EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I encourage the young people to complete their education because they can obtain jobs that we obviously couldn't.
I was so proud of the fact that I was invited to the ceremony as a member for the Legislative Assembly for their community for the first time.
It worked out even though the weather wasn't co-operating very well.
Member's Statement 34 - 1(3): Relocation of Sanikiluaq Residents
Today I rise to talk about my community of Sanikiluaq.
At the end of '60s, Sanikiluaq residents were relocated from two settlements, a north camp and a south camp.
The Federal Government and our previous GNWT, had relocated us to live in one settlement.
They said it would be better if we had moved to one settlement.
So they had relocated some of the people who were in their own camps, the relatives, brothers and sisters.
They had a conflicts with each other because of the relocation.
I remember back then I was a student in the school at the time when I was almost at the verge of getting out of school when they relocated us.
I remember and I have seen and experienced being moved from the south camp.
However, I'm very proud that the old camp was cleaned up last year, sponsored by the Federal Government through Qikiqtani Inuit Association.
When the old camp was cleaned up it was quite difficult for some people.
We felt the emotions of the people because the old homes were burned down.
In spite of that, I know it did not have an impact on all the community residents of Sanikiluaq but it had an impact on the people who lived in that camp.
So they established a committee to deal with this issue and Mr. Speaker, the committee will be looking for funds through the aboriginal programs.
Member's Statement 35 - 1(3): 40th Anniversary of Kimmik Co-op
First of all I would like to apologise to the people who invited me to Kimmirut.
They had extended an invitation to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their co-op, the Kimmik Co-operative.
Because of other commitments I unfortunately could not attend.
I do want to extend my congratulations and best wishes to the people of Kimmirut for this important occasion.
Member's Statement 36 - 1(3): Decentralization of Sport North to Baker Lake
Today I would like to make a short statement on decentralization.
Today I'm happy.
Contrary to Kivalliq News that I'm still alive.
I didn't have to die to see Sport Nunavut come to Baker Lake and I'm happy to say 80% of the positions are now in place.
All staff are Inuit.
Mr. Speaker, decentralization is important to a community like Baker Lake and I'm really looking forward for the next year to work with cabinet on bringing the much needed positions to Baker Lake.
Member's Statement 37 - 1(3): Appreciation to Rankin Inlet Residents
I would like to extend my appreciation to the people of Rankin Inlet.
Jack Anawak and I had gone to Rankin Inlet on Friday and on Saturday we met with people all day long and Saturday morning we met with other people.
I'm very happy to have met with our constituents.
They gave us great advice and I'm very pleased to say the meetings went very well.
The turn out was quite high too so I would like to thank them for coming out.
The students in Rankin Inlet have also been writing out their concerns and I'd like to thank them for giving us their input in my constituency.
Member's Statement 38 - 1(3): Youth and Elders on the Land Project
I rise today to say that in one of my communities in the month of August, young people working with the elders, over two weekends, had workshops together in a secluded area.
They went out camping to work together to discuss the issues and to teach each other.
We worked on traditional fishing weirs and taught them how to go fishing in a traditional way.
So I just want to say that I'm very proud of the fact that our young people and our Elders had worked together.
Going back to the orders of the day. (interpretation end).
Item 5 Recognition of visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation): Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation end) Visitors in the Gallery.
Oral questions, Mr. O'Brien.
Question 35 - 1(3): Housing Corporation's Competition
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister Responsible for Housing.
I would the minister to update the House as to the status of the position that was advertised in the local paper regarding the President of the Housing Corporation.
In regards to the competition for President for the Housing Corporation, we now have the applications and resumes but we have yet to start the interview process.
We'll be initiating that shortly.
Mr. Speaker, given the fact Mr. Speaker, that the headquarters for Housing Corporation is to be located in my home community of Arviat, I would like to seek a commitment from the minister if she would give consideration through placing this new position, the president's position in the headquarters community being Arviat.
In regards to this position, it will be here in Iqaluit as is the case now.
Mr. Mike Ferris, the Deputy Minister was in that position presently in Iqaluit.
For now this individual will be based here in Iqaluit' in the capital.
Speaker: Oral question.
Mr. Speaker, if we're to have true decentralization, I believe that you have to take all the steps necessary to make that happen.
Mr. Arvaluk, the Minister of Education, indicated that in relationship to Arctic College for example, that these jobs along with the president would be located in Arviat.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister what rationale she would use, given the fact that she's agreed to make Arviat the headquarters for housing, what rationale she would use not to put the head of that department in that community.
Minister responsible for housing, Ms. Thompson.
The original plan was to have the president based here.
When I say here, it's Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut.
The ministers are based here in the capital.
