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Mr. Speaker, even though Nunavut’s breast cancer rates are relatively low compared with the rest of Canada, this month gives us the opportunity to raise public awareness of this disease and to help support those who have been diagnosed or affected by breast cancer.
As with many health issues, education and awareness are key. The Department of Health and Social Services has continued to monitor breast cancer rates through their cancer registry and offer Well Woman screening at all health centres in Nunavut that includes a breast exam by a licensed health care provider.
Mr. Speaker, like millions of people across Canada, I will be doing my part to support breast cancer awareness by wearing my pink ribbon throughout the month of October.
Mr. Speaker, in honour of breast cancer patients, survivors, and their families and in memory of those who have passed away due to breast cancer, I would encourage all Nunavummiut to wear a pink ribbon and show their support.
By doing so, you will actively increase awareness and promote public education around this very important health issue.
Member’s Statement 120 – 3(3): Congratulations to High School Graduates of Igloolik (Tapardjuk)
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): I want to wish a good afternoon to my colleagues and to my constituents in Igloolik and Hall Beach.
The reason I rise this afternoon, Mr. Speaker, is due to my pride in the accomplishments of our youth in Igloolik who work really hard to complete their education. They are preparing for their future and wherever we can provide assistance, we try to provide that assistance as community members to our students.
Last Friday, October 14, 2011, the Igloolik high school saw 10 graduates from grade 12 and I want to mention their names, Mr. Speaker:
Janova Angutimarik, Joan Arnatsiaq,  Emily Qattalik, who was a page serving us in June and I am very proud of her,
James Kublu, David Qaunaq, Curtis Taqauraq, Aaron Tulugarjuk, and Paul Silas Uyarak, who also served as a page here in June and I am glad that he was also able to graduate. These youth are preparing for their future and we really want to support them, and this group includes Nathan Quassa and Emily Issigaitok.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to share my congratulations to our youth as we have to provide youth with our assistance when they are embarking on their future and we have to support them by any means. These students are very good role models and we hope that we will have more graduates in the next upcoming year and we will offer them as much support as we can.
Member’s Statement 121 – 3(3): Financial Support for Elders in Nunavut (Elliott)
I rise today to address what I see as an urgent need re-evaluate and recalculate what level of support should be provided to our seniors and elders in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I’m not simply addressing the issue of poverty, although we know full well that many of our elders do face poverty on a daily basis. I’m referring to the bare minimum that is provided to our elders through such programs as the federal government’s Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan.
Mr. Speaker, I’ve had a number of elders and seniors in my constituency approach me saying that it is harder and harder for them to make ends meet with little financial support they receive.
They say that with the increase in the cost of food, health care, heat, and power, times are tough.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that the Government of Nunavut also offers a number of programs designed to provide additional support to seniors. These include the seniors benefit and other income support programs, the senior home heating subsidy, the Senior Property Tax Relief Program, supplementary health benefits, and so on.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to call upon the Government of Nunavut to review the levels of financial support that are available to seniors and compare those levels with the varying costs of living across Nunavut communities.
In determining what resources are necessary to enable a person, a senior, to live comfortably and securely, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Member’s Statement 122 – 3(3): The Nanisiniq Project in Arviat (Shewchuk)
Again I would like to say “good afternoon” to the residents of Arviat.
Mr. Speaker, for decades, Inuit elders have expressed concern about the knowledge Inuit youth have of their own social history and culture.
The Nanisiniq: Arviat History Project is a community-based research project involving Inuit youth and elders from Arviat. The project, which began last year, is coordinated locally by an Arctic College graduate, Tamar Mukyunik, and by Professor Frank Tester of the University of British Columbia, School of Social Work.
The project is funded through a two-year grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Mr. Speaker, the name Nanisiniq was chosen because this exciting project is quite literally a journey of discovery, bringing together Inuit elders and youth in an exploration of their history and culture from an Inuit point of view.
Through the use of historical research, web-based technologies like videoconferencing, blogging, and the use of social media, our fluently bilingual youth have been learning and documenting their history from their own perspectives.
Next month, four members of the Nanisiniq project, Jordan Konek, Curtis Konek, Amy Owingayak, and April Dutheil, will join the Canadian youth delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 17) in Durban, South Africa.
To help raise money for this COP 17, the team organized a simultaneous Arviat-Toronto film screening and virtual online town hall discussion.
Mr. Speaker, more than 60 Arviat youth and elders used interactive technologies to discuss their perspectives about climate change and traditional knowledge with researchers and students from around the world.
This highly successful event would not have been possible without the invaluable assistance of a number of people and organizations from across Canada and beyond.
