EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
It will help ensure greater safety and it will add to the economic potential of the facility.  The Iqaluit International Airport is currently processing over 100,000 passengers and 21,000 aircraft landings and take offs each year.
This project to improve the Iqaluit International Airport was included in the master plan adopted in 1999.
Completion of this project advances the implementation of the master plan and sets the stage for the eventual relocation of the airport terminal operations to the new apron. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 221 – 2(4): Search & Rescue in June 2007 at Igloolik (Tapardjuk)
This person was already thanked and congratulated by the Members of the Legislative Assembly.
They were looking for Inuki this last fall and he was lost out on the land for 28 days.
We are all aware that this was a hardship for everybody involved in Nunavut and it takes a long time to look for the lost people out on the land.
The federal government and the Nunavut Government assisted us, and also the local authorities and organizations were involved.
Although they were volunteering, they were assisting Igloolik people and Nunavummiut.
I would like to thank everybody and name them all but it would take too long.
For this reason, the Mayor of Igloolik told me that there were 200 volunteers involved in the rescue of Inuki and assisted in any way while they were looking for him out on the land for 28 days.
I would also like to thank each and every one of the Members of the Legislative Assembly, and also, the CGI were looking after us really well when we were assisted by the RCMP locally.
I would also like to thank Iqalummiut, Rankin Inlet people, Pond Inlet, and also Hall Beach.
The people from Arviat, Broughtin Island, Pangnirtung, Clyde River, Pond Inlet, Lake Harbour, and Baker Lake also assisted us financially when they were looking for Inuki.
We also got assisted financially from Nunavik, Sugluk Co-op. Nunavut Parnaijiit and Isuma Productions were also assisting us financially. We were also assisted by Nunasi.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister Tapardjuk is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
There are no nays. Please go ahead, Minister Tapardjuk.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Members.
The Nunasi Corporation was assisting us, as well as Baffinland, Rock Bay, and DND.
They assisted us financially by providing aircrafts and helicopters.
I would like to thank the people of Igloolik and the search and rescue team.
The Mayor Paul Quassa had not given up and kept pushing to find the man. He kept pushing and continued the search and rescue.
They work really hard in the community.
The search and rescue had a chair, our Sergeant-at-Arms, that is sitting down there was also involved. They worked really hard. The relatives of the lost were very patient and did not give up.
For this reason, they have all given us strength looking at the way they operated in the community.
I think we all want to understand that this was very hard for us and sensitive, and although they were very tired, they kept pushing to find the person.
Mr. Speaker, we are shown again that Nunavummiut base their search and rescue through love and striving to contain the life of the lost, also the people working together and not wanting to lose one person and not giving up.
I want to thank everybody. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 222 – 2(4): Building a Bridge for Change Workshop (Peterson)
I rise today to tell the House about a very innovative and successful three-day workshop that was held in Cambridge Bay last week.
Mr. Speaker, over the years our Cambridge Bay Wellness Centre has introduced many successful programs and workshops that have helped our residents. I have often mentioned their excellent work for our community in this House.
Mr. Speaker, we have often heard that the generational gap between elders, adults and youth is increasing and that more should be done in our communities to bring the them together.
Mr. Speaker, last week the wellness centre hosted a workshop called, “Building a Bridge for Change – Bringing Youth and Adults Together.”
The workshop was facilitated by the Recovery Foundation, which also facilitated the very successful “High Risk Kids” workshop last spring. It was well-attended by youth, adults, and elders who desire to get to know each other better.
Mr. Speaker, it is intended that those participants in the three-day workshop:
- Experience positive interaction and communication, and develop greater respect, appreciation and understanding of each other.
- Find their voices and learn to speak out with dignity, respect and honesty, and build a bridge of caring, support and trust between youth and adults.
- Look at issues of drugs, alcohol, violence, bullying and other destructive behaviours that are destroying the community.
- Focus on the positive and work together.
- Start talking to one another and develop new skills and awareness through challenging and FUN activities.
Mr. Speaker, one of the adult participants summed the workshop up for me like this.
“Not a dry eye in the building everyday; it’s just awesome!”
And, “It’s a must-have workshop for elders and youth.”
Mr. Speaker, I would like the House to join me in thanking the Cambridge Bay Wellness Centre for once again delivering a successful workshop, and congratulate the many youth, adults, and elders who participated and made it such a wonderful success.
