EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Return to Oral Question 333 – 1(6): Assistance or Funding for Soapstone Carvers
Mr. Speaker, on Monday, December 2, 2002, as was asked by the Member for Akulliq, in response to the question of programs offered by the department, there are several programs to provide assistance to carvers in Nunavut including the assistance for soapstone and other carving materials.
Mr. Speaker, the carvers have been using the Business Development Fund and the Grants to Small Business Program to help offset the cost of quarrying soapstone, maintaining soapstone quarry sites and purchasing tools and equipment.
In some communities, funds have been made available to carver organizations through the Community Initiatives Program to conduct training programs for the carvers.
The assistance available through the Business Development Fund has also been used to assist with the marketing of the carvings.
In the current fiscal year, to date, nearly $168,000 has been provided to carvers and carver organizations, through these programs of the Department of Sustainable Development.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Sustainable Development administers their Prospector Assistance Program.
Many carvers participate in this program, which provides grants up to $5,000 for individuals to prospect for minerals including soapstone near their communities.
The department is also able to provide assistance to carvers and carver’s organizations seeking to identify new sites for soapstone.
The department has a qualified geologist on staff in each region.
This person is available to assist the public.
In the past, these geologists have assisted carvers to map new sites for soapstone and other carving materials and have travelled with carvers to help identify the sites on land.
(Interpretation ends) It is worth noting, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Sustainable Development is directly involved in programs that address soapstone quarry safety, the marketing of soapstone carvings, the authentication of Inuit carvings through the administration of Igloo-type building programs and direct support of arts and crafts, and community-based carvers’ organizations.
As the question from the Member of Akulliq suggests, Mr. Speaker, that the public might not be fully aware of these programs, the Department of Sustainable Development proposes this year to produce an information campaign on the acquisition of soapstone and other carving materials to ensure that carvers know about the support that is available to them.
I wanted to be the first one to recognize visitors in the Gallery.
I wanted to recognize a couple of youth delegates from Whale Cove, Mona Panika, please rise.
And Pamela Aarualaaq, from Whale Cove, and also once they graduate in Whale Cove, I am sure that they would like have employment afterwards.
We have a number of youth delegates who are here.
They were going to an Anti-tobacco Conference.
I would like to recognize from Grise Fiord, Sarah Kigutaq.
Again from Grise Fiord, Robbie Kakkik, sitting on the other side, and from Resolute Bay, the individual is not here, we have Kathy Idlout, and from Arctic Bay, we have Jeremy Atagutsiak.
I am sure that they will want to have employment opportunities in the High Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, I too have four youth delegates and one chaperone from Cambridge Bay attending the Minister’s Youth Action Team on Tobacco.
Across behind the regular Members here, I have Nicole Wilcox and Derek Ihaloak, as well as the chaperone, Trish Ulurianaq.
Behind me, I have Chris Gillis and Clarissa Kublovina.
Mr. Speaker, some of the Members introduced the Minister’s Youth Action Team on Tobacco, and earlier today, for the Members who were not able to be with us, we had the internationally known Heather Crowe, who is terminally ill with cancer and who came to speak to the Members about the effect of second hand smoke.
Ms. Crowe had spent 40 years working as a waitress. She never smoked a day in her life and now she has cancer.
She had an opportunity to be with us this morning and she will be with the Ministers’ Youth Action Team on Tobacco, which is one of the initiatives that we have put together in our Anti-Tobacco Program.
And earlier today, there was some public service announcement or commercial and ad being filmed in the Assembly on behalf of that.
If I may, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to introduce some of the people.
They are part of the Ministers’ Youth Action Team; invitations were sent out to every school in Nunavut, to the Regional Inuit Organizations and to hamlets to have people selected.
These names have been put forward and we have some other members, one from Arviat and a couple from Iqaluit and from Cambridge Bay, who will be joining the Youth Action Team.
I will just say the names; some of them have already stood up.
So, I will just say the names, Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of being expedient.
Mr. Speaker, from Grade 10, Resolute Bay, we have Kathy Idlout, Jeremy Atagutsiaq from Arctic Bay, Grade 10, Sarah Kiguttaq from Grise Fiord, Grade 9, Lavie Kakki from Grise Fiord, Grade 9.
Mr. Speaker, I think it is very important to see some really good representatives from small communities on an Action Team like this.
I think it is great to see the representation from Grise Fiord.
Mr. Speaker, we also have Ezra Kasarnaq from Pond, Jamie Kautianuk from Pond, Jessica Lynn Sattiana from Grade 10 in Repulse, Pamela Arialaaq from Grade 9 from Whale Cove, Monica Panika from Grade 8 from Whale Cove.
