EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Committee Report 006 – 4(3): Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act (Minimum Wage) (Savikataaq) 573
030 – 4(3): Office of the Fire Marshal’s 2014 Annual Report (Mike) 574
031 – 4(3): Nunavut Law Foundation’s Annual Report for the Year Ending December 31, 2013 (Okalik) 574
032 – 4(3): 2015 Annual Report for the Utility Rates Review Council of Nunavut (Taptuna) 574
033 – 4(3): Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council’s Annual Report for 2014-2015 (Ugyuk) 574
034 – 4(3): Annual Report on the Administration of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the Period April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 (Taptuna) 575
035 – 4(3): Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of March 31, 2015 (Peterson) 575
036 – 4(3): Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of June 30, 2015 (Peterson) 575
037 – 4(3): Response Letter from Canadian North to the Deputy Minister of Health regarding the Codeshare Agreement (Okalik) 575
038 – 4(3): Response Letter from First Air to the Deputy Minister of Health regarding the Codeshare Agreement (Okalik) 575
039 – 4(3): Response Letter from Calm Air to the Deputy Minister of Health regarding the Codeshare Agreement (Okalik) 575
040 – 4(3): Response Letter from Canadian North Addressed to the Premier Regarding Codeshare (Taptuna) 575
041 – 4(3): Response Letter from First Air Addressed to the Premier Regarding Codeshare (Taptuna) 575
042 – 4(3): Response Letter from Calm Air Addressed to the Premier Regarding Codeshare (Taptuna) 575
007 – 4(3): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Mikkungwak) 576
008 – 4(3): Referral of Tabled Documents 73 – 4(2), 116 – 4(2), and 140 – 4(2) to the Committee of the Whole – Notice (Angnakak) 576
009 – 4(3): Promoting Green Energy in Nunavut – Notice (Hickes) 576
010 – 4(3): Invitation to Representatives from Northern Airlines to Appear Before the Full Caucus of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut – Notice (Quassa) 576
Bill 01 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2014-2015 – Consideration in Committee 577
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2015-2016 – Consideration in Committee 585
Bill 06 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2015-2016 – Consideration in Committee 590
Bill 04 – Write-off of Assets Act, 2014-2015 – Consideration in Committee 599
Bill 05 – An Act to Amend the Safety Act – Consideration in Committee 600
Bill 07 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act (Minimum Wage) – Consideration in Committee 610
Bill 01 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2014-2015 – Third Reading 613
Bill 02 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2015-2016 – Third Reading 613
Bill 04 – Write-off of Assets Act, 2014-2015 – Third Reading 614
Bill 06 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2015-2016 – Third Reading 614
Bill 05 – An Act to Amend the Safety Act – Third Reading 614
Bill 07 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act (Minimum Wage) – Third Reading 614
Speaker (interpretation): Good afternoon, my fellow Nunavummiut. Members, ministers, (interpretation ends) Premier, welcome to the House.
Prior to our start, I wish to state that my wife and I have been married for 36 years. I wish my wife a very happy anniversary today. Patricia Kanayuk, see you soon.
Minister’s Statement 037 – 4(3): Team Nunavut Headed to 2016 Arctic Winter Games (Mike)
Good afternoon, people of Nunavut and Pangnirtung.
Mr. Speaker, Team Nunavut is participating in the 2016 Arctic Winter Games (AWGs) to be held in Nuuk, Greenland from March 6 to 11, 2016 with the hockey events happening here in Iqaluit.
The Arctic Winter Games is the world’s largest northern multi-sport and cultural event.
Team Nunavut will be sending a contingent of 191 participants that includes athletes, coaches, managers, mission staff, and cultural performers from communities across Nunavut.
Team Nunavut will participate in 11 events at the AWGs, including arctic sports, badminton, basketball, Dene games, hockey, futsal, speed skating, table tennis, volleyball, wrestling, and cultural events.
They have trained long and hard for the opportunity to participate in a high-level competition like the AWGs.
