EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I would like to ask the question to the Minister of Sustainable Development in regards to polar bears.
Who does the study on polar bears, wildlife officers or Fisheries and Oceans?
The Government has their own biologists and we get the help from the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board when we do polar bear studies.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): We know that polar bears just don’t stay on land, when they go hunting for food; they go into the water.
Can you try to work with the Fisheries and Oceans on that because the present people that do the study only study it on the shore and on the land.
Can you try to get the help of Fisheries and Oceans?
Nunavut Wildlife Management Board has a board and they have appointed individuals from Fisheries and Oceans as well as NTI and they work together in regards to any wildlife study, not just for polar bears. They are already working along with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and our Government and NTI.
Last summer, there were some tourists who came by the ship.
The reason why I am asking this is because there we have seen polar bears in the offshore.
There are quite a few of them in Pond Inlet that have not been tagged and the reason why I am asking this question is because we would like to be able to do the study on the polar bears that are offshore.
That is the reason why I am asking.
Can you include them?
I will speak with them and see if they can be involved to do a wildlife study because we’re going to be doing that again.
We would also like to use Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit when we do any studies.
I will inform the Member and see if I can work with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Report 021 – 1(6): Bill 42, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act – COW Review of Bill
I wish to report that Bill 42, an Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act has been reviewed by the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit and that the Bill is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(5) and have Bill 42 moved into Committee of the Whole for today.
There is a request to waive Rule 68(5) for the Standing Committee Report on Bill 42 so it can be immediately referred to Committee of the Whole.
Bill 42 is referred to Committee of the Whole for today.
Tabled Document 147 – 1(6): Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women 2002/2003 Annual Report
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women 2002/2003 Annual Report.
Motion 030 – 1(6): Extended Adjournment – Notice
I give notice that on Wednesday, November 5, I will move the following motion.
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Kugluktuk, who by the way cooked me a great supper Saturday, that not withstanding, Rule 4, that when the House concludes it’s present sitting in Iqaluit, it shall be adjourned until December 2, 2003 in Iqaluit.
There are no nays. Please proceed. Mr. McLean.
Motion 030 – 1(6): Extended Adjournment
Mr. McLean: I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Kugluktuk, that notwithstanding Rule 4, that when the house concludes it’s presenting sitting, it shall stand adjourned until 1:30 p.m. on December 2, 2003 in Iqaluit and further, that any time prior to December 2nd, if the Speaker is satisfied after consultation with Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during adjournment, the Speaker may give notice thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact businesses that has been duly adjourned to that time.
Bill 12, Bill 33, Bill 40, Bill 41 and Bill 42, with Mr. Puqiqnak in the Chair.
And in accordance with the authority provided to me by Motion 002-1 (6), the Committee of the Whole will stay in session until it reports itself out.
Before we proceed to Committee of the Whole, we will break for 15 minutes.
>>House recessed at 15:32 and resumed at 16:08
Chairman (Mr. Puqiqnak) (interpretation): Welcome everybody.
We can get started.
We will be dealing with Bill 12, Bill 33, Bill 40, Bill 41 and Bill 42.
I would like to proceed with Bill 33 and afterwards, we can deal with Bill 40 and Bill 42.
At this time I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Picco, do you have Opening Comments?
Hon. Ed. Picco: Mr. Chairman, first of all, indeed in this historic day in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, we are able to bring forward this progressive piece of Legislation that we have discussed and talked about for at least, I guess, two years now.
First of all, Mr. Chairman, if I may begin by going back to our good friend from Kugaaruk and for Naujaat and give the answer to his question that we did not have about 10 minutes ago.
If I may, the first, Mr. Chairman, the five communities that would have the youth and outreach worker are Baker Lake, Arviat, Cambridge Bay, Pond Inlet and Pangnirtung and that is good news, Mr. Chairman, that indeed, Mr. Chairman, that Baker Lake and Arviat have been filled and we are in the process of hiring for Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Chairman, Bill 33 is new Legislation and a key part of Nunavut’s plan to reduce diseases caused by the use of tobacco.
The Bill has five main features, Mr. Chairman.
It seeks to protect the public and workers from second hand smoke in public spaces and work places with very few specific exceptions.
For example, like designated spaces in elders’ facilities, we thought it would be inappropriate to allow the elders to smoke, even if they’re in confined facilities.
It will require owners, operators and employers to ensure compliance.
It will establish a three, Mr. Chairman, a very important, establish a three meter smoke free zone around where smoking is banned, with the exception of partially enclosed, designated out sourced smoking areas like the Iqaluit and Cambridge Bay airports.
Common areas of apartment buildings and condominiums will also be smoke free.
