that there remains a market for Nunavut seal products.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister Ms. Ugyuk.
Minister’s Statement 068 – 4(2): Canada-Nunavut Job Fund and Job Grant (Ugyuk)
I also say “good day” to the people of Nunavut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce to my fellow members today that Nunavut has signed the Canada-Nunavut Job Fund Agreement.
Starting this month, the Canada-Nunavut Job Fund will be used to deliver the Canada-Nunavut Job Grant and also provide additional funds for existing labour market programs offered in the territory.
Through the job fund, Canada’s contribution to Nunavut will be approximately $1 million.
The Canada-Nunavut Job Grant is a new program that will utilize some of this funding and is designed for small employers with 50 or fewer employees and also Crown corporations that wish to target training initiatives for trainees from our smaller communities.
Mr. Speaker, eligible employers can receive funding support if they have new or better positions available for trainees and they can make a contribution to the total training costs for each trainee.
The maximum government contribution from the grant to the employer is $10,000 per trainee.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud of our government’s participation to deliver these partnership agreements with Canada. Through our continued efforts, we will continue to increase the capacity our valued labour force, as well as connect underemployed and employed Nunavummiut with new and better jobs.
The Hon. Minister Mr. Mike.
Minister’s Statement 069 – 4(2): Nunavut Community Aquatic Monitoring Programs Completed in Igloolik, Coral Harbour and Kugluktuk (Mike)
I’ll be making a statement on the (interpretation ends) Nunavut community aquatic monitoring programs completed in Igloolik, Coral Harbour, and Kugluktuk.
Mr. Speaker, last winter, I brought news of a new fisheries development and training program for Nunavummiut initiated by the Department of Environment.
The Nunavut Community Aquatic Monitoring Program, or N-CAMP for short, is a program that is giving Nunavummiut the opportunity to be engaged as stewards of their aquatic resources.
This program is unique because it is the communities that define the research, and participants from the communities who are being trained to go out on the land to collect the data required for developing commercial char fisheries.
N-CAMPs have now been completed in Igloolik, Coral Harbour, and Kugluktuk.
This program has involved elders, youth, active harvesters, and scientists all working together to achieve a common goal.
(interpretation ends) Uqaqtittijii, we are very proud to report that 28 Inuit have successfully completed the program. In the case of Kugluktuk, the training will allow the community to complete many of its fisheries development and aquatic health projects. (interpretation) We were also pleased to have the (interpretation ends) Hon. Edna Elias (interpretation) participate in the Kugluktuk N-CAMP.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, we are committed to supporting the communities completed to date to see their fisheries succeed and their concerns answered.
We also intend to continue holding more camps across the territory as a central piece of our renewed fisheries strategy. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I have no more names on my list. (interpretation ends) Item 3.
Members’ Statements. (interpretation) Member for Gjoa Haven, Mr. Akoak.
Member’s Statement 149 – 4(2): Housing Shortages and Overcrowding in Gjoa Haven (Akoak)
Good afternoon, Uqhuqtuurmiut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the issue of housing shortages and overcrowding in Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Speaker, during the summer months, my office in Gjoa Haven conducted an informal survey of overcrowded conditions in a number of housing units.
I want to take this moment to share the results with my colleagues today.
Mr. Speaker, my office met with close to two dozen households and the results were very disturbing.
Mr. Speaker, here are some examples: one three-bedroom unit has nine people living within it; one four-bedroom unit has 11 people living within it; one four-bedroom unit has 13 people living within it; one four-bedroom unit has 17 people living within it.
Mr. Speaker, I could continue, but I think that these examples clearly show that Gjoa Haven is facing a serious situation.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to invite the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation to visit Gjoa Haven so that he can get a first-hand understanding of the situation facing my community.
Member’s Statement 150 – 4(2): The Importance of Communication in Health Care (Mikkungwak)
I rise today to raise a concern regarding the consequences of miscommunication in the delivery of health care services.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as a brief example of the kind of situation that must be avoided, a constituent went to the health centre with chest pains only to be told he was suffering from heartburn.
He travelled to Winnipeg shortly afterwards and ended up on the surgeon’s table after suffering a near heart attack.
Mr. Speaker, our government must make every effort to ensure the quality of services being delivered to residents.
The technology for doing tests and making diagnoses must be up to date.
The paperwork on clients’ conditions, medications, and follow-up must be filed immediately and appropriately.
Mr. Speaker, medications prescribed by one health professional should not be haphazardly changed by another professional.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that the Department of Health has to fly in doctors and other specialists to those communities which do not have full-time positions.
However, these quick visits run the risk of missing something or even changing something like medication without good reason.
The lack of continuity and the lack of good communication can adversely affect the quality of health services.
We must have good quality control to ensure the good health of our residents. (interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 151 – 4(2): Opening of First Nations Community Banking Centre in Pond Inlet (Enook)
Good afternoon to the people of Pond Inlet and to the people of Nunavut, welcome.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the recent opening of the First Nations Bank of Canada Community Banking Centre in Pond Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, the opening of this full-service banking kiosk on October 22, 2014 allows my constituents to access the services of a chartered bank in the comfort of their community for the first time.
