EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Before I do that, Minister Aariak, it’s obvious that you will need to appear before the witness table as we haven’t concluded with your department.
I would like to thank your officials. We will see you again in the next committee meeting.
Speaker: Moving on with the orders of the day.
Your committee has been considering Bill 24 and the main estimates.
Just a reminder of meetings for tomorrow morning, a meeting of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts at nine o’clock and the Standing Committee on Legislation starting at ten o’clock in the Nanuq Room.
Motion 22 – 3(3)
The meeting of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts starts at nine o’clock in the Nanuq Room.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Clerk, and apology accepted.
This House stands adjourned until Thursday, February 23, at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Pages 1638 – 1697
Members’ Statements 1640
Oral Questions 1641
Point of Order 1653
Written Questions 1659
Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters 1659
Motions 1660
First Reading of Bills 1660
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1660
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1696
Third Reading of Bills 1696
Orders of the Day 1697
Thursday, February 23, 2012 1638
113 – 3(3): Minister Absent from House (Kusugak) 1638
114 – 3(3): John Graham’s Retirement (Taptuna) 1638
115 – 3(3): Development of Alternative Polar Bear Research Methods (Arreak) 1639
162 – 3(3): Health Care Delivery in Nunavut (Elliott) 1640
240 – 3(3): Nunavut Marine Council (Tapardjuk) 1641
241 – 3(3): Nunavut Housing Trust Equipment Options (Rumbolt) 1641
242 – 3(3): Pilot Treatment Program (Ell) 1642
243 – 3(3): Capital Planning Priorities and Processes (Ningeongan) 1644
244 – 3(3): Polar Bear Research Methods (Oshutapik) 1646
245 – 3(3): Audit of the Nunavut Housing Trust (Elliott) 1649
246 – 3(3): Review of the NNI Policy (Curley) 1652
247 – 3(3): Housing Inspections (Aupaluktuq) 1655
248 – 3(3): Uqausivut Implementation (Tapardjuk) 1656
011 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut Expenditures on Overtime Pay for Indeterminate, Term, and Casual Employees (Elliott) 1659
Committee Report 013 – 3(3): Bill 35, An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act (Ningeongan) 1659
022 – 3(3): Extended Sitting Hours and Days (Ningeongan) 1660
Bill 34 – An Act to Amend the Integrity Act – First Reading 1660
Bill 35 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Tobacco Tax Act – Consideration in Committee 1661
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2012-2013 – Education – Consideration in Committee 1676
Bill 35 – An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act – Third Reading 1696
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Curley. (interpretation ends) Moving on in the orders of the day. Item 2.
Minister’s Statement 113 – 3(3): Minister Absent from House (Kusugak)
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I wish to advise members that Premier Aariak and Minister Shewchuk will be absent from the House to attend the Prime Minister’s announcement of funding for adult education in Nunavut at Nunavut Arctic College.
Premier Aariak and Minister Shewchuk will rejoin us later this afternoon.
Minister’s Statement 114 – 3(3): John Graham’s Retirement (Taptuna)
I rise today to inform the legislature of the recent retirement of a long-time Government of Nunavut employee.
Mr. Speaker, John Graham, the Director of the Iqaluit International Airport, retired on February 3, 2012, after more than 30 years of outstanding service with both the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, John started his career as a civil servant in February of 1981 as a finance officer for the Department of Local Government in the NWT and held the positions of regional airports officer and regional airports manager before becoming the director of the Iqaluit International Airport in 1996.
Mr. Speaker, John Graham is very well known and respected in the aviation field both in the north and internationally.
Through his efforts, the city of Iqaluit has become a popular cold weather testing site for aircraft manufacturers.
He was instrumental in arranging for the world’s largest passenger plane, the Airbus A-380, to test its cold weather capabilities in Iqaluit in 2006 and 2007.
He also helped to establish Iqaluit’s popular international air show.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Graham is also well known for his long and distinguished service with the Royal Canadian Legion and his tireless work with his beloved 795 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron.
He is largely responsible for the unit’s success and its role as a vibrant youth program in Iqaluit.
In recognition of his efforts, he was presented with the first ever Northern Region Cadet Lifetime Achievement Award in August of 2011.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank Mr. Graham for his many years of government service and service to his community. We all wish him well and a long and happy retirement.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Taptuna. I, too, wish Mr. Graham well in his retirement.
Minister’s Statement 115 – 3(3): Development of Alternative Polar Bear Research Methods (Arreak)
Research methods, on some occasions, require the capture and handling of wildlife.
These methodologies provide the only means of gathering very detailed information that is, from time to time, needed to properly monitor the status of our important species.
