EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, I asked the minister a very clear question last week about why the Government of Nunavut’s own Interdepartmental Committee on Capital Planning did not select the Qikiqtarjuaq marine facility project for submission to the federal government’s New Building Canada Fund.
Mr. Speaker, this is one of the Government of Nunavut’s own committees and it is composed of the Government of Nunavut’s own employees.
Mr. Speaker, I am very confident that this committee documents the specific reasons for why it approves some projects but not others.
Mr. Speaker, my community deserves a clear answer about why the Government of Nunavut did not submit this project to the federal Building Canada Fund.
I will be asking the minister the same question at tomorrow’s sitting of the House and I respectfully ask her to be prepared to provide a clear answer.
Mr. Speaker, on a positive note, I was very pleased that the minister expressed willingness to have her department work with the municipality to see what specific improvements need to be made to the proposal for a new port for the community so that a new proposal can be submitted to the federal government.
I thank her for this and will be seeking further clarification at tomorrow’s sitting on the timeline for this work.
Member’s Statement 464 – 4(3): Condolences to Family in Constituency (Qirngnuq)
I rise today to say that a constituent of mine passed away over the weekend by accident in one of my communities.
Let us remember the family members and fellow residents of my constituent in our prayers. I ask my colleagues to join me in marking this tragedy here in this House.
Member’s Statement 465 – 4(3): Successful Fundraising for the New St. Jude’s Anglican Cathedral (Angnakak)
Good afternoon, everyone. I’ll try to read slowly.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to share some very good news.
In 2004 I was a member of the volunteer committee that was formed to raise monies for the renovation of the old St. Jude’s Anglican Cathedral here in Iqaluit.
One year later, in 2005, because of an arson fire, our beloved cathedral was burned down and destroyed.
Mr. Speaker, the original cathedral was built by local labour and was a huge source of pride for all of the residents of Iqaluit.
Immediately after the fire, the local fundraising committee refocused and we began to raise funds to build a new cathedral.
Mr. Speaker, 13 years later and after many rummage sales, craft sales, chili bake-offs, barrel sales, and many more fundraising activities, the last monies owed to our new cathedral have been paid off.
This good news was shared to the community at the AGM of the local vestry this month.
Mr. Speaker, the Anglican cathedral here in Iqaluit serves all of Nunavik, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories. It has been become a symbol of hope and pride for many people here in Iqaluit and across the north.
Support for the cathedral fundraising has come from almost every community and parish in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Nunavik, as well as, Mr. Speaker, from down south, the US, and even England.
Mr. Speaker, the local fundraising committee members that have worked on the fundraising since its beginning over the past 13 years include Chairperson Ed. Picco, members Rebekah Williams, Mary-Ellen Thomas, Susan Gardener, and Mr. Frank Pearce.
As well, many folks have come and gone from the committee that have helped the fundraising committee here in the community. Locally, just here in Iqaluit, the committee has raised close to $1 million.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask that you and this House join with me and congratulate the local fundraisers and celebrate the upcoming consecration of our beautiful, new, and debt-free St. Jude’s Cathedral.
Member’s Statement 466 – 4(3): Study of Beluga Whales in Cumberland Sound (Mike)
Good day to my fellow community members and Nunavummiut.
It is my mother-in-law’s birthday today and she is celebrating her 82nd birthday. I wish her a good day. I’m sure her children and grandchildren will ensure she will enjoy her birthday.
I rise today to inform you about the marine activities in Pangnirtung and its fiord. This past winter on January 10 and 11, 2017 the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans held a community meeting regarding beluga whales in the Cumberland Sound.
The beluga whale issue has been a very active issue that Pangnirtung residents have worked on over a long period of time. The people of Pangnirtung set their own regulations, establishing a moratorium in beluga whale calving grounds.
I want to ensure that this hard work is known and acknowledged.
It is my deepest honour to announce it in the House. It goes without saying that my fellow residents are thinking the same thing.
Beluga whales were being considered to be as a species at risk. It is for that reason that a study needs to be carried out since there is more than one subpopulation that comes into Cumberland Sound.
This is contrary to what beluga whale researchers keep saying and, that is, there is only one subpopulation.
This is why I rise today to call for the beluga whales to be studied for a full year, if possible, and that this study should determine whether there is more than one subpopulation. We also want the study to note that the moratorium in Pangnirtung has been a voluntary one in beluga calving grounds.
I look forward to the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans conducting a full study on beluga whales in Cumberland Sound.
Member’s Statement 467 – 4(3): Recent Achievements of Constituents in Education (Joanasie)
Good afternoon, my colleagues and Nunavummiut who are listening to our proceedings.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express how proud I am.
