EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
(interpretation ends) “Congratulations to Leona from Susie Tucktoo and her son Johnny.”
(interpretation) From Arnaksak Tutalik, “I thank her for getting her job back, and I am very happy she is fluent in Inuktitut even though she lives way down south and for representing us.”
There being none. Please proceed, Ms. Ugyuk.
From Arnaksak Tutalik, “I thank her for getting her job back, and I am very happy she is fluent in Inuktitut even though she lives way down south and for representing us.”
From Angmadlok Uttaq, “We are very happy, Uttak and I, we applaud her.
To hear that Leona was re-elected again and her assistance is greatly appreciated and it is visible.”
(interpretation end) From Annie Oleekatalik, “Congratulations Leona and I’m so happy you got voted again.”
She’s one of her childhood friends.
(interpretation) From John Mannilaq, “I am very pleased to hear that my niece was re-elected, and was very thankful, and I knew she was going to be re-elected anyways for she is articulate and very informed.”
From Quuyuk Poodlat, “I thank her very much, for she came from this community, and also my cousin, and I am very comfortable with her.
I will vote for her as long as I am alive, and when you ask her a question she responds to you right away.”
This is coming from the elders and people of Taloyoak.
Mr. Speaker, the other individual that we as Nattilingmiut are proud of and thankful for his hard work and continuing to work is James Eetoolook.
Everyone knows that he is the second vice-president for number of years for Nunavut Tunngavik (interpretation ends) Incorporated. (interpretation) We are especially grateful that he was able act as the president when leadership faced some challenges within NTI.
He works hard for the benefit of Nunavummiut and today we see a lot of his good work to benefit Nunavummiut.
Today we have seen many leaders come and go, but he has continued to hold his elected position and many Nunavummiut have put their trust in him to do the work.
Eetoolook volunteers and does fundraisers for world natural disasters and sends the funds to Red Cross.
Because of his good work, Nattilingmiut have helped provide aid in cases of natural disasters.
Mr. Speaker, the third Nattilingmiut I wish to recognize is Noah Nashriatook. He was raised by Nashariatook and Elizabeth in Taloyoak and they only spoke Inuktitut.
He graduated from Netsilik School in 1998. He has also graduated from the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program.
A few weeks ago, he was interviewed by CBC Reporter Abraham Tagalik. I remember listening that morning and I was in awe of this young man.
During his interview by CBC, Noah stated that it was his childhood dream to fly planes and he is following through on that dream.
We are very proud of him for fulfilling his ambitions.
He had a goal to fly airplanes and his goal is to fly scheduled flights in Nunavut.
He is working here in Iqaluit as a co-pilot for the medevac planes for the Baffin region and contributing to Nunavummiut.
When I asked Noah who inspired him in his life, he stated that it was the Inuit elders who went through hardship in their lives.
Noah is trying to get the hours to become a captain. I am sure he will be able to succeed.
Maybe just to remind the member that Members’ Statements are two and a half minutes and hopefully try and edit statements to stay within that timeframe or if it’s going to be longer, maybe saving a statement for the next day.
Member’s Statement 085 – 3(3): A Rare Appreciation to Greenpeace (Arreak)
In Nunavut, we respect and protect our environment, and we have heard that they are exploring near the Greenland coast for oil.
This exploration is becoming a major activity and if there was ever an accident, Nunavut would be severely impacted.
Some of my constituents have sent correspondence to my office actually thanking Greenpeace for the first time since they have made this newsworthy and people watch the news about Greenpeace trying to stop the rigs. This is the first time some Inuit feel appreciative of the activities of Greenpeace. However, this appreciation is limited and only applies to this particular activity, so they should not expect further support in the future.
Member’s Statement 086 – 3(3): Repulse Bay Housing Issues (Ningark)
I, too, grieve for the people who lost their lives.
From the bottom of our hearts and on behalf of people from Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk, and me personally, we feel for the families who lost their loved ones and we pray for them and they are in our hearts.
Mr. Speaker, in the past we had the first housing needs survey way back in 1967 as Inuit started to get housing for the first time. The interim between that first study and today comprises a lot of years. I believe that the latest housing needs survey was in 2009 or 2010.
The questions were exhaustive, such as, “How many in your family? How old are you?
How many females and how many males in the household? How many bedrooms? What is the total household income?”
The first survey was done in 1967.
Mr. Speaker, we are still in dire shortage of housing in our communities.
There are responses to these surveys, yet little has been done to alleviate this and some people who were surveyed are still awaiting housing. We were given false expectations. We continue to expect housing, but we are still short of units.
Perhaps now is the right time to ask the Nunavut government as well as the federal government why the housing needs are still not met.
