EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I am encouraging staff at the Department of Sustainable Development to expand this “one window” approach. We have seen its success at the “Kivalliq Partners in Development.”
I hope to see this process extended throughout Nunavut during the term of this Government.
I am also encouraged to see the efforts made to more effectively monitor and report on the effectiveness of the programs of Government and Inuit Organizations in our communities.
People want to know where Government is spending public funds on economic development and other programs.
We must improve our communications to our people how to access our programs and how the money is spent over a year.
Mr. Chairman we also want to communicate to the rest of Canada that Nunavut has great resource potential.
As was pointed out by the Minister of Finance in the past year alone, it is estimated that more than $70 million was invested in Nunavut by the mineral exploration industry.
This expenditure of private funds signals to all of us that the potential for mineral development in Nunavut is very promising.
And it should also remind us that the source of our wealth is the land - as it has been for thousands of years, and as it will be for generations to come.
(interpretation): When we speak about the diversification of our economy, Mr. Chairman, it is to the land, to the waters around us, to our natural environment, that we must turn our attentions.
Our natural environment has always provided the foundation for our mixed economy, Mr. Chairman, as it will for the diversified economy of the future.
Whether it is through the sale of minerals, furs, or fish, our incomes depend on the good health of our environment  …sorry.
Chairperson (interpretation): We can hear English and Inuktitut at the same time .
Can someone please fix it…there we go.
Mr. Kilabuk .
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation):I will start again … Our natural environment has always provided the foundation for our mixed economy, Mr. Chairman, as it will for the diversified economy of the future.
Whether it is through the sale of minerals, furs, or fish, our incomes depend on the good health of our environment.
As members know, I have a deep commitment to the development of a sustainable marine fishery in Davis Strait which Inuit began fishing in 1986.
In the last 13 years Inuit have consistently been provided with small allocations, and have been shut out entirely from entering the competitive quota with the rest of Canada.
It will be my intention during the term of this government to vigorously pursue more equitable allocation of the resources that lie off our shores.
We have demonstrated over the past several years that there are real benefits in further developing our fishery.
Along with obtaining access to additional quota, we must urge the Government of Canada to invest in the research necessary to identify new fish resources.
The last 13 years have demonstrated that our communities can benefit greatly from the sustainable development of our fisheries resources, and my home community of Pangnirtung is a good example of that.
I have spoken in this Assembly recently about my Department’s Sealskin Fur Strategy, and our work to expand markets for fur products.
These programs will continue.
I have also asked staff in the Department of Sustainable Development to review the Department’s programs in support of harvesters.
I note that NTI is completing its own review of their Harvesters’ Support Program, and I want to see my staff working with NTI staff, to ensure support for traditional economic activity in Nunavut is strengthened.
We cannot ever forget, Mr. Chairman, the importance to our people of maintaining strong ties to the land.
This is our foundation for future economic development.
Our respect for the land and for all living things defines us a people, it shapes our relationships to each other, and compels us to return continuously to the sources of our collective knowledge in Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Chairperson (interpretation): Were you planning to finish all at once?
You still have a ways to go so lets break for lunch and you can complete your comments right after lunch at 1:30 pm
>>Committee recessed for lunch at 12:00pm
The minister was reading his opening remarks.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Chairperson , I will start where I left off…
Toward a Sustainable Economy in Nunavut
It is important for us to recognize that today in Nunavut, the Government is not alone in developing the economy.
There is the important role of our growing private sector.
Mr. Chairman, we all know the valuable contribution made to our economy by the people who have established their own small business.
There is also the contribution made by the co-operatives in our communities.
I was very pleased, earlier this month, to recognize this contribution publicly at the Co-op AGM in Iqaluit.
In recent years, too, we have begun to see the great potential of the work that can be done in economic development by the Inuit Organizations, and, in particular, the Inuit development corporations, as they invest more and more in Nunavut’s economy, and in our communities.
Almost a year ago, the Office of the Interim Commissioner, Territorial government staff, the Nunavut Secretariat of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, Nunavut Tunngavik Limited, the regional Inuit Organizations, and the Association of Municipalities, joined together in the Nunavut Economic Forum.
The purpose of the Forum was to serve as a vehicle for sharing information and ideas on our economy. It reflects the belief, held by all its members that the development of Nunavut’s economy must be a shared responsibility.
My Department will continue to support the Nunavut Economic Forum this year.
Some economic development programs Mr. Chairman, are delivered most effectively when they are managed, not by government, but by the people themselves.
The transfer of economic development funds in the tourism sector, to Nunavut Tourism, is a good example.
