EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
These are all things that will benefit them in every aspect of their lives.
However, Mr. Speaker, without the necessary recreational facilities for our athletes to come together, to learn their sport, to practice, to develop and compete, they will be deprived of the opportunity to reach the success that they are capable of.
Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to attend this week’s meeting of Baffin mayors that was held here in Iqaluit. The issue of recreational infrastructure was raised with the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Mr. Speaker, I want to go on record today and state that it is important that we consider the needs of all of our communities.
Before we look at building brand new infrastructure in communities that already have functional facilities, those communities that currently lack public recreational facilities, such as gyms, arenas, and artificial ice, should be the priority for our limited capital dollars.
We need to treat all of our communities fairly.
Member’s Statement 139 – 3(2): Petition for a Safe House in Kugaaruk (Ningark)
Mr. Ningark: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues.
I rise today to bring attention to the need for a family violence shelter in Kugaaruk.
Later today, at the appropriate time, I will be presenting a petition signed by 150 of my constituents on this issue, Mr. Speaker.
In Kugaaruk, my constituents are concerned about the women and children who are victims of family violence. When there is violence in a home, it is of vital importance that women and children have a place that they can go to in order to avoid further violence.
As its 2009-2010 business plan states, the development and implementation of the “Family Violence Shelters for Women Policy” is a priority for the Department of Health and Social Services.
I strongly encourage the Department of Community and Government Services, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Health and Social Services to consider all options to construct a family violence shelter in Kugaaruk.
Member’s Statement 140 – 3(2): Good Luck to AWG Athletes from Arctic Bay (Elliott)
I rise today to wish the best of luck to my constituents from Arctic Bay who will be participating in the 2010 Arctic Winter Games in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
Sixteen athletes from Arctic Bay have been approved to participate in the Dene games events, such as the pole push, the stick pull, and the snow snake.
These athletes will be travelling from Arctic Bay today to Alberta tomorrow. The Arctic Winter Games will take place from March 6 to 13.
As some members may be aware, athletes from Arctic Bay have a history of success at the Arctic Winter Games in these events.
I would like to pay tribute to the many people in Arctic Bay who make it possible for these athletes to participate in these events.
Without coaches and the effort that they put into organizing the practices of these sports, these athletes would not be able to benefit from the experience of international competition.
As all members are aware, it is important for Nunavummiut to have access and opportunity to activities and events that promote healthy lifestyles.
I ask all members to join me in giving a show of appreciation for those who make it possible and in wishing good luck to the athletes.
The athletes are:
Thomas Levi, our recreation coordinator and coach.
Richard Bohlender
Mason Pauloosie
Steven Taqtu
Darryl Levi
Bobby Kilabuk
Steven Hughes
Patty Levi
Sheena Kilabuk
April Echeak
Louanne Iqalukjuak
Napassi Joseph
Jenniffer Issigaitok
Nina Shooyook
Janey Oyukuluk, and
Tom Naqitarvik
Mr. Speaker, we also have the Hamlet of Arctic Bay Council Member and Chairperson for the Recreation Committee, Susanna Barnabas, participating as support staff.
Member’s Statement 141 – 3(2): New Health Centre in Pangnirtung (Komoartok)
I am quite pleased that we are all able to attend this Assembly.
I was advised that the weather is absolutely gorgeous in our community of Pangnirtung. My constituents are in my thoughts today.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to a matter that I want completely understood, especially by my fellow residents in Pangnirtung. This matter is one I spoke to last year, actually in the spring session. This was with respect to the newly constructed Pangnirtung Health Centre, which was completed in February of 2009.
It has been approximately a year since the building was completed.
However, due to the lack of furniture and medical equipment, the building is not available and the status hasn’t changed since last spring.
Last summer during sealift, the people of Pangnirtung were anticipating the arrival of the health centre’s furniture and equipment.
Unfortunately, no supplies or equipment addressed to the centre were offloaded.
To date, we have a very beautiful facility located in our community, which seems to be a very good health centre, but due to the lack of furniture and equipment, it stands empty as the rooms have phones and phone lines, but not much else. That is why we cannot utilize our new health centre, just because of the lack of furniture and equipment.
Our community is getting antsy to utilize this newest local facility, but due to various factors and reasons, it is just sitting empty. We have been advised that the lack of equipment has deferred the opening of the facility.
The only downside to these continual deferrals is that it is increasing the costs associated with maintaining the building and we have to keep that in mind.
The residents are quite pleased with the construction of this fine new facility, but they’re not too pleased with the continual changes to the date of its opening. We were told that the equipment and furniture were supposed to be in our community by April 15.
