EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
But my short question is to the Minister today, he had a fuel rider on there, it expired, he goes in, I went into my office, he could have informed the Members and have a short little meeting with us and said, listen we have to put this fuel rider on at 7.5 because of these reasons and at the end of the day, he says, now we do not need it and we freeze in it until 2004.
What made you make this decision? What was the final reason that you made this decision to freeze power rates to 2004?
Hon. Ed. Picco: Mr. Chairman, we did not, when the Member was here, I do not know if he heard me say or not. First of all, the 7.5 cents is not something I just came up with.
The Power Corporation asked for 10 cents.
Originally they asked for 5 cents and the new URRC said, well, based on the information you have given us, which was incomplete, the URRC states in the report the information for the Power Corporation is incomplete, we will say 7.5 cents.
The Cabinet has the opportunity to look at that, plus we have the audited financial statements. The Corporation has only been in place two years.
I only have one year of financial statements to go by.
That is all we have.
So, under the affordable energy fund and so on, we have to put that in place, Mr. Chairman.
So the Government said: Should we put on another 7.5 cent rider based on if it can actually bring the fund to zero? Because that is the only reason why it is supposed to go on.
Based on the numbers we had, we could not be certain that that is what was going to happen.
So, that is the reason why we did not do it, plus we want to freeze the rates because we are setting up the affordable energy fund.
The whole idea of the Qullik Energy Corporation to transfer jobs that Mr. McLean has been talking about, putting in place a new precedent for the Corporation, which has happened in the last few days and it will be announced hopefully in the next couple of weeks.
All of these things are paramount and intertwined. So, for those reasons, the Power Corporation said: Are we justified in putting on the money that has been asked for and can we honestly say that the numbers that have come forward to us are realistic?
We only have one set of financial statements that Mr. McLean indicated been signed off by the Auditor General for Canada, we can believe those.
I do not have them for the second year; it is only two years of operation.
So, if I put the 7.5 cents on the URRC asked for, will the fund actually come down?
I honestly cannot say it would.
Chairperson (interpretation): We are short of time.
I have no one else on my list, but Mr. Irqittuq.
Chairperson (interpretation): I would like to ask the Committee whether they have concluded with Ministers’ Statement 164-1(6) and Tabled Document 117-1(6) and Tabled Document 118-1(6).
Mr. Chairman, I have more questions that I would like to state, we have not concluded it, and can you leave it on the order paper?
Chairperson (interpretation): There’s a motion on the floor to report progress, moved by Mr. Irqittuq.
Those in favour. Those opposed.
You may ascertain the speaker.
Speaker: Item 20. Report of Committee of the Whole.
Your committee has been considering Minister’s Statement 164-1 (6), tabled document 117-1 (6) and tabled documents 118-1 (6) and would like to report their consideration on these issues and Mr. Speaker, I move for you to concur with the committees report.
Ms. Williams will second the motion.
Orders of the Day, Mr. Quirke.
Orders of the Day for Tuesday, October 21st .
Minister’s Statement 164- 1(6)
Minister’s Statement 167- 1(6)
Tabled Document 117-1 (6)
Tabled Document 118- 1 (6)
Before we adjourn the house, I would like to thank all the people of Baker Lake, the elders, the young people for hosting us this week.
Also, Mr. McLean, for being such a great host and a real fun guy, so I hear.
Also, our administration staff, our technical staff, Peter Markwell and Steven and Steve Smith, for their helping set up. George Metuq, of course, our high tech wizard.
The mayor of Baker Lake, Joe Neigo. I’d also like to acknowledge and recognise former Member of the Legislative Assembly,William Noah.
Also the staff at the Iglu Hotel, Norman, Jesse, the maitre de and also forever their chef for great food and taking care of us and also the staff at the Nunavut Lodge, I believe it’s called.
I wish members a safe trip home. Have a great summer and we’ll see you in the fall. This house stands adjourned until Tuesday October 21st at 1:30 p.m. in Iqaluit.