It puts the participants of the industry, people who live in and work in our communities, as outfitters, or hoteliers, or as fishing camp operators, in charge of tourism development.
Nunavut Tourism also has been successful attracting more funding from outside Nunavut to our tourism industry.
My Department is currently engaged in a similar process with arts & crafts.
The modest funding provided the Nunavut Arts & Crafts Association by my Department has been used to attract more than double this amount from other sources for arts & crafts programs in Nunavut.
We also support community-based Prospector’s Associations. Again, this puts our people back into the role of developing their - in this case, by participating directly in the search for minerals.
Mr. Chairman, if economic development in Nunavut is to be pursued in our communities, then our hamlet governments must play a leading role. Their staff, the community economic development officers, will be the key players in economic development in Nunavut.
We will work to improve education and training opportunities for them, many of whom were born and raised in the communities they now serve.
Mr. Chairman, there is a pattern to the support we are providing for economic development in Nunavut today.
There are some major themes emerging that will influence the development of a strategy for economic development in Nunavut in the future.
First among these is the participation of our people directly in the development of our economy.
What we want in Nunavut, Mr. Chairman, is simply the chance to use our own talents and abilities and our knowledge – our culture - in the development of our community economies.
We want to participate in economic activities.
We want to contribute to the health and wealth of our communities.
We are, Mr. Chairman, a resourceful, productive, and self-reliant people.
We are here today, because our ancestors, through the generations, proved we have these qualities.
They worked hard, every day, to survive in this land.
They produced everything they needed for themselves, and they made sure that every family got its share.
Because of them, we have the opportunity to build Nunavut.
(interpretation ends): We must be self-reliant.
We must show what we can do with our talents and resources.
Our families and our communities are no longer isolated, one from the other. And we are no longer isolated in the world.
We now are Nunavut, part of the Canadian federation, and part of one of the richest nations on earth.
As I said in a Statement last week in this House, Mr. Chairman, we must educate people outside of Nunavut about our way of life.
Mr. Chairman, we expect no more than to have the opportunity to show that we are productive, that we can share what we have, just as our ancestors did before us.
Working Together for Nunavut
Mr. Chairman, I have outlined for this Committee some of the important characteristics of our economy, and briefly discussed the themes that will influence our approach to economic development.
Now I would like to be more specific, and address directly how we propose to begin to bring improvements to our economy.
A Nunavut Jobs Corps
Mr. Chairman, the development of the opportunities in the economy that I have outlined to this point must involve the full participation of our people.
I have said, Mr. Chairman that our people are productive, and seek more opportunities to contribute to their communities.
I think we must recognize, however, that many of our young people are struggling to be productive.
Forty-three percent (43%) of our population lies between the age of 15 and 39 productive many of whom have young families, and they are seeking ways of being productive.
We must remember how we all had to learn to be productive, and that this process takes time, and that it requires experience, and maturity.
We must find more ways to include young people in our work, to provide them with opportunities to help their communities.
In many cases, these opportunities are in education.
Our young people make a valuable contribution to us all when they choose to stay in school.
But, for some, this choice is not possible.
They want to work in other ways.
These youth, too, must be included in the development of our economy.
They must have a role in building our future.
This is why, Mr. Chairman, I am proposing that this government seek the ways and means of creating a Nunavut Jobs Corps.
I call on the federal government, the Inuit Organizations, municipal governments and the private sector to join with us in the development of a long term strategy to provide our people who are entering the work force for the first time, with the opportunity for meaningful work in their communities.
The development of our economic opportunities will require a skilled work force and we must provide those opportunities to those who want to be part of our economy.
I have asked staff in my Department to make the Nunavut Jobs Corps a priority, and to work with these organizations, other departments of our government, and with the private sector in identifying how we can accelerate the entry of these people into our economy.
An MOU with the Government of Canada
A second, major area in which we can take immediate action concerns our relationship with the Government of Canada.
The Minister of Finance, the Honourable Kelvin Ng, has already referred in his “Budget Address” to several ways in which the federal government can work with us to bring economic development opportunities to our people.
(interpretation): More than a year ago, the federal Minister of Finance, the Honourable Paul Martin, made a commitment to work “with territorial governments and other northern partners to develop a modern economic development strategy that recognizes the dynamics of the North and the need to establish more diversified economies.” Now that the Government of Nunavut is in place, we can act on the development of this strategy.
Our Premier took important steps in this regard at his meeting of western Premier’s in Drumheller last week, when it was agreed that the 3 northern Territories would work together on an economic development agreement with Canada.
