EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
After a year, if it’s a union position, then the union has to agree; if they are in full agreement, then that’s the only time that I can approve; after a year.
For Human Resources, we as a department as to why this position is not being advertised; at this time there seems to be casual terms that go up to one year. Those departments monitor their funding, that’s why we can’t really say that they can only keep them for a while, or if somebody goes on holidays, to replace that person, or while the time this job is in the process of being filled, while they are looking for somebody, and if they have a hard time finding somebody. Those are the circumstances that they can be employed, but as Human Resources, we encourage them to advertise it as a full-time position.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Deputy Minister.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Yes, her response is very clear, but that doesn’t seem to be the case all of the time from what we hear and we hear that the position will become open.
In the meantime, it’s casual and that person who is on casual basis, a lot of people aren’t happy, especially if they were casual and they are terminated, and then find out that position is filled by somebody else without being advertised. I wonder if there have been any improvements in this area.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): I will have my deputy respond to your question.
Deputy Minister Okpik.
If the casual hires are able to fill the position, they are given a request to be directly appointed. There have been 34 positions that were filled directly.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Thank you. I would like to recognize the clock and report progress.
The member would like to report progress and the motion is not debatable.
Opposed. (interpretation ends) The motion is carried.
I will now rise to report progress. (interpretation) I would also like to thank the minister and his officials.
Your committee has been considering Bill 12 and the main estimates, and would like to report progress.
A reminder for meetings; for tomorrow morning, a meeting at 9:00 a.m., a meeting of the Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Housing, and Economic Development in the Nanuq Board Room, and at 11:00, a meeting of the regular caucus in the Tuktu Boardroom.
Orders of the Day for February 28:
Speaker (interpretation): We will resume our meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 at 1:30 in the afternoon.
>>House adjourned at 18:02
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Pages 1065 – 1128
Opening Prayer 1065
Ministers’ Statements 1065
Members’ Statements 1066
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1075
Oral Questions 1075
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1096
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills 1097
Tabling of Documents 1097
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1097
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1127
Orders of the Day 1127
Tuesday, February 28, 2006 1065
065 – 2(3): Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey (Akesuk) 1065
149 – 2(3): Tabling of Carving Stone Supply Strategy (Evyagotailak) 1066
150 – 2(3): Lack of Youth Facility in Grise Fiord (Barnabas) 1066
151 – 2(3): Tribute to Power Corporation (Tootoo) 1067
152 – 2(3): Stand Off in Igloolik (Tapardjuk) 1068
153 – 2(3): Congratulations to Kitikmeot Cup Winners (Aglukkaq) 1070
154 – 2(3): Update on the Public Hearings on the Miramar Mining Project (Peterson) 1070
155 – 2(3): Congratulate Arctic Winter Games Participants (Brown) 1072
156 – 2(3): Mild Weather in Pangnirtung (Kilabuk) 1073
157 – 2(3): Fund Raising Event – Anglican Church Pancake Supper (Picco) 1073
158 – 2(3): Blizzard in Sanikiluaq (Kattuk) 1074
159 – 2(3): Coldest Part of Nunavut (Alagalak) 1074
169 – 2(3): Discussions with the Prime Minister (Peterson) 1075
170 – 2(3): Auditor General’s 2005 Report (Tootoo) 1078
171 – 2(3): Harvesters’ Support Program and Disaster Support Review (Kilabuk) 1081
172 – 2(3): Update on the Heat Recovery Plan (Curley) 1083
173 – 2(3): Building Inspections (Barnabas) 1085
174 – 2(3): Update on the Construction of Houses in Nunavut (Mapsalak) 1087
175 – 2(3): Update on Medical Air Travel (Kattuk) 1088
176 – 2(3): Airport Projects – Federal Funding (Peterson) 1090
177 – 2(3): Nunavut Arctic College Year End Financial Statements (Tootoo) 1092
178 – 2(3): Power Outage in Grise Fiord (Barnabas) 1094
Committee Report on Bills 001 – 2(3): Bill 09 – An Act to Amend the Exemptions Act (Mapsalak) 1097
078 – 2(3): Photograph of Pangnirtung after Extreme Weather (Kilabuk) 1097
Bill 12 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2006-07 – Review in Committee – Human Resources 1098
Bill 12 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2006-07 – Review in Committee – Health and Social Services 1113
Speaker (interpretation): Good afternoon, Premier, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and Clerks of the House.