>>House adjourned at 12:26 p.m.  Nunavut Canada
DAY 58
Tuesday October 21, 2003
Pages 3847 – 3916
Minister of Community Government & Transportation; Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth
Minister of Human Resources Minister of Education;
Kooyoo Nooshoota  Law Clerk
Paul Kanayuk
Opening Prayer 3847
Ministers’ Statements 3847
Members’ Statements 3851
Returns to Oral Questions 3860
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3861
Oral Questions 3864
Returns to Written Questions 3882
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills 3891
Tabling of Documents 3892
Notices of Motions 3892
Notices of Motions for the First Reading of Bills 3893
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3893
Report of Committee of the Whole 3915
Orders of the Day 3915
Tuesday October 21, 2003 3847
179 – 1(6): Minister Absent from the House (Ng) 3847
180 – 1(6): Nunavut Housing Corporation Local Housing Organization Managers Public Housing Rent Scale Meeting (Ng) 3847
181 – 1(6): Healthy Workplace Week (Picco) 3848
182 – 1(6): Inuktitut School Materials (Thompson) 3849
183 – 1(6): October - Women’s History Month (Kilabuk) 3850
596 – 1(6): Acknowledge and Thank for Support as New MLA (Netser) 3851
597 – 1(6): Iqaluit Homeowners Owing Taxes (Anawak) 3852
598 – 1(6): Successful School Year in Quttiktuq (Williams) 3852
599 – 1(6): Successful Municipal Election (Tootoo) 3853
600 – 1(6): Commonwealth Regional Seminar in Iqaluit (Puquqnak) 3854
601 – 1(6): Congratulations to the New Council Members (Okalik) 3855
602 – 1(6): Encourage Nunavummiut to Volunteer (Havioyak) 3856
603 – 1(6): Spiritual Gathering in Baker Lake (McLean) 3857
604 – 1(6): Recognition of Sons (Kilabuk) 3858
605 – 1(6): Ministers Retreat in Sanikiluaq (Kattuk) 3858
606 – 1(6): Health Diagnosis in Nunavut (Alakannuark) 3859
607 – 1(6): City Council Election (Picco) 3859
Return to Oral Question 533 – 1(6): New Air Terminal Extension (Kilabuk) 3860
Return to Oral Question 501 – 1(6): Plans for a New Government Building in Arctic Bay (Kattuk) 3861
583 – 1(6): Three Territories to Increase Credit Limit from the Federal Government (Tootoo) 3864
584 – 1(6): Healing Centre Facility Training for Prospective Employees (Havioyak) 3866
585 – 1(6): Price Increase in the Kivalliq Region (McLean) 3867
586 – 1(6): Community Nurses Mandate (Alakannuark) 3868
587 – 1(6): Lowering Percentage of Interest Rates for Land Lease (Anawak) 3869
588 – 1(6): Completion Date of New Hospital in Iqaluit (Williams) 3871
589 – 1(6): Guidelines to Follow to Get a School Bus (Puqiqnak) 3874
590 – 1(6): Lessons Learned Following Joamie School Fire (Tootoo) 3875
591 – 1(6): Number of Nurses Employed with the Government of Nunavut (McLean)3877
592 – 1(6): First Air and Canadian North Interchange (Anawak) 3878
593 – 1(6): Long Term Plans for Office Space in Arctic Bay (Williams) 3880
594 – 1(6): Number of Houses to be Built in Nunavut (Tootoo) 3881
011 – 1(6): Input of New Public Housing Rent Scale (Clerk) 3883
012 – 1(6): Mental Health Workers (Clerk) 3884
013 – 1(6): District Education Authorities (Clerk) 3885
014 – 1(6): Status of the Proposed Manitoba - Kivalliq Road Link (Clerk) 3886
015 – 1(6): Manitoba – Kivalliq Road Link (Clerk) 3887
016 – 1(6): Priority Hiring Policy (Clerk) 3888
017 – 1(6): Power Subsidy Program (Clerk) 3888
018 – 1(6): Income Support Policies (Clerk) 3890
019 – 1(6): Status of the Government of Nunavut’ s Medical Travel for the Kivalliq Region (Clerk) 3890
016 – 1(6): Bill 12 – Human Rights Act (Alakannuark) 3891
017 – 1(6): Bill 33 – Tobacco Control Act (Puqiqnak) 3891
126 – 1(6): Contracts on Kivalliq Health Centre (Tootoo) 3892
127 – 1(6): Statutory Requirements for Tabling of Reports and Other Documents in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut (Speaker) 3892
128 – 1(6): Petition 008 – 1(6): Call Display Service (Clerk) 3892
029 – 1(6): Member for Nanulik Appointed to the Standing Committees – Notice (Tootoo) 3892
Bill 46 – Appropriation (Capital) Act 2004/2005 – Notice 3893
Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Mr. Jack Anawak, Mr. Donald Havioyak, Honourable Peter Kattuk, Hon. Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Glenn McLean, Mr. Patterk Netser, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Ed Picco, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Hon. Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Rebekah Williams.
