EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
This document is from my constituency of Clyde River from the school. In regards to the Nunavut Employees Union, I would like to table this letter.
Speaker: Item 14, tabling of documents.
Item 15, notices of motion.
I give notice that on Friday March 31, I will move the following motion. I move, seconded by the honourable member from Cambridge Bay, that notwithstanding rule 35-3 that replies to the budget address be placed on the orders of the day up to and including April 10, 2000.
Notice of motions.
My apologies we are getting ahead of ourselves here. It’s been a long day.
Item 16, notices of motions for first reading of Bills.
Bill 15 – Supplementary Appropriations Act, No. 3, 1999/2000 - Notice
Mr. Speaker I give notice that on Friday March 31, 2000 I shall move that Bill 15, Supplementary Appropriation Act Number 3 99/00, will be read for the first time.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Item 6.
Notices of motions for first reading of Bills.
Item 17, motions.
Mr. McLean: Ma’na Uqaqti, I seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today.
Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with his motion today.
No nays. You have unanimous consent to deal with your motion.
Please proceed with your motion.
Motion 17 – 1(3): Replies to Budget Address
I move, seconded by the honourable member for Cambridge Bay that notwithstanding rule 35 (3) the item replies to budget address be placed on the orders of the day up to and including April 10, 2000.
The motion is order.
Moving on to item 18. First reading of Bills. Mr. Ng.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker I seek consent of the House to waive the 2 day notice requirement for first reading of Bill 15, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 99/00.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. The minister is seeking consent to waive rule 62 (1) so the Bill can have first reading today.
Then the Bill is ready.
Please proceed Mr. Ng.
Bill 15 – Supplementary Appropriations Act No. 3, 1999/2000 - First Reading
I move seconded by the honourable member from Rankin South that Bill number 15, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3, 1999/2000 be read for the first time.
Speaker: Motion is in order.
Bill 15 has first reading.
Item 18, first reading of Bills.
Item 19, second reading of Bills.
Bill 15 - Supplementary Appropriations  Act No. 3, 1999/2000 - Second Reading
I move, seconded by the honourable member for Rankin North, that Bill 15 Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3, 1999/2000 be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the supplementary appropriation is to provide additional funding for the Government of Nunavut for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2000.
Authority is requested for the amount of 8 million 9 hundred thousand dollars in additional appropriations.
This is made of 8 million 93 thousand of operations and maintenance and 807 thousand in capital expenditures.
Bill 15 has second reading, and accordingly the Bill stands referred to the committee of the whole.
A member is recognizing the clock.
Do members wish to proceed or go into orders of the day.
Okay, item 23, orders of the day.
Motion to adjourn.
Mr. Havioyak: Recognizing the time I make a motion to adjourn today’s session.
Speaker: Is there a seconder.
Thursday March 30 meeting of regular caucus at 9 o’clock in the morning.
Orders of the day for Thursday March 30th.
Bill 15
Tabled document 51 - 1(3)
As agreed the House stands adjourned until 3:00 p.m. Thursday, March 30 in the year 2000.
>>House adjourned at 5.45 p.m.
