EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I will leave it to the minister to answer the question for now. As he was seeking an opinion, I’ll leave it at the discretion of the minister.
Yes, I would welcome, as the Transportation Minster, other deep sea ports across Nunavut.
It’s just a question of when and where that funding would come from.
I thank the minister for that answer with somebody whispering in his ear about opinions.
There has been a lot of talk, Mr. Chairman, over the last few years about deep sea ports in Kimmirut, Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay, and as I mentioned, Bathurst Inlet Port, there was the announcement of Nanisivik, and there was several other communities.
I wonder if the minister could comment, not give his opinion, on whether the department is considering developing a policy related to that type of infrastructure, deep sea ports?
It seems to me like it’s something that’s very important for Nunavut and maybe something that we should consider putting in place just to guide our future development over the next five to ten years.
I would take that as a very good suggestion and ask the department to start working on, perhaps, such a policy.
Hearing my colleagues on the way here, perhaps it should be, rather than be a policy, be more appropriately a strategy. If the minister could comment.
Policy or strategy, it could go either way, I guess, but it’s something that’s needed.
Chairman (interpretation): At this time, its six o’clock.
I would like to thank Mr. Simailak and his officials for making an appearance in Committee of the Whole.
Do you have closing comments, Minister Simailak?
Sorry, we are not finished.
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the minister’s officials.
Speaker (interpretation): Members, going to the Orders of the Day.
A reminder of a meeting of the Standing Committee on Health and Education at 6:30 tonight in the Tuktu Committee Room.  Orders of the Day for November 2:
This House stands adjourned until Friday, November 2, 2007, at ten o’clock in the morning.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Pages 2256 – 2306
Opening Prayer 2256
Ministers’ Statements 2256
Members’ Statements 2257
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2262
Oral Questions 2263
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2282
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills 2283
Tabling of Documents 2284
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 2285
First Reading of Bills 2286
Second Reading of Bills 2287
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2289
Point of Order 2294
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2305
Orders of the Day 2305
Friday, November 2, 2007 2256
108 – 2(4): Akausisarvik – Haunted House (Aglukkaq) 2256
109 – 2(4): Residential Smoke Detector Program (Brown) 2257
234 – 2(4): Hockey Game Between MLAs and Firefighters on Sunday (Okalik) 2257
235 – 2(4): Kugluktuk Grade 12 Graduates (Evyagotailak) 2258
236 – 2(4): Update on Member Alagalak’s Health (Netser) 2259
237 – 2(4): Importance of Protecting Nunavut Consumers (Curley) 2259
238 – 2(4): Congratulate Susan Gardener on Lawn Contest (Picco) 2260
239 – 2(4): Charitable Donations by Nunavummiut (Tootoo) 2261
240 – 2(4): Recognition of Bernadette Okpik Patterk (Brown) 2262
305 – 2(4): Devolution Negotiations (Tootoo) 2263
306 – 2(4): Status of Housing Materials (Curley) 2266
307 – 2(4): Impact of Fuel Price Increase (Peterson) 2268
308 – 2(4): Gravel Shortage in Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak) 2270
309 – 2(4): Update on Insurance for Outfitters (Mapsalak) 2272
310 – 2(4): Shortage of Mental Health Workers (Barnabas) 2274
311 – 2(4): One Firefighter Trained in Iqaluit (Kattuk) 2275
312 – 2(4): Update on Foster Parent Review (Tootoo) 2276
313 – 2(4): Consumer Protection for Sale of Used Cars (Curley) 2278
314 – 2(4): Funding for Immigrants (Barnabas) 2280
002 – 2(4): Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Housing and Economic Development: Report on the Review of Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Local Authorities Elections Act (Curley) 2283
139 – 2(4): Court Order (Nunavut Court of Justice) NBDC Inc. and Qulliq Energy Corporation, October 9, 2007 (Peterson) 2284
140 – 2(4): Procurement Contracting Activity Report for Legislative Assembly of Nunavut 2006-2007 (Speaker) 2285
141 – 2(4): Indemnities, Allowances and Expenses to the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, March 31, 2007 (Speaker) 2285
142 – 2(4): Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Fund Financial Statements March 31, 2007 (Speaker) 2285
143 – 2(4): Legislative Assembly Supplementary Retiring Allowances Fund Financial Statements March 31, 2007 (Speaker) 2285
Bill 20 – Midwifery Profession Act – Notice 2285
Bill 21 – Education Act – Notice 2286
Bill 14 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2007-2008 – First Reading 2286
Bill 15 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2007-2008 – First Reading 2287
Bill 17 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2006-2007 – First Reading 2287
Bill 14 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2007-2008 – Second Reading 2287
Bill 15 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2007-2008 – Second Reading 2288
Bill 17 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2006-2007 – Second Reading 2288
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee – Economic Development & Transportation 2289
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee – Legislative Assembly 2296
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee – Health & Social Services 2302
Speaker (Hon. Peter Kilabuk) (interpretation): Good morning. Let’s say a prayer.
