EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) In accordance with the authority provided to me by Motion 7 – 4(3), this House stands adjourned until Monday, November 9, 2015, at 9:00 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 21:15
Monday, November 9, 2015
Pages 762 – 764
Opening Prayer 762  Tabling of Documents 762
Notices of Motions 762
Motions 763
Orders of the Day 764
Monday, November 9, 2015 762
069 – 4(3): 2013-2014 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut (Speaker) 762
013 – 4(3): Appointments to the Executive Council – Notice (Mikkungwak) 762
013 – 4(3): Appointments to the Executive Council (Mikkungwak) 763
014 – 4(3): Adjournment for the Day (Rumbolt) 763
Mr. Tony Akoak, Ms. Pat Angnakak, Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk, Mr. Joe Enook, Mr. George Hickes, Mr. David Joanasie, Mr. Pauloosie Keyootak, Hon. George Kuksuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Hon. Johnny Mike, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak, Hon. Paul Okalik, Hon. Keith Peterson, Hon. Paul Quassa, Hon. George Qulaut, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok, Mr. Tom Sammurtok, Mr. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Isaac Shooyook, Hon. Peter Taptuna.
>>House commenced at 20:00
Item 1: Opening Prayer  Speaker (Hon. George Qulaut) (interpretation): Can you say the opening prayer, please, Mr. Enook.
Speaker (interpretation): Good evening, my fellow Nunavummiut, members, ministers, and (interpretation ends) Premier, (interpretation) as well as the visitors. Welcome to the House.
(interpretation ends) Hon. Member for Hudson Bay, Mr. Rumbolt.
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good evening to the people of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to proceed directly to Item 13 on the order paper.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The member is seeking unanimous consent to proceed to Item 13.
Tabled Document 069 – 4(3): 2013-2014 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut (Speaker)
I have one. (interpretation) Thank you.
Members, I have one document to table. (interpretation ends) I wish to table the 2013-14 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you.
Motion 013 – 4(3): Appointments to the Executive Council – Notice (Mikkungwak)
I give notice that on Wednesday, November 11, 2015, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Hudson Bay, that the Legislative Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of Nunavut that George Hickes, Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, and Joe Savikataaq, Member for Arviat South, be appointed to the Executive Council of Nunavut.
Motions. (interpretation) Thank you.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I would like to withdraw my motion.
The seconder, Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Mikkungwak, do you agree?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The motion is dropped from the order paper.
I seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today.  Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with his motion today.
Motion 013 – 4(3): Appointments to the Executive Council (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to my colleagues.
WHEREAS section 60 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that there shall be an Executive Council of Nunavut comprised of persons appointed by the Commissioner of Nunavut on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly;
AND WHEREAS the House is prepared to recommend appointments;
Motion 014 – 4(3): Adjournment for the Day (Rumbolt)
Speaker: The motion is in order and is not debatable.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, February 24, 2016, at 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Pages 765 – 798
Opening Prayer 765
Money Message 765
Ministers’ Statements 766
Members’ Statements 769
Returns to Written Questions 794
Tabling of Documents 794
Notices of Motions 794
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 795
Orders of the Day 797
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 765
053 – 4(3): Ministers Absent from the House (Quassa) 766
054 – 4(3): Notice of Budget Address (Peterson) 766
055 – 4(3): National Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (Taptuna) 766
056 – 4(3): Pink Shirt Day to Promote Anti-bullying (Taptuna) 767
057 – 4(3): Pink Shirt Day Campaign (Quassa) 768
058 – 4(3): Pink Shirt Day – Human Resources (Peterson) 768
120 – 4(3): Recent Deaths in Arctic Bay (Shooyook) 769
