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Mr. Speaker, (interpretation) I ask all members to join me in congratulating QIA and Baffinland for this achievement. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 538 – 3(3): QIA Signs IIBA with Baffinland (Tapardjuk)
Also, I believe that Igloolik can now hear the proceedings. They had the video feed, but there was no audio feed. I believe that has been rectified, so I send a good afternoon greeting to the people of Igloolik and Hall Beach.
Mr. Speaker, the reason why I rise today is to also share in taking pride in my colleague’s statement about the agreement between the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and Baffinland.
As MLAs, it is obvious that the Nunavut government didn’t have much leverage in the negotiations leading up to the IIBA, especially in light of the fact that devolution hasn’t been completed in this territory.
Be that as it was, I have often heard snippets from the Prime Minister stating that for the next government, they would like to start devolution talks for Nunavut, especially with developments occurring now.
Mr. Speaker, here in Nunavut, according to the statistics, our population is about 37,000 residents. However, these agreements govern the development of non-renewable resources, such as metal and petroleum projects in particular. Although the land claims agreement sets out a process for development agreements, the real benefits are impossible to forecast in our future as to whether Inuit will still comprise the majority of the population here in Nunavut and here I speak about Inuit beneficiaries, as it has tangible benefits.
I want to share in celebrating this event, but I also have expectations that the seas or ocean traversed by ships is something we can expect to see more of in our future.
So my expectation for the next government in Nunavut is that they will have to deal with this area to protect our marine waters and in particular, in Hudson Bay, where development may occur. Part of my expectation is to have that included in the future.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Inuit of Qikiqtaaluk, as well as the QIA and the Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation for coming to an agreement on this project that will have real benefits.
Member’s Statement 539 – 3(3): Community-based Research Projects in Arviat (Shewchuk)
I rise in the House today to acknowledge the many community-based research projects taking place in Arviat this summer.
Announced on July 8, the Atii! Let’s Do It! project is a comprehensive healthy living intervention for children, youth, and families in Inuit communities in Nunavut and is lead by the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, the Atii! project is one of nine projects under the Government of Canada’s innovation strategy, Achieving Healthier Weights in Canada’s Communities. This project will provide Inuit children and youth with opportunities to learn about healthy food choices, traditional Inuit harvesting, and the promotion of healthy living in the community while providing opportunities for children and youth to practise good decision-making through an Atii!
game show and an interactive Atii! Let’s Do It! app.
Mr. Speaker, Arviat students this summer were also engaged with a community greenhouse and composting project funded by Health Canada that will see the community learning to compost and grow their own healthy plants and vegetables. Using recycled materials, students constructed several portable grow boxes and composting units that will be tested over the next year as part of the community’s efforts to increase opportunities for local food production.
Additionally, in partnership with the Canadian Institute of Child Health, Coca Cola Canada, and the Arviat Wellness Centre, Inuit families will learn about healthy food choices and the importance of regular physical activity through a digital literacy and storybook project.
Translated into English, French, and Inuktitut, the non-branded culturally relevant material will include a storybook and activity suggestions for parents and teachers.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge and thank the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre, Health Canada, Canadian Institute for Child Health, Coca Cola Canada, and the Hamlet of Arviat’s wellness committee.
Member’s Statement 540 – 3(3): Congratulations to 2013 Baker Lake Graduates (Aupaluktuq)
I rise today to congratulate this year’s graduates in Baker Lake and to pay tribute to the many people who have contributed so much to the success of our students.
Mr. Speaker, the graduates are Nicole Hachey, Katrina Mautiritnaak, Shadrach Mautiritnaak, [Glen] Nanauq, Charles Martee, and Atuat Tagoona
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as I often reflect on five years of representing Baker Lake in this House, I can say with confidence that some of the best memories have been the times when I have attended and spoken at our community’s annual graduation events.
I have been very proud to have had the honour of presenting the Pilimmaksarniq Award at a number of graduations. The Pilimmaksarniq Award is presented each year to a graduating student who has demonstrated the quality of acquiring and developing skills through observation, practise, effort, and action.
Mr. Speaker, as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Baker Lake, I believe that support for education and lifelong learning must be a key priority for our government.
We all want our young people to succeed in life and to take on the responsibilities of leadership. Education is the strongest tool by which our youth will succeed in the future and contribute to their community.
I would like to also take this opportunity to recognize the commitment of our teachers, school staff, parents, and volunteers. Mr. Speaker, the dedication of the school staff and the ongoing support of the community make it possible for our young adults to reach their full potential.
I would also like to pay special tribute to the tireless efforts of Ms. Rebecca Walker. For a number of years, she has ensured that our annual graduation events have been a tremendous success.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in congratulating this year’s Baker Lake graduates.
