EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I would think that there would probably be more proposals than the amount of money that is available because it’s only $25,000.
All the proposals would be looked at and then they would decide on which proposals get priority funding.
I’ll move on to mobile equipment.
There was an instance in Kimmirut where mobile equipment, I believe it was one of those amphibious vehicles, that unfortunately something happened and that vehicle ended up sinking and now it’s under the Soper River in the park.
Has the department looked at what they’re going to do with that case and are there other types of vehicles in the territory?
We’re not sure where that particular equipment the member is talking about went. It disappeared and it was never found and that piece of equipment was written off.
That’s about the end of the story.
But there are no other types of vehicles like that in Nunavut, is there?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Is there?
If the member is referring to an ARGO like six- or eight-wheel vehicles that are amphibious, we don’t have any in our inventory, but I mean they’re available for purchase just like ATVs and snowmobiles.
It’s just a piece of equipment that’s available, but right now we don’t have one in any other offices and I don’t think we really have plans to buy another one.
Mr. Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
I’m going to go back to office spaces where there are renovations and that sort of thing.
During one of my recent visits to Kimmirut, the minister is aware that the wildlife officer position is sitting vacant and that building hasn’t been in use and has been unfortunately subject to some vandalism.
Is the department looking at potentially getting some surveillance of any type for their office spaces?
We can look at it, but we don’t have any plans to put any security system in any of the offices right now.
Some of them do have a security system inside, so if there’s a break and enter, then there’s an alarm system. I don’t know of any that have outside surveillance and, if it did, who would be looking after the video when the position is vacant?
I guess it’s something we can look at, but right now, in the near future, we have no plans on doing that. We would rather concentrate on filling the position so that we can have an officer in the community looking after the building.
I guess I’ll just leave that as a comment since we have been dealing with other departments’ big capital projects or buildings that we want to keep safe.
Perhaps there are partnerships with other departments that can happen, so I’ll just leave it at that.
We are on Environment. Program Management.
Total Capital Estimates. $2 million.
Go back to page I-2.
Department Summary. Environment.
Detail of Expenditures. Total Capital Expenditures. $2 million.
Does the committee agree that we have concluded the Department of Environment?
Minister Savikataaq, we have finished your department.
If you have closing remarks, I now give you the floor.
I would like to thank my two staff here and all the other staff who aren’t here that helped to produce what we have here.
I would like to thank all the members for asking questions and being engaged. I have a job to do to present a budget and you guys have a job to make sure it’s what the people of Nunavut want. We do the job together and get the job done.
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the minister and his officials out.
I would like to make a motion to report progress at this time so that we can all go out trick-or-treating.
Chairman: Would you like to or are you making a motion?
(interpretation) There is a motion on the floor and the motion is not debatable.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 24 and would like to report progress.
(interpretation ends) The motion is in order. To the motion.
Just a reminder that there’s a meeting of the Standing Committee on Legislation tomorrow at nine o’clock in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, November 1, at 1:30 p.m. Happy Halloween.