I would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to:
Dr. Frank Tester and April Dutheil with the University of British Columbia in Vancouver;
Canada Research Chair and Human Dimensions of Climate Change Dr. Ian Mauro of Mount Allison University in New Brunswick and Nunavut’s own Zacharias Kunuk of Igloolik;
Annette Dubreuil, Chun Nam Law, Anders Sandberg, and Rachel Hirsch from York University and the Institute for Research and Innovation and Sustainability in Toronto;
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to ask for unanimous consent to complete my statement.
There being none. Please proceed, Mr. Shewchuk.
Mariette Wheeler and Daniela Liggett and the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists at Canterbury University in New Zealand;
The York University Aboriginal Students Association;
Nunavut Arctic College and the Nunavut Research Institute’s new Arviat Research Support Centre;
The Hamlet of Arviat, the Arviat Film Society, and the Arviat Elders Society;
Arviat Elders Martha Okotak and Silas Illungiayok, who, as cultural advisors, have worked tirelessly this past year to support our youth in their traditional knowledge research;
Youth Nicholas Arnalukjuak, Keith Otuk Alikut, and Abraham Eetak; and
John Arnalukjuaq High School Teacher Gorge Bullard and Principal Jay Thomas.
I would also like to thank Zacharias Kunuk and Dr. Ian Mauro for donating a copy of their film, “Inuit Knowledge on Climate Change,” to the John Arnalukjuaq High School.
More students will be able to watch and learn from this informative and thought-provoking Inuit language film.
Mr. Speaker, when communities come together to support each other, incredible things can happen. Together, we are supporting opportunities for science, science education, the sharing of traditional Inuit knowledge, and exposing our youth and community to the many careers available in science, research, media, and education.
On behalf of our community, I would like to thank all those who took the time and effort to support our young Inuit researchers. I am very proud of our youth and wish Jordan, Amy, Curtis, and April a safe and successful journey of discovery to South Africa.
Before we start, I’ll take my prerogative to recognize an individual, a former colleague of mine, former Speaker, former minister, former regular member, and still a friend. I would like to welcome Mr. Peter Kilabuk to the Gallery.
I am quite ecstatic to be able to recognize the members travelling with the Nunavik youth who have travelled to Iqaluit to attend courses on government operations, including how the Legislative Assembly operates.
They were chosen from a list of youth from Salluit, Chisasibi, and Kuujjuaq. Furthermore, Makivik funded their travel costs to Iqaluit, as well as the regional Nunavik government.
I will recognize these individuals currently here: Lazarus Epoo Jr., please stand, Sarassie Forrest, Elisah Alaku, and Jonathan Epoo. As well, their professor, Thierry Rodon, is in the Gallery and the person from Nunavut who coordinates the logistics for this course, Anguti Johnston.
These are the youth who have come to learn about government operations in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, we continue to maintain that youth are our foundation for the future, so this is similar to our statements.
It is always nice to see students attending courses, especially on practical learning that is not contingent on just classroom activities but something that they can put their hands on. It is sometimes easier to learn topics in that manner, when you can see it right in front of you.
Mr. Speaker, the students have a secondary destination to learn more courses, so they will be travelling to Greenland. They will be spending six days in Nuuk and they will be learning about the Greenland Home Rule Government.
We are wishing them a safe and successful trip to Greenland.
Furthermore, when they return to Nunavik, they will be preparing a report on what they have learned during their trip.
If I forgot anyone, I apologize. I want to welcome you all to Iqaluit and enjoy your courses here in Iqaluit.
I hope you have a very good trip to Greenland and that you enjoy your courses there.
I would like to welcome you to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
I would like to recognize four students who are taking the financial management training course.
The first student is Nayet Tamaviivas. I don’t know if I said that right. If you could stand up, please.
Pitseolak Noah, Cassandra Miller, and Marilynn Soper, I would like to invite you to welcome them to the Gallery.
I would like to rise today to recognize a fellow Pangnirtung resident who never stops taking action.
He represented our community previously as an MLA and once he left his position and returned to Pangnirtung, he turned to outfitting and has continued to provide that service.
I wish to recognize the former Speaker and member of the Executive Council, Peter Kilabuk from Pangnirtung.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize another individual who is from Pangnirtung but who has now moved to Iqaluit due to his job requirements, Mr. Jonah Kilabuk.
I would like to recognize, I believe and I hope I get the name right, Maura Hanranhan.
She is an associate professor with Memorial University and works closely with the Marine Institute in St. John’s, Newfoundland in training our fishermen.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Shewchuk. Welcome to the Gallery.
We don’t usually recognize the same individual many times, but I don’t think we have a limit.
I want to recognize a friend of mine, Aqiga, and my brother-in-law Peter Kilabuk.
