EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
034 – 2(4): Adjournment for the Day (Tootoo) 4079
Bill 29 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2008-09 – Notice 4076
Bill 30 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2008-2009 – Notice 4076
Bill 30 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2008-2009 – First Reading 4077
Bill 29 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2008-2009 – First Reading 4077
Bill 29 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2008-2009 – Second Reading 4078
Bill 30 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2008-2009 – Second Reading 4078
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. James Arvaluk, Honourable Levi Barnabas, Honourable Levinia Brown, Mr. Tagak Curley, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Honourable Patterk Netser, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Edward Picco, Mr. David Simailak, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (interpretation): Good day.
Before we proceed with the Orders of the Day, I am pleased to have the opportunity to welcome all Members back to the House and make a few remarks.
I would like to begin by noting that today marks the 365th sitting day of the Legislative Assembly since our first sitting on April 1, 1999.
Today marks the 365th sitting day, so we have now reached the milestone of a full year’s worth of sitting days.
Colleagues, I am very pleased to inform the House today of a great achievement on the part of a young resident of our territory.
As members will recall, Iqaluit resident and Inuksuk High School student, Seané d’Argencourt-Printup, participated in the first Speaker’s Youth Parliament, which was held in 2006.
I am extremely pleased to announce that, and she’s sitting on our left there, Seané has been selected to begin serving as a page in the House of Commons this fall.
The House of Commons Page Program is a highly prestigious national program. Each year, approximately 40 students graduating from high schools across the country are selected to work as pages in the House of Commons while attending their first year of university in the National Capital Region.
The selection process for this program is based on merit and is very competitive.
I understand that Seané is the first resident of Nunavut to have been selected for this program since the creation of the territory.
I would ask all members to join me in congratulating Seané on her accomplishment, and wish her the best in her university studies and her work in Parliament.
So we’re proud of you, Seané.
Colleagues, I am also pleased to inform the House that earlier this month, students from across Nunavut travelled to Iqaluit to participate in the Second Youth Parliament.
The students took part in a week of activities, including a formal sitting in this Chamber during which the students made statements, posed questions, passed a motion and considered a bill.
I was very proud of all of our students and the hard work that they put into expressing their ideas and concerns.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank both the Commissioner of Nunavut and the Senior Judge of the Nunavut Court of Justice for their participation in the event, and I ask all members to join me in congratulating this year’s participants, who are the leaders of tomorrow.
Before we proceed to the Orders of the Day, I wish to read the following communication from the Commissioner of Nunavut addressed to the Speaker.
I wish to advise you that I recommend the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut the passage of the following bills during the Fourth Session of the Second Legislative Assembly:
Bill 29, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2008-2009
Bill 30, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2008-2009
Signed by our Commissioner, Anne Meekitjuk Hanson.
Minister’s Statement 174 – 2(4): United States Fish and Wildlife Service Decision on Polar Bears (Akesuk)
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members, people of Iqaluit for being receptive, and also to the people of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, recent weeks have seen major developments regarding polar bears, developments with serious implications for Nunavut.
The first decision on polar bears came from the COSEWIC, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.
COSEWIC, using some of the very best science and traditional knowledge available, decided to continue with their current assessment on polar bears. That is as a “species of special concern.”
I understand that this listing is not to the liking of some people in Nunavut. However, I believe this to be the best and most accurate of the options the committee had to choose from. This recommendation will be sent to the federal Environment Minister, John Baird, who will make a decision on how polar bears should be listed.
I will urge him to accept this recommendation and to work with Nunavut on the development of a management plan for polar bears.
However, the more serious news came on May 14 with the United States government decision to list polar bears as a “threatened” species.
The Government of Nunavut strongly disagrees with this assessment.
We lobbied hard against this, sending officials to Washington to present our scientific information and traditional knowledge to show our polar bears are thriving and are at near record levels.
We have one of the best wildlife management programs in the world when it comes to polar bears and nothing in the U.S. decision will change that.
Unfortunately, the extensive pressure on the United States government from lobby groups, along with differing science, made them go with a threatened listing.
Although we are still examining the specifics of the U.S. decision, we know this will have a direct impact on our sport hunting industry as American hunters will not be able to take their trophies home.
The GN will pursue all available options to ensure that the US listing has a minimum effect on communities relying on income from polar bear sport hunts. We will be working with the outfitters and we would like to get assistance from Nunavummiut as well as my colleagues here in the House to ensure that this is well planned.
Minister’s Statement 175 – 2(4): Update on Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (Picco)
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to provide the House and Nunavummiut with an update on our progress with addressing the recommendations made by the Auditor General of Canada last year on the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students, or our FANS program.
First, Mr. Speaker, we are recognizing the higher cost associated with attending post-secondary education.