121 – 4(3): Reflections on Being Elected to Represent Netsilik (Qirngnuq) 769
122 – 4(3): Pond Inlet Food Bank (Enook) 770
123 – 4(3): Pink Shirt Day (Joanasie) 771
124 – 4(3): Telecommunications Services in Nunavut (Hickes) 771
125 – 4(3): Congratulations to Roxanne Ruediger, CGA (Mikkungwak) 772
126 – 4(3): 2016 Pangnirtung Fishery (Mike) 773
127 – 4(3): Hockey Canada Visits Kugluktuk (Taptuna) 773
128 – 4(3): 50 Years of Inuit Art/Arctic Co-ops (Keyootak) 774
Return to Oral Question 143 – 4(3): Vacant Positions in Arviat (Savikataaq) 776
Return to Oral Question 137 – 4(3): Update on Building 534 in Iqaluit (Clerk) 776
148 – 4(3): Federal-Territorial Fiscal Priorities (Angnakak) 778
149 – 4(3): Matching Adult Education to Labour Force Needs (Mikkungwak) 779
150 – 4(3): Report on the Independent External Review (Joanasie) 782
151 – 4(3): Housing Needs in Netsilik (Qirngnuq) 783
152 – 4(3): Plebiscite on Sale of Municipal Lands (Enook) 784
153 – 4(3): Medical Travel Escort Policy (Keyootak) 787
154 – 4(3): Daycare Spaces across Nunavut (Angnakak) 788
155 – 4(3): Energy Initiatives (Mikkungwak) 790
156 – 4(3): Baffin Island Caribou Tags (Enook) 792
Return to Written Question 006 – 4(3): Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Course for Trainers (Clerk) 794
070 – 4(3): 2014-2015 Public Service Annual Report (Peterson) 794
071 – 4(3): Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission’s 2011 Annual Report (Peterson) 794
015 – 4(3): Appointment to the Management and Services Board – Notice (Angnakak) 794
016 – 4(3): Extended Sitting Hours and Days – Notice (Mikkungwak) 795
017 – 4(3): Appointment to the Striking Committee – Notice (Joanasie) 795
015 – 4(3): Appointment to the Management and Services Board (Angnakak) 796
016 – 4(3): Extended Sitting Hours and Days (Mikkungwak) 796
017 – 4(3): Appointment to the Striking Committee (Joanasie) 797
018 – 4(3): Adjournment for the Day (Mikkungwak) 797
Bill 10 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2015-2016 – Notice 795
Bill 11 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2015-2016 – Notice 795
Bill 12 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2016-2017 – Notice 795
Bill 13 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017 – Notice 795
Ms. Pat Angnakak, Mr. Joe Enook, Hon. George Hickes, Mr. David Joanasie, Mr. Pauloosie Keyootak, Hon. Johnny Mike, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak, Hon. Paul Okalik, Hon. Keith Peterson, Mr. Emiliano Qirngnuq, Hon. Paul Quassa, Hon. George Qulaut, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok, Mr. Tom Sammurtok, Hon. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Isaac Shooyook, Hon. Peter Taptuna.
Speaker (interpretation): Good afternoon, everyone.
Welcome to the House, my fellow Nunavummiut and our visitors.
I wish to warmly welcome the newly elected Member for Netsilik, Mr. Emiliano Qirngnuq.
I would also like to advise that the Member for Hudson Bay, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, will not be able to attend this session because he has to attend to a health matter.
He will be arriving on Friday.
Also, the Member for Gjoa Haven, Mr. Tony Akoak, and the Member for Aivilik, Mr. Mapsalak, will not be able to arrive here today because of the flight scheduling, but they should be here by Friday, hopefully, if the plane makes it in on that day.
(interpretation ends) Before we proceed with the orders of the day, I wish to read the following message that I have received from the Commissioner of Nunavut:
Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut the passage of the following bills during the Third Session of the Fourth Legislative Assembly:
Bill 10, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2015-2016;
Bill 11, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2015-2016;
Bill 12, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2016-2017; and
Bill 13, Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017.
Sincerely, Commissioner of Nunavut, Nellie Kusugak.
(interpretation) Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Government House Leader, Mr. Quassa.
Minister’s Statement 053 – 4(3): Ministers Absent from the House (Quassa)
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day, my colleagues, as well as my fellow residents of Aggu.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to advise members that the Hon. George Kuksuk will be absent from the House February 24 to 26, 2016 due to medical reasons, and I will keep the House updated on this issue.
