EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Question 271 – 4(2): Airport Operations (Enook)
As the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation will recall, I asked him a number of questions during our spring sitting concerning the issue of airport operations and Community Aerodrome Radio Stations.
At that time, I questioned the department’s plans to, and I quote, “work with NAV Canada to ensure the smooth transition of Community Aerodrome Radio Stations from the department to new contractors.”
Can the minister indicate what plans his department has with respect to the provision of CARS services in the airports of North Baffin, including Pond Inlet?
With respect to my colleague’s question, the training of CARS operators is dealt with differently by the communities. Some communities have the CARS operators while other communities have service contracts to provide the service.
The communities are all different in how they approach this requirement.
Some communities use their local government to deal with the CARS services.
With respect to his question about whether we have any plans in the communities, my response to that is we are continually making plans to address this along with NAV CANADA. However, to date, I am unable to provide this level of information.
When we have completed our plan in this area, I would be able to share the information in this House.
It is my understanding that in some communities, CARS operations are performed by hamlets or local contractors while they are now being performed by an Ottawa-based company called ATS Services in other communities.
Can the minister indicate which communities are being serviced by the Ottawa-based company?
With respect to the question about which communities are receiving this service, I don’t have that information today about which communities are serviced by that company. I will first have to request the information and I will then share it with the member.
I’ll ask another question, even though I know the answer already.
I am aware that ATS, which is a company based out of Ottawa, provides services to some communities in Nunavut.
Can the minister confirm whether or not ATS Services is employing residents from outside of Nunavut to provide CARS services at community airports and, if this is the case, can he explain why this is happening?
I indicated earlier to the member that I would share the information once I have it.
I will make sure to get the information from my department and give you the facts.
Question 272 – 4(2): New School for Baker Lake (Mikkungwak)
Good morning to the people of Baker Lake and all Nunavummiut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, during our recent deliberations in Committee of the Whole, I was pleased to note that the minister indicated that representatives from the Ministry of Education do meet with community organizations to discuss the construction and design of new school infrastructure.
Will the minister commit to have his officials meet with members of the Baker Lake DEA and the Hamlet of Baker Lake to discuss the new school for Baker Lake at the earliest opportunity?
I would also like to thank my colleague from Baker Lake for asking that question.
I am very pleased to say that on November 24, the capital projects manager is going to Baker Lake to have a meeting with the Baker Lake District Education Authority.
It is very promising to hear that the officials will be coming to Baker Lake.
As I have mentioned a number of times, the recent fuel leak at the Baker Lake school really raised awareness of the need for new school infrastructure in the community.
Can the minister clarify that when the officials do meet with the organizations of Baker Lake, the Hamlet of Baker Lake, and the Baker Lake DEA, will they be discussing in detail the construction of a new school for the community also?
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the Member for Baker Lake for wanting to find out about the situation.
I am unsure exactly which aspect he is questioning because I didn’t quite understand.
He seems to be talking about two issues.
The first revolves around the fuel leakage that occurred at the school in Baker Lake.
We are awaiting the (interpretation ends) official test results (interpretation) that were supposed to be ready by October 17. This information was received.
A report on the incident became available on October 24.
I am extremely gratified that the cleanup was successful and the land was cleaned up.
As I stated earlier to the member, on November 24, the infrastructure managers will be visiting his community and I imagine he will be reporting on the issue he raised in his question.
I am very pleased to hear that because education is very important in my community of Baker Lake.
With that, the need for a new school in Baker Lake is a priority for me.
Will the minister commit to ensuring that this project for the construction and design of the new school, which is a priority for me, is brought forward in his department’s capital plan?
As per my earlier indications, there are three schools in the larger communities identified: Igloolik, Baker Lake, and Arviat. They had their projects deferred by one year.
Based on the plans, the order is still set for the communities and I don’t doubt that our plans to construct them in 2016-17 will proceed.
Let’s be aware that these projects haven’t been stopped.
