EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Looking at the capital estimates, it’s set for five-year capital plans for schools and others.
It’s impossible to know how this $9 million will be reallocated back.
Probably it will have to be re-profiled and it seems that we have to deal with this urgently because we don’t want to lose the Inuit culture.
I will be asking questions later on: who are you working with to find funds and how urgent is Inuit language and culture training to protect the language and culture. The heritage centre will be built in Iqaluit but the residents of Clyde River have been requesting for the Piqqusilirivvik School for many years.
So I want to know how diligent you are in working with your partners to find funds.  So I will be asking questions along that line in regard to Clyde River and Piqqusilirivvik when we get on to that topic.
We will start off with F-6 under Capital Estimates. (interpretation ends) F-6.
Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. Detail of Capital.
My colleague will be asking in regard to the cultural school, so I have a question in regard to the heritage centre.
I am in support of the minister’s opening comments that that needs to become a reality but it’s going to be a challenge to come up with those funds and that you will be contracting out of an individual to work on that.
Perhaps, first of all, I’ll ask a question. Are you going to be contracting a company, an individual or a firm? If you can elaborate further on that.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): To date, we have not signed the contract that I had mentioned earlier, but we had made a request to the Nunatsiaq News and other forms of media.
There have been three applications and we’ve reviewed them. They are all companies and they are not owned by individuals.
We have not signed a contract as yet but the documents are being prepared now for signatures.
I can tell you that we will be contracting out a company to identify the cost for this.
If it’s a company that will be awarded the contract, then will the company be raising funds on its own, or will that company be responsible for looking for funds from elsewhere?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, they will be dealing with everything to do with fundraising and look for funds elsewhere for us.
We have considered that the federal government would have to provide some funds and some could possibly come from the private sector. The contractor would be responsible to raise these funds.
Although the funds will go to Cultural, Language, Elders and Youth, NTI, Inuit Heritage Trust and Cultural, Language, Elders and Youth have a working group that represents those entities and they will be working closely with them, although the Department of Cultural, Language, Elders and Youth will be responsible for it.
Another question: do you have an idea of whether they will be contracting out a company that will be looking for funds?
Can the minister table the terms of reference to the House so that we’ll be fully informed as to how it is?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I can agree to that to table the policy and the terms of reference for that contract in the House.
Mr. Curley: Not yet. Thank you. (interpretation) Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask the minister another question.
Because the company that will be contracted to look for funds can’t go beyond the budget, do you have an idea on the total amount of financing?
Have you identified the range although it may not be a final number?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): The design and revision during the time when they did a feasibility study, they thought that it would cost about $55 million.
After reviewing and evaluating the cost for the design and operations for 2007, we estimated that it would cost approximately $61 million to $62 million.
We’ll have to identify funds to pay for the construction of Piqqusilirivvik.
My next question to the minister, since you’re now on the planning stage for this, the funds will be provided in part by NTI.
Will those entities that provide support financially own the building, or will they just have an advisory role, or will the Government of Nunavut own Piqqusilirivvik?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): We have not come to a decision on how the Piqqusilirivvik governance would be, for example, if it’s going to be owned by the GN, or are we going to go with partnership to own the building with NTI, or is it going to be a Crown corporation with its own board of governors?
The working group is still working on the details as to how it would operate.
The governance is within the responsibility of the working group - how this will be operated and how the governance will be.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Curley.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman My last question.
Can the minister reconsider to get more than one recommendation on how this building will be owned?
If the entities agree to share it or not, it’s going to be difficult to get some funds that large.
Have you done away with the idea of a company owning that building?
We’re leasing this house for 20 years.
Have you considered a long-term lease in regard to that? Thank you.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Curley. Minister Tapardjuk.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): To this effect, we’ll also have to look into that and consider it.
It is our priority since we’re using Yellowknife Museum archives because we provide funds to the GNWT to house our artefacts and archives since we don’t have space in Nunavut to do that. That’s one of our priorities.
The company that we’ll be contracting out will be looking for funds.
We would like to see them deal with that. I have not heard when the working group will be meeting. Their next meeting will be in November.
At that time we’ll have a better idea on what the situation is with the heritage centre.
I will continue to work on the heritage centre even though there are no funds set aside. We will work on the planning stage, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. At this time I don’t have anybody on my list. (interpretation ends) Page F-6.
Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. Detail of Capital. Directorate.
Tangible Assets. Headquarters Region. Mr. Arvaluk.
There’s a question that I wanted to raise in regard to the Piqqusilirivvik School.
I believe it’s trying to say “Inuit culture.”
I wanted to ask about the funding of $9 million that has been postponed, I think it’s $9 million, my apologies. It might be postponed or delayed, and I don’t know where it would come.
