EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I would like to urge students to talk to their parents to gain their support in identifying their career paths.
Not all students can focus on a career path right at that time, but today, we make career options so that career paths and opportunities are made available to the students.
Thank you, Madam Minister, for that response.
To date, how is the Department of Education working with Human Resources so that there will be better career opportunities for students who did not complete their grade 12?
I don’t have the paperwork in front of me, but the Department of Human Resources puts out job opportunities and advertises them, including the qualifications required.
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier, the jobs that are available in their community or outside of their community are announced so that the students will have a better idea of what career path they would like to take.
With regard to the member’s question on how the departments of Education and Human Resources work together, I don’t have the papers in front of me.
I would just like to urge the people to pursue the many job opportunities that are advertised out there and I urge students to keep up with their attendance and be persistent because those are qualities that make them attractive to potential employers.
The Department of Human Resources doesn’t go around guaranteeing job placement.
They only make the job opportunities available and the type of candidates they’re looking for. I would just like to add that in the high schools, there are career counsellors available to the students to help them in identifying what career they would like to take after they graduate.
Thank you, Madam Minister, for your response.
In Nunavut, we have seen students who graduated from grade 12 with no jobs available to them and face barriers in continuing further education.
That was the basis of my question.
What kind of programs or strategies do you have for those students who had graduated from grade 12, but have not had the opportunity to find a job or who, for one reason or another, cannot further their education, either in or outside of their community?
What kind of programs do you have for those particular students?
For those who have not graduated grade 12 or had not furthered their education beyond grade 12, there are still a large number of those students.
We do have Arctic College where they can do upgrades in math, English, or other subjects. We used to call it GED, but there is another name. It is now called PASS.
There are not enough job opportunities available in the communities.
There is only the hamlet council, the government, and so on.
They have to move to another community because of the limited job opportunities, but there are options available for the students who would like to further their education or go into an upgrade program.
Question 698 – 3(3): HTO Compensation for Taloyoak (Ugyuk)
In our community, they are undertaking traditional fall activities. Since it is Friday today, many residents will be heading on the land to conduct these fall activities. I wish my fellow residents a safe weekend, along with the residents of Gjoa Haven.
I have a question to the Minister of Environment regarding the McClintock Channel and the closure of the polar bear harvest in that zone. I have been a member of the HTO board, along with Anaoyok Alookee, the late Pat Lyall, Aipeelie and Sam Tulurialik, but I have forgotten some of the past members.
However, I recall distinctly that when the government made the decision to close this area to hunting, they identified funds that were supposed to be allocated to the affected communities. They are still expecting this financial assistance. Based on our understanding, the other affected communities of Cambridge Bay and Gjoa Haven have received funding, yet the Taloyoak HTO never received any funds.
This is apparently due to the parties being unable to agree on an amount.
To date, the Taloyoak HTO hasn’t received any funding assistance for this closure.
The NWMB has already approved this closure of that zone to hunting. Why is it that this agreement isn’t being followed by this government and the NWMB?
(interpretation ends) Will the GN compensate the local HTO in Taloyoak the sum of $250,000 that was offered, plus 25 percent for each year that it didn’t compensate for the moratorium on the polar bear quotas in the McClintock Channel?
I will have to take the question as notice.
Question 699 – 3(3): Airport Infrastructure in Nunavut (Schell)
Last month, the Government of Nunavut issued a formal public update on the status of the new Iqaluit International Airport, which is being funded through a public-private partnership.
The update stated in part that the use of a P3 approach “allows the GN to deliver other capital projects while this larger one is being undertaken.”
As the minister is well aware, a number of our smaller Baffin communities, including Kimmirut and Pangnirtung, are also urgently in need of new airport facilities.
Can the minister indicate if the P3 approach for the Iqaluit airport will permit capital dollars to be freed up for new airport in Kimmirut?
I thank my colleague for that question. Mr. Speaker, the P3 process alleviates some of the funding issues that we do have within this government.