Mr. Chairman, the Bill will also reduce the sale and supply of tobacco to the most vulnerable of our society, our youth, by taking measures such as owners liable for tobacco sale by their employees, and requiring due diligence with the respect to the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products to minors.
It will also make it possible Mr. Chairman, to place signs on stores that have been convicted of tobacco sales offences and to place notices of this in the local media such as Nunatsiaq News and New North.
It also prohibits tobacco vending machines. Mr. Chairman, this Bill will restrain encouragements to purchase tobacco products by prohibiting displays that allow patrons or customers to handle tobacco products before purchase and it creates the ability to regulate tobacco advertising.
This is a very important concept and part of this legislation.
This Bill will also put in measures to ensure compliance.
Mr. Chairman, consequential amendments to the tobacco act will permit the Minister of Finance to suspend or revoke the right to sell tobacco products if a person holding a permit or an employee of the person holding the permit has been convicted of a prescribed number of offences under our act.
The suspension or revocation will be related to the location.
In other words Mr. Chairman, where a business has numerous locations, the suspension or revocation will apply only to the location where the offence has occurred.
For example, Northern has several different stores.
If it’s their main store, for example, that has a problem, then the revocation will be there but not necessarily at their Quick Stop store, as an example.
Finally Mr. Chairman, the Bill contains a number of important miscellaneous provisions and these provisions include provisions for owners and operators to remove from their premises or cause to be removed from their premises, persons who are smoking.
So, for example, Mr. Chairman, if you go to a store and start smoking, then you can be removed. You will be removed.
The Act allows this.
It will require the Chief Medical Health Officer for Nunavut to report to the Legislative Assembly on progress being made through the legislation.
Now, Mr. Chairman, the sale of tobacco at health related facilities such as hospitals and pharmacies will also be prohibited.
In line with this government’s commitment to local empowerment, the Bill will provide enhanced by-law making authority.
This is very important here, Mr. Chairman, the by-law making authority giving municipalities enabling legislation which they may chose to pass more restrictive tobacco legislation or initiatives.
Mr. Chairman, this wraps up my Opening Comments on Bill 33, the Tobacco Act.
Again, this is a very historic day for this Assembly.
This legislation has some of the most progressive tobacco legislation introduced anywhere in Canada, and has had a long genesis and now today, Mr. Chairman, we’re able to bring it to fruition.
I hope Mr. Chairman, that if there are any questions, that we will be able to answer them with our dedicated staff that are here with us today.
I want to conclude by thanking the Members of this House, and especially, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, and the Standing Committee on Health of this Assembly, which has been endorsing and supporting as advocates the role tobacco plays in our society, and how we are trying to legislate against it with the Act, Bill No. 33.
With that, I thank you, Mr. Chairman, and look forward to comments from the Members.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Picco.
At this time I welcome the Chair of Health and Education.
Opening Comments.
Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Health and Education has had the opportunity to review Bill 33 and I am pleased to be able to make some comments today on the proposed Tobacco Control Act.
Mr. Chairman, for many years we have recognized that smoking rates in Nunavut are among the highest in the country.
Youth begin to smoke at a very early age and become addicted very early.
A large number of Nunavut adults, both men and women, are regular smokers.
Smoking is a costly habit.
It is not only expensive for the smoker, but there are long-term costs and burdens on our health care system that occur as a result of tobacco use.
The Standing Committee on Health and Education has supported the principle of this Bill from the outset.
It is an important step for Nunavut to take to begin to directly address this costly and unhealthy habit.
Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Health and Education met with the sponsoring Minister to discuss the proposed legislation and greatly appreciated his willingness to work with the Committee to make amendments to the Bill to better meet the needs of the people of Nunavut.
During its deliberations on the Bill, the Committee addressed a number of issues.
The Committee felt that there is a need for the Government to conduct a comprehensive information campaign directed at communities, community agencies, retailers and any other organizations that will be directly affected by the legislation.
The Committee recommended a number of amendments to those sections of the Bill which would have a direct impact on the activities of retailers who sell tobacco.
Members felt that the policies, practices and procedures originally outlined in the Bill were excessively onerous, especially for retailers in the smaller communities, and were pleased that the Minister agreed to amend this section accordingly.
As well, the Committee welcomed a submission from the Iqaluit NorthMart store, which suggested a clarification of the definition of “business premises” of a pharmacy.
Given the fact that in many communities a number of businesses may be included within the same multi-purpose structure, Members agreed that the definition should be clarified so as not to unduly restrict the development of retail outlets, which may offer a number of businesses, such as a pharmacy and a grocery store, within a single complex.
Members had some concerns with the extent of the powers and authorities given to persons appointed to enforce the Act and were pleased that the Minister agreed to amend the Bill accordingly.
