EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
During the Standing Committee’s recent hearing, the Languages Commissioner indicated that a number of municipalities are struggling to secure funding and other resources with which to develop and establish adequate language services and signage programs in the communities.
While the Standing Committee notes that the Languages Commissioner has made efforts to inform municipalities of their statutory language obligations, Members were of the view that further work could be done to monitor the adequacy of language services provided by the territory’s municipalities.
In her 2012-2013 annual report to the Legislative Assembly, the Languages Commissioner used a scoring system to evaluate the Government of Nunavut‘s performance in issuing news releases in all official languages.
In this evaluation, the Languages Commissioner assigned grades to a number of the government’s departments and offices.
These grades were presented in comparison with grades that her office had assigned in previous fiscal years.
This allowed the Languages Commissioner to illustrate which departments and offices had improved their performance and which departments required more work.
The Standing Committee notes that the Legislative Assembly was graded for the first time during the 2012-2013 fiscal year and received an “A” for its performance.
The Standing Committee maintains the view that this type of evaluation provides Members of the Legislative Assembly and the public with a clear assessment of which organizations require further work in meeting their statutory language obligations.
This scoring system could also provide incentive for other organizations, in both the public and private sectors, to improve their efforts in providing written communications to the public in all official languages.
The Standing Committee encourages the Languages Commissioner to utilize a similar type of evaluation as her office monitors the implementation of Nunavut’s official languages legislation at the municipal level.
The Standing Committee also encourages the Languages Commissioner to perform periodic site visits to Nunavut’s communities to determine which municipalities are meeting their statutory language obligations.
The Standing Committee also encourages the Languages Commissioner to work closely with municipal organizations, including the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, to develop strategies that will allow her office to effectively monitor and advise the implementation of Nunavut’s official languages legislation at the municipal level.
In its report on the review of the Languages Commissioner’s 2011-2012 annual report, the Standing Committee of the previous Legislative Assembly recommended that the Languages Commissioner address issues relating to the delivery of language services by federal departments, agencies and federally-regulated entities in Nunavut.
The Inuit Language Protection Act provides that organizations which are required to comply with the legislation include public sector bodies.
The Inuit Language Protection Act defines a public sector body to mean “a department of the Government of Nunavut or public agency, or a federal department, agency or institution.”
During the Standing Committee’s recent hearing, the Languages Commissioner indicated that her office has had a number of discussions with federally-regulated entities such as airlines and banks.
However, the Standing Committee is of the view that more work can be done to ensure that the federal departments, agencies and federally-regulated entities in Nunavut are meeting language obligations under the Inuit Language Protection Act.
In its report on the review of the Languages Commissioner’s 2011-2012 annual report, the Standing Committee of the previous Legislative Assembly recommended that the Languages Commissioner work with the Minister of Languages to develop and establish policies that would allow her office to effectively monitor the implementation of Nunavut’s official languages legislation.
During the Standing Committee’s recent hearing, the Languages Commissioner indicated that her office had recently begun discussing the need to address the issue of language-related policies within the Government of Nunavut.
The Standing Committee recognizes that the Government of Nunavut is responsible for establishing formal policies, procedures and guidelines by which the public service is expected to fulfill its statutory language obligations.
Subsection 13(2)(c) of the Official Languages Act provides that the Minister of Languages shall “coordinate the implementation, monitoring, management and evaluation of language obligations, policies, programs and services by departments of the Government of Nunavut and public agencies.”
Subsection 24(2)(a) of the Inuit Language Protection Act provides that the Minister of Languages shall “develop policies or programs intended to promote … the use and development of the Inuit Language so that it can be used in the full range of activities and sectors of Nunavut society.”
On October 30, 2012, the previous Minister of Languages tabled the government’s plan for its implementation of Nunavut’s official language legislation.
This document indicates that one of the government’s implementation priorities for the period between 2012-2013 and 2015-2016 is to “develop and implement policies and guidelines to support the delivery of both oral and written communications and services in the Official Languages.”
Although the territory’s official languages legislation is largely in force, the Standing Committee is of the view that more work is required to establish and effectively implement these necessary policies, procedures and guidelines.
During the Standing Committee’s recent hearing, the Languages Commissioner indicated that the government has been failing to provide adequate transparency in relation to its initiatives on language training, services and promotion.
Section 27 of the Inuit Language Protection Act came into force on September 18, 2008, and requires the Minister of Languages to submit an annual report to the Legislative Assembly that describes the government’s work in fulfilling its statutory obligations under the Inuit Language Protection Act.
The Minister of Languages tabled the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 annual reports under the Inuit Language Protection Act on May 22, 2014.
The Standing Committee encourages the Minister of Languages to table the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 annual reports under the Inuit Language Protection Act in a timely manner.
Section 15 of the Official Languages Act came into force on April 1, 2013.
