EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
If an individual has to be sent south, we try to see of there are other people who speak Inuktitut. For example, there are usually other Inuit being housed in those types of facilities.
We also try to provide interpreters for these elders. We do apologize that we have to send them out of the territory in order to provide proper care, but we have no choice but to do so.
As I just mentioned, our department is working with the referral centre in Igloolik and the health centre in Cambridge Bay in order that we do not overwork and allow the elders to stay in Nunavut. We are in the process of making improvements and see if we can add more beds specifically for elders.
Other structures are being built by non-government entities and we’re trying to access those assets as well.
The time for question period has expired. Moving on. Mr. Okalik.
Motion 026 – 4(3): Extension of Question Period (Okalik)
I move, seconded by the Member for Uqqummiut, that question period be extended.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) There is a motion on the floor to extend question period.
The motion is not subject to debate.
(interpretation) Moving on.
Question 325 – 4(3): Government Purchase of a Metal Shear and Baler (Joanasie)
All right, we have more questions.
I have further questions to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
As the minister will recall, his department proposed to allocate $1.5 million from its Small Capital Fund to the purchase of a metal shear and baler in January of 2016.
Can the minister indicate if this equipment has been purchased to date?
I can state and let the member know that yes, this baler has been purchased and is awaiting sealift shipment to Cape Dorset.
In the minister’s correspondence dated January 8, he indicated that this equipment would be initially used clean up the site of the Peter Pitseolak High School in Cape Dorset.
This same equipment could be used to address metal dumpsites and be transported to other Nunavut communities as part of a revolving equipment approach once the site of the Peter Pitseolak High School has been completed.
Can the minister indicate when his department intends to begin transporting the metal shear and baler to other Nunavut communities?
This metal baler, as the member stated, will be used to clean up the Peter Pitseolak debris.
From there, it will be further used to compact metals in Cape Dorset.
Depending on how well it works, we will look at it from there, whether we should transport it and try it in other communities.
As I stated earlier, this is just a trial run.
Before we make any commitments to move it anywhere or buy any more, we want to make sure that it works. Cape Dorset will be the trial run to see how well this piece of equipment works for compacting and storing old metal debris.
As the minister will recall, during the 2015 fall sitting of the Legislative Assembly, he directed a number of questions to his predecessor concerning the possibility of using such equipment to clean up the metal dumpsite in his own community.
Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that every community in Nunavut could benefit from the use of this type of equipment to address metal dumpsites that continue to increase in size every year.
Can the minister indicate how his department will determine the locations and schedule by which this metal shear and baler will be transported throughout Nunavut?
I can’t put a carrot in front of the horse, as the old saying goes. First we will see how well this baler works and then we will evaluate whether we should continue with this type of compactor and baler.
This is a trial run. After it has all been well used and people are trained to use it in Cape Dorset, we will evaluate whether it’s a good idea or not or whether we have to look at other options.
CGS is committed to dealing with all the excess metals and old vehicles that are piling up in Nunavut. This is just one of the options.
If this piece of equipment works, then we will definitely be looking at putting it in other communities, but let’s first see how well it works, whether it holds up, whether it’s strong enough, and whether maintenance is an issue.
All of this stuff will be evaluated once it has done all the work it is supposed to do in Cape Dorset.
Question 326 – 4(3): Nunavut Permafrost Databank (Mikkungwak)
I’ll be asking about the letter that he introduced yesterday.
On the first page of the letter, it states that as the land melts, they are “studying permafrost in Nunavut.”
I’m not sure which community they’re referring to, but the letter refers to “numerous academic organizations.”
In Canada, many groups have been working on climate change.
Academics from colleges and universities have come up here to do studies on climate change, especially on the permafrost, the ice that forms under the ground. They have been studying that quite a long time now in the Arctic and that’s what the letter tries to explain.
It is unfortunate that our elders were not involved in this work.
However, in the same letter, you have also indicated that the study will determine how climate change will affect the construction of infrastructure.
With that, do you work with the Department of Community and Government Services on this matter?
Community councils are usually consulted whenever their community is going to be affected by a study or information gathering.
Climate change has noticeably affected many things. We have seen land that was always frozen, such as where we live, affected by climate change. Also with the work that is being done on climate change, we’re trying to see if we are going to be able to keep up and make adaptation.
Different government departments are involved with climate change.
I would like to further say that the study results are now available online. This has been worked on for quite a while now and compiled for viewing by anyone.
You can see the results of the study, whether you live within or outside of Nunavut.
In the same letter, it states that it “will have major implications to the foundation of infrastructure being constructed in the future in Nunavut.”
While we are in that situation, either the Department of Environment or the Department of Community and Government Services are the ones responsible for infrastructure construction in the communities in Nunavut.