There are other communities facing the same challenges. I believe that is the case in all communities, as we require adequate school facilities in every community. This project will proceed, although they will follow the deferral process for Baker Lake, Igloolik, and Arviat.
Question 273 – 4(2): Infrastructure Maintenance for Municipalities (Mapsalak)
I would like to direct my question to Minister Sammurtok.
Mr. Speaker, the hamlets are responsible for many things inside of their communities, for example, large buildings, and they are given responsibilities through various contribution agreements on behalf of the Nunavut government.
Mr. Speaker, it’s very expensive to operate large buildings. Once these buildings become old, what can the government do to help the hamlets with the upkeep of those facilities? For example, usually there is no money for the upkeep or operations of the larger infrastructure.
Who can the hamlets talk to when they need support in operating the large facilities that they are responsible for on behalf of the government?
I apologize. I had a sore throat this morning and I do apologize.
With your question, the hamlet councils can make a request to our department on those issues.
Some of the buildings are very old and there’s forced growth in all Nunavut communities, so then those buildings become inadequate to meet the needs of the community members.
When they get to that situation, which government department can they turn to, to make sure that the facilities meet the needs of the communities?
We have officials or staff in Rankin Inlet and here in Iqaluit. We have the Capital Planning Division in Rankin Inlet. The hamlet should feel free to talk about those issues with those staff members.
Are there monies available to renovate or expand the facilities so that they would meet the needs of the community members?
We usually have a pot of money tied with small and minor capital projects.
You can access funds from that pot to be used for the facilities.
Question 274 – 4(2): FPT – Labour Market Mobility (Hickes)
I have a couple of questions for the minister responsible for labour market, the Minister of Family Services.
Yesterday, she tabled an FPT ministerial report, talking about the different discussion topics at a recent meeting in Charlottetown, PEI.
I just had a couple of questions on the report, Mr. Speaker.
First, I would like to get some clarity on the labour mobility discussions that occurred at that meeting.
It talks in the document that the minister committed to continuing the removal of barriers to labour mobility.
I’m just wondering how discussions went along Nunavut’s situation with the NLCA Article 23 on labour mobility across Canada.
Yesterday, we had discussions on this issue during the meeting in relation to labour mobility discussions.
Various people have taken courses. Our situation is not the same as in the provinces down south.
Down south, they are trying to unify various policies.
An organization deals with issues of this nature across the country.
I’m not sure if the minister understood where I was going with that.
In Nunavut here, with our NLCA Article 23, we have preferential hiring where, as I understand, in mostly labour mobility agreements, there isn’t really a place for preferential hiring.
It is to allow full mobility for all Canadians across all jurisdictions.
I’m assuming the minister brought this up at the table with the federal and all the other jurisdictions, and maybe she could just clarify on how that discussion went.
Thank you for the member for asking for my clarity on the labour mobility issue.
Our department needs to look at the Apprenticeship Training Act. We don’t have Acts or policies that we could register apprenticeships or Red Seal trainers.
Those were the issues that we were discussing at those meetings.
I will leave that one alone for now.
In the Foreign Qualifications Recognition section of the discussions, it talks about 10 new target occupations from the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.
It states in the document that the framework helps improve the foreign qualification assessment and recognition for internationally trained professions so that they can put their knowledge and skills to work sooner.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut has a growing immigrant population where we are taking advantage of some of these opportunities of internationally trained professionals working in the territory.
It says in here that Nunavut does not currently undertake a role in foreign qualification recognition.
I was wondering if maybe the minister would be able to elaborate a little bit more on why we’re not taking a role in that and maybe some discussion on how we are going to take a role in that program in the future.
I also thank my colleague for that question in relation to this issue.
The Department of Family Services understands that we are not 100 percent aware of what kinds of international qualifications they need to have since we have not created a policy on that yet.
We still need to have some discussions on whether or not it should be applied in Nunavut. We have begun discussions about it. This past July, we have just hired the people who would deal with that relating to the labour market information.
