EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $53,803,000.
Chairman: Career Development.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $20,091,000.
Chairman: Go back to page D-3.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $138,262,000.
Chairman: Closing comments, Minister Mike.
I have to thank my officials that are here with me. They run the corporate offices very well.
I would especially like to thank the social workers in the communities for performing their duties and providing assistance to those who need help and protection.
I also thank the foster parents. Sometimes they become the real parents.
I would especially like to thank them if they’re watching.
Within Nunavut there are a lot of foster parents through Family Services.
I especially thank them.
I also thank you, committee members.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): I move a motion to report progress.
Your committee has considering Bill 34 and the main estimates, and would like to report progress.
Mr. Allan Rumbolt. (interpretation ends) The motion is in order.
Just a reminder for tomorrow there’s a meeting of the Management and Services Board at ten o’clock at the Tuktu Boardroom.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 7, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 19:48
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Pages 3716 – 3792
Opening Prayer 3716
Ministers’ Statements 3716
Members’ Statements 3718
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3721
Oral Questions 3721
Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters 3737
Tabling of Documents 3737
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 3739
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3739
Report of the Committee of the Whole 3791
Orders of the Day 3791
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 3716
267 – 4(3): Correction: French Language Instruction (Quassa) 3716
268 – 4(3): Nunavut Food Security Coalition Community Project Funding (Mike) 3716
269 – 4(3): Update on the Film Industry (Ell-Kanayuk) 3717
270 – 4(3): Burial Coverage (Hickes) 3718
504 – 4(3): Lack of Addiction Treatment in Nunavut (Shooyook) 3718
505 – 4(3): Acknowledgement of Kugaaruk Firefighters (Qirngnuq) 3719
506 – 4(3): Minor Hockey Development in Kugluktuk (Taptuna) 3719
507 – 4(3): Up-and-coming Kinngait Artist (Joanasie) 3720
658 – 4(3): Preference for Non-smoking Athletes (Okalik) 3721
659 – 4(3): Government of Nunavut’s Contract for Medical and Duty Travel (Angnakak) 3723
660 – 4(3): Beer and Wine Store (Shooyook) 3725
661 – 4(3): Mould Infestation in Public Housing Units (Joanasie) 3727
662 – 4(3): Update on Kugaaruk Situation (Qirngnuq) 3728
663 – 4(3): Review of Social Assistance Food Rates (Rumbolt) 3730
664 – 4(3): Blueprint for Action on Housing (Sammurtok, T) 3731
665 – 4(3): Clyde River Integrated Community Infrastructure Sustainability Plan (Keyootak) 3733
666 – 4(3): Muskox Management (Mikkungwak) 3734
667 – 4(3): Legal Services Board (Akoak) 3736
020 – 4(3): Bill 27, Waste Reduction and Diversion Act (Sammurtok, T) 3737
021 – 4(3): Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act (Sammurtok, T) 3737
270 – 4(3): 2017 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on Health Care Services in Nunavut (Speaker) 3737
271 – 4(3): Nunavut Motor Vehicles Act Consultation Report (Ell-Kanayuk) 3738
272 – 4(3): Nunavut Status of Women Council Annual Report 2015-2016 (Ell-Kanayuk) 3738
273 – 4(3): Nunavut Food Security Coalition 2016 Meeting Report (Mike) 3738
274 – 4(3): First Ministers’ Meeting on Climate Change, December 9, 2016 (Taptuna) 3738
275 – 4(3): Annual Report on the Administration of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy 2015-2016 (Taptuna) 3738
Bill 37 – An Act to Amend the Education Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act – Notice 3739
Bill 40 – Corrections Act – Notice 3739
Bill 34 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2017-2018 – Justice – Consideration in Committee 3739
Bill 34 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2017-2018 – Finance – Consideration in Committee 3786
Speaker (Hon. George Qulaut) (interpretation): Mr. Paul Quassa, can you say the opening prayer, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Good afternoon, my fellow Nunavummiut. Members, ministers, (interpretation ends) and Premier, (interpretation) welcome as well as the visitors.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Education, Mr. Paul Quassa.
