EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Minister of Culture, Language, Elders, and Youth, Hon. Louis Tapardjuk.
I remember very clearly when you asked that question.
I wonder how we can properly name the Department of CLEY, but we have funds that are available for taping stories from elders in different communities, as an example.
Mr. Speaker, we can look into this matter raised by the member to decide what we’re going to do about that particular issue.
I would like to assure the member, however, that we do have funds for making these recordings.
Possibly what you could do is get someone off the streets and give him money to tape stories.
Earlier, Tagak Curley mentioned the Tuurngaaluk family who possibly got abducted by airplane and were never to be seen again.
As well, the St. Roch was the very first ship to go through the Northwest Passage.
That feat was previously attempted by others, but they failed because they didn’t bring an Inuk on their voyage. It was only when they brought an Inuk with them to be their guide, to be their servant, and to help them survive that they were able to make that trip.
I’m talking about special circumstances that we have to deal with right away. So therefore, is it not possible for the government, particularly the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, to take the initiative and collect stories without waiting for somebody to apply for a grant and start a project?
Historians say that Henry Larsen was a very accomplished explorer, but from talking to the people who participated, they had to help him pee because his hands were too cold and he couldn’t handle it.
When will these stories be compiled? If we’re just going to wait for somebody to apply for the grant, we will always wait.
It might be a little amusing now, but Inuit were intimidated by Henry Larsen and his crew.
They knew they would die without the help of Inuit and the Inuit did their best to keep them alive from the time they were iced in during the winter.
I would like to ask, Mr. Speaker: when will work on these stories, especially those that must be emanated and that we have little time left to deal with, be initiated by CLEY?
I’m not sure exactly how to reply to your questions because we have grants and contributions available from our department to fund projects such as the one you mentioned.
If you write a letter to our department to suggest initiating a project, then we could consider it.
We also hear stories through the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation program, Tausunni, and we have heard stories about the trip by Henry Larsen. Those stories are very interesting to hear.
We can consider the project, Mr. Speaker, only if we get a written request from the organizations or communities out there because we don’t know what is important or a priority in any given community.
We can consider and work on it further once we get a written request as it is something that is very important to us.
Every year, we have an annual writing contest called Titiraliritti! and that would be part and parcel of those types of projects. We urge the communities to make proposals to our department.
One thing that I note also is that Nunavut Arctic College compiles stories and I think there was a biography done about John Amagoalik and Abe Okpik. So we can look at that, Mr. Speaker.
I will not make an example then.
To continue with my question, there are Arctic College campuses in each of the communities for adult education.
Is Arctic College used to tape record oral history of Inuit and are they funded by CLEY?
The Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth is very reluctant to give monies to Arctic College as Dan Shewchuk has his own funds within his department geared towards that. They have their own funding and they have their own programs.
I just wanted to indicate that, Mr. Speaker.
Question 052 – 3(1): Inuk Conservation Officer for Baker Lake (Aupaluktuq)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Environment, Minister Shewchuk.
Recently, I received a letter from the local HTO requesting that an Inuk who can speak in the Baker Lake dialect be selected for the wildlife officer position in Baker Lake, whom we call the caribou officer.
Again, it is their wish that an Inuk be hired for that position and if that’s not the case, I was also urged to ask the minister for a training position to be considered.
Minister of Environment, (interpretation ends) Hon. Daniel Shewchuk.
At present, there is a vacant wildlife officer/conservation officer position in Baker Lake.
A competition has been run that has ended on February 27, and at the present time, we are in the screening process of this competition.
Your first supplementary, Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you.
I would like to ask the minister if there will be a training program set for an Inuk conservation officer. This is also a request made by the hunters and trappers organization in our community of Baker Lake.
I would like to advise the member also that, of course, our Priority Hiring Policy is applying to this position, so we would target to hire a beneficiary.
And also yes, our department does have an officer trainee program to train beneficiaries to become conservation officers and the location of this could be reviewed and considered, and it could be established in Baker Lake. It could be looked at.
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): I am very pleased and thank you for your response.
When would the conservation officer start work in Baker Lake?
Of course, we are in the process right now, as I told you, in the screening stage.
And after the reviews are done on all the applications, interviews will be held and I would foresee this position being filled within the next couple of months.
Your final supplementary, Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
And I would like to thank the minister for responding to my questions.
Question 053 – 3(1): Representation at Terminology Workshop (Rumbolt)
Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to hear the minister speak about a recent terminology workshop on human anatomy for interpreters and translators working in the health field.
