EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
As the next steps on making recommendations from our report, Manitoba will be hosting their first meeting of the task force to bring participants together to start sharing information and begin discussions on the use of diesel fuel in remote communities.
Our first priority will be to look at what can we do in a remote community when we are not connected by roads, how can we move forward to reduce diesel reliance in Nunavut.
Question 020 – 4(3): Addressing Nunavut-Quebec Border Issues (Rumbolt)
I would like to direct my question to the Premier, who is the Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Mr. Speaker, recent media reports have stated that the Government of Quebec has been seeking to meet with representatives from the federal government and the Government of Nunavut to discuss changes in the northern borders of the Province of Quebec.
In fact, the Quebec Premier formally wrote an open letter to the federal party leaders in which he raised this issue.
At the appropriate time, I will be tabling that letter and the relevant English language excerpts.
Can the Premier clarify his government’s position with respect to reviewing the Nunavut-Quebec border?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Premier Taptuna.
Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the open letter that was written on August 14 to the party leaders. In the open letter, Premier Couillard wanted to open discussions on the water boundaries and the extension of the water boundaries.
Mr. Speaker, in 2010, we concluded with the Quebec Cree and the Inuit of Quebec on jurisdictional boundaries and in the Act of 1912, the Quebec Extension Act, it is quite clear there.
Mr. Speaker, with the conclusion of our Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, the boundaries and the islands are in the Territory of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, there is no interest from Nunavut to reopen negotiations. This is going to be up to the federal government to decide on the opening up of discussions with Quebec.
Mr. Speaker, the Premier of Quebec has indicated that he is interested in having discussions with the federal government and the Government of Nunavut regarding the Nunavut-Quebec transboundary issue.
I note that NTI would also have to be a part of to these discussions as the Nunavut Settlement Area is defined under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. Also, it is very important that the people of Sanikiluaq know that no discussion will be made regarding Nunavut’s borders, especially in the Hudson Bay region, without the community being consulted.
Will the minister commit today to consulting with the residents of Sanikiluaq before any changes to Nunavut’s borders are ever considered?
At this time, we see no reason to reopen discussions on this issue.
Having said that, as soon as there is any decision made from the federal government, the MLA from Sanikiluaq will be the first to know.
Question 021 – 4(3): Plans for School Replacement in Cape Dorset (Joanasie)
Before I ask the question, I would like to thank the minister for going to Cape Dorset after the school fire. The Department of Education and the Qikiqtani School Operations staff came in shortly afterwards and I thank them.
I would like to ask the minister. As the minister is aware, the loss of the school in Cape Dorset has been a devastating one for the community. In my Member’s Statement earlier today, I mentioned a number of ways in which individuals, organizations, and communities have rallied in support of our students to enable them to continue with their studies this academic year.
Can the minister provide an update on what short-term and medium-term plans for the upcoming year his department has put in place to continue delivering the school program in Cape Dorset?
Minister of Education, Mr. Paul Quassa.
I thank my colleague for asking about this.
First of all, the residents of Cape Dorset, the students, parents, and teachers are a priority and education is our priority and we will work hard on this.
I can state that I think it was today that there were staff members going to Cape Dorset from the Department of Community Government and Services and the Department of Education. They were going to go into the community today. They will be meeting with the district education authority and I have heard that the district education authority in Cape Dorset will be furthering what they wanted to do to service the students with a gymnasium and other things.
The district education authority is working hard on this and we will find out exactly what they are going to be doing once they have made a decision.
We will be pushing more for this and we will be trying to come up with a decision soon after.
Before we make a decision, they will be temporarily housed at the Sam Pudlat Elementary School.
Looking further into the future, we are working closely with the Department of Community and Government Services on how we can settle with what type of school we are presently planning on.
It’s obvious that the Department of Community and Government Services and our department will be keeping the residents of Cape Dorset informed on what’s going on.
Mr. Speaker, there are many alternative ways of delivering and receiving educational programming.
Can the minister provide an update on what steps his department has taken to explore such options as providing home schooling support or distance education programs online or other means to help Cape Dorset students successfully continue with their studies this academic year so the education continues, thinking of the students this upcoming year and afterwards?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Education, Mr. Quassa.
What he just mentioned, home schooling, according to our legislation in Nunavut, it is always open to those who want to do home schooling. To date, we haven’t had any requests for home schooling.
It is possible, but we haven’t seen any requests in all of Nunavut, including Cape Dorset.
Perhaps I will mention distant education. For instance, online through television, the Department of Education is looking into how it’s going to be set up.