>>House adjourned at 17:26
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Pages 2756 – 2808
Opening Prayer 2756
Ministers’ Statements 2756
Members’ Statements 2759
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2761
Oral Questions 2763
Tabling of Documents 2781
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2781
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2807
Orders of the Day 2807
Tuesday, November 1, 2016 2756
199 – 4(3): United Nations First Generation Award Recipient (Taptuna) 2756
200 – 4(3): Embrace Life Council (Hickes) 2757
201 – 4(3): Sport and Recreation Awards 2016 (Savikataaq) 2758
202 – 4(3): 2016 Cruise Ship Visits (Ell-Kanayuk) 2758
374 – 4(3): 2016 High School Graduates of Naujaat (Mapsalak) 2759
375 – 4(3): Apologies to the Minister of Health (Qirngnuq) 2760
376 – 4(3): Pages from Qikiqtarjuaq (Keyootak) 2760
377 – 4(3): Cape Dorset DEA Reaction to Statement (Joanasie) 2760
506 – 4(3): Legalization of Marijuana (Mikkungwak) 2763
507 – 4(3): Preventative Immunization for Nunavut Infants (Angnakak) 2765
508 – 4(3): Strategy for Residential Care (Sammurtok, A) 2766
509 – 4(3): Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act (Rumbolt) 2768
510 – 4(3): Disaster Compensation Program (Mapsalak) 2770
511 – 4(3): Recruitment of Nurses to Work in Nunavut (Enook) 2771
512 – 4(3): Devolution Negotiations (Okalik) 2773
513 – 4(3): Suicide Prevention (Joanasie) 2775
514 – 4(3): Boarding Options in Rankin Inlet (Mikkungwak) 2777
515 – 4(3): Foster Parenting (Enook) 2778
203 – 4(3): MOU between Kitikmeot Community Futures Inc. and NBCC (Ell-Kanayuk) 2781
204 – 4(3): MOU between Atuqtuarvik Corporation and NBCC (Ell-Kanayuk) 2781
205 – 4(3): MOU between Baffin Business Development Corporation and NBCC (Ell-Kanayuk) 2781
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2017-2018 – Justice – Consideration in Committee 2782
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2017-2018 – Culture and Heritage – Consideration in Committee 2791
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2017-2018 – Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs – Consideration in Committee 2802
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2017-2018 – Legislative Assembly – Consideration in Committee 2805
My fellow Nunavummiut, members, ministers, (interpretation ends) Premier, (interpretation) and visitors, welcome to the House.
Minister’s Statement 199 – 4(3): United Nations First Generation Award Recipient (Taptuna)
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Good afternoon, my colleagues, Nunavummiut, and Kuglukturmiut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the efforts of one of our territory’s strongest youth voices and to congratulate her on receiving a prestigious award from the United Nations.
Mr. Speaker, Maatalii Okalik is the President of Canada’s National Inuit Youth Council.
She was recently in Stockholm as one of the19 youth leaders from across the globe, selected to participate in the #FirstGeneration Global Goals Forum.
The participants took part in workshops, seminars, and debates in support of UN global goals.
Mr. Speaker, during her time at the forum, Maatalii spoke of how a more sustainable planet will improve northern social realities.
In recognition of her strong voice and advocacy, Maatalii received the First Generation Award.
This is a new award from the United Nations presented to young people who promote the UN sustainable development goals.
Please join me in congratulating Maatalii Okalik on this significant achievement. Her work to represent Inuit on the global stage has been inspirational and we are incredibly proud of her efforts.
Minister’s Statement 200 – 4(3): Embrace Life Council (Hickes)
In 2004 through a partnership of the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the RCMP “V” Division, the Embrace Life Council was established and I acknowledge their past and current dedication to suicide prevention in Nunavut.
For several years the council has delivered many fundamental programs.
Last year the council delivered Ten Steps, a training to create safer environments for children in Hall Beach, Igloolik, Pangnirtung, Taloyoak, Kimmirut, Qikiqtarjuaq, Kugluktuk, Naujaat, and Cambridge Bay.
The council delivered RespectEd, a violence, bullying, and abuse prevention training, to our teachers in Igloolik, Hall Beach, Cape Dorset, Kugaaruk, Kimmirut, Naujaat, Taloyoak, and Rankin Inlet.
The Embrace Life Council has also been developing and adapting new programs, such as a Stewards of Children, the grief support group in Iqaluit, and a communications campaign to address and prevent teen dating violence, bullying, anger management, sexual abuse, addictions, and family violence.
Mr. Speaker, this year the Government of Nunavut is proud to partner with the Embrace Life Council to expand their service delivery. The council will now coordinate and deliver Uqaqatigiilluk! Talk About It!
the version of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, or ASIST, taught in Nunavut by Nunavummiut.
The GN has a decade long history of investing in ASIST, and continuous funding has been provided since 2009.
This year we are nearly tripling our investment. A full-time coordinator has been hired to improve communication with communities and support trainers.
The workshops will now be provided free, with interpreters, to community organizations who request it.
