EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Again, just to get it on the record, I know this was an issue that was raised by some of the stakeholders. So I would just like to ask the minister if he could clarify how the issues and concerns that were brought forward, as far fees for learning materials, were resolved.
NTI had raised this issue and they were concerned that there might be fees charged for learning material and books, and so on.
The standing committee brought forward a motion to change that to ensure that indeed that was not the case and that there wouldn’t be a fee in place for materials, and that was approved in committee.
Again, this is one of the changes that have come about after consultation and through some of the stuff that NTI has raised but also through the standing committee.
So this section ensures that students do not have to pay for provided learning materials.
Clause 201.
Chairman: Clause 202.
Chairman: Clause 202.1. Do you agree?
Chairman: Clause 203.
Chairman: Clause 203.1. Do you agree?
Chairman: Page 94, clause 204.
Chairman: Go to Schedule on page 95. You heard, Schedule.
Universities and Degree-Granting Institutions Act.
Chairman: Thank you. Clause 205.
Chairman: Clause 206.
Chairman: Clause 207.
Chairman: And the last one, clause 208.
Chairman: Is the committee agreed to Bill 21 as a whole?
So they will be making regulations.
What I kept pointing out was that through the NWT Education Act of 1995, maybe before that, they used to take students out on the land without having to worry about insurance.
There was a mishap in Pond Inlet where some people had to be picked up by helicopters, but all their equipment and snowmobiles were left behind. The owners never got compensated for their loss to this day.
What I wanted to say is if they can formulate these regulations with the participation of DEAs and include provisions for people who provide equipment that the school obviously doesn’t have to be covered by insurance and legal forms provided that outline insurance amounts and coverage.
I think the member raised a good point.
All school activities are insured; coordinated activities from our schools, school-sponsored events, and so on, they’re all insured.
If there’s a program, as the member has spoken about, for example, going out on the land, going on a boat, going on a machine, all of the outfitters should also have outfitters’ insurance and we have put in place a program through the government to ensure that outfitters can get insurance. We have set that fund up, so I think it’s a good news story. Also, we’re working with our colleague, that’s the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission Minister Mr. Barnabas, to ensure that we have coverage on that side.
Particularly with the students, if they go out, then those activities are insured for us.
Members, we will go back to the Preamble.
Do members agree to the Preamble?
Is the committee agreed to Bill 21 as a whole?
Chairman: Is the committee agreed that pursuant to Rule 62(2) that Bill 21 can immediately be placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading?
Thank you, Mr. Chambers and Ms. Okpik. (interpretation) Minister, do you have any closing remarks?
Hon. Ed. Picco (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I wanted to say very quickly just to demonstrate I think how important the Education Act is to educators, if you look around the room tonight, you will see a lot of principals from schools right here in Iqaluit who have come after ten o’clock and sat with us for the last few hours. I see the principal from Joamie School, from Aqsarniit, representatives from the high school, from Apex, and every school in the community is represented, and they’re only indicative of what we have seen across the territory.
We received letters from DEAs of every community asking us to move forward and I want to put on the record, I’m sorry that I wasn’t able, as your minister, to meet all of the requirements and requests of QIA and NTI.
And I think if they and some of our elected people at those organizations had a chance to go back and look at the legislation, and not just from our staff, and have a look at what we have actually done in this legislation is something to be very proud of.
And that’s from a person who’s gone through lots of legislation, especially as Mr. Arvaluk said, from using Slavy, Dene, and Gwichin from the old Act.
It’s about time we had our own Act. This Act allows for a review within three years and I believe we will be able to make it better.
With that, Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the members. I would like to thank Kathy and Mr. Chambers. These guys have put in tremendous work on this as Mr. Tootoo said.
And over here, Mr. Chairman, on my immediate right, he’s always at the end, a guy that doesn’t like to be recognized, the ADM of the Department of Education, Peter Geikie. Peter has put in a tremendous amount of work. Thank you, Peter.
And next to him are Don Ribel and Mark Spakowski, the two legislative drafters on behalf and for the bill.