And as Minister Ng introduced, we have some people from Cambridge Bay, Nicole Wilcox, Derrick Ihaluaq, Terresa Qabluning and Chris Gillis.
I want to point out, Mr. Speaker, we also have with the Youth Action Team, Jackie Price from the Department of Health and Social Services.
As a chaperone, working on her midwifery program, and the head of the Anti-Tobacco Reduction Program from the Government of Nunavut; Nadia Solitaire is also with us.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): These individuals were already recognized, but I would like to acknowledge Ezra Kasarnaq and Jamie Ootovak from Pond Inlet.
They are participating in the Youth Action Program.
Question 378 – 1(6): Updates on PPD Transfer to Baker Lake
Mr. Speaker, my question today is to the Minister responsible for decentralization.
Mr. Speaker, my community over the last month, has been very concerned about the decentralization process in our community with the announcement or the semi-announcements of the Petroleum Products Division move into Baker Lake.
Can the Premier give me an update on the transfer of these decisions?
Yes, work is continuing with decentralization, we are down to two communities, Pangnirtung and Baker Lake.
And in Baker Lake, we reconfirm our commitment to decentralizing jobs to Baker Lake.
In the course of the last month, a number of events have taken place.
We have appointed the interim President for the Qullik Corporation and we have also identified additional positions to go to Baker Lake through the Nunavut Power Corporation.
I believe there are about a total of five new Power Corporation positions and with the creation of the Corporation, we would like to do a study to ensure that we implement decentralization in the most appropriate way for both communities involved.
So, we are continuing to find ways to implement decentralization, but it requires some studies, but we are committed to decentralize positions to Baker Lake.
Probably great news for my community and it will put a lot of people in my community at ease.
Can the Premier tell me when he expects those first five jobs to move to Baker Lake?
We announced this just over a week ago that those positions have been found.
I don’t know exactly when, but we could work with the Hamlet and with the Member ensuring those jobs are transferred in the very near future.
But as I said, we need to do a study for the other eight positions that we’re short on in Baker Lake but we’re committed to making sure that we find additional positions.
I'm pleased that the Minister responsible is committed to moving the jobs to Baker Lake.
And it’s a great start and it shows great leadership in moving the first five.
Can the Premier let me know, can he give me a rough target date for the remaining eight positions?
We made a commitment as a government that we would like to complete decentralization over a three-year period and this is our final year.
So I'm hopeful that we can finalize the decentralization plan for this year.
This will probably trickle over; we’re still doing studies in Pangnirtung, for example.
We hope to get the studies completed soon for both Pangnirtung and Baker Lake in the very near future.
For Baker Lake, we’re just in the process of drafting terms of reference for the feasibility studies so I don’t know exactly when it will be completed but we’d love to see the whole decentralization process completed within this year so that we can move onto other issues.
Question 379 – 1(6): Igloolik Representative on McClintock Channel Study
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on an issue that is of concern to my constituents.
It is in regards to the polar bear hunting in the McClintock channel.
As I stated earlier, I was going to ask my question to the Department of Sustainable Development on behalf of my constituents in Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak.
I think it was in January 30 or 31 that a representative from the department came to our community.
This individual was a polar bear biologist.
He or she was representing the NWMB and also the Department of Sustainable Development.
There was also another individual from Nunavut Tunngavik and the Kitikmeot Hunters and Trappers Association.
Mr. Speaker, even though there were a lot of individual representatives they did not include a representative from Igloolik.
Is that going to put a delay on determining polar bear hunting in our region?
I truly believe that there should be an individual or a representative from Igloolik in those discussions.
Speaker: Akesuk.
In regards to the McClintock channel it affects Repulse Bay, Igloolik and the Kitikmeot area.
All three regions hunt within that area and have an effect.
This has been carefully considered and we’re going to work hard to reinstate the polar bear hunts in this area.
We’re going to have to consult with all the effected communities before reinstating these polar bear hunts.
At this moment, they are going to be coming to the Keewatin Region from March 1 to the 15th and in the Baffin Area, they will also be doing consultation tours and then afterwards, we will start working on it.
Speaker: Oral Questions. Supplementary. Mr. Puqiqnak.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker I believe that there has to be consensus between the three regions and this is one of the major concerns of the people in my riding.
They are concerned that they did not have Igloolik representatives.
Is it going to have an affect on this study?
All of the affected communities will have to be consulted.
We are going to start from the Kitikmeot Region to talk about the polar bear issue and once that region is completed, then we will move onto the Keewatin and afterwards, to the Baffin.
