EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Enook: Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 41 and would like to report progress and that one committee motion was adopted. And, Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be agreed to.
A reminder that there’s a meeting tomorrow morning at ten o’clock in the Tuktu Room, the meeting of the Standing Committee on Legislation.
This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, October 31, at 1:30 p.m. I would just like to remind members, even though tomorrow is Halloween, we still have decorum rules here in the House.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Pages 3155 – 3208
Opening Prayer 3155
Ministers’ Statements 3155
Members’ Statements 3157
Returns to Oral Questions 3162
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3164
Oral Questions 3165
Tabling of Documents 3176
Notices of Motions 3177
Motions 3177
First Reading of Bills 3178
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3178
Report of the Committee of the Whole 3207
Orders of the Day 3208
Wednesday, October 31, 2012 3155
204 – 3(3): The Passing of Lorne Balshine (Taptuna) 3155
205 – 3(3): Leadership Resiliency Program (Aariak) 3156
206 – 3(3): Victims’ Travel Assistance Funding (Shewchuk) 3156
207 – 3(3): Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Ell) 3157
336 – 3(3): Congratulations to Baker Lake’s 2012 Graduates (Aupaluktuq) 3157
337 – 3(3): Honouring the Murdered Women of Nunavut (Ugyuk) 3158
338 – 3(3): Cancellation of the Use of 737s to Kugaaruk (Ningark) 3159
339 – 3(3): UNESCO Audiovisual History – IBC’s Archives (Ell) 3159
340 – 3(3): Intergenerational Harmony in the High Arctic (Elliott) 3160
341 – 3(3): Plans for Government Restructuring (Ningeongan) 3161
342 – 3(3): Movember – Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (Kusugak) 3162
Return to Oral Question 425 – 3(3): Issuing of Welfare Cheques (Aariak) 3162
Return to Oral Question 438 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut Hiring Practices (Ell) 3163
450 – 3(3): Arranging Specialist Visits to Nunavut Communities (Ugyuk) 3165
451 – 3(3): Restructuring of the Department of Human Resources (Enook) 3167
452 – 3(3): Operations of the Qulliq Energy Corporation (Elliott) 3169
453 – 3(3): Proposal to Up-List Polar Bear to CITES (Rumbolt) 3169
454 – 3(3): Ministerial Accountability (Curley) 3171
455 – 3(3): The Use of 737s to Kugaaruk (Ningark) 3173
456 – 3(3): Airport Equipment Shelter for Chesterfield Inlet (Ningeongan) 3175
267 – 3(3): 2011-2012 Annual Report for Nunavut Arctic College (Shewchuk) 3176
268 – 3(3): Adopted Resolutions from the Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated October 2012 Annual General Meeting (Elliott) 3176
269 – 3(3): Federal/Provincial/Territorial Meeting of Ministers on Local Government, July 10 to 11, 2012 (Kusugak) 3177
270 – 3(3): Community Justice Annual Report on Victims Assistance Committee April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 (Shewchuk) 3177
035 – 3(3): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Ningeongan) 3177
035 – 3(3): Extended Adjournment (Ningeongan) 3178
Bill 45 – An Act Respecting Constituency Names and Superannuation of Certain Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly – First Reading 3178
Bill 41 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014 – Economic Development and Transportation – Consideration in Committee 3179
Bill 41 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014 – Education – Consideration in Committee 3193
Before we proceed with today’s proceedings, I would like to ask Mr. Taptuna to lead us off with a prayer, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Taptuna. (interpretation ends) Moving on in our orders of the day.
Minister’s Statement 204 – 3(3): The Passing of Lorne Balshine (Taptuna)
Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize the life of one of the world’s premier collectors of Inuit art, Lorne Balshine.
Mr. Balshine passed away in Vancouver on Sunday, September 16, 2012, after a battle with cancer.
Lorne’s vocation was as a lawyer until his sister introduced him to Inuit art after her trip to Greenland in 1969.
