EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
My colleague from Rankin Inlet had stated that she has to take care of the house and prepare to move out. I would also like to thank my wife too for doing all the work at home.
Although we would like to be there for the communities, due to the business of the house we have to work with these issues and work on these platforms.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Anawak.
Members' Statements, Mr. Iqaqrialu
Members' Statement 103 - 1 (2): Thanks to Wife and Family
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Since this is our first session we tend to get sweaty.
During the second session I did not sweat as much.
I would also like to say that the women are very capable and that they take care of their children all by themselves.
I am very proud to say that they are very capable and I am very appreciative of my wife for taking care of my family.
Though she was here for a few weeks she had to get back because some of our children were missing her. I am very proud of my wife for having to take care of the kids all by herself.
Return to oral questions, Mr. Ng.
Item 4: Return to Oral Questions
Return 9 - 1 (2) -Question 49 - 1 (2): GN Units on the Road to Apex
I am responding to a question raised by Mr. Tootoo regarding the allocation and availability of GN units on top of the hill on the road to Apex.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform members that there are a total of 52 units, which have been completed and are ready for occupancy under the rental guarantee plan.
Of the 52 GN units, 32 are URBCO units and 20 are NCC units.
Of the 32 URBCO units, five or six are currently occupied, and of the 20 NCC units, currently all but three are occupied.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform members that a committee consisting of PWTTS/HR/F&A are currently allocating these headquarters’ GN units.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Ng. Returns to Oral Questions.
Return 10 - 1 (2) -Question 28 - 1 (2): Airport Heavy Equipment Training Program
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by the member from Sanikiluaq regarding the airport heavy equipment training program.
I have now had an opportunity to review the concern raised and I am pleased to confirm this training program will continue in Sanikiluaq this summer.
The Department of Community Government, Housing & Transportation is putting together a new training plan to ensure well-maintained airports in Nunavut.
Returns to Oral Questions, Ms. Thompson.
Return 11 - 1 (2) -Question - 1 (2): Connecting Communities to the Network
I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. O'Brien asked on May 13th regarding a draft timetable for connecting the communities to the network.
The timetable for connecting all communities is still in development.
Only regional centres are connected including Iqaluit.
Arviat and Kugluktuk will be connected in summer 99 and the remaining communities in the year 2000-2001.
Mr. Speaker, I have another return to oral question.
Return 12 - 1 (2) -Question 82 - 1 (2): GN Buyback Policy
Hon. Manitok Thompson: Asked by Mr. McLean on May 25, 1999 regarding whether the GN has a buyback policy.
The Government of Nunavut presently does not have a buyback policy.
A buyback policy existed with the former GNWT, but the Government of Nunavut never adopted this.
A committee consisting of Human Resources, Public Works and Finance is preparing a draft of a new housing policy and buyback is under consideration.
Return 13 - 1 (2) -Question 113 - 1 (2): Cleanup of Old Sites
I would like to make a return to oral question 113 – 1 (2) regarding clean up of old sites.
The Department of Sustainable Development is responsible for co-ordinating all environmental issues in Nunavut including the clean up of old sites.
Municipalities should contact the department of Sustainable Development with their concerns.
I would like to recognize three individuals.
Tracy Lee from the jewellery program, an instructor.
David Collin Nunavut Arctic College and Dr. Nancy Highland.
I would like to recognize the individuals that are always here during the sitting.
I think he likes listening to meetings, our previous Liberal MP, Peter Ittinuar.
Question 189 - 1 (2): Status of Whales Stuck in Sea Ice
This is in regards to some narwhals that were stuck near Grise Fiord, I was wondering if the government is doing anything about this.
Mr. Kilabuk, Minister of Sustainable Development.
We are presently looking into the matter.
There are narwhals that were stuck near Grise Fiord and the wildlife officers are presently trying to free them.
On May 27th the hunters located the narwhals that were stuck due to the ice and they requested funding to fund the saving of the narwhals.
From the community there were four bodies that were given reports.
They were about 20 – 40 metres from the community.
Another one was 700 meters away from the community.
There were approximately 9 dead narwhals, and some were eaten previously by polar bears.
There were about 9 polar bears that were sighted near the stuck narwhals.
They were approximately away from the floe edge.
There were 17 narwhals attacked by the polar bears and as they were injured the hunters wanted killed them as they felt sorry for them.
The meat was distributed to the surrounding communities for the people to eat so the meat was not wasted.
They had to save the narwhals fearing that the polar bears would attack them again.
There have been four breathing holes fixed by the hunters and currently the funds that we provided will be used to open up more breathing spaces so the narwhals will be able to survive.
The community Hunters and Trappers Association was carrying out this work as well as the wildlife officer who is monitoring and acting as the information officer for the project, Sigluk Akeeagok.
