EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
It’s in regards to the time zone, time change, it has already been dealt with, so it is ancient legal history.
When the draft bill came in this House, we discussed this issue for a very long time, likely it was clear at that time that most residents and members opposed it but it was coming into effect right away.
So it wasn’t clear to me as to why it became law even though most of the regular MLAs opposed it.
I’m not really talking about that particular issue, but I’m using it as an example.
There are other laws that are going to be brought before the House that we have to deal with, even if we oppose it, they can and will become law, given the support by the government.
And why do we debate a bill it even though we know it’s going to come into law right away? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker. I’ll try to respond to the Members’ question.
We have to be able to inform the public about the laws that we are going to pass or the law that we are going to discuss in this House.
We have to inform our public all the time because they have elected us and what we do as a government is we have to inform the public. That’s why we talk about it, the laws in this House, before any law is passed.
And this will keep happening today and in the future; we will continue to inform our public and debate the draft legislation that we are bringing about in this House, and we will continue to try and pass legislation that is for the benefit of our constituents.
Question 323 – 1(6): Clarification of Question 315-1(6) Plans to Build an Arena
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I asked a question that I would like to clarify further.
In this Hansard on page 28, and in particular, this question I posed regarding 315-1 brackets 6, I think about the planning about arenas.
The last question which I posed in regards to this issue, the question that I tried to ask to the Minister of Transportation, was whether the proposed arena in my community was going to be built in 2004. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Member’s question, I understood yesterday in an Inuit way but it’s not quite the way I responded yesterday in the Hansard.
The 5 year capital plan of the hamlets, we work with the hamlets to do the 5 year capital plan and this is already written.
Even if we dissolve as Members of the Legislative Assembly because it’s in a 5 year capital plan, the next government will continue on with those 5 year capital plans and the construction would continue.
Question 324 – 1(6): Equipment for Inmate Outpost Camps
I have a lot of questions this morning.
Perhaps the first question to the Minister of Justice and it was a question that was posed by Mr. Havioyak about the outpost camps that are used for inmates.
If I was arrested in my community I would have to fly down to Iqaluit to go to court.
After being in Iqaluit, after they finish with me in court, perhaps I could get a federal sentence and that would use up a lot of money; Nunavut Government money.
But they have outpost camps in the communities for offenders and they could be provided with snowmobiles and other mobile equipment on the land.
I just want to know if they have that equipment for those outpost camps for offenders in the communities.
Speaker: Minister of Justice, Mr. Okalik.
After the Capital Estimates have been approved in the chamber, we’ll be able to advertise them after the approval of the Capital Estimate then it’ll be up to us.
I’ll be asking for support when we try to come up with supplying equipment to the outpost camps that are provided for the offenders.
That was very interesting to hear in his response.
Perhaps in the past experiences with GNWT, I think this was initiated with NWT, providing outpost camps for the offenders to the smaller communities and to the larger communities.
Perhaps the previous operations and maintenance funding they used, like their equipment, have you reviewed the past experiences of what they did in the past?
Yes, we have been working on that more than once, on numerous occasions, especially in the past two years and we have reviewed that.
I too would like to thank the members for their support of us getting liaison officers in the communities that will be operating the outpost camps for the offenders.
The response was also very interesting again that they’ll be hiring staff in the communities.
If he’ll be hiring staff at the local level because as Inuit people, we know what kind of lifestyle that we lead at the local level. And we know each individual at the local level and what their personalities are; we know the people with traditional knowledge.
I was wondering if you will be hiring individuals that have traditional knowledge.
I was hoping that you will be looking for people with traditional knowledge.
Yes, we will be looking for staff.
We want them to be Inuit and we want them to be knowledgeable about traditional knowledge.
We would be very happy to hire people with traditional knowledge, because we have to pay the operators of the camps.
So they will definitely have to have traditional knowledge, and we will ask them to make sure that they will be of Inuit status.
Perhaps the guards, would you be providing guards for the outpost camps, and provide a budget for the wages of the guards.
I would like to know if you would also include this in your review?
Outpost camps for offenders, we had to do an urgent review on the operations of the outpost camps, and we did not deal beyond that so we can review it again.
Question 325 – 1(6): Plans for Economic Opportunities and Employment
A few days ago I tabled a document from the Mayor of Arctic Bay.
It talks about the review or study that was done in July.
This correspondence talks about August.
It has been many months since the review was done.
Therefore, I would like to ask the Department of Sustainable Development what kind of plans they have for economic opportunities and for creating jobs in Arctic Bay?
Thank you for asking me that question.
We have dealt with correspondence through our contacts; the correspondence that the Member was talking about.