From that moment on, he devoted his life to collecting and promoting Inuit art.
The commercial success of Inuit art is built on the skill and creativity of artists, but also on the passion of buyers and collectors, and on this score Lorne Balshine had few equals.
His accomplishments include the formation of the Arctic Art Museum Society, which promotes contemporary Inuit art as fine art. Through his vast collection, he ensured that travellers passing through the Vancouver airport are introduced to a range of quality Inuit art. His dream was to open a museum in Vancouver to celebrate and raise awareness of Canadian and other circumpolar societies and their artwork.
Most importantly, Lorne liked to connect with Inuit artists as individuals and would joyfully act as tour guide for those who visited Vancouver, ensuring they felt as comfortable and welcomed in his home city as they did in their home communities.
The contribution Lorne Balshine made to the world of Inuit art is impossible to duplicate, and our condolences go out to his family, his friends, and Nunavut artists whose lives were touched by this incredible individual.
Minister’s Statement 205 – 3(3): Leadership Resiliency Program (Aariak)
Hon. Eva Aariak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell my colleagues about an inventive Department of Education initiative in Arviat.
The Leadership Resiliency Program is a school and community-based crime prevention project for at-risk students.
This program is offered through the John Arnalukjuak High School in Arviat, and targets 14- to 19-year-old boys and girls who are not attending school on a regular basis or are not thriving in school.
There are three main components to the program: resiliency sessions, service learning, and high adventure activities.
Resiliency lessons focus on healthy relationships, family violence, substance abuse, suicide, positive parenting, and coping strategies. Service learning centres on building empathy by recording elders’ stories and wisdom, cooking meals for families, and developing a community park. High-adventure activities like rock climbing and sea kayaking are helping to make these students more self-sufficient and build resiliency in themselves and their community.
Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled to announce that this project was submitted to Public Safety Canada and has received $2.2 million in funding over five years.
The Leadership Resiliency Program is designed by staff at John Arnalukjuak school with full support from the community, the DEA, RCMP, elders, and many others.
Thank you to the educators, staff, the Arviat DEA, and community members for demonstrating self-reliance in action and for making this important program a reality.
This tremendous community and federal should be an inspiration to us all.
I am proud to see this kind of community-level enthusiasm and determination.
Minister’s Statement 206 – 3(3): Victims’ Travel Assistance Funding (Shewchuk)
As Minister of Justice, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the federal Minister of Justice approved funding of $1.3 million over five years to benefit and assist the Government of Nunavut with travel assistance and access to justice for victims of crime in Nunavut.
The funding is to assist families of victims of homicides and victims of other serious crimes to attend court hearings. As a result, $200,000 is allotted annually for travel assistance until 2016.
A portion of the funding has been used by the Department of Justice to develop policies, procedures, and a manual for providing and managing this travel assistance program.
The policy manual outlines the details of the approval process for applicants who are wishing to travel.
We are happy to be able to provide the opportunity for victims or their immediate family members to attend court hearings and look forward to continuing to support victims and their families through this program.
Minister’s Statement 207 – 3(3): Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Ell)
As the Minister responsible for the Status of Women, I would like to acknowledge that while October is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I want to stress to all Nunavummiut that we all should be aware of the signs of breast cancer every month.
Early detection and prevention is so important in the battle against breast cancer.
I urge all women to self-examine themselves every month.
If you are not sure how, ask your community health nurse or at a Well Woman Clinic.
Mr. Speaker, breast cancer rates in Nunavut may be low, but it is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Canadian women. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, this year alone, the Canadian Cancer Society estimates that 22,700 women in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer and that 5,100 women will die from the disease.
However, this disease also affects men and we should not forget that.
Mr. Speaker, let us take this time to celebrate breast cancer survivors and honour those who have lost their lives to breast cancer, those who are now battling this disease, the families, and all those affected by it. We can do this by spreading the word of the importance of prevention and early detection.
