EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I cannot say at this time what we’re going to be doing to rectify this matter but the only time I can bring it up again is when the results have been tabled in the House.
I just want to clarify as I did in Cambridge Bay that when the time comes, I will be tabling the results at that time, and that these matters are part of the considerations.
The other item that I want to mention has been brought up in the House already.
It’s about the elders aged 70 and over who have never gone into the wage economy. They have existed through subsistence hunting and usually their income comes from the selling of furs and pelts and then at the end of the month they get their pension.
Of course, that monthly pension does not meet their needs but they’re not going to complain about the shortfall because usually the elder is not the person who will complain about their discomfort.
But I would like your department to factor that in also, the fact that these Inuit were taught never to belittle their station in life and never to complain about their situation.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): If nobody complains to us, or voices their concerns to our department, there’s not much I can say to respond and I’m not going to guess what the problems are out there.
We encourage all people to submit their concerns where it relates to government.
If you have any concerns or problems in regards to income support, we can include that in the study and consider some solutions.
I would like to find out what you wish to do as we are nearing the end of the pages.
We are more than receptive to hearing the concerns of the people out there Mr. Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): I would like to know what the wish of the committee is because we’ve got only a few more pages to go through.
I would like to know before we go any further what the wish of the committee is.
I will give Mr. Nutarak an opportunity at this time.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): On page 9-16, there’s 22 million 600 thousand dollars.
Is the housing subsidy or housing rental for income support recipients included in this 22 million 600 thousand dollars because one of the officials mentioned that there’s a housing subsidy, food and other benefits that are provided?
The housing rentals are included here as long as that house is rented by the recipients.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): In regards to the rentals, what percentage of that money is used for rental subsidies from out of the 22 million budget?
We could give you an estimate.
It’s approximately 5 percent of the 22 million that is used for housing assistance but we will have to look into it further in order to give you an accurate number.
Mr. Nutarak seems to be pretty anxious to ask these questions.
Of this 5 percent out of the 22 million dollar budget, how does that translate to in numbers?
It’s approximately 1 million dollars, somewhere around there; it may be more or less than that.
I have no more other names on my list.
We now have a different format in our procedures for these meetings, before it was non-debatable; nowadays we have to ask for nays and assents.
I don’t know why we have to ask for all opposed.
We can ask the Speaker to return.
Thank you, it looks like we’ll have to meet again with the Department of Education.
Mr. Minister if you would want to say your closing remarks.
I don’t have much to add.
If we’re going to go ahead tomorrow, we will see you again to conclude my department.
I hope you bring all your officials because you’ve got a lot of programs under your department.
Speaker: Orders of the day. Item 21.
Orders of the Day for Friday May 3, 2002.
This House stands adjourned until Friday May 3rd, at 10:00 a.m. Sergeant-at-Arms.
>>House adjourned at 7.05 p.m.  Nunavut Canada
Friday May 3, 2002
Pages 344 - 395
Opening Prayer 344
Members’ Statements 344
Ministers’ Statements 349
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 350
Oral Questions 351
Replies to Opening Address 369
First Reading of Bills 371
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 372
Report of Committee of the Whole 393
Orders of the Day 394
Friday May 3, 2002 344
020 – 1(6): Report Identifies Gasoline as Cause of Engine Damage (Kattuk) 349
080 – 1(6): Gjoa Haven Polar Bear Quota (Puqiqnak) 344
081 – 1(6): Congratulate Mavis and Marjori for Completing Nunavut Teacher Education Program (Havioyak) 345
082 – 1(6): No Hardship as a Youth (Alakannuark) 345
083 – 1(6): Daughter’s Graduation Today (Nutarak) 346