Mr. Speaker, prior to the opening of this banking kiosk, my constituents were forced to conduct their banking virtually on the Internet, on the phone, which is not dependable as I pointed out last week, or in person in a different community.
Mr. Speaker, having this service in Tununiq provides my constituents with substantially increased access to financial services and programs.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the multi-agency partnership that led to this successful initiative.
Nunavut community banking centres are developed under an agreement with Arctic Co-operatives Ltd.
The community’s new facility is located at the Tununiq Sauniq Co-op.
I also recognize the Atuqtuarvik Corporation, an Inuit owned investment company, for their partnership with the First Nations Bank of Canada. The vision of creating viable community banking services in Nunavut is moving forward.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute to the First Nations Bank of Canada for opening the second facility in the Qikiqtani region and their commitment to community banking.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in recognizing this milestone.
Member’s Statement 152 – 4(2): Conditions of Government Offices in Resolute Bay (Shooyook)
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring the government’s attention to the bad conditions at the Resolute Bay government office building.
Mr. Speaker, the conditions are getting worse as time goes on.
There are cracks in the wall and ceiling. It is damp and unhealthy. The workers in the building have moved out and are using space in other buildings because of their concerns for their health.
Mr. Speaker, I have been told that during a previous Assembly, Minister Peterson visited the community and saw for himself the state of the government offices.
At that time, the workers believed that something would be done about it. So far, nothing has happened.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask that the government provide the community of Resolute Bay with an update on what is going to be done to fix the problem at the government offices in their community.
At the appropriate time, I will table a photograph that shows the bad conditions at the Resolute Bay government offices.
Here is the photograph of that dilapidated building.
Member’s Statement 153 – 4(2): The Need for an Elders Facility in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok)
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to encourage the government to give real consideration to opening a 24-hour elders facility in Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, the number of elders in the community of Rankin Inlet is steadily rising and the need for a local care facility is growing.
Mr. Speaker, I have heard from a number of different individuals and organizations that the concept of a 24-hour elders facility has already been raised and a proposal has even been brought forward.
However, it does not seem that the government has given any real consideration to bringing it forward.
It does not appear anywhere on our capital plan.
Many issues face elders in our territory; health concerns, the lack of appropriate housing, the rising cost of living, not to mention abuse and neglect.
Mr. Speaker, our elders should not have to face the prospect of leaving their families, friends, and community as they grow older and need more assistance.
The government must address the need for a 24-hour elders care facility in Rankin Inlet at the earliest opportunity.
Member’s Statement 154 – 4(2): Kinngait Fine Arts Studio (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome, everyone visiting the Gallery today.
Mr. Speaker, Cape Dorset art is known internationally and has been for more than 50 years with artists such as Kenojuak and Pudlo Pudlat in the older generation. Also, Tim Pitseolak and Shoovenai Ashoona have been developing national and international reputations in this generation.
Mr. Speaker, recently Google’s daily doodle featured a Kenojuak theme on October 3, on what would have been her birthday.
Mr. Speaker, Kinngait’s art heritage is a national cultural treasure of which all Nunavummiut should be proud.
Mr. Speaker, since 2010, Cape Dorset has been working towards building a new 10,000 square-foot facility that will have three main functions, which will be a cultural centre, a print shop, and a tourist gathering place.
Mr. Speaker, the entire project will cost about $10 million. So far, NTI, CanNor, and the Municipality of Cape Dorset have contributed about $1.3 million towards completing the construction, drawings, and programming for the cultural centre, funding, and project management.
Mr. Speaker, the community is strongly behind the project which was spearheaded by the Municipality of Cape Dorset in partnership with the West Baffin Eskimo Co-Op.
(interpretation) There are none. Please proceed, Mr. Joanasie.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleagues.
As I stated before, the community is strongly behind the project which was spearheaded by the Municipality of Cape Dorset in partnership with the West Baffin Eskimo Co-Op.
In this partnership, the municipality will own the facility while the Co-Op has committed to covering the operational maintenance costs over the life of the 30-year lease.
Mr. Speaker, this was discussed during the Nunavut Trade Show.
Many people were very excited to hear about it.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with all of you, ministers and regular members alike, to help complete this excellent and nationally important project.
Member for Arviat [South], Mr. Savikataaq.
Member’s Statement 155 – 4(2): Congratulations, Hannah Suluk (Savikataaq)
I rise today to congratulate a resident of my community for her recent accomplishment in winning a scholarship.
Hannah Suluk is this year’s recipient of the President’s Scholarship from the Kivalliq Inuit Association. Ms. Suluk is currently attending her second year of the Nunavut Teacher Education Program in Arviat.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize the efforts of the Kivalliq Inuit Association as it continues to provide financial support for Inuit students studying within and outside of Nunavut.
I believe it is very important that we continue to support our youth as they pursue educational and career goals.