They are all going to be consulted on the polar bear issue and then afterwards, we will do our thorough review and make a conclusion.
This is now the third year since the moratorium was set out in the McClintock Channel.
The people from our communities have always asked why a moratorium was set out in that region and we have been told that there is going to be a study and a review and when this study, this study was not completed, it was in a draft and a moratorium was set in that region.
The people in my community know that the study was not complete.
Is it not the usual procedure to ask the communities to talk to them first before it is setting a moratorium?
We have worked very closely with the community Hunters and Trappers Organizations and we have also worked with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and once everything is completed, we can do a review and see if we can lift the moratorium.
We are going to work on it with the communities.
We have stated that the polar bear study will then be completed and reviewed by the effected communities of Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak and Cambridge Bay.
We had to place a moratorium due to the decrease in the polar bear population.
There were approximately 700 to 800 and about three years ago, we were informed that the population has decreased down to a little over 200.
So, that is why we placed that moratorium because of the drastic decrease in the population.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): I am out of supplementary questions already?
You stated that only after you have completed the study would you consider lifting the moratorium and that you would inform the hunters about the results.
I think that it was in the year 2000 that the moratorium was placed on the bear hunters.
You have not completed this study for the past three years?
Or have you not concluded your consultation with the affected communities?
When are you going to complete that population study?
Are you going to make that report available to the organizations that are constantly requesting the results of the study? I would also like a copy when it is available.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I understand your concerns and your question.
We will endeavour to complete those studies earlier.
We do not want to rush through it because we have to do it very carefully, and to understand all the factors relating to the issue.
We also have the Gjoa Haven HTO Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit research underway that will be incorporated into the study.
I think that is part of the reason why the study has taken this long; because we have to insert this knowledge once it is collected.
Once the study is completed, we will make the report available to Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven, Cambridge Bay, and the affected communities.
Question 380 – (6): Undertake Study or Setup Task Force on Drop-outs
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education, as usual.
I will always pepper him with more questions unless he responds to the ones I pose to him.
I would like to ask the Minister of Education regarding the education system in Nunavut.
We would like to plan for a better system for our future generations based on the history of our existing system.
I would like to ask whether a study can be undertaken on the education system in Nunavut.
Can you set up a Task Force to look into the curriculum in Nunavut?
My question is, can you set up a Task Force to review that?
Speaker: The Minister responsible for Education, Minister Kilabuk.
This is regarding the question that he was asking about earlier.
I immediately checked into his earlier question about the dropout rates, the numbers of dropouts in Nunavut and their reasons.
My staff informed me that there are some numbers available that I have not seen yet.
I will ensure that once the information is made available. I can also review this information as to why there are a lot of students dropping out from the schools.
Mr. Iqaqrialu.  Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you for your quick response to my earlier question.
This is a different question that I am asking regarding the curriculum in the schools.
What types of problems are there?
I would like them to be reviewed not just through the Department of Education, but also from the affected parties as to why there are such problems in the schools?
I would like the review to include those programs that are effective, those that are problematic and those that should not be included.
That is a separate question from my earlier ones.
For example, last year, there was a move to review the official languages and I am asking if we can do the same thing on educational curriculum in Nunavut.
I would like a task force to look into these issues.
That is my question aside from my earlier question.
I am wondering if he can respond to me, not immediately but sometime during this session.
In regards to the review of our educational system, there are quite a few other reviews going on, as the Member is aware.
The Education Act is in the works in the standing committee.
Also the question of using Inuktitut for primary instruction is under review and once we have the draft Education Act in place, we will have a better idea as to what improvements we can make and I can review that information with the Member with the results in front of us at a later date.
It is good to see him planning for the future.
I do not see the studies presently as being holistic enough to review all the issues related to education.
The education system personnel know what situation it is in.
I would like to see a task force set up with representatives from outside the education system who can have an objective view of the curriculum and what types of problems they are having within the schools and that way we can all find out what issues are causing our youth to drop out of school.
I would like to be able to see that one day.
Is he agreeable to my suggestion as to getting that review done?
I can look into that matter within our department as to which studies can take on those suggestions so that we do not set up groups independent of one another that overlap.
There is a special committee for the high school curriculum review and that group is given the task of giving suggestions as to improving the education system for the higher grades, especially in furthering ones’ education past high school and the high schools in different communities will be included in the study.
I’m sure his question can be included in one of those groups who are reviewing similar situations within the education system.
I will check into this situation and get back to him shortly.
Supplementary, final supplementary, Mr. Iqaqrialu.
However, he said he has a group set up to review the high school curriculum, where are the members of that group from and who are they?
