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Finally, after three weeks of travel, they made it home safely to Kugluktuk.
Mr. Speaker, this is not the first trip from Hay River to Kugluktuk by boat made by one of our residents.
It does demonstrate traditional knowledge and skills our people have, whether they travel on land or by water and by sea.
Mr. Speaker, I’m sure this House will join me in congratulating Joe Allen Evyagotailak and his family for getting his family and the boat safely back to Kugluktuk.
Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk Mr. Hickes.
Member’s Statement 502 – 4(3): Successful Hockey Nunavut Tournaments in Iqaluit and Arviat (Hickes)
As mentioned by a couple of my colleagues already, this past weekend, March 3 through 5, Hockey Nunavut hosted two territorial championships.
The female tournament was held here in Iqaluit and the midget tournament was held in Arviat.
Mr. Speaker, over 225 hockey players, coaches, and chaperones attended these two tournaments.
Hockey Nunavut was extremely pleased with both tournaments and being able to provide a fun and friendship filled weekend for all the players.
Mr. Speaker, as mentioned, this tournament is an identifier to assist in selecting the hockey teams for the Arctic Winter Games in 2018.
The bantam territorial tournament will be held here in Iqaluit from March 24 through 26.
Mr. Speaker, my colleagues that spoke of these tournaments earlier neglected to mention a couple of things. I would like to just take it a little bit further.
In the end of both tournaments Iqaluit won gold in both of them.
Andrew Pearce from here in Iqaluit was named the top defensive player of the midget tournament, Kevin Kullualik of Iqaluit was named the MVP of the midget tournament, and Riley McPherson of Iqaluit was named the MVP of the female territorial tournament.
On behalf of myself and I am sure all of my colleagues here and Hockey Nunavut, I would like to take the time to thank all the volunteers for their assistance and contribution to making these two tournaments a success.
Member’s Statement 503 – 4(3): Appreciation of Nunavut Teachers (Joanasie)
Good afternoon, my colleagues and the people of Kimmirut and Cape Dorset who are listening.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my pride and thankfulness for our teachers.
Mr. Speaker, our parents are our first teachers as we are starting off in life, but being a teacher is a job these days.
I am very proud of teachers, who have given themselves and committed themselves to improve our children’s lives so that they can be useful when they get older.
Mr. Speaker, as we are growing up, we don’t really understand what the teachers are doing when we’re young boys and girls.
We may not understand the things that we have to learn or know how to use it for good or bad, but the teachers are older than we are and they know more, so they try to teach us.
Mr. Speaker, these days with the school system set up and running with our teachers, I am just proud of them.
To use an example, the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program was set up so that these students can work towards a future for younger generations.
Mr. Speaker, the teaching profession can be better supported and improved, as I am aware of the room for improvement. Further, I have raised questions about this matter in the House.
Mr. Speaker, I want to say that at the appropriate time I will be asking questions about the need to increase the number of teachers here in Nunavut.
Question 650 – 4(3): Status of General Rate Application (Mikkungwak)
The most recent annual report of the Utility Rates Review Council indicates that the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s next general rate application to the URRC is expected to be submitted during the 2017-18 fiscal year, which begins less than a month from now.
Can the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation confirm when the Qulliq Energy Corporation will be submitting its next general rate application to the Utility Rates Review Council?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Member responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Hon. Johnny Mike.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to thank my colleague for his question.
Yes, the Qulliq Energy Corporation usually submits their general rate application to the Utility Rates Review Council when they want to make changes to the electrical rate.
The Qulliq Energy Corporation, according to the plan that was set out, will be submitting the rate application for Nunavut in September 2017.
In 2012 the Qulliq Energy Corporation received a ministerial instruction to move towards a territorial rate structure.
In 2014 this instruction was retracted, and the QEC received new instructions to provide “cost of service study options for consideration in its next General Rate Application.”
Can the minister inform the House today what rate structure the Qulliq Energy Corporation currently supports?
Minister responsible for the [Qulliq] Energy Corporation, Mr. Johnny Mike.
Yes, this is presently being dealt with.
When the QEC was informed by the Utility Rates Review Council of their latest review, they were directed to do the review.
At this time the general procedure used by the QEC is what I want to clarify here in the House.
When the Qulliq Energy Corporation reviewed that, they issued an RFP and the contract was awarded to (interpretation ends) InterGroup Consultants, or ICL. (interpretation) Due to these reasons the recommendations that the URRC submitted will be tabled for the 2018-19 fiscal year application.
The review has been worked on since last year starting in June where a contract was let to conduct a study on electricity and to enact a vision for the future.