Through that process, we were able to access $77 million from P3 Canada, which, in turn, in renovating and rebuilding the Iqaluit International Airport, we have taken the majority of the capital infrastructure money that we do put up from this government.
Doing it in that manner, through that process, saves our funds for doing other projects and infrastructure buildings within the smaller communities.
The government’s recent public update on the Iqaluit International Airport project indicated that it is currently involved in a confidential negotiation to finalize the contract for this project and that the signing is scheduled to take place in mid-September.
As the minister will be aware, the Government of Ontario recently had to pay tens of millions of dollars in cancellation penalties when it decided not to proceed with the construction of new gas plants in the province.
Can the minister indicate if the contract for the new Iqaluit International Airport will contain cancellation penalties that will make it impossible for any new government to substantially change the scope of the project?
Mr. Speaker, the member is well aware that we work collaboratively with P3 Canada, P3 partnerships, and the other two departments within the government here, the Department of Finance and the Department of Community and Government Services.
Mr. Speaker, I do not get involved with contract negotiations. That is done through the departments. Mr. Speaker, the signing ceremonies are on schedule.
They are about to take place within a week or so.
The government’s recent public update on the Iqaluit International Airport also indicated that it has “worked with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) and larger Inuit firms on the development of an alternative to the NNI Policy” with respect to this project.
Can the minister clarify whether the government has a formal agreement with NTI on this subject and, if it does, will he be willing to table a copy of it in the Legislative Assembly?
There were a lot of consultations that took place before an agreement was signed with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
I’ll check with my officials and I’ll have them communicate this to our partners to see if that is possible.
Tabled Document 385 – 3(3): 2012-2013 Annual Report on the Operation of the Medical Care Plan (Peterson)
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the 2012-13 Annual Report on the Operation of the Medical Care Plan.
Tabled Document 386 – 3(3): Article from Hill Times: Three Arctic Ports Needed (Elliott)
Tabled Document 387 – 3(3): Food Price Statistics (Elliott)
I have two separate documents to table.
I am pleased to table a copy of an article from the Hill Times newspaper titled “Three Arctic Ports Needed.”
This article was written by Retired Colonel Pierre Leblanc.
The article addresses a number of important issues, including search and rescue in the north. I urge all members to review it with care.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table some statistics relating to food pricing. In August, Nunavut’s Bureau of Statistics released its “Pilot Nunavut Food Price Survey,” the results of an 11-community survey comparing the costs of 28 food items.
For a snapshot of food price changes over time, I am also tabling data collected in 2011 and in 2013 showing changes in the cost of certain food items.
I am confident members will find this information interesting and informative in considering the effectiveness of the Nutrition North Canada Program.
Tabled Document 388 – 3(3): 2012-2013 Annual Report on the Administration of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Aariak)
Tabled Document 389 – 3(3): Response to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts’ Report on the Review of the 2011-2012 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut (Aariak)
I have two tabling items.
First, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the 2012-13 Annual Report on the Administration of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
The other one is, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the Government of Nunavut’s Response to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts’ Report on the Review of the 2011-12 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut.
Tabled Document 390 – 3(3): 2013 Annual Report Utility Rates Review Council of Nunavut (Arreak)
I am pleased to table the 2013 Annual Report for the Utility Rates Review Council.
Tabled Document 391 – 3(3): Report of Members’ Absences from Sitting of the House and Meetings of Committees and Caucuses to the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for the Period April 1, 2013 to June 30, 2013 (Speaker)
Tabled Document 392 – 3(3): Report to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut Office of the Legislative Assembly Contracts with a value of $5,000 and Greater for the Period April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013 (Speaker)
Tabled Document 393 – 3(3): Pension Administration Report – Retiring Allowances Act and Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act March 31, 2013 (Speaker)
The first item is the Interim Report of Members’ Absences from Sittings of the House and Meetings of Committees and Caucuses for the Period of April 1 to June 30, 2013.
