EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
This question is directed to the Minister of Health & Social Service, Mr. Picco.
I must say that it is refreshing to see him on the other side, because when he sat beside me for three and a half years in Yellowknife, I used to always think that he was stealing my questions from me, now I just have to watch McLean for that.
My question, Mr. Speaker to the Minister, is with the recent announcement of the dismantling of the Health Board, can the Minister tell us exactly how he plans on dealing with the responsibilities and duties that were normally carried on by these boards.
How he intends to have these responsibilities looked after so that we do not see any loss of health services or programs?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. O'Brien.
Mr. Picco, Minister of Health & Social Services.
Hon. Ed Picco: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker I thought that Mr. O'Brien was taking my questions.
The plan right now, Mr. Speaker, as you know is we're taking the Health Boards and they are going to be in place for the next year.
So, indeed, there will not be any confusion or any delay in services right now carried out by the Health Boards.
Indeed, the Health Boards will be in place until April 2000.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Picco.
My second question to the Minister would be, after this transition period elapses, are there any plans presently on the table that the Minister can share with us as to how he anticipates these additional responsibilities being carried on by some other parties or some other groups?
Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, right now the department is working on an organizational plan that we are hoping to present to the members of the caucus in September for what's going to happen after March 31st, 2000.
In the meantime Mr. Speaker we will work with our partners the Nunavut Social Development Council and also getting the community health committees up and running.
In some communities they are working very well and in other communities we don't have any committees.
So what we would like to do is get the community health committees up and running in the communities and those would provide a bit of an advocacy service for the department of Health & Social Services and their concerns would be brought forward at the community level through the community health committees and also through their elected Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Like last week Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity to go to Igloolik and we were with the Mayor and the Council members from Igloolik and indeed a lot of the concerns that the Hamlet raised were raised through that forum.
So there is also that opportunity to bring those concerns forward.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the Minister could be more clear as to the actual saving from the dismantling of the Health Board.
I know there was a figure of 4 million dollars being tossed around for both Health and Education, but for the actual Health Boards, as to what the savings would be.
Speaker: Would you like to respond to that Mr. Picco?
Hon. Ed Picco: Thank you Mr. Speaker, I thought it was a new question.
Speaker: Mr. O'Brien would you like to rephrase your question?
Mr. O'Brien: Thank you Mr. Speaker for your indulgence.
My question Mr. Speaker was regarding the actual saving from dismantling the Health Board.
We did have a figure of approximately 4 million dollars for both Health and Education.
I am wondering if the Minister can give us a clear indication as to what actually is the saving going to be for health
Mr. Speaker as the Premier again just communicated in his opening remarks, there is an indication of a savings of about 4 million dollars.
That's on the conservative side, I don't have a breakdown right now at this time.
I am wondering if the member is asking, for example, in what areas do we see a duplication of resources, do we see some cost savings in streamlined administration, do we see savings in economies of scale?
All of those things are present in the savings.
So I wonder if the member could clarify if he wants it broken down by category or does he want some other type of estimate?
Thank you Mr. Speaker
Mr. O'Brien would you like your first supplementary?
Mr. O'Brien: Thank you Mr. Speaker, I will try this again.
I get the feeling that Mr. Picco doesn't want to answer my question.
I'm asking the Minister if he has a clear figure out of this 4 million dollars, how much is going to be saved by dismantling the Health Board?
Is it 1 million, is it 1/2 a million is it 300 thousand, or whatever.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. O'Brien, that's your final question.
Mr. Speaker, no I am not trying to stall.
Indeed, as announced in the press conference several weeks ago, the costs savings in the department of health is estimated conservatively 3 million dollars and in the department of education roughly 1 million dollars for a total of 4 million dollars.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Picco. (interpretation) Questions or comments. Oral Questions.
Question 2 - 1 (2): House of Commons, Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Tabled Report
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister of Community Government, Housing & Transportation, Mr. Anawak.
I would like to ask the Minister if he has had a chance to read the interim report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development tabled on May 7, 1999.
This interim report, which draws attention to two issues which are of great importance to those of us here in Nunavut.
The urgent need for better housing and community infrastructure and the negative impact of NavCan fees on isolated northern communities.
Speaker: Mr. Anawak.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
I just recently saw the report and Community Government, Housing & Transportation has just recently received this report.
I will take your question as notice, but I would like to say that the report will be reviewed.
In regards to housing and transportation we are working very hard to get this going.
I have met with the Minister, Alphonso Gagliano, from the Federal Government, Minister of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
I will be meeting him again, because he stated that he will be assisting us and giving us support.
I will also meet with the Transportation Minister at the Federal Government level to discuss the costs that will be increasing.
I will be discussing all of these issues.
I just want you to be aware of the fact that we are committed to working on the housing and transportation issues because we do have a housing shortage.