DAY 26
Thursday, March 30, 2000
Pages 1067 - 1099
Opening Prayer 1067
Ministers' Statements 1067
Members’ Statements 1068
Recognition of Visitors of the Gallery. 1073
Oral questions 1074
Tabling of Documents 1089
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 1090
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1090
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1098
Third Reading of Bills 1098
Orders of the Day 1098
Thursday March 30, 2000 1067
92 - 1(3): Minister’s Absence (Okalik) 1067
93 - 1(3): Appreciation of Donald Havioyak’s Contribution (Okalik) 1067
230 - 1(3): Senior Assignment Program Graduates (Barnabas) 1068
231 - 1(3): Passing of Beatrice Qaunarq (Alakannuark) 1068
232 - 1(3): Appreciation to Minister Peter Kilabuk (Nutarak) 1069
233 - 1(3): Project Surname and Disc Numbers (Iqaqrialu) 1069
234 - 1(3): Openness and Transparency in Budget Process (Tootoo) 1070
235 - 1(3): Unilingual Patients (Akesuk) 1070
236 - 1(3): Recognition of Mike Panika (Anawak) 1071
237 - 1(3): Function in Memory of Inusiq Akavak (Okalik) 1071
238 - 1(3): Health Care (Puqiqnak) 1072
239 - 1(3): Recognition of Hugh Ungungai (McLean) 1073
336 - 1(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Funding (Barnabas) 1074
337 - 1(3): Medical Escorts for Elders (Iqaqrialu) 1075
338 - 1(3): DSD Regional Superintendent Position (McLean) 1076
339 - 1(3): Housing Corporation Tender Update (Tootoo) 1078
340 - 1(3): Climate Change Conference Information (Barnabas) 1079
341 - 1(3): Medical Escorts (Kattuk) 1080
342 - 1(3): Gjoa Haven Soccer Team (Puqiqnak) 1081
343 – 1(3): Allocation of Surplus Funds (Irqittuq) 1082
344 – 1(3): Term of Decentralized Positions (Alakannuark) 1083
345 – 1(3): Surplus Funds for Housing (Tootoo) 1084
346 – 1(3): Pond Inlet Arena Renovations (Nutarak) 1087
347 – 1(3): Adequacy of Fire Trucks in Communities (Akesuk) 1088
348 – 1(3): Staff Housing in Decentralized Communities (Irqittuq) 1088
56 – 1(3): Letters Regarding Contract Negotiations (Irqittuq) 1089
Bill 15 – Supplementary Appropriations Act, No. 3, 1999/2000 1098  Thursday March 30, 2000
Thursday March 30, 2000
Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Mr. Olayuk Akesuk, Honourable Jack Anawak, Honourable James Arvaluk, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Mr. Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Mr. Glenn McLean, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (Mr. O'Brien): I would like to ask Mr. Puqiqnak to say the opening prayer.
Speaker: Good afternoon members.
Ublukkut.
We are getting off to a late start today.
We'll be moving right into Ministers' Statements and attempting to conclude at 6 o’clock if that’s the member’s wish.
Ministers' Statements. Hon. Paul Okalik.
Minister's Statement 92 - 1(3): Minister’s Absence
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker I wish to advise the members of the House that Honourable Ed Picco will be absent today Thursday March 30, 2000 and Friday March 31, 2000 to attend FPT Ministers of Health meeting.
Minister's Statement 93 - 1(3): Appreciation of Donald Havioyak’s Contribution
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker on behalf of my cabinet colleagues, I want to take this opportunity to thank Donald Havioyak for his contribution during the past year.
(interpretation ends) I know his decision to step down from cabinet was not an easy one.
I respect that decision and I understand he feels it’s the best way he can represent his community and the people looking to him for leadership and guidance.
(interpretation) Mr. Havioyak will be certainly missed at the cabinet table.
I look forward to working with him as a regular member.
I am also sure that he will continue to promote his culture and language within this Assembly.
As he did as a member of the Cabinet.
I want to wish Mr. Havioyak and his family all the best again I want to thank Mr. Havioyak for his contribution to the development of the government within the first year of the Nunavut Government, and I look forward to many discussions with him in the future.
Thank you very much Mr. Speaker
Moving on to item 3.
Member’s Statement 230 - 1(3): Senior Assignment Program Graduates
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker last night I was honoured to be apart of the graduation ceremonies held for the Nunavut Senior Management participants.
The turn out at the ceremony was great.
(interpretation ends) Almost all of my colleagues were there to pay their tribute to these hard working graduates.
Seeing them last night made me so proud and made me realize that all of our Nunavummiut are devoted to their future.
I realize that the Honourable Kelvin Ng recognized the participants yesterday during his statement.
However, I would like to mention all of them today for a job very well done.
The participants are: Siobhan Arnatsiaq-Barnes, Nute Arnauyumayuk, Phoebe Hainnu, Sandra Inutiq, Shaun Ittinuar-Edwards, Peter Ivalu, Paul Kowmageak, Helen Larocque, Paul Nuyalia, Paul Pemik, Jacqueline Shouldice, and Andrew Tagak Jr.
I would like to recognize one particular person I am who I truly thought of today.