This will include implementation planning for this review. Also, the secondary process relates to capital infrastructure and the capital project planning process that was being reviewed. They may include improvements.
The Qulliq Energy Corporation also contracted out a study on service provision and the consultant was Dennis Flemming, who is conducting a study on various aspects of services that are provided and the rates to use.
When the day arrives, due to these reasons, the general rate application will be submitted.
Furthermore, the third area revolves around the ICL study. The QEC is also preparing the recommendations on electrical rates by the URRC.
These contracted groups are now reviewing the advice provided and due to that reason the utility rates will increase as of April 1, 2018.
As the minister will recall, the last significant change in power rates occurred in 2014, following the conclusion of the last general rate application process.
At that time the QEC’s base rates increased by 7.1 percent for all customer classes and communities.
Can the minister indicate today what increase the QEC will be seeking in its next general rate application?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Hon. Mr. Mike.
As per my previous statement, at this time the QEC has directed the Utility Rates Review Council to review the electrical rates based on the mandate provided to the QEC to periodically review the electrical rates and to look at the factors that may result in increases or cost savings.
Nevertheless, it includes improvements to the operations of the QEC, which the URRC wanted reviewed to look at more efficiency and improve their operations, but this review is still ongoing at this time.
With respect to any question about whether an increase may be warranted, I don’t have the details and can’t comment on that, especially since these issues are still under review.
Once the information has been prepared, it seems obvious it will be provided. At this time I haven’t received their recommendation yet.
I can’t state whether an increase will occur in our electrical rates or even if the rate will change.
Due to these reasons at this time I can’t respond to those questions.
However, they are working on this review.
The study terms are very important and since it is still underway, when the information is ready, it will most likely be in the spring or summer when an announcement will be forthcoming on the proposed rate changes.
Question 651 – 4(3): Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples (Sammurtok, T)
I say “good day” to the residents of Chesterfield Inlet and Rankin Inlet. The people of Baker Lake are in my thoughts.
Last week the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples released its report on housing in Inuit Nunangat.
As the minister will recall, we briefly addressed this report during the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s appearance before the Committee of the Whole on Friday.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Senate committee, including our own Senator Patterson, for their hard work on this report.
For the record, does the Government of Nunavut support the formal recommendations contained in the Senate’s report?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Hon. George Kuksuk.
Hon. George Kuksuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Thank you very much.
Mr. Speaker, I also thank the member for his question in regard to the Senate committee report on housing.
Mr. Speaker, as a government, especially the (interpretation ends) Nunavut Housing Corporation, (interpretation) we took part during the study. We were also able to be involved when they made their recommendations contained in the report. We also had input with changes we felt needed to be made.
That’s what I can say to my colleague.
Will the minister be writing to his federal counterpart in support of the recommendations contained in the Senate’s report?
The report was recently tabled a few days ago.
I have just seen the report recently and I am still going through the report.
My department and officials in the housing corporation are now reviewing the report. If we’re going to be asked questions or provide an action plan, we will do so.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) One of the issues that the Senate report highlighted is the situation with staff housing. The report noted that, and I quote, “Despite the urgent housing shortage in northern communities, witnesses were frustrated that many staff housing units in their communities remained vacant.”
Mr. Tom Sammurtok: “Due to the challenges of finding skilled employees in the territory, many positions are difficult to fill and often remain vacant for extended periods.
As a result, staff housing units associated with these positions remain vacant.”
Can the minister indicate how the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Blueprint for Action on Housing is addressing this issue?
Mr. Speaker, in regard to the member’s question regarding staff housing units, there are recommendations in the report and in the blueprint for action we planned and worked with those stakeholders from outside the government.
We will be dealing with these issues in Committee of the Whole.
When members were reviewing the applications from the department last week, we also spoke to the fact that this is being developed.
To ensure that my colleague understands, staff housing or public housing includes many categories and issues. We will work on these issues and we anticipate a report being completed after this review.
What I can relay to my colleague is related to staff housing and how our employees are provided with staff housing. It includes recommendations as well.
This is in the midst of the study. Within the short term, I can’t commit to providing information as that will only be available once the review process is completed.
Question 652 – 4(3): Iqaluit Hydroelectric Project (Angnakak)
As the minister will recall, the government introduced a bill last year requesting approval to write off just over ten million dollars in spending associated with the Iqaluit Hydroelectric Project.
When the bill was considered by the Legislative Assembly, the project was described as being on “permanent hold.”