Arctic Bay people have made additions to that correspondence.
Yes we are working it and on trying to look for economic opportunities for that community.
To use this as an example, the M’Clintock Channel polar bear issue, they had lost their opportunity to make money.
Perhaps we could treat it the same way with Arctic Bay, because the Arctic Bay residents have lost their economic or job opportunities.
Therefore, we have to work with them.
In regards to that correspondence, I have seen the correspondence.
Next week they will take the correspondence to Arctic Bay and my officials will go there and meet with the municipal council to discuss this matter, or the issues in the correspondence.
Yes this correspondence identifies what kinds of plans that they have in Arctic Bay.
Why is the Department of Sustainable Development just starting their plans now? Why didn’t they start planning these things prior to the closure of the Nanisivik mines?
Yes, we have had to review the mine closure.
We had to do a feasibility of the closure of Nanisivik mine.
We had to do the feasibility study and that’s why it took a bit longer.
What I’m trying to ask is the staff and the company that ran the Nanisivik mines, what I’m trying to ask about is individuals that have lost their jobs now.
Because the Nanisivik mine closed, I am talking about the individuals who can no longer run their private businesses.
As the government has stated that they take the lead, what kinds of plans did they have to make more economic opportunities available for those individuals, when will the plan be completed?
The plans, the feasibility study for things like using tourist opportunities and there’s a few attractions in Arctic Bay, yes we’ll deal with them and we’ll also take suggestions from the community residents of Arctic Bay because the residents know their community best.
Yes as a government we’ll work with them and as a government we don’t want to tell them what to do; we’d like them to make their own decisions on what else could be done for economic opportunities.
In regards to the cleaning up of the mine, the community of Arctic Bay, we would like to use the residents of Arctic Bay on the clean up of the mine, because some of the private business owners have said that it would be great if they had the opportunity to clean up the mine.
If the private businesses could be utilised during the clean up they could take that advantage.
Yes, we’ll need the assistance of the community itself to proceed with this.
I’m very happy that the Minister and his officials will go to Arctic Bay to discuss this with the residents and mayor and get input from the communities. I thank the Minister and his officials for going to Arctic Bay.
My last question in regards to Nanisivik and Arctic Bay report: how beneficial will this be; because I know that it was expensive to write up this report.
Yes, we asked for that report to be written, so that we can use it as a guide and use it to the best of our ability.
We will include all the ideas that came from the community and all the input.
Question 326 – 1(6): Special Program Funding for Libraries
Mr. Speaker as he indicated, first time I am supposed to say.
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my Members’ Statement, and I’m sure the Minister of Education is aware and is anticipating in my question.
I would like to ask the Minister if he is aware that Iqaluit Library is the only Library in Nunavut that falls directly under the government instead of being funded through a contribution agreement.
Mr. Speaker I’m sure the minister is aware of that and I’d like to ask him if he is aware of or could he provide a list of programs, library programs that this department provides to special needs groups here in Iqaluit.
I can most definitely provide the list of special programs that may be offered or have been offered at the library and through that I can attach the rest of the regular day to day operations of our library of Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, was the minister aware that approximately 17 hundred individuals access library services for the Iqaluit library every month and is the minister aware that an additional 350 individuals receive special program services every month at the public library?
I am aware that our numbers from last October 2001 have increased in 2002 and it is by those numbers that the member just indicated.
So, we are fully aware of the increase in users for the library and a lot of it is with the increasing population in Iqaluit and also because of the computer accessibility at the library.
Mr. Speaker, I understand from some of the special interest groups that utilize those services at the library that they’ve been informed that these services are no longer going to be offered at the library as of December 1.
Can the minister offer any hope to those special groups that now will no longer receive library programming due to lack of staffing resources?
I have just recently in the last few days received a letter from the concerned groups and this presents an opportunity for our government, I believe, because if there are different government programs that require extra help from our current services then that’s the capacity that we’re able to deliver.
This certainly presents a opportunity for my department to have discussions with other departments to ensure that adequate services will be provided that other departments require.
Mr. Speaker, I’m sure the Minister of Health and Social Services and Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth are happy to hear that you are going to be coming knocking on their door for additional resources and the Minister of Health and Social Services doing the same thing knocking on your door, I’m sure so it’s good to see this shared working together to try to solve these problems that are taking place.
Mr. Speaker, will the minister commit to giving special consideration to increasing the funding allocations for library services in the upcoming budgetary process?
Well, I will definitely have had discussions with my department officials already for the needs that have been identified to our department which come under library services throughout Nunavut.
