EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I was told that I would have to make a request to God and pray that the ice would melt a lot sooner than it actually did.
However, this is not a joke, I was asked that question.
For that reason, Mr. Speaker, if this is not going to change, if cargo shipments still arrive late in the season, if this doesn't change it will not resolve anything unless the season starts warming up a lot earlier.
If the department is going to be constructing a road it will be a lot easier for the two communities.
If they are not going to be constructing a road, perhaps they should be extending the airstrips in the two communities.
I know there are other members who would like to ask questions so if you could use shorter examples, so that the other members could have an opportunity to ask questions.
I can tell my colleague that NTCL creates the schedule and we will speak to them in respect of the sealift schedule.
The other matters which he raised we will be looking at them.
It has to be kept in mind that the airports in Nunavut, especially two of them, require extensions and if we are looking at the airports we will have to look at the Iqaluit airport. I know there has to be some upgrading of the airport ; it has to follow the codes and so on.
I will ask my staff to look into that a little more.
I think it has to be kept in mind that there are safety hazards as well, and we have to look at everything before we deal with those matters.
Question 92 - 1 (2): Proposed Power Grid to Keewatin
Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for the, I am not quite sure what the title is now, whether it is the NWT Power Corporation or the Nunavut Power Corporation, but in reference to the power corporation and the Ministers' responsibilities and involvement in that area.
Mr. Speaker, it is nice to hear the road from the south to the Keewatin or Nunavut get so much profile.
But there is another issue that is being reviewed and studied and that is the power grid from Churchill to Arviat and the Keewatin in general.
I wonder if the Minister could update the House on the status of the study that has been ongoing for the last two years in reference to costs and routing and so on, of this proposed power grid.
Minister responsible for the Nunavut Power Corporation, Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the proposal on the power grid, Mr. O'Brien has been very articulate over the past couple of years in his support for the power grid.
I haven't actually read the study, but I can commit to the member to get that information and provide it to him.
The power corporation, we don't have a Nunavut Power Corporation as such, Mr. Speaker, indeed it is still the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.
We have a transition agreement in place, which allows for both governments to look at the feasibility of Nunavut going it alone or look at shared resources, the status quo, keeping the power corporation.
That is just for the information of the House.
So I will commit to update the member in this House on the proposed power grid, line or corridor between the Province of Manitoba and the Keewatin Region of Nunavut.
Oral question Mr. O'Brien.
Mr. Speaker, would the Minister also commit to getting information on the potential cost savings, I believe the kilowatt hour cost in Manitoba is something like six cents and in my community it is about sixty.
If the Minister could commit to getting that type of information about cost savings and also the approximate cost of the construction of such a grid, and the cost sharing agreements that may be in place to pay for this whether it be through the Nunavut Government, the Manitoba Government and the Federal Government.
Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation, Mr. Picco.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, we will commit to doing that.
Question 93 - 1 (2) : Airline Schedules in the Kitikmeot
My question which I will be posing is to be directed to the Minister of Transportation.
If we were to look at a road between the Kivalliq and the Kitikmeot, I think, again because the airline schedules and no direct links between the regions has caused a lot of problems, the airline schedules need to be improved.
Yes, thank you Mr. Speaker.
We still have not got together with the airline companies, but the airline companies are studying how to change the airline schedules in Nunavut because Nunavut is on its' own now and the companies are thinking of revamping their airline schedules to better benefit the Nunavut Territory.
That is all I can say right now as I still haven't met with the airline companies.
Regarding his question on the airline schedules, they have looked at that option but they still have not implemented it and I am not sure how they are going to implement it until I have met with them.
I understand the Ministers' statement but every time I try to go to Repulse Bay it is impossible without re-routing through somewhere.
I have to go through Yellowknife in order to get to Repulse and it is very expensive to take that route.
We have been trying to get this changed, and the Kitikmeot leaders have been trying to get this changed since 1988, to try and get a scheduled route to Repulse, Pelly Bay and Igloolik.
Although this issue has been ongoing, the Mayor of Repulse Bay and myself, I think my question is more towards how the schedule can be changed to benefit the people of Pelly Bay and the Keewatin.
I know that the airline companies are aware of the changes in Nunavut and the schedules will be changed.
For example the people from Kitikmeot, no matter which community they come from whether it be Cambridge, Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven, wherever, they have to go through Yellowknife .
As Nunavut is getting implemented and as we are getting used to our new government I know that there will be better transportation links between the larger centres and more travel between the regions.
The companies will be looking at ways to revamp the schedules between regions, but as I stated I still have to meet with the airline companies to review the airline schedules, but they are fully aware of the fact that there are wishes to expand air travel.
Oral question.