Minister’s Statement 065 – 2(3): Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey (Akesuk)
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker and colleagues.
The Workers’ Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut has just finished conducting a major stakeholder survey.
The goal of the survey was to gather insight into employers’ and injured workers’ awareness, expectations, and satisfaction of the work of WCB services.
With the advice of an external, independent contractor in Leger Marketing, a group was chosen from injured workers and their employers who have dealt with WCB over the 12-month period from August 2004 to August 2005.
In this group a total of 293 interviews were completed between November 23 and December 15, 2005.
Throughout the survey, the vast majority of employers and injured workers expressed support of the way that WCB conducts its business.
Mr. Speaker, those surveyed commented favourably about service delivery, the availability of service, helpful staff, being treated fairly, communications, and compensation packages.
When asked at the beginning of the survey about their expectations, only 69 percent had expected to be well-treated, but once they completed the survey and reflected on their experiences with WCB, 83 percent reported that WCB met or exceeded their expectations.
This survey identified areas where the WCB could improve satisfaction levels and this information will assist the WCB in developing plans to improve stakeholders’ satisfaction as renewed in June 2006.
Going to the Orders of the Day. Item 3.
Member’s Statement 149 – 2(3): Tabling of Carving Stone Supply Strategy (Evyagotailak)
I rise today on the issue of the availability of soapstone for carvers in Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) I was pleased to note that the 2006-07 Business Plan for the Department of Economic Development and Transportation indicates that a database of existing and potential quarry sites has been completed and that pilot projects in quarry development will be undertaken.
Mr. Speaker, in 2002, the Hamlet of Kugluktuk requested an assessment of Palliq soapstone site.
At that time, it was determined that significant carving stone could not be extracted from the site without developing the quarry.
The development would probably include some form of blasting.
Mr. Speaker, to date, the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation has not tabled the carving stone supply strategy.
I would like to urge the minister to table that strategy.
I would also recommend that Kugluktuk be considered as one of the communities for a pilot project for quarry development.
Mr. Speaker, access to good quality soapstone is important to our communities in Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 150 – 2(3): Lack of Youth Facility in Grise Fiord (Barnabas)
I rise today to talk about Grise Fiord and the fact that they’re lacking an elders’ and youth facility.
Grise Fiord has been working on the elders’ and youth centre for the last two years.
They’re looking at the old RCMP building which was donated to the community, but we have a problem with the building that was donated to the hamlet council.
This building is very, very old and there are safety issues because, of course, it doesn’t meet the safety standards that are required if you’re going to open a public facility
For example, there might be lead or asbestos in the building and other chemicals.
The federal Public Works were requested to inspect the building and the hamlet agreed to have the building inspected by the federal government.
Due to financial restraints, they haven’t been able to survey the building for the last two years.
Then the hamlet asked Community Government and Services if they could do an inspection on the building, but to date they have had no response from the department.
If there are going to be safety issues, the hamlet council can not use that building.
If the hamlet is going to undertake the inspection and renovation of this building, they’re looking at approximately $25,000 to re-do the whole thing, and to meet the safety codes on the electrical and other issues.
I’ll be posing questions to the minister at the appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 151 – 2(3): Tribute to Power Corporation (Tootoo)
I would just like to start off my member’s statement first by congratulating Mr. Netser, through motion of the House yesterday; he’s been selected to sit on the Executive Council.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank him for taking the time to consult with me prior to the exercise yesterday, and I do believe this will probably be indicative of the type of minister that he will be in the future; we look forward to that.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to congratulate and pay tribute to some people that were very busy over the weekend.
