EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I am happy to report that Mona and Kelly will make significant contributions to helping our children live very happy lives.
I would like the House to join me in congratulating Mona and Kelly.
I believe that their accomplishment will inspire others to pursue their own dreams and to not give up when the going gets tough.
Member’s Statement 303 – 2(2): Passing of Two Elders in Pangnirtung
I would just like to say good morning to the residents of Pangnirtung.
I also wish to thank my constituents, while I was there.
In between our break I was in Arviat, there were a couple of people who passed away in Pangnirtung.
I would like to show my gratitude to the residents of Pangnirtung for their caring towards the people that they left behind.
Mr. Curley also came up to be with the mourning family in Pangnirtung and I would like to thank him.
I also want to assure the people who were left behind that they are in our prayers.
We are thinking of them.
We also wish to thank Peter Akpalialuk, who was a long-term government employee.
He leaves behind a number of children, relatives.
Also Mosesie Nuvaqqiq, who passed away was known as a printmaker.
He was involved in different committees in Pangnirtung.
He also leaves behind a number of children and his relatives.
We wish them a good rest where they are now.
Member’s Statement 304 – 2(2): Constituency Meeting in Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak
I say hello to Taloyoammiut and the people of Gjoa Haven.
Qamukkanuaq, good morning.
(interpretation ends): I have had the opportunity to hold constituency meetings in both Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak.
I want to express my appreciation to all my constituents who were able to make it to the meetings and bring out their concerns and issues.
For those individuals that were not able to come for one reason or another, there will be meetings in the future and I encourage you to participate.
I want to thank everyone who was there and provided their contributions and comments to myself, to follow up over the summer months.
I would also like to thank my staff John Kootook and Helen Tirringaniaq for organizing the meetings.
And also to Rita Hummiktuq for assisting with the meetings in Gjoa Haven.
(interpretation): I will see you soon from Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven.
Member’s Statement 305 – 2(2): Sanikiluaq Residents Hunting for Geese/Fishing Derby
I don’t want to put too much stress because I have been told a lot of times that I don’t smile enough on TV, but I will try to smile more.
This morning in Sanikiluaq a lot of residents expect geese in Sanikiluaq but unfortunately I have to be here at this time.
The hunters in Sanikiluaq debate what kind of wildlife they should hunt because there are geese and there are whales.
In the past it didn’t seem to be like that.
Maybe it is because of climate change.
They seem to come around at the same.
Before geese used to arrive early before the whales but those people who asked if the geese are there in Sanikiluaq now.
I’m telling them that this week they are in Sanikiluaq and so the Sanikiluaq residents will be busy tomorrow.
There will also be a fishing derby going on in our community.
The person who gets the biggest fish will get a four wheeler. I envy them, but unfortunately, I have to be here.
I will be with them in my thoughts and I wanted to congratulate the person who will catch the biggest fish.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the visitors to the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome and thank the two of the pages who have been working with us this week, constituents of mine.
They are Andrea Parrot and Judah Attagoyuk.
I would like to take this opportunity and welcome them to the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize pages on my left is Josie Enuaraq’s granddaughter, Nooveya Enuaraq and the one behind me is from Clyde River, Johnny Joanasie’s daughter, Jane Joanasie is her name.
Question 379 – 2(2): Complaints in the Workplace
Mr. Tootoo (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Today I would like to follow up on some questioning I did earlier this week with the Minister of Human Resources, in regard to workplace harassment.
But, maybe I’ll save that for another day just to give him a break.
Mr. Speaker, my question is really for… . It’s Friday, so we better have some fun, eh?
It is really for the Minister responsible for Human Resources, on employee relations.
Mr. Speaker, I got everyone going on that one, eh?
Earlier this week, I asked the minister some questions in regard to employees reporting wrongdoings that they see in the workplace.
I got a response, an e-mail response from the minister indicating that they do not have anything in place right now, that in the interim, employees are regularly reminded that any breaches of policy and regulations involving financial matters can be reported confidentially to the Internal Audit Division of the Department of Finance.
For issues not involving financial matters, employees are reminded to contact the Employee Relations Division of the Department of Human Resources and that they are fully investigated, all allegations that are made.
My question is, how does the department regularly remind the employees of this?
If they do have complaints, they are encouraged to bring them up or if they witness or hear of any harassment or if there is any problem.
There is a section in Human Resources, the Employee Relations Division.
Those people are responsible if there are any problems within the workplace.
