EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The government is supposed to award bonuses to companies that exceed the minimum prescribed Inuit labour content and the government is supposed to impose penalties on companies that do not meet the minimum prescribed Inuit labour content.
Can the minister clearly describe how the NNI Secretariat works with the Department of Community and Government Services to monitor the performance of contractors in meeting their Inuit labour requirements?
In regard to the member’s question, it’s being dealt with properly by different departments.
As I mentioned earlier, my department, the Department of ED&T, along with Community and Government Services, and other departments are working together.
Whenever we look at contractors, we make sure that the NNI policy is being fully adhered to or fully inspected.
In response to my colleague’s question, he’s asking me if it’s managed properly.
As I stated, this affects many departments. We try to enforce it properly. If we feel that they need a bonus or require a bonus after the project has been completed, we check to see if they do indeed deserve a bonus regardless of the nature of the contract, in accordance with the NNI policy.
Question 130 – 4(2): RFI – Incinerators and Land Fills (Savikataaq)
My questions are on incinerators and I have asked him on several occasions.
Being that we have a dump fire here right now and lots of smoke coming into town, I figure it’s a good time to bring it up again, Mr. Speaker.
In March, there was a request for information from CG&S about incinerators and landfill sites.
Can the minister give us an update on that?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Thank you, member, for that question.
My department is in the process of looking into the feasibility of how the incinerators can be applied in our communities across Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you.
The Hamlet of Arviat has been requesting assistance to get an incinerator for the community.
As I have mentioned before, our dump is just about filled to capacity. It cannot be expanded due to regulations and the flight path of the runway.
We can’t just keep throwing our garbage and letting it pile up because it’s not going to go away.
I just want to know if the minister has any plans of talking with the Hamlet of Arviat to pursue the community to get an incinerator.
Arviat is not the only community in that situation.
Other communities in Nunavut are basically in the same situation with their dumps. (interpretation ends) We are in discussions with Environment Canada to look into what might be a feasible solution to this problem. (interpretation) Thank you.
Can the minister state the government’s position on incinerators, whether they are for incinerators in our community?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I think, in the next few weeks, we are planning to do a tour in the Kivalliq, and I think this would be a terrific item to discuss at the community level. (interpretation) Thank you.
Question 131 – 4(2): Response to Proposal from Nunavut Seniors Society (Sammurtok)
Mr. Speaker, I was recently given a copy of a proposal submitted by the Nunavut Seniors Society for core funding for their operations.
This proposal was submitted to the Minister of Family Services in November of 2013 and the society has not yet received a reply.
Can the minister indicate whether or not she has received this proposal and whether she has considered it?
I thank the Member for Rankin Inlet South, Alex Sammurtok, for that question about the Nunavut Seniors Society.
We haven’t replied to them yet because we haven’t decided what that will fall under.
However, in the coming months, we will be able to make a decision on which minister this seniors society will fall under.
I recognize that the different departments of the government have different responsibilities with respect to providing support to Nunavut-based societies and their initiatives.
However, I believe that if a society takes the time to prepare a proposal and submits it to the government, they deserve the courtesy of a reply.
Will the minister commit to sending a letter to the Nunavut Seniors Society to clarify her department’s position with respect to their proposal?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister of Family Services, Ms. Ugyuk.
I thank the Member for Rankin Inlet South for that question. He’s asking if we can respond to the proposal from the seniors’ society.
I will meet with my department heads and see how we can respond to that.
Right now, the response I can make is that us, the executive committee, we have not many any decisions as to which group will be responsible for the elders in Nunavut.
Your final supplementary question, Mr. Sammurtok.
They have been waiting for a response for six months
(interpretation ends) I appreciate that the proposal to support initiatives relating to the elders might be more appropriate submitted to the Department of Culture and Heritage.
Will the minister commit to working with her colleague, the Minister of Culture and Heritage, to ensure that the Nunavut Seniors Society proposal is given full consideration by the government and to ensure that this society is informed of the government’s decision?
Thank you to the member for Rankin-Inlet North for asking that question.
We have been assisted by the Department of Culture and Heritage on this matter.
There was a new horizons program that was supported by First Air.
I can say that in the coming months we will be carefully making considerations as to who will be responsible for the Nunavut seniors.
Question 132 – 4(2): Baffin Island Caribou Survey (Joanasie)
Good morning to my fellow Members of the Legislative Assembly, the people of Kimmirut and Cape Dorset.
I have a question this morning to the Minister of Environment.