Some Nunavummiut are opposed to capture and release practices while others express concern.
In response to Nunavummiut concerns, we have developed alternative research methods that can provide adequate information to make responsible wildlife management decisions. I am very pleased to inform members on the progress we have made in this initiative.
Over the last five years, we have been developing and testing two alternative methods for assessing polar bear populations in Nunavut.
The first method involves using specially designed aerial survey methods.
To date, we have successfully conducted assessments of the Foxe Basin and western Hudson Bay polar bear populations.
For the Baffin Bay population, where aerial surveying is impractical, we have developed a second method, which is a genetic mark-recapture technique to study the bears.
This method involves biopsy darting bears from a helicopter in order to obtain a small piece of skin.
The DNA extracted from the skin is used to genetically fingerprint each bear.
This genetic tag allows us to identify individual bears, therefore avoiding the need to capture, drug, and place plastic tags on the ears.
Our biopsy darting project in Baffin Bay will continue this year and we expect to have preliminary results for review in 2013.
The department will be releasing final results from the aerial surveys in western Hudson Bay and Foxe Basin early in 2012.
This will give Nunavummiut a first look at the type of information this method provides.
We will be reviewing these results with the communities and will be discussing how this information can be applied in the management of polar bear populations.
Based on the outcome from these community discussions, we will determine the practicality of using these methods in the future.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut is a leader in the circumpolar world in the development and use of alternative methods for polar bear research.
Our aerial survey and genetic mark-recapture projects represent the first full-scale application of these research methods in the study of polar bears.
Other jurisdictions are now beginning to look at these methods and may adopt them in the future.
I believe these methods strike a balance between our need for information and the concerns of Nunavummiut.
In addition, we now have new tools for rapidly and cost-effectively monitoring polar bears.
Member’s Statement 162 – 3(3): Health Care Delivery in Nunavut (Elliott)
I rise today to express my optimism for future negotiations in the area of funding and support for health service delivery.
Mr. Speaker, the federal Minister of Health has reached her hand out to provincial and territorial health ministers and has made the commitment to address shared priorities in the renewal of our health care system. The federal health minister recognizes that the challenges by jurisdiction vary and she has stated that the federal government is willing to work with each jurisdiction to target individual health care challenges.
Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that one of the primary issues facing Nunavut’s health care system is the physical status of our community health centres. We have three health centres which have long been identified as needing replacement but they face delay after delay.
I firmly believe that an investment in health infrastructure is critical to providing the appropriate level and quality of health care in Nunavut’s communities.
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Medical Association recently issued a report entitled “Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation in Canada.”
This report has been endorsed by 60 other organizations, including the Northwest Territories Medical Association, of which we are a part. That report discusses the fact that sustainable health care requires universal access to quality health services that are adequately resourced.
One of the areas identified is “Infrastructure” and the report’s authors stress that “Health care in the 21st century demands a fully functional health care information technology system as well as buildings and capital equipment.”
Mr. Speaker, I welcome the federal government’s willingness to work towards a renewal of our health care systems across Canada and I call upon Nunavut’s Minister of Health and Social Services to take the federal Minister of Health up on her offer and bring Nunavut’s critical health infrastructure needs forward for discussion.
Mr. Speaker, if funds could be accessed to accelerate the replacement projects of our aging health centres, the quality of health service available to our residents would certainly improve.
Question 240 – 3(3): Nunavut Marine Council (Tapardjuk)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Environment, who is my Annuraaqatik, Minister James Arreak.
On February 22, 2012, the Nunavut Tunngavik Vice-president, Mr. James Eetoolook, issued a press release that a body called for within the NLCA consisting of the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, the Nunavut Water Board, the Nunavut Planning Commission, and the Nunavut Impact Review Board will be set up as the Nunavut Marine Council.
This body is called for within the section 15.4.1 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
I want to ask the Minister of Environment whether the Nunavut government will be included in this council, whether they will have any ties to this body, or whether they will be able to make presentations to the Nunavut Marine Council.
I will take his question as notice and respond when I have the information.
The question has been taken as notice. Moving on in Oral Questions.
Question 241 – 3(3): Nunavut Housing Trust Equipment Options (Rumbolt)
My questions are directed to the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, the Hon. Fred Schell.
Mr. Speaker, my questions are concerning the Nunavut Housing Trust and telehandlers that were purchased for the construction of the SIP units.
When the Nunavut Housing Trust construction is completed, what does the Nunavut Housing Corporation plan to do with the telehandlers that were provided to the LHOs for the construction of the SIP units?