Remember, in my view, every month should be Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we are all at risk.
So minimize your risks and think about quitting smoking. As one of my old teachers would say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cures.
I would also like to thank my colleagues for wearing their pink ribbons today.
Member’s Statement 336 – 3(3): Congratulations to Baker Lake’s 2012 Graduates (Aupaluktuq)
I rise today to congratulate this year’s graduates from Baker Lake’s Jonah Amitnaaq High School.
This year, a total of 15 students graduated from school. This achievement is a reflection of their hard work and dedication.
As the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Baker Lake, I had the honour of presenting this year’s Pilimmaksarniq Award at the graduation ceremonies.
The Pilimmaksarniq Award is presented each year to a graduating student who has demonstrated the quality of acquiring and developing skills through observation, practise, effort, and action.
This year’s deserving recipient was Gage Inukpak.
As the Member of the Legislative Assembly, I believe that support for education and lifelong learning must be a key priority for our government. (interpretation ends) Education is the strongest tool by which our youth will succeed in the future and contribute to their community.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to again recognize the commitment of our teachers, school staff, parents, and volunteers.
I would also like to note that many of the community’s youth continue to talk to me about the need for a drop-in centre in the community. This is an ongoing priority for the community.
I would like to conclude by honouring each of our graduates by name:
Theresa Aylward
Alannah Ikinilik
Erik Ikoe
Gage Inukpak
Charmaine Kasaluak Angoo
Chris Kashla
Malachi Kashla
Marlon Kayuryuk
Anoee Nanauq
Brandon Owingayak
Josee Stasila-Boyer
Samo Tookoomee
Chris Tootoo
Gail Uqayuittuq
Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating this year’s graduates.
I recognize at least one of those names. Congratulations to them.
Member’s Statement 337 – 3(3): Honouring the Murdered Women of Nunavut (Ugyuk)
I rise today to respectfully honour those women and girls of Nunavut who have lost their lives to violence.
Mr. Speaker, it is a sad statistic that twice as many women as men are murdered in our territory.
Spousal homicide rates across the north are far higher than another other jurisdiction in Canada.
Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones who have lost a mother, sister, daughter, or family member in such an unnecessary and brutal way.
Mr. Speaker, I will be joining my colleague from Iqaluit West in a ceremony to honour missing and murdered aboriginal women in Canada.
I feel that to stand up and acknowledge such an issue is an important step towards addressing it.
Mr. Speaker, December 6 is our national day of remembrance and action on violence against women, and I hope on that day, we will all make a special effort to recognize it.
However, every day is a day to remember and honour the women who have been murdered across Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 338 – 3(3): Cancellation of the Use of 737s to Kugaaruk (Ningark)
I send my regards to the people. I agree with my colleague from Nattilik that violence against women is not acceptable.
Mr. Speaker, we get two major airlines in my community: First Air and Canadian North.
The bigger airplane, a 737, used to come through Kugaaruk on a regular basis.
It is a pleasure to have those airlines come to our community on a regular basis, bringing freight and passengers.
It was very comfortable to have the 737 from Yellowknife to Kugaaruk without any stops. They cancelled the flights last fall because they could not have regular passengers, but they only brought freight in to Kugaaruk. Sometimes the people of Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven had to go to Kugaaruk to get to Yellowknife.
It would be good if they can have passengers on that plane, and it’s supported by the hamlet council in Kugaaruk.
At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Transportation in regard to that flight.
Member’s Statement 339 – 3(3): UNESCO Audiovisual History – IBC’s Archives (Ell)
I send my regards to residents in Iqaluit West.
To Nunavummiut, during Halloween, I hope you have a safe evening.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, UNESCO designated October 27 as World Day for Audiovisual Heritage in order to raise awareness of the challenges linked to audiovisual heritage preservation.
If we do not protect and preserve the film, radio, and television programs which make up our audiovisual heritage, we will lose a significant part of our history and culture.