I know we will all feel a sense of great pride when they raise the Nunavut Flag at the opening ceremonies.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our territorial sport organizations, coaches, parents, and volunteers here at home who help to provide our athletes with opportunities to train and compete.
Hon. Minister of Culture and Heritage, Mr. Kuksuk.
Minister’s Statement 038 – 4(3): Grants and Contributions Deadline (Kuksuk)
I say “good day” to my fellow Nunavummiut and the people of Arviat and Whale Cove.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, communities across Nunavut benefit through grants and contributions programs. Culture and Heritage supports local projects in the areas of official languages, arts, culture and heritage, communications, and toponymy.
Our department also provides support for community heritage facilities, community libraries, and for student training opportunities in archaeology and in palaeontology.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform Nunavummiut that the Department of Culture and Heritage is now accepting applications for the 2016-17 Grants and Contributions Program. To allow applicants to begin projects early in the new fiscal year, we have adjusted our schedule for the call for proposals and our application deadline.
The new deadline for our first call for proposals will be January 31, 2016.
Applications for funding in any of the program areas received after the closing date will be considered if funds are available.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Culture and Heritage offers assistance with preparing proposals through its toll-free line, community visits, and grants and contributions administrators based in Iqaluit.
The number for the toll-free line is 1-866-934-2035.
I encourage Nunavummiut to take advantage of the support we are able to offer and I wish applicants the best of success with projects funded by our government and by our department.
Minister’s Statement 039 – 4(3): Nunavut’s History Society Young Citizens Award (Quassa)
Good day to my fellow community residents and my colleagues, as well as Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak to my fellow members about the recognition several Nunavut students have received for their research and creativity.
Tyrone Pewatoaluk and Nancy Ootoova of Nasivvik School in Pond Inlet entered videos in Canada’s History Young Citizens Program.
They were among 26 students from across Canada to win the Young Citizens Award, presented annually by Canada’s History Society.
Jane Singorie, also of Nasivvik School, received an honourable mention.
Mr. Speaker, Tyrone and Nancy travelled to Ottawa on October 13 to participate in the Canada’s History Youth Forum and received their awards on October 16.
(interpretation ends) Nunavut students have participated in the Heritage Fairs program since 2003, conducting research on topics of their choice related to history, heritage, and culture and presenting the projects at school fairs.
Mr. Speaker, in the Young Citizens Program, students aged 10 to 15 create and submit a video based on their heritage fairs project to be viewed on a website.
Schools are also eligible to apply for funding from this program to purchase cameras and other items required to help make these videos.
Heritage fairs projects help students focus on literacy, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, work with elders, and gain expertise in multimedia technology.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, a Nunavut representative attended the national annual meeting for provincial and territorial heritage fair coordinators on October 17 in Ottawa. This meeting will help us prepare for special opportunities that are expected in 2017 for Canada’s 150th birthday.
Ministers’ Statements. I have no more names on my list. Moving on.
Member’s Statement 089 – 4(3): Successful Narwhal Hunt in Arctic Bay (Shooyook)
I say “good day” to Nunavummiut and my colleagues.
I rise today to share in congratulating people.
This summer in our area, we were narwhal hunting and I happened to participate with a hunting party, including several women.
One of the women harvested a narwhal, who is quite young but who has two children. She shot that narwhal without any assistance and it happened to have a lengthy tusk.
This was a momentous occasion. Another woman, who was also in the hunting party but who was more mature, was also able to shoot a narwhal and harvested it. The tusk was also quite lengthy.
I take great pride in witnessing these events.
Also, the oldest woman in the group who is my mother’s namesake also harvested a narwhal that also had a long tusk.
These women showcased their skills and with the assistance of their husbands, they were able to butcher them.
These types of moments fill one with satisfaction, especially since their harvests had such a valuable by-catch.
That is how successful hunters can be throughout our world, whether they are male or female.
This was quite momentous and I would like to congratulate those individuals.