Mr. Speaker, I would also encourage my colleagues to call the wellness centre if they are interested in any Recovery Foundation workshops for their communities. They can provide contact information and references.
Member’s Statement 223 – 2(4): Gratitude to Constituents & Happy Anniversary (Brown)
I rise today in recognition of my constituents in Whale Cove.
I am going to be going to the community of Whale Cove once we finish this session, weather permitting.
Mary Kanayuk-Voisy is my assistant and she keeps me up to date with anything and I would like to thank her for all that.
The people of Rankin Inlet are also dear to me.
My assistant there, Thomas Arnanaut Tiktak, I thank you very much.
He lets me know and made aware of any issues that come up.
Today, I also wish to congratulate John Tatty and his wife, Naujara. They have been married for fourty-two years.
I also wish the people of Nunavut to enjoy a good Halloween, an annual event we all experience with joy.
Member’s Statement 224 – 2(4): Illegal Drug Trade (Curley)
I rise today; I believe it was last year that I made a statement about this that our government has to work harder on the drug trade.
These are mind altering substances being taken by our young people and it is something that needs to be addressed.
Many of us the illegal drugs understand what they are actually, but many of our young people know of these drugs and use them.
Many young people are dying because they are using too much of these substances and falling into depression as a result of such drugs.
These drugs and pills that come to the communities are coming into Nunavut by air or ship.
I have told the government previously to do a better job of finding ways to help people in Nunavut deal with this issue.
The government responded, however, by saying that the RCMP are working on this. I can tell you the RCMP should not be the only ones working on this.
We need a strategy to combat the problem of drugs in the communities.
We need to train parents and elders as to what they are.
Our young people are suicidal and getting to hopelessness and depression because of too much drugs. Many of the users don’t know what drugs actually contain and what they can do. I want to tell the government the drugs come in from Montreal, Winnipeg, Churchill, and even from Yellowknife.
I urge you need to check with freight forwarders before the drugs are loaded onto the aircraft.
Use dogs.
I’m sure drugs are being offloaded from ships as we speak, in Iqaluit for distribution in the Baffin region, to our schools and youth.
We can stem the tide of this trade, starting now.
Members’ Statement. Member for Tunnuniq, Mr. Arvaluk.
Member’s Statement 225 – 2(4): Inuit Employment Percentage Low in Decentralized Communities (Arvaluk)
I rise today to talk about the aboriginal people who are working with the government, specifically with the federal government. It seems like there’s a decreasing number and they don’t seem to be getting the support they need in my community of Pond Inlet. I’m not sure what it’s like in the other communities.
The government had a goal of filling a certain percentage of positions with aboriginal people. It’s also in the agreement and a law of the federal government to put in a certain number of people.
I don’t think we should just be standing in the sidelines anymore. It’s up to us to lobby the government to fill the required number of positions with aboriginal people.
The reason I’m saying that is because the Inuit who work for the government are usually in the lower ranking positions.
Mr. Speaker, during the appropriate time I will be asking questions to the Minister of Human Resources about what goals the government has in filling those positions and why the Inuit are leaving the positions that they held.
Member’s Statement 226 – 2(4): 2007 Annual Elders’ Conference in Iqaluit (Picco)
Iqaluit had the opportunity from August 27 to 31 to host the annual gathering of our elders.  Mr. Speaker, over 200 elders from across Nunavut and indeed from Northern Quebec were in the Capital for the event.
Mr. Speaker, coordination for the event was provided by the City of Iqaluit’s Recreation Department and our own Iqaluit Elders’ Group.
The elders shared stories and reacquainted with friends they hadn’t seen for many years.
Mr. Speaker, guest speakers included our own Commissioner Ann Hanson.
Mr. Speaker, the elders had an opportunity to participate in baseball and soccer games.
They had an opportunity to visit locations around Iqaluit, and enjoyed many games and local food.  Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to thank Lizzie and Jonah Kelly who helped coordinate and facilitate the conference; the Department of CLEY, who provided financial support; and Mr. Speaker, especially the people of Iqaluit who donated tons of country food and provided a warm welcome to all the visiting elders.
Mr. Speaker, I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank the elders themselves for supporting the canteen during the event to help build a new cathedral here in Iqaluit. The fundraising committee of the church raised over $1,000 during the elder’s gathering. Thank you, elders.