And lastly but not least, Mr. Chairman, on this side of me, is Peter Ma, the Deputy Minister of Finance, who has assured me that the $14 million will be happening very quickly…
… for the schools and Education Trust.
With that, thank you and thank you to the committee.
For the last time, I would like to move to report progress.
Going to the Orders of the Day. Item 19.
Mr. Chairman, Member for Uqqurmiut, Mr. Arreak.
Item 19: Report of the Committee of the Whole
Your committee has been considering Bills 20, 21, 40, 41, and 43, and Mr. Speaker, I am happy to report that Bills 20, 21, 40, 41, and 43 are immediately ready for third reading.
Item 20: Third Reading of Bills
Bill 07 – Inuit Language Protection Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit West, that Bill 7, Inuit Language Protection Act, be read for the third time.
As Bill 7 will be part of history and continually asked about, I would like to ask for a recorded vote.
Speaker (interpretation): Please be patient, Members.
Members, there was a request for a recorded vote. (interpretation ends) So the process we will follow is that those in favour first will stand and secondly, those opposed will stand and sit when I call your name.
From that, let the record show that that was unanimous and the motion is carried. (interpretation) Thank you.
Minister of Health and Social Services and Environment, Minister Akesuk.
Bill 20 – Midwifery Profession Act – Third Reading
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Rankin Inlet South-Whale Cove, that Bill 20, the Midwifery Profession Act, be read for the third time.
Item 20. (interpretation ends) Third Reading of Bills. (interpretation) Minister of Education, Minister Picco.
Bill 21 – Education Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Quttiktuq, that Bill 21, the Education Act, be read for the third time.
The motion is carried and Bill 21 has had its third reading.
Bill 40 – An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Nanulik, that Bill 40, An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act, be read for the third time.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Brown.
The motion is carried and Bill 40 has had its third reading and is ready for assent.
Third Reading of Bills. (interpretation) Minister of Finance, Minister Tapardjuk.
Bill 41 – Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008-2009 – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Quttiktuq, that Bill 41, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008-2009, be read for the third time.
The motion is carried and Bill 41 has had its third reading.
Bill 42 – Miscellaneous Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2008 – Third Reading
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I move, second by the Honourable Member for Baffin South, that Bill 42, Miscellaneous Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2008, be read for the third time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The motion is carried and Bill 42 has had its third reading.
Bill 43 – Write-Off of Assets and Debts Act, 2008-2009 – Third Reading
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit East, that Bill 43, Write-Off of Assets and Debts Act, 2008-2009, be read for the third time.
The motion is carried and Bill 43 has had its third reading.
Before we proceed, Mr. Clerk, please ascertain if the commissioner is ready to enter the Chambers to give assent to bills.
Bill 07 – Inuit Language Protection Act – Assent
Bill 20 – Midwifery Profession Act – Assent
Bill 21 – Education Act – Assent
Bill 36 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008 – Assent
Bill 37 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008 – Assent
Bill 38 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009 – Assent
Bill 39 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009 – Assent
Bill 40 – An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act – Assent
Bill 41 – Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008-2009 – Assent
Bill 42 – Miscellaneous Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2008 – Assent
Bill 43 – Write-Off of Assets and Debts Act, 2008-2009 – Assent
Commissioner Ann Meekitjuk Hanson (interpretation): As Commissioner of Nunavut, I hereby assent to the following bills:
Bill 7, Inuit Language Protection Act;
Bill 20, Midwifery Profession Act;
Bill 21, Education Act;
Bill 36, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008;
Bill 37, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008;
Bill 38, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009;
Bill 39, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009;
I will say what Bill 40 is in English because I don’t know how to say it in Inuktitut. (interpretation ends)
Bill 40, An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act;
Bill 41, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008-2009;
Bill 42, Miscellaneous Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2008; and
Bill 43, Write-Off of Assets and Debts Act, 2008-2009.
I am honoured to be with you today on the occasion of the last sitting of the Second Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
I am pleased to take this opportunity to note for the record that the Legislative Assembly has held 382 sittings since April 1, 1999, and passed a total of 193 bills since the creation of our territory.