Hon. Fred Schell: Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt, for that question.
We’re considering selling them.
The reason I’m asking is that these telehandlers are being used by local housing organizations not only for the construction of the units but for other purposes as well, such as snow removal, moving crates around the yard, and replacing fuel tanks. This is a cost savings for the LHOs and probably to the government.
Will local housing organizations have the option of keeping the telehandlers when the Nunavut Housing Trust construction is completed?
If not, will the minister commit to working with his officials on this issue?
Hon. Fred Schell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for that question.
We are going to be working with the LHOs. If the LHOs that have a positive balance in their budget, that have means of paying for repairs and paying for restoring these units, and that have trained personnel operating, we will definitely look at it. If that’s the case and they can prove that to us, then we will be giving them those telehandlers.
Question 242 – 3(3): Pilot Treatment Program (Ell)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services. The hon. member also holds the portfolio for the Department of Finance.
Mr. Speaker, I want to ask about alcohol and drug abuse, and other addictive practices otherwise known as substance abuse.
It is quite important for families in their homes to have an available treatment centre, particularly with the amount of abuse that occurs in Nunavut.
I was pleased to hear during the Budget Address yesterday when the minister announced a pilot project treatment centre in the Kitikmeot for a short 28-day period that will include traditional Inuit methods of healing.
I would like a bit more detail on this project and what that statement means.
The government, through the Tamapta Action Plan, stated that they’re going to be utilizing more Inuit customs in addressing the abuse issues amongst their residents.
Could the minister provide more details on the treatment program he announced that would be based in Cambridge Bay?
Can the minister clarify exactly what this program is?
I thank Ms. Ell for the very important question. As we all know, alcohol issues are a serious matter in Nunavut.
When I was the Minister of Justice, we determined that most of the violence in Nunavut is attributed to the irresponsible use of alcohol and it causes a lot of social issues for our territory.
There has been a lot of talk over the years, I recall, ever since the year 2000, to start up an addictions treatment centre and there have been attempts to do that.
What we determined that we will try in Cambridge Bay this year is what we call a mobile addictions treatment centre. There is a facility there right now that can be used.
I don’t have all the details, but the intention is to use land-based programs, involve elders, and provide some support to the individuals so that they don’t just come for 28 days and then go home.
When they go back to their communities or back into their homes, they have people whom they will be living with or associating with. I also understand that these folks need their support to overcome their addiction.
During the October 2011 session, the government presented the 2012-13 business plan that we reviewed and I didn’t recall seeing any funding set aside for the maintenance or operations of a new facility.
Can the minister provide information to this House today about the facility?
Although he stated that he didn’t have much information about the proposed facility in Cambridge Bay, can the minister tell me if the facility is already owned by our government?
If I understand her question correctly, I believe there’s a facility in Cambridge Bay that’s directly across the street from my constituency office. The two-storey facility used to be an old hostel for children coming into Cambridge Bay.
That facility has actually been used in the past for a 28-day program by the wellness centre in Cambridge Bay.
So there is a facility.
Can the minister clarify to the House whether or not they took into consideration other communities in the Baffin region or in the Kivalliq region, for example?
I’m asking about other pilot projects for addictions treatment since the minister spoke about providing future substance abuse treatment in communities for individuals with alcohol or, in particular, new addictive drugs.
My question is whether this pilot program will surface in other communities.
Mr. Speaker, my understanding is it’s a pilot project. It’s going to be monitored quite closely for results. If it’s successful and works in Cambridge Bay and the Kitikmeot, then there would likely be what we call mobile… .
They will utilize it in other regions and other communities in Nunavut. As I said in my budget speech yesterday, we need this particular project to succeed because it’s so important to our territory.
If the program succeeds, it can provide a lot of benefits in the foreseeable future for individuals in the north. If individuals are abusing substances, whether it is alcohol or drugs, these abusers require a facility to provide treatment. Many individuals have to go to extra-territorial facilities to get treatment.
Can the government provide an update on whether they have any plans to open up a facility during our current session or shortly in the future?
I didn’t quite catch the tail end, but the mobile addictions treatment centre, I believe, is part of our business plan, so it will be discussed in COW.
Question 243 – 3(3): Capital Planning Priorities and Processes (Ningeongan)
As the minister is aware, the government’s 2012-13 capital estimates included funding for projects to construct new hamlet offices or renovate existing hamlet offices in the communities of Arviat, Cambridge Bay, Clyde River, Gjoa Haven, and Kugluktuk.
As a former mayor, the minister is well aware of the need for municipal governments to have adequate facilities.