We let it be known that if you have problems, you can get assistance from a particular person here or any employee from either department. If they advise us that a superior or co-worker is not treating them well, then they can refer it to the Employee Relations Officer.
We also advise all the employees, and it seems to be appropriate at this time, that we are currently reviewing the Public Service Act.
It very clearly states who to go to if they are encountering problems.
In regard to sexual harassment, those kinds of problems, we will also be reviewing that too.
I responded to the member that I expect this to be made public by August 5. So, after reviewing them I will bring them up.
In his response, it says that in the interim, employees are regularly reminded.
My question was, how do they regularly remind the employees?
Are they briefed upon hiring, upon orientation? Is there an e-mail sent out through the help desk to everybody?
Are there letters sent out to everybody individually?
Is it something that is mentioned at the regular staff meetings?
I’d just like to ask if the minister could clarify exactly how they regularly remind the employees.
We usually hold workshops for all government employees, giving orientation as to if they have any problems, if there is any harassment, who they can go to, and how it should be in the workplace so that everybody will be happy and to make sure that there is wellness in the workplace, in the departments.
Even though we might encounter those kinds of things, when the departments get new employees, they are provided with our human resources manual, so those are communicated by the manual.
They are also given information through various ways on what kind of rights they have while they are working in the Government of Nunavut.
Mr. Tootoo: Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister: if a non-financial matter is brought to the attention of a supervisor or another employee within that department, are they required to follow up on that with the Employee Relations Division of the Department of Human Resources?
Or, is that something that they can investigate and deal with internally in their department?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, the Department of Human Resources is usually asked, regarding the employees, whether that person should be terminated or replaced.
The human resources department is usually asked by the different departments what procedures and policies they have to follow.
When we’re asked specifically if it would be better to do so in a different way, it is usually up to each of the departments.
But we usually advise them that we have these policies in place. It is usually up to their discretion, so as long as they follow the policies and procedures in dealing with the employees.
I guess the rationale behind dealing with the Department of Human Resources’ Employee Relations Division is that the division has the expertise in labour relations and that the departments don’t have people within their departments that focus solely on that, and I can appreciate that.
I think that that is a good idea.
Can the minister give us an indication and tell us how many times the Employee Relations Division has been asked to advise on complaints relating to non-financial matters?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, I can put in a report on the complaints that we have received. I will be able to give you information as to exactly what situations have taken place and I can give you feedback on that with a report.
Question 380 – 2(2): Operation of the Arena Complex in Kugluktuk
Mr. Evyagotailak: I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Can the minister update this House with respect to Kugluktuk’s municipal supervision order?
I have not been given anything new with respect to my colleague’s question.
Things are going ahead in the meantime. There is a manager in place.
Also, in Kugluktuk, my staff and the hamlet staff continue to work together.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Evyagotailak, your supplementary question.
How is the minister working with his colleagues at the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth to ensure that programs for elders and youth will continue to operate if the arena complex is closed?
Hon. Peter Kilabuk: I guess one of the only roles that I can play in the process is to lobby for support for the municipality to the appropriate department, but in the sense of having authority or a decision-making role as to what CLEY will give to the municipality, I do not have a role in that process.
As I said, my biggest role in lobbying for the municipality is to convey those needs to my colleagues.
Mr. Evyagotailak: I would like to thank the minister.
My second supplementary is, have meetings been held with the volunteer organizations and the hamlet to discuss alternative service delivery options to keep the arena open?
I, myself, am not aware of any discussions that might have taken place with the volunteers.
However, that is information that I can seek from my staff, to update my colleagues on proceedings that may have taken place.
Speaker (interpretation): Last supplementary, Mr. Evyagotailak.
Will the minister commit to working with his colleagues, the hamlet of Kugluktuk, and volunteers in the hamlet to find ways to keep the arena complex open?
Hon. Peter Kilabuk: I will commit to directing my staff to get me an update on the proceedings and also to looking at options that could possibly be developed for consideration at a later date.
I will commit to updating my colleague on those findings at the appropriate time.
Question 381 – 2(2): Update on Emergency Snow Clearing Fund
Mr. Netser (interpretation): I wanted to ask whether the Uqqurmiut MLA could kindly shave off his beard... (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
On March 18, my colleague from Rankin Inlet North asked the minister about the possibility of starting an emergency snow clearing fund.
At that time, the minister indicated that he would look into this.
I would like to ask the minister what decisions have been made with respect to creating an emergency fund for snow removal?
Further to the questions and the information that I got back from my staff regarding a snow clearing fund for Nunavut, we are continuing to review this file.