Mr. Speaker, (interpretation) I also wish to advise members that the (interpretation ends) Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation) will be absent from the House today to attend the National Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls from February 24 to 26, 2016.
Minister’s Statement 054 – 4(3): Notice of Budget Address (Peterson)
I am pleased to notify my colleagues that on Thursday, February 25, 2016, I will introduce the 2016-17 budget on behalf of the Government of Nunavut.
This budget will outline our government’s financial priorities for the fiscal year 2016-17.
Minister’s Statement 055 – 4(3): National Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (Taptuna)
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Good afternoon, colleagues, Nunavummiut, and Kuglukturmiut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm to my colleagues that this government supports a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.
Mr. Speaker, I am profoundly grateful to the families that have come forward to share their difficult experiences during Canada’s pre-inquiry consultations on missing and murdered women hosted by federal indigenous affairs minister, Ms. Carolyn Bennett.
Mr. Speaker, I support those families and will continue to consider this a priority of this government.
As Premier, I believe that this delicate, complex issue needs the concentrated commitment of multiple levels of government.
In that respect, I have appointed both the Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk, Minister responsible for the Status of Women, and Hon. Paul Okalik, Minister of Justice, to be the leads in moving this forward.
Mr. Speaker, no woman or person should suffer from violence.
An inquiry needs to take into account Nunavut’s circumstance, which differs from other jurisdictions.
We need to look at the root causes around systematic domestic violence against women in Nunavut and include those who may go missing.
I continue to support efforts at the Council of the Federation where we made a commitment to support a second National Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls on February 26 in Winnipeg.
Minister Ell-Kanayuk is attending the second national roundtable and I’m looking forward to her updating this House on the outcomes of this roundtable.
Mr. Speaker, keeping indigenous women and girls safe is a shared, national responsibility, one that is not to be ignored.
As Members of this Assembly, I ask that we be united and be vocal on stopping violence in our communities.
Minister’s Statement 056 – 4(3): Pink Shirt Day to Promote Anti-bullying (Taptuna)
I rise today to highlight an issue that touches us all in some way or another and that’s bullying.
Mr. Speaker, Pink Shirt Day is held every year on the last Wednesday in February to raise awareness about bullying in our schools and communities.
This event began a few years ago when teenage students organized a high school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a grade 9 boy who was being bullied for wearing a pink shirt.
Today is Pink Shirt Day and we have come together as cabinet to show our support for this worthy cause.
Today, we wear pink to show our support and take a stand against bullying, but Pink Shirt Day doesn’t need to be taken literally. As you can see, we are all wearing pink buttons to promote anti-bullying.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut is committed to fostering a harassment-free workplace, safe schools, and healthy communities.
Some of my colleagues will speak more to their specific initiatives this afternoon in their ministerial statements.
From my end, I encourage Nunavummiut to wear a pink button, scarf, hat, or anything else they have today to show their support.
Challenge friends and co-workers to commit to a bully-free lifestyle and wear pink today and every February 24.
Mr. Speaker, I remind all Nunavummiut that kindness is one size fits all. Let’s work together to end bullying.
Minister’s Statement 057 – 4(3): Pink Shirt Day Campaign (Quassa)
I would like to ask my fellow members to join me in recognizing Pink Shirt Day.
Pink Shirt Day has grown into a major event that brings attention to the issue of bullying.
Mr. Speaker, bullying is not just a school issue.
Addressing bullying successfully requires collaboration from families, school staff and students, and members of the community.
Working together, we can develop cooperative strategies that help build positive relationships and behaviours.
Mr. Speaker, several schools in Nunavut have held Pink Shirt Day events in previous years and we are providing support so that more schools can participate in Pink Shirt Day in 2016.
My department is providing all schools with a resource list, suggested activities, examples of what Nunavut schools have done to celebrate Pink Shirt Day, and an anti-bullying pledge that students can sign to show their support.
Mr. Speaker, the Red Cross and the Embrace Life Council provide support in the communities to promote Pink Shirt Day and anti-bullying messaging.
The Red Cross is providing pink shirts to communities where RespectEd healthy relationships and violence prevention training has been delivered.