It’s regrettable when the supplies haven’t arrived until 14 or 15 months after the completion of the construction phase. We would not like any other community to undergo this type of waiting for an opening of a new facility.
Perhaps if the materials had arrived when they were supposed to arrive, our community would have been able to exploit this facility for over a year. So it has been over a year now that it has been sitting empty and we would love to try and start making the most of the new facility prior to year-end.
At the appropriate time, I will be asking questions to the Minister of Health and Social Services on this issue.
Member’s Statement 142 – 3(2): Simon Koomak Participating in Paralympics (Shewchuk)
I rise today to recognize a young student from Arviat of the John Arnalukjuak High School, Simon Koomak.
Simon has been chosen to represent Nunavut in the Paralympic torch relay which is taking place today in Ottawa.
Simon suffers from brittle bone disease and as such, cannot engage in strenuous or contact sports. He moves with a pronounced limp as a result of numerous fractures throughout his youth.
In season, however, Simon is an avid golfer playing on the community green near our airport runway. He is a favourite in community dances throughout the year as well.
All of this to say that he does not allow his disability to keep him down.
As a result of his confinements in Winnipeg hospitals, Simon’s English is somewhat more advanced than many of his peers.
He has put this personal strength to good use doing a full-year community practicum coaching grade eight students in English.
Simon shares his musical talent with the community and he is always ready to play and accompany at his church. He is a talented guitarist, jamming in after school sessions almost daily where younger students learn at his side.
Simon is also a serious art student with one of his more recent sketches winning first prize in a global warming art contest.
His prize was a GPS for the use on the land. The fact that he gave this prize to his father as a gift is testimony of his character.
Furthermore, Simon is one of our potential graduates of the John Arnalukjuak High School for this coming year, 2010.
We are proud of his accomplishments and his determination and enthusiasm. He continues to be a positive influence in the school and a great example for his younger siblings and for the students at the high school.
We feel Simon Koomak would do a great job representing Nunavut at the Paralympic torch relay.
Choosing Simon is a fitting recognition of his achievements as well as a wonderful reward for friendly, articulate, generous, and most capable young man.
Member’s Statement 143 – 3(2): Avataq Hockey Tournament in Rankin Inlet (Kusugak)
I send my regards to Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove, and I congratulate the participants who will be going to the Arctic Winter Games from my community and Nunavut.
I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to inform the House that just a few days ago, there was an Avataq Cup Hockey Tournament and I would like to thank the participants who came in from all over Nunavut.
There were no injuries during that tournament and there were participants from Iqaluit, Repulse Bay, Coral Harbour, Baker Lake, and Arviat.
I especially would like to congratulate the people of Whale Cove who participated because they came in third from the smallest community, the silver medallists were Rankin Miners, I congratulate them, and the gold medal winners were the Huka Inuks and I congratulate them all.
I thank all the participants and we hope to see them again next year at the next Avataq Hockey Tournament.
There being none, (interpretation ends) Item 4.
It gives me great pleasure today to recognize an individual in the Gallery who has been around in her capacity for quite a period of time and that’s our Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Commissioner, Ms. Elaine Keenan Bengts, who is sitting back there.
Question 203 – 3(2): Nunavut Liquor Commission Sale of European Union Products (Schell)
My questions are for the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Liquor Commission, the Hon. Keith Peterson.
I would like to begin by congratulating the minister on Nunavut’s successful hosting of the recent G7 meeting of finance ministers.
However, like a lot of Nunavummiut, I was disappointed that the ministers from the European Union apparently did not attend the community feast where Inuit country food was served.
Mr. Speaker, I asked a question last year about why the Government of Nunavut’s Liquor Commission sells alcohol from the European Union to our territory’s residents if the European Union is banning the import of seal products from Nunavut.
Can the minister clearly explain to the House today why the government’s Liquor Commission is still selling alcohol from the European Union to our constituents?
The G7 was a really good event. It really highlighted activities in the special part of the north that we have here and the city of Iqaluit did a great job hosting it.
The Liquor Commission orders their products from the south. As far as I know, there is no specific demand to not buy those products.
They are products that people in Nunavut wish to purchase for their own personal consumption or in the facilities in Iqaluit that people frequent.
Will the minister commit to reviewing the Liquor Commission’s sale of alcohol products from the European Union and report to the House before the end of the sitting, yes or no?
I will ask the commission about their policy for purchasing alcohol and if they can give me some information, I will provide that to the member.
Question 204 – 3(2): Teaching Positions Created by New Education Act (Ningark)
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut’s new Education Act came into force at the beginning of the current fiscal year.
Although there is still some time before all of the sections of the Act have to be implemented, the new Education Act will require that a number of additional positions be included in schools, such as school community counsellors, language and cultural instructors, and the elder instructors.