Mr. Speaker, effective July 1, the living allowances for eligible students will increase by 25 percent.
What this means, Mr. Speaker, for the single student a monthly increase of over $200 and for an eligible student with three dependants, having $420 more in their pocket.
Mr. Speaker, maximum tuition benefits will now also increase by over $600 per semester to $1,850.
Mr. Speaker, second, I am pleased to advise that regarding student loans, we are promoting the notion of students returning to live and work in Nunavut through our remissions program.
A student may be eligible for $750 of their loan to be forgiven for every three months they work and live in Nunavut after graduating.
Mr. Speaker, we are also examining the means to address long outstanding loans that quite frankly, Mr. Speaker, we expect not to be able to recover.
Third, Mr. Speaker, later I will table the Goals and Objectives for the FANS program. The Auditor General’s report clearly identified the need to have these spelled out.
I believe, Mr. Speaker, that the goals and objectives, which also include a statement of what we hold to be post-secondary here in Nunavut, will give solid direction and identity for the program as it moves ahead.
Mr. Speaker, I think my colleagues would agree that we have made good progress with improving our FANS program. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 418 – 2(4): Update Riding on Personal Health Improvement (Tapardjuk)
I rise today to inform my colleagues that we had heard of incidents in Hall Beach and in Igloolik.
Last week, I got ill last week and I went to Winnipeg with the Ilagiisaq group to hold their meeting.
I was very well taken care of during the time when I was sick.
I was admitted to the hospital but I want to tell you that Leona Aglukkaq’s hospital is almost like a hotel.
I would also like to inform my colleagues that I am well now and I will be able to work on my constituency work and also as a Member of Cabinet.
I would like to thank the individuals who cared for me and I would also like to thank them for their prayers.
Also, I would like to inform the people who had lost their relative, our prayers are with you, you are in our thoughts and we send our condolences.
Member’s Statement 419 – 2(4): Congratulations to Seané d’Argencourt-Printup (Tootoo)
I, too, would like to say it’s nice to see everyone here again.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my voice to yours in congratulating Ms. Seané d’Argencourt-Printup for being selected to participate in the House of Commons Page Program.
Mr. Speaker, as you indicated, Seané is no stranger to our Parliamentary Precinct.
She has been a page here in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut and almost two years ago, she was the MLA for Iqaluit Centre in Nunavut’s First Youth Parliament.
Mr. Speaker, I was very impressed with Seané’s work as a Youth Parliamentarian and that’s not just because she was playing my role. She did a great job.
Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to write a letter of reference in support of Seané’s application to the House of Commons Page Program and even more pleased to learn of her acceptance into the program.
I know that one of the challenges she faced in getting into the program was studying French and I know that she had to study very hard to be able to meet the requirements necessary to work there, so I would like to congratulate her on that effort.
Mr. Speaker, this will be a wonderful opportunity for her while she goes on to post-secondary studies in Ottawa.
I’m sure, Mr. Speaker, that she has been here in our Assembly as a Youth Parliamentarian, a page, she’s going to be in the House of Commons and it wouldn’t surprise me in the future to see her sitting here as a member or in the House of Commons as a member down there.
Mr. Speaker, I also, like you, would like to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating her and wishing her the best in every success in the coming year.
We congratulate her and wish her the very best.
Member’s Statement 420 – 2(4): Congratulations to Georgina Ningark, Kuugaruk Graduate (Mapsalak)
I rise today to congratulate a young woman who recently graduated from grade 12 in Kugaaruk.
Mr. Speaker, Ms. Georgina Ningark, who is my sister’s daughter, just recently graduated from the Kugaardjuq Ilihakvik in Kugaaruk.
I am very proud of her and I congratulate her, and I’m sure her parents and grandparents are very proud of her.
Mr. Speaker, education is very important, so I urge our students to stay in school and graduate from high school. I would like to commend Georgina for her hard work.
Mr. Speaker, I had plans to attend Georgina’s graduation ceremony, unfortunately, the weather conditions at the time did not permit me to attend.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Georgina and to wish her the best in her future.
Member’s Statement 421 – 2(4): Congratulations to Shannon McCarthy in Baker Lake (Simailak)
I send my regards to the people of Baker Lake, especially my adopted son as he is probably watching us live.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a teacher in Baker Lake and I know the Minister of Education and all Members in the House, and in fact, all people of Baker Lake and all of Nunavut would join me in congratulating Shannon McCarthy, a teacher in Baker Lake, who went to Ottawa last week to accept the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.
Shannon has been teaching in Baker Lake since January of 2000, teaching grade four for the first four years and since then, has been teaching two different classes of kindergarten students each day and has also been doing kinder-atii once a month for future kindergarten students.