Is it the funding, the weather, lack of workers, or lack of materials arriving in the communities?
I want to see a comprehensive report stating the reasons why the housing units in Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk are not completed.
We have been asked so many questions and we participate, so we want some answers from the government as to the reasons why the units are not completed in Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk, even though the units are now standing.
I would like to have that information in the fall.
Moving on in the Orders of the Day, Returns to Oral Questions.
I would like to recognize my constituents, Chris and Maanasi Cousins.
Question 119 – 3(3): Status of New Airport for Baker Lake (Aupaluktuq)
My condolences to Iqalummiut, all of Nunavut, and families.
Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation in relation to my Member’s Statement yesterday.
On March 8 of last year, I asked questions to the minister concerning the issue of a new airport for Baker Lake.
At that time, the minister indicated to me that his department was working to “renew the Baker Lake Airport Master Plan.”
I thank the member from Baker Lake for that question.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, the master plan has been finalized. It’s following all kinds of extensive consultations with the public, air carriers, airport users, and the mining industry that work around that area. Yes, the master plan is complete.
When I last asked the minister about this issue, he indicated that he and his department intended to speak with companies in the mining sector, as well as the federal government, as he has noted in his response, but the point is to identify sources of funding towards a new airport.
Can the minister update me today on these discussions?
Again I thank the member for that question. Yes, we have been working very hard at this. We have secured $5 million to put towards the improvement of the airport in Baker Lake.
At this time, the Baker Lake Airport is adequate for the community’s domestic needs but it is really not adequate for jet services.
At this time, it’s just the $5 million to proceed. We’re in consultations with the hamlet to focus on the priorities first of the master plan.
I’m glad to hear that response. I’m sure the hamlet council as well as members of Baker Lake will also be pleased to know that there is a substantial plan in place.
With that, in reference to our territorial concerns addressed to the federal minister level, can the minister confirm if he has had any discussions with our federal Member of Parliament on this issue and, if so, can he indicate the outcome of these talks?
I didn’t quite understand the question.
We’re always in consultations with federal MPs and federal ministers.
One of the things that we constantly speak about is how do we improve the infrastructure of airports in Nunavut.
I have to say to the hon. member that I haven’t spoken to our hon. MP since the elections.
As I indicated in the Member’s Statement yesterday as well, Transport Canada had consulted and has made their references to support a larger and relocated airport in order to meet the actual infrastructure needs for Baker Lake.
I just want to let the hon. minister know that we look forward to an updated response to see whether or not our territory has actually concentrated on the federal level to see about their contributions to the community of Baker Lake’s needs and demands for an airport.
Mr. Speaker, will the minister commit to providing me with a copy of Baker Lake’s updated airport master plan before the end of this sitting?
I’ll answer the first question first.
Yes, we’re in consultations with Transport Canada and we continue to do that.
Of course, once a document is ready for tabling, I would certainly make it available to the House here.
Question 120 – 3(3): Government Liaison Officer Position in Hall Beach (Tapardjuk)
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Good afternoon to my constituents.
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday our colleague from Hudson Bay was raising questions. I believe the Premier is aware that the non-decentralized communities, such as Hall Beach, are looking forward to the establishment of government liaison officer positions to bridge the gap.
Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that the Municipality of Hall Beach has identified suitable office space in the community should the planned GLO position be filled.
I would like to ask the Premier, Mr. Speaker: will the Premier commit to directing her officials to contact the municipality to find a mutually agreeable way to confirm the space that the municipality has identified?
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Member for Amittuq as well.
Any news about office availability is always good to hear, especially in our communities.
With respect to the member’s request, I will look into this and report back to the member and the House once I have the information.
Yes, I want them to inform the hamlet, including the mayor, who is anxiously awaiting news on this issue.
The residents of Hall Beach, which is a non-decentralized community, are looking forward to the new government liaison officer position being advertised and filled.
Can the Premier indicate what type of timeframe is needed for advertising and filling the GLO position in Hall Beach, Mr. Speaker?
The GLO positions in Nunavut are considered an important priority. While working on Qanukkanniq and the Tamapta Mandate, we proposed to create these positions.
This has been ongoing and we continue to try and implement it.
The question is quite timely, along with the question raised by the MLA for Sanikiluaq.
I will write to all MLAs on the status of hiring GLOs. I will inform the Amittuq MLA as to when they can expect a GLO position and when it will be advertised. I will let him know as soon as I get clarification on that.
I do know that the Premier is committed to the establishment of the GLO positions in the communities.
