EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Chairman: Part 2. (interpretation) Four housing units. $102,176.17.
Do you agree to Bill 56 as a whole?
Are we in agreement, pursuant to Rule 62(2), that Bill 56 can now immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
Mr. Minister, do you have any closing remarks on Bill 56?
I thank the members of the committee for their questions and scrutiny over the last few weeks on Bill 56.
I would like to thank my two officials who were with me today for their work in preparing all of this information for the committee.
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses out, as we will move on to another item.
Minister Peterson, do you have any opening comments on Bill 53?
Bill 53 – An Act to Amend the Medical Care Act – Consideration in Committee
On June 29, 2012, Bill C-38, An Act to Implement Certain Provisions of the Budget Tabled in Parliament on March 29, 2012 and Other Measures, received Royal Assent.
Bill C-38 amended section 2 of the Canada Health Act by repealing paragraph (b) of the definition of “insured person.”
This paragraph listed members of the RCMP as excluded persons.
This means that on April 1, 2013, all provinces and territories must extend the health insurance coverage to RCMP members.
Bill 53 facilitates this process.
Family members of RCMP members already receive Nunavut Health Care Plan benefits as part of the policing agreement between the Department of Justice and the RCMP.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my opening comments. I would be pleased to take questions from members.
As Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, I am pleased to make some brief opening comments as we begin consideration of Bill 53, An Act to Amend the Medical Care Act.
Mr. Chairman, this amendment has come about as a result of the federal government’s Bill C-38.
After assent in June of 2012, the federal bill amended the Canada Health Act by repealing the paragraph which excluded RCMP as “insured persons.” As of April 1, 2013, all RCMP will need to be considered “insured persons” under provincial or territorial medical care legislation in order to receive health care coverage.
The standing committee supports the proposed legislation, which will allow RCMP members to receive Nunavut territorial health care coverage after April 1, 2013.
The standing committee recommends the passage of Bill 53 to all members.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Yes, Mr. Chairman, I have two officials that I would like to call to the witness table.
To my right is Peter Ma, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, and to my left is Monita O’Connor, Assistant Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services.
Welcome, Deputy Ma and O’Connor.
Before we go to the clause-by-clause review, are there any general comments? The floor is now open.
Ever since the first day I got elected about four years ago, I spoke in this House and in the committee to ensure that everyone who goes to a local health centre, all of my constituents, get the Medicare they need. This is no different and I will support this bill.
I don’t know if I should be asking the Minister of Finance or the Minister of Justice. I just want to basically know if this fee or this extra cost for this Medicare is included in the latest agreement. I would need a little bit of advice on that.
I believe it’s part of the policing agreement that the Department of Justice and the RCMP recently signed, and then through intradepartmental transfers, we moved the money over to Health and Social Services.
If you could let me know roughly what the cost of that is.
The range is up to $200,000. It’s around $200,000, but we haven’t got an exact figure right now.
I have no more names on my list. (interpretation ends) Bill 53, (interpretation) An Act to Amend the Medical Care Act, if you have it in your binders. (interpretation ends) Clause 1. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Do members agree, pursuant to Rule 62(2), that Bill 53 can now immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
I thank yourself and the committee for your scrutiny of Bill 53 over the last few weeks and your questions this afternoon.
I would like to thank my officials who were with me today for their work on this bill.
Thank you. We will now deal with Bill 55. The Minister of Education can go to the witness table to make her opening comments.
Minister, welcome. We will now be dealing with Bill 55.
You may proceed with your opening comments on Bill 55. Minister Aariak.
Bill 55 – An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act – Consideration in Committee
I’m pleased to be here to explain a bit about Bill 55, the proposed amendment of the Student Financial Assistance Act.
In June of 2012, cabinet approved a number of changes to the FANS program, one of which was to provide additional supports to students with permanent disabilities.