In particular, it was felt that Inspectors should not have the power to enter a dwelling without a warrant, especially given the availability of Justices of the Peace in all Nunavut communities.
Members again note that the power to direct through regulations is excessively broad.
This raised some concern that while specific issues such as penalties and fines are written into the legislation, other matters relating to carrying out the intent of the Act, whether they be general or specific, such as definitions of terms used in the Act, can be prescribed through regulation.
The Committee remains concerned with the disturbing trend of relegating such powers to regulation.
The Committee fully concurred with an amendment proposed by the Government to ensure that smoking restrictions on establishments that serve food or drink be applied equally.
Mr. Chairman, on the very last day of the Committee’s deliberations, we heard that the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal had determined that a specific section of that province's tobacco control law was invalid because it contradicts federal law.
The Committee considered this information in light of how it affects the proposed legislation here and agreed to proceed with Bill 33, which was amended in part to respond to this ruling.
The Committee would advise, however, that developments in the area of tobacco legislation across Canada should be carefully monitored by the Government.
Mr. Chairman, as this is a brand new piece of Nunavut legislation, it will be important to closely evaluate its effectiveness in achieving its aims.
Members are therefore pleased to note that the Bill contains the requirement for an Annual Report to be tabled before the Legislative Assembly.
In the interest of accountability, Members encourage the Minister to ensure that this report contains information on the costs of implementing the Act as well as related savings in related health care costs.
The Committee supports the Bill as amended and reprinted, and recommends its passage to all Members.
Minister Picco, the support of the Committee is clear.
At this time, you can go up to the witness table with your officials.
Sergeant-at-Arms. Escort them to the witness table please.
Can you please introduce your officials?
Hon. Ed Picco: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I said earlier, I believe Bill 33 is probably one of the most important pieces of legislation this government and this term will have the opportunity to pass.
With me today Mr. Chairman, is the legal drafter with the Department of Justice for the Government of Nunavut.
On my immediate right is Mr. Don Ellis who is the Director of Population Health for the Department of Health and Social Services with the Government of Nunavut.
Following Rule 77(1) I will give Members an opportunity for general comments for ten minutes and another ten minutes for general question.
At this time the floor is open for general comments.
Since there are no general comments, I think we can go directly to the Bill.
Why doesn’t anybody have any comments to make?
This tobacco control act was a concern at one point.
It’s quite clear if you should read it but this Bill is more geared for the retail outlets.
For example, if they’re going to sell tobacco to a minor for example, it would contravene the act.
It’s up to the people out there to quite smoking if they want.
It’s not trying to restrict anybody from smoking, as it is their choice.
It is geared more towards the retail outlets.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Any other comments?
We can then move onto Bill 33, Tobacco Control Act.
Any comments from the Ministers?
I’ll start with Clause 1. Agreed?
Clause 17, on page 10, I have a question.
Chairman (interpretation): In the English it’s page 10 in the Inuktitut it’s page 12.
That’s for the information of the Members.
My question is who is going to be enforcing the Tobacco Act?
Within the Committee itself we debated this for a while.
Mr. Chairman, this allows for the RCMP or it allows for example, in all communities we have by-law officers, the by-law officer can also be in a position to implement the legislation.
The Minister may appoint persons or a person as inspectors for the purposes of this Act and that means tobacco inspectors as we designate it.
In reality, the majority of the inspectors designated would be the by-law and the RCMP.
Any additional questions?
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 18.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 19.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 20.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 21.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 22.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 23.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 24.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 25.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 26.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 27.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 28.
Chairman (interpretation): Do you agree to Bill 33 as a whole?
Chairman (interpretation): Does the Committee agree that Bill 33 is now ready for third reading?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Minister Picco. Do you have any closing remarks.
As I said earlier, I think this is one of the most important pieces of legislation that we’re going to pass and determine in this Assembly.
Mr. Ng said to me in the year 2000, Ed you’ve got to get some kind of tobacco legislation in place.
So, I’m very pleased to be able to say to Mr. Ng today that it’s in place and it’s there.
I’d also like to thank the Committee and the Members Mr. Chairman.
This is a wide ranging piece of legislation that I hope will help stem the tide that we see right now with smoking among our young people.
I think over 60 percent of population smoke right now.
We need to limit and lower that amount.
So, thank you very much Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much Mr. Picco and your officials.
We’ve concluded Bill 33 and we’ll see the results in a number of years.
Thank you very much for debating Bill 33.
We would like to continue on with the review of Bill 40.
Chairman (interpretation): Bill 40.
Does the Committee agree that we will review Bill 40?