I always call the non-decentralized communities orphans as they didn’t receive any positions and they’re constantly looking for employment opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, can the Premier confirm that the Hall Beach GLO position will be open to the residents of Hall Beach and will the resident applicants be given the priority when reviewing the applications for these positions, Mr. Speaker?
The non-decentralized communities, as per the member’s statement, that don’t have significant presence of government offices will be prioritized for GLO positions.
That’s how we have arranged the process. The positions for the non-decentralized communities will be prioritized and the decentralized communities will be secondary when we start to fill the GLO positions.
I would like an immediate response to this question. With respect to the residents of Hall Beach, will the local residents be given priority consideration when the competition opens for the GLO position?
Will local residents of Hall Beach be prioritized when they are applying for the position?
Based on what I have been led to understand and from what was identified, the GLO position for the community of Hall Beach has been opened already. However, I don’t think that the interviews haven’t been held yet.
The advertisements for the position have already been made public.
Question 121 – 3(3): Access to Adult Education in Smaller Communities (Elliott)
My questions are for the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College.
Mr. Speaker, my questions are based around providing first and second year Nunavut Arctic College programs based in the smaller communities. I know it is one of the college’s goals to provide some of the bigger programs offered in the bigger centers in the smaller communities. Often it is hard for individuals to relocate to the bigger centres to attend school.
Earlier in my Member’s Statement, I mentioned the successful offering of the first year fur production program in Arctic Bay and the Environmental Technology Program in Pond Inlet.
Could the minister outline what Nunavut Arctic College is doing to help small community learning centres offer these bigger programs across the territory?
I would like to thank the member first of all for the statement he made today in regard to identifying how important adult learning is across the territory.
In regard to the programs that he is speaking of in his constituency and in Pond Inlet with the environmental program, again, year one was offered in Arctic Bay in fur design and in Pond Inlet, environmental technology. Both of them were very successful programs.
Year one is an introduction for these adult students to come and initiate their studies in year one of the program they have selected. Year two in these programs happen in major centres, where we have more of a capacity to deliver the end of the diploma program.
As far as how these programs are introduced into the smaller communities, obviously part of the community is involved in the assessment of what programs they want to offer in their communities and that is how the priority is set of what’s offered in each community.
I realize that having programs offered in the communities are based around community needs, funding, and the ability to find instructors. Will Nunavut Arctic College be able to offer the second year fur production program in Arctic Bay?
The answer is no, we will not be able to provide that second year in any community except our centre of Iqaluit, where we offer it right now. Again, I think the member understands that there is lack of both human capacity and financial capacity right now in delivering these programs in smaller communities.
I’ve had the privilege of speaking with students from the first year Environmental Technology Program in Pond Inlet. The students definitely had a successful year of training and are not afraid to share their newly gained knowledge.
My question for the minister is: will Nunavut Arctic College be able to offer the second year Environmental Technology Program in Pond Inlet?
Again I thank the member. Again the answer is no, we do not. We’re facing challenges in funding requirements and human resource capacity.
However, I would very much like to congratulate all of the students that took the first year program. I believe there were 14 students and 13 graduates. It was very successful.
I would encourage all of them to further their career in the environmental program, access FANS funding, and attend the second year in Iqaluit.
Is there anything that communities or individuals can do to help assist Nunavut Arctic College with getting programs like these that were offered in Arctic Bay and Pond Inlet started in their community?
I encourage all Nunavutmiut to apply to the Arctic College in the programs that they’re interested in. Also, on an annual basis, again there is an assessment process that takes place on the priorities of programs that communities wish to see in their communities.
That is really the place that priorities are set and what programs are delivered in communities.
Question 122 – 3(3): Status of Public Housing Rent Scale Review (Rumbolt)
Mr. Speaker, in October of 2009, all Members of the Legislative Assembly publicly announced that one of our collective priorities for this Legislative Assembly was to conduct “comprehensive reviews of the public housing rent scale and the income support program.”
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s current business plan indicates that “A review of the current Public Housing Rent Scale as part of NHC’s Tamapta Action Plan objectives is currently underway.
The NHC expects to have the review completed by” September of 2011.
Mr. Speaker, summer is only two weeks away and we have not received an update on this review.
Can the minister indicate when the review of the public housing rent scale will be completed and tabled in the House?
I think the member’s statement on the rent process is correct.
The target remains the same, that it should be completed by September 2011.
I can only confirm here that it will not be tabled before the due date and it should be available in the fall.
I apologize if I got the dates wrong.
Mr. Speaker, I also note that the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s business plan indicates that one of its 2011-12 priorities is to “Adopt and implement a revised Rent Scale and guidelines.”
Can the minister indicate when the implementation of this revised rent scale will take place?
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you. I may have misunderstood the first question, so I apologize for that.
