EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Committee Motion 002 – 2(4): Recommendation to Modify Government of Nunavut’s Leasing Policy (Curley) 923
Report of the Committee of the Whole 975
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 975
Speakers’ Ruling 975
Speaker’s Ruling 977
Orders of the Day 978
Monday, March 26, 2007 880
044 – 2(4): Minister Simailak Absent from the House (Picco) 880
045 – 2(4): FASD Reseach and Prevention Update (Aglukkaq) 881
046 – 2(4): Safe and Positive School Environments (Picco) 881
085 – 2(4): First Annual Dog Team Race (Okalik) 882
086 – 2(4): Who is the Guardian of Our Marine Environment?
(Alagalak) 883
087 – 2(4): Continued Representation of Kugaaruk Residents Despite the Report of EBC Being Rejected (Mapsalak) 884
088 – 2(4): Kugluktuk Long-Term Service Awards (Evyagotailak) 885
089 – 2(4): Dog Team Race (Brown) 886
116 – 2(4): Mercury Build-up in the Food Chain (Barnabas) 888
117 – 2(4): Bullying in Schools (Peterson) 888
118 – 2(4): Federal Budget (Curley) 891
119 – 2(4): Medical Travel and Escort Policies being Fairly Implemented (Tootoo) 893
120 – 2(4): FASD Issue (Peterson) 895
121 – 2(4): Renewal of Driver’s License (Kattuk) 898
122 – 2(4): Passport Issue (Barnabas) 898
123 – 2(4): Avian Cholera (Alagalak) 899
124 – 2(4): Employment Opportunity for Disabled Youth (Tootoo) 901
125 – 2(4): Funding for Elders and Youth Facilities (Barnabas) 903
126 – 2(4): Cost Savings Using Spiral Light Bulbs (Tootoo) 904
127 – 2(4): Update on Counselling Services (Peterson) 906
060 – 2(4): Staff Housing - Correction to a Statement Made on March 23, 2007 to Committee of the Whole (Tapardjuk) 910
061 – 2(4): Electoral Boundaries Commission Report - Letter from Kitikmeot Inuit Association (Aglukkaq) 910
062 – 2(4): Electoral Boundaries Commission Report – CBC News “Nunavut boundaries report draws mixed reviews” November 10, 2006 (Aglukkaq) 910
063 – 2(4): Electoral Boundaries Commission Report – CBC News “Four new ridings needed: Nunavut Commission” November 6, 2006 (Aglukkaq) 910
064 – 2(4): Cancelling Flight Information Centre in Yellowknife - Letter from NAV Canada (Peterson) 911
065 – 2(4): Voice of Parents in Nunavut Education – Presentation by Kiggaqtuijingit Ilinniaqtulirijikkut Nunavumi/Coalition of Nunavut’s DEAs to Education Act Steering Committee (Curley) 911
066 – 2(4): Northern Residents Tax Deduction - Letter from Dennis Bevington, MP for Western Arctic (Tootoo) 911
067 – 2(4): Electoral Boundaries Commission Report - Letter of Support for Recommendations from Hamlet of Taloyoak (Tootoo) 911
005 – 2(4): Amendments to Rules 39 and 18 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly (Tootoo) 912
006 – 2(4): Extended Adjournment (Picco) 912
007 – 2(4): Amendments to Rules 97 and 101 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly (Tootoo) 913
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2007-08 – Consideration in Committee – Community and Government Services 914
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2007-08 –Consideration in Committee – Education 965
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. David Alagalak, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. James Arvaluk, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Honourable Levinia Brown, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Joe Allen Evyagotailak, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Honourable Patterk Netser, Honourable Paul Okalik, Mr. Keith Peterson, Honourable Edward Picco, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (Hon. Peter Kilabuk)(interpretation): Thank you, Members.
I will say the opening prayer.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Premier, Ministers, and Members.
Thank you for returning back to the session.
I would like to raise a Point of Privilege today.