I would like to find out who your partners will be because Inuit are concerned that we are losing our culture, and in some cases, our language, especially for students, whether they’re in university or college. There should be a school where they can go to.
The partners have not come up with the funding yet.
How closely are you working with them, or is it doubtful that they’ll come up with money, or is it at a preparatory stage?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Before I respond to his question, exactly which one are you referring to; are you talking about the heritage centre or the cultural school?
We have put aside $10 million for the heritage centre and the $9 million is going to be used for something else for now.
The cultural school was also provided with $10 million by the Nunavut Government.
At this time we are preparing how it will be operated, when the construction will begin, what courses will be available and how many students would be able to attend.
We have a working group that is looking at all of those things.
So I would like to ask him if he is referring to the heritage centre or the Piqqusilirivvik Cultural School.
I am referring to the Piqqusilirivvik School with regards to the construction.
I believe the construction is to start in 2009-10.
I’m looking at the substantiation sheet because he seems to have stated that he wasn’t sure as to exactly how it will be and I don’t think the design is ready.
I believe it’s set for 2008-09 for the design and the construction to start in 2009-10 and beyond. The funding is already identified there.
How can you know the cost to construct it when you don’t even have the design?
When we were dealing with Education, we heard that it costs a lot now to construct buildings.
So can you tell us that you believe it will not go over the limit of $4.1 million in 2010, and just in case it goes over that amount, where will the extra funding come from? Will it come from the Government of Nunavut?
Piqqusilirivvik will be funded by the Government of Nunavut.
After the election, we met in Arviat, and we are just going ahead with what was discussed.
So the money set aside for 2008-09 will be used for the planning and design, and we will start the construction in 2009-10, and will be completed in 2010-11.
At this time we are not too certain on how big it will be, if it will be just in Clyde River, or if we’re to consider Igloolik or Baker Lake, if there will be satellite campuses where will we have to come up with actual building, or even without putting up a building, can we still go ahead with the training?
So we are going to do those depending on the availability of funds.
My apologies, in his opening comment on the funding for Piqqusilirivvik, may be the leftovers from the GN. I don’t know why the CLEY Department is not funded sufficiently and yet they say it’s a very valuable department.
That’s what we’ve heard when it was formed.
So now, we know $6.1 million and $4,133,000 are just estimates. It might pretty well be way over that amount because as you said, you didn’t know how big it will be.
Does the minister expect that after they utilize the $850,000, they will be able to identify and give the exact amount of money that they will need?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, the member is right.
We will have to come up with that and we are working with CGS for the planning.
Even though it’s stated there, we will have to know if it will be run by a Crown corporation or if we’re going into partnership with NTI. These are being looked at by the working groups.
So I expect that in the future there will be some developments but at this time I can’t say, Mr. Chairman, that it will be like this. I can’t give you definite specifics on those and who will maintain it or who will own it.
Those are the questions that we’ll have to answer. After they’ve being worked on by the working group, then we can have a clearer picture in Nunavut.
My question is… I don’t know if the minister will be able to respond about the delay but in regard to the Nunavut Heritage Centre, there was $9 million that was allocated there to be used.
It states here now that they had to take $9 million to use for something else because some capital items had to be completed and I don’t know which ones.
We don’t see any money up to 2013.
So the $9 million that was going to be used originally, where did you put it? Are we going to see it again?
We know it’s from the Nunavut Government. Is that right? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Mapsalak. Minister Tapardjuk.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): At this time, I can say that they’re dealt with by the Finance Division of CLEY.
So I can say that I don’t know where the $9 million is but it’s within the Nunavut Government.
To clarify, it was obvious in 2008-09 that we couldn’t complete the Piqqusilirivvik, especially when the territorial government was the only government to identify funding.
The federal government will have to provide some funding, and as I stated earlier, we are just about to sign a contract for the heritage centre to pay for it.
After we complete that and if we’re going to see some money, and we, as a government, we’ll be able to put more money in.
This will be ongoing for the heritage centre because we know that it has to be dealt with quite soon.
Maybe we are too slow. It was clear that in 2008-09, we couldn’t utilize the funding even though it was identified. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. Mr. Mapsalak.
You stated that it was clear that it wasn’t going to be constructed by 2008-09. Was that $9 million identified even though it wasn’t going to be a reality? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): We are currently working with NTI and the Heritage Trust, and we also need their help.
That is why we go a little bit slower. If it was just us, maybe we could have gone a bit faster, but we have to work together.
We are aware that it’s impeding the progress but we’ve encountered some problems because the federal government has to identify some money. Yes, we have encountered some problems but we have dealt with them.
