EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
This is the position that the President of ITK has also taken.
Mr. Speaker, Inuit need to be more vocal, but I would like to thank those who have voiced their concerns about polar bears. Some voices have called for renewed efforts to establish mutual respect between the parties involved in wildlife management.
I will continue to speak out on the need for Inuit knowledge and methods to be fully respected parts of modern wildlife management practices in Nunavut.
Otherwise, we will have two cultures clashing.
That’s unacceptable and that’s not good enough, so we need to make improvements in that area.
I would like to again thank the minister for making a statement on this issue.
Member’s Statement 523 – 2(4): Terry Fox Head Shave (Tootoo)
As it is a Friday, I rise today to announce a light-headed affair, the annual Terry Fox Head Shave.
Today’s fund-raising event will see four of Iqaluit’s brave firefighters lose some of that extra weight above their ears as they face the barber at the Iqaluit fire department.
Mr. Speaker, Iqaluit Firefighters Ian Parsons, Terry Rogers, Saul Tagak and Chris Rumsey will all lose their lovely locks of hair. The barber will be a former dispatcher with the fire department, Steven Baillie.
I’m sure that’s a duty that everyone wanted to do, so I congratulate him on being the successful person being able to do that. I’m sure he will enjoy himself very much. I would like to acknowledge the generous donation of time (and hair) to be made by these individuals.
Mr. Speaker, the Terry Fox organization plans and promotes a number of activities to raise funds for cancer research.
This is the second year that this specific group of true Canadian heroes, firefighters and emergency personnel from across the country, have taken part in the head shave event.
Last year, I believe about $1 million was raised.
Mr. Speaker, today’s head shave event will be held at two o’clock at the Iqaluit Fire Hall either in the parking lot or in the bay. Everyone is welcome to come out and watch and, of course, pledges and donations are welcomed to the Terry Fox program.
Mr. Speaker, if it is any consolation to the four firefighters who will no longer have that extra layer of insulation to keep them warm as the days get shorter and colder, at least they won’t have to worry about the mosquitoes.
Member for Cambridge Bay, Mr. Keith Peterson.
Member’s Statement 524 – 2(4): Kitikmeot Volunteer Firefighters (Peterson))
I rise today to congratulate all of the Kitikmeot firefighters who attended the level 1 training course held in Cambridge Bay this summer.
Mr. Speaker, during two weeks in July, volunteer firefighters from Kitikmeot communities participated in firefighting training to learn vital new skills that will prepare them to effectively and safely respond to many types of fires.
The two-week training program is in addition to the many hours of practice that they undergo in their home communities with their own fire departments.
Mr. Speaker, I attended the firefighters’ graduation banquet on July 31 and was extremely impressed by their enthusiasm and eagerness to serve their communities in what is likely the most dangerous and life-threatening volunteer position in any community.
I was very proud to accept and wear the firefighters T-shirt that they presented to me.
Mr. Speaker, as we all know, being a firefighter is a dangerous occupation and there is no guarantee that when a firefighter responds to a blaze that they will escape serious injury or possibly even death.
They are aware of the inherent risks of their volunteer profession. Nevertheless, they are willing to assume this risk for the greater good of their communities.
Mr. Speaker, the firefighters in my community of Cambridge Bay are a very well-trained and motivated group. Our community owes much to them for the security and comfort that they give us while we live in our homes and work in our businesses.
Mr. Speaker, in recent years, our Cambridge Bay firefighters have responded to two major fires that threatened vital facilities.
In the first incident, they saved our community hall to the extent that it was able to be repaired within a year. Last year, in a second incident, they saved our brand new Kitikmeot Health Facility and it was back in operation in six weeks. The loss of either or both of these buildings would have been devastating to our community.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut must continue to invest in firefighters’ training, modern equipment, and upgraded facilities.
The Government of Nunavut should ensure that volunteer firefighters receive adequate workers’ compensation coverage and life insurance effective from the moment they leave home to respond to a fire or to take training to the moment when they return home.
I was also pleased to note the commitment in this year’s Budget Address which indicated that volunteer firefighters in Nunavut will be able to take advantage of a tax credit of $500 starting January 1 of this year.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in recognizing the volunteer firefighters in Cambridge Bay and throughout the Kitikmeot and Nunavut who make our communities safe places to live.
I would also like to acknowledge and recognize Assistant Fire Marshall Robert Tremblay and his training staff who organize and facilitate the firefighter training in the Kitikmeot.
Return to Oral Question 623 – 2(4): Tax Issues (Tapardjuk)
I am pleased to rise today to respond to Member Tootoo’s question regarding the progress of the implementation of tax initiatives introduced in Budget 2008.