084 – 1(6): Congratulate 19 Students – Atlantic Band (Tootoo) 346
085 – 1(6): Baker Lake’s 25th Anniversary (McLean) 347
086 – 1(6): Congratulate Vicky Tanuyak for Completing the Teachers’ Education Program (Arvaluk) 347
087 – 1(6): Congratulate Rankin Inlet Management Program Graduates (Anawak) 347
088 –1(6): NWT Super Soccer Tournament in Yellowknife (Picco) 348
089 – 1(6): 30th Anniversary on May 5, 2002 (Kattuk) 348
087 – 1(6): Update on Negotiations for St. Theresa’s Home (Arvaluk) 351
088 – 1(6): Correction Camps – Are they a Good Solution (Havioyak) 351
089 – 1(6): Family Visitation with Patient in Hay River (Puqiqnak) 352
090 – 1(6): Communities Affected by Bad Gasoline (McLean) 354
091 – 1(6): Bad Gasoline – What Steps will the Department be Taking (Tootoo) 354
092 – 1(6): Bad Gas – What Kind of Information Provided and Community Contacts (Williams) 356
093 – 1(6): Stranded Medical Patients (McLean) 357
094 – 1(6): Arctic Bay Teachers - Housing Shortage (Williams) 361
095 – 1(6): Fund Communities to Transport Meat (Arvaluk) 363
096 – 1(6): Raise the Quota For Polar Bear Harvest (Nutarak) 364
097 – 1(6): Gjoa Haven Polar Bear Quota (Puqiqnak) 365
098 – 1(6): Staff Housing (Tootoo) 366
099 – 1(6): Kugaaruk Survey (Alakannuark) 368
100 – 1(6): Staff Housing Policy/Guidelines (Tootoo) 368
004 – 1(6): Minister’s Statement 020 – 1(6) be Moved to Committee of the Whole (McLean) 369
001 – 1(6): Mr. Iqaqrialu’s Reply to Opening Address 369
Bill 2 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 4, 1999-2000 – First Reading 372
Bill 3 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3, 2000-2001 – First Reading 372
Bill 4 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 4, 2001-2002 – First Reading 372
Bill 5 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 1, 2002-2003 – First Reading 372
Bill 6 – Appropriation Act No. 2, 2002-2003 – Consideration in Committee 372
Speaker: Mr. Havioyak could you say the opening prayer?
Member’s Statement 080 – 1(6): Gjoa Haven Polar Bear Quota
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, this morning I’m very pleased to rise today.
I have been a member of the Legislative Assembly for 3 years and I finally put this neck tie on with pictures of polar bears on it.
Yesterday, Gjoa Haven was approved by the NWMB and the Department of Sustainable Development and they are allowed to have 3 polar bears and I’m so happy.
This year, this month, they will be going out to hunt polar bear on M’Clintock Channel.
My constituency Mr. Speaker, on behalf of them, I would like to thank everyone involved and I know that they really appreciate this and although they’ve never stopped lobbying even though there was a moratorium on that and the elders are very glad to hear that for the first time since 2001 they’ll be able to eat polar bear meat again.
Yesterday, we heard on CBC radio the Chairperson of NWMB making the announcement and we were very happy in my constituency for that reason by helping each other and supporting each other through the Government of Nunavut and through land claims entities we can work together and get through hardships.
We have heard that it is impossible but when we keep lobbying anything is possible.
Mr. Speaker I would like to ask you if I can dance with you.
Speaker: I will pass on that one Mr. Puqiqnak.
Member’s Statement 081 – 1(6): Congratulate Mavis and Marjori for Completing Nunavut Teacher Education Program
Mr. Havioyak: First of all I want to thank you for allowing me to have two statements yesterday.
I rise today to congratulate two of my constituents: Mrs. Mavis Margo and Marjori Havioyak.
Mavis and Marjori along with their families are taking part in a graduation ceremony today from the well known Nunavut Teachers Education Program at Arctic College. Thanks to their hard work and the steady support of their families, they are close to fulfilling their dreams of returning to Kugluktuk as certified teachers later this summer.
Mr. Speaker, members of the House are well aware that we need more teachers in our communities. We need teachers who are trained and who can teach in two languages.
I am delighted that we are a step closer to have more Inuinnaqtun speakers in the classroom.
Mr. Speaker, being a student and trying to raise a family at the same time is almost an impossible job.
I call upon our government to ensure NTEP students receive a fair level of support so that they can complete their studies and make their contribution to our communities.
I would like all members to join me in congratulating our graduates.
Koana Uqaqti.
