EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The department will also propose new legislation on public health and mental health.
Extensive consultations on the mental health legislation will continue throughout the winter.
At the same time, the health department is well on its way to filling all vacant positions for mental health positions in the communities.
Our government is also working through the Department of Health and its partners to strengthen suicide prevention.
The health department will bring forward a new one-year, fully funded action plan under the Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Strengthening communities also requires us to focus on cutting crime. Our budget provides an additional $4 million next year to law enforcement.
The justice department is placing emphasis on restorative justice, which focuses on victims and the community as well as the offender.
Justice continues to focus on best ways to bring offenders back into communities in ways that reduce the risk that they will offend again.
This government will provide further crime-fighting support through a new law to allow civil forfeiture. This would allow authorities to seize money and property from bootleggers and drug dealers, making sure that crime does not pay.
Sivumut Abluqta guides us in a third area: the economy.
Our investments in Nunavummiut and our communities will be rewarded when people have opportunities when they can shape their future.
Across the territory, we favour a balance between entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
We have resources that can support and improve our way of life today. We develop them so that future generations can do the same.
This approach requires us to use sound regulatory processes to manage our resources responsibly.
It means that our wildlife management system delivers benefits today and forever.
Looking first at hunting, the government is developing a hunter education program to teach harvesting skills and firearm safety.
The environment department is making good progress in this effort and expects to put the program fully in place in the coming year.
We will also bring forward new and improved programs and supports for harvesters in the coming year while remaining within the current budget.
We are also setting in place a well-grounded wildlife management system.
Already, we have established management plans for polar bears, Peary caribou, and Baffin Island caribou.
The government is consulting communities and partners now about grizzly bears.
We expect to have that management plan in place next year.
Not everyone understands that our wildlife management system delivers good results.
In particular, foreign governments and animal welfare interest groups need a better perspective on polar bears.
Inuit have managed the polar bear population responsibly and sustainably for centuries.
Together with other governments in Canada, we are developing a website and communications materials to show polar bear conservation as a success story.
We are also preparing material for use in schools that will focus on polar bears, caribou, and ringed seal.
In other sectors, we will implement the 2016 Fisheries Strategy to develop fisheries on and offshore that are healthy and sustainable.
We will also implement the recommendations from our review of the Commercial Fish Freight Subsidy program. We will continue to lobby the federal government for the development of small craft harbours.
We are also advancing work to support our tourism sector more effectively.
Through a tourism impact study, we will learn how and where we can attract more investors and visitors.
We will gain some promotional opportunities by hosting the Canadian Council of Tourism Ministers’ meeting this year.
For cultural industries, our recent consultations with the sector are leading to a new strategy.
The immediate question we face is whether the strategy should focus on visual arts, as it does now, or whether we should broaden our vision to include all art forms.
We are also determining whether we can support an art school and whether Nunavut Arctic College would be the appropriate home.
Over the next few months, we will resolve these questions and move forward with stronger support for our cultural sector.
In all of the sectors that we have just talked about and more generally in all of Nunavut, the government is working to simplify rules and help businesses to grow.
This approach raises two issues that we will resolve in the coming year.
The first of these is the NNI Policy.
It’s clear from the business community that we need to rework this policy to improve their opportunities for success.
We will also provide a guide written in plain language so that eligible entrepreneurs fully understand the advantage that NNI provides them.
The second issue is about land that could perhaps be used in a better way to support economic growth.
The question is whether our municipalities should be allowed to sell land that they control.
Nunavummiut will answer that question on May 9 in a referendum across the territory.
Right now, our focus is to help people understand what this vote is about.
A “yes” vote will mean that a community can sell certain lands to an individual or a company.
A “no” vote means the community can lease the land, but keep ownership.
Our government is holding information sessions in all communities to explain the options and their impacts.
Good government
Our government continues to improve its capacity to deliver services effectively and efficiently. Through training and development, public servants can advance their careers. The government has put in place a leadership development program that will focus in the coming year on senior managers, emerging leaders, and supervisors.
We are also taking steps to ensure that our employees find the Government of Nunavut is a safe and productive place to work. We will continue to show zero tolerance for harassment. We have updated our policies and distributed them to our employees.
Each and every employee must know and will know that bullying and harassment will not be tolerated…
…will not be tolerated in the government workplace.
Earlier this month, I participated in our first seminar on harassment.
We delivered it in Cambridge Bay and linked to Gjoa Haven and Kugluktuk by video.
There will be many more, with participation by our deputy minister, the director of employee relations, the comptroller, and assistant comptroller general.
The government’s entire management team will receive this training and we will provide anti-harassment awareness seminars to all government staff.