Which department will have the final say on what is done about the effects of climate change during this construction?
Indeed, climate change is becoming more and more serious.
As I said, different jurisdictions and departments have been working on this and keeping each other informed and working together along with CGS.
As to what we should have available and how we should plan for climate change adaptation, when you look at the future building of infrastructure, we really have to get information as to how climate change is affecting the permafrost. We have to get that information in order to make appropriate plans for adaptation.
We have to know what is happening to the surface and subsurface of the land before there is construction on it for the benefit of developers.
That is why various organizations are working together on environmental issues. CGS, I know, works very closely with all these parties.
Question 327 – 4(3): Dog Excrement at Sylvia Grinnell Park (Okalik)
This past winter session, I asked the Minister of Environment about the Sylvia Grinnell River where we get water. It was being contaminated by dog waste.
The minister said that he would look into the matter and inform the House in the spring session.
I would like to know what the Department of Environment will be doing about that.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for following up with his question.
With respect to dog waste in particular within parks, I have asked legal experts to look into the enforcement aspects of park regulations. Dogs cannot be kept out of parks as long as they are on a leash or tied up. That’s how it is.
There are also more notices posted around parks for people to know how to handle dogs within parks, especially here in Iqaluit with the city council with the involvement of their by-law officers.
That’s what we are trying to do at this time.
Different people have their own rules to follow when it comes to dogs anywhere, even in the south. They are required to do things like collecting waste from their dogs or risk being taken to court.
I wonder if those kinds of rules can be considered by the Department of Environment, especially when we’re dealing with parks and where they are a source of water supply.
My wife and I fetch water from that river and we haven’t see any dog waste, for your information.
I don’t see any fecal waste of any kind either every time I fetch water.
Yes, his question does have merit indeed.
For all those reasons, we are trying to deal with it properly through legislation.
I don’t want to try to take action just for its own sake when it comes to a park.
People and animals do go to parks, including birds and dogs. They need to be closely controlled and that is made clear within the regulations.
Anyone going to parks should remember to ensure their dogs are on a leash and collect their waste.
I urge people to keep doing so, especially at parks and around rivers where many people like to fetch water because of its quality.
I want people to know there are regulations to follow and which are enforceable.
Question 328 – 4(3): Appointments of Justices of the Peace (Sammurtok, T)
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My questions today are for the Minister of Justice.
To date, a number of sections of the Justices of the Peace Act are not currently in force, including subsections 2.1 and 2.2. Once in force, these subsections will establish a Justices of the Peace Appointment and Remuneration Committee.
Once established, this committee will have the duty to review the candidate applications and recommend qualified Justices of the Peace candidates to the Executive Council for appointment.
Can the minister clarify when the government intends to bring the Justices of the Peace Act fully into force?
I thank Mr. T. Sammurtok for the question.
Mr. Speaker, I have been in the department for three months, so I’m catching up.
A lot of outstanding items haven’t been implemented. That is one item. I reviewed it a couple of weeks ago.
The department is currently processing the paperwork for me to sign to take an RFD to cabinet.
I fully understand that the current minister has only been there for a short time.
However, can the minister tell us today how many residents are currently appointed as Justices of the Peace in Nunavut and which communities these judicial officials are currently serving?
I thank Mr. Tom Sammurtok for the question.
Mr. Speaker, there is a long list; I could read them all off.
I actually asked for an updated one because, even in Cambridge Bay, I know there has been a resignation recently. One of the JPs is actually on some form of leave because he is a hamlet councillor, so I have asked for an update.
When I get an updated list, I could certainly table it for the benefit of the House.
It is my understanding that while a number of communities may not have an appointed Justice of the Peace, other communities may have more than one.
In these situations, it is not clear how a community’s caseload is divided amongst the numerous judicial officers.
Can the minister explain how the Nunavut Justice of the Peace Court divides and allocates cases and assignments to officers within a community?
I can’t provide the details. I can assure Mr. T. Sammurtok that the Justice of the Peace Program is very important to our communities.
As we say, “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
The Nunavut Court of Justice and the Justice of the Peace Program make every effort to ensure that the duties of JPs are carried out as expeditiously as possible.
Where there is no JP, the Nunavut Court of Justice’s head JP will make arrangements for the necessary paperwork to be processed.
Question 329 – 4(3): Pond Inlet Airport (Enook)
During our recent winter sitting, the minister tabled the Nunavut Airports 20 Year Infrastructure Needs Assessment.
This important report discusses the concept of, and I quote, “developing a jet-capable airport centrally located at or near Pond Inlet.”