As you know, this unusual weather that we’ve been having here in Iqaluit and South Baffin, and Pangnirtung, they’ve been having some high winds.
This weekend, just when I started cooking supper, Mr. Speaker, the power went out, and I thought; oh no, what am I going to do now to cook for my children?
I called the Power Corporation emergency number, and I got a recording that asked me to call another number.
I called that number, and there was an answering machine there to leave a message. I left them the message that we were having some power problems in our area of town, and if they could get back to me as soon as possible because my children were hungry.
Mr. Speaker, little did I know.
I called up a friend of mine that works for the Power Corporation and asked him what was going on, and he said that they were already responding to another emergency here in town, the crew that was on call, and they would as soon as possible, activate another group of employees to come and look at the problems in our area of town.
Within about 15 minutes I received a call back from an employee of the Power Corporation indicating that they had been down there. They looked, there was a transformer that had blown, and it would be fixed within the hour.
I would like to commend those individuals for their fast work. I also understand that they were very busy throughout South Baffin because of the high winds.
With that Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues.
Like I was saying, I would like to commend them for all the hard work those individuals have done; going out in inclement conditions and, I would think with the high winds that were out there, potentially dangerous situations, and making sure that people had their power and had their lights on so that they could cook.
So I would like to thank them and commend them for that and for all their hard work. It often goes unnoticed.
Also, my children would also like thank particularly the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation for the power going out. Because as a result of the power going out and me not being able to complete cooking their spaghetti, we had to order pizza.
And they were very happy to have pizza instead of spaghetti.
I would like to ask all members to join me and my children in thanking both the people that were on call for the Power Corporation and the minister responsible for the pizza.
Member’s Statement 152 – 2(3): Stand Off in Igloolik (Tapardjuk)
I rise today, but I’m sure that you’re all aware through the CBC, that the armed stand-off is now over.
There have been no incidents, and I’m very happy that this is over.
When I was speaking to an elder from Igloolik this morning, I was told if that if there were no prayers there would have been a totally different outcome.
I just wanted to inform the House that the stand-off is now over.
I would also like to thank the Mayor Paul Quassa for keeping us all informed of what was happening.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank George Qulaut who is a cousin of mine. He worked extremely hard, and he was the individual who was the spokesperson between the person who was holding the firearms and the other individuals.
I’m very glad that this is over before a negative outcome. It seemed like the whole community of Igloolik was being held hostage for a number of days. I’m sure that they’re all relieved that this over.
Mr. Speaker, the question that I’m asking myself is this: why is it that there has been an incident of such magnitude?
What is happening with the smaller communities that there was an incident such as an armed stand-off?
Another question is: why is it that the Department of Social Services is like opposite the regular people?
Why is it that there are so many people opposed or against the RCMP?
What should we do to rectify this problem?
What can we do to have healthy communities?
Mr. Tapardjuk, please proceed.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues.
We are well aware that there are reasons for these negative things that come into our lives. We had a lifestyle and then a different culture was imposed on us in midstream.
Of course a lot of people will say that yes, there is alcohol abuse, there is drug abuse. That’s part of the problem.
A lot of us can see that, but I think we have to remember why and for what reason we turn to those things.
We have to raise our children properly so that they’ll be able to have positive and healthier adult lifestyles and cope.
With the statistics, sometimes we look at a community and say that it’s a bad community.
Mr. Speaker, I think we have to work harder as a government.
This government is trying to make the communities own the government and to see what they can do to make improvements at the community level.
We have to make sure that there is ownership in the communities, and I’m sure that would fix a lot of the problems. We can’t just follow the advice of non-beneficiaries anymore. It was a sad case when we were going through it, but I can say that we can learn from it, and it will make us want to work more for the people who elected us, and that there is ownership at the community level.