I will take your question under notice.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Anawak.
Taken as notice?
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): If he is asking a question in regards to the report, I will take his question under notice.
Mr. Speaker: Do you have another question?
(interpretation) I am sorry, I think I have to elaborate to you that you have to ask the same question because he took your question under notice, Minister Anawak cannot reply to you.
Mr. Tootoo: I guess my question was just asking if he had an opportunity to review the report.
I don't know if that is something he will have to take as notice.
I believe he just answered me by saying he was aware of it and hadn't yet had an opportunity to review it.
Speaker: Again because you asked that question a second time, Minister Anawak referred to your question as taking it under notice.
That means you cannot ask the same question because he will have to answer you back on another day after reviewing your question. (interpretation).
Question 3 - 1 (2): Incorporating Inuit Culture into Government
Since there are no other questions, I will pose a question to the Minister Responsible for Elders, Youth & Culture.
Mr. Speaker one of the cornerstones of the Minister's department is trying to incorporate the traditional knowledge and traditional ways into his department and also into all of the other departments.
To sort of mesh this together with, I guess, the modern way of running the government, with incorporating some of the older traditional ways and traditional knowledge.
I realize the Minister has limited dollars in his budget, it's going to be a challenge but by the same token I think it is something that everyone in Nunavut is waiting to see happen.
My question to the Minister just in general terms, is if he would elaborate as to how he intends to make this happen.
For example the topic to which we refer to as IQ, how do you intend to incorporate that into your department and into the workings of the other departments in the Nunavut Government?
Mr. Havioyak, Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
We are preparing this so that this will be available to all the members.
We are preparing some plans as to how it is going to be working.
Once we have the preparations done I will bring this forward to all the members at that time.
In the meanwhile we are working on it and once we have everything all set up and in place, I will inform the members when it is ready.
At this time we are working on it.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Havioyak.
Mr. O'Brien: Mr. Speaker, realizing that the Minister has limited dollars in his budget to try and accommodate this task and also realizing that this is the cornerstone to the new Nunavut Government, my question to the Minister is does he feel that he has sufficient funds to make sure that this policy or program is integrated into the system?
Speaker: Mr. O'Brien. Right now it is taken as notice.
Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Oral Questions, Mr. Puqiqnak.
Question 4 - 1 (2): Roads to Kitikmeot
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): First of all I would like to ask this to the Nunavut Government Premier.
In the beginning you stated in your opening address that our world is getting smaller and smaller.
Way back, on our way from Gjoa Haven to Baker Lake in the bad weather it seemed so far away, the world was so huge then.
Mr. Speaker, when we were talking about the road system, what is "aturiaq"?
What does it mean when you say "aturiaq"?
I will conclude with that for now.
Mr. Premier, Mr. Okalik.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Yes. "
Aturiaq" means a road, it is just a different dialect.
Here in Iqaluit, when we say "aturiaq" it means a road.
Speaker (interpretation): Yes, I want you to be aware that even though we are all Inuit people we need interpreters because there are three different dialects that we are utilizing at this session, we have Kitikmeot, Keewatin and Baffin dialects.
So therefore we will require the interpreters.
I just want you to take note of that. Mr. Puqiqnak.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
I had a hard time trying to understand what "aturiaq" meant, but when you were talking, Mr. Premier, about "aturiaq" I could not understand.
Are you planning to build a road in Kitikmeot, or are you talking about the airline schedules?
Maybe I should be posing this question to the Minister responsible for Transportation.
We do have a Minister responsible for Transportation.
Mr. Premier would you like to refer this question to the appropriate Minister?
Mr. Anawak.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Yes thank you.
Since we recently got elected we started discussing the matter of road construction from Manitoba to Arviat and to Qamanittuaq and other communities.
Also in part of the Kitikmeot they are now doing a feasibility study to see if this road construction can be done.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Anawak.
Mr. Akesuk.
Question 5 - 1 (2): Constituents Letter on Housing & Transportation
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
I would like to ask this question to the Minister responsible for housing and transportation.
The other community that I am representing has written a letter to me, so I am asking if you have received a copy of that letter.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Akesuk.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): I am sorry, I did not see the letter but I will look into it right away.
Speaker (interpretation): Do you want to rephrase your question?
We will go back to the Orders of the Day.
Written questions. Item 7, Written Questions.
Written questions.
Item 8 on your Orders of the Day; Petitions. Item 9, Reports of Special and Standing Committees. Item 10, Tabling of Documents.
Item 10: Tabling of Documents
Tabled Document 1-1 (2): Letters of Instruction to Commissioner Maksagak From Minister Stewart of DIAND
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
According to 6.62 of the Nunavut Act, I would like to table a document.
A letter which was written to the Commissioner Helen Maksagak, from Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of DIAND.
Tabling of Documents.
Orders of the Day, number 11.
Notices of Motions.