We have just started working on that this past summer.
Question 275 – 4(2): Funding for Baker Lake Elders Centre (Mikkungwak)
The Martha Taliruq Centre’s budget has not increased and the Minister of Family Services has indicated that she was going to be looking into it. Has she looked into the budgetary requirements of the centre in Baker Lake?
These issues that had been looked at, they usually send their annual request for operational funding through that and we deal with it when it arrives.
I am trying to ask whether the department officials would be able to meet with the governance board of that centre for the purpose of discussing the centre so that they could have a better understanding of it in light of their never having increased the budget.
The Department of Family Services addresses their issues promptly.
Once they have replied to that request for an increase, they would send them accordingly.
There are no more oral questions and the time for question period has expired. (interpretation ends) Item 7.
Tabled Document 048 – 4(2): Nunavut Arctic College Annual Report 2013-2014 (Quassa)
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to table the 2013-14 Annual Report for Nunavut Arctic College.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents. Mr. Savikataaq.
Tabled Document 049 – 4(2): Excerpt from Northwest Territories Hansard (Savikataaq)
I wish to table today an excerpt from yesterday’s Hansard of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, members will note that our colleagues in the NWT adopted a motion yesterday to extend the review period for that legislature’s consideration of Bill 12, the proposed Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act.
Tabled Document 050 – 4(2): 2010-2011 Annual Report of the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the 2010-11 Annual Report of the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit under the Inuit Language Protection Act.
Hon. Premier Taptuna.
Tabled Document 051 – 4(2): A Northern Vision: Building a Better North (Taptuna)
I am pleased to table the northern premiers’ commitment to working together titled “A Northern Vision: Building a Better North.”
Tabled Document 052 – 4(2): Correspondence from the Mayor of Qikiqtarjuaq (Speaker)
I wish to table a letter that I have received from the Mayor of Qikiqtarjuaq.
Motion 013 – 4(2): Adjournment for the Day (Rumbolt)
Pursuant to Rule 46, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Tununiq, that the House adjourn for the day.
The motion is carried and we will proceed to Item 22 on the order paper.
A reminder of meetings occurring over the next couple of days.
There’s a meeting of the Management and Services Board at half past one this afternoon in the Tuktu Boardroom.
Tomorrow, there’s a meeting of the Full Caucus in the Nanuq Room starting at one o’clock. On Monday morning at nine o’clock in the Tuktu Boardroom, there’s a meeting of the Regular Caucus.
I would like to thank Christopher Eetuk, our page from Coral Harbour, and Benoit Inukshuk from Repulse Bay. We thank you for your excellent work today and this is your last day.
Thank you for having served us so well.
(interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Monday, November 3, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 10:34
Monday, November 3, 2014
Pages 1434 – 1486
Opening Prayer 1434
Ministers’ Statements 1434
Members’ Statements 1437
Returns to Oral Questions* 1440
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1441
Oral Questions 1441
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 1460
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1485
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1485
Monday, November 3, 2014 1434
075 – 4(2): OAG Updates: Implementation of the Education Act (Quassa) 1434
076 – 4(2): Sport and Recreation/Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut (RPAN) Awards 2014 (Sammurtok) 1435
077 – 4(2): QEC’s Awards and Recognitions 2014 (Okalik) 1436
167 – 4(2): Tribute to Ookookoo Quaraq (Enook) 1437
168 – 4(2): Asbestos Abatement at the Nunatta Residence (Angnakak) 1437
169 – 4(2): 2014 Arviat Polar Bear Tags (Savikataaq) 1438
170 – 4(2): Future of Small Communities (Shooyook) 1438
171 – 4(2): Soccer Tournament in Cape Dorset (Joanasie) 1439
172 – 4(2): Fundraiser for Food Bank (Okalik) 1440
Return to Oral Question 191 – 4(2): Information on Casuals (Ugyuk) 1440
