EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
It’s an increase from last year to this year and that’s for the half PY that we have for the Chief Negotiator position.
Those two and a half new positions are not for language training or Training and Development.
Mr. Curley: I just want a clarification on that because the business plan and I think even the budget documents; our information is that the department added three new PYs to its Training and Development.
So these are not just concentrating on training only but they’re part of the overall department staff as Mr. Loehr indicated.
I am correct in that?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Bob Loehr will respond to that.
Yes, you’re correct. The two and a half new positions are not for Training and Development.
However, I think there is funding in the learning and development contracts with the college to provide the training positions there. I may have to look into it further to clarify but I think that’s where that comes from in the reference to the business plan.
Mr. Curley, thank you very much.
D-9.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $4,725,000.
Page D-10.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $1,739,000.
Back to page D-3.
Department Summary. Human Resources.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $18,019,000.
Are you agreed the Department of Human Resources is concluded?
I would like to thank the minister and his staff for appearing before COW.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, everybody.
I appreciate the questions that were raised because they definitely educate us.
We will return to a number of the questions posed by some of the members and bring them back to the House.
Chairman: Thank you very much, Minister.
I would like to thank your staff for answering some questions.
I would now like to ask Minister Picco of the Department of Education to make his opening remarks.
I am very pleased to be here tonight to give the...
We were supposed to be done at eight; it’s 15 seconds to eight, so I would like to move to report progress.
Mr. Evyagotailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Your committee has been considering Bill 23 and the Main Estimates, and would like to report progress.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of this Committee of the Whole be concurred with. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
A reminder of a meeting of the Management and Services Board tomorrow morning at 10:30 in the Tuktu Boardroom.
Motion 29 – 2(4)
Members, this House stands adjourned until Thursday, March 6, 2008, at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Pages 3388 – 3460
Opening Prayer 3388
Ministers’ Statements 3388
Members’ Statements 3391
Returns to Oral Questions 3400
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3401
Oral Questions 3403
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills 3423
Tabled Documents 3423
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 3424
Motions 3425
First Reading of Bills 3427
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3427
Report of the Committee of the Whole 3458
Orders of the Day 3459
Thursday, March 6, 2008 3388
161 – 2(4): Agreement with the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee (Okalik) 3388
162 – 2(4): Mineral Exploration and Mining Update (Netser) 3389
163 – 2(4): Update on the Nunavut Recycling Initiative (Akesuk) 3390
376 – 2(4): Participation with Premier for Signing of Agreement with Olympics Committee (Barnabas) 3391
377 – 2(4): Montreal Cadets in Repulse Bay (Mapsalak) 3393
378 – 2(4): Discontinuation of Air Search at Sanikiluaq (Kattuk) 3393
379 – 2(4): Annual Convention of Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (Simailak) 3394
380 – 2(4): Going for Gold at the 2008 Arctic Winter Games (Peterson) 3395
381 – 2(4): Charter to Vancouver for Signing Agreement with Olympic Committee (Tootoo) 3396
382 – 2(4): Projects Agreed to in Five-Year Capital Plan (Arvaluk) 3397
383 – 2(4): Reflections on the State of Democracy and Debate in Nunavut, Part 2 (Curley) 3398
Return to Oral Question 437 – 2(4): Update on Employees’ Canada Savings Bonds (Tapardjuk) 3400
Return to Oral Question 457 – 2(4): Status of Fuel Hedging Policy (Tapardjuk) 3400
476 – 2(4): Status of New Arena for Pond Inlet (Arvaluk) 3403
477 – 2(4): Hunters’ Personal Locator Devices (Alagalak) 3405
478 – 2(4): Funding Limit for Search and Rescues (Kattuk) 3408
479 – 2(4): Government Position on Establishing a Dominant Air Carrier in Nunavut (Tootoo) 3409
480 – 2(4): Delays in Teacher Certification Process (Peterson) 3411
481 – 2(4): Status of Devolution Negotiations with Government of Canada (Curley) 3414