We are also making progress in our financial and resource management.
The Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs and the Department of Finance have launched an operational audit. It is looking at what we’re doing well and what we could do better.
The first phase is complete.
The audit looked broadly at the government’s operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Moving into the second phase in the coming fiscal year, the audit will focus on specific programs and develop recommendations on what we need to improve.
At the same time, my department has launched an audit of grants and contributions by all departments. The audit has reviewed all departments’ policies for this discretionary spending.
Next, it will examine our expenses to see that they follow the rules.
The Department of Finance has also launched a comprehensive review of our taxation system.
We collect more than $100 million a year from Nunavut taxpayers.
We need to know that the rates and structure of our taxes are efficient, effective, and especially that they are fair.
We are well into this work and I look forward to providing an update in the coming year.
At the same time, we are working with all departments as they implement our new budgeting system.
We are now all using the same system with a three-year forecast and standardized variance reports for operations and maintenance and a five-year plan for our capital spending.
In these ways, we are delivering on our commitment to deliver public services for the best possible price and in the best possible way.
We also demonstrate our capability to govern and to take on the additional programs and services that would follow an agreement on devolution.
We look forward to renewing our negotiations with the federal government and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
In renewing our talks, the government would demonstrate a fresh start in relations with Inuit and all Nunavummiut.
Our goal remains to reach an agreement that respects Nunavut’s unique characteristics and needs.
Mr. Speaker, there you have it, a look ahead into the next fiscal year.
Our fiscal plan provides the government with the resources it needs to move us ahead.
Stepping forward together, Sivumut Abluqta is bringing us closer to our goals.
We are building on our accomplishments, embracing our challenges, and determined to make progress.
I want to thank all Members of this House for your continued support.
Member for Rankin Inlet and Chesterfield Inlet, Mr. Sammurtok.
Member’s Statement 129 – 4(3): Imminent Closure of the Mamisarvik Healing Centre (Sammurtok, T)
Residents of Chesterfield Inlet and Rankin Inlet, have a good day.
My fellow residents of Rankin Inlet, you are in my thoughts.
(interpretation ends) Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express my disappointment at the upcoming closure of the Mamisarvik Healing Centre in Ottawa at the end of this fiscal year.
Mr. Speaker, as long as Nunavut does not have its own residential treatment centre within the territory, clients who are trying to overcome difficulties and get their lives back on track must go elsewhere.
Nunavummiut have been very fortunate to be able to attend the residential addiction and trauma recovery counselling program offered by Tungasuvvingat Inuit in Ottawa.
Over many years, the Government of Nunavut has supported this program through a fee-for-service arrangement.
Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, the fee-for-service contract does not provide enough financial stability for such an organization to continue offering its services, even though they are desperately needed and very successful.
Mr. Speaker, it is a shame when highly effective and much-needed services cannot continue because of a lack of commitment to core funding.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that our government must renew its efforts to ensure that the people of Nunavut have local access to treatment and counselling in the areas of mental health and addictions.
Until we have a Nunavut-based facility and adequate local programming, then consideration should be given to providing stable funding support to organizations which meet that need.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions on this later on. Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 130 – 4(3): The Long-term Impact of Government Policy (Sammurtok, A)
Mr. Alexander Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to remind our government that Nunavut’s current policies will have far-reaching impacts on our society and that lessons from the past should be carefully heeded to avoid making similar mistakes that will affect our future.
Mr. Speaker, the legacy of the residential school system affects our society to this day.
Government policy dictated that children were to be taken away from their families and communities for long periods of time.
These children grew to be adults.
Many lost their language and culture. Many never learned the traditional skills needed to survive and thrive.
Many made and continue to make poor choices in dealing with the pain of their loss.
Now, some 50 to 60 years later, the government is paying for its misguided policy with costly restitution and apologies while residential school survivors continue to suffer.
Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues will know, I am a strong advocate for keeping our elders at home in their communities to live out their final years. Our elders should stay in their communities, closer to their children and grandchildren, sharing their knowledge, experience, and wisdom.
However, the government’s current policy is to send our elders away, away from their families and communities.
Once again, government policy is depriving Inuit of the opportunity to pass on their language and culture to the next generation.
In the past, they sent away the youth, those who needed to learn. Today, they are sending away elders, those who could teach.
Mr. Speaker, governments do have an obligation to ensure that services are provided to the population it governs, whether those services are for education, health, or social services.
There are none. Please proceed, Mr. Sammurtok.
Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleagues.
However, I caution the government to consider the very negative social impact of sending Nunavummiut away from their communities for services and care.
That solution didn’t work in the past and it will be harmful to our future.
I urge the government to work towards finding solutions to keep our elders at home instead.