Speaker: Good afternoon, Members.
Welcome back to the Assembly.
Before we proceed with the orders of the day, I'm extremely pleased to welcome our newest Member of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Patterk Netser representing the electoral district of Nanulik.
Minister’s Statement 179 – 1(6): Minister Absent from the House
I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Olayuk Akesuk will be absent from the House today and tomorrow.
Minister’s Statement 180 – 1(6): Nunavut Housing Corporation Local Housing Organization Managers Public Housing Rent Scale Meeting
Mr. Speaker, an important meeting hosted by the Nunavut Housing Corporation to discuss the Public Housing Rent Scale is currently in progress here in the capital.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister’s Task Force on Housing recommended that the Public Housing Rent Scale should be changed to make it simpler, fairer, and to remove the disincentive to work that existed under the previous scale.
Revisions to the rent scale began in March 2001 with a workshop that included chairpersons and managers from all twenty five local housing organizations as well as Housing Corporation staff.
This initial consultation created the foundation for the new rent scale.
Mr. Speaker, as a result of that meeting, the Public Housing Rent Scale was further developed, with ongoing consultation and feedback from LHO board Members and staff, officials from across the Government of Nunavut and Members of this Assembly.
A special meeting of the Standing Committee of the Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development was held to discuss the proposed changes to the rent scale and to seek Member’s input.
Mr. Speaker, when the new Public Housing Rent Scale was introduced effective January 1 of this year, I committed to review, in a timely fashion, the effect of the changes to the rent public housing tenants pay.
As part of this ongoing review we’ve invited the housing managers from every Nunavut community to gather and thoroughly discuss all aspects of the new Public Housing Rent Scale.
Some of the areas for discussion are: how tenants have been affected, is it truly easier for tenants to understand, what are the administrative challenges and what additional support can the Housing Corporation provide through our community partners to enable them to deliver the Public Housing program as efficiently as possible.
Mr. Speaker, the outcome of the meetings will allow the corporation to adjust the rent scale to make it more efficient.
I’ll keep Members informed of these deliberations and commit to adjust the rent scale if we believe that it is not meeting objectives that it was designed to achieve.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to join me in welcoming housing managers from across Nunavut to the capital and in wishing them good luck in their meetings this week.
Minister’s Statement 181 – 1(6): Healthy Workplace Week
Mr. Speaker, welcome back to Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, and to this wonderful Assembly that you have an opportunity to share every day during the sessions.
I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the new Member for Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet, Mr. Patterk Netser.
Mr. Speaker, October 20th to the 26th is Healthy Workplace Week.
Mr. Speaker, the theme for 2003 is “Healthy Workplace Planning”.
Its mission is “to promote a comprehensive and integrated approach to workplace health in order to improve and sustain the health of the Canadian organizations in their work environment and their employees.”
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all employees to do their part to create a healthier workplace; being healthy at work means more than just eating a healthy lunch, stress, Mr. Speaker, and busy schedules also affect our health.
Try taking the stairs Mr. Speaker, instead of the elevator to the third floor, or spend some time getting to know a co-worker.
Share your ideas on how to make your workplace healthier with your supervisor.
Mr. Speaker, take the time to be positive and to look at the positive issues at work.
Mr. Speaker, a healthy lifestyle is a balance.
And that life balance includes our workplace here Mr. Speaker.
This week gives us a time to reflect on how we can all work together in small ways to improve your health, our health and the Members’ health, together as one, and for one during Healthy Workplace Week.
Minister’s Statement 182 – 1(6): Inuktitut School Materials
I would also like to welcome Mr. Patterk Netser, the Member for Nanulik.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that I have three staff Members visiting Iqaluit this week from the Curriculum School Services in Arviat.
I am happy to have Mark Kalluak, Louise Angalik and Donald Uluadluak here at the Legislative Assembly.
They’re situated behind me in the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, for the past three years we have had elders developing Inuktitut materials for the Department of Education.