The second item is the Report to the Management and Services Board on Procurement and Contracting Activities for the Legislative Assembly for the year 2012-13.
The third and final one that I’m going to table today is the Pension Administration Report for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2013.
Pursuant to Rule 46, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South-Whale Cove, that the House adjourn for the day.
It appears the seconder is not in the Chamber at this moment, so can we get a volunteer to reread your motion?
Motion 053 – 3(3): Early Adjournment (Rumbolt)
I guess I should have looked around the room before I read my… .
I’ll try again, Mr. Speaker.
Pursuant to Rule 46, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Cambridge Bay, who is in the House, that we adjourn for the day.
As such, we will proceed directly to Item 22.
There’s a little note here that says, “My favourite number.” I don’t know why.
In our orders of the day, Orders of the Day.
Just a reminder that at half past one this afternoon, there’s a meeting of the Standing Committee on Legislation in the Tuktu Room.
Orders of the Day for Monday, September 9:
Minister’s Statement 299 –3(3)
This House stands adjourned until Monday, September 9, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 10:36
DAY 87
Monday, September 9, 2013
Pages 4769 – 4823
Sergeants-at-Arms
Jayko Ishulutak and Simanek Kilabuk
Opening Prayer 4769
Ministers’ Statements 4769
Members’ Statements 4770
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 4777
Oral Questions 4778
Tabling of Documents 4792
Notices of Motions 4793
Motions 4793
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 4794
Report of the Committee of the Whole 4822
Orders of the Day 4822
Monday, September 9, 2013 4769
310 – 3(3): Minister Absent from the House (Taptuna) 4769
311 – 3(3): Sivumuaqatigiit Division (Aariak) 4769
534 – 3(3): Developing Nunavut’s Renewable Resource Sector (Ningark) 4770
535 – 3(3): Working Together to Address Food Security across Nunavut (Elliott) 4771
536 – 3(3): 2013 Franklin Expedition Search (Curley) 4771
537 – 3(3): Signing of Mary River Project Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (Enook) 4772
538 – 3(3): QIA Signs IIBA with Baffinland (Tapardjuk) 4773
539 – 3(3): Community-based Research Projects in Arviat (Shewchuk) 4774
540 – 3(3): Congratulations to 2013 Baker Lake Graduates (Aupaluktuq) 4775
541 – 3(3): Pangnirtung Airport (Oshutapik) 4775
542 – 3(3): Youth Dealing with Suicide (Arreak) 4776
543 – 3(3): Iqaluit Sustainability Plan (Aariak) 4776
700 – 3(3): Providing Support for Medical Clients (Ningeongan) 4778
701 – 3(3): Developing Nunavut’s Renewable Resource Sector (Ningark) 4779
702 – 3(3): Status of Pangnirtung Airport Relocation (Oshutapik) 4781
703 – 3(3): Working Together to Address Food Security across Nunavut (Elliott) 4782
704 – 3(3): 2013 Franklin Expedition Search (Curley) 4783
705 – 3(3): GLO Position in Cape Dorset (Schell) 4785
706 – 3(3): Review of the Disaster Compensation Program (Enook) 4786
707 – 3(3): Relations with Inuit Heritage Trust (Tapardjuk) 4787
708 – 3(3): Kivalliq Boarding Home Contract (Ningeongan) 4789
709 – 3(3): Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy Action Plan (Elliott) 4790
710 – 3(3): Tamapta and Homeowners and Small Businesses (Ningark) 4791
394 – 3(3): Nattilingmiutut Curriculum Needs (Ugyuk) 4792
054 – 3(3): Appointment of the Integrity Commissioner of Nunavut – Notice (Oshutapik) 4793
054 – 3(3): Appointment of the Integrity Commissioner of Nunavut (Oshutapik) 4793
Minister’s Statement 299 – 3(3): NHC Receives $100 Million in Federal Government Funding – Consideration in Committee 4794
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Mr. Tagak Curley, Honourable Monica Ell, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Joe Enook, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Hezakiah Oshutapik, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Mr. Louis Tapardjuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Jeannie Ugyuk.
