EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Speaker: Item 20. Report of the committee of the whole. Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering committee report 1-1(4) and Minister’s Statement 007 - 1(4).
We would like to report committee report 1-1(4) was concluded.
We would like to report progress on Minister’s Statement 007-1(4) and Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the committee of the whole be concurred with.
Orders of the Day for Friday October, 27;
Ministers' Statement 6-1(4)
Ministers' Statement 7-1(4)
Ministers' Statement 8-1(4)
This house stands adjourned until Friday October 27 at 10 am.
Friday October 27, 2000
Pages 207 - 255
Opening Prayer 207
Point of Privilege 207
Ministers' Statements 207
Members’ Statements 211
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 218
Oral Questions 219
Tabling of Documents 235
Notices of Motions 236
First Reading of Bills 237
Second Reading of Bills 237
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 240
Report of the Committee of the Whole 253
Third Reading of Bills 253
Revert to Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 254
Orders of the Day 254
Friday October 27, 2000 207
013 – 1(4): Task Force on Housing – Recommendations Update (Thompson) 207
014 – 1(4): Review of Harvester Support Programs (Kilabuk) 208
015 - 1(4): Implementation of Credit Cards for GN Expenditures (Ng) 210
037 - 1(4): Qikiqtarjuaq & Clyde River High School Graduates (Iqaqrialu) 211
038 - 1(4): Kitkmeot Difficulties with Time Zone Change (Havioyak) 211
039 - 1(4): Suicide Issue (Irqittuq) 212
040 – 1(4): Cost of Homeownership (Alakannuark) 213
041 – 1(4): Nunavummiut Generosity (Puqiqnak) 214
042 - 1(4): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit on Suicides (Anawak) 215
043 – 1(4): Zebedee Nungak and Thanks to Parents (Thompson) 216
044 – 1(4): Joamie School Family Fun Night (Tootoo) 216
045 – 1(4): Legislature’s Batman Characters (Picco) 217
046 – 1(4): Returning to Assembly (McLean) 218
041 - 1(4): Tabling of Time Zone Survey Results (Havioyak) 219
042 – 1(4): Responses to Housing Corporation Expression of Interest (Tootoo) 222
043 – 1(4): Gjoa Haven Development Corporation Correspondence (Puqiqnak) 222
044 – 1(4): Health & Social Services Suicide Programs (Irqittuq) 223
045 – 1(4): Nursing Program Students' Dependants (Nutarak) 227
046 – 1(4): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Review (Iqaqrialu) 229
047 – 1(4): Pre-Mining Training (McLean) 230
048 – 1(4): Gymnasium for Gjoa Haven (Puqiqnak) 232
009 – 1(4): National Post Newspaper Article - Fuel Prices (Thompson) 235
010 – 1(4): Annual Report of the Official Languages Commissioner (Speaker) 235
011 – 1(4): Report of the Information & Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut (Speaker) 235
012 – 1(4): Conflict of Interest Commissioner's Report (Speaker) 235
013 – 1(4): Rankin Inlet Session Incremental Cost Report (Speaker) 236
014 – 1(4): Audited Statements Retirement Allowance Fund (Speaker) 236
Bill 7 – The Legislative Assembly Members Removal and Disqualification Act (Ng) 237
Bill 2 – An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Board Act (Ng) 237
Bill 3 – An Act to Amend the Statutes Revision Act (Anawak) 238
Bill 4 – An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act (Anawak) 238
Bill 5 – The Floral Emblem Act (Ng) 239
Bill 6 – An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly & Executive Council Act and Other Acts in Relation to the Legislative Assembly (Ng) 239
Bill 5 – The Floral Emblem Act (Ng) 253
Bill 6 – An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly & Executive Council Act and Other Acts in Relation to the Legislative Assembly (Ng) 254  Friday October 27, 2000
Speaker (Mr. O'Brien): I would like to call on Mr. Alakannuark to say the prayer.
Hon. Manitok Thompson: I have a point of privilege, Mr. Speaker, if you will allow me to continue.
