EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
At the same time copies of the booklet will be presented to all the members of the Assembly.
This House stands adjourned to Wednesday May 26, 1999 at 10:30 a.m.
>> House Adjourned 6.00 pm.
DAY 10
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 1999
Pages 327 - 372
Tel (867) 979-6770 Fax (867) 979-6811 Toll-Free (877) 334-7266  Table of Contents
Ministers' Statements 28
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 28 28
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and other Matters 28  Report of the Committee of the Whole 28
Wednesday May 26, 1999 28
18 - 1 (2) : Roy C. Hill Award - Nick Newberry, Terry Fox Program (Arvaluk) 28
19 - 1 (2): Gjoa Haven Gasoline Situation (Thompson) 28
60 - 1 (2): Qulliq Donated to the Assembly (Akesuk) 28
61 - 1 (2): Thanks and Happy Birthday to Wife (Kilabuk) 28
62 - 1 (2): Condolences to Bereaved Family (Irqittuq) 28
63 - 1 (2) : Nunavut / Kivalliq Road Link (McLean) 28
84 - 1 (2) : Status of Doctor for Igloolik (Irqittuq) 28
85 - 1 (2) : NTPC Report for Clyde River (Iqaqrialu) 28
86 - 1 (2): Tunnel Between Schools in Pond Inlet (Nutarak) 28
87 - 1 (2): Pipeline to Water Reservoir (Akesuk) 28
88 - 1 (2): Gun Control Legislation (Kattuk) 28
89 - 1 (2) : Policy for Establishing Full Time Doctors in Nunavut Communities (McLean) 28
90 - 1 (2) : Gun Control Legislation (Tootoo) 28
91 - 1(2) : Impact of Proposed Highway on Taloyoak (Puqiqnak) 28
92 - 1 (2): Proposed Power Grid to Keewatin (O'Brien) 28
93 - 1 (2) : Airline Schedules in the Kitikmeot (Alakannuark) 28
94 - 1 (2): Socio-Economic Impact of Highway Construction (Kattuk) 28
95 - 1 (2): Court Challenge to Gun Control Legislation (Tootoo) 28
96 - 1 (2) : Court Challenge to Gun Control Legislation (Irqittuq) 28
97 - 1 (2) : Student Summer Employment (McLean) 28
98 - 1 (2) : Health/Education Board Amalgamation Contract (O'Brien) 28
99 - 1 (2):Pond Inlet Dock (Nutarak) 28
100 - 1 (2) : Government Contracts made Public (Tootoo) 28
101 - 1 (2):Insurance for Hunters (Iqaqrialu) 28  Wednesday May 26, 1999
Wednesday May 26, 1999
Speaker (Mr. Barnabas) (interpretation): I would like to ask Mr. Iqaqrialu to open the meeting with a prayer.
First of all in regards to yesterday, a motion was tabled on the hours of sitting.
I was given the discretion to fix the hours.
From Monday to Thursday, it is going to be from 10.30 to 12.00 and 1.30 to 6.00 in the afternoons.
On Friday from 10.30 to 4.00 and Saturdays from 11.00 to 4.00 pm.
I would also like to announce that it is our Premiers' birthday today.
Ministers' Statement 18 - 1 (2) : Roy C. Hill Award - Nick Newberry, Terry Fox Program
Mr. Speaker I am proud to stand in our Legislative Assembly today to congratulate one of our teachers for being presented with the Roy C. Hill Award.
Nick Newberry, a teacher at Inuksuk High School, was awarded this award for his work in developing and implementing the Terry Fox Program.
This program was designed as an alternative for students whose needs were not met by the mainstream education programs and has been on-going for the past12 years.
This program includes academics, land and survival skills, life skills, and community work and service.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate and thank Mr. Newberry for his hard work and dedication to the education of our young people.
Ministers' Statements, Ms. Thompson.
Ministers' Statement 19 - 1 (2): Gjoa Haven Gasoline Situation
Mr. Speaker, as a result of the issues that have been raised with respect to the Gjoa Haven gasoline, I would like to provide the following facts for the information of all those concerned.