Mr. Speaker, the elders’ gathering was a great success and our elders look forward to seeing their friends and other elders at the next elder’s gathering which is going to be in Nunavik in Northern Quebec. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to recognize an individual who is in the Gallery with us today. I think that she is well-known to many of the MLAs from the Baffin, and that is Trudy, who is the Manager of the Ottawa Boarding Home who is in Iqaluit this week.
She does excellent work in providing service to Baffinmiut, and I would like to welcome her to the Gallery and welcome her to Iqaluit.
Question 285 – 2(4): Update on Inuit Employment Rates (Arvaluk)
In regard to the Member’s Statement that I made, we are concerned about whether the employees are getting the proper support.
Could the minister tell me how fast they were filling the positions since he took his term?
Minister of Human Resources, Mr. Louis Tapardjuk.
Looking at the number of Inuit filling positions in the GN, following Article 23, are approximately 50 percent.
So half of the positions are filled by Inuit and we also have a goal of going up to 56 percent within the next three years.
There has been an increase in the number of Inuit employed within the government departments. Mr. Speaker, there is approximately 50 percent Inuit employment.
We’re talking about the whole of Nunavut when we’re saying 50 percent of the positions are filled.
Could the minister indicate to us if there is the same amount of positions filled in other communities or are we just talking about specifics?
Mr. Louis Tapardjuk.
The 50 percent that I’m referring to and of course, there’s varying percentages of positions in the other communities, for example, there are the clerks and receptionists, where these positions are filled by more Inuit.
For the semi-skilled and the skilled positions, there are less numbers.
In some of the communities, there are more Inuit filling the positions and less in some.
If we were to look at the numbers of Inuit who are working in the government, we’re referring to teachers, government employees, nurses and so on. But to date, 50 percent is for the whole of Nunavut.
We are well aware that there are a large number of Inuit teachers in the communities when we’re referring to them as government employees.
If we look at the other positions, for example who are working in the government departments, there doesn’t seem to be an increase in the number of Inuit employees. I think some of the positions that are filled by term are usually extended because they can’t fill the position.
Is there a support system set up within the government where the Inuit can go for help or if they need support of any kind?
Minister Louis Tapardjuk.
The government is training Inuit through the Sivuliqtiksat Program.
They also have interns filled and we also use other programs so that there is continual training involved for the Inuit employees, so the Inuit can also fill higher positions.
We do have a slight problem and that’s a lack of money. The Nunavut Government wanted help from the federal government so that they can fully implement Article 23.
Thomas Berger gave us a report but there’s not much we can do when we don’t have the money to increase the number.
At this time we are looking at the Inuit who have filled those positions and we’re sort of looking like a support group or some kind of an entity so that they can voice their concerns and also voice the type of support that they require.
We are currently looking at that.
The Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth and the Department of Human Resources are now working to set up that entity, and look at increasing the support that is required by the Inuit positions and how we can improve the numbers.
So we’re looking at all that.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The person on my right asked whether the government has made any plans to make an improvement in the system.
The Nunavut Government employees have to start filling positions.
My question is: has the government set up a strategy to improve the numbers to improve the training, especially among the elders and the youth, who are able and willing to fill the positions in the government system?
Minister Louis Tapardjuk.  Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We are working extremely hard to make sure that there is an increase, not only the Department of Human Resources, but every government department is working to increase the numbers.
We have a training program set up for social workers and for nurses.
In the communities we have NTEP programs. There are also other training and assistance given.
The government also has the Summer Student Program so that when students finish their schooling, they may want to pursue employment in the government after going to high school.
We’re looking at increasing to over 50 percent within the next three years. We think that would be the rate to go if we’re aiming for 2020.
So we’re trying to increase the percentages.
Question 286 – 2(4): Update on Concerns with KBDC (Tootoo)
Mr. Speaker, over the last couple of years, I’ve been raising issues and concerns with an organization and that’s the Kivalliq Business Development Centre.
I would like to ask the minister if he has done anything to look at and finding out about some of the issues and concerns that I’ve raised in that particular case.
The department is not in the position to comment on the specific issues regarding the situation because it’s an act of legal matter.
However, the department does not grant or administer business loans, but we do provide a contribution to the business development centres to help offset their community costs.
In terms of what’s been happening, I’ve asked for a study of all three of the regional business development centres. That report should be done by the end of March 2008 and the progress report on the study itself by the end of December of this year.
