EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
On October 19 of last year, I asked the minister for an update on the status of the Government of Nunavut’s development of a formal uranium mining policy.
At that time, the minister indicated that work was continuing and that the GN would be discussing the issue with Nunavut Tunngavik.
Can the minister advise the House today what progress has been made on this issue?
Firstly, I would like to welcome the newest member of the Executive Council sitting on my left, Minister Ell, to cabinet and in the portfolio of my colleague with the same surname, Minister Arreak.
This is a very good question you have just raised.
As most members are aware, there was a consultation tour on the uranium mining policy in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Baker Lake to listen to the concerns of residents.
I believe the tour has been concluded.
This deals with mining, so I would ask that this question be redirected to the Hon. Minister Taptuna, as he is the minister responsible for mineral development.
The question has been redirected to the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Minister Taptuna.
Of course, in February of 2010, as cabinet, we directed our departmental officials to conduct further research and analysis in coordination with our Sustainable Development Committee, which is made up of deputy heads within various departments.
As the Premier has indicated, we did public consultations in Baker Lake, Iqaluit, and Cambridge Bay.
All the input has been received and consolidated into a report.
Throughout the process of making the policy and report public, we have approved in principle the Uranium Development Policy for Nunavut.
Mr. Aupaluktuq, you can direct your supplementary question to either the Premier or Deputy Premier.
In reference to EIA and the question of mining and the Nunavut Impact Review Board, my question is to the minister’s department that has been coordinating the Government of Nunavut’s submissions to the Nunavut Impact Review Board in relation to its review of the proposed Kiggavik uranium mine near Baker Lake.
My question is: can the minister highlight the government’s main concerns in relation to this project?
If Madam Premier wishes to answer or defer the question over to the Minister of Mines.
If I can have some assistance on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
First of all, I really didn’t understand his question. If it formed part of his question, I want to respond to that part.
I assumed he was asking about another matter.
The Nunavut government has been involved in the appointment process for quite a while and has also presented their recommendations under Part 5 of the environmental assessment process of NIRB, as per the requirements laid out in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, Article 12, for the review of the Kiggavik project.
(interpretation ends) NIRB provided a positive conformity determination on the draft environmental impact statement provided by Areva Resources Incorporated. The Government of Nunavut continues to support the existing Nunavut Impact Review Board regulatory process as set out in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and as a comprehensive, inclusive, and effective means of evaluating projects in Nunavut on a case-by-case basis.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) That is all for now.
I would like to thank the hon. member for the responses and updating us on the position of the GN in regard to uranium mining.
The minister has just returned from the annual conference of western premiers. Welcome back. The official communiqué from the conference, which was issued on Tuesday of this week, specifically noted uranium as being a national energy source.
Does this mean that the Government of Nunavut fully endorses uranium mining?
Uranium mining policies are discussed nation-wide. Some provinces actually have uranium mines throughout Canada.
In that announcement, the Minister responsible for Mines announced that these policies that have been developed for the Nunavut government remain the same and mining will continue to be reviewed (interpretation ends) on a case-by-case basis. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you for that information as well.
It has been reported that the federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development has decided not to reappoint the chairperson of the Nunavut Impact Review Board, which is currently reviewing the proposed Kiggavik project near Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, the people of Baker Lake would like to know: can the minister indicate what the Government of Nunavut’s position on this issue is?
I would prefer if the member clarified his comment because I believe he was talking about a federally mandated responsibility. Just for my own clarification, I would like to ask the member to elaborate a bit further.
Mr. Aupaluktuq, could you clarify your question, please.
The point was in regard to the Kiggavik project near Baker Lake. As we know, NIRB is reviewing this proposed project. The question I wanted to ask was: what is the GN position on the issue of not reappointing the chairperson of NIRB that’s reviewing the proposed Kiggavik project near Baker Lake?
I also thank the member for clarifying his question.
The Nunavut government generally provides assistance and direction to the federal government upon request of advice on who to appoint to the position.
Regarding the chairperson for NIRB having to be appointed by the federal government, NTI and the Nunavut government get together to discuss who they wish to recommend for that appointment.
Since it is the federal government that ultimately decides on the appointment to that position, we are waiting for their decision on the individual we have recommended. The Nunavut government did notify the federal government about the need to extend the term of office for that position.
Question 353 – 3(3): Cabinet Code of Conduct (Curley)
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Good afternoon, residents of Rankin Inlet. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Premier.