I think Peter is getting flashbacks to question period.
We will move in the Orders of the Day, Item 6.
Question 161 – 3(3): Homelessness in Nunavut (Ell)
In my first Member’s Statement, I spoke about the need to take action against homelessness in Nunavut. (interpretation ends) According to the recent Nunavut Housing Needs Survey, over 1,000 people in the territory are considered to be homeless.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s current business plan states that a homelessness strategy for Nunavut is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2011.
Can the minister tell me today when this strategy will be completed and tabled in the Legislative Assembly?
That is a very relevant question, particularly because it speaks to overcrowding and homeless people, who can be quite numerous. Some stay with their grandparents or wherever they can sleepover in the community. With respect to overcrowding, there is a good report on this issue, which my colleague referred to in her question.
What I can state about this matter is that the deputy ministers have a working group that deals with many issues, including people at risk, poverty, lack of nutrition, and issues related to the Nunavut Housing Corporation. They are part of our resources for the Nunavut Housing Corporation. My deputy minister also deals with the challenges we face for homelessness issues.
He is involved in it. Once they have completed their report, I’ll be able to present it.
On top of that, cabinet has already approved an assistance program that will be for homeless people. This will be through Social Services, where they would identify a unit in a local community that could be used as a shelter. However, it has a criterion and it’s called Tunngasuvvik in Inuktitut (a place of welcome).
It was recently approved this summer by the cabinet. If that unit is identified by the housing association, they would still need to create a body that would look after it.
It would have to be a charity and they would have to try and obtain funding from various sources.
This is what we’re planning towards to try to offer more assistance to people who are homeless.
The housing corporation’s 2011-14 business plan also indicates that one of its priorities has been to “lobby the federal government for increased resources to combat homelessness in Nunavut.”
Can the minister update the House on what resources he has been able to obtain from the federal government?
What I can say is that every province identified this as a priority, particularly related to homelessness. Further, all provincial ministers of housing agreed to submit a common request to the federal government to place resources to combat homelessness.
However, there are several barriers we face because the federal government is in a deficit situation. I believe it was over a $50 billion deficit last year.
For that reason, the priority will be reducing the deficit and due to that, this is becoming an obstacle for all housing corporations in Canada.
We have told the federal government that homelessness is an urgent issue that needs to be dealt with here in Canada. As I stated previously, we’re not the only jurisdiction with those challenges.
We share this with the Yukon and the NWT. A lot of the other provinces as well have run into that barrier. We have discussed this issue and we will not stop working on this.
Your second supplementary question, Madam Ell.
As the minister is aware, there is a homeless shelter for men in Iqaluit.
This facility saves lives.
In prior years, the government has provided funding to the shelter to keep it operational.
Can the minister update me today on what resources are currently provided to the shelter by the housing corporation or if he knows how it has been laid out?
Here in Nunavut, Iqaluit is the only community where we are assisting with operations of two shelters. The first is the Sivummut House and the second is the Oqota Shelter.
We have two separate funds under two programs, one for the shelter’s operations and the other for meals of the clients.
These two programs provided funds totalling $792,000.
The shelter is the only one available in Nunavut and at this time, this funding is only offered to the City of Iqaluit.
There are other possibilities, but at this time, no other shelter has surfaced.
So to date, we provide $792,385 in funding for the two shelters’ operations this fiscal year.
This is set aside every year in the budget and cabinet has approved it every time we have requested it.
Your final supplementary, Ms. Ell.
I have heard some concerns from constituents regarding some of the policies of the shelter.
For example, it is my understanding that intoxicated persons are not given access to the shelter.
In the winter months, this may mean that their only option is the RCMP lock-up.
Can the minister indicate if the housing corporation is working with the shelter to identify better ways of managing at-risk clients?
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) At this time, I cannot answer the question as anyone who is publicly intoxicated is considered to have committed a misdemeanour crime and those cases would involve the RCMP.
With respect to the shelters here in Iqaluit, this is how they are set up: during the day, the shelters are generally not utilized completely; the men’s shelter is usually empty during the day but during mealtimes, meals are offered at those times; and when they open up the shelter for homeless people, the beds are made available.
However, in those cases where you have intoxicated people or people who have committed crimes, I cannot answer that as this is the mandate of the RCMP. Nonetheless, we cannot allow any type of risk in the shelters and due to that, they have rules to follow.
Once all the people are in the shelter, they close it.
That is all I can answer at this point.
Question 162 – 3(3): Contract Award Process for Kitikmeot Air Ambulance (Ugyuk)
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the residents of Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven, I wish them a good day.
I wish to inform my colleagues that my constituents are quite concerned about the emergency air ambulance services and these concerns have to be responded to accordingly.