On January 23, 2017, there’s a letter here, the Nunavut Impact Review Board formally requested the QEC to “provide an update with respect to the anticipated date for submission of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Iqaluit Hydroelectric Project.”
In its reply to NIRB, the QEC indicated that, and I quote, “the Iqaluit project continues to be on hold until further review.”
My question for the minister is this: is the Iqaluit Hydroelectric Project alive, is it dead, or is it on life support?
The letter my colleague referenced as being July 2017 is actually, I believe, 2016.
July 2017?
Yes, I will leave it there, as I am unsure if the directive has been abandoned or kept alive.
I can only respond that the matter is on hold, as the initiative is still kicking around.
I assure the minister that this letter is dated January 23, 2017.
Can the minister indicate what specific reviews are currently being undertaken by the QEC regarding the Iqaluit Hydroelectric Project?
The renewable energy generation methods are included in this review, any electrical generation method not using diesel. Currently our only option is to use diesel generators, unfortunately.
This project is outside of the study.
As it is part of the QEC’s mandate to research alternatives, any method that doesn’t impact the environment is included in the review, including solar, wind, or even a hydroelectric project.
Those are presently being reviewed, but currently it’s just on hold.
Even though we’re working on other projects, with the environmental impact review that would be conducted, they have identified $6.6 million to look at tidal energy only and if this was to proceed, it would be at a cost of $400 million to $500 million.
In 2013 the estimated cost was $355 million.
Currently it’s just on hold while the other reviews are going on, but these projects are outside of the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s control when it’s being dealt by the Nunavut Impact Review Board.
That is why the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s hydroelectric project is on hold right now.
It’s no secret that the current federal government talks a lot about the importance of green energy, so I would encourage the federal government to support this green project.
Can the minister describe what specific efforts he has made to obtain federal support for the Iqaluit Hydroelectric Project?
The energy corporation, as I stated, is looking for alternative forms of energy and the hydroelectric project is part of that. That’s where it stands right now.
When I was the Minister of Environment, I think I was in Lima or Paris.
I can’t recall which city it was in, but there was a meeting on the use of green energy and alternative forms of energy.
I think it was in Paris. I was there with the Premier. With respect to the environment and climate change, the Government of Canada spent $2.6 billion to support projects outside of Canada.
This was a huge amount when it was for outside of Canada.
We were just expecting the budget from the Government of Canada as the energy corporation and the government.
For that reason, for instance, if they can support international organizations with $2.6 billion for clean energy, it depends on the lack of infrastructure in the communities.
I know that is the way things are in the Arctic with the lack of appropriate infrastructure.
With respect to federal programs for clean energy, I am just waiting for what the announcements for the north will be.
Question 653 – 4(3): Support for Non-decentralized Communities (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, last year or a bit longer now, I spoke to the subject of smaller, non-decentralized communities that didn’t benefit from decentralization.
Mr. Speaker, to date I haven’t seen a single initiative from this government on how to improve the situations in our smaller communities and to have specific funding towards that that can be supported by our government.
I have yet to see any initiative or plan towards that.
Can he elaborate on the plans this government may have developed to accrue more benefits to the smaller communities through a government-sponsored program?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Premier of Nunavut, Hon. Peter Taptuna.
I also thank the member for asking about that. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of small communities out there that are looking for any kind of economic development activities. Naujaat and Coral Harbour are no different from the smaller communities that are out there. Some smaller communities have taken on their own initiatives to try to do small community programs.
There are many programs within both the territorial government and federal government.
There’s also CanNor that delivers programs on behalf of any community in Nunavut. For the most part there are many other programs within the federal government where the communities can tap into for any kind of economic activity.
Within our government we have access road programs and other smaller programs that the smaller communities can take advantage of.
Mr. Speaker, for the most part a handful of smaller communities have taken on their own initiatives to ensure that they have activities happening within their smaller communities. For the most part the initiation comes from the hamlet councils themselves.
I’m sure there are a lot of letters going back and forth from his community to Economic Development to better understand what programming there is out there.
Again, there are many programs that any small community can take advantage of with CanNor’s office being right here in Nunavut.
This is almost the exact response he provided, as I recall.
Nonetheless, I keep making the statement that smaller communities have an exceedingly hard time in initiating any economic development activity, primarily due to the reason that there are no employment opportunities and the lack of government workers who would provide funding or the initiative. There are no opportunities.
It is almost impossible to keep a private business running in a smaller community, especially if it is an isolated and remote community. This is exacerbated when the community is remote and expensive to operate out of.
However, what I want to ask about is this: does this government have any plan or idea at this time to provide support to the smaller communities, such as various programs and services to be provided by the Government of Nunavut?
