EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I know we can’t stop all of them, but the ones that are not crucial should be stopped. It seems like there are no plans for this.
I would like to ask the minister and tell my constituents that I personally will not be attending public gatherings with this virus going around. I personally urge my constituents to follow suit and avoid public places since the government doesn’t appear to be doing so. It seems like they don’t want that, but I urge the government to start planning on it.
His questions are very understandable and so are his concerns.
I can tell you that we will continue with our plan.
We don’t want to reach the pandemic stage, and our staff and every one of us don’t want to see any more cases of flu virus.
When there were no mass virus cases, we couldn’t tell the public what to do.
Once we reach that stage, we will monitor the cases every day along with Dr. Sobol and his medical team.
The influenza planners are working daily.
They issue advisories and have daily teleconferences, as well as make themselves available since they don’t want to be surprised when this arrives.
We don’t want to reach the pandemic stage and we will do whatever we can to get through this.
In the meantime, we will closely monitor all cases and move forward. We are very aware of the dangers to our elders and youth, especially people with health ailments, who are the most vulnerable, and we don’t want to lose them.
Question 085 – 3(2): Breast Cancer Screening in Nunavut (Elliott)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services, the Hon. Tagak Curley.
I don’t want to take anything away from the H1N1 virus and the good questions that have been raised. It’s kind of hard changing habits after a while.
I remember my mom always saying, “Ron, cover your mouth when you cough,” and now coughing into your arm, it is hard changing that habit.
Mr. Speaker, as the minister will be aware, we do not currently have the capacity for breast cancer screening in Nunavut.
Individuals who require mammograms and follow-up pathology tests to detect breast cancer must go out of the territory for their tests.
News stories recently highlighted the fact that over one-third of breast cancer patients in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador suffered for years while the disease progressed unchecked in their bodies as the result of false negative test results. Following those reports, a CBC News investigation found that one in five cancer tests conducted in the province of Quebec also gave the wrong results.
Can the minister clarify what procedures are currently in place to ensure that Nunavummiut receive the highest quality of health service for the screening and testing for breast cancer?
I thank the member for that question because it’s a very important issue. In regard to women with breast cancer, I will definitely have to look into the matter.
In regard to what he mentioned about which provinces had negative test results and lost women as a result, I’m sure that this has occurred in Nunavut.
I can’t respond to the member at this time as I will have to look into it further.
A number of my constituents have concerns about their test results, especially after hearing the recent news stories. What guarantees can the minister offer to reassure Nunavummiut that their own results are reliable?
As I stated before, I’m sure that this issue with false negative test results has occurred here in Nunavut, especially when we have to send samples out of the territory.
I can tell the member at this time that we will look into this issue so that we can come up with a response that is true and accurate, and I will want to make a report to the House. I would just like to let the member know that we will take his question as notice and once I get further information, I will table it in the House.
Will the minister also commit to looking into the issue? Would he consider having laboratories retest some of the samples that were taken from Nunavut patients to establish whether or not there is any variation within the results?
As soon as we know if the samples need to be retested, we will let you know. If we look at the records, I would have to discuss this with our health team and look into that.
I can say that if there were any negative test results, Nunavutmiut have to fully understand.
So I say yes, I will look into it further.
I am confident that the minister will appreciate that this issue is causing a great deal of stress to Nunavummiut who have been at risk for breast cancer.
Will the minister provide this House and the listening public with the appropriate contact information in order that individuals who wish to discuss their situation can have their concerns addressed?
As soon as the information is available, we will table it and we will send it to all Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Question 086 – 3(2): Plans to Replace Justice Browne (Okalik)
In regard to the Minister of Justice’s Member’s Statement, we thank Justice Browne for being here and she contributed a lot.
For many years, we have been trying to get our fourth judge and it looks like their workload isn’t getting any smaller.
I know that Justice Browne will be leaving.
So I would first like to ask the minister if they have already started looking for her replacement.
Mr. Speaker, I’m not aware that we have commenced the search for a replacement for Justice Browne. She said she is leaving at the end of September, so she has given us plenty of notice. So that will be a priority to look into.
This is very important because they have to come up with this committee. They’re the ones that have to screen the applicants, make a recommendation to the federal government, and it has to go through cabinet.
The Minister of Justice will have to take part and I urge him to be involved because we do have the authority to take part during the screening of the applicants and to make sure we let the federal government know which applicant we would like to see. I urge the minister to start working on that.
I thank my colleague for that information.
I know he’s very familiar with the process, it can take a long time, but I haven’t been fully briefed on the entire process.