I can say right now that all of our schools and perhaps that school was part of this network… . It’s referred to as Cat 6 to make it possible online.
All of our schools are set up on distant education.
All of our schools’ computers can do that, but the bandwidth is too low to date. It has been utilized in the past, even though it’s slow.
From 2011 to date, Cape Dorset has requested on how this is operated.
They have received training on it.
It’s becoming more and more available.
As I stated earlier, home schooling is possible as long as we get a request and those other things.
Mr. Speaker, one of the critical issues facing our students is the lack of classroom space.
He just stated that the Sam Pudlat School is being utilized by the higher grades and they’re taking shifts.
The smaller students go there in the mornings and the students in the higher grades go there in the afternoons.
Has the minister brought forward any proposal to his cabinet colleagues to bring portable classrooms into the community of Cape Dorset to be used on a temporary basis until a new school is built?
As I indicated earlier in regard to the school in Cape Dorset, we’re working very closely with the Department of Community and Government Services in order to build a new school as soon as possible.
Some of our officials will be going down south to look at some models that can be used by our department. Those officials are with the Department of Community and Government Services and the Department of Education.
Yes, it’s very true that we would like to proceed with the construction as soon as possible because we are using the Sam Pudlat School for the senior students.
We would like to see the construction of a new school as soon as possible.
We’re going to be looking at some buildings in order to house the students.
That’s what I can state, Mr. Speaker.
Member for Rankin Inlet South, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok.
Question 022 – 4(3): Impact of Codeshare Agreement on Government of Nunavut Budget Development Process (Sammurtok)
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My question is to the Minister of Finance.
The Premier’s recent letter to First Air, Canadian North, and Calm Air clearly described the impact that the codeshare agreement has had on individuals, families, communities, and the government itself.
For example, the Premier’s letter described the significant impact that the codeshare agreement has had on the government’s own travel expenditures.
Can the Minister of Finance indicate how this will be taken into account as he works to develop next year’s territorial budget?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Sammurtok for the question.
I’m well aware of the issues with the codeshare. I sat in the meetings with the airline executives when they briefed us all in-camera and made certain promises and commitments, many of which have not unfolded, as we were told.
Being from the Kitikmeot, I’m very aware of the difficulties in travelling east to west.
Our airline schedules make it very difficult for my colleagues and/or GN staff to fly from Cambridge Bay to anywhere in the Kitikmeot within our communities.
For example, to get from Cambridge Bay to Kugluktuk, you have to fly to Yellowknife to Kugluktuk or something like that.
We have limited schedules to get over here.
The freight east to west can take six to eight weeks to get from Iqaluit and you pay in advance and your freight waits at the airport for a couple months. I have personally experienced that.
To answer your question, Mr. Sammurtok, our departments are individually going through our main estimates process currently, so departments are working through their departmental budgets.
We expect that the managers will work within their departments with their deputy ministers to build their budgets and will be put forward through the Financial Management Board, at which time we will review and then we will continue the process and eventually making it forward to the standing committee for discussion and debate, probably in early January some time.
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I have received numerous concerns from my constituents regarding the impact that the codeshare agreement has had. For example, my constituents point out that it can cost more to fly from Rankin to Winnipeg than it does to fly from Winnipeg to Europe.
Can the minister clarify if the government is open to increasing the northern allowance that it pays its employees to balance the impact that codeshare has had on our residents?
Minister of Finance, Mr. Keith Peterson.
If I understand Mr. Sammurtok correctly, that is an issue that would probably be discussed between the Government of Nunavut and the collective bargaining units, NEU and NTA.
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I have also received many concerns from constituents regarding the impact that the codeshare agreement has had on the ability of youth to take part in sporting events outside of their home communities.
This issue was also addressed in the Premier’s letter.
Can the minister indicate if there will be increased funding in next year’s budget to help offset the increased travel costs that have resulted from the codeshare agreement?
I appreciate that Mr. Sammurtok is speaking on behalf of his constituents and probably all Nunavummiut who are involved in sporting events and other events to try to get them around.
I am well aware that it is very expensive to travel to sporting events and other important meetings and gatherings across Nunavut.
We understand that the airlines did a lot in the past to donate towards those events.
Again, as I said in my earlier response, it would go through a budgeting process and that would be something that the department that is responsible for recreation would probably consider, and then they would bring forward recommendations to the Financial Management Board and then ultimately to this House.