Member’s Statement 541 – 3(3): Pangnirtung Airport (Oshutapik)
I rise today to again address the need for a new airport for the community of Pangnirtung.
Mr. Speaker, as anyone who has flown to Pangnirtung can tell you, our community’s airport is one of the most challenging places anywhere in the country in which to land.
Mr. Speaker, the Pangnirtung Airport’s unique location in the middle of the community and its short runway present many challenges to aviation.
In addition, the current airstrip is becoming increasingly costly to maintain.
In recent years, a number of serious incidents of vandalism have occurred at the airport. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, these incidents have been directly linked to the airport’s current location and its inadequate fencing and security equipment.
Mr. Speaker, although the community has appreciated the efforts of the government to undertake runway, fencing, and security improvements, these are short-term measures.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, I was very proud to have been able to vote in favour of funding to go towards the relocation of Pangnirtung’s airport.
Mr. Speaker, as my colleague from South Baffin noted last Friday, the government’s plan to construct a new international airport in Iqaluit must be accompanied by a commitment to also address the needs of the smaller communities.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions on this issue at the appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 542 – 3(3): Youth Dealing with Suicide (Arreak)
I send good afternoon greetings to the residents of Qikiqtarjuaq and Clyde River.
Mr. Speaker, we often hear not just in the House about youth and their proclivity to attempt suicides.
We don’t hear often enough about youth who have saved their fellow youth who are suicidal. We don’t usually find out about these types of actions.
This was evident in our community this spring where one youth shot themselves, but fortunately a very young person happened to be in the vicinity and was able to save the life of the youth, although he had shot himself. When the youth came upon him, he saved the person and that youth ended up being wounded when the bullet passed through and hit him.
We often hear about cases where people attempt suicide, not just through firearms, but through other means as well amongst our youth, but quite a number of attempts are stopped and we have to showcase our appreciation to the people who save others.
I am extremely proud of that youth who saved the person. This occurred in Clyde River this June. I would like to acknowledge Justin Kautuk for his selflessness in saving the life of another person.
Member’s Statement 543 – 3(3): Iqaluit Sustainability Plan (Aariak)
I send good afternoon greetings to the residents of Iqaluit East as well as all Iqalummiut.
This item I am going to speak to is something I take great pride in, as the Iqaluit City Council has undertaken a lot of work to prepare for the future development of the city.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, Iqalummiut have witnessed incredible changes in our city over the past 20 years. Iqaluit has more than doubled in size since it was first decided that it would be the new capital of Nunavut.
New housing, offices, and businesses have sprung up and transformed the place we call home.
All of this growth makes Iqaluit a more vibrant and dynamic place to live. But as we welcome more and more people, there are also challenges: building new houses and infrastructure, maintaining a sense of community, and the need to protect the natural areas that enrich life here in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the City of Iqaluit for engaging Iqalummiut on what the future community should look like and the steps we should take along the way to get there.
Over the past two years, the City of Iqaluit has asked Iqalummiut for their input. They have taken the ideas they have collected and put them in Iqaluit’s sustainable community plan.
A draft of the plan is now ready and has been posted on the City of Iqaluit’s website.
You can see it by clicking on “Sustainable Iqaluit” on the City of Iqaluit’s home page. You can also pick up a hard copy of the draft plan at the community hall or Building 2425.
If you have any questions about the plan, drop-in sessions will also take place at the Iqaluit Centennial Library on September 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on September 13 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage all Iqalummiut to read the report and provide any comments they have to the city by their deadline of September 15.
The work that has been taking place to ensure Iqaluit is a self-reliant and sustainable city into the future is truly an extraordinary one and I would like to congratulate the City of Iqaluit for leading the way for communities across Nunavut. The future of our growing community truly depends on Piliriqatigiinniq.
Today, I would like to welcome a visitor to the Gallery who is from my community and who is a constituent in my riding. He is here to do some work in Iqaluit, so he isn’t just visiting us here.
Please welcome this person who will be the Sergeant-at-Arms this week, Jayko Ishulutak.
Question 700 – 3(3): Providing Support for Medical Clients (Ningeongan)
Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues are aware, medical clients often need to travel out of the territory to receive medical services.
For my constituents, this usually means travel to Winnipeg where, if they are lucky, they are able to stay at the Kivalliq Inuit Centre.
Unfortunately, when the centre is full, some clients have no choice but to stay in a hotel and arrange for their own food and transportation.
This can be extremely difficult, especially for low income earners.
The situation can also create other problems.
Can the minister clearly describe what support and financial assistance is provided to medical clients who have no room at the Kivalliq Inuit Centre and have to stay at a hotel during their medical travel?
