EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We will make a response and we will voice our concerns to the Vancouver Olympic Committee and we will ask for the support of Canada to stand behind us too.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Question 073 – 3(2): Further Review of Fuel Prices (Okalik)
First of all, I would like to thank the Minister responsible for the Petroleum Products Division. The hunters especially will be very happy with the fuel price reduction in the statement you made earlier.
I wish to provide more support and thereby, I’m asking questions to the minister.
This past winter, the minister stated that they are going to keep an eye out on the fuel prices and with the reduction again today, we will know only in November exactly how much we will pay for fuel for all of Nunavut.
So I would like to ask the minister: if there is a further decrease prior to November, will you make an additional review of the fuel prices and see if there will be a further reduction for next winter?
I would like to thank Mr. Okalik for posing that very good question.
Yes, our purchasing activities of bulk fuel are continuing. To date, we were able to make a reduction.
However, we have to remember that we will only have bought the entire bulk fuel after the last ship has left for the north.
At that point, if there’s an opportunity to further cut prices, we will do another review.
What we have done to date is because of the changes in prices.
If there’s a possibility for further price cuts, we will only know after the last ship has left with our bulk fuel.
Question 074 – 3(2): Structurally Insulated Panelized System Housing Units (Schell)
My question is for the housing minister, the Hon. Hunter Tootoo, and it’s in regard to the $100 million in new funds that the federal government is giving to housing.
In that sheet that he sent us there, Cape Dorset is getting nine individual houses and my understanding is that the panels are going to be prefabricated for the exterior of the units.
Earlier on the year, the minister had stated that they were going to do an experimental unit and try to put it together.
My question is: has that been done yet?
The specific project that the member is referring to is going to be going up in Arviat this coming summer, where there is going to be a SIP panel constructed unit and a conventional stick-built unit right beside it.
This project is being sponsored by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and that’s where most of the funding is flowing through for that particular project.
They have agreed to, throughout the length of not only the construction but after the construction, monitor on an ongoing basis the differences in fuel efficiency and every other aspect of that unit for their purposes.
I wonder if the hon. member could tell us who manufactured the panels for this experimental unit.
Off the tip of my tongue and the top of my head, I don’t recall the exact name of the firm, but I believe the firm was either out of Alberta or Manitoba that provided the SIP unit. I will confirm with the member exactly which company it was and where they’re from.
I would like to ask the hon. member: was this tendered or quoted, or was it invitational?
As I indicated in my previous comments, I don’t want to misinform the member or give him misleading information. I don’t recall exactly what type of method that was used and whether that was done through the Nunavut Housing Corporation or through CMHC for that, but I will commit to getting that information and providing it to the member.
Thank you, Mr. Schell. (interpretation) Please note that question period is now over.
Reply to Budget Address 001 – 3(2): Mr. Ron Elliott (Elliott)
I rise today to present a reply to the Government of Nunavut’s 2009-2010 Budget Address.
Mr. Speaker, it’s unfortunate that the Government of Nunavut will be forecasting a deficit of $29.1 million. It is a sign of the times though.
If you look at the Government of Canada, they too forecast a deficit in their budget.
I have never quite understood this concept of governments and the ability to run in debts.
In business, you can run into a deficit position, but if you do run too long in a debt, you are no longer in business.
I think our government should strive to work within a balanced budget.
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to see that the Government of Nunavut has stated that it will not allow this deficit to continue forever.
I applaud the government for having forward thinking, for working through the principles of Tamapta, and for looking towards the year 2030.
Change takes time and we have seen that over the past ten years. Progress has been made, but there has been so much to change.
Nunavut is still a young territory.
Guided by Tamapta, I feel we are working towards a better Nunavut.
We do enjoy a high quality of life within our rich and vibrant territory.
Our people are known internationally and our families are close. We are active, healthy, and happy.
Our communities continue to grow and as the years roll on, we will depend less upon the government as we become more self-reliant.
I hope that the government will allow us to grow.
I have seen this many times in watching families.
Parents wish for their children to grow and become independent, but as their children do grow, a fear of letting go and losing control scares them.
I hope that our government will continue to boldly step out and allow our communities to freely make decisions that benefit them.
I believe the minister is correct in stating that the Nunavut economy is in reasonably good shape.
I know that I have been criticized for putting down the past government and if that is what people feel, I must apologize.
Our economy is in a good state that it is because of the hard work and dedication of the previous government.
To have our territory in the shape that it is in during this serious global recession is a testament to the foresight of that government.
I trust that this government will learn from their wise choices.