Judge Browne only announced on Friday officially that she was leaving, so we will be discussing what the next steps are with my deputy minister this week.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) One of the biggest battles I had in making appointments was our right to be involved as a government.
And I’m sure you will encounter that in your role because the federal government says it’s their prerogative and one of the trade-offs that we established with establishing a single level court is that we should be involved.
That’s the trade-off that we came up with is that we have to be involved in selecting the appropriate justice for our territory.
So I encourage the minister to be diligent in ensuring that we maintain that responsibility and fight for that responsibility as I fought that with every new appointment that had to be made with any new minister that came along federally.
So I look forward to hearing that from the minister. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I again thank my colleague for that advice.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Okalik has been through the war, so to speak. I followed his activities over the last several years, so I pretty much have a good idea what we will be up against.
We will try to get a justice or judge that understands Nunavut, understands the unified court system up here, and understands the type of law and justice programs that we want to continue to implement in Nunavut.
Question 087 – 3(2): Quotes on Telehandlers (Schell)
Just to refresh his memory that last week, I had asked him who the individuals were that were involved in analyzing the two quotes that they got on the telehandlers. I’m just wondering if he had that information.
As I indicated to the member, I would be getting that information and providing it to him. As of right now, at this moment, I don’t have all of the information for the member.
So once I get all of the information packaged together for him, I’ll make sure that he receives it.
Apparently, there were five telehandlers that were purchased from New Holland and I just want to make sure.
Is the five telehandlers the only equipment that was ordered from New Holland?
As far as I’m aware, the Nunavut Housing Corporation only ordered five telehandlers with whatever was included in that detailed listing of stuff that came along with it that I provided to him came along with that equipment.
I would also like to know if there was any individual or any consulting firm that was paid any fee in regard to the analyzing or purchase of these telehandlers.
I believe that was part of the information that the member had asked for last week and looking at it, that’s what we were putting together for him.
In one of his questions though, he did ask me last week and the answer I provided was the purchase order for the telehandlers was made from the Nunavut Housing Corporation directly to the New Holland dealer, so there was no middleman involved there.
But again, further information and clarity of all of the different things that he asked for last Thursday will be provided to him when it’s all compiled.
The only reason I asked that question is when I was talking to Toromont CAT, they said that an accounting firm had come there to talk to them in regard to the specs and everything on it. I was just wondering if they were getting paid for it or if they were doing it out of the goodwill of their hearts.
I am aware that a firm called Nimiqcon Consulting was asked to discuss and review the technical aspects of the equipment and make sure that both parties that were requiring it had the information to make sure that all of those different technical specifications were reviewed by that firm.
Question 088 – 3(2): Sylvia Grinnell Bridge (Okalik)
The Minister of Environment stated that the cabinet made a decision on the bridge that will be made across Sylvia Grinnell and it was just going to be for pedestrians.
I tabled some documents that were old. The hunters have gone on the radio repeatedly requesting to have a bridge that could be used with snowmobiles, vehicles, and so on.
I would like to ask the Premier if she could have a meeting with the cabinet to look at this over again.
This is under the responsibility of Department of Environment, so I’m handing it over to that department.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Premier. (interpretation ends) Minister of Environment, Hon. Daniel Shewchuk.
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank Mr. Okalik for that question again.
I can advise the members here that we are proceeding as a government in the direction of a pedestrian bridge across the Sylvia Grinnell River.
That decision was made with a lot of background information and previous commitments by many people.
There was in-depth consultation in this matter, in how to proceed with a pedestrian bridge and the Sylvia Grinnell Master Plan that is incorporated.
We are pursuing funding agreements that were in place previously at this time. So this is the direction we’re moving in and this is the way we are going to keep moving.
This is not a new issue; the people of Iqaluit have wanted a bridge for a very long time. So I’m asking the Premier again if the cabinet could review this issue again.
If it’s going to be in my riding, I don’t want to see a pedestrian bridge.
So I’m asking the Premier to urge the cabinet to look at this again.
Yes, I’ll have the Premier respond to that again as the question was if the government will revisit this issue.
Premier, (interpretation ends) Hon. Eva Aariak.
I’m sure that this issue has been talked about a lot in Iqaluit.
The Member for Iqaluit Centre tabled a petition with 250 signatures and they wanted to see a pedestrian bridge, not a bridge for four-wheelers.
As my colleague stated, we’re just proceeding with the plan that was approved already.
I have told the federal government that I don’t want to see a pedestrian bridge. I wanted a bridge that could be used by all, including the hunters.