We started out different this morning, which is interesting.
Minister’s Statement 108 – 2(4): Akausisarvik – Haunted House (Aglukkaq)
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Good morning, Mr. Speaker and everyone.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the members about a worthwhile event that recently took place in Iqaluit at the Akausisarvik facility on Tuesday evening. Since 2005 the staff have been holding a Haunted House event during which food is collected for the food bank.
Mr. Speaker, this year between 250 and 300 people passed through the doors of the facility and enjoyed the entertainment provided by the staff and residents.
In addition, the residents and staff filled up two huge blue containers and half of an office with donated food.
It is important to note that one of the primary reasons the Haunted House event was started was so that people would have a chance to interact with residents of the facility.
It was conceived as an educational tool for the public and the patients as well as a chance to share some community spirit.
Mr. Speaker, this event has continued to grow since its inception and is a great benefit to all involved as I have seen myself.
I would like to commend the staff and residents of Akausisarvik for hosting the Haunted House and gathering food for those in need. I would also like to single out Neil Myers for a special thank you as the originator of the idea.
As well, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank the Iqaluit residents who volunteered to support this initiative as well. Thank you to all who were involved.
Minister’s Statement 109 – 2(4): Residential Smoke Detector Program (Brown)
Hon. Levinia Brown: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to announce a territorial initiative that provides a new smoke detector to each home in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker the department is providing a new smoke detector for each home, in every community in Nunavut to help improve the fire safety of our residents and communities. These smoke detectors are battery operated and are equipped with a type of battery which is designed to last for the entire ten-year life span of the detector.
Mr. Speaker, fires in and around our residential housing continues to be a concern.
The causes of these fires vary greatly.
Early warning of a fire is a key to getting all of the occupants out of the house safely and to allow time for the fire department to be called and respond as quickly as possible.
In almost all of our housing a wired-in smoke alarm is already serving to provide a fire warning to residents. In some fire incidents this type of smoke alarm can be disabled by a spreading fire. The main objective of this program is to provide a different means of detecting and enhancing the capability of the fire warning system within each home.
Mr. Speaker, the smoke detectors are being sent to each municipal fire department, and with their valuable assistance, distribution within the communities will occur.
This initiative will provide one more tool in the fight against fire.
Member’s Statement 234 – 2(4): Hockey Game Between MLAs and Firefighters on Sunday (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): I wanted to wear something red today.
I don’t have any more red because we keep winning.
I’m sorry that my tie is not red.
As this time I would like to inform the members that on Sunday we will be playing hockey. So if we can play as well as Montreal has been playing, it’ll be good.
>>Applause  The fire volunteers here in Iqaluit have asked us to play with them on Sunday at eight o’clock.
I am urging members to be there at 8:30, so we will start at 8:30.
I urge all the members to join.
