EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
This was a Project with virtually no funding and done by the Elders of Baker Lake themselves on a volunteer basis and when my fellow Colleagues comes to Baker Lake, they will see first hand what our Elders can achieve.
Members' Statement 34 - 1 (2): Congratulations to Students of Inuglak School
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Today I rise to make a statement and I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the recent accomplishment of some of our students and teachers for which I’m especially proud.
From Whale Cove, grade four to six students at Inuglak School of Whale Cove formed of group in order to enter a competition titled the "National Scholastic Create A Book Contest".
Sixteen Students were responsible for all facets of book preparation from writing and editing of the story, to the lay out of the book.
This competition is open to any school, which holds a Scholastic Book Fair and it’s held right across Canada.
It is important to know that the winning entrants are professionally published and sold all across Canada at Scholastic Book Fairs.
The Winning School also receives a 1 thousand-dollar Cash Prize.
I would like to further highlight the extent of this accomplishment.
That Inuglak School submission was completed by students, whose first language is Inuktitut.
I’m happy to report that Inuglak School won first place out of one hundred eighty entries from across Canada.
This is an ideal project for the students of Inuglak to work together in order to create culturally relevant material that is now a source of pride.
I would especially like to note the contributions of the following teachers.
Project advisors, Michael Montcombroux, Ken Jacobi, Sue Callard.
I’d like to also mention the individual students that participated, Mona Panika, Tina, I think I’ll just say the first names, Tina Kaurayok, Lazarus Teenar, Samuel Igviksaq, Peter Scottie, Malaiyah Enuapik, Dolores Maktar, Florentine Voisey, Rachel Misheralak, Germaine Ekwalak, Karlene Napayok, Alana Copland, Michelle Nattar, Lisa Grace Sheetoga, and Laura Uluadluak.
I’m sure the Members would like to congratulate these students at this time.
Members' Statement 35 - 1 (2): Traditional and Contemporary Heat Sources
Mr. Iqaqrialu: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker I wish to ask you whether I can state this for two minutes.
For a long time now from a while back, with my stepfather and grandfather we left by dog team, we lived and took shelter in an igluvigak and the storm came up and we had no stove or lamp.
We had to keep warm by ourselves and now behind me, that spot light behind me is quite warm and although there’s nothing to be heated and I’m just sitting here, it really makes me sweat and I just wanted to ensure the people know that.
Members' Statement 36 - 1 (2): Condition of Iqaluit Roads
Iqaluit has the honourable distinction of being Canada’s newest and smallest Territorial Capital.
However, it also has the dubious distinction of being perhaps the community with the largest pot holes in the entire country.
As our Capital, Iqaluit is for many visitors, the first and last sight of Nunavut.
A Capital should reflect the beauty, strength, and character of it’s jurisdiction.
Mr. Speaker, Iqaluit does all of this and more.
Just yesterday while driving behind our new Minister of Health and Social Services I was startled to note that the Ministers' van suddenly took a dip and disappeared from view.
Several tense seconds passed, before he emerged from one of Iqaluits' infamous pot holes.
I am certain that all Honourable Members will join me in expressing relief at his narrow escape.
As visiting Members will have noticed, we wear seat belts not just to protect ourselves in the event of collision, but to prevent the roofs of our vehicles from being dented as we bounce over the pot holes.
Mr. Speaker I fully support Council and Mayor Kilabuk in their efforts to address this issue.
I will do what I can to help ensure that the Council receives adequate resources to fix our roads and hopefully to pave them.
Mr. Speaker our community is a capital for all of Nunavut and has much more to offer to visitors and residents alike, than a bone shaking drive.
I urge us to get to work on this.
Members' Statements, Mr. Anawak.
Members' Statement 37 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents, Family and Members
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Rankin North.
It is a great honour and privilege for me to be here as their representative in the first Nunavut Legislative Assembly.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve Rankin Inlet North and all the people of Nunavut in the first Nunavut Government.