Mr. Nutarajuk Arnauyumayuk.
He comes from my constituency of Arctic Bay.
He was very dedicated and I want to be able to share with you today my great pride on him for a job well done Training takes a lot of hard work and dedication.
For these people who have worked so hard to achieve their goals to be beneficial as part of Nunavut, I would like to commend them.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Barnabas. Members' Statements.
Member’s Statement 231 - 1(3): Passing of Beatrice Qaunarq
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker I will be speaking in my Nattilik dialect.
A few days ago in my constituency of Repulse Bay, Beatrice Qaunarq passed away.
First of all, I send my regrets and condolences to the family and friends.
Beatrice was the mother of Mr. Anawak's adopted daughter Amanda.
They both attended the funeral, Mr. Anawak has been very supportive of his family in Repulse Bay, and I would like to thank him very much for that.
When your dear family members do pass away, it is very nice to get a visit from a family member and get support from them while they are grieving.
On behalf of my constituents, I give my sincere appreciation to our Government Leader Paul Okalik, and Mr. Anawak for supporting friends and family of Beatrice Qaurnaq.
Speaker: Member’s statements.
Member’s Statement 232 - 1(3): Appreciation to Minister Peter Kilabuk
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you Speaker: Mr. Speaker I would like to thank on of my colleagues, the Minister of Sustainable Development who just arrived back from Ottawa this morning who attended the Territorial and Provincial, Federal meetings.
My father-in-law had gone down to Ottawa for medical reasons and I would like to thank the Minister for escorting him back up North.
Speaker: Member’s Statements.
Member’s Statement 233 - 1(3): Project Surname and Disc Numbers
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker I will be making my statement coming from my knowledge and nothing is going to be written.
I will be talking about my childhood.
When I was a child we were given names or treaty numbers or E numbers.
We were given this kind of disc E-5 numbers. We had E-5 and E-6 numbers depending upon what region you were from.
The numbers correlate to the region and I’m very proud of that.
I know that this has been our identification for a long time.
After that there was a visit to all the communities by Abe Okpik with the Surname Project.
They were putting last names to each individual and he had written down where we came from at that time.
We appreciate him for the work he did.
Because we had been identified and after our identification disc we were given surnames.
At that time we starting to use the written form and I’m very happy and thankful.
And I would like to say Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporation, NTI has been successful with the land claims and today they use this kind of enrolment identification card to identify you as a beneficiary to the land claim.
I would like to say I am very proud to say that we will be using this identification card for the rest of our lives.
So I am very proud and happy to use that.
Speaker: Members statements.
Member’s Statement 234 - 1(3): Openness and Transparency in Budget Process
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you Mr. Speaker my member's statement today is on the budget and the need for openness and transparencies in government.
Mr. Speaker before we start the examination of the detail of the 2000-2001 budget I want to express some concerns.
This week it has been apparent that the information in the budget may not necessary be presented in a totally open and transparent way.
Mr. Speaker all of us ran as candidates for Legislative Assembly on platforms of openness and transparencies and accountability.
I remember listening to the Minister’s speeches last year during the Nunavut Leadership forum and expressing those same ideas.
Mr. Speaker some of the events this week should give us a pause for concern.
What is written seems not to be the same as what is said in the House.
We should be concerned.
What it appears that not communities are treated fairly and consistently we should be concerned.
When evaluations, standards and criteria are not clear at best.
Mr. Speaker, it is vital the information presented to this House gives the whole picture not just pieces of the puzzle.
If this Assembly is to make sound decisions, all members must have the information with which to base their decisions on behalf of the public.
Member’s Statement 235 - 1(3): Unilingual Patients
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker I have concerns of patients especially elders who are unilingual speaking people who are sent down south for medical reasons.
Sometimes they do not even have escorts and more than once I have met people, elderly people who have been sent down south for medical reasons without escorts.
Any they are very concerned about not having escorts going down to Ottawa.
We were going down south to Montreal for medical reasons and elders were sent down to Montreal with no escorts because there was a person meeting them at the airport.
Now that we are using the Ottawa medical services the elders are going down by themselves and nobody is meeting them at the airport.
So therefore, I would like to get see this rectified sometime in the future.