As an example, there are no addiction services available for smaller communities.
Has the government looked at ideas such as that to date?
Mr. Speaker, there are arm’s-length corporations that are out there that try to focus on the smaller communities, the non-decentralized communities, which is the Nunavut Development Corporation.
In fact several years ago there was an initiative through Economic Development and Transportation of a soapstone quarry or soapstone deposit identification program where a number of deposits were identified.
We tried to work with the community to quarry these soapstone deposits so that smaller communities can actually make it economically feasible for their community and their people in these smaller, non-decentralized communities.
I haven’t seen any proposals or anything that have come in from that particular community, but for sure I’ll have my officials look into that by contacting the mayor and hamlet council on what their initial proposals were about for quarrying soapstone. For a fact there have been some deposits that were identified just outside of Naujaat.
One intention I had several years ago was to make sure that local people quarry and sold soapstone to other communities because we know for a fact that there’s a major shortage of carving soapstone within our territory.
I didn’t hear a response to my question, but I’m sure that the Nunavut government will set up some kind of an office that will be paid for by the government.
I used an example of an addictions treatment centre or mental health services.
Should we be able to put up those types of infrastructure, could you make sure that the smaller communities are the ones to have those buildings put up?
Mr. Speaker, there are good examples out there where a community has organized to establish some of these processes. Especially one comes to mind and of course that’s Clyde River, where they have a group of people doing addictions counselling, drugs and alcohol.
In fact they are travelling throughout the territory holding workshops so that smaller communities can be involved in this.
Mr. Speaker, I’ll speak with my colleague to try to determine how we can better help the smaller communities that are out there, especially the non-decentralized communities.
I understand where the hon. member is coming from.
For sure I’ll speak with my colleague and get a hold of the mayor of Naujaat to try to fully understand what they do want to initiate for the community.
Question 654 – 4(3): Baffin Island Caribou Management (Keyootak)
Mr. Speaker, I have asked questions repeatedly about Baffin Island caribou. We have a quota system set up for the Baffin, which is still applied to date.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister to give us an update about the Baffin Island caribou quota. How many caribou have been harvested from that quota?
As of February 9, up to 166 caribou have been harvested.
With that many caribou harvested, which communities have reached their quota and which have not?
To date, with the information I have, I think Iqaluit is the only community that has met its entire quota.
We can only harvest male caribou on Baffin Island.
Were there any female caribou harvested and, if so, would we be penalized in a similar manner as for harvesting a female polar bear? Would the same apply for any caribou?
With that quota system only male caribou can be harvested. If female caribou are caught, then a law would be broken and there would have to be a review done with that particular situation. However, there is no penalty applied if a female caribou is harvested.
Polar bear quotas are just for polar bears.
It doesn’t apply to caribou.
If you harvest a female polar bear, two tags are removed from your quota.
There is no penalty for the caribou, but we urge all hunters to harvest just male caribou.
Question 655 – 4(3): Nunavut Food Security Coalition (Enook)
As the minister will recall, I paid tribute in the House last year to the work of Pond Inlet’s Tununiq Ikajuqtiit Food Bank and I have been a vocal proponent of reform of the federal Nutrition North Canada Program.
I am referring to the February 24, 2016 Hansard on page 770.
I want to follow up today on questions that I asked to the minister last year concerning the Nunavut Food Security Coalition.
It’s in the October 26, 2016 Hansard on page 18.
The government recently issued a request for proposals to conduct an evaluation of the Nunavut Food Security Coalition Strategy and Action Plan.
It is numbered 2016-71. The final report and recommendations from this work is scheduled to be completed by the end of this month.
Will the minister commit to tabling a copy of this report in the Legislative Assembly during our upcoming spring sitting?
Yes, the Nunavut Food Security Coalition has been doing the work on this subject.
What we do with the federal Nutrition North Canada Program is subsidize the cost of food and provide other services in the communities.
I can’t even remember whether the report is going to be tabled during this winter sitting or if it’s going to be tabled in the spring sitting.
I just can’t remember which session it would be ready by.
I’ll make sure that I talk to my staff and we will give you a definite answer.
If I could remind the minister, the report is not finalized yet and it will be completed this month.
You wouldn’t be able to table it in the winter sitting if it’s not completed right away.
That’s why I asked you if it’s going to be tabled in the spring sitting.
Let me ask this question: will the Nunavut Food Security Coalition’s most recent annual report be ready for tabling in the Legislative Assembly before the end of our current winter sitting?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Family Services, Hon. Johnny Mike.