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Rule 20(1), I rise on a point of privilege.
In the National Post dated Thursday October 26, 2000, on page A-6, the following headline appears; "Gas prices in Nunavut to jump by 30 Cents".
Mr. Speaker, this is totally inaccurate and I never indicated that the increase would be 30 cents.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, the article indicates that gas will rise to 1 dollar and 10 cents a litre.
Mr. Speaker, I have made it clear that there will be a maximum ceiling of 98.9 cents on gasoline, heating fuel, Jet fuel and diesel.
No price will rise above the ceiling for these four products.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, later on I will table the newspaper.
Item 2. Ministers' statements.
Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson.
Minister's Statement 013 – 1(4): Task Force on Housing – Recommendations Update
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update the members regarding the report recommendations made by the Task Force on Housing that I tabled in this House last year.
Mr. Speaker, I promised that this report would not sit on a shelf collecting dust and it has not.
When I have the privilege of presenting our mid-year review and 2001/2002 Business Plan to the Standing Committee on Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development on November 17, Mr. Speaker, they will see that those 15 recommendations are the driving force for Housing now and for the future.
In addition to the ongoing work of implementation, members will see that these recommendations form the basis of, and are fully integrated into the goals and objectives of the Nunavut Housing Corporation - for now and for the future.
Mr. Speaker, in the interim I am pleased to report that the Nunavut Housing Corporation is actively pursuing these recommendations.
For example;
A homeownership review is underway with a report scheduled to go to Cabinet in December.
The housing needs survey has been included with the Nunavut Household Survey and will be updated every two years.
The review of the social housing rent scale is underway.  Within the next month our housing awareness campaign will kick off.
A technical review of housing is underway.
A variety of subsidy reviews are in progress in Housing, Community Government & Transportation and Finance.
We are actively continuing to pursue pan-Canadian housing linkages and lobby efforts concentrating on the Federal Government and CMHC.
Speaker: Thank you Minister. Ministers' statements.
Minister's Statement 014 – 1(4): Review of Harvester Support Programs
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, earlier this year I announced that my department would be commencing a comprehensive review process of our programs in support of harvesters.
I would like to provide the House with an update on this review.
Mr. Speaker, the department has a range of programs that are designed to provide support to people who are involved in harvesting activities.
Some examples of these programs are the Community Harvester Assistance Program, which provides support to outpost camps. The Fur Price Program which provides trappers and seal hunters a guaranteed price for their pelts, core funding for Hunters' and Trappers' Organizations and Regional Wildlife Organizations for their participation in co-management of wildlife.
Mr. Speaker, these programs were originally established by the Government of the Northwest Territories to meet the need of a wide range of people in the former Northwest Territories.
With the creation of the Nunavut Government it seemed appropriate for my department to review these programs to see if they could be changed to meet the specific needs of Nunavummiut.
The key to the success of this review has been recognizing that there is a limited amount of funding available.
As a result the government may not be able to meet all the needs of harvesters.
Instead we must find a way of making better use of the funds that we do have.
This includes examining programs offered by the department and organizations like Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, in order to identify opportunities for partnerships, or at least to reduce over-lap in programs.
Mr. Speaker, we would like to see a more streamlined set of programs.
Over the summer months my department consulted with people from every community in Nunavut including hunters, Wildlife Officers, Hunters' and Trappers' Organizations, board members and representatives from Inuit organizations and government agencies.
The purpose of this consultation was to find out what the real needs of harvesters are and what type of support do harvesters need from government.
During the consultation people were specifically asked to identify their priorities for harvester support.
Next month I will be releasing a public discussion paper on the results of this review.
Mr. Speaker, this document will be sent to every community for review and comment.
Department Staff will then conducting public meeting in 7 communities across Nunavut to discuss the results of the review in more detail.
Once the review and consultation is completed, I will present to the House a final version of the discussion paper and the report on contemplated changes that will be made to this Government’s harvesters support programs.