My question to the hon. minister, Mr. Speaker, is: can the minister clarify how many new positions will need to be created in total to meet the requirements of the Education Act?
We’re very proud of this new Education Act.
Our reason, Mr. Speaker, is that the district education authorities will be able to hire elders who will be teaching language and culture.
Also, all of the schools will have student counsellors. The local district education authorities will be hiring secretaries and other office staff. We will try to fill up those positions.
We are presently conducting a survey in the communities and we’re also training the local district education authorities on what their roles and authorities are under the new Education Act, for example, on what positions they are responsible for.
By the end of March, I am sure we will have completed this survey of all communities, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Ningark: My first supplementary, Mr. Speaker, recognizing that we still need to do some work on the new Education Act.
Mr. Speaker, section 123 of the new Education Act states that “The Minister shall ensure that the student-educator ratio for each education district… is lower than the most recently published national student-educator ratio.”
My question: can the minister clarify which and how many of these new positions established within the Department of Education will be considered as educator positions, like teachers?
I think the member is asking how many educator positions we require.
I don’t have the figures at this time, Mr. Speaker, so I will get back to the member once I get the information. I will take his question as notice at this time.
Your question has been taken as notice and he will respond to you once he gets the information.
We will move on to another member. (interpretation ends) Oral Questions.
Question 205 – 3(2): Minimum Wage in Nunavut (Rumbolt)
My questions are for the Minister of Justice, the Hon. Keith Peterson.
As the minister is aware, the minimum wage in Nunavut is established by the territorial Labour Standards Act.
Under this legislation, the minister is required by law to review the minimum wage annually and report his findings to the Legislative Assembly.
However, the government has not reported to the Legislative Assembly since May of 2008.
Can the minister explain to the House today why the government is not following its own laws and will he commit to tabling the report before the end of the current sitting of the Legislative Assembly?
I thank Mr. Rumbolt for asking that question.
Mr. Rumbolt, it is very important that we follow our own laws.
I will look into that and I will report back to the member.
I thank the minister for wanting to get back to me with more information.
My next question will be: as of today, the minimum wage in Nunavut is $10 per hour.
Although this is the highest minimum wage in the country, I believe that it’s important to remember that the cost of living here is also the highest in the country.
Will the minister commit to ensuring that his review of the minimum wage takes into account the high cost of living in Nunavut?
I thank Mr. Rumbolt.
He certainly touches on a key issue in Nunavut; we talk about poverty and we talk about the high cost of living.
In this Assembly and the last Assembly, we spoke about it and we passed resolutions.
We have called on the Government of Canada to increase our Northern Residents Deduction, and so on so forth.
Indian and Northern Affairs published the data on the high cost of living in all Nunavut communities.
We know about the $200 turkey in Arctic Bay from last year that got a wide publication across Canada. They said it was a mistake; there’s no question about that.
We will certainly take into account the high cost of living when we consider the minimum wage.
Your second supplementary, Mr. Rumbolt
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
My final question will be: the minimum wage in Nunavut has not increased since June of 2008.
When does the minister anticipate introducing legislation to increase the minimum wage to at least keep up with the annual inflation rate in Nunavut?
Mr. Speaker, I will endeavour to do that as soon as possible.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Peterson.
Member for Pangnirtung, Mr. Komoartok
Question 206 – 3(2): New Health Centre in Pangnirtung (Rumbolt)
As I stated in my Member’s Statement, I would ask questions in regard to the new health centre that was recently completed in my community.
We have been unable to make use of that health centre because there are no furniture and equipment.
I would like to know if the minister is now fully informed as to when the furniture will be arriving to Pangnirtung.
That is my first question directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
As the member recalls, we had various reasons for delaying the operation of the building as the contractors were behind on some items. During an inspection in November, they were not approved for substantial completion.
They delayed the occupation of that building for a number of reasons and they had to move to the hamlet site because it was cheaper.
Not all of this happened at the same time but to this point, these have accumulated in contributing to the delay, particularly during November. It took nearly two months to reach substantial completion, I believe in January.
To date, the delay has been due to the furniture situation.
The Department of Community and Government Services had already tendered for that. The furniture items have been identified.
Once the furniture tender has been completed and paid for through CGS and with the telephones now being installed, we expect to open the health centre in April.
Some of the furniture is huge and heavy, so there is a question if they can be flown to the community by plane. That is one of the things we must resolve.
That is what I can report, although we don’t want to see any further delay.
I would also like to thank the minister for his excellent response.
We have been waiting for quite a long time for the opening of the health centre. Many people are starting to ask questions on the local radio station wondering when the health centre will be opened.
