EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
According to my understanding the planning is going to take a lot of time, according to his answer he said they would strike a subcommittee working with NTI.
Mr. Speaker, my question is, have they already planned and started the committees for this.
Minister for Culture, Language, Elders & Youth and Status of Women.
At this time I cannot respond to his question.
As you have heard before there was going to be a Task Force, I won’t really answer this right now but I am going to dealing with this issue when we are talking about the budget.
Also we are going to be talking about Culture, Language, Elders & Youth and it is linked to this issue, so we will be talking about these things during the budget.
The funding we are talking about will be discussed during the budget session but he also indicated that the funding is in the planning stages at this time.
I would like to ask the minister when the Task Force will be given the funding and when we would be able to complete this planning stage.
When will the Task Force actually start their duties.
I responded to him that we would be discussing that in the budget.
When the budget is tabled we will give you a definite answer to your question. The question you asked I will try to answer more clearly in the budget session.
Member for Iqaluit Centre, Mr. Tootoo.
Question 261- 1(3): Overall Cost Increase of Transporting Fuel
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for Public Works and Services.
I would like to thank the minister for providing a cost breakdown per community for fuel and the transportation costs for last year.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister if she could give us a total number of what it cost, if it cost us 50 thousand or 100 thousand, if she has a figure as to what the overall costs were to us for the increase in transportation costs for the fuel.
Minister responsible for Public Works, Telecommunications, Technical Services & Housing, Ms. Thompson.
Perhaps if he could clarify his question.
There are 26 communities in Nunavut that actually get their fuel transported so I would like for him to clarify his question.
In my response to his question it states that the diesel went up by 1 cent and gasoline the price went up by 1 cent and there was no change for Jet A1.
I would like to get further clarification on his question because we transport fuel to 26 communities in Nunavut.
Is that your question for the whole 26 communities.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Madame Minister Thompson.
Could you clarify your question please.
Mr. Speaker, my question on February 17th, Oral Question 152 – 1(3) where I asked how much more we had to pay for transportation costs for this year over last year with fuel.
The minister gave us a breakdown as to how much more the cost was per litre for diesel and per litre for gasoline and indicated that Jet A1 was no change.
Mr. Speaker, I was asking the minister if she could provide a number on how much it costs all together, total costs, how much more it cost for the transportation of fuel this year over last year.
I hope that is cleared up.
Mr. Speaker, it is self-explanatory in my reply.
Mr. Speaker, it is already stated in here that the cost for fuel products went up by 1 cent and the only one that didn’t change was Jet A1 fuel.
All these numbers and figures, we would have to add up all the totals from the previous years to compare to this current year and I don’t have that documentation right here in front of me.
So I don’t have that document in front of me, but I have replied to your question on the transportation costs for fuel products and how much the increase was.
It is stated in my response.
As every one of the members are aware, we don’t have all the detailed information right in front of us, so I won’t be able to respond to your question right away so I will take it as notice.
I understand you have taken the question as notice.
Member for Uqqumiut, Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Question 262- 1(3): Social Worker for Clyde River
As we both received a letter from my home community that we don’t have a social worker in my community, I would like to know if this position is going to be filled soon.
Mr. Speaker, I did receive a letter just recently over the past two weeks from the Mayor of Clyde River indicating his concern that the social worker position in Clyde River has been vacant for quite a while.
Indeed, Mr. Speaker, when I was in Clyde the member raised the concern at that time.
My understanding, Mr. Speaker, from the information provided to me is that the position has been vacant for quite a while and that no qualified applicant has come forward.
It has been advertised and after receiving the letter from the Mayor, Mr. Speaker, we have gone back down to the Department of Health and Social Services to see if we could re-advertise to find a qualified person to fill the social worker position.
But, Mr. Speaker, I should let you know that we have been having some difficulty over the past several months filling social worker positions here in Nunavut.
Yes, I truly believe your response that it is a fact.
However, as residents of Nunavut usually we have to be qualified and certified people in order to get a job.
The Nunavut Government has already stated that we don’t want to see too many certifications.
In my community I have spoken to a person who applied for a job and that person was complaining about why did we hire a person from outside of our community.
This was his concern.
If we are not going to be hiring local people just because they are not certified then we are not going to be learning anything.
As the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services I think you have to start being more sensitive to the local people.
Even though they are not certified they can be very capable workers.
Mr. Speaker, I agree with the member.
Earlier I had mentioned that the head of the social workers association for Nunavut and the Northwest Territories and the Yukon was here.
