EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
However, despite repeated requests from Members of the Legislative Assembly, this commitment has not yet been fulfilled.
Members fully understand and recognize that simply identifying airport capital needs does not bind the government into necessarily funding any specific capital project.
However, the information contained in such a capital assessment would be of benefit to all MLAs.
The standing committee continues to call on the minister to table her department’s 20-year capital needs assessment for Nunavut Airports in the Legislative Assembly at the earliest opportunity.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2016-17 Main Estimates and 2016-19 Business Plan of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
Well read. (interpretation) Pursuant to Rule 6(1), I now recognize the clock and will report progress to the Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Item 20. Report of the Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 13 and would like to report progress and that one committee motion was adopted.
Item 22. (interpretation) Orders of the Day.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Friday, March 11, at 9:00 a.m.
>>House adjourned at 18:17
Friday, March 11, 2016
Pages 1417 – 1494
Opening Prayer 1417
Ministers’ Statements 1417
Members’ Statements 1420
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1424
Oral Questions 1424
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1441
Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters 1441
Tabling of Documents 1441
First Reading of Bills 1442
Second Reading of Bills 1443
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1443
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1493
Orders of the Day 1493
Friday, March 11, 2016 1417
089 – 4(3): New Federal Funding to Support Nunavut’s Sealing Industry (Mike) 1417
090 – 4(3): Community Wellness Coordinators Support Public Health Programming (Ell-Kanayuk) 1418
091 – 4(3): New Board Members for Nunavut Arctic College (Quassa) 1418
092 – 4(3): Mentorship Program (Savikataaq) 1419
191 – 4(3): Inuit Qaujimanituqangit and the Government of Nunavut (Shooyook) 1420
192 – 4(3): Sanikiluaq Success at Arctic Winter Games (Rumbolt) 1421
193 – 4(3): Medical Transient Centre for Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok, T) 1421
194 – 4(3): Happy Birthday to Daughter (Keyootak) 1422
195 – 4(3): Growing Up in Pangnirtung (Okalik) 1422
196 – 4(3): First Aid Course in Pangnirtung (Mike) 1423
197 – 4(3): Cambridge Bay Participants at the Arctic Winter Games (Peterson) 1423
260 – 4(3): Medical Transient Centre for Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok, T) 1424
261 – 4(3): Language Instruction Requirements in Nunavut Schools (Angnakak) 1426
262 – 4(3): Update on the Fire Truck Replacement Project (Sammurtok) 1427
263 – 4(3): Northern Premiers’ Forum (Mikkungwak) 1428
264 – 4(3): Social Passing in Nunavut Schools (Okalik) 1430
265 – 4(3): Vacant Houses (Joanasie) 1431
266 – 4(3): Support for Baker Lake Hunters (Mikkungwak) 1433
267 – 4(3): New Search and Rescue Policy (Rumbolt) 1435
268 – 4(3): Meat Testing Facilities in Nunavut (Sammurtok, T) 1436
269 – 4(3): The Elimination of Plastic Bags in Nunavut (Okalik) 1438
270 – 4(3): Nunavut Graduation Rates (Joanasie) 1438
011 – 4(3): Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act (Sammurtok, T) 1441
095 – 4(3): FPT Ministerial Report – UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties COP21 in Paris, France (Mike) 1442
096 – 4(3): Nunavut Airports 20-year Infrastructure Needs Assessment 2014-2034 (Ell-Kanayuk) 1442
097 – 4(3): Contract Activity Report 2014-2015 (Savikataaq) 1442
098 – 4(3): Procurement Activity Report 2014-2015 (Savikataaq) 1442
099 – 4(3): Lease Activity Report 2014-2015 (Savikataaq) 1442
100 – 4(3): Response Letter from Premier to the Airlines (Taptuna) 1442
Bill 14 – Public Health Act – First Reading 1442
Bill 14 – Public Health Act – Second Reading 1443
Bill 13 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017 – Economic Development and Transportation – Consideration in Committee 1444
Bill 13 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017 – Nunavut Arctic College – Consideration in Committee 1488
Speaker (Hon. George Qulaut) (interpretation): Mr. Tom Sammurtok, can you say the opening prayer, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Good morning, my fellow Nunavummiut.