Can you give us a Rule in our Rulebook as to which one that you would like to raise your Point of Privilege on.
The Rule applies under Point of Privilege, section 20.
Speaker: Thank you, Members.
Ms. Aglukkaq, under the current Rules set out under 20(2), it is required that a notice of at least one hour be given before any notice of privileges are given.
So under that rule, I cannot take Points of Privilege under the rules.
(interpretation) Going to the Orders of the Day. Item 2.
If there is none, Minister of Education, Minister Picco.
Minister’s Statement 044 – 2(4): Minister Simailak Absent from the House (Picco)
Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you and good afternoon, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to take this opportunity to advise members that the Honourable David Simailak will be absent from the House today.
Minister’s Statement 045 – 2(4): FASD Research and Prevention Update (Aglukkaq)
I would like to update the members of this House on what the Government of Nunavut has been doing with respect to preventing and educating people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, or FASD.
Just before session began I had the privilege of attending a meeting of the Canada Northwest FASD Partnership.
The partnership, FASD Research Network, takes a provincial/territorial approach to research and solutions.
It is developing comprehensive and culturally appropriate programs for us to use for prevention, surveillance, and intervention.
The Department of Health and Social Services is now working on an FASD Strategy building on the work of the Research Network.
We want to enhance the work already being done by government staff, non-governmental organizations, hamlets, and community volunteers to prevent FASD and support families.
This winter the department held two separate training events. One helped frontline workers recognize and respond effectively to mental and physical disorders.
The second, held in partnership with Pauktuutit, focused on how to support women not to drink alcohol during their pregnancy, helping participants develop plans of their own in their own communities.
We launched the Nunavut FASD pin and certificate program where women that promise not to drink during pregnancy receive a pin and a certificate. The department has a poster contest with 13 images selected for a beautiful calendar for the year of 2007, copies of which I had the pleasure of tabling in the House.
I would note in closing that all this work would not be possible without the dedicated staff, like Winnie Banfield, our FASD Early Childhood Education Coordinator, as well as the frontline healthcare providers, Community Health Representatives, nurses, CPNP Workers, Addiction Counsellors, and concerned individuals.
I would ask members to join me in thanking them for their good work on behalf of Nunavummiut.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. Item 2. Ministers’ Statements.
Minister’s Statement 046 – 2(4): Safe and Positive School Environments (Picco)
Bullying is serious and has implications for building and maintaining positive school and community environments.
During recent Council of Ministers of Education Canada meetings, the topic of bullying has been and continues to be discussed at great length.
From the discussions I have participated in with my fellow ministers responsible for education across Canada, we have agreed to share information on bullying and school violence.
In Nunavut we have a number of initiatives in our schools to address bullying. We have schools engaged in restitution approaches to improve school environments and inter-personal relationships between students. Other schools are offering effective behaviour supports which shape school climate and provide additional supports to students, their families and to staff.
Our schools have student support teams which address the individual needs of students who are experiencing emotional or social difficulties. Our curriculum deals with understanding and developing healthy relationships, self-esteem, tolerance and understanding of each other regardless of gender, race, or ability.
Addressing bullying requires more than our schools; it requires our parents, our partners, and the community as a whole to work together to assist our youth to ensure a safe, caring learning environment.
Many of our district education authorities are addressing the issue of bullying with policy development for student codes of conduct.
We have recently seen the Nunavut Teachers Association also address safe school environments by running a week long Make Learning Safe campaign.
Bulling is serious and will require all Nunavummiut to work together to ensure our communities promote a safe and positive environment.
Member’s Statement 085 – 2(4): First Annual Dog Team Race (Okalik)
I am very relaxed today.
Minister Tapardjuk rose, in this House, during the last session to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Association des Francophone de Nunavut.
As part of the 25th anniversary program, the Association of Francophones is now partnering with Mayukalik Hunters and Trappers Organization of Kimmirut to launch the first annual dog team race called Defi Qimualaniq Quest.