That was the original plan and the ADMs could be based elsewhere in the outlying communities of Nunavut.
With Ms. Sarah Flynn, the ADM, I had discussion with her and we decided it would be a lot better if the president was based here in the capital because it would reduce the travel time for the staff in Arviat and also for the president.
I am the only minister without a Deputy Minister in the capital and as you know, housing is a very important issue for Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the minister indicated that this may be a short term solution.
When would the minister be prepared to review this situation again?
That was a misinterpretation I did not say this was a short term solution.
The position was always in Iqaluit.
I've already talked to the ADM of Housing and she indicated that they've been travelling quite a bit back and forth to Iqaluit and she doesn't see a problem where the Deputy Minister is placed here in Iqaluit.
It's not going to be short term, this is where the position is going to be.
Mr. O'Brien would you like to rephrase your question?
Mr. O'Brien I will allow your final supplementary.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the words that the minister used was for the time being and I assume that to mean for this time or short time as I think anybody else would.
I guess to rephrase and maybe to add to my question, there's still going to be travel whether the president is going to Arviat or in Iqaluit so I don't really see where that makes much of a difference.
That would mean that the staff in Arviat would have to operate pretty much on their own without… they would have the headquarters but their boss would be here and I find that somewhat confusing and I don't see it making a lot of sense.
So, I guess, back to my question, I asked the minister if she would consider after a year, this position being located to the headquarters community.
All the DMs of all the departments are here in Iqaluit.
I'm the only minister that doesn't have a DM for housing which is very important to everybody in Nunavut and to make the job easier, we need the DM to be here in Iqaluit and that's how it's going to be.
I think for the term of this government anyway.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Ms. Thompson. (interpretation ends) Oral questions.
Question 36 - 1(3): Equal Treatment of Communities
Mr. Speaker I have a question for the Premier.
When you were campaigning for the position of Premier and looking at the correspondence here, you said that you would treat each of the Nunavut communities equally.
We believed that when you were making your speech, if you were requested to have a meeting with any community in the Nunavut area, how committed are you to attending those meetings.
When it's convenient and when I'm invited, I will make every attempt to attend when I don't have too much work to do.
At this time I have visited over ten communities since I became the Premier, when I don't have too much to do and when it's convenient, I'll make every effort to go visit the communities on invitation.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Premier, Mr. Irqittuq .
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): If you were invited to come to a meeting to Igloolik or to Hall Beach, would you come.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Yes I'm very open to any Nunavut community.
I'll be going up to Hall Beach in December and if it's possible I could also go to Igloolik.
I take every opportunity go to any community anywhere in Nunavut.
Question 37 - 1(3): Drug Dealers and Bootleggers in Public Housing
My question today, Mr. Speaker, to the minister responsible for Housing. I was asking questions in the spring regarding the minister drafting up new legislation for convicted drug peddlers and bootleggers in public housing. Will the minister responsible today look at drafting up legislation if people are living in public housing and convicted of drug peddling and bootlegging to have them evicted.
Speaker: Minister responsible for Housing.
This Saturday, when I was in Rankin, that was one of the issues that was raised, that there's a real problem with people gambling and bootlegging in social housing.
I was asked to look into it.
I will consider the legislation.
Question 38 - 1(3): Summer Student Employment
I believe that's the appropriate minister.
I would like know if there's anything in the Education Act that we inherited from the GNWT for students who are employed in the summer.
There were summer student employment programs held in the summer in my community and they also had programs for drop outs.
Is there such legislation.
I would like to know if there's a clause in the legislation that says that they have to have first priority.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Puqiqnak, thank you.
There was no money available last year but at this time we are planning to set up a program for older students so they can be employed in the summer.
We're planning to set up such a program so that the students can be employed during the summer.
Well, we know that during the summer break the students fill out forms in order to be employed for the summer.
There's also the other students who have dropped out of school.
They're no longer in the school system and usually these drop outs don't even know how to fill out forms and some of them have children and they're very young parents.
I could use my community as an example.
It's a very small community and there's very high unemployment in the smaller communities.
There's seasonal employment in the summer and the drop outs are not given as much opportunity as the ones who are off for the summer.
It seems like first priority is given to the kids who are in school.
It seems like it's a bonus for those students and nothing for the drop outs and I would like to suggest that these summer student programs be open to all teenagers and to all young people.
I don't hear a question.
I would like to remind the House that if you're going to be asking a question you could use an example and then ask a question at the end of your statement.
You go to the preamble and then ask your question afterwards following the House rules.
Question 39 - 1(3):Pond Inlet School
There’s three schools in Pond Inlet at this time and the third one was closed for safety reasons.
This was a school that would have been utilized by the students and there is a shortage of classroom space to accommodate the students.