Can the minister clarify if all communities had representation at this workshop and specifically, whether elders were representatives from each community?
Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, (interpretation ends) Hon. Louis Tapardjuk.
Not all communities were represented. For instance, the first workshop was held in the Kitikmeot and is the second round in the Baffin region. There were only a few elders and most of the participants were interpreters and translators working in the health field.
What I can tell the member is that not all communities were represented. Not very many attended this meeting as they held a meeting prior to that in the Kitikmeot and now this one for the Baffin region. This will continue into the future, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, my predecessor in the House knows that there were such significant differences between the Sanikiluaq dialect and other dialects, so he would often speak in English just to avoid confusion.
Can the minister indicate what steps are being taken by his department to ensure that all Inuit dialects, including the Sanikiluaq dialect, are represented in terminology workshops such as the one held recently in Iqaluit?
With respect to this issue, we initiated preparations after the Official Languages Act was enacted and as a matter of fact, we are looking at discussing this at our next Cabinet meeting.
I will be forwarding the discussion and request for approval for the establishment of the Inuit Taiguusiliuqtiit Katimajiit, where appoint members to this committee.
This revolves around Inuit terminology and of establishing common terms for all things that require an equal Inuit term. These matters would be reviewed and deliberated upon by the Inuit Taiguusiliuqtiit Katimajiit. In addition, the committee will ensure that all Nunavummiut can understand the terms related to government operations and terms used by its agencies.
Their mandate is to set up the terms of reference.
As I stated previously, we are preparing to establish this committee and we will also be making announcements as to how we will implement this committee.
What I can tell the member is that all Nunavut communities, including Sanikiluaq, will be represented when we have started nominating and appointing members to the Inuit Taiguusiliuqtiit Katimajiit.
Once we have established the committee as a body, then they will be dealing with issues such as the concern expressed by the member with regard to the dialectal differences.
That seems obvious to me, so that is how I can respond to his question, Mr. Speaker.
Question 054 – 3(1): Nunavut Ombudsman (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Justice on the issue that he used to raise with me in prior years and that is the issue of an ombudsman for the territory.
I would like to know where the status is on this important matter for Nunavummiut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Member. (interpretation ends) Minister of Justice, Hon. Keith Peterson.
I did used to raise that issue but I’m not sure I called it the ombudsman; I called it the child advocate off the same thing.
I recall from my days as a Member of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Accountability, there was a legislative proposal that came forward and I think it was in the summer of 2007, and I don’t think it went anywhere.
Currently, as the Minister of Justice, I’m not aware of any legislative proposal that has come forward from Cabinet for drafting.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Yes, it’s something that I hope that we can pursue so that we can tie it with other pieces of legislation that has been asked for in prior years, in particular whistle-blower legislation would have to be administered by a body and that could be a vehicle to put that in place.
And I know that my colleague for Cambridge Bay has pursued that as well in prior years, so I look forward to legislation in these areas in the very near future.
Could the minister please explain to the House if there are any plans to address these matters?
Mr. Speaker, whistle-blower protection hasn’t been discussed, that I’m aware of, in this Assembly. We have touched on the ombudsman for that from members.
But currently, as a Cabinet, we have not discussed which legislation would go forward once the mandate is finalized.
I want to assure the member that whistle-blower protection, ombudsmen, and child advocates’ legislation are very important to this government and to all members and all Nunavummiut.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to applaud the minister for committing to reviewing these pieces of legislation and to continue to pursue these matters as they are quite important to our constituents.
There are numerous examples that whistle-blower legislation elsewhere that we can work with perhaps and I would like to encourage the member, my colleague, the Minister of Justice, if he can announce, perhaps in June, when we can contemplate working on these pieces of legislation. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I again thank the member for raising those four pieces of legislation.
I can’t give the member a commitment, but I will assure him that I will raise them at the Cabinet level, we will discuss them, and hopefully in June, we can meet with the Regular Caucus and discuss some of these pieces of legislation that the member would like us to work on.
Question 055 – 3(1): Review of Harvester Support Programs (Ningeongan)
In March of 2006, the government tabled the final report from the joint review of harvester support programs that was undertaken by the GN and NTI.
This comprehensive report was over 80 pages in length and made a number of observations and recommendations.