Member’s Statement 236 - 1(3): Recognition of Mike Panika
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sometime ago in the early seventies, negotiations began for self-government and land claims.
It seems we have forgotten the importance of those times.
We do not seem to honour all the work that was done in those days.
They never thought they see the realisation of Nunavut.
That we would be actually be in Nunavut with the working government for the people.
This was one of the endeavours, this is what they strive for in the days.
This was the main reason for the initiative.
We do recognise the odd worker of those days.
Today I would like to recognise Mike Panika, who is living in Rankin Inlet now originally from Coral Harbour.
This man was not afraid to speak on our behalf and he is not afraid to speak to his member of the Legislature.
He was involved in the initial negotiations under the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada to pursue a land claims agreement.
He envisioned a more open government, a more accountable government, and a government closer to the people.
I think he can see this as a reality.
When he watches the Nunavut government operate he is not afraid to talk to us.
My fellow colleagues Ms. Thompson and I met with him in Rankin Inlet.
I think we have to recognise some of the early workers of the time.
I know there are many other people that did a lot of work in those days.
Sometimes we will be recognising them, but they have probably never seen the open government before this government.
They can see us in operation.
So I honour that man today.
Member’s Statement 237 - 1(3): Function in Memory of Inusiq Akavak
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you Speaker: I was at a dinner function last night in memory of Inusiq Akavak who was murdered this year.
You have probably seen Inusiq wherever you may be working in Iqaluit.
She always had a smile on her face, as she would sell her carvings to you.
Sometimes she sold brooches as well.
She was a happy person.
I was happy to see many people in attendance at her memorial; her relatives were there too.
We had a dinner nn remembrance of Inusiq at one of the hotels and while trying to raise funds for the Women’s Shelter here in Iqaluit.
I was happy to see the member for Iqaluit Centre also in attendance, and of course, he beat me in the bidding.
I want to express my gratitude for those who arranged the remembrance dinner.
Let us try to remember how we can help other people more.
Member’s Statement 238 - 1(3): Health Care
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker All the communities in the Kitikmeot have to travel elsewhere to go to hospital.
A lot of them require interpreters during their stay at the hospital.
Once the necessary visit is over with and they are escorted to the airport, often the news received at the airport is that there is no room for them to travel back to their communities.
Sometimes they have to wait as long as two days to return to their community.
I am wondering why this is always the case.
This situation has been in existence for hospital patients for as long as I can remember.
People who work in the government, civil servants always have space on airplanes.
It seems to me that we do not give enough consideration to the average patient who has to travel to hospitals out of their community.
We should really take a good look at this and do a review.
Also briefly Mr. Speaker, in dealing with the handicapped persons, for instance for people who have hearing and seeing problems or have disabilities, it is something to be very proud of about the things these people can do.
I have a daughter who is considered handicapped.
She just fine it is just that she can not hear properly.
I can see the happiness in her life.
Although she can not keep up with regular students, we were told last winter.
Mr. Speaker I seek unanimous consent to conclude my member's statement.
May I have concurrence Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to continue with his statement.
Mr. Puqiqnak you can continue.
This is just an example that I am using.
They were mining representatives in the Jherico mines that were in our community.
Who came to do some reports to the people of Kitikmeot.
They gave us details on their staffing requirements.
Like I said earlier, my eldest daughter is handicapped, and she asked me to find employment for her although she has a hearing problem.
She was not allowed to take any jobs but she was still smiling in spite of all.
Little things like that I really notice.
So when I see people that are blind or people with other handicaps or people who otherwise cannot keep up with the average students, I always notice that they seem to be happy.
With this in mind, we as a Nunavut Government are we going to keep putting obstacles for their future endeavours.
We have to start making plans to accommodate them.
Member’s Statement 239 - 1(3): Recognition of Hugh Ungungai
Uqaqti I want to reiterate what my honourable colleague Jack Anawak’s statement about Nunavut builders.
I rise today to talk again of the coming of April 1, the first anniversary of our swearing in as Nunavut MLAs.
I want to talk about a Nunavut builder again, another person who is no longer with us but in my opinion was a part of building this Territory.