482 – 2(4): Support for Mining Development in Nunavut (Simailak) 3416
483 – 2(4): Legislation to Ban Smoking in Vehicles (Peterson) 3418
484 – 2(4): Government of Nunavut’s Plans to Protect Wildlife on Baffinland’s Proposed Routes (Barnabas) 3421
009 – 2(4): Bill 22, Engineers and Geoscientists Act (Mapsalak) 3423
198 – 2(4): Letter from Standing Committee to Minister of Health and Social Services Concerning Bill 20 Proposed “Midwifery Profession Act” (Alagalak) 3423
199 – 2(4): Nunavut Overview 2007 Mineral Exploration, Mining & Geoscience (Netser) 3423
200 – 2(4): Non-Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) and Consolidated Financial Statements March 31, 2006 (Tapardjuk) 3424
201 – 2(4): Nunavut Early Childhood Development Update Report for 2004-2007 and the Early Learning and Child Care Update Report for 2004-2007 (Picco) 3424
029 – 2(4): Extension of Review Period of Bill 21 (Alagalak) 3425
Bill 26 – Securities Act – Notice 3424
Bill 28 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, No. 3 – First Reading 3427
Bill 23 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee – Education 3427
Minister’s Statement 161 – 2(4): Agreement with the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to advise that I have signed an agreement that will benefit all Nunavummiut.
Yesterday, March 5, 2008, which happened to be our anniversary, I signed on behalf of Nunavut an agreement to supply Inuksuit to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Para-Olympic and Olympic Games.
With each Inuksuk comes the knowledge that artisans are building an economy based on a strong culture and Inuit societal values.
The Inuksuk is of great importance to Inuit as a guide for those travelling throughout the Inuit homelands.
In 2010, Ilanaaq will guide travellers to Vancouver. And, the agreement for the supply of made-in-Nunavut Inuksuk carvings will guide consumers to authenticity.
In Nunavut, we have no maples leafs.
Iconic Canadian images are often foreign to us.
Ilanaaq changed that.
For Ilanaaq to welcome visitors to Canada and Inuksuit to remind them of their visitors, Inuit can be very proud.
This agreement is a great step to our cultural participation in an international event and is in keeping with Pinasuaqtavut where we pledged to expand our economy and promote our culture.
I am pleased that this agreement opens the door for Inuit to experience, first hand, the wonder of the Games. (interpretation) Thank you very much.
Minister’s Statement 162 – 2(4): Mineral Exploration and Mining Update (Netser)
Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to provide an update to the House on mineral exploration and development activity in the territory.
For the interest of the members, later on today I will be tabling copies of the “Mineral Exploration, Mining, and Geoscience Overview” for 2007.
Mr. Speaker, my department produces the overview each year, in partnership with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and the Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office.
The document contains a brief summary of all of the significant exploration projects that were active in Nunavut last year.
It helps us promote the mineral exploration in Nunavut; it is also used extensively by businesses providing services to the mining sector.
Mr. Speaker, as it states in the overview, and as the Minister of Finance has informed members in his budget speech in 2007, more than $230 million was invested in mineral exploration in Nunavut.
In addition, another $261 million was invested in deposit appraisal, construction and capital costs for mineral projects, for a total of $495 million in 2007.
Mr. Speaker, mining is beginning to provide a solid foundation that will help us build a strong economy for Nunavut.
We continue to work to ensure that the mineral exploration and mining industry in Nunavut is strong, sustainable, and provides lasting benefits to our people and communities. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 163 – 2(4): Update on the Nunavut Recycling Initiative (Akesuk)
Mr. Speaker, last year Cabinet directed the Department of Environment to take the lead on establishing a recycling program for Nunavut.
We have been working on a number of fronts to move this forward.
Over the past year, we have run pilot projects for beverage container collection in Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet.
Working with citizens and schools, these projects have collected more than half a million containers so far.
These are containers that will no longer clutter up our landfills.
We plan to continue these projects and establish a third pilot project in Kitikmeot this spring.