(interpretation ends ): Several other partnerships with federal departments are in progress.
Their success will be of great benefit to the development of our economy.
These include infrastructure development, information technology, a partnership on geoscience, wildlife research, and negotiations on the development of our fisheries.
With the creation of Nunavut, and the settlement of our Land Claim, we have jurisdiction over our land and some of our resources. But like all provinces during their early history, we must look to the federal government to stand with us in the development of these resources, and to ensure that the benefits of this development are shared.
To help achieve that goal I have asked me Department to redouble its efforts in building partnerships with the Federal Government and its departments. Through a Memorandum of Understanding, both at the departmental and governmental levels, we can join in stating our intent to develop the economy of Nunavut, for the benefit of our people, and of all Canadians.
Minister’s Forum on the Economy
Finally, Mr. Chairman, I am proposing to call on our people for their ideas about how economic development should proceed in Nunavut.
This is what our people expect above all – the opportunity to participate in economic development in their communities.
The first step has three parts: to meet, to hear all views, and to begin to plan.
(interpretation): This summer, Mr. Chairman, my Department will prepare and distribute to our communities “Our Way of Life,” an issues paper on sustainable development and the Nunavut economy. This paper will outline our economic prospects, and identify the key issues we must address, and the optional strategies we could use.
It will be, I trust, a planning tool for communities, and will provide our people with the basic information they need to begin a discussion of our economic future.
In the late fall, Mr. Chairman, when the caribou hunting season is almost over, I propose we hold public meetings in our communities to discuss the economy.
We should list our assets, community by community, and produce the information we will need to produce an economic strategy for our communities and for Nunavut as a whole.
We must try to answer the fundamental questions: What is the work to be done in our communities?
In early December, I will call upon representatives from each community, together with Inuit Organizations, governments, and representatives of the private sector, to meet together to discuss the results of the community meetings.
I am confident that in a few days, we can identify the path along which our journey should follow. I am sure that by working together, by staying true to ourselves and the people we represent, we can find a strategic approach to the development of our economy all can support.
Mr. Chairman, in standing before this Legislature and the people of Nunavut and I want to state how proud I am to make this statement on our economy.
I am proud because in preparing this statement I realized how much we as a people have to offer each other and the rest of the world.
We are Nunavummiut, Mr. Chairman….people who for many years have managed our land and resources sustainably, who have had a productive labour force, and who have participated in new economies for hundreds of years.
Our ancestors have worked very hard to ensure that our future would be secure.
In giving us a vision for Nunavut they also gave us the responsibility to continue the vision and the responsibility to include all our people from Innammariit to our Nutarait.
Mr. Chairman, realizing our vision is building a sustainable economy.
It is educating people outside of Nunavut on our way of life.
It is providing our youth with the skills to become productive members of our communities.
It is about encouraging our people to generate ideas and building on our strengths.
Mr. Chairman, in short, while we may have a great deal of work to do, we have also done a great deal of work to get here. The foundation of the Nunavut economy has been laid. Let us move forward with the next phase of building.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Kilabuk , Minister of Sustainable Development.
Your presentation was very good.
I will now ask Mr. McLean , chairperson of the standing committee to read his report.
Oh…Mr. Minister did you have more to say?
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): I wonder if I can continue with opening comments on Sustainable Development.
Chairperson (interpretation): I thought you were finished.
Opening Comments for the 1999-2000 Main Estimates for the
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Chairperson.
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to present to the Committee of the Whole, the budget recommended for the department of Sustainable Development in the 1999-2000 main estimates.
The department of Sustainable Development is a program department that touches the lives of people in our communities.
When we speak of having healthy, sustainable communities in Nunavut, we speak of three aspects of life in our communities.
Our environment, our economy, and our people.
The department of Sustainable Development is responsible for ensuring our resources are used wisely so that they can continue to be used for our future generations.
This is our mandate for the environment.
We are also responsible for providing the support needed for people to pursue livelihoods both in traditional and a wage economy.
This is our mandate for the economy.
We are responsible for providing the support needed for people to participate fully in decisions on development.
This is our mandate to our people.
Mr. Chairman, I think it is important to know that this mandate is different from, and more extensive than the mandate of our predecessor department in the GNWT.
The proposed budget for the department is 33.095 million, which represents approximately 5% of the Government of Nunavut budget.
(Interpretation ends)
The departments' budget is organized in two main categories.
Corporate Management.
Which offers support functions to the department. 12% of the total budget of Sustainable Development.
Sustainable Development which are the program functions of the department comprising 87% of the budget.