The Pond Inlet Education Authority has been asking the Minister of Education to add additional classrooms to Ulaayuk School and of course there’s no gym in it either.
There was a school built this fall and the gym is too small to accommodate the students, so they’re kind of in an uncomfortable situation.
I believe the education authority has been asking the Minister of Education to make additions to the Ulaayuk School to expand the size of the gym.
The Minister of Education, Mr. Arvaluk.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker yes I have reviewed this.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Since you said you’ve reviewed it I believe the education authority in Pond Inlet has written a letter.
I would like to get a copy of your response to the education authority.
I would like to see a copy of your response and my question to the Minister of Education is, since he said he’s reviewing it how long is the planning stage going to be.
Are you going to be making additions this summer, or is it going to be in next year’s budget.
The school was closed by the safety officer, that’s the old school, the third school in Pond Inlet and we had also made plans to use 105 thousand dollars to build the corridor connecting the two schools, so they could utilize the gym.
But there’s too much difference between the two schools, the years that they were built, so we couldn’t come to an agreement on that one, and the older school was closed for safety reasons.
After we got a letter from the education authority’s Chair, we took this into consideration.
Then we started reviewing the schools in Pond Inlet. We’re going to be getting architectural drawings and look at how much expansion there’s going to be, how many additional classrooms are going to be needed for the gym and so on, for the elementary school students.
These are able to be drawn...the blueprints...for the higher classes, the gym is too small and we’re also getting architectural drawings for a larger gym.
We are planning and for next year’s budget, they’re not approved yet by the Nunavut Government and the House, they’re in draft form, but we will be soliciting and talking to the communities in November to see whether it’s supported by the people of Pond Inlet.
We’re looking at 400 thousand dollars for architects, so they could develop blueprints for these two schools, possible additional classrooms and gym and the high school gym to be expanded.
So we’re going to be trying to find out from the community whether it’s supported by the people of Pond Inlet.
Oral Questions. Mr. O'Brien.
Question 40 - 1(3): Budget Consultations
Mr. O’Brien: Thank you, Mr. Speaker .
My question is for the Minister of Finance.
Mr. Speaker, we’ve had some discussions regarding the teams that have been set up with MLAs and Ministers to tour the various communities or all the communities of Nunavut in reference to the budget process and related issues.
I’m wondering if the minister would give some more rationale to the people of Nunavut regarding the intent and what we hope will be outcome of these consultations.
Thank you.  Speaker: Thank you, Mr. O’Brien.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, the intent would be twofold: first, so the residents of Nunavut would know exactly what the Government of Nunavut spends its resources on, where it gets its resources, so, in a broader sense, outlining the government’s budgets and secondarily, just as important, is receiving input from members of the public throughout Nunavut, from a Nunavut legislative political perspective, having the teams of ministers and MLAs receive feedback first hand from community groups, organizations, hamlets, individuals, on exactly what are the priorities they see the Nunavut government trying to focus on.
To identify, not just from the perspective of capital needs, but also from the perspective of program needs, so it’s a free flow.
I would suggest to the members that what we would want to happen would be a free flow of information between our assembly members that provide the services through the appropriations of this House to the people that we’re trying to represent throughout Nunavut on what their priorities are.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ng .
Mr. Speaker, this information that we’ll gather, is it fair to say that it will be used or can be used in this year’s budget process, because whether it’s capital or programs, there’s dollars related to it, so one will take away from the other.
I guess my concern is that I don’t want to create false hopes and go to the communities and we get a list of projects and program changes which may cost dollars, and then not be able to do it because we already have a set agenda, we have projects in the mix for this year and for the next four or five years.
So I guess my question is: the input and the information that we gather, will it really have an impact on, for example, this year’s capital budget and program?
Mr. Speaker, yes, it would have some impact on this year’s budget development both from a program and capital perspective but I think the honourable member raises a good point on the issue of expectations.
We have to be really cognisant of the fact that there is a limited amount of dollars that we have out there. There’s programs and services that we provide now and I think what all people will have to recognize is that if we’re going to make any kind of dramatic change in any of our programs that we have now, to target some of the priorities that might be identified as first, second or third priorities for our constituencies, that it would mean a shift of resources from some programs that we have now, so there would be an impact on the present Government of Nunavut budget.
And in respect to the member’s comments about capital needs, we know the needs...the demands and the needs far exceed what resources we have to deliver on a yearly basis as it stands now.
I think there would be a concern that we don’t want to create false expectations that we can deliver everything that communities or individuals may want out there.