Question 023 – 4(3): Impact of Codeshare Agreement on Operations of the Department of Health (Akoak)
As I indicated in my Member’s Statement, one of the issues that were discussed at the recent annual general meeting of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association was the codeshare agreement between the major airlines.
The Minister of Health also attended KIA’s AGM and spoke to the delegates about his concerns regarding the codeshare agreement and its impact on such things as medical travel and the timely transport of medical samples.
For the benefit of Kitikmeot residents who were not able to attend KIA’s AGM, can the minister describe what issues the Department of Health is facing as a result of the codeshare agreement?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) There have been a number of issues that we have raised with the various airlines.
One is the samples being missed and not being able to be transported. Others have been the lack of seat availability for some routes. Some routes have increased capacity, but most routes have lost some capacity with the codeshare arrangement.
It has been a combination of issues that we have encountered for medical travel and we have raised these with the airlines.
We hope that they will accommodate the concerns that we have raised, but there have been a lot of other issues not related to health that all of us have encountered with this codeshare arrangement.
I hope that these airlines can work themselves out, but we will have to continue to raise them for them to try and accommodate us. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
In September of this year, the Department of Health sent formal letters to the presidents of First Air, Canadian North, and Calm Air concerning the codeshare agreement.
Have any of the three airlines replied to this letter?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Not that I’m aware of, but if I do get word that they have replied, then I will gladly share the responses.
My officials have also met with the three airlines earlier this month from October 5 to 9 to discuss and explain the concerns and issues that we have identified with this agreement. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
When you receive the letters, will the minister commit to tabling in the Legislative Assembly the replies that his department receives from the three airlines?
Question 024 – 4(3): Western Hudson Bay Polar Bear Management (Savikataaq)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Environment today. My questions will be about the total allowable harvest for the western Hudson Bay polar bear population.
Mr. Speaker, section 120 of the Nunavut’s Wildlife Act provides the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board with the authority to establish levels of total allowable harvest. However, in accordance with section 156 of the Act, every decision of NWMB is subject to acceptance, rejection, variation, or disallowance by the minister.
The minister is aware that the total allowable harvest should be given to RWBs and HTOs by July 1 of every year.
Has the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board given their recommendation to the minister of what the total allowable harvest should be for the western Hudson Bay polar bear population, and what is that number?
Minister of Environment, Mr. Johnny Mike.
We now have the letter regarding the recommendation made by NWMB.
We will have to take it into consideration and once that process is complete… . There are 24 total allowable harvests set for polar bears.
Since we got the recommendation from NWMB, I will take it into careful consideration.
I would like to ask the minister… . Sorry, I’ll just take a step back. I believe he said that NWMB has given their recommendation for a total allowable harvest for the western Hudson Bay and the minister is not agreeing with it because he has to think about it.
NWMB has given me their decision for the total allowable harvest in western Hudson Bay.
They have given me something that I will consider. They have requested to increase the total allowable harvest for polar bears by 14.
That’s what I was talking about. That is what I have to carefully consider. After I have carefully considered it, I will inform the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board of my decision.
I understand that the minister is disagreeing with the increase of 14 polar bears for the western Hudson Bay. The current quota was 24 and they have asked for an additional 14, which brings it to 38.
My understanding is that NWMB has recommended a TAH of 38 and the minister is obviously not agreeing with the decision currently because he said that he has to study it some more.
Has the minister done that with other polar bear populations?
When there was an increase in the Foxe Basin polar bear tags, did he send that decision back for more studying too?
It’s the same officials that do the population estimates and it’s the same NWMB board.
Is he singling out the western Hudson Bay polar bear population or is he consistent with all polar bear populations?
The polar bear management areas in Nunavut are set up differently from each other and they’re dealt with differently.
What I said was that the recommendation from NWMB is what I was given and I have to carefully consider it.
I’m not disagreeing with it. I’m not agreeing with it. I just haven’t made a decision on it yet.
I have to carefully consider as to how much of an increase it will be.
I’m not saying that I agree or disagree with the number that was recommended; I’m just saying that I have to carefully consider it.
Mr. Speaker, that’s what I can say at this time.
Members will note that the time for question period has expired and we will proceed to Item 7. (interpretation) Going back to the orders of the day.
Return to Written Question 001 – 4(3): Administration and Enforcement of the Workers’ Compensation Act (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 002 – 4(3): Expenditures and Activities under the Strategic Investments Program (Clerk)
*See Appendix for full text of Returns to Written Questions 1 – 4(3), 2 – 4(3), 3 – 4(3), and 5 – 4(3).