Mr. Speaker, my constituents are pleased that the government is taking steps to protect Nunavummiut from the turbulence of the global energy market. By introducing the one-time homeowner energy rebate worth $400 per household, this allows a tremendous savings for homeowners.
To help Nunavummiut get out on the land, the government reduced the price of gasoline by 10 cents in March and there is also the fuel tax rebate.
I was going to suggest that the government reconsider lowering the price of gasoline even more during this season so that families can enjoy more time out on the land, but the Hon. Lorne Kusugak, the Minister of CGS, in his Minister’s Statement today, announced that 10-cent reduction.
So thank you for that.
Mr. Speaker, I believe the government when it says, “We see the benefit of Inuit knowledge and culture and of consulting communities and interest groups about their needs and views.”
This has been demonstrated already in the drafting of Tamapta and now, under the leadership of the Premier, the preparing of the report card that will highlight the government’s strengths and weaknesses.
I hope this open and free sharing of ideas continues as this government grows over the coming years.
I am glad that the government sees the value of investing in our small communities, our small businesses, and our cultural industries.
In Quttiktuq, my constituents are working hard at creating opportunities.
The community economic development committee, under the supervision of the community economic development officers, is building capacity within the community by partnering with a wide range of business and government sectors.
I am pleased to say that there are many exciting opportunities before us.
As members are well aware, the Arctic Fisheries Alliance is a partnership between the HTOs of four Nunavut communities. These communities are Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, Arctic Bay, and Qikiqtarjuaq.
The Arctic Fisheries Alliance has received a portion of Nunavut’s turbot quota.
They continue to work hard to get a fair share of that quota and I am concerned at just how that quota is allocated.
I trust that the government will continue to monitor this allocation process so that all applicants are given their fair share of the quota allocations.
The alliance is committed to providing much needed training and employment opportunities for Inuit and I support their efforts wholeheartedly.
Government financial support will be needed to assist this initiative.
I am pleased that the minister has stated that through their dialogue with the federal government, the Strategic Investment in Northern Economic Development Program has been renewed for a period of five more years. As well, the Government of Nunavut will continue to match this federal program with the $4 million strategic investment program, creating a substantial source of funds that can contribute to business and economic development in the territory.
Mr. Speaker, the House is well aware of the successful results of the High Arctic Council meeting held here in Iqaluit on Thursday, February 26. The meeting brought together the mayors and SAOs of my three communities of Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, and Arctic Bay, the airlines, the territorial government with the attendance of Minister Taptuna and his staff, and the federal government with the attendance of Senator Adams and his staff.
The council continues to meet and is trying to push their issues forward. It is these types of determined cooperative and collaborative teamwork that will make our three communities grow.
Mr. Speaker, the success of these meetings has seen the Government of Nunavut tender a terms of reference to study and come up with a High Arctic Transportation Strategy.
Mr. Speaker, the High Arctic communities which I represent are increasingly in the national spotlight as our country becomes increasingly aware of the importance of arctic sovereignty.
I continue to meet on a regular basis with Brigadier General Millar, Commander of Canadian Forces Joint Task Force North. The Department of National Defence has a very big presence in each of my communities and it is great to have the support of the Canadian Rangers Program in all three of the communities.
The Nanisivik Naval Port Project in Arctic Bay, the Winter Welfare Training Centre in Resolute Bay, and the Alert Project in both the communities of Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay - all of these projects show the collaborative networking that I referred to earlier.
Mr. Speaker, this speaks to the dedication and determination of my constituents.
Mr. Speaker, recent federal announcements and initiatives concerning the High Arctic are of tremendous importance to my constituents. I see a need for federal, territorial, and local leaders to continue to work closely together on such issues as infrastructure development and use.
I am pleased to see that the Government of Nunavut is continuing with its open dialogue with the federal government.
Mr. Speaker, the minister states that despite the downturn of the economy, he is encouraged by what he hears from the mining industry about how they view tomorrow.
We see this in how the Baffinland iron ore mine is operating this year. The company continues to seek financial backing to begin production; the company continues to move forward.
While it continues to work on securing the financing it requires, the company is working on developing and training its local Inuit labour force. It is working with the Government of Nunavut to provide these educational training and mentoring opportunities.
I trust that the Government of Nunavut will support these ventures and allow as many of our constituents to become trained and ready to enter the wage economy.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, in terms of financial and economic opportunities for the communities of Quttiktuq, we hope to be the successful bidders in the federal government’s commitment to a High Arctic Research Centre. By locating the High Arctic...
By locating the High Arctic Research Centre in Resolute Bay, the federal government would not only be living up to its sovereignty promise of over 50 years, it would also be providing economic and educational support to all three of my communities.