I am also pleased to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your service to the public.
For those members who will not be seeking re-election, please accept my best wishes as you move on to a new chapter in your lives.
As members are aware, a Proclamation was issued in March of this year in which instructions were given for the issuing of writs of election on September 22, 2008.
The Third General Election will be held on October 27, 2008.
The date for the return of the writs shall be November 3, 2008.
Using my powers as Commissioner of Nunavut, I hereby prorogue the Fourth Session of the Second Legislative Assembly.
I thank the commissioner.
It has been a long day and just before we leave, I would like to inform members of something on a personal note.
A few members have already announced their plans for the future.
First of all, from the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank God for the nine and a half years that I have served him.
He guided me well and kept me sane and safe through difficult times.
He was there by my side even in good times.
If anyone were to ask me how I know this, when we first started in 1999, I prayed that I would finish my service, however short or long.
I am now very clear what I’m going to do at the third general election.
I have thought about this for quite some time and have come to a decision. I have made up my mind that I will not be running at the next election for the Nunavut Legislative Assembly.
I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you and the First Assembly.
I can tell this House and Nunavummiut that this is coming from my heart.
I can say with great pride that I thank my wife and my family, my children, my daughters, Lyn and Jenna, and my son, Joseph.
I thank them very much for their understanding, patience, and love which I have felt.
I’m going to step down with no regrets. I am happy to have served twice in this Assembly.
I would like to thank Mr. Premier, as well as every member here whom I served with.
You have helped me and my family a great deal.
My constituents in Pangnirtung have always made me feel welcome, as have my colleagues in Nunavut and elsewhere in Canada and countless Nunavummiut.
I thank you all equally; your support has gone a great distance.
I would like to acknowledge all Iqalummiut for making me feel at home and for their support. We have felt right at home even though we have been away from home for a little over nine years.
I will be returning to Pangnirtung and I am happy to be returning as a husband, a father, a younger and older brother, an uncle, and a grandfather.
I’ll be going home and rejoicing with my constituents.
I thank everybody from the bottom of my heart.
I am thankful for the nine and a half years that you walked beside me and I wish you all well, and I would like to be welcoming and serve you in any way I can.
(interpretation ends) Sergeant-at-Arms.
>>House adjourned at 22:36
Nunavut Canada  LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NUNAVUT
3rd Assembly
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Pages 1 – 28
Hon. James Arreak
Election of Speaker 1
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 21
Notices of Motions 23
Motions 25
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 1
001 – 3(1): Welcome and Opening Remarks to the Third Assembly (Okalik) 5
002 – 3(1): Thanks to Constituency and Family (Rumbolt) 6
003 – 3(1): Looking Forward to the Third Assembly (Tootoo) 6
004 – 3(1): Beginning of the Third Assembly (Shewchuk) 8
005 – 2(4): Thanks to Constituents, Outgoing Premier and the Third Assembly (Tapardjuk) 9
006 – 3(1): Appreciation to Constituents in Quttiktuq (Elliott) 9
007 – 3(1): Opening Remarks to the Third Assembly (Kusugak) 11
008 – 3(1): Thanks to Constituents, Family and the Third Assembly (Schell) 12
009 – 3(1): Opening Remarks to the Third Assembly and Farewell to Simonie Michael (Curley) 12
010 – 3(1): Tribute to Simonie Michael and Looking Forward to the Third Assembly (Aariak) 13
011 – 3(1): Congratulations to the Third Assembly; Thanks to Family and Kugluktuk Residents (Taptuna) 15
012 – 3(1): Appreciation to Constituents in Baker Lake (Aupaluktuq) 15
013 – 3(1): Opening Remarks to the Third Assembly (Peterson) 17
014 – 2(4): Appreciation to Constituents from Pangnirtung and Thanks to Peter Kilabuk (Komoartok) 19
