EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
You know if memory serves me correct that is a pretty substantial amount of grievances out there and I would like to hear, and one is the department concerned about it and what they are doing to try and address the high amount of grievances we are receiving?
Perhaps the staff are starting to understand their right to appeal.
So the number of individuals who has appealed is because they are now more educated about the process of the appeal system and we’re now training and informing about the procedures.
Mr. Chairman I believe the minister indicated appeals, I think there’s a difference between appeals, an appeal is something on a competition or something like that.
A grievance is something to do when an employee feels that they have been wrongfully treated, and treated in a way that they shouldn’t be according to the collective agreement.
So you know when does the minister see this as a problem, the numbers of grievances that we’re receiving.
I was talking about grievances.
Just to clarify that.
Also we need to review that again as to where they came from and what department they came from so that we can reduce the number of grievances.
I just got the figures now, at this time, with just the figures at hand; we don’t know how we can improve.
The only way we can make a decision is to look at and review this and look at how we can improve this.
Perhaps through negotiations, by having some discussions with individuals we can avoid grievances by talking to each other.
Chairperson (interpretation): Mr. Tootoo One minute.
Mr. Tootoo: I need 10 seconds Mr. Chairman.
Could the minister provide when they provide that information could he provide a breakdown of what they were for, what department they were at, what levels, the level or categories of the positions that they have outlined in their stats that they put out quarterly and also whether they are coming from, whether they are coming from non Inuit or Inuit employees?
Yes, we’ll give you a breakdown as to what departments where they came and the level of position but I will not provide you with names.
We will not provide the names to the members.
I want the members to know that we will not provide names, whether they are beneficiaries or non beneficiaries.
I wasn’t asking for names.
I realize that that’s something that probably confidential information and we wouldn’t want to make that information public.
But I do look forward to getting the rest of the information.
One last question, I guess that’s all I have time for.
As I mentioned in my opening comments Mr. Chairman that the Yukon Public Service Commission is working to create a Yukon Government Public Service Pension Plan outside of the Federal Public Service Pension Plan and superannuation plan.
Is the Government of Nunavut planning to also leave that federal public pension plan and create a new one here?
The Department of Finance would be the more appropriate department to respond to your question.
In the minister’s comments, they would negotiate and it would also include Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
I think it would be best to include Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in the collective agreement or the negotiations.
I didn’t see anybody’s hand.
The minister can delegate questions to his staff or other ministers if it’s relevant.
He already stated that the only minister that can answer that particular question is the Minister of Finance.
In my response I tried saying that I would only let the Minister responsible for Finance respond to that.
I didn’t say he was going to nor did I say that I say that I was asking him to.
I just said that it would be best if the Minister of Finance responded to that question.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, I thought you were going to ask the Minister of Finance then after the minister indicated that he would prefer whatever he said.
I thought that you would automatically ask the minister if he cared to answer that particular question.
Mr. Chairman, right now we are a part of the superannuation plan with the Federal Government and we’ve signed off, they’ve indicated that we’re good, I believe for another two or three years.
Right now we’re not actively looking at setting up our own plan but at some point I think it would be a consideration.
What I was trying to say, I thought you were asking me to respond to the regular members question but I wanted to ask a question in regards to disputes or grievances and I was trying to say that it would be best if it was worked out between the employee and the employer.
That’s what I was trying to say when I mentioned Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in my last statement.
That is for disagreements between the employee and the employer.
That was more of a comment.
Mr. Tootoo: Mr. Chairman, it’s just a suggestion, maybe the responsibility of this department should go to the Minister of Finance and Administration if it seems anything there has to get referred to him to go to so maybe just a suggestion to think about.
Maybe the Minister of Finance and Administration should take back these responsibilities.
I find no grounds for those comments at all Mr. Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): We’ll try and keep to the subject at hand.
Maybe just to clarify some of the earlier comments and there certainly is some overlap between the functions of Human Resources and Finance particularly when it comes to the collective bargaining because, obviously, the Minister of Human Resources does have responsibility for Collective Bargaining.
That’s quite clear.