I’m sure there are going to be other incidents, but I would like the members here to understand that we have a lot of work to do, and to open our hearts to helping the people out there, and to make them understand that the government is not the enemy, the RCMP is not the enemy, and social services is not the enemy.
They are here to help us.
Member’s Statement 153 – 2(3): Congratulations to Kitikmeot Cup Winners (Aglukkaq)
Along with my colleagues today from the Kitikmeot, Member Peterson, Joe Allen Evyagotailak, and Steve Mapsalak, I would like to congratulate this year’s Kitikmeot Cup winners.
As the members from the Kitikmeot region are aware, Gjoa Haven emerged as the champion over this weekend.
I want to also thank the community of Cambridge Bay for hosting the Kitikmeot Cup, and to thank all the individuals that participated and those who organized the event.
As the members know, this year’s major focus has been with the Arctic Winter Games but let’s not forget that there are other events that do take place, particularly around springtime.
The Kitikmeot Cup is a prestigious event in our region and all the participants have worked very hard to make it happen and make it a success.
So I want to thank the members that participated, and the organizers, but in particular, I would also like to congratulate my constituents of Gjoa Haven.
There are a number of names. I will not list those individuals.
Gjoa Haven won the gold, Cambridge Bay came in second, and Taloyoak came in third.
I have two communities that came with a medal, so I’d like to congratulate both Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak for their success this weekend.
Member’s Statement 154 – 2(3): Update on the Public Hearings on the Miramar Mining Project (Peterson)
I wasn’t there to help my team win...
...they didn’t need a grinder in the corner there to get the puck. But I, too, congratulate all of the players from the Kitikmeot.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update the House on the recent public hearings held in Cambridge Bay on Miramar Mining’s Doris North gold project.
Mr. Speaker, during the week of January 30 to February 3, the Nunavut Impact Review Board held public hearings in Cambridge Bay and invited community members from the Kitikmeot and interested parties to listen to Miramar’s presentation to NIRB.
Mr. Speaker, the public hearings are very important because NIRB will review and take into account presentations from Miramar; interventions from interested parties; concerns, issues, and opinions expressed by the community members in making their recommendations to the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs on whether or not the Doris North Project should be approved to begin construction with a production start-up date in 2008.
Mr. Speaker, the public hearings were unique because instead of traveling to every Kitikmeot community to hold individual public hearings, NIRB decided to hold the hearings in one Kitikmeot community and have all participants come to Cambridge Bay. From all accounts, this arrangement worked very well.
Mr. Speaker, public consultations are extremely important if mining companies wish to develop major resource projects in Nunavut. In Miramar’s case, they conducted extensive community consultations in all Kitikmeot communities with hamlet councils, hunters’ and trappers’ organizations, community groups, businesses, and individuals. When the NIRB public hearings began, there were few Kitikmeot residents who didn’t know about Miramar’s gold project and the potential it held to positively or negatively affect them or their communities.
Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to attend the NIRB hearings during the week. I heard from many of my constituents that they had found the NIRB hearings very informative and helpful to them in understanding the effects of mining companies on local communities.
Mr. Speaker, prior to the NIRB hearings, the Kitikmeot Inuit Association and Miramar updated their Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement originally signed in July 2004. Donald Havioyak, President of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association and no stranger to the Members of this House, had this to say about Miramar’s gold project:
“The Doris North project will be the first mine development in Canada to be located wholly on Inuit-owned surface and subsurface lands. We look forward to working with Miramar on IIBA implementation, which will enhance the economy of the Kitikmeot region and ensure Inuit receive training, employment, and other benefits.”
Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to continue my member’s statement.
There are no nays, please proceed, Mr. Peterson.
Mr. Speaker, at the conclusion of the NIRB hearings, the board had 30 days to prepare their recommendations and forward them to the INAC Minister for his review and approval.
Mr. Speaker, including the Miramar Mining project, the Kitikmeot is also home to Nunavut’s first diamond mine.