It was last year that I had reported how my younger brother is more capable than I am.
He took carpentry courses here in Iqaluit and had to be out of the community for many weeks.
It wasn’t just my brother; both he and Michael Hayward took the carpentry course for four years.
I feel really proud that they completed their courses and are now certified (interpretation ends) journeyman carpenters. (interpretation) Both have now returned to Cape Dorset.
I want to say how proud I am of them. They had to be away from their family and friends to take this training, but they knew that it was worthwhile to be away from home for a while they were taking these courses.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to further recognize my friend, Ottokie Aningmiuq, who was in Rankin Inlet for training.
Ottokie has been taking oil burner mechanic courses along with many others who went to Rankin Inlet for many weeks.
I am extremely proud of them for their dedication to further their education.
What they learn will only have a positive benefit, so I urge them to complete their courses.
I am also proud of the interpreter/translator students who are working hard in their endeavours and that they can even be interpreters here at the Assembly.
I fully appreciate the young students from the Interpreter/Translator Program who are here in the House. Thank you.
I would like to recognize an individual in the gallery. I think I’ve had one visitor to date since I was first elected. Today I fully appreciate my wife and my son for visiting in the gallery, Patricia and John Paul Apak.
Question 610 – 4(3): Qulliq Energy Corporation Activities in Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt)
Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
The Qulliq Energy Corporation’s 2015-16 annual report, which the minister tabled in the House last week, indicates that the corporation has completed “the first phase of a desktop study to assess the viability of wind power generation in all 25 [Nunavut] communities.”
A technical report prepared for the Qulliq Energy Corporation states, and I quote, “…the best location for a first project using small wind turbines is Sanikiluaq.”
I understand from reading the QEC’s annual report that this study was to have been presented to the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s board of directors.
For the record, can the minister confirm what decisions the Qulliq Energy Corporation has made with respect to moving forward with a wind power project in Sanikiluaq?
With respect to solar or wind power generators, I have to look into how Sanikiluaq was selected for that study.
I’ll have to get back to the member on his question so that I can provide a proper update on what has been done to date.
Question 611 – 4(3): Addressing Social Passing in Our Schools (Joanasie)
Mr. Speaker, the issue of social passing, when a student is promoted from grade to grade regardless of what they have learned or not learned, is often raised as a concern even though education officials have often stated that the department does not support the use of this policy.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister if he can clearly explain how his department can be sure that students are not socially promoted from grade to grade in schools across Nunavut.
I also thank my colleague for requesting more information on that matter.
I would first like all of my colleagues and the House to be aware that the Department of Education doesn’t have a policy about social promotion.
I would like to respond to his question clearly.
To give an example, if I had to complete seven classes and I completed five of them, then I can be promoted and I can go back to those two classes that I failed when I’m in the higher grade where I have been promoted.
I would like all of you to be aware that when they assess students in the schools, they do proper assessments. The school principal, support staff and parents have a conversation about the student as to whether that student should be promoted or not or stay in the same grade.
That’s how it’s determined.
I would like to further explain in the House that it’s very hard to say in Inuktitut.
We don’t have a term for (interpretation ends) “social promotion” (interpretation) in Inuktitut. We don’t have a policy on social promotion as I don’t believe in it.
While I appreciate that the Department of Education does not officially support the practice of social promotion, it does seem to happen.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister clearly explain how his department works with students and parents who feel that a student has been socially promoted?
Within the schools we have what we call the (interpretation ends) school team. (interpretation) These workers with different disciplines in the school discuss this with the student.
As I stated earlier, the school principal and the (interpretation ends) student support assistants (interpretation) all work together along with the parents of the student and they talk about whether that student should be promoted to a higher class or not.
That is what they do.
I personally have a hard time understanding what (interpretation ends) social promotion (interpretation) means and where that term came from.
It’s just a term, but then it gets overblown.
However, I would like to explain that all of our students have an assessment to see whether they should go on to a higher class or not.
If it is felt that they should not be promoted to the next grade, then they have a meeting with the principal, the teacher, and the parents and they explain that to the student. That happens all across Nunavut.
The reason can be a lack of attendance or they have a hard time keeping up if they miss classes.
That’s why parents are involved in the matter. We try to make them understand what’s happening and that’s what we do in our schools in any community in Nunavut.
From time to time, students are moved up to the next grade even though they or their parents feel that they are being socially promoted.
Can the minister clarify what courses of action are available for students or to their parents if they feel that a student has been a casualty of social promotion?