The report recommends that, and I quote, “a feasibility study be undertaken to determine the cost and benefits of constructing a new high arctic hub airport at Pond Inlet…”
I would first like to ask the minister: can she clearly indicate when her department will begin this study?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for the question.
I believe you’re asking if there would be a jet-capable airstrip in Pond Inlet.
The residents of Pond Inlet have requested a jet-capable airstrip in their list of municipal priorities.
It could be used as a central transportation hub for the High Arctic in Pond Inlet.
We are aware that the airstrip would have to be 500,000 feet in length in order for jets to be able to land.
The study that was conducted by the hamlet… . 5,000 feet, my apologies, not 500,000 feet.
It would have to be 5,000 feet. I think I’m being asked too many questions.
A study was done by the Hamlet of Pond Inlet in 2002 on whether the airport should be relocated. At that time, they were told that it would cost $24 million. I think the highest amount was $75,000.
Perhaps the only way to extend the airstrip is to relocate it.
The second question that I would like to ask is in regard to the military.
The military has fast jets and they require long runways.
It seems obvious that an airport will be built in Pond Inlet to suit military purposes.
That’s my expectation for the time being.
Mr. Speaker, the report that was tabled in the winter, the 20-year airport infrastructure needs assessment report, clearly states that Pond Inlet is, and I quote, “a site of strategic military importance on the Northwest passage.”
The report envisions Pond Inlet’s new hub airport being used for both civil and military purposes.
As the minister will be aware, the federal government is currently undertaking a major review of national defence policy, and the federal minister was recently in Yellowknife to hear from northerners.
I would like to ask the minister: as the minister, can you commit to approaching the federal government to share in the cost of constructing the new Pond Inlet High Arctic Hub Airport?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for making that suggestion as part of our considerations.
The government can enter into negotiations with any organization. Regarding his suggestion, I will ask my officials to add this to their review.
If we are going to consider making Pond Inlet the transportation hub and spending funds towards that goal, we will have to be very clear as to whether the hub would be used to capacity.
As an example, we would have to canvass the mining company to see if they would use that airport.
Today, the mining company has planes that can land in Pond Inlet without extending the runway.
If the runway was extended, we would need clear indications about who would use the runway and a business case prior to contemplating the extension and expending our precious funds.
The reason why I’m asking this is the minister tabled it in the House in the winter sitting. If I understand correctly, it’s a study that was done by the Government of Nunavut.
The people who did this study wanted you to consider whether Pond Inlet should be a transportation hub for the High Arctic and whether they could get a jet-capable airport.
For that reason, we have expectations since this was brought out by our government.
I’ll go back to the first part of my question.
The report recommended that a feasibility study be done.
I apologize if I misunderstood you, but I’ll ask again, Mr. Speaker.
When will you initiate the study that is recommended in the report?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for clarifying his question.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s 20-year assessment is just a document that was tabled and I want to make it clear that it is not part of the government’s capital plan.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to make clear that we’re talking about the idea of developing Pond Inlet into a transportation hub brought forth by the local hamlet’s community economic plan as well as the hamlet’s 2002 plan to study the concept of a hub.
Our department would only be working on the feasibility of the transportation hub that the community has requested and whether this would be the best option available.
Tabled Document 138 – 4(3): 2015-2016 Annual Report of the Ethics Officer for the Nunavut Public Service (Peterson)
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to table the first Annual Report of the Ethics Officer for the Nunavut Public Service. It covers the period from January 5, 2015 to March 31, 2016.
Mr. Speaker, if I could do a little public relations, if any one of the listening public wishes to contact the ethics officer toll-free, it’s 844-384-4272.
He looks forward to receiving your calls.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Tabling of Documents. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Family Services, Mr. Kuksuk.
Tabled Document 139 – 4(3): FPT Report on the Ministers Responsible for Social Services, Edmonton, Alberta, February 4 and 5, 2016 (Kuksuk)
Hon. George Kuksuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the FPT Report on the Ministers responsible for Social Services, Edmonton, Alberta on February 4 and 5, 2016.
Minister of Family Services, Mr. Kuksuk.
Tabled Document 140 – 4(3): In-Demand Career Options in Nunavut, 2016-2017 (Kuksuk)
Hon. George Kuksuk: Thank you again, Mr. Speaker.
I am pleased to table the In-Demand Career Options in Nunavut 2016-17.
Member, Mr. Akoak.
Tabled Document 141 – 4(3): Resolutions from the 2016 Kitikmeot Mayors Forum (Akoak)
Last month, I had the honour of attending the 2016 Kitikmeot Mayors Forum, which was held in Cambridge Bay.
I am pleased to table today copies of the resolutions that were formally adopted at the AGM.
I encourage all members to review these with care and I anticipate that appropriate questions will be asked of the appropriate ministers at the appropriate time during our spring sitting.