So on behalf of all the people of Baker Lake and the people of Nunavut, Shannon, congratulations. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 422 – 2(4): American Listing of Polar Bears as Threatened Species (Arvaluk)
I am quite troubled and unhappy as I make this statement.
On May 21, 2008, we saw and heard on CBC that polar bears in the U.S., or in the eyes of the U.S. Government, are a threatened species and will now be listed.
The Premier’s office wrote a letter on May 14 to the American Government in regard to their attempts to put polar bears on the list and that there’s no scientific or IQ basis for this listing and that they’re not listening to their own experts.
Also, the Alaskan people have stated that they will sue the American Government for listing the polar bears as threatened for the following reason. The Alaskan Government stated that the polar bear population is increasing and Nunavut has the same statement about population increases.
The people of Alaska know what they’re saying because they are the first people to witness the increasing numbers of bears in their state.
Further, the scientists in Alaska are stating the same thing.
The second reason, Mr. Speaker, why they listed the polar bear as a threatened species is supposedly due to the shrinking ice which they inhabit.
On the other hand, they also stated that this designation of polar bears will not impact the petroleum industry in Alaska.
How can they pretend to protect the polar bears by listing them but yet, on the other hand, they’re allowing big polluters to continue in that area and that’s problematic since it make little sense.
When we get to Question Period, I will be asking the Premier as to the plans of the Government of Nunavut in respect to this issue and in trying to protect their constituents’ interests.
Member’s Statement 423 – 2(4): Congratulations to Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak High School Graduates (Aglukkaq)
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (interpretation): Nice to see everyone back.
Before I begin with my member’s statement, I send my condolences to the residents of Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven who recently lost a loved one.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I would also like to send my mother had birthday greetings for her birthday on May 15 and it was recently Mother’s Day, so mom, if you are listening, I wish you a very happy birthday and I hope that you had a great Mother’s Day, even though you got stuck travelling on your way to Ottawa.
I rise today to speak about the graduating students in Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak, and mention their names on their graduation on April 24. In Gjoa Haven, 11 students graduated and I would like to mention their names and congratulate them on their success.
Their names are: Robin Ikkutisluk, Jorgen Kogvik, Warren Ulluaq, Jeremy Bergen, George Porter, Nancy Eleheetook, Jennifer Ulluaq, Natasha Aaluk, Heather Arqvik, Valerie Kogvik and Howie Aaluk.
I congratulate them for graduating and to recognize their achievements.
As well, the Minister of Education was trying to get to Gjoa Haven but he wasn’t able to make it, and I would like to thank him for his effort to try and get there, but his letter was read in our graduation ceremony as he could not attend due to bad weather. So I would like to thank him for his efforts to try and be there.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would also like to mention that the “Citizens Award” was also presented to a graduate, Valerie Kogvik, and the Governor General’s Award for Excellence in Academics was also awarded to Heather Arqvik of the graduates in Gjoa Haven.
Finally, I would also like to congratulate four of the students that graduated from the Netsilik School in Taloyoak in May. Congratulations to: Eunice Panigayak, Dennis Lyall, Freddy Mannilaq and Simon Oleekatallik. And I wasn’t able to attend the graduation due to other commitments.
Mr. Speaker, that’s a total of 15 graduates from these two communities this year.
I would also like to congratulate two Nunavut Sivuniksavut graduates, Megan Porter and Susie Kununak.
Speaker (interpretation): I’m sorry, Ms. Aglukkaq, but your time is up.
If you would like to conclude your statement, you may ask members for unanimous consent.
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Mr. Speaker, I was done with my statement.
I would like to inform you that we didn’t catch the last part of your statement because your mic was turned off.
Member’s Statement 424 – 2(4): Truth and Reconciliation for Residential School Victims (Curley)
It is so nice out that one feels like not attending meetings this fine spring day, but we have to be able to finish our business of the House and I’m happy to be here today, Mr. Speaker.
The reason why I rise, Mr. Speaker, is to remember many people that went to residential school when there were no schools in the communities in Nunavut and there are a lot of them.
They have grave issues which they hold mentally and many have regrets that they were taken away from their siblings and parents at such a young age.
Many of them had their lives interrupted and many students went to just a few schools.
To date, they are dealing with grim issues and we see them very depressed. They have many stories of the abuse they suffered but they cannot voice them since it’s so painful.
For that reason, Mr. Speaker, I would like to let you know that the Prime Minister will be apologizing to residential school students that went to school on June 11 and I expect that this is just the beginning of the healing cycle.
We have to assist the people that went to residential schools as young people, but who are now adults; we have to help them out.
We cannot state unequivocally that we cannot assist them because this is a federal responsibility.
This is the responsibility of all of us; these are our relatives and our people we are talking about.