In June of 2006, changes to the Department of Environment’s Disaster Compensation Program were also tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
Can the Minister of Environment indicate to the House today what further improvements to the department’s harvester support programs will be made over the coming year?
I again would like to thank the member for a very good question.
At present, the department has the Disaster Compensation Program in place that totals $80,000 for all of Nunavut.
This program was reviewed at that time in 2006.
Claims at that point in time were at a maximum of $4,500 per incident claim. They have now increased to $10,000 since that time.
At present, with the $80,000 that we have committed to this program, it is not being all utilized in the present system we are in.
That meaning that there are not enough claims or the claims that are coming in did not use up this fund. So that is the program that we have in place right now and it seems to be working well.
And if the member has further questions, I will feel free to answer them.
Nunavut hunters have been impacted through never ending changes. Today, as discussions arise regarding the market for seal pelts, they too are also being affected and that’s where my question comes from.
I also want to ask the minister further.
The Department of Environment provides core funding to HTOs. In 2004-05, the amount budgeted for this activity in the department’s main estimates was $317,000. The amount budgeted for this activity in 2008-09 was also $317,000.
Since HTOs have not had an increase in five years, would the minister commit to reviewing this amount before the government introduces its 2009 budget?
The member is quite correct that the funding of $317,000 from the Department of Environment is given to HTOs through the new Nunavut Wildlife Secretariat that has been set up that governs all those HTOs. In addition, we also contribute another $223,000 to wildlife through the regional wildlife organizations in each region.
So the member is quite right there with the funding.
So in total, we do, as a government department, contribute $540,000 directly and indirectly to all HTOs across Nunavut.
And I would, at this time, commit to reviewing the funding source that they are receiving from the Department of Environment and that review could take place as soon as possible.
I would like to thank the Minister of Environment for his response.
I would like to ask him when “as soon as possible” will take place and when we can expect that.
I will commit to notifying my officials to look into this matter and review the process. Unfortunately, I cannot give you an exact timeline of this taking place.
Question 056 – 3(1): Energy Efficiency Program under NHC (Ningark)
My question is directed to the Hon. Minister of Housing.
I found a copy of the Homeowners Energy Efficiency Rebate Program application form in my office, but I am grateful for the privilege.
Will the minister send a copy of the application form to housing across the board?
I would like to thank the member for raising that question.
But I just want to inform the member that as far I’m aware, all of the applications for all of the different types of programs are sent out to all the local housing organizations throughout the territory and there are even some cases where they are sent out to individual hamlets.
I would ask the member if he can check if either of his communities hasn’t received that information, I would be more than happy to make sure that it is sent out to them.
Mr. Ningark: Thank you kindly, Mr. Speaker.
The copy I received is a very poor copy. I hope copies that are sent to housing offices in Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay are of a better quality for that matter.
I’m sure that may be just a photocopy of one or not, I’m not sure what the member is referring to.
I can assure the member that as a regular member in the past Assembly, and I’m sure it’s still the current practice, I received a package of all the different types of programs available to homeowners, and that was printed and provided to all the members in the past.
I’m sure that those same copies are the ones that were sent out to each of the housing organizations across Nunavut and I’m sure that the quality of those application forms is there. Mr. Speaker, also, I believe some of those, I’m not sure if all of them, are available online and I think some of those application forms may also be available online as well at the Housing Corporation’s website.
I’m referring to the printing quality.
I just want to assure the member that I have just been handed a note indicating that the copy that he did receive was a photocopy of an actual application form. I can assure the member that the quality of the original print copy ones is much better than the one that he received.
If he would like, the member can ask me and I would be more than happy to get him a complete set of these application forms and program guidelines for each of our programs that I can provide to him for his perusal.
Question 057 – 3(1): Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Okalik)
The residential school survivors have been waiting to hear from the federal government about the entity that was set up previously but they were dissolved. I would like to ask the Premier if she can urge the federal government to try and push to have an Inuk member on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Yes, we can work on it further because we’re now at the initial stage of working on that.
Some survivors are still hanging on to their issues even though they would like to let go of them.
I would urge the Premier to lobby the federal government to include Inuit on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and try and do it as soon as possible to make sure that this commission is established so that they start consulting and touring the northern communities right away.
I didn’t hear a question, although I understand the member wants me to lobby the federal government. I understand him thoroughly.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Oral Questions. (interpretation) If there are no more, we will move on to Item 7.
Replies to Opening Address. (interpretation ends) Item 10.