I as a chairman of the Financial Management Board not as a Minister of Finance is where my role comes in trying to be the lead minister on the negotiations because that’s broader, government-wide and Finance provides the financial support for the analysis of negotiations whether it’s with the Federation of Nunavut Teachers or Nunavut Employees’ Union.
That’s where it’s combined and it overlaps and obviously it was a lot clearer and it wasn’t an issue when I did have the responsibility for both departments and now there is a different minister responsible.
It’s no different Mr. Chairman, than if Minister Kilabuk wasn’t the Education Minister.
The Education Minister would also be at the table with the HR Minister and the Chairperson of the FMB in respect of the Collective Bargaining for the Federal of Nunavut Teachers.
Just like with the Power Corporation Employees, Minister Picco comes to the table.
So, it’s a matter of which bargaining unit that the government is bargaining with where different ministers that are responsible come to the table and then again my role as the Chairperson is to coordinate all that for the Financial Management Board.
You can call in the Speaker.
Thank you Mr. Minister and your witnesses.
Item 20. Report of Committee of the Whole. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Irqittuq.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 6, and the main estimates and would like to report progress.
Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Revolving Fund Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Revolving Fund Act be read for the third time.
The motion is carried and Bill 8 has had third reading.
Orders of the Day for Thursday May 16, 2002:
This House stands adjourned until Thursday May 16 at 10 a.m. Sergeant-At-Arms.
>>House adjourned at 8.18 p.m.  Nunavut Canada
Thursday May 16, 2002
Pages 1123 - 1248
Opening Prayer 1123
Ministers’ Statements 1123
Members’ Statements 1126
Returns to Oral Questions 1133
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1135
Oral Questions 1138
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1157
Tabling of Documents 1157
Notices of Motions 1159  Motions 1159
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1160
Report of Committee of the Whole 1245
Revert to Item 13: Tabling of Documents 1245
Third Reading of Bills 1245
Assent to Bills 1246
Orders of the Day 1247
Thursday May 16, 2002 1123
039 – 1(6): Ikuma II Report: Meeting Nunavut’s Energy Needs/Structures and Strategies for Energy Self-Reliance (Picco) 1123
040 – 1(6): School Formula Funding Review (Kilabuk) 1124
041 – 1(6): Provision of Jury Summons in Inuktitut (Okalik) 1125
042 – 1(6): Addictions and Mental Health Strategy (Picco) 1125
043 – 1(6): Children First Secretariat (Kilabuk) 1126
156 – 1(6): Suicide in Nunavut (Irqittuq) 1126
157 – 1(6): Gjoa Haven Co-op Warehouse Burned Down by Children (Puqiqnak) 1128
158 – 1(6): Contamination of Country Food (Alakannuark) 1129
159 – 1(6): Visit of the Governor General to Kugluktuk (Havioyak) 1129
160 – 1(6): Recognition of Student Exchange Trip to Pangnirtung (Kilabuk) 1129
161 – 1(6): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Preparation in the GN (Arvaluk) 1130
162 – 1(6): Anglican Ministers Conference in Rankin Inlet (Williams) 1130
163 – 1(6): Support Small Businesses (Iqaqrialu) 1131
164 – 1(6): Wearing the Same Clothing (Nutarak) 1131
165 – 1(6): Baker Lake Art Collection (McLean) 1132
166 – 1(6): Keeping Arnaitok Centre Open (Picco) 1133
Return to OQ 071 – 1(6): Contribution to Ekaluktutiak Hunters and Trappers Organization (Akesuk) 1133
Return to OQ 058 – 1(6): Nunavut Arctic College Core Programs (Kilabuk) 1134
184 – 1(6): Subsidy for Hunters and Campers in Nunavut (Arvaluk) 1138
185 – 1(6): Helping Children (Puqiqnak) 1140
186 – 1(6): Consultation Process of New Capital Estimates (Tootoo) 1141
187 – 1(6): Employment and Training for Addictions and Mental Health Professions (Williams) 1144
188 – 1(6): Insurance for Students During Land Trips (Nutarak) 1146