Mr. Speaker the decision to seek elected office is not taken lightly.
I wish to recognize all the candidates who ran in the February election and especially the candidates in Rankin Inlet North.
I congratulate my colleagues here for their hard work and dedication and their electoral success.
We all know how difficult political life can be for our family members and none of us would likely be here without the help and support of our families.
I would like to pay tribute at this time to all our families and to my wife Caroline and my children, I express my special appreciation.
Mr. Speaker we're all here because we want to make life better for our constituents and all the people of Nunavut.
I would like to thank my colleagues for having elected me to Cabinet and for giving me this unique opportunity to contribute to improving Nunavut.
Also I thank the Premier for the portfolios I hold. The areas I have responsibility for, Community Government, Housing and Transportation and Justice are all areas close to the people.
I’m very pleased to have the chance to work for improvements in these areas, which are very important to the people of Rankin Inlet North and all the communities.
I look forward to working with all my colleagues around this table.
I respect your commitment to your communities and I appreciate your support. I will do what I can to assist you, to work together, to make changes for the better for the communities of Nunavut.
Speaker: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Anawak.
Members' Statements.
Members' Statement 38 - 1 (2): Sympathy to Bereaved Family
I have bad news to make a statement about.
This morning here at the Regional Hospital, an elder from Cape Dorset died.
I want you to keep thinking about the family in your prayers.
Yes I have heard and that family has relatives in my community.
We will write a letter of sympathy on behalf of the Legislative Assembly and to the members of the families in Cape Dorset.
Going back to orders of the day, Returns to Oral questions. Returns to Oral questions, Item # 4 orders of the day.
Return 2 - 1 (2): Question 12 - 1 (2) Hall Beach School Addition
I have a return to an oral question asked by the MLA for Amittuq on May 13, 1999 regarding an addition to be built onto the school in Hall Beach.
Mr. Speaker, decisions surrounding capital projects and which ones were to proceed this year were based on three criteria.
A capital project would proceed if:
Construction work on the building had already begun;
There was already a binding commitment to proceed; or
There was a critical safety issue which required the work to be done.
Mr. Speaker the proposed work on the Hall Beach school, after being reviewed by the capital projects review committee was deemed not to meet this year's criteria.
Return 3 - 1 (2): Question 2 - 1 (2) House of Commons Standing Committee Report
The House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development tabled its' Seventh Report (interim), entitled "Aboriginal Economic Development: Urgent Issues Arising From Visits to Northern Quebec and Nunavut", on May 7, 1999.
The Department of Community Government, Housing & Transportation has received a copy of this report.
The details of this report are under review at this time.
Speaker (interpretation): Returns to oral questions, Mr. Anawak.
Return 4 - 1 (2): Question 5 - 1 (2) Constituents' Letter
The Mayor of Kimmirut wrote me a letter on April 20th regarding the community's arena.
I have responded to that letter and sent a copy to the MLA for Kimmirut.
Returns to Oral question.
Item 5, Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Hon. Manitok Thompson: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
My Constituents from Whale Cove, probably won't be here usually, so I’m very happy to present, because they are very good supporters and part of my constituency, David Kritterdlik and Susie Kritterdlik.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome to our meeting, the Session of the Legislative Assembly.
I wish to recognize those I grew up with as children and whom I worked with.
I would like to recognize Susan Sangoya my paternal cousin and Jose Tigullaraq my maternal cousin.
Speaker (interpretation): Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
I represent two communities in my constituency.
I’m happy that we have visitors here from Taloyoak, they started yesterday, Mr. Speaker from the Kitikmeot and it’s fairly large and as I have stated previously, I had nobody to recognize.
Today, it’s my pleasure to recognize visitors, the Mayor of Taloyoak Denis Lyall, and Louie Primeau his Senior Administrative Officer and as well John Davidson, I believe you all know him.
Thank you Mr. Speaker for recognition of these leaders.
Welcome to our Session for those who were stated.
Recognition of Visitors of the Gallery.