Minister’s Statement 267 – 4(3): Correction: French Language Instruction (Quassa)
I rise today to make a correction in relation to a statement that I made on Monday, February 27.
I recently shared information about French language instruction in Nunavut and I would like to clarify that French first language instruction is offered in Nunavut by the Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut, or CSFN, rather than the Department of Education.
The department provides support to the CSFN but is not responsible for that programming.
I apologize for any confusion my previous statement may have caused.
Minister’s Statement 268 – 4(3): Nunavut Food Security Coalition Community Project Funding (Mike)
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Good day to the people of Nunavut and the residents of my community.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, in partnership with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, my department co-chairs the Nunavut Food Security Coalition, which brings partners together to look at how policies and programs can make food more accessible and affordable to vulnerable Nunavummiut.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, the coalition also works to support community efforts that improve access to food for those who are most vulnerable to hunger.
I am pleased to share with you that the Nunavut Food Security Coalition has supported 16 community-based food security projects in 14 communities in 2016-17 for a total of $256,000.
Communities include Arctic Bay, Arviat, Baker Lake, Cambridge Bay, Cape Dorset, Gjoa Haven, Hall Beach, Igloolik, Iqaluit, Kugaaruk, Kugluktuk, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq, and Rankin Inlet.
(interpretation ends) Funded projects have included community kitchens, youth and adult cooking classes, greenhouse initiatives, and hunter mentorship initiatives.
I would like to take this opportunity to commend the hard work and dedication of the community volunteers that make these initiatives possible.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, as recognized in Sivumut Abluqta, adequate food is fundamental to the health, education and well-being of Nunavummiut.
As such, the Nunavut Food Security Coalition will continue to coordinate funding with other Government of Nunavut departments that are funding country food, community freezers, and cooking classes, will share best practices learned from the funded projects with all communities, and will continue to work with all communities in Nunavut to expand their efforts to improve access to food for those who are most vulnerable to hunger and to develop applications for the upcoming 2017-18 call for proposals.
(interpretation ends) My department looks forward to continuing work with our partners in supporting a network of community-based programs and addressing the complex issue of food insecurity.
Minister’s Statement 269 – 4(3): Update on the Film Industry (Ell-Kanayuk)
I rise today to provide an update on the status on the film industry in our territory.
As I indicated in my statement last October, the film industry is flourishing in Nunavut.
At that time I mentioned the praise that the three made-in-Nunavut feature films had been receiving.
I would now like to add another film to that made-in-Nunavut list. As you all know, (interpretation ends) Angry Inuk (interpretation) by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril has been receiving many awards since its release.
Mr. Speaker, the boom in the film industry has resulted in an unprecedented number of applications to the Nunavut Spend Incentive Program, which is funded by the Government of Nunavut and is administered by Nunavut Film.
To address the evolution of the sector and to explore how best to support its growth, Nunavut Film is organizing a film, television and digital media industry forum in the coming months.
Mr. Speaker, at the same time Nunavut Film’s Chief Executive Officer, Derek Mazur, has announced that he will be retiring in May.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Mazur for over six years of passionate work serving Nunavut’s film industry.
Minister’s Statement 270 – 4(3): Burial Coverage (Hickes)
I wish to share with Nunavummiut that the Department of Health and the Department of Family Services have clarified information regarding burial coverage in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, in certain, specific circumstances the Government of Nunavut is responsible for the cost of burials.
Complete details are available in a fact sheet that can be found on both of our departmental websites.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to give a brief overview of the coverage available.
If a current resident of Nunavut passes away while out of territory on medical travel, the deceased is repatriated to Nunavut at no cost to the family.
Whether an individual passes away while under the guardianship of Family Services or under the care of Health, a Nunavut resident who passes away out of territory will be repatriated to Nunavut by the Government of Nunavut at no cost to the family or the individual’s estate.