189 – 1(6): Number of Elders that Work for Health and Social Services (McLean) 1148
190 – 1(6): Update on Water Treatment for Kugluktuk (Havioyak) 1150
191 – 1(6): Ruled Out of Order (Iqaqrialu) 1152
192 – 1(6): Contaminated Country Food: Health Prevention for Nunavummiut (Alakannuark) 1152
193 – 1(6): Plans for Suicide Prevention (Irqittuq) 1154
026 – 1(6): Report on Suicide in Nunavut (Irqittuq) 1157
027 – 1(6): School Formula Funding Review (Kilabuk) 1158
028 – 1(6): Report of the Public Meeting on the Nunavut Liquor Commissioner’s Recommendations on Changes to the Liquor Act (Tootoo) 1158
029 – 1(6): Ikuma II Report: Meeting Nunavut’s Energy Needs – Structures and Strategies for Energy Self-Reliance (Picco) 1158
030 – 1(6): Nunavut’s Addiction and Mental Health Strategy (Picco) 1158
031 – 1(6): Nunavut Tourism Corporate Business Plans for 2002-2003 (Akesuk) 1158
032 – 1(6): Provision of Jury Summons in Inuktitut (Okalik) 1159
033 – 1(6): Children First Secretariat (Kilabuk) 1159
034 – 1(6): Consolidated Financial Statements, March 31, 2001 (Ng) 1245
035 – 1(6): Non-Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) March 31, 2001 (Ng) 1245
008 – 1(6): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Arvaluk) 1159
008 – 1(6): Extended Adjournment (Arvaluk) 1159
Bill 6 – Appropriation Act No. 2, 2002-2003 – Consideration in Committee 1160
Bill 9 – An Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act – Consideration in Committee 1216
Supplementary Appropriation Acts 1999/2000 to 2002/2003 – Consideration in Committee 1218
Bill 7 – Loan Authorization Act 2002-2003 – Consideration in Committee 1241
Bill 9 – An Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act – Third Reading 1245
Bill 2 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 4, 1999/2000 – Third Reading 1246
Bill 3 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3, 2000/2001 – Third Reading 1246
Bill 4 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 4, 2001/2002 – Third Reading 1246
Bill 5 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 1, 2002/2003 – Third Reading 1246
Bill 6 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 2, 2002/2003 – Third Reading 1246
Bill 7 – Loan Authorization Act, 2002/2003 – Third Reading 1246
Bill 2 – Supplementary Appropriation Act, Number 4. 1999/ 2000– Assent 1246
Bill 3 – Supplementary Appropriation Act, Number 3, 2000/2001– Assent 1246
Bill 4 – Supplementary Appropriation Act Number 4, 2001/2002– Assent 1246
Bill 5 – Supplementary Appropriation Act, Capital Act, Number 1, 2002/2003 – Assent 1246
Bill 6 – Supplementary Appropriation Act, Number 2, 2002/2003 – Assent 1246
Bill 7 – Loan Authorization Act 2002/2003– Assent 1246
Bill 8 – An Act to Amend the Revolving Fund Act – Assent 1246
Bill 9 – An Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act – Assent 1246
Bill 10 – An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act – Assent 1246
Bill 11 – An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act – Assent 1246
Speaker (Mr. O’Brien): Ms. Williams could you say the prayer please?
Speaker: Ullakkut, good morning Mr. Premier, members.
Minister’s Statement 039 – 1(6): Ikuma II Report: Meeting Nunavut’s Energy Needs/Structures and Strategies for Energy Self-Reliance
Hon. Ed Picco: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ullakkut.
Mr. Speaker, I am extremely pleased to announce that, later today, I will be tabling a report titled: Ikuma II: Meeting Nunavut’s Energy Needs/Structures and Strategies for Energy Self-Reliance.
This is a very important initiative and announcement as you know Mr. Speaker.
As Members will recall, in February 2000 I tabled the original Ikuma Report, which led to the development of our own Nunavut Power Corporation and Nunavummiut gaining control over electrical power services here at home in Nunavut.
This Mr. Speaker, was a first and very important step towards the goal of achieving energy self-reliance in Nunavut.
In the fall of 2001 we took a second essential step towards this goal.