I look forward to seeing the new tourism strategy once the document has been completed.
We need to find ways to continue to open our communities to the world.
There is a lot of interest internationally in Nunavut and to be able to capture that audience and have them share the beauty of our land would be a great economic opportunity.
As well, it would be an excellent learning opportunity. If we are able to have people come to Nunavut and understand our way of life, our values, and our communities, then that layer of ignorance that seems to exist would disappear.
For example, if many Europeans could see past the ‘bleeding heart smokescreen’ of the propaganda produced by animal rights activists, we would not be experiencing the hardship created by the EU sealskin ban.
Mr. Elliott: I am pleased that the government will further advance our cultural industries. In Grise Fiord, through the hard work of Jimmy Qaapik and local artists, they have a very successful arts and crafts society. In Arctic Bay, they are working on developing a soapstone quarry.
Mr. Speaker, I am sure members will remember one of my young constituents, Cassidy MacDonald from Qamartalik School in Resolute Bay, who was one of the winners of the Speaker’s Nunavut at 10 essay competition.
Mr. Speaker, I feel that the minister is correct when he says that we are lagging in areas such as health care.
By saying this, I am in no way making reference to the excellent health care services that our health care professionals provide on a daily basis. I am continually amazed at what our health care professionals are able to accomplish with the resources they are provided.
For example, in Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay, both communities are without community health care representatives and social workers, and have been without for some time. This means that the work of these positions falls on the staff already there.
It must feel overwhelming at times.
Another example is that both Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay are without home care workers.
Again, I urge the government, through Health and Social Services, to seriously look at how the government will handle long-term care of individuals in our communities because honestly, at this time, our government is failing our residents.
Long-term care, especially our elders, usually means that they no longer stay residents of our communities and are forced to move out of the territory to spend the last days of their lives alone and away from family.
Mr. Speaker, health care professionals require proper facilities in which to work to provide proper medical care. I am sure the House is well aware of the fact that Arctic Bay is in need of a replacement health centre.
I am encouraged that the minister speaks of proper planning so that capital projects can be carried out.
I trust that this planning will continue so that residents in my community of Arctic Bay will be able to receive care in their new health care centre that was promised to them.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that the government is putting more resources into mental health. I know for many, this area seems to be seen as taboo and if you use the resources provided by mental health workers, people feel there is something wrong with them.
I think we need to get over this stereotype and realize that many of our deep-rooted social problems are caused by deep-rooted hurt, pain, suffering, and anguish.
To seek help is not to show weakness, it is a sign of strength and self-love. Healing does not happen overnight and I am encouraged that extra support is being given in these areas.
I would also note that perhaps it is time to revisit the Mental Health Act as it is old, cumbersome, and very archaic.
On forms used by mental health workers, they still have the Government of the Northwest Territories logo on them and make reference to the years of 1900s.
I am encouraged that the government will be making amendments to the Child and Family Services Act as they work towards supporting our children and youth. I am sure that by doing this exercise, they will come to realize the need for an independent youth and children advocate office.
Mr. Speaker, our government will set up a social advocacy office to identify vulnerable people who need help. I say this is a good start but is way off on having social issues dealt with at the grassroots level.
A one-stop shop for all social issues is not the way to go.
This office would be bombarded with many questions pertaining to a wide range of social issues. With such a high volume of varied and different issues, the process would become bogged down and inefficient.
We have heard in standing committees, Committee of the Whole, during sessions, and even with the Auditor General of Canada that we have serious human resource and capacity issues.
I asked the question: if we have a social advocate office, how would we begin to staff this office? To deal with issues, we must deal with them in smaller, manageable chunks.
Since youth are our highest population, I strongly feel that we need an independent youth and child advocate office to help our youth.
Our government is willing to pay $200,000 to support homelessness, how come we are unable to find funding within our budget to support our youth?
How can we put a price tag on the social well-being and safety of our young people? By giving our youth a voice, we will help them realize their potential.
As the minister said, “Our wildlife, our fish, and our natural resources are part of our environmental heritage.
They require our continued attention and protection.” The minister is correct. We live in the most beautiful territory in Canada and that is why, in the High Arctic, the protection of the international waters of the Canadian Northwest Passage is so important.
We are encouraged in Quttiktuq that the Minister of the Environment will be inviting different government agencies in all levels of government as well as international agencies to work together on a mock oil spill cleanup exercise in Quttiktuq.
My grandfather used to say, “Hope for the best and plan for the worst.”
We hope that we never have to deal with an oil spill in our territory, but the lessons that can be learned by preparing for the future will be invaluable.