Minister’s Statement 089 – 4(3): New Federal Funding to Support Nunavut’s Sealing Industry (Mike)
Good morning, my colleagues, Nunavummiut, and my fellow residents of Pangnirtung.
Mr. Speaker, I am excited to inform the House that the federal government has signed a $150,000 contribution agreement with the Government of Nunavut to support Canada’s indigenous seal industry.
This agreement, signed at the end of January this year, is the first to be signed under the federal Certification and Market Access Program for Seals – a five-year, $5.7 million program established last year.
The money will be used to fund the development of certification and tracking systems that allow seal products harvested by Inuit in Nunavut to be certified and sold in the EU. (interpretation ends) It will also support capacity building so that communities can take advantage of the renewed market opportunities in Europe.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, my department will be working together with the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association and other partners to ensure that this funding helps to reinvigorate the market for Nunavut’s indigenous sealskin products. My department has always worked hard to support Nunavut’s traditional harvesters, and this new contribution from the federal government will further strengthen our efforts.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Health, Ms. Ell-Kanayuk.
Minister’s Statement 090 – 4(3): Community Wellness Coordinators Support Public Health Programming (Ell-Kanayuk)
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Good morning, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The promotion of health and wellness programming in our communities is important to the general well-being of Nunavummiut.
Many communities now have community health and wellness committees whose goal it is to develop programs that are specific to needs of each and every community.
Mr. Speaker, we received feedback from the communities asking for additional manpower to work with their wellness communities to coordinate programs.
The Department of Health, in collaboration with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, determined this gap could best be addressed through recruitment and training.
I am pleased to report that the Department of Health recruited six community wellness coordinators for the communities of Arctic Bay, Chesterfield Inlet, Baker Lake, Kimmirut, Kugaaruk, and Taloyoak.
Two of the six are current employees of the hamlets of Kugaaruk and Taloyoak.
They started a six-month mentoring and training program last October and will complete their training in March.
The training and mentoring is jointly offered by Department of Health staff and the Ilisaqsivik Society in Clyde River.
The training is a combination of in-class learning and real-life job shadowing.
The community wellness coordinators are learning to create budgets, write reports, engage with people in their communities to find out what people want and need to be healthy, and lastly, develop projects based on priorities of their communities.
Mr. Speaker, due to the success of our training and mentorship program, we are planning to train another batch of six community wellness coordinators who are presently working in Pond Inlet, Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Arviat, and Grise Fiord, and eventually expand this to all communities.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Quassa.
Minister’s Statement 091 – 4(3): New Board Members for Nunavut Arctic College (Quassa)
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, my colleagues, Nunavummiut, and residents of my community.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College and the Nunavut Research Institute, I am pleased to rise in the House today to announce the appointment of several new members to Nunavut Arctic College’s board of governors.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to appoint Ms. Susan Ball from Arviat to a three-year term as the Kivalliq representative and Ms. Susie Evyagotailak from Kugluktuk to a three-year term as the Kitikmeot representative.
Ms. Ball and Ms. Evyagotailak bring with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise regarding the development and needs of education for Inuit, in particular their work as classroom teachers and principals in Nunavut schools.
Mr. Speaker, we are also pleased to appoint Larry Nalungiaq from Kugaaruk as the college’s student representative for a two-year term.
Mr. Nalungiaq is currently studying in the Nunavut Teacher Education Program at the college through the Kugaaruk Community Learning Centre.
The board of governors is also pleased to have Ms. Rhoda Ungalaq reappointed to a three-year term and Mr. Jason Carpenter reappointed to a one-year term as the staff representative.
Mr. Speaker, from determining the college’s direction and mission to creating a climate for innovation and progress, the board of governors serves a critical role in setting and achieving academic excellence and in strengthening the college’s systems and operations.