Mr. Speaker, I want to first state that I fully understand that the NNI Contracting Appeals Board is currently looking at the issue of the award for Kitikmeot air ambulance services.
I am not asking questions about the board’s deliberations.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Community and Government Services to provide a clear explanation today of what role his department played in the contract award process for Kitikmeot air ambulance services.
I also thank the member for raising a question on that matter.
The department that I am responsible for has several departments that they have to cooperate with whenever an RFP or tender is opened.
Our CGS officials work with different departments on a case-by-case basis for any RFP or tender that is going to be put into the public domain.
I’ll make this short and concise. Our officials assist the government departments to develop an RFP and provide assistance on the particulars of the tender process and whether they’re following all the criteria involved in the tender.
They work with the department from the beginning to the end of this RFP process. Perhaps I will just state that for the time being.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) It is my understanding that the value of the Kitikmeot air ambulance services contract is in the millions of dollars.
Can the minister clarify who in the government has the authority to approve and sign this contract?
The contracts are usually signed by the officials of the department that initiated the tendering process, Mr. Speaker.
Although he didn’t really state the department, I think I got the point. (interpretation ends) The Department of Community and Government Services coordinates the government’s contracting process and is responsible for issuing tender documents and requests for proposals.
I am still unclear as to what criteria were used by the government to evaluate the proposals that it received in response to its request for proposals for the Kitikmeot air ambulance services contract. Will the minister commit to tabling this information in the Legislative Assembly at tomorrow’s sitting, yes or no?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Yes, Mr. Speaker, she asked what criteria we follow.
The criteria that are followed in this particular case were the criteria that were brought to our department by our client department. They set out the criteria and all the terms of preferences, and those were followed throughout the tendering process.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I have been informed that one of the companies that have been awarded the contract for air ambulance services in the Kitikmeot has been involved in a lawsuit against the government in relation to the awarding of the air ambulance services contract for the Kivalliq.
I have also been informed that one of the government’s senior officials who were named in the lawsuit was also a part of the review process for the Kitikmeot contract.
Can the minister confirm whether my understanding is correct and can he explain what the government’s procedures are to ensure that its officials are not placed in a potential conflict of interest?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Mr. Speaker, her understanding is correct, and our department and this government ensures that utmost care is taken, that there is no conflict of interest in any of these cases, even to be seen to be in conflict.
Utmost care is taken through the Department of Justice and all the parameters are ensured to be covered that there is no conflict of interest when the government is pursuing and looking at any public tendering documents.
Question 163 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut’s Response as per Tabled Document 92 – 3(3) (Tapardjuk)
I would like to direct my question to the newly minted Minister of Human Resources, the Hon. Fred Schell.
It seems obvious that since he has not fielded any questions lately, he would only be too happy to be asked a question.
I would like to ask a few questions on a document that he tabled on October 18, specifically Tabled Document 92 – 3(3).
I have a question on its contents. In the GN’s reply to the report, the committee members who reviewed the Auditor General’s report wanted further clarification on some issues, particularly recommendation #4.
When the government provided a response, it stated that the Inuit Employment Plan was completed as of March 2011 and that it was submitted to the Executive Council of Nunavut. Furthermore, in June 2011, the number of Inuit employees was to be identified in time for the fall session.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister provide the information as to when these numbers will be available? Can we expect it to be available before the session ends?
How complex is the remainder of the work on this report that has to be disseminated to the House?
I don’t have that information, so I’ll have to take it as notice.
Question 164 – 3(3): Search and Rescue in Nunavut (Aupaluktuq)
My questions are for the Minister of Community and Government Services, Hon. Lorne Kusugak.
Concerns have been recently brought to my attention by the Municipality of Baker Lake regarding the roles and responsibilities of the different entities that are involved in search and rescue operations, including the RCMP, community volunteers, and the territorial government.
Can the minister clarify what agreements are in place between his department and the RCMP concerning responsibility for search and rescue operations and recovery operations?
I thank my colleague for the question. (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, the way the search and rescue process works in terms of organization responsibilities is whenever a search and rescue mission is required, that designation has to be made by the RCMP.
The Emergency Measures Organization under the Department of Community and Government Services provides the funding for any search and rescue operation that is required.
As you know, search and rescue usually involves expenditures as they require fuel and supplies to conduct a search, including equipment. There are also training exercises they must complete throughout the year for search and rescue personnel. They also need equipment, so they’re also buying new equipment, such as GPSs, satellite phones, and the like.
We do provide that kind of funding assistance for these organizations.
With respect to the determination of whether a search and rescue is required or when the search needs to be called off, that’s the prerogative of the RCMP.
Hopefully that clarifies the matter.