Member’s Statement 082 – 1(6): No Hardship as a Youth
Since today is Friday I will make a hilarious announcement.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell a short story about my antics as a young person.
Even perhaps Mr. Speaker, before you were born. Some people when they talk about traditional stories they have had a hard life. Mr. Speaker, I never had hardship in my life.
When I was young I used to build snow houses wherever I want.
There was no housing shortage and no shortage of snow for igloos.
Our building construction materials would fall out of the sky as snowflakes.
When spring came, they would melt and when it returned to winter time we would build our igloos and when the snow came they did not cost anything.
It did not create hardship, we did not want for anything and we had no
Member’s Statement 083 – 1(6): Daughter’s Graduation Today
This afternoon at 2 o’clock there will be a graduation ceremony at the Curling rink.
Some NTEP students will be graduating and this fortunately includes part of my family.
One of my daughters will also be graduating along with my daughter-in-law.
So I am inviting you to attend the ceremony at 2 o’clock this afternoon.
Member’s Statement 084 – 1(6): Congratulate 19 Students – Atlantic Band
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 19 students from Iqaluit’s Inuksuk High School who recently represented Nunavut at the Atlantic Band Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Mr. Speaker, 15 young musicians and four young drum dancers were accompanied by their teacher Colleen Walsh and their chaperone Tom Critelli on this trip.
Mr. Speaker, this very prestigious event brought together over 50 bands from across the Maritimes and Ontario.
I was delighted to hear that we received perhaps the only standing ovation at the entire festival.
Mr. Speaker, one of the unique features of the student’s performance was their use of the drum dancing and throat singing.
Naturally many people in the audience had never experienced the power of such artistic expression.
Mr. Speaker, it is said that music talks to our souls.
Music is a valuable part of our youths’ education and I support the efforts of all the parents, organizers and community members who donated time and money to enable our youth to take part in an event like this.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask all members of this House to join me in congratulating these youth on a job well done representing Nunavut at the festival.
Member’s Statement 085 – 1(6): Baker Lake’s 25th Anniversary
Mr. Speaker, today I will be flying home to my community and returning on Monday, but I wanted to take this time to invite everybody in this House to come to Baker Lake on Monday and spend the week, because it is the 25th Anniversary of the Hamlet of Baker Lake becoming incorporated.
I am inviting everybody to come.
I won’t be there because I will be in the House questioning the budget, but if my colleagues want to go over there and spend the week, they will have a great time square dancing, having feasts and playing all kinds of traditional games.
So I would like to congratulate the Hamlet of Baker Lake on their 25th Anniversary.
I will not be there most of the week, I will try to get there for at least a day or two, and invite my colleagues to come over if they have the time.
Member’s Statement 086 – 1(6): Congratulate Vicky Tanuyak for Completing the Teachers’ Education Program
I would like to congratulate Vicky Tanuyak on her graduation and completion of the Nunavut Teacher Education post secondary course today. On behalf of the people in Chesterfield Inlet, she sets an example so that more Inuit teachers will be comfortable in that community.
Member’s Statement 087 – 1(6): Congratulate Rankin Inlet Management Program Graduates
I also rise today to congratulate the Rankin Inlet graduates and the others that took part in the management studies program.
These students completed their courses and received their certificates: Pakkak Sigurdson, Gary Sigurdson, Earl Naslund, David Fredlund and Tony Van Der Holden.
Also participating were Maria Koksuk, Veronica Nirlungajuk, Melissa Erwin, Sheila Angotialuk, Brenda Whitlock, Cynthia Osborne, Jesusa David, Ovalooktoo Ittinuar, and Mickie Van Holden.
I would like to congratulate these graduates for completing their Arctic College studies and I wish them well in the future as a result of their success.
Member’s Statement 088 – 1(6): NWT Super Soccer Tournament in Yellowknife
Mr. Speaker, eight Aqsarniit School students and one student from L’ecole Etudier, the Francophone School here in Iqaluit, will be travelling to Yellowknife to participate in the NWT Super Soccer Tournament this weekend.