We are hopeful that we will be able to sign a contract and it should go ahead pretty soon, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. (interpretation ends) We’re on page F-6. Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. Detail of Capital.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would just like to add a bit more to Mr. Mapsalak’s question because it’s not written here anywhere as to how much money you are paying rent for the Yellowknife Heritage Centre for our artefacts that are being looked after there.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): We had made an agreement with the NWT Government in 2006-07. It would be about $164,000; 2007-08, $169,000; and this year, $173,000.
Every year we pay them to keep our artefacts in their heritage centre and the federal government, the NWT Government, and the Nunavut Government were beginning to negotiate the amount.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister.
I know it’s going to increase each year since it’s that amount now.
If I ask you in this way, have you asked the federal government concerning section 35 in our Constitution, we have recognized our language and culture; have you asked the federal government if they could assist you in the finances towards that?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): I think it was a year before, after the Conservatives were elected and formed the government, we met with the federal Minister responsible for Heritage.
At that time the federal government was thinking they would pay for one third, the Government of Nunavut would pay for one third, and the private sector would be for one third also.
We thought that half of it would be paid by the federal government and we would look for the rest.
I don’t think, however, that we have gone over budget. We have received $10 million through the Northern Strategy, and I believe those funds will continue to be available for at least another year. The funds are there for improvements in the North.
So we are going to be contracting consultants to look at what sources of funds we can access from the federal government, who we should see, who we should meet with. The contractor will be responsible for doing all that, and it makes sense to us for one person to carry out those activities.
We will pursue this approach as far as we can, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Arvaluk.
Page F-6. Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
Tangible Assets. Headquarters Region. Total Headquarters Region. $910,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Total Tangible Assets. $910,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman: Go to page F-4.
Total Capital Expenditures. $910,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?  Some Members: Agreed.
Chairman: Thank you. Are you agreed that the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth is concluded?
Chairman: Thank you. Thank you, Minister. (interpretation) If you have any closing remarks, you may do so, Minister Tapardjuk.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): I just want to thank everybody and I know that we are going to be better prepared for the future.
The capital funding that are requested from different organizations are going to be better planned and in place for the communities.
I would like to thank my colleagues for approving our capital estimates on this bill.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister. Thank you, Mr. Kolot.
Thank you, Ms. Hainnu.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. (interpretation end) We have a motion on the floor to report progress and the motion is not debatable; you cannot debate the motion.
All those in favour of the motion, raise you hand, please.
Going to the Orders of the Day. Item 20. Report of the Committee of the Whole.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Is there a seconder? Thank you, Mr. Peterson.
Item 21. Third Reading of Bills. Item 22.
A reminder, there’s a meeting of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Accountability in the Tuktu Boardroom tomorrow morning at nine o’clock.  Orders of the Day for October 25:
This House stands adjourned until Thursday, October 25, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 17:45
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Pages 1887 – 1959
Opening Prayer 1887
Speaker’s Ruling 1887
Ministers’ Statements 1888
Members’ Statements 1890
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. 1901
Oral Questions 1903
Written Questions 1921
Tabled Documents 1922
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1924
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1958
Orders of the Day 1958
Thursday, October 25, 2007 1887
086 – 2(4): Together at a Distance (Picco) 1889
087 – 2(4): Qikiqtani General Hospital (Aglukkaq) 1889
191 – 2(4): Search & Rescue at Baker Lake Successful (Simailak) 1890
192 – 2(4): Input from Qikiqtarjuaq Students (Arreak) 1891
193 – 2(4): Unmanned Drones: The Wrong Solution for Sovereignty (Tootoo) 1892
194 – 2(4): Important Role of Inuit Culture for Mental Health and Wellness in Nunavut (Mapsalak) 1894
195 – 2(4): Youth of Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak) 1895
196 – 2(4): Search and Rescue of Enoki Kunuk (Barnabas) 1896
197 – 2(4): Sporadic Monitoring of Arctic Waters (Picco) 1897
198 – 2(4): Inuit Language Bills Weak Need Community Consultations (Curley) 1898
199 – 2(4): Recognition of Late Lucien Ukaliannuk (Tapardjuk) 1899
200 – 2(4): Domestic Violence (Peterson) 1900
201 – 2(4): Gjoa Haven Youth Group (Aglukkaq) 1901
245 – 2(4): Job Advertisement Without Staff Housing (Tootoo) 1903
246 – 2(4): Power Outages in Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak) 1905