On Friday of last week there was a news report about a survey on the state of the Baffin caribou population.
The population numbers may be alarmingly low.
Can the minister explain what next steps his department is taking with the aerial caribou survey results?
They did some counting by aircraft. I would like to know the findings of that survey?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon Minister of Environment, Mr. Mike.
This month, the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board and the Elders Advisory Committee are going to be reviewing the results at the end of the month.
There will be a further review of the results later on this summer or in the fall.
What I heard in the news stated that caribou have diminished in number and not as a result of over-hunting, but they also stated that there may have to be a moratorium on caribou hunting on the Baffin population.
I would like to ask the minister, should the hunters be worried about the fact that there may be a moratorium on hunting caribou?
I just want to point out to the member’s question that the Department of Environment has not been able to make an opinion in regard to the caribou management plan.
We are working with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and the co-management partners, such as Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board, and also the Elders Advisory Committee.
The co-management partners do their analysis on the results, so the Department of Environment cannot make an opinion or position alone in regard to caribou management in the Baffin region.
Can the minister confirm if they have a Caribou Management Plan for the Baffin region? When will the plan be publicized?
In regards to caribou management in the Baffin region, this is not the first time that the caribou population has declined in the Baffin region. Inuit elders recognize the pattern that the caribou population can decrease or increase.
I think there was a caribou quota or limitation back in the 1940’s and 1950’s because the caribou population was very small.
I can only tell you that the Department of Environment took part in the caribou survey in the Baffin region. The Department of Environment took the lead in the survey.
As I have stated, after we have analyzed the survey results the Department of Environment will make their position known at that time.
Question 133 – 4(2): Disposal of Old Sanikiluaq Airport (Rumbolt)
My questions are for the Minister responsible for Economic Development and Transportation, who is responsible for airport terminals.
Mr. Speaker, about ten years ago the old airport terminal was abandoned in our community. It is of no use to the community whatsoever. In the past five years I have been trying to get the government to come up with a way to remove the building or have it demolished.
The last report I got was about a year ago and it said that there may be asbestos in the building and proper disposal would be required.
Can the minister update us today on the disposal of the old airport terminal building in Sanikiluaq?
Mr. Speaker, in regards to the member’s question, there are many old terminal buildings in Nunavut, including the one in his riding.
Mr. Speaker, we have to be careful in cleaning up the asbestos.
We have to make sure that the area around the old airport terminal is cleaned and that it isn’t contaminated.
I know we are all aware that care has to be taken when dealing with asbestos. My question is when can we expect some movement on this cleanup?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to thank the member for his question.
As I stated before, we are working to find out if there is hazardous material.
Therefore I have no new information on that.
This issue has to do with the Department of Environment.
The Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes.
Question 134 – 4(2): Monitoring Air Quality in Nunavut (Hickes)
I’m going to go to the business plan for the Department of Environment.
Mr. Speaker, I realize I could wait until the Committee of the Whole proceedings next week to get to this question. In good conscious, I can’t do so.
Mr. Speaker, although I have been talking about the current situation at the dump in Iqaluit, I would like to take more of a territorial view at environmental assessment. It quite clearly states in the Department of Environment’s business plan that environmental assessment and land use planning is the responsibility of the Department of Environment.
Mr. Speaker, during a series of questions that I have had over the last few days the Minister of Community and Government Services told me that the responsibility of air quality monitoring is the Department of Health, who has then told me that the responsibility of air quality monitoring is the Department of Environment, who just told me today that the responsibility of air quality monitoring in Nunavut is the responsibility of the federal government.
Can the minister clarify for me at this moment who is responsible for air quality monitoring in Nunavut?
Minister of the Environment, Mr. Mike.
I would also like to thank my colleague, the member for Tasiluk, for asking that question.
The member’s riding is pronounced Tasiluk, not Tasirluk.
The issue I was trying to raise this when he first asked the question.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Environment at the local community level in Nunavut can only monitor, or test in the communities on air quality.
I have stated that this earlier, that we cannot test the air quality that we breathe. It cannot test the smoke quality.
For example, in this case, we call it air pollution when we refer to the smoke of the fire.
As I stated earlier, in the local communities in Nunavut, the air quality can be monitored with the equipment. This equipment is not designed to monitor the smoke as it is intended to monitor only urban pollution, such as dust/particulate levels, and not potential toxins from the smoke from the dump.
For that reason, we cannot do a test on dump smoke.