As I stated earlier, the school team is the group I mentioned that determines whether a student should be promoted to a higher grade or not.
Any parent can go to the school at any time to speak with the faculty and that’s what I tell parents, to please come and visit our students and check up on their school.
If they have any concerns at all about their child, they can go to the school in their community or they can meet with the local (interpretation ends) DEA (interpretation) or the principal.
Parents can go to the school at any time to check up on their children’s schooling.
It is beneficial for parents to be informed of what their children are learning because it encourages students to do well and to complete their education.
Yes, parents are welcome to meet with the local (interpretation ends) DEA, (interpretation) principals or teachers, or even their child’s own teacher to get more information.
As I said earlier, students are fully assessed to determine whether they should move on to the next grade in the coming year. This assessment is not just done as a formality. The term the member alluded to, (interpretation ends) “social promotion,” (interpretation) as they call it in English, even I have a hard time pronouncing it because I don’t understand it.
It is not our policy at all and I want to be sure my colleagues know that.
There are also many different support programs and services available to students. If I can say it in English, we have the (interpretation ends) individual learning plans. (interpretation) These kinds of supports are made readily available in our schools.
I would like all of our students to attend school every day.
It really helps them succeed well into the future.
Members, be aware that when the Minister of Nunavut Arctic College was speaking, one of the student interpreters was interpreting for him and I would like to express my appreciation. I’m very proud of that student.
Question 612 – 4(3): Status of Trades Programs in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok, A)
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut Arctic College’s trades training centre is located in Rankin Inlet.
It is a relatively new and well-equipped facility.
There was an expectation that all of the main trades programs would eventually be delivered out of this main facility. In fact we had been given to understand that the carpentry program would be delivered out of Rankin Inlet by now, but it is still in Iqaluit.
Can the minister clearly explain why Nunavut Arctic College’s carpentry program is not yet being delivered at the Rankin Inlet trades training centre?
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for requesting that information.
It’s true that the facility in Rankin Inlet, which is called Sanatuliqsarvik in Inuktitut, is running very well.
I can explain to my colleague and all of my colleagues that the carpentry program used to be in Iqaluit.
If I remember correctly, it was up by the Ukiivik residence, but that residence has been closed.
That’s where it used to be in Iqaluit, but the whole program is being moved to Rankin Inlet in the new school year. Next year it should be moved to Rankin Inlet.
What my colleague stated is true and yes, we are trying to offer all the trades courses at the (interpretation ends) trade school (interpretation) in Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thank the minister for promising to move the carpentry program to Rankin Inlet.
I’ll go on to my second supplementary question.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that Nunavut Arctic College’s carpentry program was delivered in Iqaluit in the past.
I further recognize that change can be difficult for any number of reasons.
However, the Rankin Inlet trades training facility was built with a specific purpose in mind: to provide dedicated trades training so that Nunavummiut can become skilled and certified for jobs that are much needed in our labour force.
Can the minister confirm that consolidating all trades training at the Rankin Inlet trades training centre is still the plan for Nunavut Arctic College?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister responsible for Arctic College, Mr. Quassa.
We are now looking at how we can improve programs and services at the trades training centre.
For example, we are reviewing trades or mining programs and other programs in order to improve them.
We’re not just sitting idly; we’re quite busy.
We’re looking at locating all trades training at the Rankin Inlet training centre. As I stated, the carpentry program will move to Rankin Inlet for sure.
All these trades training programs will be moved to Rankin Inlet so that they can be decentralized to the other communities and Nunavummiut will know what to expect.
My third question, he already answered it twice, so I’ll leave it at that.
Question 613 – 4(3): Departmental Vacancies (Enook)
In October of 2016, during our fall sitting, I asked the minister for an update on the status of filling his department’s vacant positions in Pond Inlet.
Of the seven positions available, five remained vacant at the time.
Can the minister tell me today what progress has been made since then to fill his department’s vacant positions in Pond Inlet and how many of those positions have been filled?
I remember clearly when the member asked those questions and I’m sorry to say that my update would still be the same.
We haven’t filled any of the positions. The one in particular that the member was asking about, the manager position, at that time I told him that we were close to filling it.
The job was offered to a candidate and the candidate turned it down. It was offered to the next candidate and that candidate turned it down.
We’re back to square one and it is being advertised or will be advertised very shortly.
When I raised this issue last fall, the minister indicated that a shortage of available staff housing units in the community was affecting his department’s efforts to fill vacant positions in Pond Inlet.
Can he indicate what progress has been made since then to work with the Nunavut Housing Corporation to address the staff housing situation in Pond Inlet?