Reports of Standing and Special... Mr. Aupaluktuq.
I just want to go back to Item 5, if possible, for Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
At this time, I am very pleased to announce that... (interpretation) I’m sorry.
You may proceed, Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you very much.
I was so excited about recognizing this individual that I forgot about our procedural requirements.
(interpretation ends) At this point, I just want to thank my colleagues for allowing me to do this.
I want to recognize, in the visitors to the Gallery, that we have a former MLA sitting back there, Mr. Silas Angna’naaq.
He’s a former Member of the NWT legislature, so I want to thank my colleagues for allowing me to do that. (interpretation) Thank you very much.
It is a privilege for me to recognize a former colleague, Mr. Angna’naaq. (interpretation) Welcome. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation) Since there are no more, (interpretation ends) Item 11.
Item... Mr. Shewchuk.
Motion 019 – 3(1): Opposition to European Union’s Proposed Ban on the Import of Seal Products – Notice (Shewchuk)
At this time, Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Nanulik, that the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut opposes the European Union’s proposed ban on the import of seal products.
Item16.
Bill 1 with Mr. Pauloosie in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:29 and Committee resumed at 15:58
Chairman (Mr. Pauloosie): I would like to call the committee meeting to order.
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following item to deal with: Bill 1.
We wish to continue with the review of Bill 1 and the Capital Estimates for the Nunavut Arctic College, followed by the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Are we in agreement that we deal with the capital estimates for the Nunavut Arctic College?
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2009-2010 – Nunavut Arctic College – Consideration in Committee
Before the Committee of the Whole continues with its consideration of the 2009-2010 capital estimates, I wish to make a statement concerning this process.
As members will have noted, the capital estimates document that is before the Committee of the Whole is divided into different sections, including a number of appendices that present such information as future projects that are on the government’s five-year capital plan.
As members are aware, the Legislative Assembly formally votes on the appropriation requests for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
However, members are permitted to ask questions concerning the information that is contained in the appendices to the capital estimates document.
For example, when the Committee of the Whole considers the proposed capital estimates for the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, members may also ask questions concerning information that is presented in the appendices to the document that relate to the department’s activities, including projects that are receiving third party funding.
I trust that this clarifies our procedures and I look forward to the cooperation of all members in assisting your Chair in keeping our proceedings moving forward in an orderly manner.
I would now like to ask the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Arctic College, Hon. Daniel Shewchuk, to make his opening remarks.
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I am pleased to be here today to present and discuss the proposed 2009-2010 capital plan for Nunavut Arctic College.
This is my first appearance before you as the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College. I am looking forward to the opportunity of working together in advancing the mandate of our new government, especially as it applies to Nunavut Arctic College.
First, I would like to thank the Minister of Education and his officials for their cooperation. Historically, Nunavut Arctic College’s capital plan was part of Education’s plan. Now, for the first time, it is separate.
Their generous help made the development and presentation of this plan possible. Also, as this is a year of transition, you will find the capital movements between projects are recorded in their plan and not in this one.
I would also like to thank the Minister of Community and Government Services and his officials for their assistance.
While Nunavut Arctic College develops its internal capital planning capacity, we continue to rely on their experience and expertise in planning and coordinating capital projects.
As the only post-secondary institution in the territory, Nunavut Arctic College plays the central role in providing Nunavummiut with adult learning programs and services.
Our core business is training for employment. Building self-reliance through training and employment is our goal.
Nunavut Arctic College’s roots are in the communities. Our roots are the community learning centres.
Two community learning centres are being replaced.
You will find the new Pond Inlet Community Learning Centre in this plan. The new community learning centre for Qikiqtarjuaq is not included.
It is still in the Department of Education’s plan since it is part of the renovation and expansion of the Inuksuit School.
Nunavummiut wishing to take career training programs not available in their communities are accommodated in our regional campuses at Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet, and Iqaluit. Student family housing was completed in Cambridge Bay in 2005.
This plan provides for the final warranty on the student family housing and day care in Rankin Inlet. It is already occupied and the students are very happy.
This plan also provides for the construction of additional family housing and day care in Iqaluit. I’ve had the pleasure of touring the project. It is scheduled to be ready for occupancy this fall.
All of us have been eagerly awaiting the major expansion in trades training. The trades training centre being constructed in Rankin Inlet will enable Nunavummiut to stay in Nunavut and to take the initial two levels of training for housing maintainer, oil burner mechanic, electrical and plumbing.