The Municipality of Chesterfield Inlet has indicated that one of its priorities is a new hamlet office.
Can the minister outline the process and criteria by which his department determines whether or not to provide funding for new hamlet offices?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for asking that question.
I concur with the member’s statement that all hamlets in Nunavut face a big challenge due to the outdated infrastructure existing in their communities.
We have many communities that haven’t had replacements for many years.
The communities the member referenced have had some infrastructure replaced or renovated, with some communities getting new municipal offices shortly, and that is good to see developing.
However, it is unfortunate that we cannot undertake all of our replacement projects at once, so we have to develop priorities on which projects proceed first and to have an inventory of what is replaced and what is required to be replaced. The hamlets may have to change their capital plans accordingly.
The Nunavut Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee was established to review capital plans and their mandate is to provide direction on which capital projects are the immediate priority and which can be deferred.
They have technical personnel and local representatives, including mayors sitting on this committee.
This committee is the main body providing feedback on the capital plan priorities.
The Municipality of Chesterfield Inlet has identified a number of capital priorities for the community. The government’s 2013-14 capital estimates will be introduced in the House later this year during our fall sitting.
Can the minister update the House today on how his department is currently consulting with municipalities on their capital planning needs?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you for the question.
Many communities require a lot of infrastructure to replace their aging infrastructure and we want to assist them in this planning, but every community has different infrastructure priorities with some more urgent projects included.
As I alluded to earlier, NCIAC is our main contact point and this body has representatives from the government and elected representatives.
This committee is our main recommender when it comes to prioritizing the projects and we try to deal with projects the communities submit as priorities within the committee.
Yesterday, the Minister of Finance’s Budget Address stated, and I quote, “Having surveyed all communities about their capital needs, the Department of Community and Government Services thinks we would need to spend about $6 billion over 20 years.”
Would the minister be willing to table a copy of the results of his department’s capital needs survey in the Legislative Assembly?
Here in Nunavut, there is tremendous need for infrastructure, whether it is for housing or other capital projects.
We require a lot of infrastructure to replace the existing infrastructure which is dilapidated and aging, some of which was created prior to the Territory of Nunavut being established.
It is quite noticeable that the buildings are aging quite rapidly.
In order to pay for the new infrastructure, we will require a large capital base to fund all of the required projects.
Further, once our infrastructure inventory study is completed, it will be quite complicated to try to plan for the entire infrastructure that is required.
If and when it becomes possible to table the information the member has requested, we will make it available.
We all recognize that the government’s budget is tight and that we must be realistic about what we can afford.
The next federal budget is expected to be introduced in the House of Commons next month.
Can the minister update us today on his department’s efforts to work with the federal government to obtain support for important infrastructure investments in Nunavut?
With respect to this issue, it is an ongoing battle to try to locate funding for projects within Nunavut as we have to continually search for funding.
The annual funding that we receive from the federal government continues to barely meet our needs and we expect this funding restriction to continue in the foreseeable future. I’m sure it won’t stop in the future years.
We continue to hold dialogue with our federal government agencies and departments. We also meet with them to look for additional funding that may be available.
We also work cooperatively with our Member of Parliament to try and look for funding.
I know that whenever a meeting is held or if our Premier is having a meeting with the Prime Minister or if ministers are having a meeting, this government and its representatives all reiterate Nunavut’s needs and continue to hammer away about our need for funding to meet our needs if Nunavut is to move forward and progress with the proper infrastructure that requires funding.
Question 244 – 3(3): Polar Bear Research Methods (Oshutapik)
Earlier in his Minister’s Statement, he stated that helicopters will be the main instrument in completing their designated polar bear population surveys.
With the fairly long history of aerial surveys for polar bear populations in our lands and with scientific priorities placed on the actual numbers of the bears and not much else, the priority has always been on the population numbers.
Although this particular population survey will provide more scientific data, which is welcome, my question will include whether or not there is a community component in these areas that will provide benefits. It would be good to see tangible benefits coming from this project.
Is it true that the surveys will only be using helicopters to conduct their population studies?
Minister responsible for the Department of Environment, Minister Arreak.
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Oshutapik for that question.
The population survey that was initiated last year primarily used a helicopter to conduct their surveys in the Baffin Bay sub-region, using the communities of Pond Inlet, Clyde River, and Qikiqtarjuaq as their bases, also in the lands south of Qikiqtarjuaq, reaching “Ittajarilik.” They started the survey across from Pond Inlet on Bylot Island and continued their survey southwards using the helicopter.
Ever since they started the survey, they have consulted with the local HTOs and included local assistants and representatives who partook in all of the flights near their local land use areas.