Member’s Statement 090 – 4(3): Implementation of Article 23 of the NLCA (Joanasie)
Good day, my colleagues and all Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to revisit the goals and aspirations of the Inuit of Nunavut at the time when the Nunavut territory was created as part of negotiating the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
Mr. Speaker, by creating a territorial government with an Inuit majority, the vision was for Inuit to have control over their own affairs.
In the preamble of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, one of the objectives stated is to encourage self-reliance and the cultural and social well-being of Inuit.
Mr. Speaker, just last week, we had the honour of watching one of the founding members of Inuit land claims movement, Mr. Tagak Curley, C.M., who accepted the Order of Nunavut and dedicated it to the youth of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I understood that Mr. Tagak Curley’s message touches upon what I believe is true in that youth want to find jobs in their own communities and youth to have hope.
Mr. Speaker, one of the important obligations for governments, including this government, is Article 23, to increase Inuit participation in government employment in the Nunavut Settlement Area to a representative level.
Mr. Speaker, Article 23.1.1 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement specifies that a representative level includes the goal that Inuit beneficiaries are employed within all occupational groupings and grade levels.
Mr. Speaker, Inuit employment is a key component to ensuring Inuit are represented in the workforce to influence policy.
Inuit employment is also a key component in the overall well-being of Inuit by allowing opportunities to a productive part of society.
Mr. Speaker, even though this is a public government, we have constitutional and moral obligations to ensure we stay focused on the vision of what the Inuit had negotiated.
Creating a public government was not supposed to take away the obligations set out in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
With that, we must use practical measures to improve the stagnant levels of Inuit employment within the Government of Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 091 – 4(3): Polar Bear Encounter in Coral Harbour (Mapsalak)
Today is a wonderful day to me personally.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share in some good news. I have a maternal cousin in Coral Harbour who is now elderly aged 71 and his wife, Nattuk, is aged 67.
The day before yesterday, while on a water fetching trip, they were mauled by a polar bear as it caught them by surprise and they had no firearm.
They just had a (interpretation ends) pocket knife (interpretation) on them.
Since that was their only means of self-defence, they waved it at the bear to keep it away as it was right on them.
Nonetheless, I am quite ecstatic that neither of them was injured, although the bear was trying to maul them. They were able to escape from the polar bear that caught them by surprise at the water hole when the wife threw her sealskin mitts to the side that distracted the polar bear, giving them an opportunity to enter their vehicle.
That is what I am expressing my happiness about, since both of them are absolutely fine even though they are elderly.
They were fortunate that nothing happened to them and I would like to celebrate with my colleagues, his children and their relatives as they are fine, these two residents of Coral Harbour who were attacked by a polar bear.
Member’s Statement 092 – 4(3): Kugluktuk Participants of the 2016 Arctic Winter Games (Taptuna)
Mr. Speaker, Arctic Winter Games are coming very quickly. Last month here in Iqaluit, several young people and coaches from my home community of Kugluktuk were in Iqaluit to compete in the Arctic Winter Games tryouts for table tennis.
Communities from across Nunavut were involved in the tryouts and I want to thank all the young people, coaches, coordinators, and parents for participating.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to inform the House that in every category of our young people competed, Kugluktuk will be sending athletes to the Arctic Winter Games to represent Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, in the under 15 category, Kimberley Okheena and Meeka Angohiatok will be joined by under 15 boys from Kugluktuk.
With the under 18 category for girls, Julianne Angulalik and Sarah Etoktoq, along with the under 18 boys from Kugluktuk, Dylan Palongayak will represent Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, Daniel Niptanatiak and Markus Quqaaq will be alternates in their age category.
I would like to ask the House to join me in congratulating these fine young people from Kugluktuk in making the Arctic Winter Games team and I wish them much success and fun during the Arctic Winter Games in 2016. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 093 – 4(3): Recycling Plastic and Pop Cans (Okalik)
I was raised by my late mother to protect and respect our environment and we are going through that today.
I try to follow her teachings.