The goal is to deliver this training in every Nunavut community.
Mr. Speaker, more than a dozen communities are holding events to support Pink Shirt Day.
There is support for Pink Shirt Day across the Government of Nunavut and our support will help our communities prevent bullying.
Minister’s Statement 058 – 4(3): Pink Shirt Day – Human Resources (Peterson)
I am proud to join my colleagues today as we support Pink Shirt Day, which is an anti-bullying movement.
Earlier this month, I, with a team made up of our director of employee relations, deputy minister, and the assistant comptroller general, took part in the first seminar of an anti-bullying movement of our own.
From our office in Cambridge Bay, we “videoconferenced” senior managers from Gjoa Haven and Kugluktuk in to share and discuss anti-bullying techniques and how to maintain a harassment-free workplace.
We followed that up with a similar workshop in Rankin Inlet, videoconferencing with senior staff from Baker Lake and Arviat.
Here in Iqaluit, our employee relations team has held a number of harassment-free workplace workshops with deputy ministers, senior managers, and human resource coordinators.
We look forward to continuing these kinds of seminars and workshops throughout the territory to make certain that all staff in all communities across Nunavut know that the Government of Nunavut has zero tolerance for bullying and harassment.
Mr. Speaker, our staff needs to feel safe and comfortable coming to work every day and speaking with their supervisors. They should also feel accomplished and empowered in their role with the Government of Nunavut.
Moving on. (interpretation ends) Item 3. (interpretation) Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 120 – 4(3): Recent Deaths in Arctic Bay (Shooyook)
I rise today to talk about mental health.
Mr. Speaker, in the month of February, our community lost four individuals.
It is heartrending to see that many people affected and we feel the loss of these people.
Indeed, we must always be compassionate.
Mr. Speaker, one of the well-known people in our community for his unparalleled contributions was the late Olayuk Simeonie, who just recently passed on.
He was instrumental in assisting his fellow Inuit, his local hamlet mechanics, and Nanisivik during his work.
Whenever fellow Inuit required assistance for mechanical issues, he took the time to help. Based on his continual support, many people are missing his skills.
Another person who passed away was Leo’s wife, Iga, who suffered from terminal illness and who passed away just recently.
The third community member who passed on did not die from an illness, but rather from a suicide as the person was a youth and passed on.
The final person was Clair, a non-Inuk who undertook many local initiatives in the community. He also worked in Nanisivik.
He ended up losing his battle with terminal illness.
These four members of our community passed away during this month and I would like to send my condolences to the families, so I am notifying my colleagues about this.
Member for Netsilik, Mr. Emiliano Qirngnuq.
Member’s Statement 121 – 4(3): Reflections on Being Elected to Represent Netsilik (Qirngnuq)
Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to express my appreciation to the residents of Kugaaruk and Taloyoak for having placed their trust and confidence in me to represent the constituency of Netsilik in the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank and acknowledge my fellow candidates in the recent by-election.
I would also like to thank and acknowledge my predecessors for their service to our constituency.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with all Members of the Legislative Assembly over the next two years to achieve progress in such areas as housing, training, and language preservation.
I also look forward to working closely with the municipalities of Kugaaruk and Taloyoak to raise issues of concern to the communities.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude today by thanking you for the warm welcome that I have received, and I would like to express my gratitude to my family for their support to me.
Member’s Statement 122 – 4(3): Pond Inlet Food Bank (Enook)
Mr. Enook (interpretation): I didn’t think it was my turn yet.
Good afternoon, residents of Pond Inlet, especially Sam Omik. I send my smiles to you.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a number of my constituents in Pond Inlet who are working to help the community.
Mr. Speaker, Pond Inlet’s Anglican Parish Hall is the new location for a soup kitchen service that has recently opened its doors to people in need.
Mr. Speaker, these people worked extremely hard to get this going and I will mention some of their names.
Rhoda Nutarak, Susanne Kadloo, and other committed volunteers have worked extremely hard to make the Tununiq Ikajuqtiit project a reality.
Mr. Speaker, at the same time that we pay tribute to people who are working to make life a little better for the less fortunate, we should also reflect with sadness that our society still needs such things as food banks and soup kitchens.