As a matter of fact, we have started looking at possibly developing some options for consideration.
One of the challenges that has come up regarding this file is to either proceed in setting up an emergency snow clearing fund or, possibly, look at properly equipping the communities that have had severe problems this winter.
To look at these, if this is something that we should look at in the very near future as a special pilot project, or if this is something that we will present to cabinet for a decision.
The discussions that have taken place, we are debating now as to which way we will go.
I can assure my colleague that discussions are ongoing on this file.
When I talked to my wife yesterday and this morning, there was another blizzard.
Of course, the roads are getting narrow. There was a medivac but there were no roads open going up to the airport.
At the airport, the hamlet is in need of emergency help.
I would like to ask the minister whether they would be able to review and make a faster response on these emergency situations.
What my colleague has commented about is what we have been previously informed about, with the situation in Coral Harbour with their problems regarding the snow clearing.
I think that there are four other communities that are also in the same situation throughout the winter months.
I can tell my colleague that his question is being looked at, and this will continue to be reviewed, due to the hardships of what went on this past winter.
We are in the process of developing a strategy to rectify this problem.
The question that Mr. Curley referred to, and the response that he got from the minister was, (interpretation ends): “Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I will look into this issue in the Kitikmeot, Kivalliq, and Baffin.
As I said earlier, we will see what has happened over this year and see if we need more funds.
I could direct this request to the cabinet.”
Has he requested to the cabinet to get more funds recently?
As of yet, no.
As I said, with the additional options that have surfaced from my commitment to review this file further for a submission to cabinet, because of the additional options that we are looking at now, I still have yet to conclude the review.
I have yet to present something to cabinet for consideration, as of today.
Question 382 – 2(2): Municipal Operations Problems
I think today is Mr. Kilabuk’s day because we all want to ask him questions.
I am representing communities that are non-decentralized communities.
The two communities of Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord were given some responsibilities from Cape Dorset, but this operation now will move to Cambridge Bay.
Today the operation of the Department of Community and Government Services… . This program was moved and the municipality is running into problems with their financial matters, with their operational finances, although the government has given telephones and office supplies to Cambridge Bay.
This other community is in a different time zone.
I would like to ask the minister, did you get input and consult with the municipalities before the actual move of this municipal service program?
With respect to the communities that the member mentions, and whether the communities were approached, I know that we’ve written correspondence to them on the process and the development.
Also, in January 2004, all the communities were consulted by our officials to inform them of the office move.
Once the communities were approached, the hamlets were then consulted approximately six months after that, to deal with the financial matters of the municipalities.
Once the office was moved from Cape Dorset to Cambridge Bay, the finance division had to make plans and the communities did not have any knowledge as to what they are to do financially after the move of the office.
The municipality just recently found out about how this is done and doesn’t even know now what to do, whether they should be making plans.
Are they just going to be making estimates without any documents?
No, they will not be just be making estimates.
When we were in Arviat at the Nunavut Association of Municipalities meeting, I announced the additional funding that was allocated in the House and how much of those extra funds will be given to the communities.
With respect to my colleague’s question whether estimates will not just be guesswork, my staff has worked on this issue in order for the transfer of these funds go smoothly.
I can elaborate to my colleagues here that I will ask my officials to look at this issue regarding those two communities mentioned.
Regarding the communities that are not decentralized, when is the government going to be moving some of their programs?
They should be informing the non-decentralized communities and hamlet councils.
Are you going to be informing the municipalities prior to you moving any offices to any other community?
Our community is a non-decentralized community. We are in a catch-22 situation now; if we are referred back and forth and it all goes back to the headquarters of Iqaluit.
When we make that phone call, we are referred elsewhere all the time.
So, I was wondering if the department is going to be doing something like that, to keep the communities informed?
Yes, this is very rare, that we move.
Prior to the offices being moved to the other community, we had written to the communities, but unfortunately, the individuals that were going to visit the communities were unable to due to bad weather.
Now it is 2005.
In January, the officials went to those communities.
I agree with my colleague that the communities should be consulted with and if we’re going to be moving offices and if it’s going to have an impact on the community, the municipalities should be notified ahead of time.
I will relay this concern to my officials so that they can inform the communities ahead of time.
We know that the cost of energy has gone up.
In some communities the price of fuel is going to go up and the municipalities will have to identify their expenditures.
Are they going to penalize the municipalities?
They have to operate and they have to make financial estimates, and I believe that those two municipalities are going to encounter problems prior to this being resolved.