These elders have contributed to many of the Inuktitut curriculum projects used in our schools.
On the occasion of their visit, I'm pleased to release the Traditional Inuit Calendar designed by Mark Kalluak.
Copies of these calendars have been prepared for the Members.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, there are also CDs and other Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit resources that I'm pleased to share with each of you.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to invite my colleagues during our break to visit the Natsiq room.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I would like to invite our colleagues during our break to visit the Natsiq room to take a closer look at the materials that have been developed by the elders who work in our department.
The elders are very knowledgeable in this area and are looking forward to sharing their work with you.
Minister’s Statement 183 – 1(6): October - Women’s History Month
Mr. Speaker, since the month of October is Women’s History Month for all of Canada, this year’s theme “What Do You Mean, Women Couldn’t Vote” draws attention to the kinds of battles women fought to gain the rights that today we often take for granted.
We were pleased to see that this year’s Women’s History Month poster, created by the Status of Women Canada, contains a picture of a group of Inuit women hauling provisions.
My department, in cooperation with the Status of Women of Canada, has reproduced a poster in Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun to go along with the English and French versions.
The posters will be distributed for display to every community in Nunavut.
I invite my colleagues to view the poster displayed in the great hall in four languages.
Mr. Speaker, Women’s History Month was established in 1992 by the Government of Canada.
It provides an opportunity for us to learn more about women’s historic accomplishments and their contributions to Canadian society.
Today, not only can women vote, they are increasingly becoming elected representatives at all levels of Government.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as a highlight, not as a side note, I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Elisapee Sheutiapik who was elected as the new Mayor for the City of Iqaluit.
(interpretation) While much has been done in advancing equality for women there is still much left to do.
Even while we do that work, we must take the time to look around and celebrate what has already been accomplished in the area of women’s equality.
Mr. Netser.
Member’s Statement 596 – 1(6): Acknowledge and Thank for Support as New MLA
Mr. Netser: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I'm very pleased but quite obviously very nervous to rise today for the first time.
My colleagues are all very experienced in making statements so I'm sure you appreciate the butterflies that I have in my stomach as I speak.
Mr. Speaker, it’s a tremendous honour and privilege to represent the people of Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet in the Legislative Assembly and I want to thank both communities for their support in the recent by-election.
I would also like to acknowledge the strong campaigns of the other two candidates who ran in the by-election.
Mr. Speaker, the word of God says to acknowledge him and he shall direct our path, so Mr. Speaker, in the presence of the leaders of Nunavut I am acknowledging him and I also want to thank my wife and my family for the tremendous support that they have given me and continue to give me.
Many of my new colleagues have warned me about the tremendous burden that public life puts on the families of those who sit in office and I want to say that I will do my very best to balance the demands of office with the needs of my children.
Mr. Speaker, when I ran for the Legislative Assembly, I did so knowing the tremendous challenges ahead of us. The two communities that I represent may have had many needs and it is my intention to vigorously represent them.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut has come a long way in the last four years.
Much of the progress is due to the hard work of people on both sides of this chamber, but I know there is much to be done.
During my campaign I talked about the need for support to homeowners.
I talked about the need of economic development opportunities for my communities.
I talked about the need for an education system that will prepare my children and for those of my constituents for the challenges ahead.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t want to achieve my time limit on my very first statement so I will close again my thanking Chesterfield Inlet and Coral Harbour for their support and I intend to re-earn their support every day.
Member’s Statement 597 – 1(6): Iqaluit Homeowners Owing Taxes
I would first like to say that we had a very proud moment in Rankin Inlet.
Since we did not have satellite access, I couldn’t watch the hockey game in my home but we were extremely proud that we have our first NHL Inuk hockey player, Jordin Tootoo.
I would like to also congratulate Patterk Netser for becoming the newest Member of the Legislative Assembly and also Paul Kanayuk who is here.
But I would first like to talk about some of the comments that we had heard this summer.
We had heard that, well, we’re all from Nunavut and we all have to work together as Nunavummiut for the benefit of the communities.
I am only thinking about the three people who were going to be evicted from their homes because of the huge amount they owe to the City in property taxes.
I understand that process has been delayed, and it will be going through the court system in December.
Should they lose their case they will be evicted from their houses in the middle of winter.
Who will be buying those houses after they’re evicted?