Mr. Speaker, in my preamble, I would like to state that this Assembly is not only blessed with the Integrity Act, which is enforced by the Assembly’s independent officers to hold all Members of the House accountable, particularly in questions of ethics or misconduct involving Members of the Assembly.
Without prejudicing any reviews or whatnot, can the Premier clearly explain to the House why she is not prepared to develop a cabinet code of conduct and guidelines and, if not, why not?
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Nunavut’s Integrity Act states that integrity is the first and highest duty of elected office.
As Premier, it is my responsibility to uphold the integrity of the Executive Council.
Mr. Curley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier must explain to Nunavutmiut, who are concerned and worried that cabinet ministers are not held accountable. The Integrity Act itself is not sufficient to hold members of the cabinet accountable when questions of ethics or misconduct do occur.
All cabinet members in the nation do have extra guidelines that specifically apply to members of the Executive Council.
Will the Premier once again explain why she is not prepared to develop cabinet guidelines for this government?
The ministers who are appointed by the members are governed by rules, such as those considered misconduct and those that are acceptable. Clear rules of conduct have been provided to the ministers as well as to all elected members.
As I stated earlier, Nunavut’s Integrity Act clearly identifies these rules.
As I said, the Integrity Act falls short in its applicability to Executive Council members since there are no policy guidelines for the cabinet should any member commit acts of misconduct, which would clearly define the Premier’s powers to follow through with.
I believe that you, as the Premier, have to institute extra cabinet guidelines, such as those established by provincial governments and the federal government’s cabinet guidelines, which are even stricter than the provincial ones.
In light of these facts, I ask why the Premier refuses to reconsider this request.
Some Nunavutmiut are becoming increasingly concerned about our government and whether they bother disciplining members who commit acts of misconduct.
I know for a fact that the Integrity Commissioner is fulfilling his duties honourably. However, without any cabinet guidelines available, they cannot be enforced.
Why is the Premier refusing to produce cabinet guidelines that would help allay concerns of Nunavutmiut about their government in the future?
Let me first clarify that I have never stated at any time that I refuse to develop guidelines. My colleague says that I refused to develop guidelines.
When a situation requiring resolution comes up, we can look at the situation, especially if we need to make improvements.
The reason why I raised that question is our government has yet to implement any meaningful guidelines. Even after four years as a government, we still haven’t seen any cabinet guidelines and that is why I made that statement.
I would like the Premier to elaborate why she refuses to consider guidelines for the cabinet, even though they’re needed to govern their conduct and it is your duty to do so.
Can you state in this House that you are willing to reconsider this matter? I don’t think it requires any further debate since cabinet guidelines have to be established.
Can you move forward with this? That is my question on behalf of Nunavutmiut so that their concerns are allayed. That would definitely strengthen the governance of this territory.
First of all, I would like to say that whenever cabinet members are appointed, they are given guidelines to follow in their portfolios.
They are provided with a ministerial handbook, its proper title in English, which outlines all of their responsibilities and mandate.
I don’t want Nunavummiut to be concerned at all. Whenever a minister has any ethical issues in question, we deal with it on a case-by-case basis. Just recently, I had to deal with such a case.
There are a number of guidelines in the ministerial handbook.
Question 354 – 3(3): Status of Devolution Negotiations (Ningark)
My questions are for the Hon. Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
As I noted in my Member’s Statement today, I am concerned that Nunavut’s timetable for achieving a devolution agreement with the federal government may not be the same as Ottawa’s timetable.
My question is: can the hon. minister indicate what the Government of Nunavut’s current timetable is for achieving an agreement-in-principle on devolution?
Whenever an agreement is being negotiated, it’s almost impossible to present a timeframe on the date when it would be concluded.
Be that as it may, I have great expectations now that the federal government, Nunavut Tunngavik, and the Nunavut government have each appointed a chief negotiator and have announced their names. They will be able to initiate the negotiation process and to start providing a list of issues to each other.
Mr. Speaker, my first supplementary is that the federal government’s announcement of the appointment of its chief negotiator indicated that one of his mandates is to, and I quote, “examine how land and resource management capacity can be improved in Nunavut.”
My question to the Hon. Premier is: can the Premier indicate what specific improvements need to be achieved before a devolution agreement can be reached?
With respect to the issues for negotiation when they’re sitting across the table from each other, those will be identified at that time.
I am happy to announce that this negotiation process for devolution has resulted in our chief negotiator communicating initially with the other appointees prior to the process being initiated.
With respect to the employees and exactly what work they will do and how many would be hired, that can only be identified within the negotiation process.