It is not just our elders who suffer from this policy; future generations of Nunavummiut will also suffer.
Member’s Statement 131 – 4(3): A Tribute to Joyce Lahure (Mikkungwak)
I say “hello” to Baker Lakemiut and to all the Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the late Joyce Lahure, who passed away this past November of cancer.
Mr. Speaker, Joyce and her husband, Allan, have been members of the Baker Lake community for almost 40 years.
Joyce was very active with the municipal council, the divisional school board, and as part of the Sunday school and other faith-based programs.
She served as Justice of the Peace for close to 20 years and always refused to take a penny for her services.
In 2013, she was very proud to be selected to represent the Hamlet of Baker Lake on a trade mission to Finland with Agnico Eagle mines.
Mr. Speaker, Joyce and her husband, Allan, ran Baker Lake Contracting and Supplies Ltd.
In 2012, they travelled to the Frozen Globe awards ceremony in Yellowknife, where their company was recognized for two awards: Nunavut Entrepreneur of the Year and Northern Entrepreneur of the Year.
Mr. Speaker, Joyce was very passionate about many social issues. She participated in many working groups and initiatives at the community and territorial level.
She will be remembered for her efforts and advocacy in the areas of youth education, training, and poverty reduction.
She worked on suicide prevention as well as alcohol, drug, and tobacco committees.
Mr. Speaker, Joyce was a woman of strong faith and compassion.
Her presence will be sorely missed not only by her family and friend but by the entire community and across the north.
Member’s Statement 132 – 4(3): Recent Death of Constituency Assistant (Joanasie)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and remember a person who was my assistant in Kimmirut who passed away last year in the month of November during Remembrance Day.
Qutaiqqu Kootoo was found outside.
It was very hard for the whole community, including her family, and myself as an MLA because she was my assistant.
I would like to express my gratitude to the people who shared their love and compassion through words to the people of Kimmirut and their families. They really expressed their compassion.
Mr. Speaker, when I became an MLA, Qutaiqqu was my constituency assistant and she helped me a great deal with all the things I needed to do in the community.
We will miss her because she passed away, but I would like to remember her. She was extremely friendly and a very good worker and really wanted to learn.
I remember her four children and think of them as well. I would like them to be taken care of well.
I would like to thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I am thankful that the family has been well taken care of up to now.
Member’s Statement 133 – 4(3): Recent Death of Thomas Satuqsi (Quassa)
I would like to say “good day” to my fellow community residents and Nunavummiut.
In any place in Nunavut, there are more and more people passing away from cancer.
I would like my colleagues to join me in remembering Thomas Satuqsi, who is still not an elder, who passed away due to cancer.
Many people have lost their lives due to cancer.
His relatives are in my thoughts. His wife and the people of Igloolik are feeling for this person.
He worked about 20 years for our school, even though he was still a young man.
We really feel for the community and the students.
We would like to have him in our thoughts because he worked for many years in the school there.
I would like my colleagues to join me in remembering him.
Member’s Statement 134 – 4(3): Qilaut 2015 (Mike)
Good afternoon to the people of Nunavut and Pangnirtung.
I just wanted to explain further about Qilaut. This took place back in 2015 to promote the use of Inuktut and to strengthen it further.
In my constituency of Pangnirtung, Qilaut held a songwriting contest on Inuit language or culture to promote the usage of Inuktitut. The local residents partaking had to write up a song that would be available to Nunavut.
I just wanted to clarify the participants and to express my pleasure in their efforts to take part in the Qilaut 2015 Songwriting Contest and promoting Inuktitut.
There were ten people who were chosen as winners and I take pride in each and every one of them.
Particularly from my constituency of Pangnirtung, they are: my niece, Mary Poisey, and although her musician partner wasn’t named, his name is Joey Nowyuk.
They placed in first. Further, a person who is well known in and outside Nunavut, Tim Evic, came in third place during this songwriting contest.
I wanted to take note of these participants and to express my pride in their successful participation.
These songs have been gathered and recorded on a CD, which is available for free.
I was attending an event last night and grabbed a copy, which I am quite proud of.
These people are not just working with language, but in celebrating our Inuit culture and how we can further retain our cultural identity and how we better utilize our language, to move it to the future, and to ensure the preservation and daily usage of Inuktitut as Inuit. Our language, culture, and songs are all examples of preserving Inuktitut.
I am very glad this contest was offered and that my constituents were in the winners’ circles, and I take this opportunity to express my pride in their accomplishments.
Item 5. (interpretation ends) Returns to Oral Questions.
Yesterday, my colleague from Baker Lake recognized Ms. Roxanne Ruediger, who is or, should I say, was one of his constituents.