Today I’d like to recognize an individual that’s been in the Gallery every day since we started.
Without his efforts the rest of Nunavut would not be able to see what’s transpiring here in the House.
I’d like to recognize Henry Nowdlak from IBC Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Tootoo, please feel welcome.
Recognition of the visitors in the gallery, Mr. Picco
So many people here of course in Iqaluit, especially from Iqaluit east, I tried to recognize at least three a day.
Today, Rebecca Williams the ADM for Justice, resident of the Iqaluit East Constituency, Mr. Chuck Gilhuly, well known business man, former SAO of Cape Dorset and resident of Iqaluit West, and Mr. Peter Itinnuar a former MP and all around good guy and employee of the Government of Nunavut.
Please feel welcome to the Gallery.
Recognition of visitors of the Gallery.
The Kitikmeot residents, I want to recognize Denis Lyall and John Stevenson, welcome to the Legislative Assembly.
Speaker (interpretation): For those of you visitors who have not been recognized, I recognize all of you, please feel welcome to our first legislative assembly.
Return to orders of the day, item 6, Oral questions.
Mr. Puqiqnak
Question 37 - 1 (2): Research into Gasoline in Gjoa Haven
I wanted to ask a question to the Minister of, but I forget what it is, it’s fuel and petroleum products.
Ms. Thompson, when she was in front of the standing committee, I raised a question in respect to the gasoline and octane levels.
I’m wondering, Mr. Speaker, whether there has been any research into the gasoline used in Gjoa Haven area.
Ms. Thompson Minister of Public Works.
I spoke with my senior officials, shortly before lunch.
The question was raised previously by the MLA, I’m having this researched at this time and I will make the findings known and I will let the Member know what the results are, but at this time the results are inconclusive.
I can only state that it’s under review at this time.
I’m holding a response from the Government and Gjoa Havens letter and my papers are starting to fall down.
When our MLA, who was a member of the NWT Government, raised questions starting from January of 1999, as well on February 18, there was a letter written and as well there was a March 15 letter sent as well.
There’s quite a few pieces of paper in front of us, especially from the communities I’m representing.
I’m not sure where they are going, because it’s in transition, because they keep getting sent back, so I’m wondering if we're playing musical chairs here with the letters from the communities.
Mr. Speaker, I want you to know that there's confusion right now, although we want to believe our new government and at this time we are in a transitional period, we can’t rely on an answer from the other government or from the Ministers to which we posed the question.
Like my other colleagues Mr. Minister, I would like them to know that what concerns them when I come here is raised.
There are 50 drums, they wish to order, the 50 drums of gasoline would cost about $36 thousand dollars or more.
In that case, for example, the Hamlet would be using their surplus to make this purchase.
I want to raise this in the Legislature, Mr. Speaker, because they have been sending these copies of the letters, which had been sent originally to the NWT Government and I believe as well to the Nunavut Government.
The concerns raised by the communities, there are quite a few.
As I’m the New Minister, I’m trying to make sense of them.
I believe that I will bring my senior officials to Gjoa Haven and there should be a meeting at the beginning and there will be a leaders conference in Kitikmeot at the end of next month.
I will go with my senior officials to meet with them.
Oral questions, Mr. Puqiqnak.
Minister I thank you for your quick response and if you could come to my community, that would be very good.
I also have to respond to my constituents. How much time should I state you will require to make a response in respect of the gasoline issue.
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): I will meet with the MLA along with my senior officials and I will inform them of the meeting tomorrow.
Oral questions, Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Question 38 - 1 (2): Urgent Funding Requirements for Hamlet of Clyde River
I would like to pose this question to the Minister of Community Government.
In our community of Clyde River, the Hamlet of Clyde River has been awaiting for transfer of $ 58 thousand and $ 20 thousand for (inaudible comment) identified.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Mr. Anawak, Minister of MACA. Minister of Housing & Transportation.
Hon. Jack Anawak : Minister of Community Government, Housing & Transportation and I understand this issue, I believe that it’s a deficit, or a budget deficit in Clyde River.