Trainings are scheduled in Gjoa Haven, Kugluktuk, and Iqaluit this fall.
The council will train new trainers February 6 to 10, 2017 and support these individuals through the certification process.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming an Uqaqatigiilluk! trainer or hosting a workshop in your community, I encouraged you to contact them today at www.inuusiq.com or call 1-866-804-2782.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to acknowledge Nunavut Arctic College’s prior involvement and continuing support for ASIST.
With their leadership, all of the nursing students will again take this valuable training.
Mr. Speaker, the Embrace Life Council has demonstrated experience in suicide prevention and intervention.
With the addition of ASIST, we are moving forward together to better integrate programs and services for Nunavummiut.
Minister’s Statement 201 – 4(3): Sport and Recreation Awards 2016 (Savikataaq)
It is my pleasure to congratulate the recipients of the Nunavut Sport and Recreation awards.
These awards were presented at a recent Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut (RPAN) Sport Awards gala.
Due to travel complications, I was unable to attend and in the spirit of cooperation, Minister Quassa stood in for me and I would like to thank him for that.
Each year the Sport and Recreation Division of the Department of Community and Government Services seeks the nomination of individuals who have shown outstanding commitment to developing sport in the territory.
This is a rare opportunity to acknowledge some of the many volunteers who contribute their time, energy, and expertise to sport and recreation programs at all levels.
This year’s 2016 Sport and Recreation Awards were presented to:
Sappa Cookie (Sanikiluaq) - Male Athlete of the Year
Matilda Pinksen (Iqaluit) - Female Athlete of the Year
Paatsaali Badminton Team (Sanikiluaq) - Team of the Year
Stephen Keoughan (Sanikiluaq) - Coach of the Year
Jonah Oolayou (Iqaluit) - Official of the Year
Joselyn Morrison (Iqaluit), Kim Masson (Iqaluit), and Gina Pizzo (Taloyoak) - Special Recognition Award for outstanding contribution to sport.
Fred Muise (Cambridge Bay) - Recreation Leadership Award
Kyle St. Laurent (Iqaluit) - First Air President’s Award of Excellence
Whale Cove Soccer Association - Community/Organization Achievement Award
Please join me in congratulating the award recipients as we acknowledge their accomplishments in Nunavut’s sport and recreation system.
Minister’s Statement 202 – 4(3): 2016 Cruise Ship Visits (Ell-Kanayuk)
This was a landmark year for cruise tourism development in Nunavut.
Between July and September the territory welcomed approximately 4,600 cruise passengers, which is an increase of over 1,000 from last year.
In total 11 cruise ships conducted 25 voyages throughout the territory with 59 planned community visits.
Most significantly the 1,000-passenger Crystal Serenity visited Nunavut this year.
The voyage resulted in a direct economic impact of $110,000 in Cambridge Bay and $35,000 in Pond Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, the Crystal Serenity’s voyage shows that cruise ships can have a significant economic impact on the communities they visit.
When passengers visit a community, they purchase carvings, prints, and handmade crafts.
They leave with a better understanding of Inuit culture.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as Nunavut’s cruise ship industry continues to grow, we must ensure that it brings long-term benefits for Nunavummiut.
This effort will involve communities, government, and the cruise industry itself.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation is in the first year of implementing a management plan to help communities benefit from cruise ship visits.
The department is also working on new Marine Tourism Regulations as part of the amendments to Nunavut’s tourism legislation.
Mr. Speaker, we are committed to ensuring that the cruise tourism sector is well managed and properly regulated and that it brings real economic opportunities for our communities.
We will then proceed with Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 374 – 4(3): 2016 High School Graduates of Naujaat (Mapsalak)
Good day, residents of Naujaat, Coral Harbour, and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce the completion of our beautiful new school in Naujaat, which opened and the first graduates from grade 12 were quite numerous, totalling 14 graduates and the entire community took pride in that.
After the ceremony I am very pleased to be able to announce that the students who graduated can now pursue their career opportunities that have opened for them.