We will be donating to Qimaavik Women’s Shelter because they assist Nunavummiut.
We want to recognize them and thank them for their hard work.
So, let’s have a good game and I urge everyone to come and join us, and we will win.
Member’s Statement 235 – 2(4): Kugluktuk Grade 12 Graduates (Evyagotailak)
I am very pleased to rise today to congratulate Kugluktuk’s grade 12 students who recently graduated.
Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to be able to attend the graduation ceremony for these fine young individuals in August.
The graduates are:
Lena Adjun
Kyle Aviak
Helena Bolt
Pamela Bolt
Anessa Hatogina, and
Mickey Kadlun
They should be very proud of their success. We are all aware that graduating from grade 12 is an important milestone.
Mr. Speaker, three of these young people are continuing with their education.
Kyle is upgrading his courses with a view to attending college next year.
Pam is at Nunavut Arctic College and Lena is attending Lakeland College in Alberta.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Kugluktuk’s grade 12 graduates.Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
An Hon. Member: Hear, hear.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Evyagotailak. We’re proud of them.
Member’s Statement 236 – 2(4): Update on Member Alagalak’s Health (Netser)
I talked to our colleague from Arviat and he’s recovering in his home.
When I was passing through Rankin Inlet I was told to mention that they were very proud that the Baker Lake MLA caught his first whale with a harpoon this summer.
He was very happy but when he was cutting it up there was a lot of Tunnuq.
Member’s Statement 237 – 2(4): Importance of Protecting Nunavut Consumers (Curley)
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) I rise today to address the issue of consumer protection.  Mr. Speaker, every time I turn on my computer, I find my inbox filled with junk mail, spam, ads for cheap drugs and offers to get rich quick.
Mr. Speaker, every time I go to the post office, I find no shortage of junk mail, flyers and other forms of advertising in my mail box.
Even at home I can’t escape.
It often seems that every time I answer the telephone, someone on the other end is trying to sell me something or convince me that I have somehow won a free vacation to sunny Las Vegas.  Mr. Speaker, we live in an age where advertisers, con artists, identity thieves and scammers can reach us 24 hours per day.
Mr. Speaker, we recognize that we cannot isolate ourselves from the rest of the world. That is the nature of the information age in which we live.
However, I do believe that our government must make more effort to educate and protect our consumers, especially those who are most vulnerable to fraud and identity theft, such as elders.
Mr. Curley: We must, Mr. Speaker, ensure that our own retailers are following all applicable laws and regulations with respect to the safety of the products that they sell, including second-hand goods, automobiles and items of machinery.
Mr. Speaker, I call on the Consumer Affairs Division of the Department of Community and Government Services to work closely with all appropriate partners in this area, including law enforcement, the Information and Privacy Commissioner and federal regulators. (interpretation) Thank you.
Member’s Statement 238 – 2(4): Congratulate Susan Gardener on Lawn Contest (Picco)
I, too, would like to add, just very quickly, that when you get calls and letters from people that you don’t even know, and also to begin with a song on a funny Friday, I appreciate the Member’s Statement.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate one of my constituents, Susan Gardener. Mr. Speaker, Susan is a lifelong Nunavut resident and mother. She also has, Mr. Speaker, a green thumb.
Susan’s pride and joy over the last few years is her lawn in front of her house located in Tundra Valley.  Susan entered a photo of her lawn on the national David Suzuki ‘Digs My Garden’ Photo Contest.
Mr. Speaker, Susan’s lawn garnered the most votes in an online poll, and Mr. Speaker, won the contest; a Nunavut lawn won the National Lawn Contest. Mr. Speaker, Susan’s lawn is the work of over ten years to design, build, and grow. It adds a little annual green to our neighbourhood.
Mr. Speaker, join with me in congratulating Nunavut’s own Susan Gardener for placing first in the National Lawn Contest.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Picco. We congratulate her.