247 – 2(4): Program to Provide Traditional Food (Barnabas) 1907
248 – 2(4): Municipal Vehicle Use Policy (Curley) 1908
249 – 2(4): Vacant Wildlife Officer Position (Kattuk) 1910
250 – 2(4): Monitoring of Kitikmeot Boarding Home (Peterson) 1910
251 – 2(4): Lack of Translated RCMP Documents (Barnabas) 1913
252 – 2(4): Program to Provide Traditional Food (Kattuk) 1915
253 – 2(4): Inspector Regarding No Smoking Regulations (Curley) 1916
254 – 2(4): Victims of Violence (Peterson) 1917
255 – 2(4): Indication of Small Provision for Unforeseen Events in Fiscal Update (Tootoo) 1920
008 – 2(4): Meetings and Directives of Executive Council and its Committees (Tootoo) 1921
121 – 2(4): Smoking at the Rankin Inlet Airport Terminal – Email from Emily Karetak-Tagoona (Curley) 1922
122 – 2(4): Letter to the Minister of Finance Requesting Information about Alcohol Education Committees under the Nunavut Liquor Act (Peterson) 1923
123 – 2(4): Northern Residents Tax Deduction: A Discussion Paper October 11, 2007 – Nunavut Economic Forum (Peterson) 1923
124 – 2(4): Swimming Pool for Arctic Bay – Letter from Mayor of Arctic Bay (Barnabas) 1923
125 – 2(4): Elders’ Centre for Arctic Bay – Letter from Mayor of Arctic Bay (Barnabas) 1923
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee – Community and Government Services 1924
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Mr. James Arreak, 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 David Simailak, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (Hon. Peter Kilabuk)(interpretation): I would like to ask Mr. Simailak to say the opening prayer.
First of all, I welcome our visitor, the Commissioner of GNWT, Tony Whitford, and welcome him to the Legislative Assembly.
Before we start, I would like to ask the Member for Rankin Inlet North, to the Point of Order that was made yesterday to the Member for Iqaluit West.
Mr. Curley: Mr. Speaker, I was hoping that you would skip that item for today.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today and I’ve reviewed the statement that I made on Wednesday and I am pleased to say, Mr. Speaker, I stand by my comment.
Colleagues, yesterday the Member for Iqaluit West made a Point of Order arising from debate in the Chamber on October 23, 2007.
The Point of Order is based on Rule 23 (i) of our Rules, which states that a member shall not impute false or hidden motives to another member.
I have reviewed the Blues in relation to this matter.
(interpretation ends) The issue arises from a series of questions that the Member for Rankin Inlet North posed to the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation regarding the position of CEO on the Nunavut Development Corporation.
During his line of questioning, the Member for Rankin Inlet North remarked that personality differences between the former CEO and the Premier should be ignored when dealing with this matter.
The Member for Iqaluit West is of the view that this statement imputes false or hidden motive.
The Glossary of Parliamentary Procedure of the Canadian House of Commons defines the term “impute motives” as ‘ascribing objectionable motives to a Member different from those acknowledged by the Member.” This definition is consistent with our application of the Rule in prior Rulings.
The issue in this matter rises to some extent from imprecise language used in the course of debate. In reviewing the matter, the minister, in answering the questions to the member, provided very broad responses.
In pursuing the issue, the Member for Rankin Inlet North did not put a clear and concise question to the minister as to the extent that personality differences between the former CEO and the Premier might have had in influencing the decision.
Determining the merits of Points of Order such as this is not an exact science. What constitutes a Point of Order in one context may not constitute a Point of Order in a different context.
I am of the view that rulings such as this should not limit or restrict robust and proper debates.
(interpretation) I would remind the Member for Rankin Inlet North that the purpose of Question Period is to pose questions.
I would suggest that the proper way of dealing with his concern would be to pose a clear and concise question on this matter to the appropriate minister, who would have the opportunity to respond.
(interpretation ends) Once a reason for a course of action on the part of the government has been clearly provided, it is improper for a member to allege other motives for the decision.
I would further remind the member that it is an established principle of parliamentary conduct that “Remarks directed specifically at another Member which questioned that Member’s integrity, honesty or character are not in order.
A Member will be requested to withdraw offensive remarks, allegations, or accusations of impropriety directed towards another Member.”¹
¹House of Commons Procedure and Practice, page 522
On balance, I find that there is no Point of Order.
(interpretation) Thank you. Orders of the Day.
Minister’s Statement 086 – 2(4): Together at a Distance (Picco)
Good afternoon and good afternoon to our colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to inform the House about a program that will create a solid foundation for distance learning in Nunavut and, indeed, across the arctic.
I am pleased to announce, Mr. Speaker, that the Department of Education has received a $600,000 grant to improve Together at a Distance, a program to promote literacy opportunities through a pan-arctic learning network.
Mr. Speaker, the grant comes from the Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program of Human Resource and Social Development Canada.
Mr. Speaker, recently, the department conducted its first online e-learning course.