Mr. Speaker, the new fact sheet clarifies the responsibilities and financial assistance that is available.
The fact sheet provides specific details on:
who is eligible for burial costs;
coverage provided by the Department of Health through medical travel;
coverage provided by the departments of Health and Family Services; and
coverage provided by the coroner’s office.
Mr. Speaker, the fact sheet entitled “Burial Coverage” can be viewed in the Medical Travel section on the Department of Health website or under the Frequently Asked Questions section on the Department of Family Services website.
Member’s Statement 504 – 4(3): Lack of Addiction Treatment in Nunavut (Shooyook)
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day to the people of Nunavut, the people of my community, and my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, there are no treatment facilities in Nunavut.
I am concerned about it and it is very concerning that we don’t have any facilities for people with addictions where they can get help.
Mr. Speaker, a treatment facility has to be a priority because we have our own Nunavut government now.
Mr. Speaker, they’re thinking of selling weaker alcohol like beer and wine and they have been considered a priority when there is no treatment centre.
I am very concerned about that when there is no treatment facility available.
Mr. Speaker, many people will require help once the beer and wine store is opened in Nunavut. Many people will have nowhere to turn to.
There is a treatment centre in Ottawa, but it is very expensive and once it is full, the people who need help won’t have anywhere to go to.
It’s set up the wrong way. The treatment centre should be a priority before they bring that store in.
I will have questions for the appropriate minister at the appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 505 – 4(3): Acknowledgement of Kugaaruk Firefighters (Qirngnuq)
I say “good day” to the people of Taloyoak and Kugaaruk, my colleagues, and visitors in the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the efforts of Kugaaruk’s firefighters.
Mr. Speaker, Kugaaruk’s firefighters made great efforts under challenging circumstances last week to contain the school fire and prevent it from spreading to other buildings in the community.
They helped to prevent a bad situation from becoming even worse.
I want to acknowledge the firefighters by name:
Fire Chief Vincent Ningark;
Firefighter Frankie Immingark Sr.;
Firefighter Colin Krejunark;
Firefighter Gaetan Apsaktaun;
Firefighter Etienne Kakkianiun;
Firefighter Adam Krejunark;
Firefighter Philippe Alakannuark;
Firefighter Norman Qavvik;
Firefighter Jonathan Ningark;
Firefighter Kyle Amautinuar;
Firefighter Adrian Qauqjuaq;
Firefighter Pauloosie Nungaq;
Firefighter Fabien Peetooloot; and
Firefighter Frankie Immingark Jr.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in acknowledging their dedication.
Member’s Statement 506 – 4(3): Minor Hockey Development in Kugluktuk (Taptuna)
Good afternoon, colleagues, Nunavummiut, and the people of Kugluktuk.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, many folks across Canada are hockey fans.
In Nunavut there is no exception. Large or small, in our communities, hockey is our passion.
Growing up and watching exciting hockey, the Original Six, then seeing the expansion of the NHL, one team comes to mind. For people in my generation, the Philadelphia Flyers were the toughest, meanest, scariest, and (skilled) team to play in the 1970s.
They had players such as Bobby Clarke, Ed van Impe, Rick MacLeish, Bernie Parent, and many others.
For many of us, the Riverton Rifle was one of the purest goal scorers to have laced up a pair of skates, and of course he is our idol.
Mr. Reggie Leach, the Riverton Rifle, was an aboriginal kid from Manitoba who lit up the lamp and in one season scored an unbelievable 61 goals.
Mr. Speaker, recently Reggie was in Kugluktuk and was assisting and helping train our minor hockey players.
He visited with our youth and was welcomed by our community.
Many ex-NHLers have come to Nunavut and the north to assist our kids and our coaches, and this is very much appreciated.
Mr. Speaker, join me in thanking Mr. Reggie Leach, the Riverton Rifle, for sharing his knowledge and skills with our young people of our territory.