Question 94 - 1 (2): Socio-Economic Impact of Highway Construction
I would like to direct this question to the Minister of Transportation.
I am not trying to criticise you but I think it should be kept in mind for the people that are trying to build a highway, I have seen examples in James Bay where the roads to the south once they are created there are a lot of people who die as a result.
It changes their lives and I know there has been loss of life because when they were travelling down that route they had accidents.
I know it has been a concern raised, especially by the Cree and the other Indian tribes, once they got a road from the south they have said that a lot of their band members dies.
So I guess I am asking the Minister if they are to construct a highway from the south, whether they have looked into the matter of socio-economic impacts of the proposed highway.
That is my question to the Minister of Transportation.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): I am not really sure what will happen when that highway is made but I know that when we are dealing with the issue there will be a lot of questions about impacts and the pros and cons of the highway.
Especially the people who will be impacted will be bringing up a lot of questions, but I am sure it can be brought up at that time.
I do know that they are fully in support of the construction of the highway to the south, but it has not yet been developed, and we are not yet at the point where we can say that the highway will be constructed.
These are the things that we will have to deal with.
Question 95 - 1 (2): Court Challenge to Gun Control Legislation
Mr. Speaker, I have been pondering the answer the Premier gave me in response to my last question and I have another question in regards to the same issue.
Earlier he indicated that they are waiting to see the outcome of the legal challenge that is being put forward by the other jurisdictions in Canada.
I am wondering, Mr. Speaker, are we just going to sit and wait to see what happens with that?
Or are we going to file in order to participate and to have our concerns heard there.
Are we going to be observers, or are we going to be participants in that?
Two questions, Mr. Okalik.
As I said we are looking at the situation, we have to weigh our options and see if we have a chance in helping them win the court case. So we have to weigh our options and other than that I can't answer anything else at this time.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Premier, Mr. Okalik.
Mr. Speaker, I am not asking whether we are going to file and try and win or not, I am just asking as a matter of planning or participating, are we just going to sit back and take it as it is?
I understand that there are issues regarding our concerns all over and even in Nunavut, regarding gun safety.
I am asking are we going to just sit and wait or are we going to try and establish some dialogue.
I know the Premier said he is looking into it, are they looking into dialogue not just with the case itself but also with other plans for even having people there to observe, to gather information so depending on the outcome of the case, we have a base to go from instead of starting from scratch at that time?
Premier, Mr. Okalik.
As I said we are looking at the situation and we will continue to look at it and may…
>>audio unavailable
Speaker: Third question Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Speaker I am wondering if the Premier could commit to a time frame as to when the decision on behalf of the government will be made to whether we are observers or participators in this?
I believe this is in court and we don’t know the time frame.
I wasn’t asking when the Court case is going to be done, I was asking the Premier if he can provide us, he has indicated that they are looking into whether, what options are in front of us.
And I was wondering if he can provide us with a timeframe as to when they are going to be done looking at those options and can provide us with an avenue that this government is going to take in that.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Tootoo. (interpretation) Premier of the Nunavut Government, Mr. Okalik?
Hon. Paul Okalik: Yes I can’t commit to an exact time, but my colleague Jack Anawak, the Minister for Justice, is meeting with the Justice Minister for the Federal Government on June 7th.
I believe that we can provide information as to the outcome of that meeting as well.
Other than that I cannot commit to an exact time because we are looking at the situation and we, it is beyond our control.
Mr. Irqittuq
Question 96 - 1 (2) :Court Challenge to Gun Control Legislation
In respect to the Premier.
He has been given the same question, but I would like to ask the same question on the same issue and when ever we have a question, sometimes we get one standard answer when we are reviewing the issue.
I know Mr. Speaker I can review this and I am reviewing this as I speak.
And that’s the usual answer.
How, I guess my question is, in respect to the Gun Legislation, how much, what has he done, not just a review.
Where are the letters that have been written or what are the issues that are dealt with.
I think that these are the types of things we are asking questions about.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you two questions.
Yes, I do want to give a proper answer but whenever a case is before the courts we can never really make the information known because we cannot say, we cannot tell the court how it conducts it’s business. And that’s why, that’s how we have to be very careful about our responses especially in cases before the courts.
So I just wanted to clarify that Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: I think I will rule the questions out of order for the Gun Bill, because we cannot answer it when it is in the court.
Oral questions Mr. McLean.
Question 97 - 1 (2) : Student Summer Employment
My question is to the Minister of Human Resources.
As we know, the school year is coming to an end very rapidly, and we will have an abundance of High School students out looking for summer employment opportunities.
Is the Minister’s department going to fund some summer student employment programs this year?
Finance of Minister Mr. Ng.
Mr. Speaker I am not sure about the, specifically the Department of Human Resources.