I knew there was a problem even before I became a Minister and while it was still under the purview of the G.N.W.T. government.
As I became a minister, I spoke with my Deputy Minister, well unfortunately I’ve not had the opportunity to talk with him about this.
I know he’s dealing with the issue, perhaps I can tell him that it is being taken care of, however I will inquire as to what the status is.
I’m sorry , if he raises another question, I am not trying to close it, if he wants to add a supplementary.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Iqaqrialu, supplementary.
For a while now, this has caused problems in our community, specifically to the Hamlet in respect of the operational funds.
This has now become an emergency issue, I do not want this deferred or delayed, I think you have to meet with your officials right away and meet with them in Clyde River because this is something you can deal with.
It’s been ongoing for a while now, and perhaps if you can direct your officials to deal directly with the Hamlet, that would please me tremendously if you could do that.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Anawak, Minister of Community Government, Housing, & Transportation.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Yes, they are able to deal with this and they will work with the Hamlet to resolve these issues.
I know that they’re working with the Hamlet SAO in Clyde River, but I’m not sure what the progress is and I will inquire as to the status of this work in Clyde River now.
I’ll check to see if they are working with Clyde River Hamlet but I would like to tell the MLA, Mr. Iqaqrialu, yes, this concern of his, we will deal with this immediately.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Anawak.
Question 39 - 1 (2): Decentralization
Mr. Speaker, my question’s for the Acting Premier.
Mr. Speaker, all the members in the room realize and know how important decentralization is to the smaller, less fortunate communities.
Yesterday, I posed a question to the Minister of Finance in reference to if the funding was incorporated into the budget to ensure that the decentralized model would take place.
The Minister indicated that the funding was incorporated into the budget, and that was good news.
Unfortunately we also heard that, the Premier indicated that they have commissioned a study to re-evaluate the decentralization process.
I’d like to ask the Acting Premier as to who is doing the study and why the study is being done.
Speaker: Two questions, Mr. Ng, Minister of Finance.
Thank you, Acting Premier.
Mr. Speaker, as it stands now, it isn’t, per se, a study  from the perspective of what people would perceive as a study.
What is actually happening is the staff under the executive in intergovernmental affairs has a small working group of officials made up of government representatives that is putting together information that will allow for presentation of some options in respect of decentralization.
I think what the concern is, quite frankly, is even though there is monetary PY's out there for the decentralized model, some of what I wasn’t aware of yesterday, and became aware of afterwards, speaking of after the Committee of the Whole, when I had an opportunity to review more details with my officials.
Some of the relocation costs weren’t fully provided for, to my understanding, for the decentralized model, so the PY positions are there, there is some travel budgets attached to that for the individuals, but there isn’t total relocation costs, establishment costs as it stands now.
I think what the members have to recognize too, is that it’s easy to put in the position, but you have to have the support, in respect of housing, in respect to the office space.
Those are the kinds of issues the committee as a whole has to grapple with in respect of timing for putting in the positions for decentralization and meeting the needs of the staff that are going to be put in place.
Mr. Speaker, is it fair to say, then, if a community has the office accommodations, has the housing accommodations in place, then has the human resources available to fill these positions, and as you’ve indicated yesterday, the funding has been incorporated into the budget, if all these factors are in place, would there be any reason why these positions could not be filled A.S.A.P.?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. O’Brien.
Mr. Ng, Minister of Finance.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Yes, Mr. Speaker, it goes back to the priorities of the government, and the timing, back to the timing of the implementation of decentralization, and of staffing of the government as a whole.
Again that’s another factor that has to be taken into consideration.
Members recognize that not all the headquarters functions are up and running fully as it stands now, anywhere from 30% to 40-45% for some of the headquarter levels of departments right now.
In particular the department of Human Resources, if I could use that for an example because it’s under my responsibility, that is tasked with filling and recruiting on behalf of all the departments, they don’t have the capabilities right now of going out there wholesale and trying to fill all the positions.