Member’s Statement 239 – 2(4): Charitable Donations by Nunavummiut (Tootoo)
Today I would like to rise and once again pay tribute to the generosity of Nunavummiut.
I guess it kind of ties into the Premier’s statement in regard to the hockey event that is going on Sunday for charity.  As he indicated, maybe if we play as Montreal players, we’ll be better.
Hopefully, all the players out there will remember their limitations as well. They aren’t Montreal players; even though they think they might be able to play like that, that they aren’t.
Mr. Speaker, figures released yesterday by Statistics Canada indicates that in 2006 Canadians reported making $8.5 billion in charitable donations.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be able, once again, to rise in this House, as I have for the past number of years, and report that donors in Nunavut led all provinces and territories in terms of their median donations.
In 2006 the median donation reported by Nunavut tax filers was $450, while the median donation nation-wide was only $250.
Nunavut has led the nation in this category since 2000.
In total, over $2.6 million were donated in 2006 by 1,630 generous Nunavummiut to registered charities. That works out to approximately $7,000 every single day of the year.
Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that these statistics only take into account donations which official tax receipts were provided. We all know that Nunavummiut make donations of time and money every day without asking for a tax receipt.
Mr. Speaker, it is also important to note that while Nunavut has the highest median donation, it has also the smallest percentage of tax filers claiming donations. I continue to believe that this fact speaks clearly to the income gap in our territory and the unacceptable high level of poverty.
Mr. Speaker, a relatively small percentage of our population has the means to make generous donations, while the remainder of our population struggle to make ends meet.
There are no nays. Go ahead, Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Speaker, I will continue to speak out in the fight against poverty.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the day when Nunavut has both the highest median charitable donations, and the highest percentage of people making donations in our country.
Item 3. Members’ Statements. Ms. Brown.
Member’s Statement 240 – 2(4): Recognition of Bernadette Okpik Patterk (Brown)
Today I would like to remember my younger sister Sanses Maniliaq Ford. It’s her birthday today.
I love you and send my greetings.
Inuit used to say when I was a child they would say, send their greetings.
Nowadays we say Tagvauvutit instead of Tavvauvutit.
Especially, I would like to acknowledge and to inform the members that our elder in Rankin Inlet South in my riding, who is about 90 years old, as my colleague knows very well, Okpik Bernadette Pattterk. Back in around 1957 had made a documentary film or a movie that was aired internationally.
This film was made by the National Film Board when he was a pastor preaching to people in snow houses. So I believe this individual should be recognized.
Although he may be 90 years old or more, he still goes to school to teach the students about Inuit culture and traditions. The students really enjoy him.
She has worked at the health centre for many years and she’s retired from that job. Many people call her mother. Even though she was working, she took care of the patients and would bring in food to us.
I still remember her good deeds. So therefore, I would like to acknowledge her.
With great pleasure today I would like to recognize an individual in the Gallery who, despite what he might say as he always does, “this is my brother from another mother,” he’s not my brother, he’s actually my cousin. I would like to recognize Michael Irniq.
This year, he was doing some training in Arviat and back working with the Housing Corporation down there. So I would like to welcome him to the Gallery here.
Thank you. Welcome everyone.
Question 305 – 2(4): Devolution Negotiations (Tootoo)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs and our lead in devolution negotiations with our counterparts in Ottawa.
Mr. Speaker, It’s been reported in the media that a federal negotiator, Paul Meyers, has indicated that one of the concerns he said that GN employees are young, inexperienced, and don’t stay in their positions for very long. It has also been reported that our position is that we need a slice of the resource revenues to address our manpower problems.
I’m just wondering if the Premier can give us an indication of their point of view on that.
Does it mean that we need additional resources to be able to attract and retain employees in Nunavut?
Minister responsible for Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Premier Okalik.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I will compare my record to that of Indian Affairs any single day. We want to retain control of our resources.
Since the land claim was agreed to in 1993, the federal government has had time to train Inuit as they’re required to do under the land claim agreement. We were formed in 1999. We’ve had a few years, a lot less than that of our federal counterparts to train Inuit.