Three initiatives that I announced will be included as part of the 2008 Nunavut Income Tax and Benefit Guide.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavummiut will receive these credits when they file their 2008 tax returns.
Those credits are:
An increase in the pension amount from $1,000 to $2,000;
A $500 tax credit for volunteer firefighters; and
A textbook tax credit for students of $65 per month for full-time students and $20 per month for part-time students.
Mr. Speaker, a fourth tax incentive is the Business Training Tax Credit.
That tax initiative requires consultation with the industry itself.
Those consultations will begin this month. We are hopeful that this initiative, too, will be in place for 2008.
To ensure Nunavummiut enjoy tax incentives as early as possible, Mr. Speaker, it is not unusual for legislative amendments to the Income Tax Act to lag behind implementation. That is the case here.
The initiatives are in place now for the 2008 taxation year and we expect the legislative changes to be introduced in the First Session of the Third Assembly.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Returns to Oral Questions.
It gives me great pleasure this morning to introduce to the Gallery a very distinguished group of individuals who are here in Nunavut on some economic opportunity that may present itself over the coming months, especially on this occasion when we just announced this morning on the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU, with Baffinland.
So with us today, Mr. Speaker, and join with me in welcoming to the Gallery, first of all, Mr. Gord McCreary, who is the President and CEO, he needs no introduction to the people here in this House, of Baffinland from Toronto.
We also have with us Rod Cooper and Rod is the Vice-President of Operations and also the Chief Operating Office for Baffinland in Toronto. Ron, welcome.
We also have Al Gorman from Baffinland’s office in Toronto. Al, who is with us.
We have Len Kutchaw and Len is here, the Director of Health and Safety for Baffinland in Toronto. Len, welcome.
And another guy who needs no introduction, he was a long-term resident of Pond Inlet and lived in the north for a long time, Mr. Sean Maloney, who is the Manager of Business Development from Baffinland in Toronto. Welcome, Sean.
Baffinland invited several financiers and bankers from the international community to come forward and come up to Nunavut. And this is the third trip they have done with different bankers, so I would like take this opportunity to welcome a group of bankers that are here from all over the world.
So, Mr. Speaker, starting off with Mr. Michael Frilegh, who is a consultant for Baffinland in Toronto.
Tim Lwin, who is with the Economic Development Corporation out of Ottawa. Tim, welcome.
Alexis Johnson from the Economic Development Corporation, from Ottawa.
Wolfgang Behler and he is with the KfW-IPEX Bank, one of the largest banks in the world, from Frankfurt, Germany.
Donald Carrillo and Donald is from Caterpillar Financial out of Nashville Tennessee. Welcome, Donald.
We have Hugh Rowan-Legg from GE Commercial Finance out of Toronto.
We also have Remco Van de Walter from ING, “Hands in your pocket,” some of us remember that...
... from New York City, New York. Welcome.
We have Steve Kelley from the Bank of Montreal in Toronto.
Robert Dyck from West LB in Toronto.
And we have Cyril Amadi from West LB, London, England.
And we also have Roch Ledoux from the National Bank of Canada in Montreal.
Question 642 – 2(4): Voter Identification Requirements for the Federal General Election (Curley)
I have a very short question about some concerns in our community.
The federal general election will be held October 14, 2008, and there are new requirements for photo identification.
When I was having a discussion with the elders this morning, they were concerned that they may be unable to vote since they don’t have any photo identification for the federal election.
Due to the new requirement for photo identification, the legislation may prevent many Inuit from exercising their democratic right to vote due to the fact that many communities don’t have access to photo ID equipment.
It’s (interpretation ends) very simple.
Photo ID is a piece of cake, you know, (interpretation) a photo ID can be produced quite readily.
So based on that premise, my question to the Premier is: can the Premier indicate to the House if he raised the photo ID issue with the appropriate federal authorities?
I raise this because we have a limited number of days prior to the federal election.
Premier of Nunavut, (interpretation ends) Honourable Paul Okalik.
This requirement is not cast in stone and there are several options available. You can be vouched for by an eligible voter if you don’t have photo identification.
But yes, we were concerned about the issue of requiring photo identification in federal elections. It’s out of our control as it is the federal government’s responsibility.
I’m sure that we will iron out the kinks after this election.
Very briefly, right now, we have a concern.
If it’s going to be a federal requirement, there are a lot of elders out there who don’t have photo IDs.
A lot of the younger people do have photo IDs but not the elders. Could the Premier assure the House if he could bring up this issue with his counterparts?
Again, it’s not too late for eligible voters to get photo IDs in the majority of the communities. We have an office that they can call. We can also get the assistance from the hamlet councils to make sure that all eligible voters exercise their democratic right to vote.