I know some departments have within their budgets some flexibility for student hiring.
We will have to find out the information collectively as a government and provide that to him.
Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.
Question 98 - 1 (2) :Health/Education Board Amalgamation Contract
Mr. Speaker, yesterday I posed some questions in reference to a contract that was issued to hire an individual to review, I guess some, and provide transitional details regarding the Health Board and Education Board.
The Minister of Health indicated that the contract was being looked after by the Premier’s office and the Department of Intergovernmental Affairs.
I wonder if the Premier the Premier, if he doesn’t have his information today, if he would commit to provide the terms of reference for this arrangement.
I searched through the Hansard and I see it is being called, that the individual is hired and I see other areas where it is a contract, a short term contract and so on.
My question would be, would the Premier commit to providing this House with the terms of reference for this arrangement and also the time lines.
Speaker: Before you answer I would like to address something.
Yesterday, there was a question made to Mr. Picco regarding this contract and the name was mentioned.
We do not mention names in here in the House when the person cannot defend himself.
I would like to address that. Question was directed to Mr. Premier.
I believe that this issue is being looked at, at the Justice Department whether we can actually file terms of reference for actual contracts before the House.
Thank you Mr. Speaker and I will get back to the Member as soon as that determination is decided.
(English) Questions.
Oral Questions, Mr. Nutarak.
Question 99 - 1 (2):Pond Inlet Dock
This question is directed to the Minister of Public Works regarding the dock that was going to be built in Pond Inlet.
That was, that project was to have started in 1997 and more work to be done in 1998 with a break in between.
Looking at the Capital Projects, I don’t see this dock being built or maybe the contract was already awarded to build that dock in Pond Inlet.
Minister of Public Works, Ms Thompson.
I don’t have anything with me on hand. I will give you information today once we have the documents.
Question 100 - 1 (2) : Government Contracts made Public
Mr. Speaker my question has come about as a result of a comment made by the Premier, so I would like to ask him.
He indicated that they wanted to find out whether they could provide contracts, public contracts with Government dollars , that information to members of this House.
Mr. Speaker, I guess that leaves me asking the question.
Is this, if they say it is not, does this government have the ability to enter into contracts with people or companies without having that knowledge being made public?
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Tootoo. (interpretation): Mr. Okalik.
As I understand it this is an employment contract with an individual and it is in the authority of our department to hire employees and we have almost one thousand employees and each individual has a contract with the government and we are looking at whether we are allowed to table these in the House.
Mr. Speaker most employees of the Government are hired through the Department of Human Resources.
I would think all of them should be.
Mr. Speaker by going directly and hiring individuals in the departments, I am wondering is that in conflict with the way employees are hired, or, I will just start with that right now, Mr. Speaker.
I hear no question, but if you want to respond Mr. Premier.
Hon. Paul Okalik: Mr. Speaker. This was a short term contract and a scan was carried out as to the availability of individuals that could carry out the work in such a short period of time, and organising charts for some departments and carrying out the dissolution of the Boards and putting together a plan.
These had to be done quickly. As a government we had to organise ourselves and do that quickly and put together plans for the Minister to review.
Third question Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Speaker in these contracts, I know the government employees fall under the government contracts and are treated in a certain way.
Is there any mechanism in place to ensure that there is a fair and equitable treatment of all employees of the government of Nunavut, or is this something that is outside that?
Hon. Paul Okalik: I will have to take this on notice.
Question 101 - 1 (2):Insurance for Hunters
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker I have two questions.
First one is to the Minister of Sustainable Development.
In my community there is quite a lot of whales outside of our community.
In the summer it is quite dangerous because of the large population of whales.
Should there be an accident, what would happen if a boat was capsized by a bowhead?
For example what kind of insurance or what kind of plan is there.
(English) Minister of Sustainable Development Mr. Kilabuk?
I would like to respond first of all for example, outfitters are insured under the tourism policy, and there are the regular hunters who are covered or could make a request to the Workers Compensation Board.
Those are two types of insurance that could be taken through the Nunavut Government and if he would like further information he can ask us another question.
Second question Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Thank you for that direct response.
I have another question regarding people from Clyde River we have a high density of polar bear population in that area.
I am always opposed to the Polar Bear guidelines or guidelines where we are told that we can only hunt male polar bears which is totally opposite of the way I was brought up and the way I am.
Now that there are too many young bears there is a lot of dangerous bears out there now and there is a large population of young bears.
Can we make amendments to the present regulations so that we could alleviate this problem through the Nunavut Government.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you for your question.
I will, not about his question, you should have asked the same, you started off by asking a question about bowheads.
You should have kept to that subject.
Question period is over Mr. Arvaluk.