Return to Oral Question 248 – 4(2): Foxe Basin Polar Bear Population (Mike) 1441
276 – 4(2): Asbestos Abatement at the Nunatta Campus (Angnakak) 1441
277 – 4(2): Future of Small Communities (Shooyook) 1443
278 – 4(2): Update on Cape Dorset Sewage Lagoon (Joanasie) 1444
279 – 4(2): The Need for an Elders Facility in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok) 1445
280 – 4(2): Staff Housing (Enook) 1446
281 – 4(2): Effectiveness of the New Rent Scale (Mikkungwak) 1448
282 – 4(2): Regulations under Nunavut’s Wildlife Act (Savikataaq) 1450
283 – 4(2): Surplus Disposal Policy (Rumbolt) 1451
284 – 4(2): Minimum Wage in Nunavut (Hickes) 1452
285 – 4(2): Addressing Homelessness (Enook) 1453
286 – 4(2): Baker Lake Housing Association (Mikkungwak) 1455
287 – 4(2): Nunavut Arctic College’s Centre for Excellence (Angnakak) 1456
053 – 4(2): Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of December 31, 2013 (Peterson) 1458
054 – 4(2): Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of June 30, 2014 (Peterson) 1458
055 – 4(2): Towards a Representative Public Service, Statistics as of March 31, 2014 (Peterson) 1458
056 – 4(2): Correspondence from the Ministers of Family Services and Justice (Enook) 1458
057 – 4(2): Speaker’s List of Outstanding Statutory Tabling Requirements (Speaker) 1458
058 – 4(2): 2013-2014 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut (Speaker) 1458
059 – 4(2): 2014 Annual Report of the Integrity Commissioner of Nunavut (Speaker) 1459
060 – 4(2): Quarterly Report on Members’ Absences for the Period April 1, 2014 to June 30, 2014 (Speaker) 1459
061 – 4(2): Quarterly Report on Members’ Absences for the Period July 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014 (Speaker) 1459
062 – 4(2): 2013-2014 Annual Report on Indemnities, Allowances, Expenses and Benefits Paid to Members of the Third Legislative Assembly (Speaker) 1459
063 – 4(2): 2013-2014 Annual Report on Indemnities, Allowances, Expenses and Benefits Paid to Members of the Fourth Legislative Assembly (Speaker) 1459
064 – 4(2): 2013-2014 Annual Contracting Report of the Office of the Legislative Assembly (Speaker) 1459
065 – 4(2): 2013-2014 Audit Report under the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act (Speaker) 1459
066 – 4(2): 2013-2014 Audit Report under the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act (Speaker) 1459
Bill 11 – An Act to Amend the Corrections Act – Notice 1460
Bill 12 – An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act – Notice 1460
Bill 13 – An Act to Amend the Vital Statistics Act – Notice 1460
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016 – Family Services – Consideration in Committee 1461
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016 – Environment – Consideration in Committee 1473
Speaker (Hon. George Qulaut) (interpretation): Mr. Mikkungwak, can you say the opening prayer, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Good afternoon, members, ministers, and all Nunavummiut.
I also wish to share my gratitude with my wife, as today we are celebrating our 35 anniversary.
You make me proud, and I cherish and love you.
Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister Mr. Quassa.
Minister’s Statement 075 – 4(2): OAG Updates: Implementation of the Education Act (Quassa)
Good day, Nunavummiut and my fellow residents of Igloolik.
Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to notify my colleagues of the progress my department is making towards addressing the findings of the Office of the Auditor General concerning implementation of the Education Act.
Important progress has been made on the development of an HR database.
This database will capture information on both teaching and non-teaching staff, including language proficiency and ability to teach in more than one official language.
The database will be developed in three phases with final completion planned for early 2015.
This database will be instrumental in evaluating the current number of bilingual teachers in our system.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education has initiated an external review of inclusive education, which is scheduled to be completed in January 2015.
This review will provide the department with valuable suggestions and recommendations on how to ensure that school staff are meeting the needs of our students.