In addition, with Wolfden Resources recent acquisitions of the Izok Project from Inmet Mining and the Lupin Gold Mine from Kinross Gold, as well as the ongoing discussions about road and port infrastructure, it is fair to say that the Kitikmeot’s promise to be Nunavut’s economic engine in the years ahead is on track.
Member’s Statement 155 – 2(3): Congratulate Arctic Winter Games Participants (Brown)
I would like to recognize that the Arctic Winter Games will be starting very soon.
It’s very healthy to participate in games. My father once told me to keep active so that I will have better vision, and he used to say that so that my body will function better without any obstacles. He always told me to keep active.
Myself, I think that it is very useful, especially to the athletes.
I would like to congratulate the people who were selected who will participate on the midget hockey team.
From Whale Cove, Jophree Okalik.
Tagak and I are representing those people.
And the others from Rankin Inlet, Mika Nukakpiak, Carla Isaluk, Graham Kusugak, Arthur Bearset, Imo, I got the wrong one.
I better put my glasses on. Those are not my constituents.
Jonathon Ikualak from Whale Cove.
And on the bantam team: James Merrit, Craig Bearset, Chad Taipanak, Aglukark Taqta, Wendel Kalujak, Silu Ulujuk, and Roger Tagoona.
I am very proud of those people and those coaches from the Minor Hockey Association.
I wish to thank all of them because we will be watching them on TV once they start.
I would congratulate the Nunavut team going to the winter games.
Member’s Statement 156 – 2(3): Mild Weather in Pangnirtung (Kilabuk)
The weather has been incredible. It’s called Isituruk because it’s usually the coldest month, but it’s been very mild in Pangnirtung and South Baffin.
As you know Mr. Speaker, for the past few days, for the past day or two, the temperature will remain mild, and it’s been said that these are record-breaking temperatures that we’re having.
When we hear of disasters, some times we think differently.
There are people who need our assistance.
Mr. Speaker, the temperatures that we’ve been experiencing for the last few days, especially in Pangnirtung, a lot of people keep their meat in their shacks in the wintertime, but when the temperature got too mild now they’re losing all their country food because it’s thawed out.
I have already received a phone call that the meat they are storing is thawed out, if they’re going to deteriorate, and with the temperatures that we’re having, it will be hard to go out hunting.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to keep the members informed, and over the next couple of days my constituents will inform me how much they lost due to weather.
I would like to ask the members, especially the Cabinet, so they’ll know when I approach them, that they lost these things. Once I get back, I will give a report as to how much they lost and what they are asking for because of the weather.
Member’s Statement 157 – 2(3): Fund Raising Event – Anglican Church Pancake Supper (Picco)
I’d like to take this opportunity to inform and invite the members to a special fund raising event tonight.
The Anglican Church will be hosting a fundraising supper of pancakes in aid of rebuilding our new church.
Mr. Speaker, the supper will be $10, and the door prize, donated by First Air, is a ticket anywhere First Air flies in the country.
Mr. Speaker, the supper starts at 5:00 and finishes around 7:30.
All members, their staff, and their leg staff and all residents of Iqaluit are warmly invited. Mr. Speaker, pancake supper celebrates the day before Ash Wednesday. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday.
It is also called Shrove Tuesday.
A tradition in our family was to put coins; nickels, dimes, and quarters in the pancakes, on pancake night.
This was before the days of loonies and toonies, Mr. Speaker.
People won’t find coins in the pancakes tonight, but we will find a warm reception at the door, and I hope we get a good turn out tonight for the reception.
And again, I warmly invite all members and the residents of Iqaluit to come out tonight and support the rebuilding of our church.
Member’s Statement 158 – 2(3): Blizzard in Sanikiluaq (Kattuk)
There was a blizzard in my community.
At least it wasn’t raining, but apparently it was quite stormy, and the visibility was 0.2.
You could only see whatever was right in front of you.
They also had a power shortage. Apparently, one of the wires broke.
I received a phone call that everybody was okay, except they were having a bit of a problem with the power.