Member’s Statement 507 – 4(3): Up-and-coming Kinngait Artist (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, my colleagues, visitors in the gallery, and the people listening to the proceedings.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Saimaiyu Akesuk from Cape Dorset, who just recently started doing artwork.
Mr. Speaker, Saimaiyu Akesuk was 28 years old when she started her artwork.
Even though there are many well-known artists in Cape Dorset such as Kenojuak Ashevak and Pitseolak Ashoona, the young people have also been doing their artwork and showcasing their art.
They’re pretty well known now.
Mr. Speaker, Saimaiyu, in cooperation with (interpretation ends) Dorset Fine Arts (interpretation) and the Co-op from Cape Dorset, travelled to Portland, Oregon, USA to the Froelick Gallery to showcase her artwork.
I wanted to make a statement to congratulate Saimaiyu on her artwork. She has had the opportunity to talk about her artwork to the international audience and how artwork is important to the people of Cape Dorset and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, last month in February Saimaiyu’s artwork was shown in the gallery. I would like to thank the Froelick Gallery, especially Dorset Fine Art and William Huffman. I also thank Saimaiyu for having the opportunity to represent Cape Dorset and for working hard on her artwork.
Members, please join me in welcoming participants from the Institute on Governance who have joined us today in the Visitors’ Gallery.
The participants are senior members of the federal public service who are on a study tour of Iqaluit this week.
Accompanying them is Ms. Catherine Waters from the institute.
I would like to again welcome all the members in the gallery, but I would like to specifically welcome to the House some special visitors from New Brunswick who are here visiting Kathy Perrin, our Assistant Deputy Minister of Health, along with her daughter Lauren, who is hosting them here in Iqaluit.
I would like everyone to welcome Kathy’s family, Clint Perrin and Luke Perrin, to the gallery today. Like I said, they are visiting from their home in New Brunswick.
I had the pleasure of speaking briefly with them a little bit this afternoon and they have been taking advantage of the nice weather we’ve been having.
I would like to also take this opportunity to publicly thank Kathy, who has been a very valuable member of the health team since joining us in 2015.
I just want to thank her for all her hard work, and I hope you enjoy your visit with your family.
Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Paul Okalik.
Question 658 – 4(3): Preference for Non-smoking Athletes (Okalik)
It almost feels like Christmas.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Sport and Recreation.
I would like to ask the minister in regard to youth who go play in tournaments everywhere. They’re assessed for skill and provided with financial assistance.
I also know that the government is running anti-smoking campaigns across Nunavut.
Can the minister conduct a review on how to increase these supports?
Would the minister be willing to add more support through his office for those youth who do not smoke?
This would help encourage our youth to quit smoking.
I agree with the member that there’s no place for smoking in Nunavut, but unfortunately it’s a sad fact that we have one of the highest smoking rates in Canada.
As the sports minister I encourage athletes not to smoke.
Sport is under CGS and sport does not have any programs to assist people to stop smoking. That would be with the Department of Health. If I understood the member correctly, we are in full support to discourage anyone who smokes who is an athlete.
I also believe that the athletes that are very high in performance most likely probably don’t smoke, but I agree with the member that we should discourage smoking.
The funds that are used for pilot projects by the Sport and Recreation Division would be a good source for financing participants as non-smokers in sports tournaments in Nunavut.
Can the minister’s office look into this possibility for this kind of use in the future?
The tobacco cessation “stopness,” I can’t remember what it’s called, but to encourage people not to smoke is the responsibility of the Department of Health. It’s not the responsibility of the Department of CGS under the sports.
I fully agree with the member that we should help people to quit smoking or to not start at all would be even better, but that mandate is under the Department of Health. It’s not under our department.
I know for sure that the Minister of Finance can respond the same because there’s going to be an increase on tobacco tax.
Perhaps if the government departments work with each other, like with the department responsible for sports for young people, it would have more success on the smoking cessation program.
The member talks about the Department of Finance that is not under Health, but they’re raising the price of cigarettes to try to curtail the usage. That’s a tax issue and I won’t speak to that.