We’re also working with a consultant to develop options for a sustainable recycling program for Nunavut.
This will pick up the lessons learned from the pilot projects, best practices in other jurisdictions, and so on.
We are also working closely with the Departments of Economic Development and Transportation and Community & Government Services on the end-of-life vehicles initiative and the removal other metal from Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, we also intend to take a number of additional measures on recycling over the next few months.
First, to be successful over the long-term, any recycling program must have the support and active involvement of citizens, municipalities and businesses. Accordingly, we will establish the Nunavut Recycling Advisory Council consisting of stakeholder organizations and leading citizens.
Second, we are beginning work towards new legislation to give the GN the authorities it needs for the reduction, reuse, recovery, and recycling of solid waste.
Third, in Nunavut, as elsewhere, where disposable plastic shopping bags are useful in the home and on hunting trips, they are also an environmental problem. To tackle this, in the next few months, we will:
provide each household in Nunavut with up to five durable shopping bags;
research option to use the biodegradable plastic bags to meet legitimate household uses of plastic bags; and
initiate discussions with retailers on helping re-shape consumer habits in the use of plastic bags.
Finally, to ensure the GN work in this area is coordinated, we are establishing an Interdepartmental Recycling Management Committee.
Mr. Speaker, the challenge we face in Nunavut is to find an approach to recycling that is suitable, cost-effective and workable at the community level.
I look forward to keeping the Legislative Assembly and Nunavummiut informed about the progress on this important area.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Thank you, birthday boy and happy birthday.
If there are none, Item 3.
Member’s Statement 376 – 2(4): Participation with Premier for Signing of Agreement with Olympics Committee (Barnabas)
I say happy birthday to Mr. Akesuk and your wife because they share the same birthday.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I was honoured to have been asked by the Premier as the Full Caucus Chair to participate in the signing of the agreement that will bring potential hundreds of thousands of dollars to Nunavut.
There is no event more spectacular than the Olympics in the world, and Mr. Speaker, Nunavut will be there.
Mr. Barnabas: Mr. Speaker, this event, for the first time, will ever have an Inuk and Nunavut presence.
Mr. Speaker, the supplying of the number of carvings needed by the Olympic Committee solely done by Inuit artists is staggering. Basically, we will have to ensure that every active and non-active carver throughout Nunavut gets to work to supply the need of carvings.
This will bring much needed work and income to the traditional industry here at home in Nunavut.
Some people have complained that we should not have gone to sign this agreement.
Well, I ask you Mr. Speaker, what representative of Nunavut would not want to be a part of probably the biggest arrangement ever signed that will help stimulate the economy and help Nunavummiut in every community in Nunavut?
Some Hon Members: Hear, hear.
Mr. Barnabas: This is a big deal, Mr. Speaker. Carvers like Looti Pijamini in my constituency and other carvers in the High Arctic that don’t have the luxury of economy, or a job, or an income in places like Iqaluit want this program.
They need the income opportunity.
When Mr. Picco and my former colleague, Mr. Goo Arlooktoo, worked very hard to ensure that the carving and carving stone, in recognition of this homegrown industry, was not forgotten.
We now see that Goo’s work is continuing.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I was proud to honour and I have been able to represent my constituency and all of Nunavut in Vancouver. The 2010 Olympics will be the greatest marketing opportunity that Inuit have ever and had, and want to thank Premier Paul Okalik for asking me to participate.
Maybe some public may complain, maybe some members might complain, but, Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that my constituency, my community, and all of Nunavut will benefit. We should be celebrating.
This is good news, Mr. Speaker, for all the Nunavummiut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 377 – 2(4): Montreal Cadets in Repulse Bay (Mapsalak)
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to acknowledge the 30 young Cadets from Montreal who are currently in Repulse Bay to meet with cadets from our community.
Mr. Speaker, the cadets arrived in Repulse Bay last Sunday. They have already been experiencing our Kivalliq weather. My community has been under blizzard conditions since the cadets’ arrival, making it difficult to do some outdoor activities.