At this point, the reviews that are being undertaken at this point, I suggested to the Member that his suggestions could be taken on by those participants are in the review groups.
I do not have names readily available, but I can get that information from my department and I can provide a copy to the Member.
Question 381 – 1(6): Update on Social Worker/Probation Officer Position at Resolute Bay/Grise Fiord
I’d like to ask a question to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
(interpretation end) My question to the Minister today is regarding social workers/probation officers.
Can the Minister give the House an update on the position in Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord?
Mr. Speaker, the position in Resolute Bay was made vacant after a tragic accident with a long serving social worker in Resolute Bay and I would like to take this opportunity to again, express our condolences to the family in Resolute Bay.
In regard to your question, she was a dedicated and long-term employee in the Department of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, an offer has been made to a person in the position in Resolute Bay to fill that position.
The person has accepted and the person will be starting within the next couple of weeks.
This is good news for my communities of Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord, and as the Minister knows, the staff person also goes to Grise Fiord and both communities greatly need this staff person.
I would just like to take this opportunity now to thank the Minister for getting a person to work up there.
Question 382 – 1(6): Funding Assistance for Dog Team Races
As I said earlier, I would direct my question to the Minister responsible for sports in Nunavut, who is usually responsible for a lot of programs.
The Community Government and Transportation Minister.
This is regarding the traditional dog team race that occurs in North Baffin where they raise their own funds to make that event possible.
My question is whether they can receive assistance for the dog team race?
They have a lot of responsibilities and include quite a few communities with volunteers.
So, that is my question to the Minister.
Regarding this particular issue, there have also been questions from my community of Rankin Inlet and from other communities within Nunavut, who have asked whether the dog team races can be provided financial assistance from the Government as there are always funding shortfalls for the events.
As the Minister for Sport Nunavut, I am considering this issue of furthering Inuit traditions by using Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and what we can consider as financial assistance for those events.
And I will consider those for future budget considerations in that matter.
Oral Questions. Supplementary. Mr. Irqittuq.
Thank you for her immediate response.
Thank you, for looking at the issues and in considering financial assistance.
Mr. Speaker, can those groups now ask for financial assistance at this point or will we have to wait for the budget?
We take any application sent to us for consideration so they can give in those applications.
And they can also submit their applications to the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, as it pertains to the Inuit culture although it is dog team sporting event, you can forward those applications to my Department and it may be possible once the budget has been approved.
Question 383 – 1(6): Medical Information – Medivac Patients
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): My question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services regarding medical evacuations to Ottawa.
For instance, there was a medivac of a person with eye problems from Pond Inlet.
They had no medical papers included in the patient’s file.
It only stated that this person went to get their eyes checked out, it did not have any information about the medical problem.
When that person was being asked about their history, they really did not have a way to find out.
Fortunately for this patient, the escort happened to know the history and was able to relay that information to the doctor.
So my question is do the patients have to bring their own medical history when they are being sent out down south on medivacs?
If not, then there should be a process whereby this file is sent to the hospital in Ottawa.
Let us say that I had problems with my hands and I had to be sent down for treatment.
The doctor can look in my medical file and know the history behind my condition prior to evaluating my problem.
That is my question to the Minister of Health.
Speaker: The Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, in any jurisdiction any person who goes to a health centre or a hospital, or is referred to a clinic, there is a file made right from birth.
That file, or chart as it is called in medical terminology, so the Member is correct that each patient would have a medical chart.
When a person is sent on a medivac, or on a scheduled medical travel, the physical chart itself would not be sent, because it might cover fifteen or twenty years, but the issue surrounding why the medical travel was initiated in the beginning, that would be included on the chart.
We bring forth questions as requested by our constituents.
There was a situation in that regard where this person did not bring his medical file or explanatory paperwork.
I am sure that it may occur again in the future.
Can he direct his staff to ensure that any person leaving the territory brings their medical papers with them?
Can you make it a directive from the department to include all the requisite paperwork in all future medical evacuations?
Mr. Speaker, we will do that.
Mr. Speaker, we will ensure that any pertinent information that pertains to the patient, is brought for them on a medical chart, and that is available with the patient during medical travel or indeed a medivac.
Question 384 – 1(6): Plans for Assistance for High Cost of Living
My question is directed to the Minister of Finance and is regarding my previous Members’ Statement.
My question is regarding the cost of living that is very high in the North, and a lot of Nunavummiut do not have a steady source of income available to them to meet these challenges.
There are a lot of questions being asked as to where the next meal may come from for a lot of Nunavummiut.
Has there been any consideration as to what type of assistance they can have regarding the high cost of living to reflect the current situations?