We commissioned the Ikuma II Working Group to analyze the existing government structures involved in the delivery of energy services to Nunavummiut, and Mr. Speaker, to develop a strategy that will help reduce Nunavut’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Their work is now complete, and their findings and recommendations are contained within the Ikuma II Report.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut’s dependence on fossil fuels for heating, power and transportation is a great concern to all Nunavummiut.
It is expensive, and it pollutes our pristine environment.
One of the issues that the Ikuma II Working Group struggled with was determining exactly how much Mr. Speaker, how much did it cost the Government of Nunavut to procure, transport and distribute petroleum products within Nunavut, and the impacts that this has had on the cost of generation and Mr. Speaker, the distribution of power.
The Working Group identified many areas where there was duplication of similar functions between the Petroleum Products Division and our own Nunavut Power Corporation, and Mr. Speaker, areas where energy delivery services could be more efficient.
The Working Group was concerned about the lack of a focused approach as well as towards the development of alternate and renewable energy sources.
Mr. Speaker, the recommendations of the Ikuma II Report, if accepted, will lead to the development of a new approach to the delivery of energy services for all of Nunavut.
The new structure will be able to clearly identify the true cost of the energy supply in Nunavut and it will be able to facilitate the development of alternative alternate energy sources leading to increased Nunavut self-reliance.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to thorough discussion of the Ikuma II Report with my colleagues in this Assembly after the tabling.
Minister’s Statement 040 – 1(6): School Formula Funding Review
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Good morning Mr. Speaker.
I am pleased to make this announcement to my fellow Members of the Legislature and the people of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, over the past year, the Department of Education has been reviewing the funding for our schools.
I would like to bring members up to date on our activities.
(interpretation ends) The School Formula Funding Review is now complete.
The task has been a complex one as there were many variables that had to be taken into consideration.
The formula goes beyond just the funding of teachers in our classrooms.
It provides supports for students with special needs and for Inuit culture and language programs.
Mr. Speaker, this is a discussion paper and a planning document, not a guarantee of funding.
I believe it is important that all parties be able to see the results of our study, comment on them, and have a clear idea of where we want to go.
However, I am delighted that the new budget already contains some provisions that address needs identified in the study.
Those include additional funding for schools to meet the population growth and increased support for DEAs.
I will be using the school funding review and the responses to it as the base for preparing budget proposals over the next several years.
Fiscal realities Mr. Speaker, means that this will likely be a multi-year process.
Minister’s Statement 041 – 1(6): Provision of Jury Summons in Inuktitut
Hon. Paul Okalik: Ma'na, Uqaqti.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to advise that the production of the summons to jurors, including instructions, is presently prepared electronically using the voters’ list for the community in which the jury trial is being held.
The jury summons is produced in Inuktitut, English, and French except for the community name, court location within the community i.e. Community Hall, and the date and time the trial is to be held.
The name of the person summoned is in English.
(interpretation) I will be tabling today at the appropriate time a copy of the present jury summons and instructions for your information.
I am also pleased to advise that my department has updated the jury summons to include the Inuktitut translation for the person’s name, community, court location within the community i.e. Community Hall, as well as the date and time the trial is to be held.
I would like to thank the Member from Tunnuniq, Mr. Nutarak, for bringing this matter to my attention.
Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Mr. Picco.
Minister’s Statement 042 – 1(6): Addictions and Mental Health Strategy
Mr. Speaker I am pleased to announce that today I will be tabling the Nunavut Addictions and Mental Health Strategy.
Mr. Speaker, this 2.295 million dollar strategy will enable my department to take a more active role in addressing the troubling and often tragic burden of addictions and mental health in the Nunavut.
The strategy addresses issues such as mental health, mental illness, addictions, trauma, suicide prevention and violence.
It was developed from what we have repeatedly heard from people in the communities along with wide consultation and community studies done over the past decade; especially Mr. Speaker, in the last three years.
It speaks to everything from helping perfectly healthy people to learn more about addictions and mental health, to services for people with very serious, very serious mental health and addictions issues.