Also Mr. Speaker, this Department of Sustainable Development is currently, as I speak, looking at options to further assist the harvesters with the expected with oil and gas products price increase.
Speaker: Thank you Minister. Ministers’ statements.
Minister’s Statement 015 - 1(4): Implementation of Credit Cards for GN Expenditures
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like provide the Members of the Legislative Assembly with some information concerning the recent decision of the Financial Management Board which authorizes the use of credit cards for specific business operations of the Government of Nunavut.
The Government of Nunavut credit card pilot project is a positive step forward and we expect it will be welcomed by the Nunavut business community.
It will insure Mr. Speaker, that our vendors are paid on time, in full and without a cumbersome process for invoicing or the issuing and acceptance of warrants.
This new program will virtually eliminate several layers of red tape and bureaucracy.
The use of Nunavut Government Travel Cards will enable our government to track our travel expenses more closely and will provide time management control over those expenditures.
Furthermore, it streamlines the travel expense payments process in the Department of Finance which will result in significant reduction of paperwork.
Mr. Speaker the Government of Nunavut Credit Card Program will divided into two categories - “Departmental” and “Individual”.
Explicit managerial controls will be applied to each category.
Mr. Speaker, the departmental cards will be issued to the departments and will replace travel and accommodation warrants.
The Department of Finance and Administration has entered an agreement with Royal Bank VISA to supply the use of cards to Departments.
The use of these departmental cards will be to authorize travel and expenditures for those Government of Nunavut Employees that will not be issued individual cards and for any extraordinary expenditures.
Mr. Speaker, the individual cards will be issued to specific Government of Nunavut employees and public officers as approved by the Financial Management Board.
The payment of balances incurred by the use of individual travel cards which will be issued by the CIBC VISA will be the responsibility of the cardholder.
Cardholders will be required to submit claims for the reimbursement of authorized expenditures.
Mr. Speaker, this is a significant shift in the way that the Government of Nunavut administers its payments to suppliers, the use of credit cards for travel is not uncommon in both public and private sectors.
Our two suppliers of our Government of Nunavut credit cards, Royal Bank and CIBC will work closely with our Government to insure that this program does not fall victim to abuse.
Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to announce this new initiative today, for expected implementation on November 15, 2000.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Ministers’ statements.
Moving on to Item 3. Members’ statements.
Member’s Statement 037 - 1(4): Qikiqtarjuaq & Clyde River High School Graduates
Mr. Speaker I rise today, to recognize, that on October 20, there were two students from Qikiqtarjuaq who completed their high school program, Lucy Arnaquq and Roseanne Koonelusie.
These two individuals completed the high school program and I am very proud of them.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to go with Member of Parliament Nancy Karetak-Lindell to my home community of Clyde River.
It was a very happy occasion because Nancy Karetak-Lindell is very well recognized Nunavut wide and she has visited our community three times.
The graduates are Mathew Sangoyak, Eli Sangoyak, Jennifer Jaypootee, April Natanai, Nancy Natanai, Silas Qayak, Johnny Jones, Richard Jones, Israel Tigullagak.
These are the students that completed the program in my community.
It was a very joyous occasion and all the people of the Clyde River celebrated this special occasion.
It was a very proud moment for us and it was also the beginning stages of these young people preparing for their future.
Speaker: Members’ statements. Mr. Havioyak.
Member’s Statement 038 - 1(4): Kitkmeot Difficulties with Time Zone Change
I rise today to speak on the time zone issue as it relates to Kugluktuk.
As a representative of Kugluktuk, I am trying to help the people of Kugluktuk.
Yesterday you saw the petition that I tabled in the House from Kugluktuk and Cambridge Bay.
There were many people that signed this petition.
We continue to receive more signatures.
(interpretation ends) They do not agree with the changes, Mr. Speaker.
I have repeatedly called upon the government to extend to the people of my community and the region the same courtesy that was extended to the Baffin earlier this fall; to commit to review the time zone issue again in six months, to make changes if the residents are dissatisfied.
They have a voiced their opinion that they really disagree with this time zone change.