Mr. Speaker, the cadets from both of our cultures are working to overcome language and communication barriers. Most of the Montreal cadets speak French, while our local Repulse Bay cadets speak Inuktitut as their first language.
However, despite the language barrier and the cold weather, they have said that they have felt warmly welcomed by the community.
Mr. Speaker, I hope the weather clears up in Repulse Bay so that they may experience some ice fishing, igloo building and get to taste our country food.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the cadet program, the program offers so much for our youth such as discipline, citizenship, leadership, the opportunity to travel and so much more.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in welcoming the Montreal Military Cadets to Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 378 – 2(4): Discontinuation of Air Search at Sanikiluaq (Kattuk)
I rise today to bring to your attention a concern raised by my constituents in Sanikiluaq. As you know, there’s a search and rescue mission taking place in Sanikiluaq.
Mr. Speaker, there was a blizzard in Sanikiluaq a few days ago and there’s a lot of snow on the sea ice right now.
The search and rescue teams are exhausted and their snowmobiles are damaged from the very rough sea ice.
Mr. Speaker, I have a concern, while the search and rescue is happening that equipment such as airlines cannot be used too much to do search and rescue. I am very proud of our government because they have done search and rescue on the airplane four times.
Today, I have been told that the airline had done search and rescue four times and they’re no longer going to do the search anymore.
So I’m quite concerned about that because in Sanikiluaq, the sea ice is very rough.
The Government of Nunavut should consider all of these aspects because they need assistance.
At the appropriate time, I will be asking questions in regard to that.
Member’s Statement 379 – 2(4): Annual Convention of Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (Simailak)
I would like to acknowledge my constituents in Baker Lake. I am very pleased to come back to Iqaluit. I also would like to thank the Mayor of Baker Lake for inviting me to Toronto.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House about the exciting developments at this year’s annual convention of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, which wrapped up yesterday in Toronto.
Mr. Speaker, this year’s convention brought together over 25,000 delegates from around the world. It was PDAC’s largest and most successful convention to date.
Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with decision makers in the industry and convey to them the message that the future is bright for mining in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, great progress is being made in my community of Baker Lake. For example, the road to the Meadowbank gold mine project has been a tremendous success and the joint venture partners in the Kiggavik Project recently announced that they have decided to proceed with a two-year feasibility study with respect to a proposed uranium mine in my region.
Mr. Speaker, PDAC was pleased to see that this year’s federal budget provides important new funding for geological mapping in Canada’s North.
As the MLA for Baker Lake, I received many questions during my time in Toronto about Nunavut’s commitment to mining.
Mr. Speaker, my message to the industry was clear: we want mining to succeed in the territory.
Mr. Speaker, I have spent too many years listening to well-meaning but ill-informed doomsayers claiming that mining is not supported in Nunavut. I have been told that our residents cannot manage prosperity and cannot be trusted to manage the pace of economic development in their own communities.
Mr. Speaker, my response to these lies is also clear: just come to Baker Lake and see the truth for yourself.
Mr. Speaker, there is a strong sense of pride in the community. There is a strong feeling that we are starting to seize control over our own destiny. There is a recognition that the dignity of work brings its own rewards and benefits for the community as a whole.
Mr. Speaker, while on the flight back to Iqaluit today, I had the opportunity to catch up on this week’s Hansard. I noted that important questions are being asked to the Minister of Economic Development about the need for further work to streamline the regulatory regime in Nunavut and prepare our residents for opportunities in the mining sector.
Mr. Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I have some questions on this issue myself which I will ask at the appropriate time.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in congratulating the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada on a successful convention. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 380 – 2(4): Going for Gold at the 2008 Arctic Winter Games (Peterson)
I rise today to congratulate the athletes and officials from my constituency of Cambridge Bay who are getting ready to compete in the 2008 Arctic Winter Games that are being hosted by the City of Yellowknife starting this weekend.
Mr. Speaker, the parents, relatives, friends, and community of Cambridge Bay are very proud and honoured that our young athletes and officials have been chosen to represent Nunavut at the games.