No doubt, it will be those with commercial interest.
I was disappointed that the Nunavut Housing Corporation said this is out of their hands and they cannot help those homeowners.
These individuals, however, got their homes under the NWT Homeownership Program, where they put in ‘sweat equity’ and after living in those homes for five years, would own the homes outright.
A number of unfortunate events took place for these people, some losing their jobs and others no longer able to work.
We as the Government of Nunavut should be helping Nunavummiut who are in that kind of situation.
It is regrettable that their homes will then become commercial properties and moneymaking ventures.
I just wanted to make that comment about these three individuals. There may be more, and I will also be posing the question to the appropriate Minister in question period.
And also I would like to know if they could decrease the interest amount.
It is usually 7% interest in Canada.
Speaker: Just so we get started on the right foot, I will ask the Members to try to keep to their time allocations.
Member’s Statement 598 – 1(6): Successful School Year in Quttiktuq
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin today by also congratulating the new Mayor, and the new Council Members of the City on their election last night.
I hope that the Members will understand when I single out Councillor, Glenn Williams, for special congratulations on his re-election.
Sometimes when you have two elected politicians in the same family discussion can get a little heated.
Mr. Speaker, I am very glad to see all of my colleagues back today; we have a lot of work ahead of us.
There will be hard discussions these coming weeks.
Mr. Speaker, in June, we had our last sitting in Baker Lake, and I was able to spend time in my communities of Arctic Bay, Resolute Bay, and Grise Fiord.
My constituents have shared concerns with me regarding such issues as the lack of housing, and the need for new community infrastructure.
I will be raising their concerns as we deal with the Government’s Capital Estimates over the coming weeks.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take a moment to thank the Members of this Assembly for their efforts in trying to hold our recent caucus retreat in Resolute Bay.
The weather prevented us from making it, but I am confident that we will hold a full sitting there some day.
I do know, but I believe that we could have a meeting in the High Arctic area.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to close by extending my best wishes to the students and teachers in Arctic Bay, Resolute Bay, and Grise Fiord, for a successful school year.
I also want to give my best to my mother in Arctic Bay.
Member’s Statement 599 – 1(6): Successful Municipal Election
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise today to welcome back all of the Members who were not delayed by weather, back here to Iqaluit.
I look forward to everyone else arriving as soon as Mother Nature permits for this session, here in our fine capital city.
I would also like to extend, as I had mentioned already, a special welcome to our new colleague, Mr. Patterk Netser, from the riding of Nanulik, who just joined the good side of the House.
I look forward to more efforts coming from this side during question period.
Mr. Speaker, Iqaluit residents went to the polls yesterday to choose the City’s next leadership team.
Just over 1,400 people cast their ballots in the Municipal race.
I am delighted to be able to offer my congratulations to the Mayor elect, Ms. Elisapee Sheutiapik and I would also like to congratulate the other candidates who ran good campaigns, as well as paying a tribute to the hard work by Mayor Matthews and the Council over the past few years.
I would also like to congratulate the new Members of the Council, Annie Gordon, Glenn Williams, and Chris Wilson, our trusty Sergeant-At-Arms, Simanek Kilabuk, Nancy Gillis, Simon Nattaq, Stu Kennedy and Goola Nakasuk.
Congratulations are also due to the Members of the Iqaluit District Education Authority and the Council École for the Francophone District Education Authority.
These Members are Andrew Tagak Sr., Aseena Allurut, Tim Neily, Caroline Anawak, Cathy Smith, Catherine Trumper and Sean Maloney, Caroline Malory, Jeff Barkley, Paul Landry, Marco Desault, and Jacques Fortier.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut’s Capital is currently in a period of tremendous growth and opportunity.
The Mayor and Council certainly have their work cut out for them and in terms of delivering quality service, quality municipal services in their growing city.
I want to say that good progress has been made and I look forward to the Government of Nunavut working closely with its Municipal partners in such areas as the City’s new Block Funding Agreement.
As one of Iqaluit’s Members of the Legislative Assembly, I can say that the Council has a strong voice in this House.
Mr. Speaker, Iqaluit’s needs are many… Mr. Speaker, I would now like to ask to conclude my Statement.
Speaker: The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his Statement. Are there any nays?
Please proceed. Mr. Tootoo.
Members, I tried.