Maybe I’m a little bit confused, but if it’s there to test the air quality that we’re breathing, I understand that you don’t want to put the equipment in the line of the smoke, but if the smoke is coming into the line of the community where it’s the air that we are breathing, I’m a little unclear of how that equipment is unable to measure toxins in the air if that’s the sole purpose of air quality monitoring. Can I get some clarification from the minister, please.
I stated that the testing equipment we have cannot measure the smoke.
As I stated before, we’re not saying that the Department of Environment cannot do air quality testing.
However, I’m saying that the air quality equipment we have can monitor only the urban pollution, such as dust/particulate levels in the community, and not the smoke from the dump.
I don’t know where the line of communication is breaking down between us, but I apologize for that, Mr. Speaker.
Also within his department’s business plan, it talks about the environmental monitoring and investigating spills or emergency response.
One of the conditions in that is developing environmental guidelines.
Does the minister’s department have guidelines established on air quality in consideration of toxic chemicals in the air?
Thank you for letting me speak about the statement that I’m going to make some time soon, but at this time, (interpretation ends) I’ll take it as notice. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The minister has taken the question as notice and I will move to the next member on my list. (interpretation) Oral Questions.
Question 135 – 4(2): Incinerators for Nunavut Communities (Savikataaq)
Earlier, I asked him for his department’s position on incinerators to the communities.
His reply was that when he does the Kivalliq tour, it would be a good time to discuss it.
I would just like to know if they have a position on putting incinerators into the communities.
I think this is a question that I may have answered in a previous session. However, we are looking into incinerators.
However, at the same time, these are very expensive propositions to look into, but the reason I mention discussing it at the community level is that we are open to discussing this with the communities. (interpretation) Thank you.
Yes, incinerators are expensive and may be unproven technology, but I think it would be a good place to start to test one out to see if they work.
We are a small community, but we are one of the bigger small communities.
Has the minister been having any talks to get funding from Building Canada funds to get incinerators?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As I mentioned again in a previous response to a question, we are still in the process of finalizing the Building Canada Fund. We haven’t signed an agreement as yet.
However, again, I stress that we are open to any discussions of that nature. (interpretation) Thank you.
Question 136 – 4(2): Financial Support for Adult Students (Angnakak)
Mr. Speaker, according to Nunavut Arctic College, in your report which was tabled yesterday, it says that the number of applicants to adult basic education has declined due to the lack of financial support.
Can the minister tell us today what is being done to address this problem?
I’m sorry that I can’t respond to the member’s question. (interpretation ends) I’ll take it as an advisement. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) …notice.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The minister has taken the question as notice and I will move to the next member on my list.
Unfortunately I don’t have one. Well, I do now.
Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes.
Question 137 – 4(2): Minimum Wage Rate (Hickes)
I don’t like leaving time on the clock, so I’ll get to something else that was tabled yesterday from the Minister of Justice, who is responsible for the Labour Standards Act.
Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago today, I asked the minister about minimum wage hikes for the territory of Nunavut. In his response there, he said that he will have to make a proposal to look at it and to start the process from there.
Mr. Speaker, I realize that the minister is a very busy man and it has only been two weeks, but I’m wondering if the minister would be able to update me on the progress of that proposal.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) At this time, we are going through a bigger challenge in terms of employment within that department.
We’re hoping that we won’t be short-staffed in the near future, but at this time, I can only say that we’re working on this proposal and hoping that we will make progress in the future on this matter. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I do understand that there are some staffing challenges there and my apologies that I had let that information slip by me.
Along the same lines, though, in the comparative analysis in the report that was tabled yesterday, it looks at some of the cost of living factors, food, shelter, transportation, clothing, utilities, as we all know, just recently increased, and, where applicable, daycare costs and other miscellaneous expenses.
Mr. Speaker, also in the report, it talks about the Government of Nunavut currently has the highest rate in Canada at $11 per hour.
Mr. Speaker, I’m sure the minister is aware that the Government of Ontario has recently put in legislation to increase their minimum wage to $11 per hour as well.
Would the minister agree with me that the cost of living in Nunavut is substantially higher than it is in the province of Ontario?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I fully agree with my colleague that the cost of living is substantially higher than Ontario.
At the same time, as a government, we are looking at the cost of groceries, for example, through Family Services. We have to consider those carefully with also the cost of doing business in our territory.
We are working on this and reviewing it with our colleagues throughout our government at this time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The time has expired. We will move on.
The Hon. Member for Tununiq, Mr. Enook.