Mr. Speaker, I will say the names:
Lidia Haqpi
Ben Jr. Malliki
Casey Akumalik
Neil Benoit Sateana
Pauline Immingark
Charmaine Putulik
Brenden Angotingoar
Veronica Uttak
Crysta Siusangnark
Suzanne Putulik
Katey Beth Mablik
Dave Kaunak
Jonathan Ijjangiaq, and
Rebecca Natar
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these individuals on their graduation. There were quite a few who graduated over the winter.
Member’s Statement 375 – 4(3): Apologies to the Minister of Health (Qirngnuq)
I would first like to send my regards to my fellow residents of Kugaaruk and the people of Taloyoak. Good afternoon to my colleagues.
I would like to say that it is my oldest sister’s birthday.
I wish her a wonderful day and many more birthdays to come.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to apologize for my question last Friday to the Minister of Health because it was inappropriate.
I would like to apologize to the minister in the House and to our fellow Nunavummiut.
I asked in English, (interpretation ends) “I wonder if our minister can speak to this issue and how to improve diagnostic methods or the health care system in our community.”
(interpretation) My question was as if the Minister of Health was an actual doctor that can make diagnoses and all, so I do apologize to the minister.
Member’s Statement 376 – 4(3): Pages from Qikiqtarjuaq (Keyootak)
Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to share in commending the youth who participated and to welcome them to the House.
There were several youth who are paging here, including the youth behind me.
They are Adam Nookiguak and the other page is my sister’s grandchild, whom I also refer to as my grandchild, Annie Nookiguak.
They will be serving as our pages.
This is the first time we’ve had students from our community, so I wanted to share this good news with my colleagues and to welcome them to the House.
We should extend our congratulations to our youth when they achieve something.
Member’s Statement 377 – 4(3): Cape Dorset DEA Reaction to Statement (Joanasie)
Good afternoon, Nunavummiut watching and listening to the proceedings.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the reaction from the Cape Dorset District Education Authority regarding their school language policies.
Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I wish to apologize to the DEA for not bringing this issue to their immediate attention last week after it was presented to me.
The fault was my own and I take full responsibility for any consequences resulting from this oversight.
Mr. Speaker, I do wish to emphasize that something has clearly gone terribly wrong when a student thinks that they will be reprimanded or disciplined for speaking Inuktitut.
Since making my statement last week, I have been contacted by other parents who have expressed similar concerns.
Obviously there are some mixed messages being passed around and we need to work together to get the right message out there.
Mr. Speaker, let me make it very clear that bullying in any way, shape, or form is not acceptable and whether it is in English, Inuktitut, French, or any other language.
Furthermore, speaking Inuktitut as an activity itself does not constitute bullying.
Mr. Speaker, I have contacted the chair of the DEA regarding this topic and I look forward to working with the DEA as well as with other education partners to address bullying and linguistic challenges in our schools.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation ends) Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Mr. Paul Okalik.
Members of my immediate family rarely visit the House. Today there is more than one relative and I want to acknowledge them here.
The first person is my maternal nephew who works for the RCMP and serves as the Chairperson of the Embrace Life Council, David Lawson.
Please welcome him to the gallery firstly.
Secondly my niece, who was recognized, I take great pride in her as she is very dedicated in her endeavours, Maatalii Okalik.
I was going to rise earlier for a (interpretation ends) Member’s Statement (interpretation) to acknowledge and recognize pages who attend Maani Ulujuk School in Rankin Inlet. They are Augatnaaq Eccles, Letticia Mercer, and my daughter Christine Sammurtok.
Today I wish to recognize my niece who is my sister’s daughter, Mary Nookiguak and her daughter, who is my mother’s namesake, Anne Nookiguak.
I wish to acknowledge them and welcome them to the House.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation ends) Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. George Hickes.
As I had said in my Minister’s Statement, I was talking about some of the great work that the Embrace Life Council has been providing to Nunavummiut.