Tabled Document 142 – 4(3): Correspondence from Naujaat Housing Association (Mapsalak)
Earlier today during Members’ Statements, I spoke of the need for dedicated elders’ public housing in the community of Naujaat.
I am pleased to table a copy of the letter that I received from the Repulse Bay Housing Association regarding this issue.
I encourage the government and specifically the Nunavut Housing Corporation to give due consideration to the points raised in this letter.
Bills 17 and 18 and Tabled Documents 73 – 4(2), 116 – 4(2), 140 – 4(2), 149 – 4(2), and 70 – 4(3) with Mr. Enook in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:56 and Committee resumed at 16:21
Chairman (Mr. Enook)(interpretation): Good afternoon, Nunavummiut who are watching the televised proceedings and listening to the radio broadcast.
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Tabled Documents 73 – 4(2), 116 – 4(2), 140 – 4(2), 149 – 4(2), and 70 – 4(3) and Bills 17 and 18.
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and again, good afternoon.
Mr. Chairman, we wish to continue with the discussion on Tabled Document 149 – 4(2).
Good afternoon, Minister Kuksuk. Do you have officials that you would like to bring to the table?
Chairman (interpretation): Members, Minister Kuksuk would like his officials at the witness table.
Minister Kuksuk, for the record, please introduce your officials.
With me today to my right is (interpretation ends) Irene Tanuyak, Assistant Deputy Minister (interpretation) of Family Services, and to my left, (interpretation ends) Lindsay Turner, Director of Poverty Reduction with Family Services. (interpretation) Those are our witnesses.
We will continue where we left off yesterday and go directly into questions.
Following the list of names I had yesterday, I’ll start with Mr. Joanasie.
Welcome, Mr. Minister Kuksuk and your officials, to the witness table.
I think I will start off with Ms. Angnakak’s comment in regard to poverty reduction. She used the examples of lack of food and housing.
I would like to first get clarification from Family Services if they have followed up on that example.
Have they come up with a definition for poverty reduction?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I also thank my colleague for the question.
Is the member asking for the definition of the one word or the whole context of poverty reduction?
We do have a definition within the department. I would like to respond by saying the definition of poverty reduction.
There are quite a few definitions like working together, working with community residents, working on local economic, education and training, providing housing, income assistance, and healing issues.
These are the covered by the definition of poverty reduction.
I just wanted to find out what the definition is for the word “poverty.”
As Ms. Angnakak stated yesterday, it reads in English, (interpretation ends) “For me personally, I think that being poor means that you are standing on the outside looking in, that your standard of living is lower than that of others around you, and that your basic needs are not being met.”
(interpretation) Is that what the Department of Family Services means by the word (interpretation ends) “poverty”?
(interpretation) I hope I was understandable.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you and thank you for clarifying your question.
Perhaps now that it’s a bit clearer, Minister Kuksuk.
I now understand the meaning of the question.
I believe everyone understands what poverty means. With poverty reduction, it’s self-explanatory. It is to reduce poverty.
That’s the meaning.
It seems like there could be a more specific definition, but I’ll move on to another subject.
I believe it was mentioned yesterday that the Department of Family Services has three employees in the Poverty Reduction Division and $1.1 million is identified for that division.
Has there been any change to that or has there been any increase in staffing? We have the 2013-14 annual report and it is now 2016-17. Has there been an increase in the number of employees in the Poverty Reduction Division?
There was question about whether there was an Inuktitut-speaking individual working in that division.
I can now give a full response to that question.
In the Poverty Reduction Division, we have a total of six employees, three of whom are Inuit. In summary, there are six employees in total who work in the Poverty Reduction Division.
Mr. Joanasie, let me take this opportunity to state that you should put up your hand if you want to speak so that you will go in order.
There are six employees and in your annual report, you indicated that you would use $1.1 million.
Has there been an increase to their budget to date?
We had to create another PY in the division.
We have increased the budget because we had to create another position.
There is $450,000 that would be used for homelessness and the safe shelter in Cambridge Bay. Due to that, we have increased the budget by $450,000.
In your annual report on page 5, I will read it under “Government enacts Collaboration for Poverty Reduction Act.”
Further down, it indicates that “The use of the word “collaboration” in the naming of this Act acknowledges our understanding that the government must genuinely collaborate with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and other Inuit organizations, governments, non-government organizations, the public, and the private sector to ensure we work together to improve our social and cultural well-being.”
I have a question on this paragraph from the minister about whether they are genuinely collaborating with those various entities that are mentioned here in the annual report. Are they contributing financially? How are the Inuit organizations involved or collaborating with the government in order to work on poverty reduction?
Have they been open to you or have you not heard much from them?