Mr. Speaker, just recently a person who has worked for 30 years in the social work field, with no formal training, was just honoured for her work.
So I agree with what the member is saying, is that it is not all about academics.
After saying that Mr. Speaker, we want to make sure the person that we put into the community is qualified and able to apply the Child Welfare Act and other Acts that a social worker has to understand to be able to get the job.
Mr. Speaker, we are trying to train local people for the jobs.
I think there are 3 people right now who are almost completed their diploma in social work in Igloolik and some other people who are finishing off their program in Cambridge Bay.
Hopefully some of these people we may be able to look at opportunities to place them in some of our vacant communities.
Those people are all from the north.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Picco.
Member for Uqqumiut riding, Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Yes I truly believe in his response, but today we say that as Members of the Legislative Assembly for Nunavut, that we would like to incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in our system.
In regards to the Child Welfare Act, are we also going to be utilizing Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit when we do our training program for Child Welfare, because I am sure it is going to be very beneficial.
Minster responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, as the member knows there are some of these issues coming forward concerning Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in the budget in regards to the Department of Health and Social Services.
I don’t want to get into the details right now as Mr. Ng will table that budget tomorrow and we are going to have the opportunity to debate that in the House.
But what I want to say to the member, and to the members of this House, is that our Department of Health and Social Services believe in Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and we are trying to put in a regime so that we will be able to encompass Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in the daily aspects of our employment.
Not only at the hospital, but with nurses, doctors and social workers and so on.
That is a large task and the member had asked about the position of social worker.
Mr. Speaker, I will move as quickly as possible to try and fill that position in Clyde River as we are trying to fill some of the other positions, in Kimmirut for example, I am sure the other member will be asking about that this afternoon.
So Mr. Speaker, we are trying to act and Mr. Speaker, we are trying to put in place Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and there are some good additions coming forward in the budget.
Member for Akulliq, Mr. Alakannuark.
Question 263- 1(3): Incorporation of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit to Programs
I just wondered when you are going to incorporate the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit to the elders programs and services.
I am sorry I did not quite hear your entire question.
Perhaps you could rephrase please.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Minister Havioyak.
Member for Akulliq.
The question is that when we finished with the Main Estimates, the development of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit was going to be implemented.
When will the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit be developed into the Culture, Language, Elders & Youth programs.
I understand the question now.
I answered earlier to another member that we can’t give a definite answer right now until the budget has been tabled.
That’s when I can give you a definite answer when we are dealing with the budget.
My particular question is in regards to elders and youth programs.
They would like to be able to communicate with one and other and because we have such a big generation gap between the two, we want to be able to move them closer together so that they can work together as youth and elders.
The youth today will have to be encouraged by elders to be able to survive in today’s world.
I am not really questioning the minister about the funding part but when will he put the programs out for elders and youth.
I just wanted to make it as simple as possible that the programs that we are working on right now in regards to Culture, Language, Elders & Youth, as I stated in Rankin in our last sitting that when elders and youth had their conference in Baffin and Kivalliq regions, I would like to see that we have a good working program for elders and youth so that they can work together.
If we get a proper policy and program in front of them and something that they can work with.
Nowadays not every elder can read and write and some can’t even write in Inuinnaqtun and so we are going to have to work on this program very carefully.
That is why we have these elders and youth conferences so that they can work together on some sort of a policy.
This policy is just about completed and I will be tabling this once the policy is completed as to how it is going to work in the future.
We all know that when people cannot read and write in English we have to try and help them.
Also the youth don’t have an idea what to do in regards to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit so we have to try and make this policy very carefully.
Question 264- 1(3): Elders and Youth Funding
This is to the same minister, of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
I hear your response to the questions from the member, but today it has been very evident that the youth and the elders cannot communicate as effectively as they should.
I just wondered what is being done to get the youth and the elders closer.
Is there any funding to make sure that the elders and the youth are communicating effectively together.
Yes I understand your question that the elders and youth have problems communicating nowadays.
I just want to say this once again, I am going to use this for an example.
And that is why we are trying hard to develop this policy.
That way we can get proper programmes for the elders and youth and they can use to learn one another.
So the youth will also be helping elders in return.
I appreciate the response from the Minister.
And I would like to ask another question.
How are going to set up a program whereby the elders and the youth can teach each other.
Do you have a particular place for them to meet.
Speaker (interpretation): The minister for Culture, Language, Elders & Youth, Mr. Havioyak.
Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation) Thank you Mr. Speaker.