Sampling and testing of gasoline, diesel and aircraft fuels is completed before the products are shipped to the community.
The Gjoa Haven, Cambridge Bay and Taloyoak gasoline passed tests for these specifications.
After the tanks were filled in the community, another set of samples were taken and tested.
These also met the specifications.
In response to the concerns raised by the community, additional samples were taken and tested.
One set of these samples was sent to an independent testing facility as requested by the Hamlet.
A copy of the results of these tests was sent directly to the Hamlet by the testing facility.
Analysis of all these samples was completed by three separate facilities.
Alberta Research Council, Petro-Canada and Advanced Engine Technologies Ltd.
Advanced Engine Technologies is also inspecting the damaged engine parts.
In addition they are conducting, "Cold Weather Testing".
A preliminary report is expected this week and a final report should be ready in early June.
The department has incurred total costs of $39,300 in an attempt to address the concerns of Gjoa Haven residents about the gasoline.
I would also like to emphasize that this is the same gasoline that is being used in both Cambridge Bay and Taloyoak.
It is from the same shipment.
I am happy to report that recently there was a fishing derby in Gjoa Haven and there were no major snowmobile problems reported.
I also note that there was recent mention of snowmobile races that were held in the community.
Again, no problems were reported.
Mr. Speaker, I hope that this will help reassure the residents of Gjoa Haven that we take their concerns seriously and we have been attempting to use all the resources at our disposal in order to satisfy those concerns.
Item 3, Members' Statements.
Members' Statements, Mr. Akesuk.
Members' Statement 60 - 1 (2): Qulliq Donated to the Assembly
I would like to make a comment about the qulliq that was made for the Legislative Assembly.
This qulliq was given to us by Northwestel, and it was made by Simata Pitsiulak, from Kimmirut.
Members' Statement 61 - 1 (2): Thanks and Happy Birthday to Wife
This morning, I heard concerns from my constituency, and I would like to say that this morning we will be working on their concerns.
I would also like to say thank you and acknowledge my wife, as it is her birthday today.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Kilabuk.
We will send a birthday card to your wife.
Members' Statement 62 - 1 (2): Condolences to Bereaved Family
Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the house that in my constituency of Igloolik a person passed away.
This person was down south when she passed away.
On behalf of her family, Ika Irngaut passed away yesterday or the day before.
I would like to pass on my condolences to her family in Igloolik.
Members' Statements'.
Members' Statement 63 - 1 (2) : Nunavut / Kivalliq Road Link
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time today to comment on the Premiers' statements on the road link to Kivalliq and Nunavut.
We hear costs but to every project there is a cost, but this project the payback to all of Nunavut will be huge.
We are dealing with federal transfer payments and we are all saying that we need more money for housing, education and health.
A road to the Kivalliq opens up both the tourism sector and the non-renewable resource sector.
This means jobs in tourism and mining.
Jobs mean taxes both personal and corporate.
It also means royalties.
This means we as residents of Nunavut are starting to stand on our own two feet by generating much needed revenue that Nunavut needs to run programs.
Mr. Speaker, a road to the Kivalliq region brings benefits to all members of Nunavut.
Hon. James Arvaluk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, since we don't very often recognize our employees, I have a very competent employee and I am sure that everyone knows this person from her time as a member of the Uvagut band.
Ooleena Nowyuk our secretary, I would like to recognize her.
This person was recognized but this person was from my constituency and has moved to Iqaluit because of his job.
If it wasn't for this person I don't know if we would be sitting here at this House.
If it wasn't for this person I am sure the Land Claims Agreement wouldn't be as comprehensive as it is.
So I would like this person to rise, Mr. Paul Quassa, I would like to recognize Mr. Paul Quassa.
Recognition of Visitors to the Gallery.
I would also like to recognize a person who used to work for me and now works for the Nunavut Government.
This person lived in my riding for a long time, I would like to recognize David Akeeagok.
I would also like to welcome all of the other people in the Gallery.
Question 84 - 1 (2) : Status of Doctor for Igloolik
Yesterday I asked a question to the Minister of Health and the response I got was inaccurate.
The question I brought was regarding doctors.