The Standing Committee notes that this section requires the Minister of Languages to submit an annual report to the Legislative Assembly under the Official Languages Act within 12 months after the end of each fiscal year.
The Standing Committee looks forward to reviewing the first annual report under the Official Languages Act, and encourages the Minister to table the annual report in a timely manner.
Subsection 12(7)(c) of the Official Languages Act and sections 3-5 and 9-10 of the Inuit Language Protection Act have not yet come into force.
These sections include provisions that will require the government’s third-party contractors to provide services in all official languages, require the private sector to provide services in the Inuit Language and require the government to develop and implement Inuit language programs for early childhood and adult education.
The Standing Committee recognizes that the Government of Nunavut is responsible for determining the timeline for bringing these sections into force, and that the government bears significant responsibility for developing the necessary policies by which to implement these and other aspects of the territory’s official languages legislation.
The Standing Committee recommends that the Government of Nunavut’s response to this report provide a detailed timeline for the coming into force of subsection 12(7)(c) of the Official Languages Act and sections 3-5 and 9-10 of the Inuit Language Protection Act.
Standing Committee Recommendation #5  The Standing Committee recommends that the Government of Nunavut’s response to this report account, in detail, for its progress to date in developing policies, procedures and guidelines that provide direction on how its departments and agencies are expected meet their statutory obligations under Nunavut’s official languages legislation.
The Standing Committee further recommends that the Government of Nunavut’s response to this report include a detailed timeframe in which these necessary policies, procedures and guidelines are to be implemented.
Standing Committee Recommendation #4  The Standing Committee recommends that the Languages Commissioner establish a strategy and methodology for her office to effectively monitor and evaluate the status of language services provided by federal departments, agencies and federally-regulated entities in Nunavut.
The Standing Committee further recommends that the Languages Commissioner include in her future annual reports to the Legislative Assembly specific, comprehensive and detailed information on the status of language services provided by federal departments, agencies and federally-regulated entities in Nunavut.
Standing Committee Recommendation #3
The Standing Committee recommends that the Languages Commissioner establish a strategy and methodology for her office to effectively monitor and evaluate the status of the implementation of the Official Languages Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act at the municipal level of government in Nunavut.
The Standing Committee further recommends that the Languages Commissioner develop a timeframe for her office to undertake site visits to Nunavut’s communities to determine the adequacy of language services and signage programs at the municipal level.
The Standing Committee further recommends that the Languages Commissioner work closely with municipal organizations, including the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, when her office monitors and advises municipalities in relation to their statutory language obligations.
Standing Committee Recommendation #2
The Standing Committee recommends that the Languages Commissioner undertake a review of the implementation of section 12 of the Inuit Language Protection Act, and that her findings be provided as a detailed and comprehensive companion to her 2014-2015 annual report to the Legislative Assembly.
Standing Committee Recommendation #1
The Standing Committee recommends that the Languages Commissioner’s future annual reports to the Legislative Assembly provide detailed information on her office’s staffing initiatives during the fiscal year.  The Standing Committee further recommends that the Languages Commissioner be mindful that her formal reports to the Legislative Assembly are the most appropriate and effective means of raising concerns and making recommendations to the government.
The Standing Committee further recommends that the Languages Commissioner’s future annual reports to the Legislative Assembly provide detailed and comprehensive breakdowns of her office’s expenditures in areas such as travel and contract services.
The Standing Committee further recommends that the Languages Commissioner’s future annual reports to the Legislative Assembly provide greater detail on the purpose and outcomes of meetings and conferences that her office attends during the fiscal year.
Pages 1341 – 1408
Opening Prayer 1341
Ministers’ Statements 1341
Members’ Statements 1343
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1345
Oral Questions 1347
Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters* 1363
Tabling of Documents 1365
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1366
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1407
Orders of the Day 1407
Thursday, October 30, 2014 1341
070 – 4(2): Certificate of Educational Leadership in Nunavut (Quassa) 1341
071 – 4(2): Baffin Island Caribou Management (Mike) 1342
072 – 4(2): Embrace Life Day (Ell) 1343
157 – 4(2): Ministerial Visit to Baker Lake (Mikkungwak) 1343
158 – 4(2): HTO Sealift in Arctic Bay (Shooyook) 1344
254 – 4(2): Plebiscite on Alienation of Municipal Lands (Angnakak) 1347
255 – 4(2): Nurse Practitioner Position in Pond Inlet (Enook) 1348
256 – 4(2): Government Revenues from Property Taxes (Mikkungwak) 1350
257 – 4(2): Swimming Pool for Repulse Bay (Mapsalak) 1351
258 – 4(2): Culturally Appropriate Support for Foster Care Providers (Joanasie) 1352
259 – 4(2): Stopping Suicide (Sammurtok) 1354
260 – 4(2): Hudson Bay Neighbours Regional Round Table (Savikataaq) 1355
261 – 4(2): Municipal Lands Plebiscite (Hickes) 1357
262 – 4(2): Economic Plans Following Mine Closure (Mikkungwak) 1358
263 – 4(2): Technical Professionals Scholarship Program (Angnakak) 1361
264 – 4(2): Baffin Island Caribou Management (Savikataaq) 1362
Committee Report 006 – 4(2): Report on the Review of the 2012-2013 Annual Report and 2014-2018 Corporate Plan of the Qulliq Energy Corporation (Hickes) 1363
047 – 4(2): FPT Ministerial Report on the Forum of Labour Market (Ugyuk) 1365
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016 – Health – Consideration in Committee 1366
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016 – Nunavut Arctic College – Consideration in Committee 1382
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016 – Justice – Consideration in Committee 1396
>>House commenced at 10:02
Speaker (Hon. George Qulaut) (interpretation): Can you say the opening prayer, please, Mr. Tom Sammurtok.