So, the library services for Nunavut as a whole are definitely getting consideration and that’s for the upcoming O&M budget.
Question 327 – 1(6): Traditional Jobs for Income Support Clients
In my Member’s Statement, I stated that I would be directing a question to the Minister of Education.
I wonder if the Minister would consider this idea.
We know that when buildings are raised off the ground that it costs more for heating as heat is lost due to the constant cold air going underneath the house. So can the buildings be insulated with snow around them so it would be cheaper, so they won’t have to spend so much on power, and so much on fuel?
So my question is, I wonder if this can be considered, especially in wintertime?
The question that he raised, and which I understood clearly, and my colleague who is next to me, we discussed this matter at some length.
We will also be talking about this, this morning in regards to how those income support recipients or how we can make the public more aware and this, this will be a good lesson for younger people. Good for both educational purposes and for income support recipients.
So we will be considering more ideas of this type.
When can we expect results, when can we expect this to happen?
The operation and maintenance budget, before we do a review of the items within the budget in the House, I will be talking with my officials to see if we will need additional funding.
But Mr. Speaker, the idea that my colleague has in regards to the insulating of our buildings is a very simple and constructive idea and between Minister Picco and myself, we will look into this matter.
We will deal with the idea that the member has.
Question 328 – 1(6): Funding for Construction of Daycare
When I was in Baker Lake on the weekend, the daycare board met with me.
The daycare that they are currently using was built in 1953-54, and was one of the original pool buildings in Baker Lake and there was two or three minor renovations …no audio…as for the last 20 years, but it’s still too small and not up to standards.
So, the Hamlet Council made a resolution to put 200,000 of the surplus towards the construction of a new daycare.
Would the Minister of Education match that amount for the new daycare in Baker Lake?
At this time, I’d have to check with my officials or and my funding allocations to see what we have available if any, before I commit to such a request.
The community needs a new daycare because of decentralization; the Minister was great enough to put a new high school, a new Nunavut Arctic College Learning Centre, a new territorial library.
And you know, the community’s very happy with the Minister and how he has accommodated my community in the last two or three years.
And I also have to thank the cabinet for support in his decision.
The fact of the matter is, the population is growing so much and the Hamlet needs a new daycare.
So, would the Minister commit to sending some of the people to discuss this with the staff and the daycare board? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Before I get to that stage, I’ll have my officials contact Baker Lake and see what issues they are facing regarding the present situation.
Question 329 – 1(6): Build a New Government Office
I would like to direct my question to Public Works and Services.
There is an office in Arctic Bay, a government office which was established in1960, when I had a job there that was one of the first buildings.
It’s deteriorating; I wonder if the Minister could commit to building a new government office in Arctic Bay?
The building, the government office that you’re talking about, it has been looked at by our officials but up to date we haven’t committed anything.
The Member’s concern, I have heard about it but at this present time we don’t have any plans.
Maybe I can get my officials to look into this further and then I’ll get back to the Member.
Looking at the capital budget, especially for Iqaluit, they’re getting furniture and equipment.
In the smaller communities we work the same way, we work just as hard.
I wonder if the Minister can say when he will start planning for this.
Hon Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
I can’t say exactly when we will start because we are trying to stay in line with what they will do with Nanisivik after it’s completed so we’ll definitely take this into consideration, especially after, when the Nanisivik closing is complete.
And I’ll let her know once we know what we are going to do.
It would be good if they can move the office from Nanisivik.
There’s a post office, day care office, swimming pool, all kinds of things in one building if that can be used it would be very much appreciated.
I don’t really hear a question there but that building that she’s talking about is closed and it’s boarded up.
The windows are boarded up.
And we will try and maintain the building but at this stage I am not certain what we will be able to do but we are guarding that building. Thank you.
Question 330 – 1(6): Translation of Tabled Documents into Inuinnaqtun
I want to ask him about the tabling of documents, the 069-1 that was tabled in the House and 070-1(6) the one that was tabled yesterday.
I don’t see any Inuinnaqtun translations in those tabled documents.
I want to use this for an example, that the Education Act as well is not translated as of yet.
When are these documents going to be translated in Inuinnaqtun before they are tabled in the House?
Using Inuktitut as an example, when we did the community consultation on when we got the claimants paid, this draft document was not even translated into Inuinnaqtun and this elderly person, this unilingual person that was there was looking at this document and it was not translated.
This really hurts.
When are these documents going to be translated before you table them in the House?
We have provided Inuinnaqtun on occasion through Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
There’s been a number of Statutes that have been translated into Inuinnaqtun only when we can.
So we try our best to provide translations.
Mr. Havioyak (interpretation): I only have two questions.