We’ve been trying to ask questions to the Cambridge Bay office and they have yet to respond.
My two questions are, will the departments that are being moved respond to us more promptly, and are the two affected communities going to be penalized?
Yes, the communities don’t need any additional burdens or to be penalized.
They should not be penalized, because we provide funding to the municipalities and those funds are to be used for municipal services.
I will relay your concerns, and also the two communities’ concerns, to my officials.
If they want to inform us of their concerns that have yet to receive a response, we will take them and deal with those concerns if they haven’t been resolved yet by the Cambridge Bay office.
Question 383 – 2(2): Update on Negotiations on Contaminated Sites
Can the minister update this House on the current status of negotiations with the federal government for the cleanup of contaminated sites in Nunavut.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Arreak, who are you directing your question to, to the Minister of Environment or of Community and Government Services?
Mr. Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I directed my question to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
In regard to the cleanup of contaminated sites, I’m not sure which sites he’s talking about.
Is he talking about old DEW Line sites or community dumps?
Could the member further elaborate on his question. Thank you.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Arreak, please rephrase your question.
Mr. Arreak: Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
I would like to thank my colleague for his question, but the minister responsible for this issue should respond to his question.
We have been working on the issue with the federal government.
If the lands are owned by the federal government, then it’s their responsibility.
If it is on Inuit lands, we need to go through the Inuit agreement.
As a government, we usually review clean ups to make sure that the cleanup process is completed right.
If they are on crown land, the federal government is responsible.
We have more of a monitoring role in the cleanup of the sites.
Perhaps I could get further information from my colleague on which site he is talking about and whether the site belongs to Nunavut or the federal government.
Mr. Arreak: Can the minister describe the current status of the Cape Christian environmental cleanup?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation):Thank you.
Up to July 2004, they have been working on resolving this situation.
In May, next month, they will have another round of negotiations to discuss land ownership.
I'm sure we'll have a better idea on the Cape Christian site then.
Although, perhaps, the response is going to be the same, can the minister describe the current status of the cleanup of the Old Clyde River site?
It is a work in progress and is currently under review.
It is being analyzed by an engineering firm.
The community HTO and the community members are working together with the federal government.
Discussions are ongoing as to what steps will be taken.
Question 384 – 2(2): Community Gravel Pits
I’m sure that this is not the first time that the minister has heard of this issue; it is in regard to gravel in our community.
My first question to the minister is, how many communities in Nunavut do not have adequate gravel pits?
I’m not sure how many communities in Nunavut do not have adequate gravel pits. I don’t have the information in front of me.
But there are communities where the gravel pits are too far from the communities. We are working on getting financial resources available to build roads to the gravel pits, but because of lack of resources, the roads have not been completed or have never made it to the required sites.
I can’t tell you at this time how many communities don’t have adequate gravel.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. Mapsalak.
This is not a new issue and this is not the first time that it is being brought up in the House or in Repulse Bay.
Repulse Bay did get a little bit of money to build a road to a gravel pit, but it’s very evident now that it’s going to have an effect on the community.
For example, because of the large amount of snow that we have now, we have to maintain the roads and build the lots, so there won’t be enough money left over to build a road to the gravel pit.
Could the minister tell us if there are any monies available to build roads to the gravel pit?
In regard to the community that he represents, I am well aware that his community has the most problems in accessing gravel to be used in the community.
We have been working for quite a number of years to rectify this problem and we have looked at various options.
At this time I can tell the member that we are working on finding the monies.
I will speak to my officials and have a discussion with the member.
Question 385 – 2(2): Superintendent Responsibilities for the Proposed Regulations to the Wildlife Act
I would like to ask a question in regard to the draft regulations that were brought up by the Minister responsible for Wildlife.
My concern is that there are many licences, permits, harvesting rights, commercial licences, there are many, many of those, but when reading the draft, I am concerned about the fact that this power is given to the superintendent.
Why is it that the minister made it that way?
Speaker (interpretation): The Minister responsible for Wildlife, Mr. Akesuk.
As you can see, the Wildlife Act is in draft form.
There is a lot of room for changes to be made at this stage.
As I stated earlier, it is in draft form, but if you have any concerns you should speak with your HTO.
The department will be consulting with the communities and the affected parties.
At this present time, the draft regulations are not written in stone.
We are going to be consulting with the communities, and if you have any concerns it is open for discussion.
It is quite important that I get my comments clearly registered.
There were some issues, like who has the authority to approve, finally, within the government, that are really quite important.