Because it is going to turned back in just a few days, I will continue to speak to this issue so that the government can review this issue again.
The people in Kugluktuk do not agree with this, not just in Kugluktuk but also in Cambridge Bay.
I will be asking questions on this issue later.
Speaker Mr. Irqittuq.
Member’s Statement 039 - 1(4): Suicide Issue
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): I rise today Mr. Speaker about an important issue.
I brought up this issue on more than one occasion.
I know that today is Friday and that it should be a little bit livelier than the rest of the days.
However, Mr. Speaker, today I would like to make a comment on what has been progressing so far in regards to the issue of suicide which I have brought up on more than one occasion from the time that we created the Nunavut Government.
I was very pleased that Mr. Iqaqrialu this past week has made comments in regard to our suicide situation and also to Mr. Jack Anawak who talked about the fact that we should do something about the issue of suicide.
Mr. Speaker, from April 1, 1999 to date there have been a total of 38 completed suicides in Nunavut.
That is 38 in total.
Mr. Speaker, there are at least 2 completed suicides every month in Nunavut.
That is 2 completed suicides per month.
Looking at these statistics it is very bad especially if you have gone through it personally.
I have had close relatives who have committed suicide.
My immediate family, my brothers and my sister have committed suicide.
I feel hurt when I hear about a suicide in the media.
I know there are individuals that are asking questions and are feeling bad about themselves.
Because of my personal experience I will be working hard on the issue of suicide.
Today this is the major problem in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude my statement as my time is up.
I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Proceed Mr. Irqittuq.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Thank you, my colleagues and thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to complete my statement on the issue of suicides.
Like I stated earlier there have been 38 completed suicides in a matter of months.
In addition to the 38 completed suicides there are a lot of other people out there who are dealing with social problems, who are going through dark phases in their lives.
It creates a sadness when we think about the people who complete suicides and we always have a question of why.
There is always that question.
We have to do something about this problem.
Since April 1, 1999, we have also seen 2 of our members charged for offences and they have also been mentioned various times in the media through CBC North Igalaaq, Nunatsiaq News and so on.
We hear about these two people for many days at a time and they are challenged that they have done a bad thing and that they should go to jail.
That they should be disciplined and they should be fired and so on.
That is what has been happening with these two members.
There are also letters that we received from various organizations asking us what are we going to be doing about that.
We hear about all the social problems and the people out are asking us what are we going to be doing about it.
We see the results of 38 completed suicides from April 1, 1999 to date.
But we do not hear that through the CBC.
We do not get any support through the media to get the message out there.
The CBC, the newspapers have never asked the question of how can we resolve the issue of suicide.
We do not hear about it except for all the negative things that they put out.
So there is no co-operative effort among the organizations and the government.
There is no co-operative effort to eradicate or alleviate the problem of suicide.
So today I will be asking the House or the government what kinds of plans you have to deal with the issue of suicide.
I know for a fact that if I were to go hunting and got lost, search and rescue people would spend 1 million dollars to find me and to bring me back home.
They would spend up to 1 million dollars.
So we have to see people like that, in crisis, we have to put large amounts of money into this so we can help the people of Nunavut who are in a crisis situation.
I keep bringing this up because I have experienced it and because I have seen it.
Member's Statement 040 – 1(4): Cost of Homeownership
I rise today to speak about homeownership.
Since the homeowners have many bills to pay they have to be able to afford heating fuel and they should be able to afford their staples and they need to be provided with clothing.
On top of that they have to pay for their homes and insurance and for the land that they are using.
They are unable to keep up with the costs.
Inflation is increasing, even the prices of groceries are going up.
For the hunters and trappers, how could they be assisted more with the fuel prices going up.
Perhaps we are overburdening our constituents.
Member's Statement 041 – 1(4): Nunavummiut Generosity
Mr. Speaker, I know that we do have quite a lot of business to finish in the House.
We have a lot of business to cover during this session.
However, I think at times we have to look back 30 or 40 years as to how we have survived in the past.