We are excited that constituents of the High Arctic will be included in this exercise.
It will be our communities that will be the first responders to these types of incidences as we live in the communities and continue to assert arctic sovereignty on a daily basis.
Mr. Speaker, in keeping with the Government of Nunavut’s blueprint for recycling, I feel that the government should bring forward new legislation that requires businesses that bring over 50,000 cans of pop or canned items into the territory to provide recycling services even if it is something as simple as a manual can crushing operation where residents can get involved in every community to support recycling.
We have empty sea cans leaving the community annually that could be filled with recyclable materials. The money generated from the sales of these recyclable materials could be used to support the many worthwhile, struggling Nunavut non-profit organizations, such as the Ilisaqsivik Society in Clyde River or perhaps the Nunavut Disabilities Society.
Mr. Speaker, I am sure that no businesses within Nunavut would object to providing this service to our communities since it has such a beneficial impact on our sustainable future.
I am encouraged that the Government of Nunavut has made commitments towards reaching sound environmental goals.
As mentioned earlier, all Nunavummiut should be allowed to participate in recycling in our territory. We will need our communities to work with the departments of Community and Government Services, Education, Economic Development and Transportation, and the Liquor Commission. I would also ask the government to not forget to look towards the support that the business economy can provide.
By working together, we will find workable ways to protect the environment from the by-products of our modern lives.
Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the Government of Nunavut is working to improve upon how the government reports to Nunavummiut so that they produce financial statements on time.
I know that the standing committees have made many recommendations to the government in terms of tabling documents on time to continue work on holding the government accountable to the people of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, it’s encouraging to see that the Housing Corporation will continue to build houses within the territory. I am encouraged that there is work towards providing training to the Apprenticeship Program.
I believe the minister has been quoted as saying that 51 apprentices have been announced and they’re working towards their apprenticeships.
I would ask sometimes that possibly those numbers are misleading.
I would hope that the minister would be able to provide us with more detailed information on what level these apprentices are at. Are they merely apprentices who have passed their pre-trades entrance exams or are they at all levels, level 1, 2, 3, 4, within their particular trade?
Mr. Speaker, Minister Tapardjuk, in his Minister’s Statement today, had brought us the excellent news to the House and to all of Nunavut that the Inuit Language Protection Act has received concurrence.
This is an amazing opportunity for our territory and I am pleased that the government is in support of such ventures.
Mr. Speaker, I am encouraged that the GN is working towards justice and social issues. I feel that it should be more proactive in its current preventative measures.
I would like to suggest that perhaps the Department of Justice could adopt one of its Nunavut Arctic College Nunavut-developed prior learning assessment recognition programs within the court system to provide education opportunities to inmates.
I am pleased to see that the RCMP is offering the Summer Student Cadet Program again this year. I believe the minister stated that $200,000 is going to this project and it’s an amazing investment towards our youth.
I feel this is money well spent.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with the Government of Nunavut in the spirit of Tamapta.
We can and will do this together.
He is seeking unanimous consent to return to Item 5, Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
You may proceed, Mr. Tapardjuk.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, my colleagues.
I would like to acknowledge an individual since we have been working very busily on language legislation.
There’s an individual in the House from ICC, Duane Smith, and he is visiting our Gallery today.
They have worked very hard to make sure that we do get what Inuit request.
If there are no more, (interpretation ends) Item 11.
Petition 001 – 3(2): Proposed Sylvia Grinnell Bridge (Tootoo)
I wish to table a petition and I’ll read what it says, “We the undersigned petition the Government of Nunavut, the Government of Canada, and the City of Iqaluit to restrict the new bridge across the Sylvia Grinnell to foot traffic.”
Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge that this petition was done some time ago.
However, the individual that was organizing it had indicated to me that he was informed from former staff of the GN that it wasn’t appropriate for it to be tabled in the House.
After he presented it to me, I said that I would be more than happy to present this petition on his behalf.
Mr. Speaker, there are about 250 names on this petition and all are residents or were residents of Iqaluit, including original residents of Iqaluit and constituents of all three fine representatives that Iqaluit has here in the Legislative Assembly.
Tabled Document 030 – 3(2): 2009 Annual Report of the Utility Rates Review Council of Nunavut (Curley)
I am pleased to table the 2009 Annual Report of the Utility Rates Review Council of Nunavut.
Tabled Document 031 – 3(2): Public Service Annual Report for 2007-2008 (Shewchuk)
I am pleased to table the Public Service Annual Report for 2007-2008.
Tabling of Documents. (interpretation) If there are no more... Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Motion 005 – 3(2): Early Adjournment (Aupaluktuq)