So it’s a matter of setting some priorities and having a rational schedule and timing and a plan for how we’re going to implement it.
That’s where the difficulties are right now in respect to the government planning and procedures in establishing the decentralized model.
Speaker: Qujannami, Mr. Ng. Mr. O’Brien, supplementary.
Mr. Speaker, is the Acting Premier saying that, I hope he’s saying that, the decentralized model is not in jeopardy, that we’re only talking about logistics and timing, and that the communities that are ready to take on these positions, whether it be this month, next month, or six months, that there shouldn’t be any concerns or any fear that these positions will not come to the communities as they were promised.
Mr. Acting Premier.  Hon. Kelvin Ng : Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, this government has said that
we’re committed to the principles of the decentralized model as they were laid out, and it is a matter of the logistics.
If I can use another example that has been brought to our attention, the community of Gjoa Haven and having liquor warehousing in that community, whether or not that makes sense.
Another matter for example that has to be considered is the community of Kugluktuk and Legal Registries when all the support services for filing in the legal system are based here in Iqaluit.
So those are the kind of dilemmas that the cabinet as a whole, the issues that have to be looked at, if you’re going to move one because of problems, what are you going to do to supplement or offset that move?
Those are the broader implementation issues that we’re trying to come to grips with.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ng. Second supplementary, Mr. O’Brien.
The final question would be when does the Acting Premier think that we can be in a position or the cabinet can be to, I guess, reassure the smaller communities that the positions that have been promised to them will indeed be coming to the communities?
When do we think that we can give the communities a firm commitment?
I know it’s fine when we say that we’re committed to it, but I guess the issue is when?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. O'Brien.
That was..sorry, that was your final supplementary.
Mr. Speaker, I believe the Premier indicated that there would be cabinet discussions session on that, I believe he mentioned the date to June 29th or the 30th.
At the same time I believe that he also committed that it would be a matter of discussion in the strategic planning sessions planned for Baker Lake.
So based on the outcome of the discussions there, I would say we’re looking at late June- July sometime before hopefully we can confirm decisions one way or another on this whole issue that’s of concern to all of Nunavut and a lot of our communities.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ng. Questions?
Question 40 - 1 (2): Transition Planning for Dissolution of Boards of Education
Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Education.
I was wondering if in light of this government’s decision to eliminate the boards of education, I was wondering if the Minister can inform us if there is transition in place going from the boards to the new system?
Speaker: My apologies.
Mr. Arvaluk. (interpretation) Minister of Education, Mr. Arvaluk?
Hon. James Arvaluk: We are in the process of working on the implementation plan and we will be in a position very soon to hire a co-ordinator for that implementation and also deal with the business plan as to how the transitional period will take place, but I cannot give you the final steps as to how the implementation will take place at the moment.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Arvaluk.
The Minister indicated that they are going to be hiring a co-ordinator to co-ordinate those efforts, I would assume then that they do have a plan in place?
If he could just affirm that?
Speaker: Mr. Arvaluk, Minister of Education.  Hon. James Arvaluk: Mr. Speaker, can the member repeat the question please?
Speaker: Mr. Tootoo?
The Minister indicated that they would be hiring a co-ordinator to co-ordinate the implementation plan?
I would take that as indicating that the department has an implementation plan that they will be implementing?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Arvaluk, Minister of Education.
Hon. James Arvaluk: Mr. Speaker, after the decision was made in Kimmirut and subsequently with the regular members, we started wheels moving immediately after that because before the decision was made, before Kimmirut, we couldn’t foresee how the recommendations would take place.
When the recommendation to have no boards was taken later, then we didn’t really have time, to date, to put all the implementation plans together before the members sat.
As soon as that becomes available and as soon as we hire one, that hiring does not come from the Minister or the department itself, it would only make a recommendation to the cabinet.
As soon as the cabinet makes a decision, then I would be happy to report.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Arvaluk.
Third question, Mr. Tootoo.