The Prime Minister will be helping the residential school students and I would like the Nunavut government to try to support those people that went to residential school.
There should be a former student attending in the House of Commons on June the 11 during the apology.
Our territory is the largest in Canada and we have three regions - Kitikmeot, Kivalliq, and Qikiqtaaluk.
They should choose a representative who will listen to the Prime Minister’s apology firsthand and I want the Premier to assist that person with financial resources, such as airfare and if this is possible, Nunavummiut will be very grateful.
If there are no more, we will return to the Orders of the Day.
Question 524 – 2(4): Status of GN Response to U.S. Ruling on Polar Bears (Arvaluk)
My questions are for the Premier.
Last week, Nunavut reacted with shock and disappointment at the ill-informed decision on the part of the U.S. Government to list polar bears as a threatened species.
In his official news release in response to this decision, the Premier indicated that the GN will “examine the ruling before deciding on its next course of action.”
Can the Premier update the House today on the government’s next steps?
I have been directed by the government to make a response on the polar bear issue.
To date, we will continue to work on this and there are daily arrivals of letters about polar bears. We also saw in the news about the Alaskan Government’s stance on polar bears and we would like to support Alaska as the Government of Nunavut.
We will review our options as to how we can support the people of Alaska in their court case.
We would also publicize our positions and the facts surrounding the polar bears.
We are still deliberating, as a government, as to what our options are and if our government directs us to undertake more work, we will try to accomplish that.
I have another question to the same minister, the Minister of Environment, even though I tried to ask the Premier earlier.
You stated that the State of Alaska shares our concern with the decision of the U.S. Government and plans to go to court on this matter.
There is nothing that states that the population of polar bears is decreasing, even though there’s an indication that it’s increasing.
Can the minister indicate how the Government of Nunavut is working with those of Alaska and the NWT to join forces on this issue?
As I stated today, we have tried to discuss the issues with these governments, along with my colleague for Environment, Minister Netser, just prior to him being given the Environment portfolio, and he went to discuss the issue with these people.
Yesterday, we finally understood that the people of Alaska will be taking the American Government to court on this issue and I feel that this is very important for the people of Nunavut, so we will be paying very close attention to this, both my staff and other departmental staff, as to how we can provide more support to them. It would be good to get more information on this as soon as we can, at least with the court case.
Like I said, the federal minister will be talking about this issue in August or September as to what the designation of the polar bears will be here in Canada.
We will work hard with our fellow Canadians to try and support the Government of Alaska that will be taking the American Government to court.
As you stated, the federal minister will be talking about this issue and will study this around September.
Has the federal government voiced their stance with the Government of Nunavut on this issue, as well as their future plans and whether they will assist Nunavut?
They have not made a statement yet, but there will be a conference next week or the week after where they will discuss the polar bear issue for Canada as a whole.
We will get a better understanding once our officials, who are attending this meeting, submit a report on what transpired.
However, I wanted to reference what our Premier stated when we had dinner with Minister Baird and we spoke about the polar bear issue. The Premier expressed his concerns about the issue.
As well, I told the minister that I would like to be able to meet with him next month about the polar bear issue and once we have come to an understanding, I will inform the House and the members what’s happening on this issue and what our government position is on this.
The Member for Parliament from Nunavut has also encouraged the members to write letters to the American Government about our concerns on the polar bear issue. We will also work on this matter as our MP has requested assistance from us on this issue.
Sport hunting is a major economic activity in the High Arctic. My community of Pond Inlet will be directly affected if we suffer a reduction in the number of sport hunters coming from the U.S.
Recently, the Premier signed an agreement with the federal government that will provide $3.8 million over three years from the Community Development Trust to help “assist communities in dealing with shifts in the global tourism market, working with community-based outfitters and guides.”
Can the minister indicate to me today what compensation the GN will be providing to Nunavut outfitters and guides who are directly impacted by the U.S. decision?
As I said in my Minister’s Statement, the Government of Nunavut is looking at how they can alleviate impacts that we’re feeling in Nunavut with regards to American sport hunters coming to Nunavut. They inject approximately $1.8 million per year, so we are looking at ways to lessen the impact on our outfitters
The Government of Nunavut will look at how we can lessen the impact of the decreased number of American hunters coming up here on our Nunavut businesses and people.
The Government of Nunavut will be working on that to try and minimize the impacts of this decision.
Question 525 – 2(4): Status of the GN’s Fuel Price Hedging Strategy and Affordable Energy Fund (Tootoo)
Mr. Speaker, I think we all know that the world price of oil continues to hit new records.
I believe yesterday or this morning it rose to $133 U.S. per barrel and there appears, and I’m sure Mr. Picco will agree with me, there is no end in sight, as he had predicted last year.