Also from my department they are using our equipment and also we are providing 4 thousand dollars through the NWMB so that the money will be used to pay the hunters for their work and for our equipment.
Also yesterday there was 1 thousand dollars donated and the money will be used to monitor the trapped whales.
This was agreed to and they will be requesting further assistance as the need arises.
Also Mr. Speaker, the HTO and the hunters have been working very hard to save the whales and we are very proud of them for the efforts that they are making.
Question 190 - 1 (2): Training Programs for Nanisivik Workers
I gave notice that I was going to ask questions.
I would like to ask the Minister of Sustainable Development if you have any plans to initiate a training program for Nanisivik and recognition for the individuals that have worked in Nanisivik for a while.
I can’t answer the question at this time.
I will take the question as notice and look into the agreement that was made before the mine opened.
I will look into the matter and take the question as notice.
Taken as notice.
Question 191 - 1 (2): Travel Assistance for Inuit Broadcasting Corporation
My question, I am not sure which Minister I should be directing it to.
I think it should be directed to the Minister of communications.
My question is that in my community the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation are headquartered out of Taloyoak, and I am proud that they have a branch over there.
But my question is that there are five communities in the Kitikmeot region and IBC work in Taloyoak and they are responsible for all of the five communities.
We have requested that they attend our community and take footage of our community and we want to see them covering the whole region, because their work is very important, but their travel budgets are limited.
How are they being funded for these kinds of projects.
Minister responsible for Public Works, Telecommunications & Technical Services, Ms. Thompson.
IBC is funded through federal government programs, I am not responsible for that company I think there is some confusion about what my department is responsible for.
We are mostly looking after things like computers and telephones for the government departments.
So, the question the Minister is asking is more to do with a private corporation and I think that they’re the only people who can answer his question.
Oral question, Mr. Puqiqnak.
Yes, I understand now.
So Nunavut government is not involved whatsoever with IBC.
We can’t do anything about what a corporation does.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Puqiqnak. . Minister responsible for Public Works, Telecommunications & Technical Services, Ms. Thompson.
We can give support as a government and if a community feels neglected by a private company, we can give them a letter of support specifically.
What I am saying is that as the Minister of Public Works, Telecommunications & Technical Services we are not an agency that funds these organizations and those programs are through the federal government.
However we can provide a letter of support to say that they should be attending the communities that the member was talking about.
Oral questions. Mr. Puqiqnak.
Thank you to the Minister for answering my question.
For that reason the IBC I think that we should be providing support to them because they are providing an important duty in the north in the area of communications.
Personally if they are going through financial hardships, I think we need to give them a letter of support from us and I we are going to be promoting Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and the Inuit culture, then we have to support organizations such as IBC.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Puqiqnak. Minister responsible for Public Works, Telecommunications & Technical Services, Ms. Thompson.
I think that the department of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth, his department is more responsible for programs such as IBC.
IBC are headquartered in Iqaluit.
Perhaps if the member wanted to meet with members of IBC he can arrange that outside of this meeting because this is completely outside of my portfolio.
Last question Mr. Puqiqnak.
On behalf of the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation I don’t have a specific question, or knowledge of where I should be directing my question, but I have been given some information about where I can go.
I thank you for the response.
Oral questions. Mr. Nutarak.
Question 192 - 1 (2): Grants to Radio Societies
This will be directed to the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth regarding the grants provided to the radio societies.
They are given to the Hamlet Councils, is there a requirement as to which community should be getting how much.
Minister responsible for Culture, Language, Elders & Youth, Mr. Havioyak.
Yes, I realize that should be the communities whether they have community radios or not.
I think when we are doing our language and for young people, if they can get some letter of support to, because they need funding to do radio programming in their communities and right now we are working on that at this time.
I have also seen that maybe policies should be in place, I think we can support these radio societies but we have a limit of 6 thousand dollars and if the communities want to support this, maybe I have answered your question.
Question 193 - 1(2): Licensing for Watercraft
Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister responsible for transportation.
Over the last couple of days I have heard news reports on a new regulation required for licensing people operating boats or water craft.
I am just wondering Mr. Speaker, if the Minister has been made aware of this new legislation and how it will effect the residents of Nunavut.
Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Anawak.
I have unfortunately not been updated on the information that the member just provided.
I would also like to make a brief comment on the need for safety in boats.
Every year we have people who go through a tragedy because of inadequate safety measures on a boat.
We would like to ensure that, while not inconveniencing the people who go out hunting in boats, we want to make sure that they comply with some of the basic necessities for safety in a boat, such as personal flotation devices.
I will take that question as notice and respond to the member at the earliest opportunity.
The question is taken as notice.
Question 194 - 1 (2): Mineral Accord
Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister responsible for Finance.