015 – 3(1): Opening Remarks and Thanks to Constituents in Nanulik (Ningeongan) 19
016 – 3(1): Appreciation to Constituents in Nattilik (Pauloosie) 20
001 – 3(1): Appointment of Speaker (Peterson) 1
002 – 3(1): Appointment of Deputy Speaker – Notice (Okalik) 23
003 – 3(1): Appointment of Premier – Notice (Elliott) 23
004 – 3(1): Appointments to the Executive Council of Nunavut – Notice (Aupaluktuq) 23
005 – 3(1): Appointments to the Management and Services Board – Notice (Rumbolt) 24
006 – 3(1): Appointments to the Striking Committee – Notice (Pauloosie) 24
007 – 3(1): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Tootoo) 24
002 – 2(4): Appointment of Deputy Speaker (Okalik) 25
003 – 3(1): Appointment of Premier (Elliott) 25
004 – 3(1): Appointments to the Executive Council of Nunavut (Aupaluktuq) 26
005 – 3(1): Appointments to the Management and Services Board (Rumbolt) 26
006 – 3(1): Appointments to the Striking Committee (Pauloosie) 27
007 – 3(1): Extended Adjournment (Tootoo) 27
Ms. Eva Aariak, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Adamee Komoartok, Mr. Lorne Kusugak, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Paul Okalik, Mr. Enuk Pauloosie, Mr. Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Mr. Daniel Shewchuk, Mr. Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Peter Taptuna, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Clerk (Mr. Quirke): Good afternoon.
I will call upon Reverend Mike Gardener to lead us in prayer.
Clerk: Members, it is my duty to inform you that Her Honour the Commissioner of Nunavut is not prepared to address this House until such time as you have selected a Speaker.
I will now call for a motion to elect the Speaker.
The Hon. Member for Cambridge Bay.
Item 2: Election of Speaker
Motion 001 – 3(1): Appointment of Speaker (Peterson)
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Baker Lake, that Mr. James Arreak, Member for Uqqummiut, take the Chair of this House as Speaker.
Clerk: Thank you.
Do members agree to the motion?
Clerk: I will now ask that the mover and the seconder of the motion escort the Speaker to the Chair.
Speaker (Mr. James Arreak)  (interpretation): I was going to ask to have the Mace raised to its place, but I would like to thank you.
I will now ask the House to observe a moment of silence in honour and memory of the late Simonie Michael.
I will now call upon Elder Annie Nattaq to light the Qulliq.
Ms. Annie Nattaq (interpretation): I can still recall the time when the Qulliq was the cornerstone of Inuit livelihood.
The memory of my mother lighting it early in the morning still lingers as she would light it just prior to everyone getting up in the morning. The Qulliq required constant care and attention throughout the day.
I remember and recall the times when we would use the Qulliq to cook our meat and it was always delectable, and when flour was introduced, I recall the bannock made on the Qulliq.
The Qulliq was quite exceptional for cooking meats.
It cooks the food slowly and it tastes better than food cooked by just boiling.
As I said, the Qulliq is an integral part of the Inuit culture and it was not just a tool but a very important part of our lives.
Today, I enjoy lighting the Qulliq for ceremonial purposes, especially for formal openings.
I am so glad that we have not forgotten the foundation of our past lives. I believe that it ought not to be forgotten either.
Inuit of our generation were largely dependent on the Qulliq. Although it seems to be nothing more than folklore now, we must not forget our past dependence on it.
We have to remember that the Qulliq was the sole reason for our survival.
We must keep thanking our parents, our mothers and fathers, and our grandparents, who practiced their livelihood and ensured our survival to this day.
There are many uses for and stories about the Qulliq, but I will just stop here for now.
However, the Qulliq was used in the past by our hunters when they were out hunting. It can still be used as an alternate source of heat in times of emergencies and it is still being used today for ceremonial purposes. They will also be used in our homes.
As well, I wish to comment briefly on some funny aspects of looking after a Qulliq, whether the Inuit were hunters or at home, the tradition was to keep it lit so as to rekindle it in the morning.
Although we are in a serious setting, sometimes a funny thing would occur.