We are going to keep expecting to get a proper bridge and in my campaign, it was one of the requests that were made by my constituents.
So I’m asking the government again if they could revisit this.
Two hundred and fifty signatures is nothing.
Iqaluit has a total population of over 7,000 and 250 doesn’t even put a dent in the population.
So I’m urging the Premier to look into this issue again.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): I would just like to thank the member because I believe he’s just urging us to review this matter again.
I’m urging the Premier again to have another meeting with the Department of Environment, the hunters and trappers organization here, and also with the hunters and the people of Iqaluit to find out exactly what they want and have them voice their concerns.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Okalik. (interpretation ends) Madam Premier.
There are different ideas in Iqaluit.
I would like to state again, Mr. Speaker, that this is the responsibility of the Department of Environment. They have made their plans and are going to proceed with the plan that is already established. It’s under the responsibility of the Department of Environment, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 040 – 3(2): Nunavut Maternal and Newborn Health Care Strategy 2009-2014 (Curley)
I am pleased to table the Nunavut Maternal and Newborn Health Care Strategy for 2009-2014.
Tabled Document 041 – 3(2): Staking the Claim, Dreams, Democracy, and Canadian Inuit (Tapardjuk)
I am pleased to table the Department of Education’s Staking the Claims, Dreams, Democracy, and Canadian Inuit, a student’s guide for grade 10 in Nunavut.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. (interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents. (interpretation) Premier of Nunavut, (interpretation ends) Hon. Eva Aariak.
Tabled Document 042 – 3(2): Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated’s Annual Report on the State of Inuit Culture and Society; Nunavut Health System 2007-2008 (Aariak)
I am pleased to table the Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated’s Annual Report on the State of Inuit Culture and Society; Nunavut’s Health System, a report delivered as part of the Inuit obligations under Article 32 of the NLCA.
Tabled Document 043 – 3(2): Reporting Requirements for the Chief Executive Officer for the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Shewchuk)
I am pleased to table the Reporting Requirements for the Chief Executive Officer for the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation.
Tabled Document 044 – 3(2): Government of Nunavut’s Response to Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated’s Annual Report on the State of Inuit Culture and Society; Nunavut’s Health System 2007-2008 (Aariak)
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, someone’s Annuraaqatik.
I am pleased to rise again to table the Government of Nunavut’s Response to Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated’s Annual Report on the State of Inuit Culture and Society; Nunavut’s Health System 2007-2008.
Tabled Document 045 – 3(2): 2007-2008 Annual Report of the Office of the Languages Commissioner (Speaker)
I am pleased to table the Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner for the year ending March 31, 2008.
Bill 03 – Western Canada Lottery Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 3, Western Canada Lottery Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the conduct and management of the Western Canada Lottery in Nunavut.
The bill states that the proceeds of the lottery are to be used for sport and recreational purposes, and it requires the minister to table an annual report on the operation of the lottery in Nunavut.
Bill 3 has been read for the second time and will be referred to the appropriate committee.
(interpretation ends) Second Reading of Bills.
In accordance with the authority provided to me by Motion 6 – 3(2), the Committee of the Whole will stay in session until it reports itself out.
>>House recessed at 14:55 and Committee resumed at 15:20
Chairman (Mr. Okalik)(interpretation): Good afternoon once again.
I call the committee meeting to order. In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 1, 2, 4, and 5.
Mr. Ningeongan: Mr. Chairman, we would like to continue with Bill 1 and the review of the departments of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Environment, Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Legislative Assembly, and then we will proceed to review Bill 2, followed by Bills 4 and 5.
Are you in agreement with that?
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2009-2010 – Culture, Language, Elders and Youth – Consideration in Committee
We will begin with the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
Minister Tapardjuk, do you have speaking notes?
I am pleased to have this opportunity to present the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth 2009-2010 business plan and main estimates.
This department holds the leadership role within the Government of Nunavut for the preservation, development, and enhancement of Nunavut’s culture, heritage, languages, and especially healthy living opportunities for Nunavummiut.
In that regard, we have increased resources to support and implement the Inuit Language Protection Act and improve compliance with the Official Languages Act.
This includes new resources for the establishment of Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit.
During 2009-2010, we will be conducting ongoing consultations with territorial institutions, municipalities, Inuit, French, and English language communities, and other stakeholders likely to be impacted by the new legislation.
The new resources will also support the development of regulations and policies and the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on departmental and public agency performance in implementing the Inuit Language Protection Act.