That’s where the issues will surface. This negotiation process is dynamic and you try to negotiate the best agreement that you can.
I would like to ask my second supplementary through you, Mr. Speaker. Devolution talks will involve the Government of Nunavut, the Government of Canada, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. Can the Hon. Premier confirm who will be representing Nunavut Tunngavik at the negotiating table?
I wish I could answer that question, but the Minister responsible for Executive Intergovernmental Affairs, Madam Premier.
The chief negotiator for the Government of Nunavut will be David Akeeagok.
That was ignorant of me; I heard that earlier and just carried on with the questions. Sorry about that, Mr. Speaker.
Devolution will involve the transfer of land management responsibilities to Nunavut. It is no secret that the current federal government is committed to making major changes to the environmental screening process for major natural resources projects, especially in the energy sector. Can the Premier clarify how devolution will impact the environmental review process for major projects taking place in Nunavut?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Don’t worry about it.
You didn’t need to apologize.  Minister responsible for Executive Intergovernmental Affairs, Madam Premier.
I am quite happy that progress has been made with the appointment of the chief negotiators to represent the three parties, Nunavut Tunngavik, the Government of Nunavut, and the federal government.
Currently, approximately 80 percent of Nunavut’s territory is Crown land. Long-time Nunavut residents must have a voice on how their lands and waters should be developed, particularly for economic benefit. These will be determined through negotiation.
Among the most important issues on the table will be environmental stewardship over our lands and waters. We believe that should be the basis for economic development. We will want to see a balanced give-and-take as resource development takes place.
I firmly believe further that when the negotiation process finally begins, all of these issues will be fully examined. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 355 – 3(3): Offshore Drilling in the Canadian Arctic (Enook)
My questions are for the Minister of Environment. I would like to ask some more questions today to the minister concerning the issue of offshore drilling in the Canadian Arctic.
In December 2011, the National Energy Board issued a major report on this issue.
The National Energy Board’s report was undertaken following the Deepwater Horizon disaster that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico.
As members will recall, the world watched in horror as tens of millions of litres of oil polluted the ocean.
My question for the minister is this: is Nunavut prepared to deal with a major oil spill?
When these issues are discussed in the smaller communities, the ones we’re dealing with at least on a local level, if there’s a fuel spill, we do have responsibility for terrestrial fuel spills.
With respect to marine and offshore, we have absolutely no mandate for it. The federal government is responsible for that, as well as for other legislation that deals with marine and offshore areas.
This being a federal responsibility, I don’t have any kind of information that would provide a response to the member’s question about this offshore oil spill contingency plan.
The National Energy Board’s report stated that, and I quote, “Many people from Northern communities expressed their concerns about spill response.
We heard comments about their desire to play a meaningful part in spill response and about the need for proactive and timely training before drilling starts.”
Can the minister indicate how the GN is working with its partners to ensure that this takes place?
With respect to the quote made by the member, I can only concur.
Whenever any kind of development is occurring in the Nunavut territory or in the marine offshore, the Nunavut Impact Review Board, which is governed by the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, and additionally, with officials from the Department of Environment always present at these meetings, the government is involved in a lot of the reviews of these developments here in Nunavut.
Mr. Enook: Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I also thank the minister. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, (interpretation) as the minister and all members are aware, offshore exploration drilling has been taking place off the coast of Greenland.
Can the minister indicate how the Government of Nunavut works with the Greenlandic Home Rule Government on the issue of planning for potential oil spills or other environmental disasters?
As per my earlier response about environmental reviews of development in Nunavut, the Nunavut government is involved in a lot of developmental reviews. Whenever anything is occurring, our officials try to ensure that they’re aware of these developments.
With respect to any kind of oil spill contingency plan, when we’re able to produce that or provide more information on that matter, I would be able to provide an update to my colleague from Tununiq.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this week, the annual conference of western premiers took place.
The communiqué that was issued by the Premiers specifically noted that Nunavut’s energy resources include oil and gas.
Can the minister give me a sense today of when offshore drilling will begin taking place in Nunavut’s waters?
At this time, I can’t respond to the question as to when offshore drilling would occur within Nunavut’s offshore marine waters.
If that were to happen, it would take a number of years of planning prior to any drilling actually occurring.
So currently no, I cannot even provide an idea as to when any kind of offshore drilling would occur in Nunavut’s offshore waters.
Question 356 – 3(3): Human Resources Management Issues (Elliott)
I have some questions today for the Minister of Human Resources concerning the management of the public service.