Mr. Speaker, we must continue to make every effort to fight poverty and hunger. We should all work very hard on it all the time.
The efforts of people like my constituents in Pond Inlet to bring comfort to the community should be applauded and supported everywhere in every way possible.
I also thank and acknowledge the generous financial support of organizations such as the Baffin Fisheries Coalition that have made this project a reality, as well as the support of individuals, including employees at Baffinland’s Mary River mine site.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in paying tribute to the volunteers that do this with absolutely no pay, including those in Pond Inlet who are helping to fight hunger one meal at a time.
Let us support them all.
Member’s Statement 123 – 4(3): Pink Shirt Day (Joanasie)
Welcome, Mr. Qirngnuq and visitors in the gallery.
I send my regards to the residents of Cape Dorset and Kimmirut.
Mr. Speaker, today, as we have heard, is the Pink Shirt Day. It’s also a day where we fight against bullying. There are many efforts to get rid of bullying.
Mr. Speaker, because of this, people in Kimmirut had a meeting, especially about domestic abuse and violence awareness.
That was held yesterday at the Akavak Centre.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the participation and efforts of the local RCMP in Kimmirut, the mental health nurse, the community justice caseworker, the community health representative, Family Services, and the community wellness coordinator, who hosted this event to tell the people what they do.
Mr. Speaker, members of the community got to learn more about the different roles of each of these workers and how they act as resources for those who need help with domestic abuse and those who experience violence.
Mr. Speaker, on Pink Shirt Day… . Well, we should do this every day. I encourage my colleagues and all Nunavummiut to stand up against bullying and violence in our society.
I would like all of you to stand with me against bullying and violence, whether it’s in schools, at home, or in workplaces. We need to stop it. Let us stop hurting each other.
Member’s Statement 124 – 4(3): Telecommunications Services in Nunavut (Hickes)
Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Numerous times over the last couple of years, I have brought up the issue of telecommunications across the territory of Nunavut.
Although I anticipated making a Minister’s Statement before a Member’s Statement, due to a tight timeline, I would just like to bring awareness to, as I said, telecommunications services like phone, cell, and Internet, which are now an integral part of our daily lives.
Nunavut faces unique challenges.
However, when it comes to the type of services we can access and the high cost of those services, especially with respect to broadband Internet, stories of Internet overage bills in the hundreds of dollars or the inability to stream videos or download content due to slow speeds are all too common in Nunavut communities.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavummiut have a chance to speak up about the quality of Internet services we have now and need in the future. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, or CRTC, is currently seeking public input on the telecommunications services, including broadband Internet, Canadians consider necessary to participate in the digital economy.
Through CRTC’s #TalkBroadband initiative, Nunavummiut have an opportunity to share their experience and provide input on the future of telecommunications services in Nunavut and across Canada.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Nunavummiut to fill out the short questionnaire on CRTC’s website at www.crtc.gc.ca/talkbroadband or by phoning 1-877-249-2782 before the deadline on February 29.
This questionnaire only takes a few minutes to complete and will add our voice to this important conversation.
Member’s Statement 125 – 4(3): Congratulations to Roxanne Ruediger, CGA (Mikkungwak)
First of all, Member for Netsilik, Mr. Qirngnuq, welcome to the House.
It is obvious that we will be working closely with him.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to congratulate an individual who has made Baker Lake proud.
Mr. Speaker, we talk frequently in this House about the importance of education and training and we urge our youth to stay in school and pursue higher education.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the Certified General Accountants Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut has recently announced new graduates in the profession.
I am very pleased to congratulate Roxanne Ruediger, who is originally from Baker Lake, for receiving her CGA designation.
Mr. Speaker, Roxanne is the daughter of Ralph Ruediger and Jean Sevoga, and I know that they are very proud of Roxanne’s accomplishments, which have included receiving an Award of Excellence for her academic performance in her studies.
Mr. Speaker, I understand that Roxanne is currently employed by our government, and I am very pleased to see our graduates having the opportunity to make a difference.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to professions such as accounting, there are no shortcuts.