I take your question very seriously.
There are different communities in Nunavut.
My department's responsibility is for that.
Once again I'm going say we still don’t have the program put together right now.
I'm sending out letters to each community.
We need help from the Hamlets to find out what kind of information they can help us with.
That is why we are trying to get this program going.
That is why we are asking help from the Hamlets.
I still don't have a lot of responses from the Hamlets but as soon as I gather all the information from the Hamlets, I'll be able to answer your question properly.
The member for Iqaluit Centre, Mr. Tootoo.
Question 265 - 1(3): Terms of Fuel Contract
Again, I would like to thank the Minister for providing a return to my oral question on the process used for the purchase of fuels.
I would like to ask the minister, in her reply she talks about a 3 year contract expiring October 15th 2001.
I'd like to ask the Minister when that contract came into place and for what season.
The Minister responsible for Public Works and Housing, Ms. Thompson.
I would like to thank the member for appreciating my response.
If you look at the written response that I gave it said up to 3 years but I don’t have the information as to when it came in to place.
Perhaps it is to 2001 from 1999.
I think perhaps it’s my mistake that it was in 1998 but if you count from that year to October 15th, 2001 it seems like it is very elementary to figure it out.
Mr. Speaker, then I just want to confirm that the minister has stated the contract was in place for the 98-99 season.
Is that a correct understanding of her answer.
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker, what I'm saying is the contract will expire October 31st, 2001.
Everybody knows that the contract was issued 1998-99.
This contract was issued just before the Nunavut Government but I don't know which date it was because we got our Nunavut Government in 1999 when the contract was already issued.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Ms. Minister.
Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to make sure it was in place for the 1998-1999 shipping season.
On her first reply, it showed a 1-cent increase for gasoline.
In the minister's second reply, it also states that the cold transportation rate will be fixed over the duration of the contract.
If that's the case, I would like to know why there is an increase.
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): I apologize, during the last session in Rankin Inlet, we had a 3 day session on petroleum products and there were a lot of questions being raised.
I know we haven't answered all the questions that were raised then.
What we understand right now is that the contract for this will be a 3-year contract.
However, we will probably have to get more information on this item because we all know that we don't have all the answers in front of us.
I think all the members know this as well.
However, this is quite self-explanatory because there have hardly been any increases.
Or if there were any they were very minimal.
When I responded to that question that was raised there was just a 1-cent increase in gasoline so I don't anticipate any increases in the future.
However, I'll look into this again and if the member wants all the statistics I can provide them for him.
But, however I would like to talk to him before this.
Mr. Speaker, before I continue on with my questions I would like to move to extend question period.
Speaker (interpretation): The member is seeking unanimous consent to extend question period.
There are no nays, so we extend question period for one hour.
Mr. Speaker, I guess I just wanted to get this clarified.
My question is for the Minister responsible for Public Works.
It appears in two oral replies there is conflicting information.
I would just like to ask if she can clarify that and provide us with the information.
I believe she took this as notice.
I just wanted to confirm that.
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker, if the returns to oral questions are conflicting then I'll get back to the member.
The minister is saying she'll look into this and get back to the member.
Member for Tunnuniq.
Question 266 - 1(3): Future Plans for Training Office
Mr. Speaker, I am directing my question to the Minister of Education.
In Pond Inlet, there are people in the teacher training program and they'll be completing their studies this spring.
I would like to know what plans there are for the office they are training in.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Education.
Mr. Speaker, I don't own the building.
Perhaps the Minister of Public Works can answer the question more appropriately.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister for Public Works, Ms. Thompson.
I apologize my mind is still on petroleum products.
I didn't quite get the question from the member.
Can the member for Tunnuniq clarify the question.
I apologize for not paying attention to the question.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Nutarak can you clarify the question please.
There are some students in Pond Inlet taking a teacher training program and they're utilizing a portable school there.
I just wanted to know what kind of plans they have for after they are finished with this building because the students will be finished this spring.
What plans do they have for this building in the future.
I would like to get an answer from the Minister of Public Works if she can provide a response.
Hon Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Thank you Mr Speaker.
Yes, I understand the question.
The building that is being used at the time, perhaps, I would like to find out who in their community would be interested in using this building or purchasing the building.
Perhaps the member could indicate who might be interested in utilizing the facility.
Then I can answer his question properly.
Member for South Baffin, Mr. Akesuk.
Question 267 - 1(3): Renovation Assistance for Homeowners
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): My question is directed to the Minister of Housing.