I do not like to see plastic being thrown away, so I take them with me when I go down south.
I tell my younger family members not to throw away plastic because it is recyclable.
If any of you travel to Ottawa, there are bins available right at the airport in Ottawa as soon as you get off the plane. I have a habit of taking plastics down south.
When I travel, I encourage others who go down south to do the same, as plastics are bad for our environment, so take them with you.
Here in Iqaluit, the francophone daycare gathers recyclables. There are two recycling bins available nearby the francophone school and another by the Baffin Gas Bar.
Instead of throwing pop cans away, I encourage my fellow Iqalummiut to use those recycling bins as the recycled cans raise funds for the daycare.
Member’s Statement 094 – 4(3): Constituents participating at the 2016 Arctic Winter Games (Ugyuk)
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day to the people of Netsilik and my colleagues.
There are two fellow residents here, Heidi Kamookak and Naomi Etuluk, and also with them from Kugaaruk is Sabrina Nartok. They will be participating at the 2016 Arctic Winter Games, so I congratulate them for their participation, and to encourage them to have fun at the Games and when they are playing.
I am quite proud of them for participating in the Games as women and I congratulate them on their success.
Member’s Statement 095 – 4(3): Tribute to Elisapee Ishulutak on Her 90th Birthday (Mike)
I rise today regarding a resident of Pangnirtung. Elisapee Ishulutak, C.M., is her name.
She is an artist and just recently last month, she celebrated her 90th birthday.
She is well known for her artistry as she creates art, including drawings.
Elisapee was born in 1925 in Kangiqturjuaq and grew up in Iqalulik.
In her lifetime, she has experienced different things in her 90 years. She has seen massive changes and experienced them.
When Inuit were living their traditional lifestyle, she was born at that time. For that reason, I would like to celebrate with you.
Even though she is 90 years old, she still carves today and she’s still working. Since she started living in Pangnirtung, she has carried that tradition, especially her art.
She has many pieces of artwork, but some of them are housed at the Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts.
Some of her pieces are shown in the centre and they are also used in various publications, such as books.
Recently, she completed a wall hanging for the Winnipeg Art Gallery that is seven metres long.
She worked on this hanging with several assistants overseen by the gallery staff.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The member is seeking unanimous consent to his statement. Are there any nays?
(interpretation) I didn’t hear any nays. Mr. Mike, please proceed.
As I stated earlier, many pieces of art she has created are housed in Ottawa at the national facility with several pieces at (interpretation ends) the National Art Gallery.
(interpretation) As well, Elisapee Ishulutak, C.M., was awarded the Order of Canada and she is a member of that order for the reason that she supports cultural programs and through her drawings. She is a good role model that residents can emulate.
Mr. Speaker, I wanted to identify that although it is after her birthday, we would like to congratulate her and share our pride in her as the people of Pangnirtung. I urge you to work that hard when you are that age, as she just turned 90 years old, and I would like to celebrate with you.
Member’s Statement 096 – 4(3): Double-tusked Narwhal Caught in Qikiqtarjuaq (Keyootak)
I would like to celebrate with you the hunt of the migrating narwhal in Qikiqtarjuaq.
There were many hunters that caught narwhal with tusks, and tusks are in demand.
There was a rare occurrence; I would like to congratulate my in-law who caught a narwhal with two tusks, and those are in high demand.
My in-law had been ill recently and was getting disabled.
He told me just before I came here that maybe he will never catch another narwhal because he cannot see the rifle sights anymore.
Although that was the case, he caught a narwhal with a double tusk and did it himself.
This is how capable some hunters are. They can harpoon a narwhal without shooting it.
My in-law did such a thing; he harpooned it without shooting it and caught a double-tusked narwhal. I wish for you to join me in celebration.
Return to Oral Question 056 – 4(3): Swimming Pools in Nunavut (Mike)
I am so used to rising from my chair that I seem so light when I stand.
This is mainly to do with a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Mapsalak on swimming pools in Nunavut.