Minister of Sustainable Development, Mr. Akesuk, if you have Opening Remarks.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Right now they are making copies of my Opening Remarks and I am sure that they will be completed shortly.
So, I will start off, Mr. Chairman, Bill 40, an Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Business Credit Corporation Act and we are going to be making changes to the Act to reflect the change from Northwest Territories to Nunavut.
I am out of breath. (interpretation ends) The Bill is to make an addition to the definition of business enterprise.
Chairman (interpretation): At this time, I am going to request for 5-minute break because I am not prepared right now.
We will take a 5-minute short break.
>>Committee recessed at 16:36 and resumed at 16:45
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you for returning.
The Minister is concluded with his opening remarks.
Mr. McLean: Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development reviewed Bill 40, An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Business Credit Corporation Act with Minister Akesuk and his officials on October 30, 2003.
Mr. Chairman, this Bill is quite straightforward.
The Standing Committee recognizes that its intent is to allow the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation to lend money via the community futures organizations.
Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee is concerned that the Minister has not tabled an annual report for the Business Credit Corporation since the 1999-2000 annual report, which was tabled in this House on March 28, 2001.
Mr. Chairman, Committee Members are concerned that the confidence of Nunavummiut in the impartiality of the loan granting process has been shaken in the past.
There is a perception, especially in smaller communities, where family relationships are extensive, that decisions are made based on those relationships and friendships rather than on an objective review of applications.
Mr. Chairman, Committee Members are aware that negotiations are underway to form a community futures organization in the Kitikmeot.
The Committee strongly urges the Minister to ensure that Board members are chosen to reflect both the diversity of the business community and the diversity of Nunavummiut as a whole.
Mr. Chairman, the Committee would like to see detailed annual public reporting by the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation and the community futures organizations to ensure that the confidence of Nunavummiut in the fairness of the loan approval process is maintained.
Mr. Chairman, Committee Members understand that commercial confidentiality can be an issue; however, it is important that a high level of transparency and accountability be maintained.
In addition, Mr. Chairman, I would like to take this opportunity to urge the Minister to table the 2000/2001, 2001/2002, and 2002/2003 Nunavut Business Credit Corporation annual reports as soon as possible and to ensure that the 2003/2004 annual report is tabled in a timely fashion.
Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee supports the Bill at the clause-by-clause stage of standing committee review and recommends its passage to all Members.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, chairman of the Standing Committee, Mr. McLean.
Minister if you can bring your officials down to the witness table, you can do so now.
Sergeant-at-Arms. Please escort the officials.
Please introduce your officials for the record.
To my right is Ed McKenna who is in the development area and also to my left, Peter Allison from the Department of Justice will also be here.
Before we start, according to the Rule 77 (1), each Member has ten minutes for general comments.
Does anyone have any comments?
This Bill is an Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Business Corporation Act to Nunavut.
The public out there will really not know what the intent of this Bill is.
The businesses in Nunavut are going to be impacted, hopefully in a positive manner, on the information with the various contracts in Nunavut, or, if they could put in a bid for Nunavut contracts and if this is not going to help the businesses by changing from Northwest Territories to Nunavut.
I will be asking questions in regards to this question especially, as it is going to have an impact on the businesses in Nunavut.
The striking out of the Northwest Territories and substituting Nunavut, it will have to be Nunavut relevant.
And I am very proud that the Department of Sustainable Development and the Standing Committee would like to see the passage of this Bill.
According to Rule 77(2), I will allow 10 minutes for questions, we will move on to questions.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): I would like to get clarification from the Government of Nunavut.
When we get licenses from the Government and they provide licenses for various things, NTI and Government of Nunavut will both work together to make sure it happens in Nunavut.
I would like the Minister to elaborate to us on how Nunavummiut will be impacted.
This is to amend the Bill because we are using the Northwest Territories Act. We would like to strike out Northwest Territories and substitute Nunavut so that we can work with the Act in the future.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): When will they start implementing it?
Chairman (interpretation): Mr. Akesuk.
We have been working on this Bill for four years and I know that we will have to review this Bill again.
When do you plan to start implementing the amendments in Nunavut?
We still have not set the date as to when we can review the Bill.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Have you asked your Officials, since there will be a general election held shortly, have you given them direction as to when they could implement it?
If we ask them to work on it starting from now I am sure it would take two to three years to review and usually, we are asked not to deal with Bills hastily.
I myself do not really know the date as to when it will be implemented.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): This Bill is just to change the name from Northwest Territories to Nunavut.
Will it strengthen Nunavummiut and their businesses?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Yes, if we change it from Northwest Territories, it’s going to have an impact on Nunavut.
I recognize the strength of the word Nunavut.
Mr. McLean, do you have any comments or questions?