When we were in Igloolik, the Minister made a statement saying there was going to be a doctor based in Igloolik as soon as accommodations were available, and he stated that name of a particular doctor.
Mr. Speaker, when I asked him what the status was, apparently he misunderstood my question.
So my question now is what is the status of the doctor now?
Mr. Speaker, in the translation yesterday it came across as the nurse in Igloolik and not the doctor.
In the original question when I reviewed it just now, indeed the translation was lost, so I think we have to get our Hansard fixed.
In response to the question by the member on the doctor for Igloolik, when I was in Igloolik with the member about two weeks ago, the Mayor had indicated that the doctor was going into Igloolik, of which I was aware, because I had spoken to the doctor.
The intention of the doctor was to move to Igloolik.
When I came back from Igloolik I contacted the Health Board through the department to find out the status of the doctor moving to Igloolik was, and is.
To date, I still haven't got an official response from the Health Board on the status of the doctor, when the doctor was moving to Igloolik and on the housing situation.
As soon as I get that information, I spoke to the member this morning, and I committed to him that I would get that information to him and hopefully by sometime today we will have that information for the member.
Question 85 - 1 (2) : NTPC Report for Clyde River
I will be asking my question to the Minister responsible for NTPC.
I have not yet received any documents regarding the NTPC.
I am not asking for all the documents, I just want the documents specific to Clyde River.
That is a report that was promised to me by the Minister responsible for NTPC.
I just want the report specifically for Clyde River.
Minister responsible for the Nunavut Power Corporation Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, yes I have had a couple of conversations with the member on the power corporation.
As most members realize, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation actually has two Ministers.
The Minister for the Northwest Territories is Mr. Dent and I am responsible for operational issues here in the Nunavut region.
After saying that, the information on the Clyde River plant, I requested that information from the power corporation, which is at their head office in Hay River.
I spoke to my staff about it this morning and I haven't got that information right now but will commit to getting that information to the member today.
Question 86 - 1 (2): Tunnel Between Schools in Pond Inlet
This question is for the Minister of Education.
We have two schools, one older than the other.
They're looking a putting a tunnel or connector between the two schools.
One doesn't have a gym, so the idea behind putting in this tunnel was so that the students could go over there during school without going outside.
I have received correspondence from the GNWT.
One was built in 1961 and we have a problem with the schools, I would like the Minister of Education to give me an update on what is happening with these two schools.
Yes, I did get that letter from the Baffin Divisional Board of Education, Mr. David Qamaniq, from Pond Inlet.
I think the member is well aware that we did have the safety officer check out the school.
I think it was during the GNWT days that the Minister of Education, Charles Dent, realised that following the safety code, they couldn't build this tunnel.
Even if this was put into the 99/2000 budget we can't go ahead because it is a fire hazard to put the tunnel from the old school to the new school.
There is a new set of codes that we have to follow with newer facilities and the safety officers are concerned that should there be a fire in any one of these facilities, it could become a safety concern.
If the older facility caught on fire it could become a safety concern for the students.
With that in mind, we still haven't done anything about the tunnel between the two schools.
We have been hearing since 1992 that this tunnel was going to be built every year and they have always deferred the item, We have to do something about it and our school is already full of students, if there could be an agreement, is it possible to work together so that we can resolve this problem?
Although I didn't hear a question in there, Mr. Minister you can respond.
According to what I hear him saying, I think he is asking us to rectify the situation.
At this time we are trying to accumulate all the information on the Pond Inlet school.
I have my staff working on this issue and I also want to hear from the government staff and others who usually deal with building standards and codes.
I will instruct them to discuss this matter with the Education Council in Pond Inlet and also work with the capital estimates within the department of Education.
Once we get all the information, I think we will get together tonight at 7 o'clock, and after we get together with the officials we will find out if we need to go to Pond Inlet again to figure out what to do with the tunnel.
We will deal with the issue tonight.
We are all aware of what the members concern is, Mr. Speaker, that one of the schools has a gymnasium and the other does not.
We are all aware that when the students use the gymnasium they are sweating and they have to go outside to get back to their classrooms and we hear that they catch cold when the leave the gymnasium all sweaty.