Mr. Speaker, two key aspects of the strategy concern the development of support to community networks and the enhancement of educational and supervisory support to Inuit staff.
This will ensure that Inuit, with their understanding of cultural and Inuit values, are prominent in the planning and delivery of these essential services.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, even though we have named this the Addictions and Mental Health Strategy, what we will address in this strategy is the people's well-being, with an emphasis on helping people, Mr. Speaker helping people, before their problems become too great.
Minister’s Statement 043 – 1(6): Children First Secretariat
Hon. Peter Kilabuk: Mr Speaker, I am pleased to present to my fellow members of the legislature and to the people of Nunavut a newsletter which I will be tabling from the Children First Secretariat.
This newsletter highlights the cooperation of the Departments of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Justice, Health and Social Services, and Education focusing on the children of Nunavut.
The newly evolved vision of the Secretariat is that, “The children of Nunavut have the right to live in and contribute to safe, healthy, and supportive communities with hope, purpose and meaning”.
This is an important milestone in the continuing development of the Government of Nunavut’s “Children’s Agenda”.
Mr. Speaker, the Children First Secretariat is an action oriented, inter-departmental committee designed to facilitate the coordination and development of programs and services for children and their families across Nunavut.
This newsletter outlines how important this initiative is in moving forward to benefit the people of Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 156 – 1(6): Suicide in Nunavut
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give some information to the members in the House since today is our last day.
This is about suicide in Nunavut.
Something has to be done to resolve this problem, not just by the government departments but by everyone concerned.
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about, whenever we have a meeting we try to represent our people.
For example, we have been dealing with the bad gasoline in this House and its impacts on the people of Nunavut.
It has an impact on all of the Members of the Legislative Assembly as well.
As well Mr. Speaker, during the session of the Legislative Assembly, we talked about reviewing the main estimates and questioning the ministers.
We have been doing that.
For instance we dealt with Human Resources but we did not complete it.
We question the ministers because we want to make sure that all the things that are done for Nunavummiut are done in the right way.
The hunters out there, wherever they might be, if they have not come back within a few days we all know there may be something wrong with them and we start to worry and someone will have to go out there to search for them.
It happens everywhere in Nunavut.
There are a lot of people that go out to search for those that are lost.
Before something happens to them we try to give them emergency assistance if they are having a problem.
Something tragic could happen to them if we didn’t go out there to search for them.
Those are just examples Mr. Speaker, that we have to deal with day to day in Nunavut.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Premier.
I was using those as an example of why we have to work hard to represent all the people of Nunavut.
I also know that in my community there were hunters that were lost out on the land, and we expend millions of dollars to try and search for people that are lost out on the land.
There is an agreement between the federal government search and rescue people, or the airforce planes that have to go out and search for lost people.
These are just some examples that we have been working hard towards.
But what I have been passionate about in the past few years is the people that commit suicide; because all lives are equal and precious.
I rise today to provide information to people.
From 1999 to now there have been over 79 suicides that have occurred and that was just to May 15.
Perhaps there are more than 79 since yesterday.
Those are the types of things that should be looked into and try to create some programs for people that may have thought about committing suicide.
Mr. Speaker, I will be tabling this information in this House today at an appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 157 – 1(6): Gjoa Haven Co-op Warehouse Burned Down by Children
This statement is a follow up to one I made last week and to clarify it.
I rise today in support of my constituents in Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Speaker, on Monday May 13, the warehouse for the Co-op burned down.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to encourage my constituents to work together with one and other during this difficult time.
There is no limit to what a community can accomplish when they work together for a common goal.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage the Government of Nunavut to provide all possible assistance to ensure that food and other necessities continue to flow into the community and to work with the Co-op in whatever way possible to ensure that a new warehouse or alternate storage facility is in place for the annual sealift.
Mr. Speaker, the RCMP found the people that set the fire and they are children.
It is not acceptable that youth crime is on the rise.
It is not acceptable that we as parents, as a community, as a government, continue to watch this happen without doing a thing.
Mr. Speaker, it is the responsibility of the entire community to ensure that children are given opportunities to grow into adults that contribute to Nunavut.