Mr. Speaker, members of the Nunavut Arctic College Board of Governors have demonstrated tremendous dedication and commitment to the success of Nunavut Arctic College and I look forward to working with them in the coming years.
Minister’s Statement 092 – 4(3): Mentorship Program (Savikataaq)
I rise today to acknowledge and encourage a very positive initiative within the Infrastructure Division of Community and Government Services (CGS).
Three students from Inuksuk High School here in Iqaluit will be participating in a mentorship project to gain skills, knowledge, and experience with infrastructure design.
The goal of the project is that the students will generate design concepts and the CGS staff will guide them towards selecting and refining a final design.
The students will work on the design of a small structure. The students will work together to gather and analyze population data and city maps, as well as research what has happened in other municipalities on similar projects.
Mr. Speaker, the students will develop a final presentation, which will include design sketches and a scale model, which they will deliver to senior executive staff of CGS and the City of Iqaluit.
They will participate in the project after school and will work on it up to four to five days per month until the end of the school semester.
Although this project involves a hypothetical design at this time, we hope that the students will gain meaningful insights and experiences with drafting, design, planning, and community engagement.
The professionals on our staff are proud to offer their expertise and support in all aspects along the way.
I see this as a great opportunity for cooperation and community development and I commend everyone involved for supporting the goals of this project.
I have no more names on my list. Going to the orders of the day.
Member’s Statement 191 – 4(3): Inuit Qaujimanituqangit and the Government of Nunavut (Shooyook)
I say “good day” to Nunavummiut, residents of my community, those watching the proceedings, our (interpretation ends) Premier, (interpretation) ministers, and my colleagues.
I rise today to express a sense of total fulfilment and pride that I wish to share with my colleagues so that they can join in extending this acknowledgement wholeheartedly.
As you know, I am fervent and dedicated in the inclusion of Inuit Qaujimaningit within government, and I wish to provide a brief background.
We hear the word used often.
I would be remiss not to mention three individuals in the House, whom I am extremely proud of and will publicly thank.
The first person is Allan Rumbolt and I now extend my gratification, as I am proud of his efforts in this House on behalf of Inuit, as he is extremely dedicated.
Further, George Hickes is another person I wish to name for defending our Inuit Qaujimanituqangit principles and knowledge faithfully.
To him I say, “I am proud of you!”
The third person I wish to name whom I also am very proud of for his efforts is Keith Peterson.
I am expressing my cognizance of their efforts and conveying my pride for their efforts, and I will voice the reasons for this expression of gratification.
Ever since I was elected, I have been adamantly pushing and prodding this government to incorporate Inuit Qaujimanituqangit and to repatriate the usage of our ancient knowledge as part of this government.
Yesterday, I was taken aback as I was totally not expecting the reference, although I had an inkling. When the Minister of Finance made his announcement, he stated that he would follow Inuit Qaujimanituqangit as the basis for alcohol-related traditional healing practices and that in our future, IQ will be incorporated into this process and would form a vital component.
This statement alone exploded the feelings of pride in my heart.
Due to this reasoning, as far as I know, the minister has no background as a counsellor as I have ever only seen him in his role as the Minister of Finance.
As I face the government representatives in asking the ministers about IQ, he apparently garnered some understanding of my passion on this issue and his statement was completely heartwarming to my person.
As many Nunavummiut found out, I hope they also extend their pride to their representatives.
I would like to ask that we take a moment to express this appreciation for the efforts of these three members.
Member’s Statement 192 – 4(3): Sanikiluaq Success at Arctic Winter Games (Rumbolt)
I thank Mr. Shooyook for the kind words.
We’re all doing the best we can for the people of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the other day, I rose in the House to commend four athletes who will be attending the Arctic Winter Games.
Today, I rise in the House to talk about their success at the Games.