For that reason, how we will we be able to rectify this problem, according to building standards and looking at the children catching colds from leaving the gymnasium to go back to their classrooms.
We will look into all of these aspects and issues and respond as soon as we can, to find out the best possible way to benefit the students and children in Pond Inlet and still follow government building codes and then we can respond better to you.
Third question Mr. Nutarak.
As the Education Minister stated he had asked the Fire Marshall to investigate the school, although he met with the Council they couldn't come up with a concrete solution.
Last week we started working on this issue and the Fire Marshall was unable to respond to our questions.
So perhaps, if the Minister could go to Pond Inlet and meet with the Council, they could rectify this situation in Pond Inlet.
Hon. James Arvaluk (interpretation): I don't know if there was a question in his comments.
Mr. Speaker, I know they couldn't come to an agreement when the government staff members and the Community Education Council, Hamlet Council or Housing Council met.
When the government officials cannot agree with the entities in the communities, they usually ask their superiors what they should do.
I am sure they will be asking me that question sometime in the future, so I will also consider this and I am sure I will also be given different options to solve the situation.
I think we will have to deal with the options first and after that respond to the member as to whether I have to go to Pond Inlet to meet with the Education Council.
Once we have done that if we have to go to Pond Inlet we will take my officials there, but at this time I cannot respond to you or say to you that we will be going to Pond Inlet until we meet with the officials tonight.
Question 87 - 1 (2): Pipeline to Water Reservoir
My question is to the Minister of Public Works, Telecommunications & Technical Services.
I went to my home community over the weekend and a concern was raised in regards to the pipeline going to the water reservoir.
It goes all the way up to the lake and this pipeline is pretty old.
The health officials have already investigated the pipeline for safety reasons when GNWT was our government.
My question is, do you have any money available to deal with the old pipeline?
I am aware of the community's concern over this issue and I will look into it and see what we can do and reply to you when we find out.
Second question Mr. Akesuk.
The health inspectors were in Cape Dorset for a while and they stated that we could only use that pipeline for up to one more year.
Once the pipeline breaks, or if it erodes, or gets damaged, we would have to deal with this as an emergency issue.
I was wondering Ms. Thompson, if you could look into this as soon as possible.
Yes, I will get my officials to work on the pipeline as soon as possible.
I know that the community is quite concerned about it.
We will also look into the reports that were written after the investigation and I will direct my officials to look into that.
Question 88 - 1 (2): Gun Control Legislation
My question is for the Premier.
Perhaps a majority of the Nunavut residents are concerned about gun control legislation.
I would just like further clarification on your response, what the status is, Mr. Premier.
I would have to respond the same, we are still looking into this and we're looking into the legal aspects of this.
We will keep on top of it.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Okalik.
Question 89 - 1 (2) : Policy for Establishing Full Time Doctors in Nunavut Communities
My question is to the Minister of Health.
Mr. Speaker, I want to know what the policy is regarding establishing full time doctors in Nunavut communities.
Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, the department of Health, right now, the delivery of doctors' services is run by the individual health boards, the Keewatin Health Board, the Baffin Regional Health Board and the Kitikmeot Health & Social Services Board.
On the positioning of doctors in communities, as the Minister, it is my aim to try and get as many doctors into communities as possible.
We are going to try and do that over the next year as we phase out the boards and take on that responsibility.
At the present time the staffing of doctors, individual doctors is at the request of the individual health board, we then try to facilitate that arrangement.
Again, it is based on the demand at the community level and the availability of doctors to make that move.
Oral questions, Mr. McLean.
Mr. Speaker, I think the Minister has answered my question, in regards to establishing a doctor in Baker Lake, we have made many requests to the Keewatin Regional Health Board, and the request has fallen on deaf ears.
Is the Minister, when we abolish the Health Boards, going to make a commitment to establishing full time doctors in communities that qualify for them?
Mr. Speaker, I can commit to looking into it Mr. Speaker.
As I said, it depends on the availability of doctors and I guess what we would be looking for in the communities would be a general practitioner.
Right now, as we all know there are demand problems, supply problems with medical professionals, not only in Nunavut, but all over Canada and indeed, in North America.