Mr. Speaker, the twelve and under soccer team consists of Bjorn Simonsen, Chris Lloyd, Akesuk Peter, Jonathan Neilly, Sam Carter, Carl McLean, Michael Arnakak, Ian Doherty and Jean Marc Lalonde.
Mr. Speaker, They are ably coached by Marilyn Neilly.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the team the best of luck at this tournament, and I know that they are going to be enjoying themselves over in Yellowknife this weekend.
At the same time, Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that over twelve hundred athletes and young soccer players usually participate during this tournament.
I am sure that the opportunity to be in Yellowknife and meet some similar athletes will be well worth it for the students.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join with me in wishing them the very best over the coming weekend.
Member’s Statement 089 – 1(6): 30th Anniversary on May 5, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I rise today, today is not the actual date of the anniversary of my marriage, but on May 5, Alice and I will be celebrating our thirtieth anniversary.
There is another couple in Sanikiluaq, Kaalia and Silasie, who were married at the same time and will also be celebrating their anniversary.
It will be our thirtieth anniversary and I am glad that we are still happily married after thirty years.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to go back to Item 2.
Speaker: Minister Kattuk would like to go back to Item 2.
Minister’s Statement 020 – 1(6): Report Identifies Gasoline as Cause of Engine Damage
Mr. Speaker, in our orders, I wanted to go to Minister’s Statements, because I have something urgent that I need to bring up, so in order to avoid confusion, I will read it in English.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to announce the results of the preliminary report from the Alberta Research Council on the state of gasoline in the Baffin and the Kivalliq, as well as to inform Nunavummiut what steps the government is taking as a result.
The report indicates what many people have suspected, the gasoline is causing engine damage.
The report is a result of recent snowmobile testing in Rankin Inlet.
The test indicates that the gasoline in the Baffin and the Kivalliq, which is from a New York refinery, produces unusually high engine deposits in comparison to Canadian gasoline supplies in the Kitikmeot.
The Alberta Research Council is currently working to identify a solution to purify the remaining gasoline supplies.
We expect the Alberta Research Council to provide us with options within the next week.
Our situation in Nunavut is unique because Nunavummiut rely on snowmobiles to hunt and travel as well as for recreation.
Our situation is also unique because the Alberta Research Council has indicated that this is a complex case.
Arriving of these answers has been a frustrating experience for everyone involved.
Although we now have some answers, we realize that this will be a detailed process with no quick solutions.
I wanted to assure Nunavummiut that our government will make every effort to resolve this problem.
The question of compensation has been raised on a number of occasions.
The Department of Public Works and Services, Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice are reviewing this but we still need more information before making a decision.
As well we are considering our legal options.
I want to assure Nunavummiut that this is a priority.
We have listened to your concerns about gasoline.
We found the most complete testing available in order to scientifically prove the cause of engine damage.
Now we’re taking immediate action to resolve this problem.
We will be contacting our suppliers regarding the test results.
Nunavummiut should exercise particular caution and keep safety in mind when traveling on the land and ice.
Spring weather is warmer, boats are being put in the water and people are traveling further to hunt.
I urge everyone to contact local wildlife officers for more information on safety.
Once again, I would like to thank the public for their patience during this process.
I will continue to update you as this develops.
Members will note that this was an emergency statement by Mr. Kattuk.
The Inuktitut version will be provided to members as soon as possible.
Speaker: I have somebody I’d like to recognize.
Nikki Doer, she is the Cultural Trade Commissioner with Heritage Canada, just behind Mr. Ng. Welcome to the gallery.
I’d like to recognize my co-worker.
She’s behind me.
Dorris Nancy Evaluk.
I’d like to recognize her.
Mr. Speaker, first of all I’d like to welcome to the gallery Alfred who’s been here every day when we sat for the last several months and enjoys the sessions immensely.
Alfred, I should point out was a personal friend of a very famous Canadian author, Mr. Harold Horleg and lived away about 4 miles from my home in Newfoundland.
I only found that out recently from Alfred.
I am very pleased to welcome Alfred to the Gallery.
Also, Mr. Speaker behind me is Atsina Allurut from our office upstairs, the Minister’s Office.
Atsina is originally from Arctic Bay and is living here in Iqaluit and is well known throughout Nunavut for her work with the minister and the Department of Health & Social Services.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Atsina to the Gallery.