It’s not too late to acquire photo IDs.
Question 643 – 2(4): Dust Control in Smaller Communities (Simailak)
I send my regards to the people of Baker Lake.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Community and Government Services and it is regarding dust control on roads. In my community of Baker Lake, Mr. Speaker, increased economic activity has resulted in more vehicles on the roads, thereby creating even more dust.
In June of this year, the minister told the House that she could look into whether the $48,000 that is currently provided by her department to communities for dust control is adequate to meet actual needs. Can the minister update this House and the people of Baker Lake on this issue?
Yes, the member is correct; there is a program in place for the communities of Nunavut. The minister is correct; there is $48,000 in place for the funding of dust control.
Yes, I am also investigating if, in fact, we could get further funding because the $48,000 amount is no longer sufficient for some communities as the communities are growing. In fact, my staff are talking with the federal government to see if we can add to that funding.
The health issues associated with breathing in significant quantities of road dust are of concern to me and the people of Baker Lake. Can the minister advise the House today what steps she has taken since June to work with the Departments of Health, Environment, and Economic Development and Transportation to address this issue?
Hon. Levinia Brown: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) The member is correct; it is a bit of a concern to this government. We will have to talk with the other departments and there will be a requirement for a study to be conducted at some point in the future.
We will be working with the Departments of Environment and Health on this issue because it has been raised more than once and we would like to make sure that something is done about it.
Question 644 – 2(4): Political Interference in Criminal Justice System (Tootoo)
Mr. Speaker, last March, I asked him some questions about comments that were aired on the radio in February about the allegations of political interference in a certain issue regarding a supervisor.
Someone had testified in court that their supervisor had pushed to seek imprisonment of someone because an unidentified politician was pressuring them.
At the time, Mr. Speaker, the minister had indicated that he would get back to us and I think we all agree that whenever allegations of political interference are made, it’s very serious. He had indicated at that time last March that he would notify the Members of this House on that investigation.
So I’m just wondering if the minister could update us on that now.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I’m sorry for not getting back to the House earlier, but I wanted a thorough investigation to assure myself that there’s no interference and it was found that there’s no such interference from any elected official from this House. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Can the minister indicate, through his investigation, if there was identity to the unidentified politician that was alleged to have put that pressure on?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, there’s no such pressure coming from this House, so there’s no politician from this House involved.
So that’s what the extent of the investigation was, to assure this House that there is no such pressure coming from any elected official from our Assembly. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I’m sure the minister will recall in February that someone had testified in court and he had indicated last March that they were getting the transcripts for that.
Can he indicate if he reviewed that and if those allegations were actually made in the courts or not after they reviewed the transcripts that they were waiting for?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, there is no one that can make a claim in any court.
We would assure ourselves that any claims that may be in court have to be looked at very seriously and that’s what took place with our officials. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
From that response, if anyone can make a claim or allegation, it would indicate that that allegation was made in court and I would assume under oath or whatever.
Can the minister indicate how they determined or looked into the fact of whether or not those allegations were, in fact, valid or not?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I had my staff review this as I took it very seriously and they interviewed the parties that had any role in this entire affair.
And it was assured to me that no such influence took place from any elected official from this House. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 645 – 2(4): Critical Housing Shortage in Cambridge Bay (Peterson)
Mr. Speaker, Cambridge Bay has a critical housing shortage that’s placing tremendous pressures on our individuals and families.
I have written to the minister about this problem. Mr. Speaker, overcrowding is a serious issue and years on the waiting list is not uncommon in Cambridge Bay.
Some people have been on the waiting list for two or three years.
Mr. Speaker, under the Nunavut Housing Trust, Cambridge Bay is supposed to receive 33 units over three years beginning last year. My question for the minister: can the minister inform the House and the people of Cambridge Bay when the 33 units will be completed?
We continue to implement the $200 million Nunavut Housing Trust which we received from the federal government and we have allocated to his community according to the tenants within the community.
As for when we will finish the construction allocated for the community of Cambridge Bay, we hope to do it by the end of next summer.
I appreciate the minister’s answer, but Mr. Speaker, the construction of the first five-plex in Cambridge Bay took one year, where I believe there are going to be five five-plexes. The construction of that five-plex began on August 1, 2007 and tenants only began moving in August 2008, so there are four more five-plexes.
The minister indicated that the construction would be all completed by next summer, so you can obviously see there’s a long construction period in Cambridge Bay for five-plexes.
I’m wondering if the minister can explain to the House why it is taking so long to construct the Nunavut Housing Trust units.
We are experiencing difficulties in other communities in terms of the construction of the Nunavut Housing Trust program, but other communities are doing much better.