I would just like to take the time to formally recognize here in the House, we have Kim Masson, the Executive Director of the Embrace Life Council of the board, as well as Sergeant David Lawson with the RCMP “V” Division here in Iqaluit, who is the President of the Embrace Life Council, and I’m sure not a stranger to this House, Ms. Sheila Levy, Vice-president of the Embrace Life Council board.
All these three were very much involved in the recent suicide prevention conference that just finished.
I just learned they finished that conference and then they went into a meeting for their own board the next day.
The work that they are providing to Nunavummiut is non-stop.
I would like to take this opportunity to invite all members to visit. There’s a display in the foyer at the legislature here with the number of initiatives and information that the Embrace Life Council has been working on and information that members may wish to share with their constituents back home.
Member for (interpretation ends) Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, Mr. Tom Sammurtok.
I would also like to recognize someone who was already recognized. Nonetheless, I would like to recognize my niece, Christine Sammurtok, (interpretation ends) my other niece Sue Mercer, and Augatnaaq Eccles. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Welcome to the gallery. Welcome to all the pages.
I would first like to wish the people of Igloolik a good day.
Today I would like to recognize this individual, although she was already recognized.
Our youth are very capable now in Nunavut and they’re also very visible and show the strength of their capabilities.
They can represent the people of Nunavut, even though they are very young.
They can now be recognized at the United Nations, for which we’re indeed proud.
There is a person who already was recognized. I am very proud of Maatalii Okalik. Welcome to the gallery, along with other young people who represent our future leadership.
I am glad to see they are preparing for the future just like Maatalii Okalik, a role model.
Let’s always be proud of our youth and I wish them a happy day.
Nunavummiut should be proud and support our youth.
Question 506 – 4(3): Legalization of Marijuana (Mikkungwak)
(interpretation ends) There was a meeting last month of federal, provincial, and territorial ministers of justice that took place in Halifax.
Our minister participated in this meeting.
The official announcement from the FPT meeting indicated that, and I quote, “Ministers also agreed to continue to work together to address issues leading up to the legalization of marijuana for non-medical use.”
Can the minister explain what kind of work he is doing with respect to the issue of marijuana legalization?
Yes, the justice ministers did have a good discussion about marijuana legislation in Halifax. They were very productive meetings.
It’s good to hear and see what everybody else is discussing and what their concerns are.
With respect to what our department has done, we have made a presentation and met with the task force on the legalization of marijuana. We met with them in August.
There are so many dates running through my head. It was August of this year. We gave them our presentation and outlined some of our concerns.
The other two territories were there as well, the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
We have not given any political direction to the government as yet.
I believe the task force is to issue a preliminary report some time this month.
All of the provinces and territories are waiting with bated breath to hear what the task force says based on all the consultations and meetings across Canada.
As the minister is very much aware, section 26 of the federal Nunavut Act gives us the authority to “make laws respecting the importation of intoxicants into Nunavut from any other place in Canada or elsewhere and defining what constitutes an intoxicant for the purposes of those laws.”
For example, our territorial Liquor Act allows for communities to hold votes to determine whether or not to allow free access to alcohol, restrict access to alcohol through the work of alcohol education committees, or to prohibit alcohol altogether.
What is the Government of Nunavut’s position with respect to the ability of communities to hold similar votes regarding marijuana?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Mikkungwak is way out in front of us on that.
As I said, we made a presentation to the task force and the other two territories.
We are waiting for the task force preliminary report.
I haven’t given any political direction to the cabinet with respect to legislation for Nunavut.
We most certainly haven’t given much consideration to the distribution of marijuana in the communities.
I do recall from the FPT that if the Government of Canada introduces that legislation in the spring of 2017, all the provinces and territories did urge the federal minister that we will probably need what we are referring to as a gap period of 12 to 24 months for all provinces and territories to respond to how they would address the legalization of marijuana and distribution in their respective jurisdictions.
Earlier this year the federal government established a task force on marijuana legalization and regulation.
The task force issued a discussion paper on this subject, which I have reviewed with care.
One of the issues that governments across the country are facing is how to regulate the sale of marijuana in a legalized environment.
For example, Ontario has expressed interest in selling marijuana through government-owned liquor stores.