Question 087 – 1(6): Update on Negotiations for St. Theresa’s Home
It is in regards to negotiations for the St. Theresa’s home for the disabled in Chesterfield Inlet.
What state is it at right now and how far have the negotiations gone?
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Finance hasn’t been undertaking any negotiations.
What’s happened is we were asked by the Department of Health & Social Services to do an assessment of the lease proposal for the new facility in Chesterfield Inlet from the Development Corporation.
And what has happened with that Mr. Speaker is that the assessment and analysis have been completed and we will be making recommendation to the Department of Health & Social Services for the minister’s consideration today.
Question 088 – 1(6): Correction Camps – Are they a Good Solution
I want to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Justice.
Since the creation of the Nunavut Government, people who are incarcerated are sent to Iqaluit or Yellowknife.
Some young people who are incarcerated sometimes return to jail and this becomes a pattern.
I was just wondering if these correction camps if they are used, I am wondering if that is a solution as we have discussed this issue.
I’d like to ask the minister if that is the solution to the problem.
I’d like to know if this is a plausible solution.
Yes, the camps that are used for people that are incarcerated are a good example and we would like to see more camps.
These camps are very good for inmates to learn traditional Inuit ways and to help them out and to have a better foundation to deal with life.
We want to see more camps throughout Nunavut as this helps them to be in a better position and to try to keep away from criminal activities.
And when we are presenting our budget during the Justice Department, the members will find out what we have allocated so far to provide funding for those camps.
Thank you minister, for your reply.
Before we talk about the budget, are they doing this work in our communities on behalf of the government?
Are there any correction camps that are operating right now?
I’d like to ask that question of the minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Yes, there are camps that are set aside for inmates which are operational.
I’m not exactly sure how many there are at this time because some of them have been closed down periodically and some are seasonal. As a result of a previous question on this issue, what I’m trying to do is to get information on all the correctional camps that are out there being operated, so that I can provide a number.
However we would like, as a department, to see more of those camps set up in the communities because they are beneficial to the inmates through teaching traditional pursuits, they are adding to the foundation of the youth.
Question 089 – 1(6): Family Visitation with Patient in Hay River
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Just let you know that I’m not going to be dancing with you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, in the 26 communities of Nunavut, I think that they all have the same problem, but I’ll use my community as an example.
In my community in Gjoa Haven, people with mental health problems cannot be taken care of in Gjoa Haven and they usually go down south for treatment.
There is one individual who is a mother who is in Hay River and she has two children.
The father is also disabled.
She had to go for mental health counselling in Hay River and those children would like to go down to visit their mother.
I would like to, on behalf of the family ask whether it would be possible to fund this trip by the children?
Mr. Speaker, one of the embarrassments, if I could use that word, over the last several years in the Northwest Territories and now in our own Government of Nunavut, is that the Government of Nunavut does not have any type of psychiatric facility for our residents.
Mr. Speaker, in the last budget, last year, we introduced the first drop-in day program in Nunavut and this year Mr. Speaker, with the new budget that’s been presented and the mental health strategy, we hope to open up a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, psychiatric facility in Iqaluit to deal with some of the issues of mental illness.
So people will not have to be sent south or out of Nunavut.
At the same time, Mr. Speaker, on this specific request of the member concerning can the children have visitation rights.
Mr. Speaker, these cases are judged separately.
In some cases there may be concerns with the stability of the person and so on.
Mr. Speaker, I would be very happy to look into the specifics of the case with the member and probably a request in writing so that we can make sure that that’s the proper procedure that has actually taken place and review that and investigate it.
I’m representing the husband and the children that are in Gjoa Haven who have that relative being treated in Hay River.
I tried to look into it prior to this, exactly what the status is, but I told them that I would present the case here prior to responding to their request, to the father and the relatives of the person because I need to find out what the policy of the department is, in regards to the this issue of visitation.
Yes, it is good that the minister said that there would be one set up here in Iqaluit but I just wondered if there is any policy or guidelines that you have in your department about mental health.
The children and the husband would be very appreciative if they could go and visit.