Tabled Document 022 – 4(2): Correspondence to the Ministers of Family Services and Justice (Enook)
I wish to table today a copy of correspondence that I have written to the ministers of Family Services and Justice concerning the abuse of social assistance.
Given the importance of this issue, I am tabling a copy of my correspondence for the benefit of all members and Nunavummiut who are following our proceedings.
I will also be tabling a copy of the ministers’ reply to my correspondence.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 14.
The Hon. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Mikkungwak.
Motion 005 – 4(2): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I say “good day” to the people of Baker Lake and Nunavut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, June 9, I will move the following motion:
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Netsilik, that pursuant to the provisions of Rule 3, that when the House concludes its spring 2014 sitting, it shall be adjourned until October 21, 2014.
Bill 2 and Bill 3 with Mr. Mikkungwak in Chair.
In accordance with the authority provided to me by Motion 3 – 4(2), the committee will stay in session until it reports itself out.
We will now break for lunch and report back at 1:30.
>>House recessed at 11:24 and Committee resumed at 13:28
I would now like to call the committee meeting to order. (interpretation ends) In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 2 and 3.
We wish to continue with the review of the main estimates for the Department of Family Services. If time permits, we will commence with the review of the Department of Justice, followed by the Department of Finance.
Are we in agreement that we continue with the main estimates for the Department of Family Services?
Chairman: Thank you, members.
Before resuming consideration of the proposed 2014-15 Main Estimates of the Department of Family Services, I am now prepared to deliver my ruling on the point of order raised by the Member for Tununiq during the June 4, 2014 proceedings of the Committee of the Whole.
In raising his point of order, the Member for Tununiq took issue with the response provided by the Minister of Family Services to one of his questions.
In speaking to his point of order, the Member for Tununiq expressed concern that the minister had accused him of lying to the House.
I have reviewed both the Inuktitut and English versions of the unedited Hansard Blues and I have reviewed the audio and video record of the proceedings.
I am satisfied that the Minister of Family Services did not accuse the Member for Tununiq of deliberately lying or misleading the House.
This dispute between the members is simply a dispute concerning the interpretation of facts.
Consequently, the Member for Tununiq does not have a valid point of order, no further action on the part of the Chair is required, and this matter is concluded.
Does the Committee of the Whole agree that Minister Ugyuk’s staff go to the witness table?
Chairman: Iqsuktii, please allow the minister’s staff to go to the witness table.
(interpretation) Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Minister, for the record, please introduce your staff.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Deputy Minister Simon Awa on my right (interpretation) and from Finance, David Kolot.
Chairman: Members, we were on page D-5. Children and Family Services. Questions on page D-5, Children and Family Services?
I would like to go into the area of family protection services and ask: how many foster care homes do we have in Nunavut currently?
I would like my deputy minister to answer this question.
To date, the current number of temporary foster homes is 223.
How many children are currently in foster care in Nunavut?
Simon Awa will respond to the question.
If you don’t mind, I’m sorry that I didn’t respond properly to the first question and that I mistook one number for the other.
The number of approved foster homes is 225.
Currently, the number of foster homes that children can be placed in foster care are 223.
How many children are in foster care outside of Nunavut?
There are 68 in total not in Nunavut.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. can the minister describe what procedures are in place to monitor and keep up to date on the status of children and adults who are sent out of the territory in foster care?
I would like Peter Dudding to come to the table if he could be permitted to come to the witness table.
Chairman: Does the committee agree to bring in a different official?
Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms. (interpretation) Thank you very much.
Minister Ugyuk, could you identify your official?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): This is Peter Dudding on my left. He is the Director of Child Services in Nunavut.
Ms. Angnakak, could you repeat your question please?
Ms. Angnakak: Welcome Mr. Dudding.
Can you describe what kind of procedures are in place to monitor and to keep up to date on the status of children and adults who are sent out of the territory to receive residential or foster care?
I will have Peter Dudding answer this.
Mr. Dudding.
Mr. Dudding: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. all children and results who go outside of the territory are first reviewed by a residential placement review committee that looks after these matters across the territory. When the decision is made then for a person to be placed outside of the territory then those situations, those cases are then monitored and supervised by the community social services workers who work in the field in our communities.
In addition, we have 2 staff in headquarters: a child welfare specialist who will monitor their care and we also have an adult services specialist who will monitor the care of the adults.
Then regular reports are received from those residences where they are staying.
Regular visitation and case planning conferences are conducted. In addition to that, on an annual basis a review of all facilities in which persons from Nunavut are placed outside they are reviewed on an annual basis.