Item 11, Notices of Motions. Notices of Motions. Item 12, Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills.
Item 12: Notice of Motions for First Reading of Bills
Speaker (interpretation): Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills.
Bill 1, Appropriation Act 99/2000 - Notice
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
I would like to give notice that on May 14, 1999, I shall move that Bill 1 Appropriation Act 99/2000 be read for the first time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Ng. Notice of Motions for first reading of bills.
Number 13, Motions.
Motions. Item Number 14, First Reading of Bills. Item 15, First Reading of Bills.
First Reading of Bills.
Number 16, Second Reading of Bills. Second Reading of Bills. Number 17, Orders of the Day.
Mr. Clerk.
Item 17: Orders of the Day
Clerk: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Orders of the Day, Thursday, May 13, 1999.
1. Prayer
2. Ministers' Statements
3. Members' Statements
Return to Oral Questions
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Written Questions
Return to Written Questions
Replies to Opening Address
Reports of Special and Standing Committees
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
Tabling of Documents
Notices of Motions
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills
First Reading of Bills
Second Reading of Bills
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Report of the Committee of the Whole
Third Reading of Bills
Speaker (interpretation): As this is the case I close the meeting for today.
We will resume tomorrow, 1.30 tomorrow afternoon.
Sergeant of Arms.
>>Adjournment
THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1999
Pages 26 - 38
Speaker: The Hon. Levi Barnabas, M.L.A.
Prayer 26
Ministers’ Statements 26
Members' Statements 29
Returns to Oral Questions 30
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 30
Oral Questions 32
Orders of the Day 37
Thursday May 13, 1999 26
5 - 1 (2): Ministerial Absences (Okalik) 26
6 - 1 (2): Appreciation and Acknowledgement of Educators (Arvaluk) 26
7 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents and Members, Recognition of Sam Kikpak (Havioyak) 27
8 - 1 (2): Congratulations to Labrador Inuit on Land Claim (Arvaluk) 28
14 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents, Anglican Diocese Iqaluit Meetings (Puqiqnak) 29
15 - 1 (2): Nunavut Trades Training Centre (Irqittuq) 29
16 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents, Support to Assembly (Alakannuark) 30
17 - 1 (2): Welcome Members to Iqaluit (Tootoo) 30
18 - 1 (2): Appreciation of Minister Kilabuk (McLean) 30
6 - 1 (2): Inuktitut Documentation (Iqaqrialu) 32
7 - 1 (2): High Costs of Transportation (Irqittuq) 33
8 - 1 (2): Letter To Minister on Challenged Constituent (Puqiqnak) 33
9 - 1 (2): Discontinuing Payroll Tax (O'Brien) 34
10 - 1 (2): Traditional Curriculum (Alakannuark) 34
11 - 1 (2): Disputed Islands in Hudson's Bay (Kattuk) 35
12 - 1 (2): Hall Beach School Addition (Irqittuq) 35
13 - 1 (2): Internet Connections for Communities (O'Brien) 36
14 - 1 (2): Letter on Adoption to Minister (Puqiqnak) 37  Thursday May 13, 1999
Thursday May 13, 1999
Members Present:
Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Mr. Olayuk Akesuk, Honourable James Arvaluk, Honourable Levi Barnabas, Honourable Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Glenn McLean, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Mr. Kevin O’Brien, Honourable Paul Okalik, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (Mr. Barnabas) (interpretation): I would like to ask Mr. Alakannuark to say the opening prayer.
Item 2: Ministers’ Statements
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Okalik.
Ministers' Statements 5 - 1 (2): Ministerial Absences
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Ed Picco will be absent form the house today to attend the Federal, Provincial, Territorial Ministers of Social Services meeting in Quebec City, Quebec.
Mr. Picco will be back in the house on Monday, May 17, 1999.
Additionally, Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Jack Anawak will also be absent to attend the Council of Transport Ministers meeting in Ottawa, Ontario.
Mr. Anawak will return to the house on Tuesday, May 18, 1999.
Mr. Arvaluk.
Ministers' Statements 6 - 1 (2): Appreciation and Acknowledgement of Educators
Hon. James Arvaluk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand in our Legislative Assembly to pay tribute to all educators across Nunavut.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts and considerable energies which educators across Nunavut have brought to our early childhood programs and to our schools.
We are fortunate to have dedicated and committed school staff who are working hard to lay a firm foundation for our children’s education.
Their commitment to developing the critical skills, processes and practices which will allow our children to lead successful and productive lives, is the backbone of our school system.
Their appreciation of our children’s language, heritage and cultural identity is what makes our classrooms and schools welcoming and affirming places to learn and grow.
It is a great pleasure to thank them for their hard work, and also to encourage them to continue on with us as we build our new educational system in Nunavut.