Speaker: Members, before we start, I wish to inform you that the Member for Hudson Bay will be absent from the House for a few days.
Minister Taptuna, Acting Government House Leader.
Minister’s Statement 310 – 3(3): Minister Absent from the House (Taptuna)
I wish to advise members that the Hon. Lorne Kusugak will be absent from the House for September 9 and 10.
He’s out of the territory for medical reasons.
Minister’s Statement 311 – 3(3): Sivumuaqatigiit Division (Aariak)
I say “good afternoon” to the people of Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, as we make Nunavut stronger, we need to continue to increase the number of Inuit working in the government as set out in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
We need to do more than just hire Inuit beneficiaries. We have to value the Inuit employees who work for government and give them the opportunity to advance in their careers.
We have to continue building the expertise of all our employees so they can deliver high-quality services to Nunavummiut.
The Sivumuaqatigiit Division that we created during the recent reorganization of the Government of Nunavut will help us to achieve these goals.
Many Government of Nunavut employees are already benefiting from the training that Sivumuaqatigiit provides in financial management, computer software, the supervision of employees, and planning and managing projects.
Sivumuaqatigiit is also working to get more Inuit into the senior levels of government.
The Sivuliqtiksat Internship Program enables beneficiaries to go into management and specialized jobs and acquire the skills and confidence they need through on-the-job mentoring.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, Sivumuaqatigiit is leading our efforts to recognize the skills of Inuit employees, particularly when it comes to serving communities in their first language by enhancing the language training it provides government employees.
Mr. Speaker, through Sivumuaqatigiit, we are coming up with new programs and new approaches that will attract more Inuit beneficiaries to work for the Government of Nunavut.
Sivumuaqatigiit is an important part of our efforts to implement the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. It will help make our decentralized model of government work so that jobs and benefits reach all parts of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, these efforts will take time, but through our actions today, we will see results in the years ahead.
Member’s Statement 534 – 3(3): Developing Nunavut’s Renewable Resource Sector (Ningark)
I was recently in Repulse Bay, albeit overnight and I left the following day.
Mr. Speaker, I apologize for my earlier mistake. I was speaking with some residents and it is obvious Nunavut has to stand on its own.
As an example, we have to deal with food security, healthy foods, and to have our communities in Nunavut to administer their own affairs.
We all noted that not many communities have the means to independently administer their own affairs since Nunavut doesn’t have any agrarian industries and we can’t grow our own foods due to our environment.
We don’t have the climate that our southern agricultural industries enjoy and the north isn’t conducive for growing plants. Furthermore, within Nunavut, we don’t have the luxury of having forests and we can’t use timber to help with economic development.
The person I was speaking to in Repulse Bay works for the Aivilik Development Corporation and he said that within Nunavut, we have to look at (interpretation ends) renewable resources. (interpretation) We have these resources, such as fish that migrate up the rivers to the lakes.
Our seas have many types of resources.
If we want to be independent, as per my understanding, and if the government can provide assistance to implement the Tamapta Mandate, part and parcel of this policy is to enhance community development, such as (interpretation ends) food security.
(interpretation) To speak about one issue, at the appropriate time, perhaps I will direct my questions to the Minister responsible for Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 535 – 3(3): Working Together to Address Food Security across Nunavut (Elliott)
I rise today to address comments made by the Premier last week regarding the partnership between NTI and the Government of Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to note that this relationship has been renewed. It is extremely important that it remain strong.
Mr. Speaker, after almost three years of public engagement with communities, Inuit organizations, the private sector, and the government, Collaboration for Poverty Reduction Act received assent in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
This legislation was the result of a process co-sponsored by NTI and the Government of Nunavut. Poverty reduction has been priority of the Tamapta Mandate while NTI continues to work to find new solutions through the Nunavut Roundtable for Poverty Reduction.