He was one of the founding members of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, a recipient of the Order of Canada and one of the first Inuit businessmen in Nunavut.
He was also a champion dog musher, an excellent man on the land and a local politician.
I would like to recognise a Nunavut builder, Hugh Ungungai.
Speaker: Well said Mr. McLean.
Members' Statements. Members' Statements.
Item 5: Recognition of Visitors of the Gallery.
Mr. Havioyak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker I would like to recognise the residence of Kugluktuk.
There are a few people here.
Would you please stand when I mention your name.
Gordon Buldack, councillor in Kugluktuk, and the other person from the Hamlet council Mayor of Kugluktuk John Tautooinie.
Speaker: Recognition of visitors of the gallery.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker I would like to recognise members from my other riding from the Aqqigiq school in Kimmirut, grade nine students.
Also here are assistant Mina Lyta, Elisapee Ikkidluak, teacher Phil Flynn, and Billy Akavak.
Students, Jeremiah Ikkidluak, Takpaungi Pudlat, Mialia Tikivik, Cynthia Pitseolak, Qarpik Ikkidluak, Leeveena Saggiatok, Susie Onalik, Anawak Korgak, Qarpik Josephie, Jamesie Akpik, Mosesee Akpik and Angie Timilak.
Speaker: Welcome to the Legislature.
Recognition of visitors of the gallery.
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker I too would like to recognise members from my community, or who used to live in my community but are now living in Iqaluit.
A student and page in the House, Teevi MacKay who is in high school in Grade 10 in Iqaluit.
Speaker: Recognition of visitors on the Gallery.
Item 6 Oral questions Mr. McLean.
Item 6: Oral questions
Mr. McLean: (microphone inoperable)
Speaker: Mr. McLean if you speak fast you would.
We will go to Mr. Barnabas and go back to Mr. McLean once his mike is fixed.
[Ed. Note: Interpretation audio was unavailable for Oral Questions and responses to 338 and 339 - 1(3).
Editorial staff have provided interpretation which may vary slightly from the interpretation provided in the chamber]
Question 336 - 1(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Funding
Since we created Nunavut, we have been talking about our culture and our language, youth and elders because it is important to us, but the funding has not matched out concerns.
The previous minister talked about plans but it still has only one percent of the budget.
The capital items for projects are only 2 percent of the budget.
I want to know why it is like that when it is so important.
Why is there not enough money.
One has to recognize that the Department of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth we all recognize it as an important department in trying to co-ordinate some of the policies around some of the Inuit traditional knowledge and practices.
I think it is also important to recognize that it is not just their responsibility for acknowledging and incorporating that same knowledge and past practices.
It is the responsibility of all government departments whether it is through the Education program, whether it is through similar development programs, through health programs, through justice programs.
All departments of government have a responsibility to incorporate traditional practices and knowledge within the framework and delivery of their program and within the framework of trying to reform some of the programs so as to recognize within them the same practices and knowledge Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: Mr. Barnabas. Supplementary.
Although regular members keep asking and requesting that the previous minister be given more money, it was not working for some reason.
So I want to ask, knowing the importance of other departments I want to ask why this important issue of youth and elders was not funded properly.
Will it be funded more in the future.
As I indicated earlier it is the responsibility of all government departments under the leadership of their ministers and co-ordinated by cabinet as a whole in trying to deliver programs that recognize traditional practice and knowledge from across Nunavut.
So if there are specific needs that are identified, specific monetary needs, if it is felt that any department for whatever purpose in their area isn’t receiving adequate funding, then it is an issue that we will address collectively as a cabinet and as a Financial Management Board.
Question 337 - 1(3): Medical Escorts for Elders
Since this morning I have been receiving calls from my two communities, Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq regarding two elders that are going to a hospital down south.
They are not escorted and both are unilingual and both are ill.
This has been very upsetting to me.
The Minister of Health & Social Services said that he was working on escort issues and I want to know what has been done about this.
Our minister of health is at a national health ministers' meeting and this is one of the issues he is going to be dealing with.
I personally told him to emphasize this issue.
The transportation of patients down south is a very expensive program for this government and our unique situation should be recognized.
We need more funding in this area.