The department has been working with the Department of Justice to implement the cabinet-approved FANS program changes by drafting amendments to the Student Financial Assistance Regulations.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, the Department of Justice has advised the department that an amendment to the Act is needed in order to proceed with the drafting of regulations on the topic of providing supports to students with disabilities.
The purpose behind this proposed amendment is a technical one, to provide the department with the authorization to make regulations on the topic of providing support to students with disabilities. Approving this amendment to the Act will allow the department to proceed with the drafting of regulations to implement a cabinet-approved Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students program change.
By implementing a disability program, FANS is supporting Inuuqatigiitsiarniq and Pijitsirniq since these changes will better support these individuals in their educational and career choices.
I would be happy to answer questions, Mr. Chairman.
As Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, I am pleased to make some brief opening comments as we begin consideration of Bill 55, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act.
The standing committee supports Bill 55, which will amend the Student Financial Assistance Act to allow the minister to bring in regulations to implement an affirmative action program under FANS, Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students Program, specifically for students with disabilities.
The standing committee recommends the passage of Bill 55 to all members.
To my left is my Deputy Minister, Kathy Okpik, and to my right is Bradley Archambault, who is a legislative analyst.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Welcome, Ms. Okpik and Mr. Archambault.
That’s a nice name.
If there are no general comments, please go to Bill 55 in your binder.
An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act. (interpretation ends) Clause 1. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Clause 2. (interpretation) Wait a moment.
Mr. Enook, you will go first and then Mr. Curley.
Good afternoon, minister and your officials.
Regarding the financial assistance, specifically for students with disabilities, I am very pleased to hear that, but my question is: why does that have to be a standalone bill? I’m sure that students with disabilities were given financial assistance in the past.
Could you tell me why this is specifically for students with disabilities?
NAC specifically voiced for students with disabilities, but with the amendment, they will be given financial assistance.
They were always able to apply through the FANS program, but this is specifically for students with disabilities.
If I understood correctly, they could apply through the FANS program, but this is specifically to include students with disabilities.
If that’s the case, I will support the bill.
Yes, this is going to be specific for students with disabilities to meet their needs, for example, hiring a tutor or someone to write their essays, to learn signage. There are different ways that they can use this financial assistance.
It’s for a variety of support that the students with disabilities might need.
Mr. Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) I have a question.
Permits, Acts, and policies can be set up, for example, some specifically for women and some specifically for men, but this is a very good bill because it’s affirmative action.
It’s sometimes very hard to access those Acts online.
My question is: is it just for mobility?
I understood what you said earlier, but could you tell us what they can use that financial assistance for and set up some more examples?
For everyday use, it’s for items like hearing aids, information technology. (interpretation ends) Costs for mental health assessments, costs for proctoring exams, (interpretation) and so on are not included. Those would be considered daily.
It’s specifically for things that they need, especially for their disability.
Mr. Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) It says here in the last bracket, affirmative action program.
If they’re going to implement the affirmative action program for students with disabilities, would that be through a policy or through regulations?
I don’t believe there are such regulations or policies. When would you make those changes or amendments?
If we’re talking affirmative action, it would be by way of regulations.
Mr. Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) It takes a long time to draft regulations and you have to go through the consultation process and everything else.
Can the minister indicate when the regulation is going to be amended?
We would like to have it approved today and not too long from there, probably within a month, when the cabinet meets, it would be dealt with.
What I would like to get some clarification on is the funding that will be available.
I also would like to support this bill, along with the people who have disabilities because there are a number of them.
Is it for the school programs or is it to help the individual disabled people? Is it them who have to make a proposal in order to get assistance?
The person with a disability would have to write a proposal for assistance.
Thank you for the clarification on the question. The funding that we use usually has a fiscal year from April to March. Have you looked into how this is going to be set up?
If I request this month, then maybe I wouldn’t get a response until the new funding has started, even though it’s kind of urgent. How have you set this up so that the people won’t get left out due to the fiscal year?
Is it going to be run the way other programs are usually run?