As the minister is aware, the Government of Nunavut has not released a quarterly report on Inuit employment since March of 2011 and has not yet tabled the 2010-11 Public Service Annual Report.
I am confident that the minister recognizes the importance of these items as tools with which to evaluate the government’s progress in meeting its Article 23 obligations and other matters.
Can the minister indicate what she is doing to ensure that these items are tabled in the Legislative Assembly in a timely manner?
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for the question.
The Nunavut government (interpretation ends) is committed to building an effective, functional public service that is responsive to the public it serves and providing accountability and information provisions through consistent public reporting.
The 2009-2010 Public Service Annual Report was tabled to cabinet and is now posted on the HR website.
If that was not the one that he was referring to, I apologize and he could re-ask the question.
I know that the minister recognizes the importance of fostering strong morale in the public service, which will help us to retain experienced employees and reduce turnover.
A concern that has been brought to my attention by constituents is that employees who are eligible to be recognized by the government’s long-service awards recognition program are sometimes not recognized until a year or even longer after they have reached their service milestone.
Can the minister commit to reviewing this issue?
The continuing service awards, I believe, are something that the government recognizes. Its employees are valuable to Nunavut and I believe we do recognize long-service employees.
I will commit to recognizing long-service employees, if that was not the case, but as of now, I do believe that we do recognize long-service employees.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for that commitment.
You’re the third minister I have brought the issue before and hopefully we can get some of the GN employees that I have in my constituency recognized for 5-, 10-, 15-, and even up to 25-year long-term service.
My second question is: I believe that we should encourage a workplace that supports innovation and accomplishment. I have noted that information on the website of the Department of Human Resources indicates that the department is “developing an Employee Recognition Program designed to encourage employee involvement, increase employee retention and reward significant accomplishments made by Government of Nunavut staff.”
Can the minister provide the House with an update on this excellent-sounding initiative?
The Government of Nunavut believes that people come first.
The Government of Nunavut recognizes public service employees for dedicated service and contributions they make during the course of their employment.
Employees are formally honoured for long periods of continuous service with the GN.
The Department of Human Resources is responsible for organizing long-service awards.
These awards take place once every two fiscal years. Employees are recognized when they reach their employment anniversaries of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years of continuing service with the GN. The long-service awards will be held in 2012 in various communities throughout Nunavut.
At this time, I do not have a schedule for that, but I will be pleased to provide that as soon as I have it available.
The minister noted in my first question that the 2010-11 Public Service Annual Report was approved by cabinet and is now on the website.
Obviously, when I checked the website, it wasn’t there, but maybe it has been updated since.
As of today, how many of the government’s full-time positions are filled and how many are vacant?
I do not have current statistics on how many are vacant and how many will be filled at this time.
Question 357 – 3(3): Staff Housing for Taloyoak Teachers (Ugyuk)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation about the lack of available housing for teachers in Taloyoak.
I would like to know when housing units will be made available for these teachers.
In 2010, members were informed that previous teachers who taught in the community and who were leaving owned their own home.
So when our community had to hire replacement teachers, housing was not available for them.
I would like to know when this situation will be resolved.
Teachers are important since they have to teach our children.
It is becoming an embarrassing situation to face that as an MLA.
I would like to get clarification on this situation.
I thank the Member for Nattilik for that excellent question.
Mr. Speaker, GN staff housing is one of the critical points in retaining our employees of the GN. In Taloyoak, it’s a situation where it has been an ongoing issue.
At this time, the Nunavut Housing Corporation intends to renovate two single dwelling units to accommodate some of these GN workers, especially in Health and Education.
At this time, we’re acquiring, which Nunavut Housing Corporation has already done, and plans to renovate two accommodations for staff housing.
I also thank the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation for that response.
Yes, it’s good to know they’re doing renovations, but can the minister say if new housing construction is being planned by the housing corporation?
As you know, there’s a major shortage of housing throughout Nunavut, up to 3,600 units, and Taloyoak is no exception.
There is a major shortage of public housing, including GN staff housing. At this time, with the budgeting available, as I mentioned, we’re going to be renovating two single dwelling units into staff housing that the housing corporation already owns.
At that time, once we complete these renovations, we will be looking at any alternative way of creating more GN staff housing within the smaller communities.
I was asking about new housing units, but he didn’t respond to that. Yes, I understand that these two older units will be renovated and refurbished, which are for the staff working at the health centre.
The shortage of GN staff housing for both nurses and teachers is causing issues with new employees in Taloyoak.
They are willing to work, but with the lack of housing, it becomes impossible.