We should go back to Item 5, Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
He is asking for unanimous consent to go back to number 5, Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Any nays?
Since there are no nays, we have unanimous consent.
Hon. James Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you Members of the Legislative Assembly.
I would like to recognize someone from the community of Coral Harbour, which is in my riding.
Mr. Iqaqrialu said he was from the polar bear country but my riding is called Nanulik, right now there are a lot of geese.
Mr. Speaker I would like to recognize, because everybody is different, in each of our communities but some are more essential than others, even though they do not belong to any boards or anything, so I would like to recognize Veroni Ell from Coral Harbour.
If you would rise, Thank you Mr. Speaker.
>> applause<<
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you , Mr. Speaker.
I would like to recognize who was a very important in the education in the NWT, and who was also very important in seeing a deficit free Nunavut.
Mr. Goo Arlooktoo.
>> applause <<
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome to our meeting Mr. Arlooktoo.
If that’s the case, and like I said Friday our House starts at 10:00 and goes to 4:00.
That is a slight change from the announcement I made this morning.
At this time, since it is almost lunch hour we will take a recess until one thirty.
Speaker (interpretation): Good afternoon.
Let's go back to our orders of the day.
Item 7, Written Questions. Written Questions.
Item 8, Returns to Written Questions. Item 9, Replies to Opening Address. Item 10, Petitions.
Item 11, Reports of Standing and Special Committees. Item 12, Reports of Committees on Review of Bills. Item 13, Tabling of Documents.
Item 14, Notice of Motions.
Item 15, Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. Item 16, Motions. Item 17, First Reading of Bills.
Item 19: Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and other Matters
Bill One. Appropriation Act 1999/2000.
Bill Two. Boards of Management Dissolution Act.
Bill Three, Divisional Education Councils Dissolution Act and Committee Reports 1-1(2), 2-1(2), 3-1(2) and 4-1(2) with Mr. Puqiqnak in the Chair. Sergeant at Arms.
Sergeant at Arms: Please be seated.
Chairperson ( Mr. Puqiqnak) (interpretation): Lets be seated and I hope you all had a great lunch.
In regards to the Bills.
Bill One: Appropriation Act 1999/2000.
Bill Two: Boards of Management Dissolution Act.
Bill Three Division of Education Council Dissolution Act.
Standing Committee Report 1-1(2), 2-1(2), 3-1(2), and 4-1(2).
At this time I would like to ask the Members what the Members wish is now?
For community government, Mr. Iqaqrialu.
I cannot hear you at this time, I have too many receivers.
I am sorry there are too many receivers at this table.
Mr. Iqaqrialu you may go ahead.
Community Government, Housing & Transportation Main Estimates
In regards to Community Government, Housing & Transportation department I would like to deal with that department again today.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you. As Mr. Iqaqrialu has stated, is everybody in agreement.
We will deal with the matters that we did not complete yesterday with Community Government, Housing & Transportation, with Minister Anawak at the witness table.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Mr. Chairman the Deputy Minister is on his way; he is just trying to park his vehicle.
The officials that were here yesterday with me will be the same people at the witness table.
Chairperson (interpretation): We will continue where we left off yesterday.
We reported progress yesterday at 6 o’clock.
So we will just continue with the Ministers’ department of Community Government, Housing & Transportation.
I will ask for general comments at this time before he starts with the Main Estimates.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Yes, at this time we are just waiting for our officials and the Deputy Minister is here now.
Chairperson (interpretation): Are there any other general comments from the members?
We will just continue on from yesterday so you may ask your questions. Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Chairman yesterday I took a look at one of the goals for the department.
Having looked them over I saw another one there that I would like to ask the Minister about.
The goal of the department is to improve client satisfaction, improve the monitoring and evaluation of community government performance.
Mr. Chairman I would like to ask the Minister and his staff if he can elaborate exactly how they look at doing that or achieving that?
The community governments, the Hamlet Councils have to operate within themselves, independently from the other communities.
As a government we have to watch and monitor them to see if they are operating within their responsibilities.
Some municipalities, a majority of the communities, are operating smoothly but some of the communities have debts.
So we have to try and help the communities already running into problems, that’s when we go help them out.
In order to prevent the communities from getting into other problems we should work with them ahead of time, way ahead of time.
Once we start realizing that a community requires assistance, we will try and assist them ahead of time so that they will alleviate most of the problems encountered.
We did not go into detail as to how we can give them further support and how we can monitor the communities.
We want to improve the monitoring and evaluation of community government performance, because if the communities govern themselves they can develop themselves and build capacity to ensure that the communities are prepared .
However we all come from different communities; members come from different communities. We will keep updating you on the new issues coming up.
Thank you Mr. Minister