Mr. Speaker, from the round-table process, the Nunavut Food Security Coalition was established as a collaborative organization with input from different government departments, the private sector, and Inuit organizations. Its objective was to develop the Nunavut Food Security and Action Plan.
Mr. Speaker, on three separate occasions, a food security strategy and action plan has been promised to Nunavummiut: once in November of 2010 to come into being 18 months later, once in February of 2013 to be delivered in April of 2013, and then once again in June of 2013 to be announced in September, this month.
Mr. Speaker, I have participated in all of these meetings and I feel strongly that the final steps must be taken to ensure that the very real needs of Nunavummiut are addressed. Food security is critically important, but we must also pay close attention to bringing down the overall costs of living across the territory.
Mr. Speaker, while I am pleased that the government is working to re-establish relations with entities such as NTI, I am concerned that the food security strategy and action plan remain in limbo. I strongly encourage our government to work with its partners and bring these important initiatives forward before the end of its term. Nunavummiut need support and hope for the future.
It is up to our leaders to show the way forward.
Member’s Statement 536 – 3(3): 2013 Franklin Expedition Search (Curley)
Mr. Curley (interpretation): I say “good afternoon” to the people of Rankin Inlet and Nunavut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, thank you.
I rise again today to denounce the federal government’s ill-conceived, in partnership with the Nunavut government, unwanted, unnecessary investment to spend hundreds of thousands of tax dollars on the search for the lost Franklin Expedition ships.
Mr. Speaker, as you will recall, I exposed the insanity of this scheme on the floor of this House in October of last year.
As you will appreciate, Mr. Speaker, I was extremely disappointed at the federal government’s announcement of last month that this wild goose chase to try and raise the dead will continue.
Mr. Speaker, I have also been extremely disappointed that our own territorial government has been collaborating with Ottawa in this incredible waste of time and resources.
Mr. Speaker, we know that the Government of Nunavut signed a formal memorandum of cooperation with Ottawa concerning the search.
However, Mr. Speaker, the minister responsible has never tabled this document in the Legislative Assembly.
The lack of transparency is simply shocking, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, hundreds of thousands of tax dollars are being wasted to disturb the resting place of this person.
Can the federal and territorial governments not think of better ways to spend this money, Mr. Speaker?
I have a few suggestions for them.
More funding for education.
More funding to implement Nunavut Land Claims Agreement obligations.
More funding for suicide prevention.
More funding for small craft harbours, which we desperately need in Nunavut.
More funding for urgently needed infrastructure in our communities.
Mr. Speaker, I have one sentence to complete. I would ask the members to give me some time.
Mr. Speaker, I also would add that we need more funding for programs to help the hunters for food security.
Mr. Speaker, I could go on for some time, but I will close by noting that I will have some pointed questions for the government at the appropriate time. (interpretation) Thank you.
Member’s Statement 537 – 3(3): Signing of Mary River Project Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (Enook)
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation for having signed the Mary River Project Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, the Mary River project is of tremendous importance to the residents of Pond Inlet and other communities in North Baffin.
The signing of the IIBA has been a much-anticipated milestone in this journey, and I pay tribute to the hard work of all parties in reaching an agreement.
Mr. Speaker, the IIBA includes a number of provisions that are of great importance, including an education and training fund, a scholarship fund, and a business capacity development fund.
Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Qikiqtani Inuit Association will be taking steps to ensure that the IIBA and related agreements will be clearly explained to the communities that will be directly impacted by the Mary River project.
I also want to express my appreciation for QIA’s transparent approach to making available detailed information concerning the IIBA.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as you know, I have asked a number of questions in the House concerning the Government of Nunavut’s plans to sign a separate development partnership agreement with Baffinland.
Now that the IIBA has been signed, I look forward to progress on this issue.