The funding is given and if a person uses their own money to buy something, then they can get a refund as long as they have a receipt.
I don’t have any more names on my list. (interpretation ends) Bill 55.
Clause 2. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Is the committee agreed to Bill 55 as a whole?
Pursuant to Rule 62(2), does the committee agree that Bill 55 can now immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
Minister, do you have any closing comments? Minister Aariak.
This is a very important bill and it’s going to assist people with disabilities so that they can have more assistance. I appreciate everyone and also my employees who have worked with the Department of Justice when they were dealing with this.
Chairman (interpretation): There is a motion on the floor to report progress to the Speaker and the motion is not debatable.
Would you like your opposition noted?
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bills 53, 54, 55, and 56 and would like to report that Bills 53, 54, 55, and 56 are all ready for third reading and we would like to report progress.
Item 21 in our Orders of the Day.
Bill 47 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2012-2013 – Third Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 47, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2012-2013¸ be read for the third time.
Speaker: You guys heard that, eh?
The button is not working again today.
I guess I have to be careful with what I say.
The motion is carried. Bill 47 has been read for the third time and is now ready for assent.
Bill 48 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2013-2014 – Third Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 48, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2013-2014, be read for the third time.
Bill 48 has had third reading and is ready for assent.
Minister of Health, Minister Peterson.
Bill 53 – Act to Amend the Medical Care Act – Third Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 53, An Act to Amend the Medical Care Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 53 has had third reading and is ready for assent.
Bill 54 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 54, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 54 has had third reading and is ready for assent.
Bill 55 – An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 55, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 55 has had third and is ready for assent.
Bill 56 – Write-off of Assets Act, No. 1, 2011-2012 – Third Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 56, Write-off of Assets Act, No. 1, 2011-2012, be read for the third time.
Bill 56 has had third reading and is ready for assent.
If there are no more, Mr. Clerk, can you ascertain if the Commissioner of Nunavut is prepared to enter the Chamber to give assent to bills, please.
I’m sure you’re all tired by now. We watched you through the televised proceedings.
(interpretation ends) Bill 41, Donation of Food Act;
Bill 48, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2013-2014;
Bill 49, Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2013-2014;
Bill 50, An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act;
Bill 53, An Act to Amend the Medical Care Act;
Bill 54, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act;
Bill 55, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act; and
Bill 56, Write-off of Assets Act, No. 1, 2011-2012.
I stand to be corrected. My apologies.
Bill 46, Donation of Food Act.
(interpretation) As spring draws near, just the other day, I saw a snow bunting outside my house. It’s very nice to see. As it gets warmer, Inuit are going out on the land and I’m sure that we will start being out on the land, hunting geese, caribou, and whatnot.
As the sun draws near and as you conclude your work here and prepare to return to your families and communities, I wish you all a safe journey home.
Speaker: Minister Kusugak.
I would like unanimous consent to go back to Item 5 on the order paper.
Speaker: Did you say 5 or 6?
I know, it was Item 5.
The member is seeking unanimous consent to go back to Item 5 on the order paper.
Please proceed, Minister Kusugak.
You made me take a double-take there; definitely not Item 6.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I just wanted to recognize a couple of people, Tukturjuk and Misa Akuarjuk, who are my good friends and most of the people here know them. They have worked very hard here in Nunavut.
Please welcome them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
In Repulse Bay, before any government, I used to be a child with Tukturjuk and my cousin Misa Akuarjuq, who lives in Repulse Bay, Nino Karvik from Kugaaruk, and also Attima Hadlari, who used to live in Kugaaruk.
I, too, would like to recognize Attima Hadlari from my riding of Cambridge Bay.
Attima and I have been friends and neighbours for decades. He lives just down the street from me. He’s a world-renowned drum dancer.
He has done work for our community and around Nunavut for teaching languages. He has been an interpreter here. He has done a lot of stuff in Nunavut.
Welcome to the Gallery, Attima.
He’s also a good interpreter.