As my colleague informed the House, she recently obtained her certification as a certified general accountant, recognized by the NWT and Nunavut association.
Ms. Ruediger is the first female Nunavut beneficiary to achieve this certification with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut association of CGA.
Mr. Speaker, Roxanne is joining us in the House today and I would like to welcome her here and congratulate her on her achievement.
She is sitting right behind me.
For the information of my colleague from Baker Lake, she now lives in Iqaluit and is working in the Department of Finance as our manager of financial reporting.
I am very happy to have her working for us.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Welcome to the gallery. (interpretation) Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Mikkungwak.
I take great pleasure today to acknowledge fellow residents of Baker Lake. I am very proud of their accomplishments.
Although I rarely have the opportunity to recognize people from Baker Lake, obviously, I take great pleasure in introducing Roxanne, who is able to visit the gallery. Please welcome her.
She was already introduced yesterday and that is great.
I take this opportunity to further encourage our youth to take their schooling seriously as good students are good role models.
We want all our fellow Inuit to be successful in having a career here in Nunavut.
Please welcome Roxanne Ruediger. Welcome to the House.
Mr. Qirngnuq.
I want to recognize several people. Although I travelled here with them to Iqaluit, unfortunately, they are not present. I wanted to acknowledge my sister as well as my wife, who are travelling back home today.
I wanted to thank them here.
My wife, Katherine Qirngnuq, and my sister, Sidonie Nirlungayuk, are travelling home today, so I wish them safe travels and I appreciated their presence here.
I thought the Minister of Finance might recognize one of his staff who is sitting behind me, but he’s a constituent of mine. I haven’t played as much this year, but he is a fellow hockey player here in Iqaluit who also just lives down the street from me.
I would like to welcome Jeff Chown to the Chamber.
Question 157 – 4(3): Amendments to the Justice of the Peace Act (Mikkungwak)
On May 16, 2013, the previous Legislative Assembly passed Bill 44, An Act to Amend the Justices of the Peace Act.
However, as of today, a number of these amendments have not come into force.
Mr. Speaker, once in force, these amendments will improve the transparency and accountability by which Justices of the Peace are appointed in this territory.
Can the minister indicate when these amendments to the Justices of the Peace Act will be fully brought into force?
I undertook a review of the amendments based on outside jurisdictions with similar issues. The amendments were quite similar. The governments outside of Nunavut are mandated to make judicial appointments, particularly related to Justices of the Peace.
In reviewing the amendments, they deleted sections that outlined the rights of Nunavummiut, which is why I want to conduct further research on this matter and to draft up acceptable language that allows Nunavummiut to be an integral part of determining how each region appoints their Justices of the Peace.
Can the minister indicate what communities currently do not have a local Justice of the Peace?
According to my knowledge, perhaps three or four communities at this time don’t have a local Justice of the Peace.
Also, my colleague, it’s regretful that the person passed away, so we will look for another Justice of the Peace in that community to make sure that the communities that don’t have a Justice of the Peace get one.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Mr. Speaker, section 3 of the department’s Justice of the Peace Policy indicates that “The JP Administrator will send out a call for JPs by advertising in the newspaper, on the local community radio station, or Government of Nunavut Intranet, identifying where the services of JPs are necessary to adequately address the needs of the communities of Nunavut.”
Can the minister indicate how his department decides when it will advertise a local Justice of the Peace position within a community?
The hamlet councils are the only ones who know what the communities’ needs are, so we will go through the hamlet councils when they are looking for a Justice of the Peace position within the community.
Question 158 – 4(3): Baffin Island Caribou Tags (Enook)
When I asked him a question yesterday, he was very pleased as he wasn’t sure he was going to be asked an oral question.
Therefore, I would like to please him and ask him another question regarding caribou management.
Mr. Speaker, my first question will be based on the Blues from Wednesday, February 24, page 31 in English.
Mr. Speaker, I know that this is not the final Hansard.
I have a question to the minister with regard to his response.
After I posed my question, the minister responded by saying, “We approved 250 tags to be used for male caribou.
If they are all used up, 250 tags will be renewed in July.”
Let me first ask: do I understand clearly that after 250 tags have been depleted, they would provide 250 new tags on July 1?
Baffin Island people would like clarification on this issue.
Yes, this is very important. I know that caribou is very important to the people of Baffin Island.
I know that it has been a great concern.
I would like to elaborate further on this. In August 2015, my office and the government had approved the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board’s decision to allow a total allowable harvest of 250 male caribou only.
Ever since we started using this system, QWB has been involved.
QWB made 250 tags available to affected Baffin communities.
We’re using that system for animal quotas.
According to policy, they only go for a year.