Did they do a feasibility study on the costs of constructing swimming pools? Is it still in the works with your department?
The Department of Community and Government Services (CGS) is not currently doing any work on the feasibility of constructing swimming pools in Nunavut.
CGS encourages communities to identify all infrastructure priorities on their integrated community sustainability plans (ICSPs), including requests for swimming pools.
All infrastructure priorities identified by communities on ICSPs will be ranked and prioritized by the Nunavut Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee (NCIAC) using standard ranking criteria.
I would like to recognize one of my relatives. My nephew P.J. Angnakak is here today.
Please welcome him.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize the President of Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Pauloosie Akeeagok.
Question 117 – 4(3): Country Food Distribution Program (Shooyook)
In August of 2015, the department’s Country Food Distribution Program Policy was updated.
This program provides funding for such initiatives as upgrades to community freezers. Can the minister indicate what has changed in the new policy?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for asking this question. The Country Food Distribution Program Policy was amended in August and the amendments were agreed to because not enough money was being used from that program.
They changed it so that if there is a request for a community freezer, then the hamlet and the HTO can make the request. There have not been many requests and they can also ask for extra money to do maintenance. Because of the fact that there has been more funding made available under the program, they included the provision that communities can request community freezers.
This policy states in part that funds which are provided to municipalities cannot be used to purchase country food from outside the community.
I do support the goal of making communities more self-reliant, but I would ask that the minister publicly explain the reason for this aspect of the policy.
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for that very important question. We do want the people to know.
Under the policy, we have to come to an agreement with other departments and municipalities.
We have to work with the Department of Environment on this policy.
Because of the fact that there is a lack of caribou in parts of Nunavut, shipping costs of country foods has become a concern in some communities.
We are going to be reviewing the policy to make sure that it is set up right.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for helping me understand that.
Can the minister confirm whether or not municipalities and HTOs in all communities have been informed of the updated Country Food Distribution Program Policy and how they can apply for support?
Whenever the hamlets identify concerns about such things, our staff talks to them about those concerns. For example, there was a meeting in March with the poverty reduction workshop and the policy was explained through that process.
Whenever we attend meetings like Nunavut Association of Municipalities, we explain policies and other issues to them as well.
If you want to give us anything for extra consideration, you can give it to us.
Question 118 – 4(3): Removal of Debris from Demolished Infrastructure in Arviat (Savikataaq)
Today, I would like to question the Minister of CG&S.
Mr. Speaker, last week, the Member for South Baffin asked the minister when his department would clean up the burned out steel that remains after the recent tragic school fire in Cape Dorset.
In the minister’s response to Mr. Joanasie, the minister stated that the clean-up would not happen until 2015.
The minister also stated, and I’ll quote from the Hansard on Friday, October 30, “We will need to bring the equipment up that crushes steel. It would be very good to use that crusher and we will be able to use it next year. That crusher will be arriving next sealift and I know that it would be very useful for the community.”
My question is this: can the minister give me some details on the capacity of this crusher?
I have mentioned this more than once in the House now regarding the old Cape Dorset school.
I have stated that in the year 2016, the clean-up will proceed after the equipment has been brought in to crush the metal.
That’s what I have stated in the House and we will see if it’s necessary to do that.
If the clean-up proceeds, we just wanted to make sure that the crusher was available because of the need to dismantle the school that burned down in Cape Dorset.
We had to look at such things because we needed to plan the clean-up properly and that’s what we did.
I did ask the minister for the capability of the crusher and I didn’t get an answer, but the reason I asked about the capability was right now, Arviat has about 50 years worth of old metal and old vehicles, and it’s a really big pile. It’s a much bigger pile than the metal and debris from one school.
That is why I asked the minister what the capability of this crusher would be because it would be nice if Arviat could get a crusher to deal with its big metal pile. We call it the metal dump.
I asked the minister if he could look into bringing a crusher or a shredder into Arviat to deal with their scrap metal.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Mike.