The department is planning for the launch of its literacy initiative and has provided training to principals, superintendents, and executive directors on differentiated instruction, balanced literacy, and benchmark assessments.
Regional staff from each of the regions have undergone a three-day in-service on balanced literacy, benchmark assessment, and levelled literacy intervention.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I am confident that these initiatives will help address the issues identified by the Office of the Auditor General and ensure that our students are well supported to acquire the knowledge and skills they need.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister Mr. Sammurtok.
Minister’s Statement 076 – 4(2): Sport and Recreation/Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut (RPAN) Awards 2014 (Sammurtok)
I am very pleased today to announce the 2014 Sport and Recreation Awards Banquet that occurred here in Iqaluit on November 1, 2014.
(interpretation ends) It is my pleasure to congratulate the recipients of the 2014 Sport and Recreation Awards which were presented at the Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut (RPAN) Sport Awards gala on November 1, 2014.
The Sport and Recreation Awards Program recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers within Nunavut’s sport and recreation system.
Each year, the Sport and Recreation Division of the Department of Community and Government Services seeks the nomination of individuals who have shown exemplary commitment to developing sport in the territory.
This is a rare opportunity to acknowledge some of the many volunteers who contribute their time, energy, and expertise to supporting participation in sport and recreation programs at all levels.
(interpretation) This year, we received over twice as many nominations for the sport awards than in past years. (interpretation ends) This demonstrates a growing interest and involvement in sport across the territory.
The Sport and Recreation Division awards were presented in the following six categories:
Male Athlete of the Year
Kenneth John (KJ) Putulik is from my hometown and riding of Chesterfield Inlet
Female Athlete of the Year
Asini Wijesooriya from Iqaluit
2014 Arctic Winter Games Female Basketball Team and this team was made up of various communities in Nunavut
Official of the Year
Josée Tremblay from Iqaluit
Coach of the Year
Donald Clark and Steve Faulkner, both from Rankin Inlet
Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sports
John Maurice from Iqaluit, Jeannie Arreak-Kullualik from Iqaluit, and Glen Ullyot from Baker Lake.
The Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut presented three awards recognizing outstanding accomplishments and contributions to community recreation.
The 2014 Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut awards were presented to:
Recreation Leadership Award
David Clark of Rankin Inlet
Community/Organization Achievement Award  Cambridge Bay Wolverines from Cambridge Bay
First Air President’s Award of Excellence
Brad Mainse of Baker Lake
I would like to thank my colleagues from the House who came to attend the gala, MLA from Baker Lake Simeon Mikkungwak, Keith Peterson from Cambridge Bay, and Monica Ell, who were there to assist with presentations.
On behalf of all Members of this House, I wish to congratulate all of the recipients of the 2014 Sport and Recreation Awards and acknowledge their accomplishments for Nunavut’s sport and recreation system.
Minister’s Statement 077 – 4(2): QEC’s Awards and Recognitions 2014 (Okalik)
I share in your celebrations today and I hope you and your wife have a wonderful anniversary today, even if she isn’t present here.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Qulliq Energy Corporation (QEC) for its recent awards and recognitions.
QEC won the National 2014 Canadian Society of Safety Engineering’s North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, or NAOSH, Award for Best Representation of Theme “Making Safety a Habit.”
This honour was awarded to QEC on behalf of the corporation’s participation in the annual NAOSH Week and its commitment to health and safety practices in the workplace.
NAOSH is an annual event that takes place in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Its objective is to promote the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace and community.
The award was presented to QEC in September of 2014.
In July, QEC received the Inuit Language Appreciation Award from the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit.
QEC was recognized for its continued commitment to providing information in all official languages in accordance with the Inuit Language Protection Act.
Finally, QEC was short-listed for the 2015 edition of Canada’s Top 100 Employers.
QEC’s nomination for Canada’s Best Employers for Recent Graduates category ranked the corporation as “an industry leader in attracting and retaining quality employees” and “as an organization that offers reasonable employment prospects.” (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.