When any job is being advertised, if housing is needed, then my officials talk and put in a request with officials from the housing corporation and they are put in the queue for staff housing.
We don’t have any priority over any other departments in terms of staff housing allocation, so we just put our name in the queue and we do our best.
I haven’t talked with the minister of housing himself, but my officials are in communication with the housing officials when there is a need and a request for staff housing for any positions that we are advertising.
Can the minister indicate which of his department’s programs and services have been impacted by the vacancies in Pond Inlet?
I can’t say which is more important or more critical, but we are putting the majority of our efforts into the manager’s position.
We are trying to fill them all, but the manager’s position has been vacant for an extended period of time and we need to get that filled. Some of the positions have been filled by casuals and we are doing our best to fill all these positions with indeterminate workers so that the people of Pond Inlet can get the services that they need and require.
Question 614 – 4(3): Nunavut Housing Corporation Capital Plan (Mikkungwak)
As the minister will recall, the Legislative Assembly approved $4.9 million in capital funding during our recent fall sitting for the Nunavut Housing Corporation to begin construction on a new warehouse and office facility for Baker Lake’s local housing organization during the 2017-18 fiscal year.
Can the minister update me today on the status of the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s tender process for this project?
Mr. Speaker, I can tell my colleague today where we are at in regard to the status of the tender process for the LHO (interpretation ends) warehouse (interpretation) and office in the community.
Mr. Speaker, in regard to the member’s question on the (interpretation) warehouse (interpretation) issue, the (interpretation ends) public tender will come out today (interpretation) and the closing date is on March 31. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
As the minister will also recall, the Legislative Assembly approved capital funding during our recent fall sitting for the Nunavut Housing Corporation to begin construction of five new staff housing units in Baker Lake during the 2017-18 fiscal year.
Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to note that the tender for this work has now been issued and that the minimum Inuit labour content for this project will be 40 percent.
Can the minister indicate what the minimum Inuit labour content will be on the warehouse and office construction project for Baker Lake’s LHO?
In regard to the percentage of Inuit labour for the project the member is referring to, once the contract has been awarded, the contractors usually get funding allocated to be used in the community for hiring local people and/or beneficiaries.
I don’t want to just guess the figure, so I’ll have to look into this, but it was approximately $50,000 to initiate and support Inuit labour content.
Alongside of that, for training through Nunavut Arctic College, there is an apprenticeship program.
They are involved with the contractors so that they can hire locally.
It is also stipulated in the contract. That is what we will be using. We are working with the local housing organization to make sure they are following the Inuit labour content requirement.
It’s obvious that the minister responded to part of my final supplementary.
I was also pleased to note that the NHC’s tender for Baker Lake’s five new staff housing units includes up to $50,000 in funding for the contractor to fund training of Inuit workers.
Mr. Speaker, as we know from the success of training projects at the Meadowbank mine, my constituents are eager to take training and build their skills.
Can the minister indicate how much funding will be available for training workers as part of the warehouse and office construction project for Baker Lake’s LHO?
As I stated earlier and I understand the member’s comment that the funding will be made available and allocated to the contractors to provide support for local hires.
Also, Mr. Speaker, our contractors have explained that they hire locally in the smaller communities.
I know that the local housing organization will be working alongside the contractors to work with the local hires in all of the communities.
That’s what we’re starting to roll out in the communities. We always want to utilize local labour at the community level whenever possible and that will continue.
Question 615 – 4(3): 2017 Budget (Angnakak)
I was re-reading the minister’s Budget Address this weekend and a few things jumped out at me.
In his speech the minister indicated that he is “about to begin discussions with the federal government about renewing” the Territorial Formula Financing Agreement.
Can the minister indicate whether or not he hopes to renegotiate aspects of the current agreement, or are we just looking at extending the current agreement without significant changes?
We would hope to renegotiate certain aspects of the agreement.
It’s a five-year agreement. Every five years it’s due to be renewed. During the intervening period we’re in constant discussions with Finance Canada.
They’re aware of our concerns.
We hope that when we do renew the new agreement, they will take into consideration certain factors that apply elsewhere in Canada but not in Nunavut.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for his response.
This year’s Budget Address indicates that the Department of Health will receive a funding increase of 3.5 percent.
Last week I raised a number of concerns and questions regarding the process by which this department’s budget is determined given the annual need for significant supplementary appropriations for its operations.
Can the minister explain why the Department of Health is allocated a budget that is unlikely to meet its actual needs?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Finance, Hon. Keith Peterson.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, over the years the Department of Health, not only in Nunavut but in all territories and all provincial jurisdictions, the health care costs have been increasing, in some cases significantly.