Mr. Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) Mr. Chairman, I know that we’re wrapping up, but I would also like to welcome these people.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to mention that when were in Bangkok, Attima was also there with us and the Kitikmeot Wildlife Organization.
They worked really hard and they had a little booth, and someone had to be in the booth all the time.
They had to get there very early welcoming people.
I would like to thank him and the minister for helping the people of Nunavut when they were working very hard. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
I’m sure Attima prefers looking at us from this side rather than that side over here. It’s a little less stressful.
Orders of the Day for May 7:
Before we conclude, it’s our last day of our winter sitting and I have to ask members to join me in thanking the people who work very hard during our session. Our pages, for one, who are here, I thank them for their help.
Also, the interpreters in the booth, I think they’re all in the booth right now. I would like to thank you guys very much for all your hard work.
Also our technical people upstairs and over here, I thank you guys very much. Those individuals are helping to ensure that Nunavummiut across the territory can watch our proceedings.
So with that, this House stands adjourned until Tuesday, May 7, at 1:30 p.m.
Before I get up again, I almost forgot one thing.
Some people say you age fast in politics.
I think one of our colleagues, Mr. Rumbolt, is about to find out. I understand that maybe anytime or this moment now, he might be a grandfather.
I wish Mr. Rumbolt well on being a grandfather.
>>House adjourned at 16:53
DAY 77
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Pages 4376 – 4407
Opening Prayer 4376
Money Message 4376
Ministers’ Statements 4376
Members’ Statements 4379
Returns to Oral Questions* 4387
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 4387
Oral Questions 4388
Returns to Written Questions* 4402
Responses to Petitions* 4402
Tabling of Documents 4402
Notices of Motions 4403
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 4403
Motions 4404
Revert to Item 15: Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 4404
First Reading of Bills 4404
Second Reading of Bills 4405
Orders of the Day 4406
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 4376
271 – 3(3): Kalaallit Nunaat’s New Government (Aariak) 4376
272 – 3(3): Emergency Preparedness Week – May 6 to 12, 2013 (Kusugak) 4377
273 – 3(3): Department of Family Services Inuktitut Translation (Ell) 4378
274 – 3(3): Enhanced ASIST Training for Teachers (Aariak) 4378
275 – 3(3): Nunavut Celebrates National Nursing Week May 6 to 12, 2013 (Peterson) 4378
452 – 3(3): Najuqsivik Society Supports Sanikiluaq Schools (Rumbolt) 4379
453 – 3(3): Support for Pilot Project to Benefit Hearing Impaired Nunavummiut (Aupaluktuq) 4380
454 – 3(3): Implementing the Ilagiitsiarniq Family Violence Prevention Framework for Action (Ugyuk) 4380
455 – 3(3): Economic Diversification in Nunavut (Elliott) 4381
456 – 3(3): Polar Bear Management (Curley) 4382
457 – 3(3): 25th Anniversary of Rankin Inlet Dog Racing (Kusugak) 4383
458 – 3(3): Tribute to Jimmy Flash Kilabuk (Ell) 4384
459 – 3(3): Veda Kaviok – NTI’s President for a Day (Shewchuk) 4385
460 – 3(3): Recent Deaths in Igloolik (Tapardjuk) 4385
461 – 3(3): Pond Inlet Graduates of Community Learning Centre (Enook) 4386
462 – 3(3): Opening of New Repulse Bay Health Centre (Ningark) 4387
Return to Oral Question 565 – 3(3): Article 24 of NLCA Binding on QEC (Clerk) 4387
595 – 3(3): Update on Qangualuk Abduction (Curley) 4388
596 – 3(3): Nomination of the Back River to the Canadian Heritage River System (Aupaluktuq) 4389
597 – 3(3): Northern Residents Deduction (Elliott) 4390
598 – 3(3): Assessing Nunavut Students (Schell) 4392
599 – 3(3): Implementing the Ilagiitsiarniq Family Violence Prevention Framework (Ugyuk) 4393
600 – 3(3): Status of Mary River Project (Enook) 4395
601 – 3(3): Update on Request for Housing in Repulse Bay (Ningark) 4396
602 – 3(3): Update on Qangualuk Abduction (Curley) 4398