We want to reach a full understanding between my community and residents and hear from the minister.
I understand that the centre will be opened once the furniture has arrived.
Can the minister inform the community once he knows when the centre can be opened?
Residents in the community want to fully participate in the opening of the centre and look forward to the centre being in operation immediately upon its official opening.
Can the minister commit to informing the community right away once he knows what day in April or May the centre will open?
We are sensitive to the communities and we also cannot wait to open the health centre due to these delays.
I can say that once CGS completes the tendering process and we know who gets the contract, I will be able to write a letter to you and your mayor to notify you as to when they can open the health centre.
Once the tendering process is over, I will write a letter to you as soon as we hear when they can open the health centre.
I will be able to announce in the House because the mayors are very interested in hearing that and I really do want to inform them.
Once we start resolving these, I will be keeping you abreast.
Question 207 – 3(2): Status of Federal Funding Announcement for Community Bridges and Roads (Elliott)
My questions are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, whose department is responsible for the government’s Community Access Road Program.
On February 24 of this year, the federal government announced that the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency will be providing $1.3 million to the Government of Nunavut to “help build community access roads and to upgrade or replace community bridges.”
One of the approved projects is an upgrade to the dump bridge in Resolute Bay and the federal announcement indicated that “construction is expected to get underway in the summer of 2010.”
Can the minister indicate what the cost of the Resolute Bay project will be and confirm when the federal funding will be received?
This department has allocated $500,000 from its capital funding. It’s been switched over to a different program, compared to the previous years.
Of course, we are encouraged that the federal government has contributed through its Community Adjustment Fund of an additional $1.3 million to construct some access roads, including some bridges that, at this time, haven’t been identified.
I’m not fully aware of the Resolute Bay project, but we do take in proposals for access roads as they come on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hopefully we will start getting more applications at the department.
I’m just a little confused because I know it was announced by the federal government that this project was going to be happening, but the minister is not able to tell me when it’s happening and how much.
My next question was going to be how these projects were approved.
Is he saying that the hamlets actually initiated this and sent in the proposals to have them funded?
Yes, that’s the usual process where a community sends in a proposal to the department for access road funding.
In 2009-2010, 13 communities received funding totalling $500,000. One of them is, of course, Resolute Bay, which received $20,000.
The federal announcement indicated that the funding for community bridge projects in five communities will create “46 part-time, short-term jobs for Nunavut residents.”
Can the minister indicate how many jobs the project in Resolute Bay will bring to the community?
I’m not aware of the numbers.
I’m sure that has been announced, but I didn’t take the time to actually crunch out the numbers to see exactly how many positions and people that it’s going to take to build some of these infrastructure that are going to be funded.
The minister was quoted in the joint press release, so I just thought maybe he had some of those numbers.
Could the minister commit to me that before the end of sitting, he could tell me the dollar figure and how much, when construction would begin, as well as what jobs will be coming to the community?
Yes, I can do that. Once I get the information, I’ll make it available to the Hon. Member of Quttiktuq.
Question 208 – 3(2): Utility Rates Review Council Consideration of Qulliq Energy Corporation’s Capital Projects (Okalik)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for the Utility Rates Review Council.
I am sure the minister is aware that Qulliq Energy Corporation has recently issued a tender to construct a brand new corporate office building in Iqaluit.
This tender closes on March 30.
Under the provisions of the Qulliq Energy Corporation Act, the corporation is required by law to seek approval from the minister before undertaking a major capital project and the minister may seek advice of the Utility Rates Review Council before granting permission.
Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that the brand new corporate office building will be expensive.
I would like to ask the minister if the Utility Rates Review Council has been asked to review the proposed capital project, yes or no.
Minister responsible for the Utility Rates Review Council, Hon. Tagak Curley.
I would like to thank the member for asking that question. I believe it was through the media that they have heard about it.
First of all, I would the members to know that the URRC is at arm’s length and they are independent.
The minister cannot interfere with them, but I have heard that they were given more than one item to review as they have to give advice to the Minister of Energy.
At this time, I can tell you that they’re now working on that issue.
As the minister responsible, I cannot tell you exactly what they are doing, but they are quite serious about reviewing these issues, particularly the matter raised in your question.
Question 209 – 3(2): Adequate Housing for Education Staff (Ningark)
Recognizing my supplementary was taken as notice by the Minister of Education, I recognize and respect your ruling on that.
This is a new question to the same minister, Minister of Education.
Mr. Speaker, we often hear of difficulties in hiring teachers to the community because of the lack of housing for them.
This is a known fact in Nunavut.
Sometimes teachers have to share accommodations when they come to a community, especially in a small community such as Kugaaruk.