But I think what’s important, Mr. Speaker, from this exercise, the public at large understands the dilemna, the circumstances that we are confined by in development of our budgets and that by the same token, we realize, from the comments and input we receive from throughout Nunavut that we have to, at some point, make decisions about what priorities are, based on what the constituency at large are saying.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ng. Mr. O’Brien.
I would like to caution members that we do have interpreters and we do have unilingual members here.
Please take your time to answer or ask questions and respect the members here. (interpretation) Thank you. Mr. O’Brien.
Oral Questions, Mr. Akesuk.
Question 41 - 1(3): Effects of Decentralization
In regards to community constituencies, and education, I would like to ask the Minister of Education about decentralization. In the communities which are receiving decentralization the schools are quite small and the population is growing and if the positions are filled in our community I know that the student population growth is very rapid.
We have two schools, but they are filled to capacity and our student teacher ratio is quite high in one of the schools in our community.
In the past, when it was GNWT, the blueprint had been completed for the adult education school in Cape Dorset.
I was wondering if the minister can review this again as a priority for the adult education school. If that school is built it could alleviate a lot of space needs.
Speaker: Minister for Education, Mr. Arvaluk
Yes, I know that was planned in the past, and the letters are so small, I can’t even see the numbers.
I’m not trying to say I don’t know, but in the month of November we will be touring all the communities of Nunavut.
During that tour, I want to hear more from the Cape Dorset residents.
When I go to the community, we want to hear more from the residents about the five year plan for the school, if they still want us to go ahead with their five year plan, or since we have a new Nunavut Government, if they’d like to see a new blueprint.
So I’d like to get their input.
But at this point I can say we do have a five year plan.
However, I don’t want to say what the residents of Cape Dorset want until I go visit the community.
Question 42 – 1(3): Time Zone (Out of Order)
Time Zone Change
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): I would like to ask the Premier of Nunavut about the single time zone.
I know that I’m very impatient to discuss the single time zone and I’m afraid that October 31st, is going to be here even before we have a chance to discuss the matter and Baffin residents are now opposing it.
The Keewatin and Kitikmeot time change will not impact on their daylight.
The reason I would like to ask this is when are we going to discuss this topic of single time zones.
I would like to ask the Premier when we are going to discuss this in the House?
In regards to your question, I will rule you out of order.
It has to be dealt with by the Committee of the Whole.
This has been referred to the appropriate committee and it must be deliberated upon in the Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Iqaqrialu: (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker I hope we’re not going to have to wait until the day we change the clocks, on the 31st, thank you.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Iqaqrialu, we’ll deal with that before October 31st.
Question 43 - 1(3): Contractors use of Government Equipment
Mr. Irqittuq: (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I asked this question last spring and the question I asked at that time had an impact on two different ministers.
I don’t know if I’ll be asking the Minister for Transportation or for Human Resources.
My question was never replied to.
I don’t know if it was replied to by written response.
I have not seen a written response as of yet.
My question was, because anybody in the Nunavut area can put in a bid for a contract, can the contractor utilize government equipment in order to benefit themselves to win a contract?
Speaker: Mr. Irqittuq , thank you.
Minister of Public Works and Services, Ms. Thompson.
Hon. Manitok Thompson: (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker This question was brought up by that same member.
I did direct one member of my staff to work on this issue, but since this person got another job, I am assuming that the appropriate response wasn’t given.
The original question was whether employees could use airport staff.
The Deputy Minister, Ross Mrazek, was not aware of the issue that was happening in that particular community and I apologize that I didn’t know about it either.
There was a change in staff and the Deputy Ministers so this issue wasn’t dealt with.
Mr. Ross Mrazek is presently working on it.
I'll take that as notice.
Speaker: (interpretation): Thank you.
It’s taken as notice by the minister.
Thank you, Ms. Thompson.
Question 44 - 1(3): Priority over Dropouts
I have a question on the same issue I raised earlier.
I want to get further clarification on it first.
The question is for the Minister of Education regarding students who are given first priority over dropouts, is there a regulation or law?
Speaker: Minister of Education, Mr. Arvaluk.
Hon. James Arvaluk: Its part of the program criteria.
This program was set up so that the students could be employed over the summer with preference over dropouts, just during the summer.
As for dropouts, as long as they're in Canada, they can look for jobs anywhere, anytime.
But this program is specifically geared towards students who are on summer break.
Mr. Puqiqnak: (interpretation): Yes, I understand that.
I do understand it, but who has more authority, are the DEAs given authority to put first priority on the students for this program.
Hon. James Arvaluk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker These program dollars from the government are funnelled possibly through the hamlet council or the DEA.
These particular monies are funnelled through an agency and there’s an agreement between the two parties.
Through a contribution agreement, probably for his community, these program dollars would specifically say that it would be used for students for the summer break.