Speaker (interpretation): Good morning. Welcome to the House, members, ministers, and my fellow Nunavummiut.
Going to the orders of the day. (interpretation ends) Item 2.
Minister’s Statement 070 – 4(2): Certificate of Educational Leadership in Nunavut (Quassa)
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, my colleagues and Nunavummiut, especially the people of Igloolik.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak to my colleagues about the newly revised Certificate of Educational Leadership in Nunavut program (CELN).
This November, the Department of Education and the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) will launch a revised version of the CELN program.
The program consists of five graduate-level university courses designed to provide teachers and principals with the history, knowledge, and skills needed to provide culturally-based, responsive leadership in our schools.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the Education Act requires principals and vice-principals to take the Educational Leadership Program as part of their [certification].
Before 2011, accredited and non-accredited leadership training was offered to principals and teachers over the course of two years, with courses taking place each summer for two-week periods.
Beginning this school year, the revised Certification of Educational Leadership in Nunavut program will offer courses in November 2014 in Iqaluit and in February 2015 during Professional Improvement Week in Rankin Inlet.
Sessional instructors for the Certification of Educational Leadership in Nunavut courses are hired by the University of Prince Edward Island and must have extensive experience teaching in Nunavut.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, the revised CELN will feature two foundation courses on leadership for Nunavut schools. There will also be three specialized courses on literacy leadership, including a focus on reading, coaching, and family engagement.
Registration for these courses has exceeded our initial expectation and more sessions may be planned for later in the school year.
We want to help educators who are aspiring leaders develop their leadership skills.
The courses in the revised CELN and future specializations, such as numeracy and inclusive education, will support their advancement.
Minister’s Statement 071 – 4(2): Baffin Island Caribou Management (Mike)
Both Inuit knowledge and recent scientific information are telling us that the number of caribou on Baffin Island is critically low.
Results from an island-wide aerial survey conducted earlier this year estimates the number of caribou on Baffin Island at approximately 5,000 animals, down from well over 100,000 in the early 1990s.
(interpretation ends) These scientific results are consistent with social science research and community consultations conducted in all 10 Baffin Island communities. Harvesters, elders, and community members have told us that caribou are becoming increasingly difficult to find.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, caribou are an extremely valuable resource to Nunavummiut and an important part of the regional ecosystem.
My Department of Environment is committed to working with all co-management partners to promote the recovery of caribou on Baffin Island.
(interpretation ends) The Department of Environment, the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board, and NTI are holding a workshop November 3 to 4 in Iqaluit to bring together representatives from all 10 Baffin hunters and trappers organizations, elders, and Nunavut Wildlife Management Board members to plan a way forward for caribou so that our grandchildren can benefit from their recovery and ongoing sustainable co-management.
(interpretation) Short- and long-term solutions to conservation and management challenges will be considered in order to come up with an approach that works for both the communities and the caribou.
It is not going to be easy and recovery will take many years, possibly many decades.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, our goal is to revitalize Baffin Island caribou in keeping with the co-management system (interpretation) outlined in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
I look forward to updating you in our next sitting on the successful outcomes from this workshop.
I wish them success in the meeting in Iqaluit this coming week.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister Ms. Ell.
Minister’s Statement 072 – 4(2): Embrace Life Day (Ell)
September 10 was Embrace Life Day, also known as World Suicide Prevention Day.
Mr. Speaker, this year, the International Association for Suicide Prevention promoted a “Cycle around the Globe” event. The Department of Health’s territorial mental health team took that idea and challenged Nunavut communities to come together to walk and cycle the distance of the Northwest Passage.
In partnership with the Embrace Life Council, community teams across the territory were able to promote the importance of being connected with family, friends, elders, and co-workers and guide Nunavummiut to their local mental health resources.
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Coast Guard also assisted in determining that from Pond Inlet to the Amundsen Gulf west of Kugluktuk.