When all the people were sleeping and someone wasn’t looking after the Qulliq, it started to become sooty. What would you see when you woke up? When you opened your eyes and looked at everyone else, everything but their eyes would be covered in soot.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Elder Annie Nattaq.
(interpretation ends) I will now call upon the Aqsarniit Middle School Choir to lead us in the singing of O Canada. I ask all members to stand, please.
>>School choir singing O Canada
Speaker (interpretation): The choir will now entertain us with additional songs, (interpretation ends) throat singing, and drum dancing. (interpretation) Please proceed.
>>Song and drum dancing
We have more entertainment for you. Proceed.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you very much.
These young ladies are extremely talented and skilled throat singers.
I am very pleased to welcome our elders, distinguished guests, guests and visitors to the House this afternoon.
I would like to begin by thanking the Member for Cambridge Bay for nominating me for the position of Speaker.
In accepting the position of your Speaker, I do so with a sense of humility and duty. I am deeply honoured by the trust and confidence which you have placed in me.
As Speaker, I will work to uphold the rights and privileges of this institution and its members. You can be assured that I will approach my responsibilities with a sense of fairness and impartiality.
Our Legislative Assembly has held almost 400 sittings since April 1, 1999.
As Speaker, I will do my best to ensure that the deliberations of our House are characterized by a sense of mutual respect between all members.
(interpretation) It is my hope that our public will be able to look to this House and see their members working together for the benefit of all Nunavummiut.
Earlier today, all Members of this House took their oaths of allegiance and office.
I look forward to working with all of my colleagues in the years ahead on behalf of our territory and residents.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my personal gratitude to my family, my fellow residents and constituents in Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq for their support.
At this time, I will ask the Clerk of the House to determine whether Her Honour the Commissioner of Nunavut is prepared to enter the Chamber to deliver the opening address.
Commissioner Ann Meekitjuk Hanson (interpretation): Good afternoon, everyone, especially on this beautiful afternoon.
We will now commence with the procedures to welcome the new government-elect.
I am pleased to welcome you to the first sitting of the Third Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
I would also like to welcome the members of the public with us in the Gallery and those following these proceedings on television and radio.
I know and I think we all know that Nunavummiut have a keen interest in our democratically elected government when they are drafting legislation. Most Nunavummiut want to hear what the government is doing.
Prior to my commencing my opening speech, I would like to take a moment to recognize a fellow Inuk, the late Simonie Michael, who was the first Inuk elected to the Territorial Council of the Northwest Territories around the same time that Inuit first got the right to vote.
I know and we are well aware that Simonie Michael sat in the Northwest Territories’ Territorial Council as the very first elected Inuk.
He made a statement at the first meeting over in the west that he didn’t want his disk number, E7-551, used to identify him but rather as Simonie Michael.
Since Inuit were mainly using the disk numbers, he didn’t want to be known by his disk number, E7-551.
To those he left behind, his family, his relatives, his friends, as well as the people of Iqaluit and the people of Canada, I extend to you my sincere condolences and may God be with you.
We will have a moment of silence in commemorating the late Simonie Michael, who opened the door for us to follow before most of us were even involved. Therefore, I would like to have a moment of silence in remembrance of the late Simonie Michael.
I would also like to congratulate the Hon. James Arreak on being selected as Speaker of the Assembly and my fellow woman, Madam Premier Eva Aariak.
I am so thankful, proud, and happy for her election to represent her constituents in Iqaluit and also to lead the third government of Nunavut.
These are exciting and great times for Nunavummiut, and they will rely on you to lead with sincerity and in consensus.
We also know that since its inception in1999 and with this year being its tenth year, Nunavut continues to face challenges.
There will be a lot of challenges and I think we’re all aware of them, including the requirement for protecting our language, as well as our youth who, after graduation, will be looking for jobs.
We also know that certain events beyond our borders will surface and affect Nunavut and our culture.
Every one of our challenges, however, is also an opportunity and will be a learning experience.
Every single one of us knows that we have a lot of challenges but we should use it as a learning experience and take the opportunities. However, we know that it leads to more expectations.
The last government passed historic legislation to protect our language. This was the Inuit Language Protection Act.