Mr. Speaker I had mentioned earlier in my members’ statement the need for a mineral accord and I would like to ask the Minister if he could speak briefly to this issue and tell the members if there is any activity right now on behalf of the government in working toward an accord.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. O'Brien, Minister responsible for Human Resources, Mr. Ng.
Mr. Speaker, yes we plan on aggressively pursuing some form of an agreement with the federal government.
In fact the Premier announced that in conjunction with our northern territorial partners, who are supporting us in this initiative, it is one of the things with which we could possibly go forward in unison.
Having said that, we recognize the importance of it and are planning on trying to pursue it.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.
Mr. Speaker, could the Minister provide the members with any kind of a timetable as to the sequence of meetings or even the timing as to when they plan to get down to serious discussions with the federal government on this serious issue.
Mr. Speaker, I can say that it is high on the priority list, right now our focus has been on trying to complete our budget and the main estimates to give us some flexibility to move on with other initiatives.
That is one of the things that we plan on developing a strategy to move forward.
Mr. Speaker, would it be fair to say that prior to the end of the fiscal year we may have some sound and concrete information on the plans that the Minister is referring to.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. O'Brien, Minister of Finance, Mr. Ng.
Mr. Speaker, I would say most definitely.
I would anticipate that within 30 to 60 days we could develop some form of strategy and try to figure out our position to the federal government within 60 to 90 days and certainly start some of the preliminary negotiations and set the tone for some future negotiations, Mr. Speaker.
Oral questions. Mr. Irqittuq.
Question 195 - 1 (2): Status on Doctor for Igloolik
Yesterday I heard on the news, and this morning I didn’t hear any more information about the Health Boards.
I think their executive was going to meet about the new doctor that was supposed to move to Igloolik.
I wonder if the Minister of Health would be able to respond to exactly what is happening with the relocation of the doctor to Igloolik.
Minister responsible for Health & Social Services, Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, as the member knows I just returned late last night from Gjoa Haven.
What has happened is that the CEO for the Baffin Regional Health & Social Services Board was to have been in Igloolik yesterday to meet with the Mayor and the Council on the discussions and the decisions surrounding the doctor that was going to move to Igloolik.
I have not been updated this morning on that information, so hopefully, before two o’clock, this afternoon I will have some information to share and pass on to the member.
Oral questions. Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Question 196 - 1 (2): Gravel Pads Rather than Piles
This is directed to the Minister of Community Government, Housing & Transportation.
Ever since the gravel pads were stopped and all the building foundations are now built on piles, I think the houses depreciate much quicker than they used to.
I would like to see gravel pads being built where the houses are being built.
I wonder if that is going to be put back in place.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Iqaqrialu, Minister responsible for Community Government, Housing & Transportation. Mr. Anawak.
At the time we had gravel pads, when houses were first being built in the north and when I was living in Repulse Bay at the time, we wanted to know exactly what was happening.
I don’t know why now that the government and all the communities are using piles now, maybe it is cheaper, but I think I need to survey all the Hamlet Councils to find out what their preference is.
Yes, we will be asking the communities what their preferences are for building pads, whether they should be using gravel pads or piles.
We’ll look into that and I am sure that all the members are concerned about that.
I will get back to you on that.
Question 197 - 1 (2): Doctor's Placement
Mr. Nutarak: (interpretation): The doctor that we have been discussing, that was supposed to go to Igloolik, would that doctor be responsible for more than one community or just that one where she’s moving to.
I would just like to remind everyone that when you are asking your question please identify the Minister.
Minister for Health and Social Services Mr. Picco
Mr. Speaker there was a plan that the doctor, if the doctor went to Igloolik the doctor would be able to cover off logistically Hall Beach and indeed there might have been an arrangement to cover off Arctic Bay and also Nanisivik that’s also my understanding.
Oral questions, Mr. Nutarak
Now if that doctor would be located in that community how is the logistics or air travel going to be, moving between the communities.
Minister of health Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker the member makes a good point, I guess the concern from the Baffin Regional Health and Social Services has been the difficulty of covering off more communities if the doctor is placed in Igloolik, that’s what they’ve explained to me with the decision in maybe not to move the doctor to Igloolik.
That’s basically all I can say on it there indeed seems to be the concern that if the doctor was put in Igloolik would you have the maximum number of communities the doctor would be able to service from that community.
Would it be more conducive to put the doctor to another community to cover off more communities, so that’s exactly what the question is and what’s happening.
Question 198 - 1 (2): Status on Water Reservoir Pipeline
Mr. Speaker I’m not sure how, but to the department of PWTTS, regarding the question I’d asked previously about the pipeline to our water reservoir.
I wonder if that was looked at since I ask that question to Ms. Thompson.
Minister of Public Works, Ms. Thompson
Mr. Speaker maybe you should be calling us "government servants".