Within our Official Languages Branch, we are continuing to implement and support terminology workshops, Language Week, Titiraliritti, the Nunavut Song Contest, community contributions, and other initiatives that help to ensure the preservation, promotion, and development of the Inuit language in Nunavut.
In 2009-2010, special emphasis will be paid to initiatives that directly support the revitalization of Inuinnaqtun.
Our focus will be on incorporating Inuit societal values into government policies and programs, and the continued development of Piqqusilirivvik will help to strengthen Nunavut’s unique identity by creating an environment where our elders can pass on their cultural and linguistic knowledge to Nunavummiut.
The construction and program planning for Piqqusilirivvik continues to occur on schedule and the tender for construction for the facility in Clyde River has recently been awarded.
Our overall funding allocated to grants and contributions has been increased, and we continue to strive for simplicity, transparency, and improved accountability in the administration of these important programs.
For example, we have increased our support to community libraries by 40 percent and significantly increased our grants and contributions for elders and youth programming.
In support of healthy living, we have re-profiled our Sport and Recreation Branch in a renewed effort to focus sport, recreation, and physical activity programs and services at the community and territorial levels.
Sport and Recreation is also actively preparing for Nunavut’s participation in the 2009 Canada Summer Games and the 2010 Arctic Winter Games.
Those are very good speaking notes.
I would want to participate in the 2009 Canada Summer Games and I will go for the gold.
Do you have officials that you would like to bring to the witness table?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, I would like to have my officials with me, Mr. Chairman.
Do my colleagues agree to bring in the witnesses?
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the officials in so that they can accompany the minister.
For those of you who want to go golfing with me, it will be for the summer games. I don’t see any arms going up but I will be putting names together for our team.
Looking at our Rules, for the record, Minister Tapardjuk, please introduce your witnesses.
On my left is Deputy Minister Phoebe Hainnu and on my right is the Director of Corporate Services, Michael Rudolph.
Does the Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness have opening comments?
Mr. Aupaluktuq, you may proceed.
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to deliver the standing committee’s opening comments as we begin consideration of the 2009-2010 Main Estimates and Business Plan of the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
The Standing Committee on Social Wellness has had the opportunity to meet with the minister and his officials.
Members noted that the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth is proposing to increase its budget for 2009-2010 by approximately 17 percent.
Two thirds of this increase is related to the implementation costs of Nunavut’s new official language legislation and the new cultural school in Clyde River that is scheduled to open in 2011.
The remaining amount is related to increases in elder and youth programs, sport and recreation programs and new positions in the department’s Directorate Branch.
Mr. Chairman, as all members are aware, two very important pieces of legislation were passed last year by the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
The Official Languages Act was passed in June 2008 and the Inuit Language Protection Act was passed in September 2008.
The standing committee is delighted to note that Parliamentary concurrence with the Official Languages Act has now been achieved.
On June 1, Nunavut Member of Parliament Leona Aglukkaq brought forward a motion in the House of Commons to concur with the passage of the Act.
The motion was passed by the House of Commons immediately.
On June 4, the Senate referred its motion for concurrence to the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs for review.
This process included the appearance of the minister and one of our own committee members, Mr. Paul Okalik, in addition to other language leaders from Nunavut.
The Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs presented the report of its review to the Senate on June 11, at which time the motion for the Senate to concur with the passage of the Act was agreed to and adopted.
Members recognize that both the Official Languages Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act will require a number of years to be fully implemented. The standing committee recognizes that there are a number of complex issues that are raised by these two new pieces of legislation.
With this in mind, the standing committee engaged in an exploratory dialogue with the minister about the new legislation, including discussions with respect to the possibility of using one writing system in Nunavut, the possibility of using one Inuit language within government institutions, and the possibility of drafting a ten-year plan in the context of the new legislation in order to accommodate these goals.
Members recognize that the issue of language services provided by federal government bodies and federally regulated entities is also very complex.
Members noted that the minister intends to continue monitoring ongoing efforts to explore the issue of providing Inuit language services at post office boxes and banks in Nunavut.
While members recognize that the Languages Commissioner now has the responsibility of receiving and investigating complaints from Nunavummiut about businesses that are not providing adequate services in the Inuit language, the standing committee encourages the minister to promote pride in the business community with respect to their provision of services in the Inuit language.
Members raised the idea of establishing an award system for businesses that make efforts to include the Inuit language in their services.
Members suggested that a system of recognition would help to cultivate a culture of commitment among businesses to include the Inuit language as much as possible.
A successful precedent for such an approach includes the department’s Titiraliritti Nunavut Literature Prize.