603 – 3(3): Government Re-organizational Impacts on Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs (Elliott) 4400
604 – 3(3): Government Re-organizational Impacts on Family Services (Elliott) 4401
Return to Written Question 024 – 3(3): Development Partnership Agreement Between the Government of Nunavut and Meadowbank Mining Corporation/Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited (Clerk) 4402
Response to Petition 004 – 3(3): Public Housing Rent Scale (Clerk) 4402
349 – 3(3): Correspondence Concerning Canada Coal’s Fosheim Peninsula Coal Project (Elliott) 4402
350 – 3(3): Photos: Nutrition North Canada Subsidized Meat (Elliott) 4402
351 – 3(3): Editorial Cartoon from the Globe and Mail Concerning Arctic Patrol Vessels (Elliott) 4402
047 – 3(3): Extended Sitting Hours and Days – Notice (Elliott) 4403
047 – 3(3): Extended Sitting Hours and Days (Elliott) 4404
048 – 3(3): Early Adjournment (Rumbolt) 4406
Bill 61 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2013-2014 – Notice 4403
Bill 62 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2013-2014 – Notice 4403
Bill 63 – An Act Consequential to the Government Reorganization of 2013 – Notice 4403
Bill 65 – An Act to amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act – Notice 4404
Bill 61 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2013-2014 – First Reading 4405
Bill 62 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2013-2014 – First Reading 4405
Bill 61 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2013-2014 – Second Reading 4405
Bill 62 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2013-2014 – Second Reading 4406
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Mr. Tagak Curley, Honourable Monica Ell, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Joe Enook, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Hezakiah Oshutapik, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Mr. Louis Tapardjuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Jeannie Ugyuk.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk. (interpretation ends) Welcome back, everybody, to our spring sitting. Sorry we couldn’t have warmer weather out there for all of you from out of town.
I’ll read the money message coming from a letter from the Commissioner. It says:
Bill 61, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2013-2014; and
Bill 62, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2013-2014.
Signed sincerely, Edna Elias  Commissioner of Nunavut
Minister’s Statement 271 – 3(3): Kalaallit Nunaat’s New Government (Aariak)
I say “good afternoon” to all Nunavummiut and Iqalummiut.
Mr. Speaker, our neighbours in Kalaallit Nunaat have elected a new government.
On behalf of all Nunavummiut and this government, I would like to congratulate all the new members of Inatsisartut, Greenland’s Parliament, and wish them every success. I would also like to congratulate Aleqa Hammond, who is the first woman elected to lead Inatsisartut.
This is a historic achievement for Kalaallit Nunaat.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the new Kalaaliq Premier is very familiar with Nunavut and even attended Nunavut Arctic College as a student here in Iqaluit.
I look forward to working with Ms. Hammond to continue strengthening the strong bonds of culture, language, and cooperation between Nunavut and Kalaallit Nunaat.
Mr. Speaker, as Nunavummiut and Kalaaliit strive together to reclaim our self-reliance, our partnership is ever so important.
Direct flights between Nuuk and Iqaluit will resume this month, which will make it easier for Nunavummiut and Kalaaliit to come together, discuss our common concerns, and build stronger friendships.
I would like to encourage all Nunavummiut to take advantage of these opportunities in the months ahead. (interpretation) Thank you very much.
Minister’s Statement 272 – 3(3): Emergency Preparedness Week – May 6 to 12, 2013 (Kusugak)
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day, Nunavummiut.
It’s good to be back in the House.
Mr. Speaker, May 6 to 12 is designated as Emergency Preparedness Week.
This is an opportunity to remind Nunavummiut to be prepared and know what to do in the event of an emergency.