When patients have to stay at a hotel, the situation isn’t the same as those patients who board at the centre.
Can the minister clarify for me whether or not further support has been considered for this issue to date?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Ningeongan for the question.
Mr. Speaker, it’s my understanding that when the Kivalliq facility doesn’t have any rooms for patients, patients will be boarded in local hotels.
As Mr. Ningeongan indicated, it’s my understanding that the patients and clients will be transported back and forth between the local hotels and the boarding home to eat their meals.
My constituents have told me, particularly the people on limited incomes referred to in my earlier question, that the amount of money that is provided to help them pay for their meals when they are staying at a hotel is not enough to cover all their expenses.
If they were at the centre, there wouldn’t be any concerns.
Can the minister clarify how his department ensures that the amount of financial assistance is sufficient to cover the needs of Nunavut’s medical clients? The extra expenses cause problems for some people and that is why I would like further clarification as to whether this issue will be resolved in our immediate future.
I’m not aware of any plans to change it. The rates are set with the Government of Canada through the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program. If a patient or client is staying at a private billet, the private billet can receive $100 a day and that would include all the meals that are provided to their billet.
If they don’t provide meals, then they will be paid $50 and the patient would receive $50.
In the case that Mr. Ningeongan has described, the boarding home would transport the patients back and forth between local hotels for their meals.
I understood the health minister’s response.
Many of my constituents who are required to travel to Winnipeg for medical travel but are forced to stay in a hotel feel that they are not receiving the same level of service and support as clients who are able to stay at the Kivalliq Inuit Centre. Will the minister commit to reviewing the boarding arrangements for medical clients from the Kivalliq region?
I thank Mr. Ningeongan for raising that issue.
I will have my officials in Iqaluit contact the Kivalliq officials and they can contact the boarding home in Winnipeg to discuss any issues or concerns his constituents may have.
Question 701 – 3(3): Developing Nunavut’s Renewable Resource Sector (Ningark)
In my Member’s Statement in today’s orders of the day, I talked about the pleasure I had talking with one of the Repulse Bay elders about the possibility of developing renewable resource opportunities in the community of Repulse Bay.
We understand that there is no shortcut in this request.
We talk about the availability of the agri-food processing industry.
We realize these involve food handling, storage, processing equipment, and we also understand that we have to follow the protocols for the regulatory agency, but we are looking for self-reliance.
That was our dream before this government came into force.
My question to the hon. minister through you, Mr. Speaker, is: is the minister willing to communicate with the Repulse Bay Aivilik Development Corporation about their idea of using country food and selling it through commercial means?
I assume you were directing that question to the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation. Is that correct?
Mr. Ningark: Yes, my question is directed to the lead Minister of Economic Development.
Mr. Speaker, we do have economic development officers throughout communities in Nunavut. They assist individuals and organizations within our communities of Nunavut.
As the member has stated, we do have all that information on our website.
If there are individuals or community members or organizations that are willing to access some funding for any kind of initiative the community may have, we certainly welcome that. We will certainly work with communities that are showing initiative in improving the economic development of our communities.
My first supplementary, I thank the hon. minister for the positive answer.
The point is that the person I have the opportunity to speak with is unilingual and I don’t know if he has access to the website, so I certainly hope that he will communicate with his regional person from the Kivalliq region, along with the local economic development officer.
Can you ensure that this person, who has dreams and aspirations of his own to try to do something for his people and the community, is given that opportunity?
Mr. Speaker, usually our officials from Economic Development do get applications and letters from individuals out there from the communities. We do our best to follow up on them.
In this case, if the person is unilingual, we will certainly do our best to assist the person. We do have multilingual staff who can deal with those types of scenarios where we will do our best to assist any community member or organization in economic development of their communities.
Yes, of course, we realize that you have to go through the process, but when you’re unilingual, even having to fill out an application form can be overwhelming.
Will the minister assure me that this person will get every help that he can get, along with an interpreter and translator, to make sure that he is given, again like I said, an opportunity?
This government is a public government and we do our best to assist all public members of Nunavut, whether it’s economic development or otherwise.
I’ll inform my officials at the department to check into this through the regional office and I’ll certainly get back to the member about this.
Question 702 – 3(3): Status of Pangnirtung Airport Relocation (Oshutapik)
(interpretation ends) In May of this year, the Legislative Assembly approved $1,831,000 in capital carryover funding for the department’s project to relocate Pangnirtung’s airport.
Can the minister indicate how the department will be spending this approved funding during the current fiscal year?
Mr. Speaker, I don’t have the exact cost breakdowns for each community, but I do understand that for Pangnirtung, there’s $250,000 being spent on upgrading the fence on the perimeter for security reasons.