The buildings that Inuit have owned, like the HAP housing, are getting very old.
I know people that own these private houses, which are ageing, and they want to renovate but are not working.
They can't afford to build extensions.
The Inuit started owning these HAP houses many years ago.
So I was wondering what plans the Minister of Housing has in regards to that.
I think we all understand in here that the budget speech has not been delivered yet this session.
So, I'm not comfortable in discussing what kind of plans we have until we see the budget.
I think we all know today that we cannot respond in detail until we see the budget.
Mr Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
The way I understand it is they were not prepared last year.
Is that the case.
He was asking the question if there will be any funding for HAP housing programmes and now he is asking if there were any plans from last year's budget for improvements for HAP housing.
But we cannot appropriately answer at this time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Minister Thompson.
Mr Akesuk: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
I was asking if the Minister or her department was prepared or preparing a plan to help the homeowners of the old HAP houses to improve their housing.
Some of the homeowners require funding but they have to put in a request for funding to go to the communities, particularly for HAP housing programs.
I don't have the statistics right now for which communities received funding for improvements, but that was usually the case before.
I think this is something that the local housing associations and our department will do together because we are lacking funding for each and every one of the communities that need improvements.
Perhaps there are some people who cannot afford to own homes in the communities and there are people who are not interested in purchasing homes because they cannot afford them.
But, we are trying to go forward with this program.
Back to Orders of the day.
Member for Hudson Bay.
Question 268 - 1(3): Sanikiluaq Fuel Capacity
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): During the October session I asked this question previously and I will be asking the same question to the Minister responsible for Petroleum Products.
In my community spring is in the air and I hear it is plus 2 today.
So, spring is definitely in the air.
Last fall, our fuel tanks were not filled to capacity.
Therefore I would like to ask the Minister for Petroleum Products if the fuel that was shipped last year will be enough for this season.
Minister responsible for Petroleum Products, Ms. Thompson.
My colleagues would also like to be asked questions.
In regards to the member’s question, the fuel tank has to be improved that’s why they did not fill it to capacity.
When it is filled to capacity we cannot make improvements to the tanks or maintain them.
So, I would like to assure the community that they should not be concerned if the fuel supply does not seem to be adequate enough for spring hunting.
We can ship and transport this spring if the fuel supply is not adequate.
But we have kept tabs on whether the fuel supply is going to be adequate or not.
At this point in time we are not too concerned until such a time arises that the fuel supply is inadequate and then we will do another order.
Speaker (interpretation): Going back to orders of the day.
Member for Arviat.
Question 269 - 1(3): Tabling of MOU
Mr. O'Brien: >> Audio Unavailable
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): I have no problem with tabling a document but I would like to have it translated and then I will table the document.
Mr. O'Brien: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I guess I will have to accept that the fact that it has not been translated.
I find it somewhat strange that we have entered into an agreement and signed an MOU but it hasn't been translated upon the signing.
I would hope that before the week was out we could have a copy of that MOU in both languages or even three languages.
My question then is, can the Premier tell the House what efforts are taking place to move forward on the contents of this MOU.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Premier.
Mr. Speaker, the contents of the MOU as you know are broad ranging and it will take time and each of the departments are working at implementing the Memorandum of Understanding and I would be glad to share the MOU with the member.
Mr. O'Brien: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker I believe the Premier is the lead man on this particular agreement and having said that, can the minister tell us if there are many structures put in place on the transportation side of the MOU.
More particularly, the road link between Nunavut and Manitoba.
Are there any structures put in place as far as getting a committee to study this important initiative.
The minister for transportation made a statement when we were in Rankin Inlet that there is going to be a strategy undertaken for all Nunavut for transportation.
So the initiatives are in place for transportation and my minister responsible for the Power Corporation undertook the issue of transmission of power.
So, we are doing work and once the studies are done we will be reporting to the House.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to firm up what the Premier said in reference to the Power Corporation and the possibility of the power grid.
I think that it is also in the MOU which we hope to see this week tabled in the House.
Can the Premier tell the House if the project or the proposal, in reference to the option for the power grid, if that particular project or initiative had any further study or has a committee been struck to follow this up.
Hon. Paul Okalik: My minister answered that question quite clearly in the last session.
The focus has been to set up our own power corporation and we are making a lot of progress on that.
The minister undertook to review and assess the pre-feasibility study that was done on the power grid.
My minister for transportation is also involved in this process in regards to the road construction.
Mr. Speaker I will try to make my question a little clearer.