That is why I support the efforts of the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation to build a Nunavut media arts centre.
Many of you know that I once worked at IBC, so I can tell you firsthand how important it is to preserve the archives held at IBC in a much safer environment.
It would be a loss of unimaginable horror if the Inuit audiovisual history created by IBC over the last 30 years or so became damaged or lost. I don’t even want to imagine that.
Super Samu, with the call-in shows, interviews with the gone elders, and the other shows which are so precious to us should be safe and in good condition for future generations.
So I take this opportunity to thank all the past and current IBC staff for their dedication and good work.
Mr. Speaker I should mention that the show which has been inspiring our youth to learn, to improve their Inuktitut skills, and which has had all family members laughing together, “Qanurli?/What now? ,” has received the go-ahead for a second season. Congratulations!
I also recommend that Nunavummiut check out the building website, which has all the background information on the Nunavut Media Arts Centre by going to www.buildingfordreams.ca.
This could be the jewel of Nunavut’s crown.
Happy Halloween. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 340 – 3(3): Intergenerational Harmony in the High Arctic (Elliott)
I rise today to speak about how proud I am of the parents and youth in my constituency.
One of the important guiding principles of our Tamapta Mandate is self-reliance. In my constituency, many parents take this principle very seriously and are working every day to move our communities forward.
Mr. Speaker, my communities are doing the very best that they can with limited resources.
In Grise Fiord, which continues to lack an arena, the hamlet has recently undertaken an innovative project to purchase a yurt. This will give the community a place in which residents can interact and learn from each other.
In Resolute Bay and Arctic Bay, the church and youth choir are actively fundraising. Aqsarniq is raising money to have our youth travel to Resolute Bay for inspiring performances.
Mr. Speaker, I spent a significant amount of time last summer in Resolute Bay and was very proud of the community’s young hunters who harvested their first walrus under the guidance of their elders.
Mr. Speaker, in Arctic Bay, youth saw a need for a place in which to meet as peers. They worked hard with elders to put together the resources necessary to renovate an existing building in the community.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Quest remains an ongoing source of pride for the residents of the High Arctic and an incredible time in which to pass on skills and values from one generation to the next.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have had this opportunity to share some examples of the creative way in which people are working together in the High Arctic.
These initiatives serve to bring the generations together and provide positive alternatives for our youth that will help them avoid crime, substance abuse, and other problems.
Mr. Speaker, as their elected MLA, I will continue to be a strong advocate for new investments in community infrastructure. However, as we are frequently reminded by the government, our dollars are limited.
I want to pay tribute to the creativity and perseverance of the many Nunavummiut who are turning limited resources into opportunity.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in this tribute.
Member’s Statement 341 – 3(3): Plans for Government Restructuring (Ningeongan)
I rise today to ask the government to provide further information on the upcoming plans for the restructuring of government services.
Mr. Speaker, on July 11, 2012, the government issued a three-page news release with respect to upcoming changes in the government structure and the delivery of critical services.
As regular MLAs, we have not received any more information about how this is going to occur and we have not been involved in determining how the new system will be implemented.
We were simply advised that effective April 1, 2013, a new structure will be in place.
Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, when we come back to this House in the new year to review the 2013-14 operations and maintenance budget, it will reflect the proposed changes.
Mr. Speaker, when we decide to set out on a trip, it is always wise to plan and prepare.
It is not enough to give our boat a new coat of paint. We also need to check that the engine is running smoothly and that the cables and components are all properly connected and in good working order, not to mention enough gas and oil.
It is not enough for the captain to know where they are going, but that everyone else on the trip is aware of what lies ahead.
Mr. Speaker, as regular members and, indeed, all Members of this Legislative Assembly, we play a role in assisting our constituents in navigating the often confusing sea of bureaucracy and government services.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage the government to bring forward, sooner rather than later, a clear overview of how we should anticipate this restructuring to come into effect.
Mr. Speaker, it would be to everyone’s benefit if we could all share the vision of what our voyage will be like in 2013-14.