The work continues. It’s a very complex process.
It just had the preliminary rent scale parameters involved. There are some very serious discussions going on with our officials as well as the regional districts.
I certainly would like to have an opportunity to also look at the implications that the elders are normally put into situations where, as tenants, they are much more generous than other family members.
They tend to accumulate debt so rapidly that, in many cases, they can’t afford to pay their rent arrears, not because of their own lack of paying rent that they are assessed, but by having other family members staying with them, who are sometimes working.
It is an ongoing issue. It’s something that my officials just presented to me today.
During the next couple of months, we will be seriously looking at all of those issues that the member raised.
I look forward to tabling many of these documents in the fall.
Question 123 – 3(3): Pharmacy Services in Nunavut (Ugyuk)
During our Committee of the Whole discussion of the 2011-12 budget in March, my colleague from the High Arctic asked some questions about the proposed new pharmacy program for the Department of Health and Social Services.
Can the minister clearly explain what is the rationale or the reasoning behind developing a new pharmacy program when we have pharmacy services right now that seem to be doing a good job?
I appreciate the question. I’m not 100 percent sure whether there is a new pharmacy program being proposed in our department.
I think it’s an ongoing development and enhancement, if anything. It’s not new, obviously.
We do have on the shelf contractors who provide prescription drugs. There are also regulations and safety and all of the other measures that must be incorporated.
So it is an enhancement of all of the components put together. Our new director of pharmacy, who is very well qualified, has put it together and she has continued to discuss any arrangements with our pharmacy providers in the regions.
I cannot share the view that this is an all-new program; it’s just an ongoing service and we continue to improve upon it. There are no new monies that are being requested or anything, so it’s an ongoing process.
It seems confusing, but I’ll continue to ask questions.
In March, the minister and his officials indicated that they would be developing a business case for the new pharmacy program. Can the minister clarify whether this business case will evaluate all of the financial aspects of delivering pharmacy services across the territory?
If the business plan indicates that, yes, that would be the case. If there are new programs that must be included in our pharmacy program, that would be the case.
It’s better to have a business case developed before we ask for any expansions or any improvements. I believe that the reference to that indicates that the case would have to be proved that it’s worthwhile. So that is normally the case for developing a business case.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Can the minister confirm whether he and his departmental officials expect to save the government money with a new pharmacy system, yes or no? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Absolutely. That is the purpose of having a proper plan. A business case is normally developed to look at values and to arrive at the best service available for Nunavutmiut.
We are fortunate that most of the drug services or drug programs are normally covered by our partners in Ottawa through the Non-Insured Health Benefits program. Our goal is to save money and not only that, but to have a pharmacy program that is effective and also serves Nunavutmiut and our health centres through the best possible means.
I assume that was yes.
Can the minister confirm whether he and his departmental officials expect to improve service delivery times with a new pharmacy system, yes or no?
Definitely, and our officials continue to do that.
One means for that, and I think it was alluded to during the deputy minister’s presentation, was that there would be an improvement and one is through the electronic telepharmacy.
Now, that raised a can of worms to some members.
The way the program works right now is that you can only get your prescription drugs at one location, normally through the regional providers, but the discussion with our regional pharmacy program provider is that they should expand that service to, for instance, High Arctic and electronically be able to deliver drugs and prescription right at the nursing centre so that they don’t have to wait two weeks to get their supply.
That is the purpose of the electronic telepharmacy service.
I think it would improve it and it will be cost effective.
Question 124 – 3(3): Death Involving a Government Vehicle (Schell)
My question is for the Minister of CG&S and I’m going to revisit a question that I asked the minister in the last sitting in February.
Has the minister ever been informed of a government vehicle being used for personal use that involved a death in one of the communities last December?
Yes, I became aware of such incident, Mr. Speaker.
Could the minister explain what his department has done to try to eliminate this abuse of government vehicles?
I will say again and I think I have said this at every sitting in the last couple of years that our department will work its best to ensure that the government vehicles are used for their purpose and that they not be abused, and that work continues to today.
My understanding is that the same vehicle that was involved in this death is still being used for personal use and children are still riding in the back of the truck.
Can the minister explain if he’s going to re-look at this and maybe deal with this situation?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Mr. Speaker, I say again that we will not tolerate abuse of government vehicles like that.
If that is happening, we will look into it. That shouldn’t be happening.
I will check to see the officials who are responsible to make sure that that kind of abuse does not happen.
I will be in contact with them to make sure that this is not happening.
If it is happening, we will put a stop to it today, Mr. Speaker.
Question 125 – 3(3): Housing Issues in Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk (Ningark)
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Thank you and good afternoon, Mr. Speaker.