This is a good example of Nunavummiut working together to share their culture, language, and traditions.
This is a community event that I encourage people of Iqaluit and Kimmirut to actively support.
It is an excellent initiative to promote dog sled traditions in the South Baffin region.
The dog team race is starting today from Iqaluit to Kimmirut.
The grand finale is anticipated for April 1 when the participants make it back to the capital.
Prizes will be awarded to the winners during the community feast that will be held in the Francophone centre in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, please join me in wishing a good race to all participants of Defi Qimualaniq and a happy 25th anniversary to the Francophone Association of Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 086 – 2(4): Who is the Guardian of Our Marine Environment?
(Alagalak)
As a male, when you don’t have a dog team, it’s embarrassing.
I rise today on a concern I have in Arviat.
My constituents have a concern about...The other day I tried to ask some questions in this House, Nunavummiut are worried about our marine environment as well as people of Sanikiluaq and I wanted to voice these concerns and ask questions.  I was not asking questions about harvesting.
If it is a question, I feel there has to be an answer in this House.
If something has to be done, I feel there should have to be answers to have something resolved, instead of giving it to somebody else to resolve.
I know that this is a federal government issue, the marine environment, but I think we all harvest marine mammals and we still eat them.
Whenever you ask a question in this House, such things as passports, we are able to get responses because there are people that could answer our question. This is very good. When it is in regard to marine mammals, there is nobody here to answer the question.
I think this is a concern of ours because everybody is using our marine environment and there are contaminants that are being brought to our marine environment.
I would like to encourage our government leader...
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Alagalak, your time is up.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I would like unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Thank you, Members.
I would like to encourage the Government Leader and to support him in regard to the marine environment.
I would also like the Government Leader to appoint a Marine Environment Minister so they could be able to work with the federal government.
I feel it’s very important that whenever we ask a question we would like a response, and we should be able to get responses in regard to the marine environment here in Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 087 – 2(4): Continued Representation of Kugaaruk Residents Despite the Report of EBC Being Rejected (Mapsalak)
I rise today to thank my constituency in Kugaaruk.
Mr. Speaker, some Members of the Legislative Assembly represent more than one community.
Last week, the Electoral Boundaries Commission report, which contained a number of recommendations, was rejected by this House.
The motion that was put before us to reject the report was very difficult for me because I represent two communities from two different regions.
I could not reject the report because I feel a change is necessary. But I could not accept it, either.
As a result, I chose not to vote on the motion.
As it is right now, I struggle to visit my other community on a regular basis because our travel budgets are very limited and because of our present airline routes.
When I am invited to go to Kugaaruk for special functions, I cannot always attend even though I would like to.
I am sure this situation is the same for my colleagues who also represent more than one community.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission consulted with the people of Kugaaruk and I would like to thank them for their input to the commission.
The residents of Kugaaruk recommended that they be paired up with Taloyoak in a single constituency because both communities are in the Kitikmeot region and they share travel and economic links.
Understandably, Nunavummiut want to be represented fairly and a lot of communities want their own Members of the Legislative Assembly but we all know this is not possible.
I encourage the residents of Kugaaruk to continue to make further recommendations, especially to the next boundaries commission.
Mr. Speaker, I would like the people of Kugaaruk to know that despite the fact that the report was rejected, I will continue to do my best to represent them in this House and to address their concerns.
Member’s Statement 088 – 2(4): Kugluktuk Long-Term Service Awards (Evyagotailak)
I rise today to congratulate my constituents who received long-term service awards in January.
Mr. Speaker, I was proud to be invited to the Nunavut Arctic College in Kugluktuk to present the long-term service awards to 14 Government of Nunavut employees.
I was also pleased to see the families who came to support the recipients. There were a lot of children present and these people are role models in our communities.
They inspire kids to stay in school.
They inspire youth to work hard and they teach people the values of continuous years of service to their community.