Being prepared and forewarned is an important step in ensuring the success of any new venture.
As we all know, the lack of communication often leads to more questions and even greater confusion.
I look forward to the government providing us with a comprehensive overview of what we can expect to see as we approach the new year.
Member’s Statement 342 – 3(3): Movember – Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (Kusugak)
Also, look after your children while they’re going out trick-or-treating for Halloween. (interpretation ends) Happy Halloween. I went to work today to find out Austin Powers works in my office; much better looking than the one who was working there yesterday.
Mr. Speaker, as we’re all aware, and if we’re not, we should be aware, November has become Movember to bring awareness to prostate cancer.
I would like to encourage my colleagues, when they go home today, to shave their moustache, and if they don’t shave where their moustache would be, then don’t shave again until the end of November.
It’s important we bring attention to this very serious disease of prostate cancer.
I challenge those in Nunavut out there to participate in Movember.
I am pleased to go home this evening and shave, and I understand Mr. Elliott will also.
I encourage everyone in this House to partake in this very important cause.
Moving right along in our orders of the day.
Return to Oral Question 425 – 3(3): Issuing of Welfare Cheques (Aariak)
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I have a question that was posed to me, “does the local income support worker have full authority to issue cheques without consulting with the regional office?”
Income support workers must contact their regional supervisors when:
Issuing to relatives.
Assessments must be made by a supervisor.
Issuing early or any change in the time or amount being issued.
They suspect that there is fraud or there is some irregularity in the assessment.
The client is requesting extra cash.
There is a change in the assessment, such as spouse removed, but an income support worker is not sure how to confirm or if the client is requesting that their cheque be issued to someone other than themselves if they are out on medical.
There is a request for furniture or equipment. Income support workers must complete a request for approval. Depending on the amount, it goes to various levels.
However, the request for approval always requires a regional supervisor’s signature.
Any time the income support worker feels threatened by a client due to either past violence or fraud.  Any time the income support worker feels there is a need to discuss a case.
Income support workers are encouraged to discuss any issues they have with their supervisors, as they are often isolated in their communities and have few that they can discuss their issues with.
Return to Oral Question 438 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut Hiring Practices (Ell)
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) This is a question asked a few days ago by MLA Oshutapik.
The question was, “According to information on the government’s website, which you talked about, the Department of Human Resources is currently developing a new directive for its Human Resources Manual concerning ‘Offences and Integrity Management.’
Can the minister clarify what this directive will address and can she indicate when it will be finalized?”
The current draft of the Offences and Integrity Management Directive ties a number of human resources policies together with respect to ethics, employee conduct, and Inuit societal values.
The purpose of the directive is to provide guidance on assessing the implications of public servants who find themselves charged, investigated, convicted of an offence, or have committed improper conduct.
The directive also outlines the roles and responsibilities of those officials who conduct investigations on behalf of the government.
The directive is guided by the principles of Inuuqatigiitsiarniq, reinforcing the Inuit value of respecting others, relationships, and caring for people. Also, as an employer, the Government of Nunavut cannot tolerate misconduct of public servants that could have a negative operational impact or risk to the public interest.
The draft of this human resources directive is currently being circulated to the Department of Justice for their review and input with regard to territorial and federal statutes.
With these consultations as well as required input from other government stakeholders, we expect the directive to be adopted early in the new year.
It is an honour and privilege to finally recognize in this House the former Clerk of the NWT legislature, Mr. David Hamilton.
When I was the Deputy Speaker of the NWT, his advice to me, “When you’re presiding, Mr. Ningark, make sure you are fair to both sides of the House.”
One week, we noticed that the list of members who wanted to conclude, asking for unanimous consent to conclude their statements, the list was growing.
I was the presiding officer for that certain week. He said, “Make sure that members are not asking for unanimous consent just to gain the floor.” I never forgot that.
Welcome, Mr. Hamilton.