We are fortunate to have exceptional educators who work as Language Specialists, Teachers, Student Support Assistants, Cultural Instructors and School Community Counsellors.
There are Elders and community resource people who share their skill and wisdom.
There are parent volunteers who support their children’s learning and promote the school activities in the community.
There are dedicated members of DEA's who work diligently to ensure that the schools are meeting community goals and that teachers are supported in meeting those goals.
These individuals are critical to the smooth operations of schools, but they are also the important links that allow the school to reflect the community and the community to be represented in the school.
I also want to acknowledge the role of educators which each of us has to play.
Our children’s learning is the sum of all their experiences.
As parents, aunts, uncles, relatives, and so on, we all influence and have opportunities to enrich the learning and experiences of children in Nunavut.
I challenge you to take this responsibility seriously and to actively join us in making Nunavut a network of community teachers and learners.
Through this kind of collaboration, we ensure that our children can be the best they can be, and we are all enriched by that.
The Nunavut Teachers Federation is holding their founding meeting this weekend.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish them all the best.
Please help me acknowledge and show appreciation to our educators of Nunavut for all the hard work, commitment and groundwork they have done for education.
Let us stand an applaud them.
Speaker (Interpretation): Thank you Mr. Arvaluk.
Ministers statements.
Ministers' Statements 7 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents and Members, Recognition of Sam Kikpak
I want to thank all the people of Kugluktuk, because they voted me to this seat here and I really appreciate where I am today.
Because the people in Kugluktuk voted me in and I have a lot work to do, I’m going to be working very hard on behalf of my community and also for the people of Nunavut.
Also I want to thank all the people here as well around the table and the Executive Council.
I appreciate them for putting me where I’m sitting today.
First of all I want to make a comment.
In Kugluktuk few weeks ago there was a new Anglican Minister.
We haven’t had an Inuk Anglican Minister in Kugluktuk for a very long time, for sixty years, today we finally have an Innuinnaqtun Anglican Minister, his name is Sam Kikpak.
He became an Anglican Minister in Kugluktuk and Sam Kikpaq has been working there for a very long time and has been a Lay Reader for about 27 years.
Also you know that since April 1, we opened our first session legislative assembly.
Speaker (interpretation): You only have 2 minutes.
Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation): I would like to ask permission to continue my comments.
Speaker (interpretation): Any opposition from the members?
Mr. Havioyak you have permission.
I have a few of my items left.
April 1, as we all know started a new Nunavut Government.
In Kugluktuk, Sam Kikpak is the official Minister now and I wanted the Legislative Assembly to recognize Sam Kikpak who has become our new Anglican Minister.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you.
Ministers' Statements.
Ministers' Statements 8 - 1 (2): Congratulations to Labrador Inuit on Land Claim
Hon. James Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Today I would also like to have the opportunity to congratulate the Inuit of Labrador on successfully reaching their Land Claims Agreement.
I know that this has been a long and hard struggle with very few resources.
I recall back in the 1970’s when the late Bill Edmund struggled to get Newfoundland to recognize the need to deal with the issue of Aboriginal Rights protection.
If Bill were still alive today he would be mighty proud of them.
We are all proud of their perseverance, believing in their own people and keeping their issues in historical perspective allowed them success on this historical day.
There's much work ahead which will be just as difficult, but the light at the end of the tunnel will give them energy and anticipation for a challenging and fulfilling trip.
I’m sure the people of Nunavut will support them and assist them any way possible to reach their final destiny.
Once again, on behalf of Nunavut, Congratulations.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Arvaluk.
Item # 3, Members' Statements, Mr. Puqiqnak.
Item 3: Members' Statements
Members' Statements 14 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents, Anglican Diocese Iqaluit Meetings
Yesterday I mentioned I have not forgotten the people of my constituency.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Uqsuqtuuq and Taloyoak for electing me to this position.
They elected me so I can service their communities and with that in mind I will use my powers and do the best I can do to the best of my abilities.
But, again I would like to remind them that I will be representing Nunavut as a whole and not just concentrate on my two communities, but I would like to thank them and show my appreciation, to those two communities.
If I have the opportunity I would also like to recognize the people who will be coming here for the meeting on May 26.
The Anglican Diocese will be coming here to Iqaluit to have their conference, arriving on May 26 and on May 27 they will be opening their conference.
I would like recognize those people who have worked very hard as everyone else in Nunavut, but particularly the Ministers who work with Social issues, the Ministers who helped us with social issues and life of the Inuit, I would like to give my recognition and our appreciation.
If we have the opportunity we will write a letter to the people that you would like to recognize from the house.
Members' Statements, Mr. Irqittuq.
Members' Statements 15 - 1 (2): Nunavut Trades Training Centre
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker I would like to mention two items that I would like to bring out.
Speaker (interpretation): I would just like to remind you that you can only speak on one item at a time.