We continue to work with the LHOs on delivering the program.
As I’ve said, some communities are doing well, others are not, but we hope to get 47 journeypersons out of this program and we will continue to do so.
Mr. Speaker, I think we all recognize that training and employment is important and helpful to our communities, but there’s a need to balance that training and employment against the health and social well-being of the residents of our communities. I’m very concerned in Cambridge Bay, I have many constituents who come to me on a weekly basis asking for help and wondering why we can’t provide more housing.
I understand that the President of the Nunavut Housing Corporation was in Cambridge Bay earlier this year and he met with the local developers to discuss how to construct the houses faster in the housing market.
I’m wondering if the minister could explain to the House and me what plans the Nunavut Housing Corporation has to speed up construction and delivery of housing in Cambridge Bay.
As I said previously, we are continuing to implement the Nunavut Housing Trust program and we want to spend as much money as we can within the communities so that the beneficiaries will benefit from this program.
We continue to work with the LHOs to try and speed up the construction program, but we are having difficult issues with people coming to work, etcetera. So we continue to work with the LHOs.
In Cambridge Bay, there are four or five developers who hire a lot of local people as trades people and as labourers, and they have invested significantly in their businesses to construct houses and office buildings.
I would suggest to the minister that a lot of the economic benefits from the Nunavut Housing Trust would flow to the community of Cambridge Bay if the Nunavut Housing Corporation was to remove some of the restrictions on this type of project and tendered the contracts out, at least some of it, not all of it. There are five units, maybe two of them could be training units and three could be tendered out in the private sector.
My question for the minister: can the minister indicate if the Nunavut Housing Corporation has considered tendering out construction with some of the five-plexes and removing construction restrictions to speed up delivery in Cambridge Bay, and if not, why not?
This summer, I believe we are going to put $11 million into the pockets of Nunavummiut and it’s never been done before.
We will continue to work with the LHOs into delivering the Nunavut Housing Trust program.
Question 646 – 2(4): Status of Two Five-Plex Housing Units for Sanikiluaq (Kattuk)
In January of this year, the minister wrote me a letter in which he indicated that two five-plexes, or units, were scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2008.
Can the minister update me today on the status of construction of Sanikiluaq’s new public housing units?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Honourable Patterk Netser.
I’m just looking at the Sanikiluaq... my apologies, Mr. Speaker.
According to my briefings, the Sanikiluaq one five-plex, which was constructed in 2006-07, is occupied at the moment.
Occupied? My next question: can the minister indicate to me how many residents of Sanikiluaq have obtained employment or apprenticeship opportunities with this year’s public housing construction?
I said before that we are hoping to produce up to 47 journeypersons out of this program. As per individual community, I do not get into details of how many people we have in terms of apprenticeship programs. That is something I can get from the corporation as I do not get into details of that scope of work.
My next question: concerns have been raised with me about the design of the new five-plex units. I understand that some people would like to see eaves installed over the doorways in order to protect residents and their children from ice falling. However, I have been told that building codes may not allow this.
Will the minister commit to having his officials review this issue and get back to me with their findings?
We are very concerned over the safety of our tenants, so I can commit to the member to addressing his concerns with the staff.
Our harsh arctic environment requires that our housing be suited to winter.
Can the minister indicate to me how the Nunavut Housing Corporation works with local residents to ensure that public housing designs are suited to the needs of the community?
Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I think we have been around long enough to address the needs of the tenants and indeed, across Nunavut, I understand we have won the award for best design in terms of efficiency, etcetera.
And I think we have done really well in terms of addressing energy needs within our Housing Corporation programs.
Question 647 – 2(4): Dilapidated Office Building in Kugaaruk (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, I raised a question to the minister in regard to the government office in Kugaaruk where I identified that an office building was dilapidated and past its useful life. It is unacceptable due to its age and requires many renovations.
When I posed the question to the minister, I requested that the minister provide a written response while we were still in session. I have yet to see any correspondence on this matter.
Has the minister looked into the matter that I was raising?
I thank my colleague for asking the question.
The issue was raised after we had completed the capital plan. Therefore, the capital project for the community of Kugaaruk will have to be reviewed so that we can include a building replacement in the next capital plan.
We were working on the immediate replacement requirements for the community and this project was not included in the initial list of capital items.
There were quite a number of items that required replacement or renovation and we also have to adhere to federal regulations applicable to each item.
Further, some of these items are ineligible for inclusion into the plan, but we are continuing to work with the community and others as we are inundated with more requests for office replacements than we have funding for. There are many communities in the same boat with old buildings that require replacement.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Your first supplementary, Mr. Mapsalak.