Today we are at 50 percent. I believe that the federal government’s retention of Inuit in their offices here is at 25 percent.
An Hon. Member: Shame, shame.  Hon. Paul Okalik: So I think if the world is going to judge us on our record of training Inuit and recruiting Inuit, I think we’re doing a better job with much less time to train Inuit.
So to be compared, I would like to be compared to that of the department that wants to control our resources and how they’re doing. Why aren’t they training more Inuit and helping us to manage our resources?
I would like to thank the Premier for that response and pointing out the factual information.
Mr. Speaker, in the media, like I said, it’s reported that we need those additional resources to address our man power problems.
Mr. Speaker, would the Premier concur that one of the problems we have in employee recruitment and retention is that we’re not able to provide competitive pay and benefits packages to our employees due to the limited, restrictive resources that we receive now through the Territorial Formula Financing Agreement with the federal government?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) We are currently in negotiations with the union so I can’t really comment on the overall discussions so far, but as I said, we’re doing our part in training Inuit to fill in the positions in our government and if we had control of our resources, we would be doing the same thing.
So I would like to see the federal government do their part and training more Inuit so that the Inuit can assume their responsibilities, and we can have an easier transition of transferring the resources and the man power to our government.
So that’s our goal and we’re waiting on the federal government to get to the table and start substantive discussions. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Your second supplementary, Mr. Premier. I’m sorry, Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Tootoo: I’m originally from Rankin Inlet, too, but that doesn’t mean that I have to change my name, Mr. Speaker.
I think we would agree that it would be very nice to see the federal government step up to the plate and live up to their obligations to Nunavut instead of just continuous for... I mean I think the last two governments now, we’ve heard a lot of lip service from them.
Mr. Speaker, I guess my question, again, deals with what’s been reported in the media.
It says we need these additional revenues to address our man power problems.
Can the Premier indicate, if he can, an idea of how that would help resolve our man power issues?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) It would definitely help us in promoting our resources further.
Right now, if you look at it, the federal government has responsibility for all of Canada. So they can’t really be focusing on one part of the country in promoting the resources of the overall country.
So if we had control of our own resources, we would be a lot more active in promoting the resources within our territory and creating more opportunities for our citizens. So that’s one of the limitations that are there today.
So I’m hopeful that we can make some progress but it’s becoming rather frustrating.
As for today, there’s limited activity because of the lack of promotion of our resources in terms of generating revenue from our resources.
So we could get control of our resources today and we would still be dependent on the federal government for a little while.
I would like to see a day when we manage our own resources and benefit from our resources, and that is where we’re trying to go.
It will take time but it will require the other party to go to the table and join us in our efforts to become managers of our own resources and benefit from those resources. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I know that in Nunavut we have very little opportunities to be able to generate our own source of revenues, given we don’t have a whole lot of factories, we can’t cut down trees to get our lumber; everything that we buy up here comes from the south.
I think it’s important, if we are to proceed into the future and become self-reliant, we need to be able to find ways to generate our own source revenues. I think that through resource royalties, it’s probably one of the very few that we have to do that.
Mr. Speaker, my question to the Premier: does the Premier have an idea of say, for every dollar that goes out to the federal government in royalties, how much do we get back?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) In terms of resource royalties, we get none. It all goes to the federal government.
An Hon. Member: Shame, shame.
Hon. Paul Okalik: We are lucky right now that there’s only one active mine that is generating revenue. So we’re not losing too much, but it’s just a matter of time before the amount of revenues coming out of mineral and oil and gas activity surpasses what we get back from Ottawa because we have enormous potential.
So I’m hoping that we can make some progress so that we don’t get there, so that we can generate our own revenues and not depend on Ottawa every single year, and ask for additional funds to run our programs.
So I’m hopeful that with this government we can make some progress, but to date, it’s getting very frustrating. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.