The distance of the Northwest Passage that falls within Nunavut spans 2,700 kilometres.
Initially, this distance seemed like a lofty goal. However, in the end, more than 6,000 Nunavummiut connected and came together to walk and cycle over 17,000 kilometres.
Not only did Nunavummiut conquer the Northwest Passage, but they walked and cycled almost halfway around the world.
Mr. Speaker, we have all been touched by suicide.
I believe it is for this reason that so many Nunavummiut joined on September 10 to celebrate life.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their participation and to congratulate the communities of Chesterfield Inlet, Igloolik, and Cambridge Bay that were the per capita regional champions.
Mr. Speaker, being connected to our loved ones, our community, and the world around us is the key to suicide prevention. This event is a strong reminder of just how important this is.
Member’s Statement 157 – 4(2): Ministerial Visit to Baker Lake (Mikkungwak)
I rise today to thank a number of ministers for their recent visit to my constituency this summer during their Kivalliq tour.
Mr. Speaker, Baker Lake was delighted to have hosted (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister Kuksuk, Hon. Minister Quassa, Hon. Minister Sammurtok, and Hon. Minister Ell (interpretation) for a day.
I trust that they enjoyed their experience and felt warmly welcomed in our beautiful community.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight some of the realities that I hope we can work together in the near future to address.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, ministers will recall seeing with their own eyes that Baker Lake’s airport infrastructure is inadequate.
I have said before in this House that we need a refreshed terminal building with accessibility features.
As well, a runway expansion and instrument package update for the GPS system is urgently needed.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly believe that we need a new health centre to serve the people of Baker Lake.
We have a large growing population, with a significant number of elders.
Mr. Speaker, I am also very concerned about the state of the Martha Taliruq Centre, one of the oldest buildings in Baker Lake, which is operated by the community hospice society.
The centre is simply not equipped to accommodate the elders in my community and the contribution agreement that funds its operations needs to be reviewed.
Mr. Speaker, members will recall that I have raised my concerns about the centre in this House on a number of occasions.
(interpretation) I don’t hear any nays. Please proceed, Mr. Mikkungwak.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleagues very much.
(interpretation ends) Uqaqtittijii, as I stated yesterday, there is an urgent need for a new school in Baker Lake.
Students of Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School had their classes in the community hall from the end of September until just last week due to a fuel spill.
With education being one of the priorities identified in Sivumut Abluqta, I do hope that this is taken very seriously.
Mr. Speaker, we have seen great examples where working together has resulted in positive outcomes for Nunavutmiut, the people we represent and serve.
Mr. Speaker, it is one thing to rise in the House, make statements, and ask oral questions, but it is another thing to show hon. members in person the issues that I advocate for on behalf of my constituency.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that ministers were able to see first hand the unique realities that my constituents face and, again, I know that gaps can, indeed, be closed if we work together.
Mr. Speaker, I will be asking questions to respective ministers at the appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 158 – 4(2): HTO Sealift in Arctic Bay (Shooyook)
I rise today to bring up an issue that we mentioned in September.
This was the first time that a small ship came into our community.
I believe the name of the ship was Kiviuq.
The ship was bringing frozen, southern foods.
There were runners for qamutiik, crawl spaces, and equipment that were not directed at businesses, but they were for the hunters and trappers organization.
After that event, the next morning, they opened a new store and so many shoppers were in there that there was hardly any room to move.
It is something that we had thought of, an idea from an individual who had passed away.
When we saw the ship, the name of the ship was Tommy Kilabuk.
Tommy Kilabuk was a member of the hunter and trappers organization and he had wanted to see something like this happening in our community.
We also saw the contribution of this individual, Tom Kilabuk, during that time.
I would like to recognize some visitors in the Gallery who are social services workers in Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, we have a statutory core training program being held right now in Iqaluit.
I would like to introduce the participants, child protection workers from the Kitikmeot region.
When I say your name, please stand up.
Ann Rose Kerkovius, Cambridge Bay Regional Manager.
Linda Hunter, Gjoa Haven.
Danny Lajoie, Kugluktuk.
Denise Basque, Taloyoak, the best place in Nunavut.
Kivalliq region, Veronica Angotingoar, Whale Cove.
Linda Mapping, Arviat.
Iqaluit, Jessica Shabtai, Supervisor.
(interpretation) This individual can speak Inuktitut very well, Nancy Tagalik
Coby O’Neil.
Katrina Kaiser.
(interpretation) They are from Iqaluit.
From the Baffin region, Maggie Amagoalik from Hall Beach.
I have met this person when he was a student, Bobby Kadlutsiak from Igloolik.
Betty Mohabair, Kimmirut.
Manet Ferber, Pond Inlet.
Casandra Yantha, Cape Dorset.
Alan Morrison, Cape Dorset.