I would like to ask him again.
Maybe it’s because of a lack of staff or Inuinnaqtun translators in our region.
What I would like to know is, so that these people in communities of Kugluktuk and Cambridge Bay can be informed as to what’s going on in the House and also in other matters.
Has the problem occurred because of the lack of translators in our region; Inuinnaqtun translators in our region?
The answer that I can give the member is that whenever we can we use the Inuinnaqtun interpreters or translators to translate those documents; it’s not just Inuinnaqtun that gets behind.
It’s also Inuktitut as well, when they’re doing legislation.
I’m going to keep pushing for Inuinnaqtun translations for documents and this way we can promote our Inuinnaqtun dialect as well.
If any ministers are tabling any documents, I would like to see Inuinnaqtun translations in these documents.
Speaker: I don’t hear a question there. It’s a comment.
Committee Report 002 – 1(6): Update on Progress on the Review of Bill 1
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have the opportunity today to provide an update to this House as well as the public and the media on the recent progress made by the Standing Committee on Health and Education in its review of Bill 1.
Bill 1, the proposed new Education Act, was introduced in the Legislative Assembly in March of this year by the Minister of Education.
Members of the standing committee were pleased to see Bill 1 brought forward as a first step towards a made in Nunavut education act.
Recognizing the important role that a made-in-Nunavut education act will play in the future of the territory, the standing committee committed to a consultation process that would solicit the most comprehensive feedback possible.
To date, the standing committee has consulted with a number of stakeholders as well as with community representatives.
Over 650 Nunavummiut from the communities of Iqaluit, Cape Dorset, Rankin Inlet, Igloolik, Arviat, Gjoa Haven, Repulse Bay, Pond Inlet, Clyde River, Cambridge Bay, Pangnirtung, Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord, Qikiqtarjuaq, Arctic Bay, Taloyoak, Kugluktuk and Kugaaruk, attended public meetings.
The committee would like to extend its thanks to all those who participated in the review process.
Over the next few months, members will deliberate on what they have heard and read.
Members look forward to presenting their final report on Bill 1 to the Assembly in the New Year.
I now move Mr. Speaker, that the report of the committee be received and adopted by this House.
Do members agree the report of the standing committee be received and adopted by the house and that it be entered into the records as read?
Bill 23 – An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns, and Villages Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 23, An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns, and Villages Act be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, the changes proposed by the communities, after extensive consultations, to this Act will give them the authority to move towards a greater level of self-reliance.
This legislation is essential to developing vital, vibrant, and viable communities that are able fulfill the Bathurst Mandate principle of self-reliance.
We need to offer the communities an efficient system of municipal government.
Communities will have the authority to take greater charge of their affairs and work to achieve their specific priorities; ensuring that municipal governments have that capacity in the future is a principle purpose of these amendments.
These amendments also incorporate suggestions made during the spring 2002 legislative session by the Standing Committee for Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development.
The revised amendments now clarify issues such as: the jurisdictional scope of by-law making powers, eliminating the likelihood of competition with the private sector in the area of municipal economic development powers, limits the terms of municipal supervisors and sets out the process and time frame for ministerial approval.
The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Question has been called.
Bill 23 has had second reading and accordingly the Bill stands referred to a committee.
Bill 24 – An Act to Amend the Hamlets Act – Second Reading
Mr. Speaker I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Baffin South, that Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Hamlets Act be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation gives the communities the authority to take greater charge of their own affairs.
The changes proposed by the communities, after extensive consultations, to this Act will give the hamlets the authority to move towards a greater level of self-reliance.
These amendments also incorporate the suggestions made during the spring 2002 legislative session by the Standing Committee on Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development.
The revised amendments now clarify the jurisdictional scope of by-law making powers and eliminate the likelihood of competition with the private sector in the area of municipal economic development powers.
It limits the terms of municipal supervisors and sets out the process and time frame for ministerial approval.
Motion is carried. Bill 24 has had second reading and accordingly the Bill stands referred to a committee.
Item19.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters; Bill 13, Bill 17, Bill 18, Bill 19, Bill 21, Bill 25, Bill 26, Minister’s Statement 072-1(6) and Minister’s Statement 095-1(6), with Mr. Irqittuq in the Chair.
Prior to proceeding to Committee of the Whole we’ll break for 45 minutes.
The members can join me upstairs on the second floor in the next 10 minutes.
>>House Recessed at 11.43 a.m. and resumed at 12.44 p.m.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you for coming back to the Committee of the Whole, I know you have had a good lunch.
Yesterday we completed page 8, Community Government and Transportation. Detail of Capital 7-9.