The corporate management branch is comprised of the senior management of the department.
Deputy Minister, Assistant Deputy Minister, Executive Secretary, the communications for the department, financial administration and for economic research, policy development and legislation.
It has a recommended budget of 4.099 million dollars for this year.
The Sustainable Development branch includes five divisions.
The Income Support division is co-managed with the department of Education.
This branch has a budget of 28.966 million dollars across the five program areas of wildlife, environmental protection, parks, trade & tourism, minerals, oil & gas, community economic development, and the directorate functions of income support.
(Interpretation)Mr. Chairman, the department's budget for 1999-2000 includes 5.400 million for wildlife management, fisheries development and environmental protection.
In recent years there has been a declining investment by both the government of Canada and the GNWT in spending on wildlife research.
Management and Environmental Protection, representing 1.2% of our total governments budget, Mr. Chairperson I have tried with this budget not to impose any further cuts on this important area of our life, the management of our wildlife and our environment.
The departments' capital spending this year is recommended this year to be 1.12 million and is directed at two areas of our mandate. In investment in attractions and services we support the development of the tourism industry, and, in to investment and equipment to carry out legislative responsibilities, enforcement, monitoring and research.
(interpretation ends)The department grants and contributions reach into our communities through four principal means.
First, partnerships.
On page 11 – 8, and 11 – 9, the department combines its' funding with a number of outside agencies who share responsibility to the environment or the economy.
Example, Nunavut Tourism and Nunavut Geoscience Office.
Two, sector development. Page 11 – 10.
The department provides financial support to individuals in communities and harvesters to support their plans in the traditional and wage economy.
These will be community initiatives, funds, grants to small business, business development fund, community harvesters' assistance program.
Number three, the department has budgeted 2.915 million for that purpose.
Number 4, grants, page 11 – 11.
The department provides grants of up to 5 thousand for individuals establishing or maintaining a small business or who wish to carry out fishing or prospecting activities.
(interpretation) In this initial year of operation our ability to introduce new programs is constrained, however I have made provision through reallocation of budget categories to increase support for key areas of our economy.
First in the arts and crafts we have budgeted 100K in support of the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association.
This was done in response to a conference that was held on the state of the carving industry that was held several months ago in Cape Dorset, which provided me with some direction on how to assist this important industry in Nunavut.
Secondly, we have budgeted 450 thousand dollars toward a partnership with the Government of Canada for the establishment of a Nunavut Geoscience Office.
As members know the foundation of the mining industry is exploration.
Chairperson (interpretation): Just a moment.
I don't think we have a quorum.
I think it is less than half of the number needed to have a full meeting.
Just to remind you Mr. Chairman.
We don't have a quorum at this time so we will take a few minutes break to ask the other members to return to the House.
>>Committee Recessed at 2.02 pm.
>>Committee Resumed at 2.10 pm
Chairperson (interpretation): We have a quorum now, we can start again.
When we are listening to the presentation, this is a very important issue, I urge the members not to leave the chamber.
I am urging you to stay in the chamber, Mr. Kilabuk you may continue.
We still have to get used to the term, Ikupiktulirijikkut.
I will just continue on from where I was.
Page 5, thirdly, under contract services we have set aside 50 thousand to pursue increased allocations to Nunavut from offshore fisheries.
This is a subject of great concern to me and I am very committed to seeing that Nunavut be given greater attention in the allocation of the fisheries resources that lie off our shores.
Finally, and most importantly, Mr. Chairman, on the strength of a recently evaluation of Nunavut Tourism I have increased their core funding this year by 1643 thousand dollars.
Nunavut Tourism has committed to strengthening their communications with their members in the communities and with their work in developing new tourism products for Nunavut.
I have provided for this in their 1999-2000 core funding.
(interpretation ends). Mr. Chairman, as I have indicated it is my intention to vigorously pursue an agreement on an economic strategy with the government of Canada.
I trust that I will be able to report in the days ahead, of traditional investment money being made available to support continued and sustainable growth in the Nunavut economy.
One final note under grants and contributions is worthy of mention.
Mr. Chairman, it is my belief that we must encourage our youth to pursue an education in the sciences, commerce and in the traditional economy if we are going to develop home-grown talent for this department.
To this end I have set aside 30 thousand in scholarships for young people who wish to further their education in the science, commerce and the traditional economy.
The department currently has about 82 positions filled out of its' total staff complement of 135 positions.
Of those filled positions 33 or 40% are held by Inuit.
The department's current vacancy rate for staff is 40%.
(interpretation) Mr. Chairman, the budget of my department is relatively small.