I would like to thank Human Resources in Cambridge Bay for organizing the ceremony and Nunavut Arctic College and Kitikmeot Foods for their sponsorship of the event.
Mr. Speaker, I would like congratulate:
Lori Rudyk
Nicola Little
Catherine Voisey,
Mary Morgan,
Robert Rollins,
Corina Harvey,
Catherine Kuneluk,
Michael Webster, and
Allen Niptanatiak
for receiving five-Year Awards.
Mr. Speaker, I also presented 10-Year Awards to Wendy Hitkolok, and Gordon Hikomak. There was one 15-Year Award to Margo Nivingalok.
I would especially like to congratulate Annie Kamingoak for 20 years of service and Lucy Taipana for 25 years of service to the Government of Nunavut.
Thank you to my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating every person who received Government of Nunavut Long Term Service Awards.
My apologies. Member for Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove, Ms. Brown.
Member’s Statement 089 – 2(4): Dog Team Race (Brown)
I rise today to congratulate the residents of Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove.
We have to recognize them because they elected us.
There was a dog team race in the Keewatin to go down to Churchill, and in my constituency, David Uluyuk came in second place to arrive in Churchill and Harry Towtongie.
I haven’t quite heard exactly who was involved but I am very proud that Silu Uluyuk, that’s the one I hear from because his parents are in Churchill.
A lot of us were fortunate enough to witness when they were still using dog teams or living in Igloos; it’s part of the Inuit culture.
We will probably hear what will happen.
We heard during the night around 12:30 David Uluyuk arrived in Churchill.
I know it must be tiring and we hear different things.
I’m so proud of them and that’s why I got up to congratulate them.
Item 5. (interpretation ends) Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation) Member for Cambridge Bay, Mr. Peterson.
It gives me great pleasure today to welcome a young lady from my riding to our House. Her name is Shawna Angulalik, sitting right over here.
Shawna graduated from high school in 2005. I think she was the only high school grad that year.
She accomplished this while she was raising a child and a family; she went on to work for the Kitikmeot Law Centre. She is now a court worker in my riding. She is in town this weekend for a court worker program.
I would like to welcome her to the House again.
Welcome to the Gallery. (interpretation) Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
I would like to recognize my constituent that we represent, Nicole, who is here.
Welcome, Sigma.
She is the daughter of Ollie Ittinuar and Lizzie Ittinuar. If you remember Peter, her brother, was the first Member of Parliament for when we were still under the Northwest Territories, when he was elected for NDP.
Those are things we have to remember. I am very happy to say that Peter has worked a hard lot.
I remember I grew up with him. Her parents are very prominent in the community and are aging.
Thank you and welcome to the gallery.
We don’t normally recognize anybody from our constituency.
I am very happy to have someone from my riding. Most of us know this person who has worked at the Legislative Assembly, the first Member of the Legislative Assembly for Kugluktuk, the First Assembly’s Executive Assistant Mrs. Doris Nancy Evaglok.
When I was sitting here, I recognized somebody that was coming in. I urge my colleagues to recognize one of my constituents, Anne Curley.
I want her recognized in the House.
Question 116 – 2(4): Mercury Build-up in the Food Chain (Barnabas)
Mr. Barnabas: Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Environment.
In the 1970s and 1980s, studies show that mercury levels in some northern populations were quite high. It is believed that while some mercury is in the environment naturally, a lot of it comes from industrial activity.
It travels through the food chain with an accumulated impact on polar bears and humans at the top of the food chain.
Right now, in 2007, we are hearing a lot about greenhouse gases, and the effects on our climate and our wildlife.
Can the Minister tell the House what kind of attention is currently being paid to environmental contaminants such as mercury and how it is building up in our Arctic food chain?
The member raised a very good question, however, I haven’t been briefed the contaminant levels in our polar bears and the food chain that we eat.
I will have to take that question as notice.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Netser. (interpretation ends) Your question has been taken as notice. (interpretation) Oral Questions.