For the other details, I’ll have to get back to the member on exactly what the other funding is being spent on.
In May of this year, I asked the minister a number of questions concerning the government’s plans to relocate Pangnirtung’s airport.
At that time, he indicated that his department was undertaking preliminary design work.
Can the minister update me today on the status of this work?
As the member from Pangnirtung is well aware, with the terrain and the geology that limit a lot of options, there are very few options for relocation. That’s one of the huge factors that are being looked at.
Planning and design work is being done at this time, but for the relocation of the airstrip, it’s one of those things that we do need assistance from the federal government to help us with the cost of construction of the relocation.
As the member is well aware, there has been ongoing work collecting weather data and other various options that are being looked at, including the extension of the airstrip itself.
I thank the minister for the response. (interpretation ends) During last Friday’s sitting of the House, the minister told my colleague from South Baffin that the government’s P3 approach to building Iqaluit’s new international airport will help to save “our funds for doing other projects and infrastructure” in the smaller communities.
Can the minister indicate what the current cost estimate is to construct Pangnirtung’s new airport?
Mr. Speaker, when we talk about class “X” estimates and, of course, these estimates are from 2004, it was estimated at $40 million.
Question 703 – 3(3): Working Together to Address Food Security across Nunavut (Elliott)
My questions are for the Premier following up on the collaborative work done by stakeholders involved in the Nunavut poverty reduction round-table meetings.
Mr. Speaker, I hope I have directed my question to the best minister to receive answers because, as everyone is aware, the file is stretching across a number of departments. The Minister of ED&T took the lead on this project from day one, only to have it later fall under the new Department of Family Services.
As mentioned earlier today, part of the work done by the Nunavut Food Coalition addressed the completion of the Nunavut Food Security Strategy and Action Plan.
Can the Premier confirm whether or not the Nunavut Food Security Strategy and Action Plan have been discussed at the cabinet table?
With respect to the member’s question, this issue has been the subject of much work by NTI and the senior officials of the Nunavut government underneath the social services section.
The work is still in progress.
I’ll try and make my question a little bit clearer. I do realize there are partners, lots of people who are involved, and lots of departments that are involved.
I think, as the head of the Executive Council, that’s why I was directing the question to the Premier.
I thought my question was quite simple in terms of has the strategy and action plan been discussed at the cabinet table.
What I was hoping to find out is whether it’s actually going to be tabled in this House before the end of the sitting.
As I said earlier, the working relationship with NTI is ongoing and progressing well.
The issue of the food security strategy and action plan is in the works between the Department of Family Services as well as other stakeholders, including Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, and it is in progress.
Before it is completed, it will not come to the cabinet table until it’s finalized. We would be happy to report the finalization of that, but I will repeat that it is in progress.
So then what is the current timeline for the release of the Nunavut Food Security Strategy and Action Plan?
Will we see it before the end of this Assembly?
As the final details rest upon the Department of Family Services, the Department of Family Services would have that information.
Member for Tununiq, Mr. Enook. Sorry. Mr. Curley from Rankin Inlet North.
Question 704 – 3(3): 2013 Franklin Expedition Search (Curley)
Further to my Member’s Statement, I have a question for the Minister of Culture and Heritage.
Mr. Speaker, it is my position that the government should not be the only source of funding for organizations, such as the Canadian Geographic Society, in their quest to search for the missing man who died over 168 years ago, including his two ships.
Last year, it was announced that the Government of Nunavut had signed a formal memorandum of understanding with the federal government concerning a “framework for the cooperation and coordination” of the search for the lost Franklin Expedition ships.
Can the minister explain why he has never tabled a copy of this MOU in the Legislative Assembly?
I also thank Mr. Curley for raising questions on this matter.
Yes, an agreement was reached on an MOU with respect to the Franklin Expedition and the ships that were lost. This was first started in 1945.
This continues to date. In 2012, an MOU was signed for this work and this agreement currently covers the lost ships and islands that the expedition may have used. They are looking for artefacts and other items.
Whether this agreement can be tabled is not something I’ve had a chance to discuss with my colleagues. The usual practice regarding MOUs is that they aren’t tabled in the House.
Since it is just an MOU, it hasn’t been tabled.
I have another question related to this matter. A large amount of funds have already been expended over this winter, at least in reading the news release. The amount listed was $475,000 allocated for work this summer.
They used quite a bit of funds for this project. Due to this reason, I believe it is listed within the MOU. Can the minister inform this House when he would table the MOU since Nunavutmiut need to know about this matter?
At this time, I believe the figure is about $400,000 that has been used by the agency and none of these funds stem from the Nunavut government.