Return to Written Question 003 – 4(3): Administration and Enforcement of the Tobacco Tax Act (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 004 – 4(3): Expenditures under Standing Offer Agreements (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 005 – 4(3): Administration and Enforcement of the Public Health Act (Clerk)
I wish to table returns to Written Questions 1 – 4(3) through 5 – 4 (3), all of which were asked during the June 2, 2015 sitting of the House.
Hon. Minister Monica Ell-Kanayuk.
Tabled Document 006 – 4(3): Nunavut Business Credit Corporation’s 2014-2015 Annual Report (Ell-Kanayuk)
Tabled Document 007 – 4(3): Nunavut Development Corporation’s Annual Report for 2014-2015 (Ell-Kanayuk)
I am pleased to table the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation’s 2014-15 Annual Report.
Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to table the Nunavut Development Corporation’s Annual Report for 2014-15.
Hon. Minister Monica Ell-Kanayuk, (interpretation) are you done?
(interpretation ends) Hon. Minister Kuksuk.
Tabled Document 008 – 4(3): Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit Annual Report 2012-2013 (Kuksuk)
Tabled Document 009 – 4(3): Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit Annual Report 2013-2014 (Kuksuk)
Tabled Document 010 – 4(3): Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit Annual Report 2014-2015 (Kuksuk)
Hon. Minister Kuksuk (interpretation): Good afternoon, fellow residents of Nunavut and Whale Cove and Arviat.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit annual reports for the following years: 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents. (interpretation) Member Akoak.
Tabled Document 011 – 4(3): Resolutions from the 2015 Kitikmeot Inuit Association Annual General Meeting (Akoak)
As I noted in my Member’s Statement today, I had the honour of taking part in the 2015 Annual General Meeting of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association which was held earlier this month.
I wish to table today copies of the resolutions that were adopted at this year’s annual general meeting.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents. (interpretation) Member Rumbolt.
Tabled Document 012 – 4(3): Letter from Premier of Quebec to Federal Party Leaders Referencing Nunavut-Quebec Border (Rumbolt)
I would like to table a letter written on August 14, 2015 by the Premier of Quebec to the federal party leaders.
The letter refers to reviewing the borders between Nunavut and Quebec.
The relevant sections have been translated into English.
Tabled Document 013 – 4(3): 2014-2015 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut (Speaker)
Tabled Document 014 – 4(3): 2015 Annual Report of the Office of the Integrity Commissioner (Speaker)
The first document is the 2014-2015 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut.
The next document is the 2015 Annual Report of the Integrity Commissioner of Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you.
Notices of Motions. (interpretation) Member Simeon Mikkungwak.
Motion 004 – 4(3): Extended Sitting Hours and Days – Notice (Mikkungwak)
I give notice that on Friday, October 23, 2015, I will move the following motion:
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aggu, that the Speaker be authorized to set such sitting hours and days as the Speaker deems fit to assist with the business before the House during the fall 2015 sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
Notices of Motions. (interpretation) Member Mr. Savikataaq.
Motion 005 – 4(3): Censure of the Member for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet – Notice (Savikataaq)
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Tununiq, that the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet be censured.
Bill 01 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2014-2015 – Notice
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2015-2016 – Notice
Bill 03 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2016-2017 – Notice
Bill 04 – Write-off of Assets Act, 2014-2015 – Notice
I give notice that on Friday, October 23, 2015, that Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2014-2015, be read for the first time.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, October 23, 2015, that Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2015-2016, be read for the first time.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, October 23, 2015, that Bill 3, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2016-2017, be read for the first time.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, October 23, 2015, that Bill 4, Write-off of Assets Act, 2014-2015, be read for the first time.
The Hon. Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, Mr. Peterson.
Bill 05 – An Act to Amend the Safety Act – Notice
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, October 23, 2015, that Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Safety Act, be read for the first time.
Motions. (interpretation) Member Mikkungwak.
Motion 004 – 4(3): Extended Sitting Hours and Days (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aggu, that the Speaker be authorized to set such sitting hours and days as the Speaker deem fit to assist with the business before the House during the fall 2015 sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
Motions. (interpretation) Member Mr. Savikataaq.
Motion 005 – 4(3): Censure of the Member for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet (Savikataaq)
AND WHEREAS the Member for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet pleaded guilty in the Nunavut Court of Justice on June 4, 2015 to charges related to impaired driving;
AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly acknowledges that the [member] has taken full responsibility for his actions, taken steps to fulfill the terms and conditions of the court’s judgment, and apologized to his constituents and colleagues;