Mr. Speaker, their dedication and commitment to training hard to become some of the best in their chosen sports is an inspiration to us all.
Our athletes are:
Female Basketball: Roxanne Anayok, Kayla Aknavigak, Caitlyn Peterson, Rebecca Rowan-Tsannie and Nellie Hogalak.
Male Basketball: Peter Ohokanoak, Mattie Pedersen and Axel Wilcox.
Speed Skating: Zachary Thomas Roberts.
Bantam Hockey: Darcy McCallum and Colin Crockatt.
Female Hockey: Cathyrn Epp.
Mr. Speaker, our coaches and mission staff are: Daisy Eyegetok, Marg Epp and Ruth Niptanatiak-Wilcox.
Mr. Speaker, I would like the House to join me in wishing the Cambridge Bay and all Nunavut athletes and officials a wonderful Arctic Winter Games experience.
The good sportsmanship experiences and friendships formed at the Arctic Winter Games will give them “golden” memories to last a lifetime.
Member’s Statement 381 – 2(4): Charter to Vancouver for Signing Agreement with Olympic Committee (Tootoo)
I, too, would like to rise today and say that I am very glad that this agreement for the Inuksuit was signed for providing them to the 2010 Olympics Organizing Committee.
Mr. Speaker, I think one thing needs to be made very clear is that one of my colleagues had indicated in his statement earlier and I thought it was very shameful is that some members didn’t want this agreement to be signed.
I would like him, if he has information of some members that said they didn’t want it to be signed, to name those members.
I think the questions and concerns that arose about this was that the necessity for a charter from here to Vancouver and back for the Premier, when other things could have been looked at.
The contract, I understand, is with the Nunavut Development Corporation, so why didn’t the president go?
Was it necessary that the Premier and someone else went?
Why didn’t the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation go?
I want to be on the record to say that I am very glad that this agreement has been signed, and when questions come up about the spending of public dollars, it shouldn’t be criticized and saying that someone didn’t want it signed.
So I will be reviewing the Hansard tomorrow, Mr. Speaker, and reviewing what was said, and looking at it very closely, but I want to be on the record saying that I, for one, am very happy that this was signed.
I think it’s a great opportunity for all of Nunavut and I look forward to the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation providing us with some numbers of what the value of this agreement is for the Development Corporation is because he’s the minister responsible for it.
Member’s Statement 382 – 2(4): Projects Agreed to in Five-Year Capital Plan (Arvaluk)
For the Five-Year Capital Plan, which are established by the members and approved in the House, usually the communities look forward to the projects that are going to be coming up within the five years in their community.
We have been told that we were going to be getting an arena in Pond Inlet and it would be a complex unit.
We also hear through the media, for example, under the Building Canada Fund, there would be $240 million that is in the agreement, including Iqaluit for the Sylvia Grinnell, $800,000.
I would like to inform the House that for those projects that were approved within the five years, for example, the arena in Pond Inlet, the facility we have over there is over 20 years old, it causes respiratory problems because it’s extremely cold there, the people who used to play hockey 20 years ago in that one and the same arena have respiratory problems now.
Mr. Speaker, our young people cannot make a vote on matters in the House. They cannot participate when we’re making the Five-Year Capital Plan.
As that’s the case, they have to be represented by us and they have to be recognized that they are growing and they have to participate in activities like hockey, for example.
We should know that the children should be able to enjoy whatever children do.
As that is the case, when we’re dealing with capital projects, we’ll have to look into this. At the appropriate time, I will be asking questions to the Minister of CGS.
Lastly, Member for Rankin Inlet North, Mr. Curley.
Member’s Statement 383 – 2(4): Reflections on the State of Democracy and Debate in Nunavut, Part 2 (Curley)
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to also congratulate the signing of the agreement with the Olympic Committee in Vancouver.
There was one time during those games where we rented a whole apartment in order to accommodate everyone.
Mr. Speaker, I rose in the House earlier this week to offer some comments on the state of democracy and debate in Nunavut.