We used to give and share in the past and we would like to see this happen again.
Mr. Speaker, Statistics Canada reports that Nunavummiut are the most generous people when it comes to giving to others.
This is very good and I would like to congratulate my fellow Nunavummiut for this.
This is truly in keeping with our Inuit tradition of giving and sharing with others, our food, our material objects, even our children through custom adoption.
I would like to say a few words about why Inuit are so generous.
We have lived through difficult times in our past.
As an example, I remember the starvation period of 1957 and 1958.
I experienced it myself, when so many people died of starvation.
We would walk and hunt and at times where we would not be successful.
People such as the Baker Lake mayor Jacob Ikinillik were also there along with many others who were part of that starvation period.
Many Inuit went through very difficult times.
Just for another example it was dark and there was a lack of food and we still gave to others so they too could survive.
Mr. Speaker, I am requesting unanimous consent to conclude my statement please.
Speaker: Just before I put the question forward for members’ consent for Mr. Puqiqnak to continue his statement.
We have discussed this in the House before and it applies to all members that the time that is set aside for members' statements, we will try to adhere to that.
We are trying to give everybody the same allotted time and I want members to keep that in mind.
These are your rules, rules that you all agreed to.
Even if you require additional time to complete your statement it should be only 30 seconds or a minute. It should not go on for four or five minutes.
That takes time away from the other members.
Mr. Puqiqnak is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my fellow colleagues.
As I have stated before even the infant mortality rate was very high.
All the dogs died because of lack of food, and still Inuit gave to others so they too could survive.
In the Government of Nunavut we now have a department called Sustainable Development named Ikupigvilirijikkut in Inuktitut which means “where you could go and get things”.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, Inuit are very generous people because they want to help other people.
That is part of creating Nunavut, to promote and implement the traditional values so that we could use them today.
Mr. Speaker, part of creating Nunavut is to use Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Within this context of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit we give to ensure the survival of others.
Through sharing, Inuit will survive as always.
Member’s Statement 042 - 1(4): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit on Suicides
The Member of Amittuq just made a statement about suicides, and usually completed suicides are of the younger age groups.
I do not think we are paying any attention to our young people.
They need a solid foundation. For example for those of us who are above the age of 50, we were born when we were still living the traditional way.
We were born when our elders were able to survive out on the land by themselves all year round.
We were given a chance to go to school at that time too.
I had a solid foundation at that time, and for some of us I am sure that is why we are here today.
For the younger generation with the lifestyle changes they do not have a solid foundation and they are kind of stuck in between.
They cannot really survive out on the land because they do not know how.
We now have grocery stores.
They do not need to go hunting to survive and they live in a warm place so the requirements for survival are not there anymore.
I think the young people are caught in between and sometimes commit suicide and sometimes some of us unknowingly help them.
We sometimes put them down saying you are no longer Inuk anymore because you speak only in English.
So, these kinds of comments have put young people down.
Qallunak people have their foundation solidly.
We too should give more pride to our young people.
Give them more pride so that they will be proud of who they are so that they can at least know how we survived.
We are here today because our ancestors survived in a harsh land.
We should be reminding our young people about our values and perhaps we can at least try to alleviate the completed suicides.
So let us take pride and be proud of our young people.
We need them and at least let them know about it.
Member's Statement 043 – 1(4): Zebedee Nungak and Thanks to Parents
I see those roses beside you and I am just reminding my husband I want roses today. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I will be making very brief member's statement.
We hear on the radio the Friday commentary of Zebedee Nungak.
When he does his commentary on the radio it is self-explanatory and we understand what he is saying.
He is very aware of the Qallunak and Inuit way of life.
So I am very proud of Zebedee Nungak, I say hello to him and thank him.
I also want to thank my mom and my father.
They usually watch the proceedings of this House.
I know that at times I let them go through the pain as I stand up as a minister.
I know that they get hurt and I want them to know that this is part of our responsibility and it is part of the responsibility of being elected as a leader.
So we have to go through these experiences.