I would commit to the member and the members of this House is that where operational request by community to have a doctor in regional centres, like Baker Lake, Cambridge Bay and the larger communities to service the smaller communities, we will try to facilitate and do that.
I know the request has been put forward by the Hamlet of Baker Lake, and we have looked at it, I know the Keewatin Regional Health Board has looked at it, again it is just finding the doctors to be able to move into the communities.
That is one of the things we are trying to do in the department of Health.
Question 90 - 1 (2) : Gun Control Legislation
Mr. Speaker, my question goes to the Premier.
As my colleague from Hudson Bay indicated, he had asked about any action being taken on gun control legislation with Ottawa.
Last week I believe, I posed a question to the Minister of Justice and if his department was going to be taking a look at it.
In light of this Mr. Premier, I would like to ask if the government is taking a look at the possibility of approaching Ottawa on it, and if so, whose department is going to be responsible for it.
Is it going to be through Executive or is it going to be through Justice?
Southern governments are involved in this court action.
My department will be handling the situation and we will use some expertise at the department of Justice as there are legal matters.
From what I understand there is no court hearing set as of yet, at the Supreme Court of Canada level.
We are monitoring the situation and we will continue to do so and see what we can do for Nunavut.
Second question, Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Speaker, I think, and correct me if I am wrong, the member from Hudson Bay was asking if our government is approaching the government in Ottawa, to try and work on some changes to help modify the system to work in Nunavut.
Not whether we are waiting to hear if we are going to court or not.
I am just wondering if any talks have proceeded in that area.
Just setting up a dialogue with the federal government to look at possible changes.
Government Leader Mr. Okalik.
Hon. Paul Okalik: I believe the reason why they are in court is that attempts were made to try and modify the legislation and they wouldn't be in court if they hadn't tried that.
I could look into it and get back to the member.
Question 91 - 1(2) : Impact of Proposed Highway on Taloyoak
My question is to the Minister responsible for Transportation.
As the Qamanittuaq member had stated, he made a members' statement that he is happy about constructing a road in the Keewatin region.
Everybody is quite happy and pleased about the proposal.
My question on behalf of Kitikmeot and Taloyoak, is will it have a social impact on the community of Taloyoak or will it also benefit the community of Taloyoak?
In regards to transportation, on behalf of our department, I would like to thank the Premier for discussing this matter at the Western Premier's Conference, but this is only a part of Transportation's responsibilities in the Keewatin Region.
We have to find ways to solve the transportation issues.
I know that if a road going to Rankin Inlet, Arviat up to Baker Lake, perhaps to Whale Cove and Chesterfield Inlet is constructed, goods will be a lot cheaper to those communities, even, as I mentioned, to the communities that are not on the highway system.
At this time, we don't know if this construction will actually go ahead, but if it does go ahead in the future it will alleviate many of the high costs of living in the communities in Nunavut.
Second question Mr. Puqiqnak.
The reason why I am asking this question for Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak, is usually during the last stages of fall or autumn the ships go to Gjoa Haven and I have seen more than once ships going to the community when it is too late and it is freezing up.
They tend to get stuck in our area so that is why I asked this question.
Perhaps we can get the cargo ships to come earlier to my communities because they arrive pretty late in the season.
When they arrive late with the construction materials we have to build the units pretty late in the fall.
Sometimes we have to wait until the next spring to construct our units because materials have arrived too late in the fall, so we have to wait another year to get the construction going.
If the ships came earlier in the fall we could start the construction earlier.
Speaker (interpretation): Please try to keep your questions brief.
If you are going to use examples try to keep them brief so you don't repeat your questions and are brief.
Minister Mr. Anawak.
We have to look at transportation issues in all aspects whether it be aircraft, ships or constructing roads.
We have to look at transportation as a whole.
We have to look at everything; we have to look at all aspects of transportation when dealing with this issue and we will keep updating you as we progress.
Today is 1999 and we still haven't started dealing with it this year.
I remember in 1993 at the leaders summit there was a motion raised to have the cargo ships come earlier in the fall.
I started working on this issue back in 1993.
We had requested an earlier arrival for the ships, especially in the two communities that I have mentioned.