In the badminton division for bronze medal for double juvenile males, Janie Audla of Sanikiluaq and Mike Kavik of Sanikiluaq; bronze medal for double junior males went to Sappa Cookie of Sanikiluaq along with his partner Keane Sudlovenick of Iqaluit; bronze medal for single junior females went to Mina Mannuk of Sanikiluaq; and a silver medal for badminton doubles junior females went to Mina Mannuk of Sanikiluaq along with her partner, Myca Nakashook of Pangnirtung.
I ask all members to join me in congratulating these fine athletes.
Speaker (interpretation); Thank you. Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 193 – 4(3): Medical Transient Centre for Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok, T)
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to address the need for a medical transient centre for Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, my constituency office is located in the Siniktarvik Hotel. Day after day, I see people coming through on medical travel from other Kivalliq communities for medical services for themselves or their children.
Sometimes these individuals wait all day in the lobby of the hotel and occasionally even have to take care of a baby or a young child’s needs in public.
Mr. Speaker, although medical clients are often given a meal voucher, they still have to endure long waits for their flight, which more often than not is cancelled sometimes due weather and sometimes due to mechanical, while sitting in the public lobby of a hotel.
Mr. Speaker, these individuals are already stressed with having to travel to receive medical services. Having to wait for hours in a public area puts additional stress on them.
Alternatively, medical travel clients sit on the metal benches at the airport for hours on end, sometimes as long as eight hours, because they have nowhere else to go and rest.
It is not fair to those Kivalliq patients who are already experiencing the stress of needing medical care.
I encourage the Minister of Health to consider establishing a medical transient centre in the community of Rankin Inlet.
Member’s Statement 194 – 4(3): Happy Birthday to Daughter (Keyootak)
I rise today to express my pride and love for my dear daughter who is celebrating her birthday today, so I wish her a wonderful day.
When she was born, I was there helping to deliver her when my wife went into labour.
To my dearest daughter, I extend best wishes for a wonderful day to Ms. Nena Elise Keyootak.
Member’s Statement 195 – 4(3): Growing Up in Pangnirtung (Okalik)
It is a gorgeous day out there and as the weather is becoming more beautiful with each day, exhilaration is in the air.
Mr. Speaker, I was born in Pangnirtung, which is very appropriate for caribou issues due to its naming after bull caribou.
I had a joyous childhood as I was growing up, as every year when school was out, every summer up to fall we would go camping at our traditional lands called Nattiliariaq and we spent many wonderful summers there.
Further, there was a spot we would camp at and spent weeks enjoying the lands at Kangiavallaaq, which is, in my opinion, the most scenic landscape in the whole world of the lands I am familiar with.
The reasons for these fond childhood memories of the lands are plentiful.
We had a small boat and although we had a large family within it and the kicker was not very powerful, we still seemingly sped along.
My dear late mother would spend the time passing along our traditional names of lands we passed, pointing out areas that our ancestors named and what the purpose was along with the Inuit history particular to that land.
I recall these stories fondly, as we would go there every year to harvest caribou for our sustenance.
When we would prepare to leave our camping site, our parents would have us collect all the garbage, as we were never to leave anything behind because caribou inhabited the land and this was the sole purpose for keeping the land clean.
One exceptional memory I retain was when I was eight years of age and I shot my first caribou.
When we eventually returned to the community of Pangnirtung, my parents invited the community for a feast to celebrate and share my first caribou harvest.
I tried to emulate that special feeling of our traditional area by bringing my children to that same area, but by that time, no caribou were present and that was quite rueful as without caribou, my childhood memories became just stories.
Nevertheless, I am especially thankful that here in Nunavut, particularly in the Kivalliq region, I am invited to participate in caribou hunts when I travel to their areas and I am always grateful to my fellow Inuit. As such, I share your deep concerns about caribou due to their importance.
Member’s Statement 196 – 4(3): First Aid Course in Pangnirtung (Mike)
Good morning, people of Nunavut and Pangnirtung.
This morning, I just want to make an announcement in this House about the importance of (interpretation ends) first aid, (interpretation) as it is called, and of the training in this field currently taking place in Pangnirtung.