We don’t have any programs or funds available to assist people to stop smoking or not start at all.
If people and not just athletes, but if people didn’t start at all, that’s the ideal situation. The funds that we have are to help the people of Nunavut go to sports and encourage them to stay in shape.
I commend the member for wanting to curtail smoking or not start it at all with young people, especially young athletes.
I agree with him except for the fact that it is not under our mandate and we encourage people not to start smoking or to stop smoking, but that is not part of our mandate.
Question 659 – 4(3): Government of Nunavut’s Contract for Medical and Duty Travel (Angnakak)
Good afternoon. Welcome.
(interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Health.
I want to revisit the issue of the government’s contracts for medical travel and duty travel on scheduled airlines.
As the minister is aware, section 2.2.3 of the government’s 2011 request for proposals that led to the current contracts stated that the government wished to “improve scheduled airline service throughout Nunavut” and that airlines submitting proposals should clearly indicate how the proposals “would contribute to improving scheduled airline services throughout Nunavut.”
In the 2015-16 fiscal year the government spent almost $110 million on medical and duty travel. That’s a lot of money.
Mr. Speaker, we have talked in this House before about leveraging our purchasing power to encourage airlines to improve service for Nunavummiut.
Will similar provisions be included in the government’s next request for proposals?
I thank the member for raising this issue.
We’re working with Community and Government Services to highlight the parameters of the RFP that we will be putting out down the road for medical travel and potentially for duty travel as it’s combined right now.
We are in the process with Community and Government Services to look at the hiring of an avionics expert so that we can for one, make sure that we’re covering all our bases as far as determining the needs that need to be met by Nunavummiut.
Specifically for medical travel, we have to make sure that we have airline cooperation with all of our communities as it is a point of departure to many access points for health care service delivery. We want to make sure going forward that we get at least the service that we’re getting now.
There is continuous dialogue with our airline partners that we utilize medical travel with to make sure that they’re adhering to the contract parameters. In addition, we continuously work with them to explore different scheduling options to “expediate” medical travel patients to the access point for their medical care.
I think the government has a really good opportunity here to really think about the smaller communities and the high cost of airline tickets.
The government’s 2011 request for proposals clearly indicated that the maximum length of the contract would be for six years: one three-year term and up to three one-year extensions.
Last month the minister informed the House that the government has negotiated another two-year extension.
My question for the minister is this: what is the point of prescribing maximum contract lengths in RFPs if the government can simply negotiate extensions as it deems fit?
When we establish timelines and sunset of any contract that we enter into, it’s not anticipated and it’s not a regular occurrence to go into a negotiated extension.
In the circumstances that led to the medical travel and duty travel contract being extended, there was a lot of uncertainty with the codeshare and there was some uncertainty of other players in the marketplace.
At the end of the day the objective of the Department of Health, Community and Government Services, and the government as a whole is to make sure we’re getting the best value available for our residents.
At the time it was felt that that was the best recourse.
Like I had mentioned, we are working with Community and Government Services to make sure we have experts in place so that when we go out for tender for the next contract, we have expertise that we want to make sure that we are getting not only getting the best value but also the best service for our residents.
This allows us the opportunity to bring in that expertise and to make sure that we put out an RFP that will meet the needs of our residents.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the minister for his response.
Can the minister clarify then what specific aspects of the current contract have been changed as part of the latest extension?
I am not aware of any major changes. The only change that comes to my mind is an escalator clause that was put into the original contract.
The whole purpose of it was maintaining the parameters of the existing contract that we had.
I just want to further elaborate on an earlier response. Not only are we working with Community and Government Services, but we are also working with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation on identifying transportation routes and different parameters that will enhance the service for Nunavummiut.
Question 660 – 4(3): Beer and Wine Store (Shooyook)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Corrections.
I’m not sure how to say it in a meaningful way.
The minister was talking about the beer and wine store the other day.
Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about an individual that was found frozen.
I would like to ask the minister: if lower alcohol content beverage is going to be available, would that reduce harm done in its consumption?