Question 117 – 2(4): Bullying in Schools (Peterson)
In his Ministerial Statement today he states some positive school items. I’d like to congratulate the minister for initiating work to address the bullying in the schools. It’s a huge issue in my riding.
A few questions I have for the minister on this statement, you mention that they have schools engaged in restitution. My question for the minister: what schools are involved and how are they selected as restitution schools?
Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the member’s question. I know that he has raised the issue of bullying the schools in the House in the past and with me in several conversations.
Mr. Speaker, restitution is just one of the methods we’ve been using in our schools to try to deal with the issue of bullying. The others include the Effective Behaviour Support, as well as having school improvement plans and the student codes of conduct.
Specifically on the restitution approaches, different schools are given the opportunity to look at different ways of dealing with school bullying. I don’t have the number of schools right now that are following specifically the restitution. I know that there are several schools involved but that’s a choice that the school would make with the staff, with the principal, and in cooperation with the district education authority.
I hear about bullying in the schools in Cambridge Bay.
We all know who the bullies are. They get kicked out of school for a day or two and then they’re back. I wonder if the minister can tell me, has any consideration been given to banning the bullies from schools and classrooms permanently.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Peterson. Minister of Education, Minister Picco.
As I said earlier, some of the district education authorities have looked at student codes of conduct. In any case, in our schools, we have suspensions, and so on, that are in place. As per the regulations that are in place, they are under the direction of the district education authorities in the supervision of our schools.
The termination of students from the school is one of the last resorts that we want to use, however, if the student is creating a scene at the school, if there’s violence involved, if it’s affecting other students, then usually the suspension of the student is brought forward.
The number of days that the student that would be suspended, the length of time and duration of the suspension, as well as the logistics of the suspension would be under the direction of the district education authorities, the school, the principal, the staff, as well as the parents.
Mr. Speaker, many of the children that are bullied suffer emotional difficulties in their current class year and in future years. It affects them long-term. I am wondering, can the minister tell me how the Department of Education helps those kids who are suffering from the emotional affects of constant bullying and beatings in schools?
Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Minister Picco.
We have student support consultants. We actually have three in Nunavut that would help deal with some of the issues around habitual offenders, if we could say that, in the school system.
This is an issue that goes outside the school, as we said earlier. It has to be dealt with, with a partnership between the parents and the local district education authorities, as well as the school officials, and the student themselves.
One of the things we’re looking at right now in the new Education Act is how do we deal with discipline in the schools, how do we deal with suspensions and how do we deal with some of the violence issues that we’ve seen in the media, and so on.
So we do have individual behaviour support, we do have the consultants and we do have school improvement plans in place. There are a lot of things happening.
In some communities the problems is a little more serious than in other communities, and we’re trying to address those when we receive information from schools that they need help, or from district education authorities, then we have professional consultants and staff within the department itself, to help facilitate that.
I appreciate what the minister is saying.
It doesn’t just start at home; it doesn’t start at school it probably starts at home and starts in the community.
You mentioned that it’s going to require parents, our partners, and the communities as a whole to work together. I wonder if the minister can share some information with the House on how his department is going to involve the parents and communities, and the community as a whole working together to address the serious issue of bullying.
Just for the record I just received information in regard to the member’s earlier question on the schools that were involved in restitution; they include Cape Dorset, Nakasuk School, as well as the school in Igloolik.
What we’ve tried to do is put in place a cooperative framework in the community, and in the classroom, and in the schools.
In that community cooperation network we’re able to deal with some of the issues of violence. We seen, for example, as I said earlier, with the Nunavut Teacher’s Association coming forward and bringing out a week-long promotional campaign to talk about some of the issues of violence in our schools.
It is not acceptable to have teachers being punched, have objects being thrown at our staff.
At the same time it is not acceptable to have students bullying other students and causing violence.  As I said earlier in my statement, this is not just an issue in Nunavut; we see it right across Canada.