I was going to give my officials, I made them aware of the concern that the member raised earlier, but they have not updated me as to the status of that.
I will take the question as notice.
Oral questions, Mr. Tootoo
Question 199 - 1 (2): Staff Housing Allocation
Mr. Speaker regarding the response to my question for the Minister responsible for Human Resources. I’d like to ask the Minister, in light of that response, I’m pleased with these units now available on the road to Apex.
Mr. Speaker I’d like to ask the Minister as he indicated in his response that these are headquarters units.
Mr. Speaker are they for employees that are yet to be hired and come in or will employee’s who may currently be residing in inadequate housing, would they have an opportunity to also be allocated one of these units.
Mr. Speaker right now as it stands they are headquarters designated units and will be for a headquarters staff.
Like I indicated to the Honourable member, the whole staff housing policy is under review right now and we're going to bring some consistency to the whole process.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Oral questions, Mr. Tootoo
Mr. Speaker will existing headquarters staff who may not be in adequate staff housing be eligible for one of these units, if it is more adequate for them.
Mr. Speaker I guess I don’t know the frequency of staff applying for units that become available when they're already in government of Nunavut staff housing, but I guess I would have to go back to saying it would be based on specific needs. If they need a new unit for specific reasons then certainly that would be one of the factors in the assessment made by the allocation committee.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Oral questions, Mr. O’Brien
Question 200 - 1 (2): National Child Benefit
Mr. Speaker my question is directed to the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday I raised a concern of the high cost of food in Nunavut, especially for people on social assistance.
Mr. Speaker I wonder if the Minister could speak briefly about the National Child Benefit and the impact this will have on low income families.
Minister responsible for Health and Social Services  Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, the federal, provincial and territorial governments have joined together to provide a co-ordinated approach to reducing the level of child poverty in Canada.
The initiative that the member is talking about is called a National Children’s Benefit.
About 3 weeks ago when I was in Quebec City, I attended a meeting of the social services Ministers where we announced that phase 2 of the National Child Benefit will be in 2 equal instalments to the people of Canada.
425 million in July of 1999 and indeed again in July 1st 2000 another 425 million.
Now this benefit provides direct income assistance payments to low income families with children.
The benefit amount is based on previous tax returns and the number of children in the family.
This indeed, Mr. Speaker is good news for Nunavut in that we're looking at about 860 thousand that will be provided to low income families in Nunavut as a result of Nunavut sharing in the National Child Benefit.
Oral questions Mr. O’Brien
Mr. Speaker would the Minister tell the members how and when this funding will be distributed to the people of Nunavut.
Speaker: Thank you O’Brien.
Mr. Speaker as I indicated this is based on the tax return for the previous year and we're hoping to flow this money very soon and indeed if it’s not already happening it will be happening very soon on the low income families checks.
Indeed Mr. Speaker we should point out this program is the same as the one that was used in the Northwest Territories when they looked at a healthy child initiative.
What we would like to do is, using the extra money in this fund, myself as a Minister I’d like to direct the money towards the subsidies to day-care, something that has been spoken about in this house over the last several weeks.
Oral questions, Mr. O’Brien
Mr. Speaker just a point of clarification.
Is all of this funding coming from the federal government or a portion coming from the Nunavut government.
No, Mr. Speaker this money is coming directly from the federal government.
Oral question Mr. McLean
Question 201 - 1 (2): Transfer of Federal Assets to Municipality
Mr. Speaker my question today is to the Minister for Community Government, Housing & Transportation.
Currently the Municipality of Baker Lake is just taking over the CARS operation in Baker Lake and these employee’s are going to be Hamlet of Baker Lake employees.
There happens to be 4 staff houses now that are federal government inventories and they should be vacant shortly, plus 2 pick up trucks.
My question to the Minister, is it possible for these staff houses and trucks to be transferred over to the municipality.
Minister responsible for Community Government, Housing & Transportation, Mr. Anawak.
I don’t know but I would suspect that this would be a common sense thing to do that so I will, right after this session ends, find out what the case is and talk to the federal department and see what we can do to ensure the benefits of turning over the responsibility to Baker Lake.
Oral questions, Mr. Puqiqnak
Question 202 - 1 (2): Bank Services in Small Communities
Mr. Speaker my question is to Minister of Finance and Administration.
I’d like to return to the issue of the smaller communities having to be serviced by the banks.
Is there any possibilities that could improve the services for the smaller communities.
Minister of finance Mr. Ng.
Mr. Speaker I believe I committed to try to find out a couple of things for the honourable member when he raised this question not that long ago in respect of the government of Nunavut banking proposal, exactly what was specific in there for a smaller communities.
Secondly, in respect to the proposal that the Arctic co-operatives had put forward for credit unions.