Although the course is specific to Pangnirtung and is being offered only to the people in Pangnirtung, the attendees are being trained to be trainers currently.
The course commenced yesterday.
First aid is important everywhere and in everything we do, as people can get hurt at any time. In Pangnirtung, this is a very important skill, especially when residents go boating and offer tourist trips, which have become quite complex, and this includes certain jobs.
I am delighted to see people with the capacity to train other trainers. I wish to name the following people in Pangnirtung taking the course, as well as to recognize their trainer first, Randy Idlout. His class is composed of trainers in first aid and they are Poisey Mike, Jimmy Keenainak, Tommy Nakasuk, Daniel Mike, Jutanie Arnakak, Archie Uniuqsaagak, and Joe Keyootak, who are taking the three-day course within this “training the trainer” program.
Member’s Statement 197 – 4(3): Cambridge Bay Participants at the Arctic Winter Games (Peterson)
I would like to recognize some young athletes from Cambridge Bay who are part of the Arctic Winter Games team.
Mr. Speaker, we have Kanen Evalik, who is on the basketball team, Danielle Omilgoetok on the basketball team, Liza Crockatt and Alysha Maksagak, who are on the basketball team, and Donovan Niptanatiak, who is on the tennis team.
Mr. Speaker, we are very proud of our athletes and we are very proud of the team representing us in Nuuk and here in Iqaluit.
We’re tuned to the radio every day listening to the medal updates as we are very proud of them. Congratulations to the entire team representing Nunavut at the Arctic Winter Games.
This morning, I would like to welcome and recognize Hon. Alfred Moses sitting here in the gallery.
Alfred Moses is my colleague from the Northwest Territories, where he serves as an MLA for Inuvik Boot Lake as well as Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, and the Minister responsible for Youth.
I am pleased to welcome my fellow Minister of Education as he makes his way home from the Arctic Winter Games. (interpretation) Welcome.
Question 260 – 4(3): Medical Transient Centre for Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok, T)
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good morning” to the residents of Rankin Inlet and Chesterfield Inlet, as well as our fellow Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that we have some new faces at the table. We have a new federal government, a new federal Minister of Health, and a new opportunity to negotiate some support for opening health-related infrastructure in Nunavut.
Earlier today, I spoke of the need for a medical transient centre for those medical clients who have nowhere to go between travelling and their medical appointment.
Can the minister provide an update on what consideration has been given to opening a medical transient centre in Rankin Inlet for medical clients who travel to the community for medical reasons?
As we know, Health Canada funds boarding homes, stays, commercial accommodations, and private billets for clients on medical travel.
Currently, there have been some discussions. I have just become the Minister of Health, so I’ll be checking into what the discussions have been with Health Canada to date.
As I am told, currently, the discussions with Health Canada have been advising them that boarding homes are being considered for Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that in communities such as Iqaluit, Ottawa and Winnipeg, non-government entities operate medical boarding homes, which can provide services for transient medical clients.
Can the minister provide an update on whether any non-government entities have put forward proposals or suggestions to open and operate a medical boarding home in Rankin Inlet?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk: Thank you, Uqaqtitsijii. (interpretation) I also thank my colleague for that question.
I have not heard of who had put in proposals.
As I just recently became Minister of Health, I will look into it and I will update my colleagues.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I recognize that the federal government plays an important role in determining the services that are offered to Nunavut’s medical clients under the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program.
Will the minister commit to bringing forward the need for a medical transient centre in Rankin Inlet when she next meets with her federal counterparts to negotiate the funding and services provided under the Non-Insured Heath Benefits?
Discussions with Health Canada are required as they fund the accommodations for medical travel through the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program.
They fund the boarding home stays, commercial accommodations, and private billets for clients on medical travel.
Discussions with Health Canada are necessary to open boarding homes as they set to reimburse rates that we will pay to Health.
Depending on how the boarding homes are financed, they could have an impact on the Government of Nunavut’s debt cap.