I wasn’t looking at what the department was doing in any particular case but just in general with the organization on looking at those things.
The minister indicated that he has asked a review to be done. Could he provide us with information as far as the terms of reference of that review?
Minister David Simailak.
Yes, I have asked for a review of the operations of all of the three business development centres; a review of their actual operations.
I have also written the chair of each organization for a representative on that working group that’s doing the actual study.
The terms of reference are based on those used by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency for a recent review that they did of the 41 communities and organizations in Atlantic Canada.
Would the minister commit to providing this House with a copy of the terms of reference for that review?
I will certainly look into that.
I appreciate the minister looking into that.
I know he can’t just say yes without checking into it first, but can he give an indication as to when he would be able to know if he would be able to table those terms of reference?
I should know some time this afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 287 – 2(4): Continue to Lobby Federal Government: Northern Deductions (Peterson)
My question is for the Minister of Finance.  Mr. Speaker, last night I read the Federal Finance Minister’s October 30 Economic Statement with a lot of interest.
Mr. Speaker, I know the reduction in GST to five percent is welcome news for all Canadian consumers.
I was disappointed that there wasn’t any announcement of the improvement in the Northern Residents Tax Deduction.  An Hon. Member: Shame, shame.
Mr. Peterson: That deduction came into force in 1987 and hasn’t been improved since. Our inflation has gone up 64 percent.
Mr. Speaker, at one point our minister indicated that the three territorial governments were planning to make a presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance Pre-Budget Consultations that were going to be held here in Iqaluit but they were postponed.
My question for the minister: will the minister tell the House if he, his NWT and Yukon counterparts will continue to lobby Ottawa on this important issue?
Yes, all three continue to work on this very important issue.
I thank the minister for that commitment; I assume it’s a commitment.
Mr. Speaker, although they didn’t get an opportunity to make a presentation to the Standing Committee on Finance Pre-Budget Consultations, can the minister tell the House if the Government of Nunavut had an opportunity to present Ottawa with any arguments to make a case that Nunavummiut, particularly low income earners, need some tax relief from the federal government to offset the very high cost of living in Nunavut?
Hon. David Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) We have been continually working on that, whether it is in Ottawa; the Finance Ministers meet together and look at this.
The three territorial governments have struck a committee to deal with this issue and we’ve been lobbying the federal government.
Every time we meet with either one of the ministers, whether it is either one of the territories, we keep continually bringing this up with the federal minister.
The committee has also been working on drafting documents on why we need to increase this.
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister. It’s good to know that the three territorial governments are working so closely together.
MLAs assume that the minister and his officials have analyzed the federal minister’s October 30 Economic Statement with much care and diligence.
I wonder if the minister could tell the House: is there anything in this statement that is a specific benefit to Nunavut?
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the Economic Statement made by the Federal Finance Minister yesterday stated that he would reduce the personal Income Tax and GST rate.
Those reductions are going to be beneficial to Nunavummiut as soon as they are tabled.
The private sector will also benefit from the reduction of Corporate Tax rates.
Those are the ones that we noticed during yesterday’s Economic Statement.
I’m sure in the coming days we’ll have more time to analyze the Economic Statement, and perhaps the minister would be in a position to table some information that clearly outlines what those benefits are so that we can assess them ourselves about how beneficial it is.
Mr. Speaker, the minister mentioned earlier that the three territorial governments have a good working relationship.
I believe it’s a good strategy to have a strong relationship with the federal government as well, particularly when, in Nunavut’s case, 90 percent of our revenues come from the senior level of government.
My question for the minister: can the minister tell the House if Nunavut and the other two territories see eye-to-eye on general matters of fiscal policy with the federal government?
We’ve been working with the territorial governments and we continually work on finance issues. We’ve been lobbying the federal government to spend more money in the North to benefit not just Nunavut but the whole of Canada.
We have been continually working on these issues, and every time we meet with the federal government, we lobby them to invest more in the North.
Question 288 – 2(4): Status of Arctic Bay Health Centre (Barnabas)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, for some time now, I have been raising concerns about the physical state of the Arctic Bay Health Centre.
Recently, even more problems have developed due to the landscape not being level.
Can the minister explain how her department evaluates the state and status of buildings such as the Arctic Bay Health Centre?
Yes, every time they do an investigation with the Department of Community and Government Services, the Technical Services do the investigation or evaluation at the request of various departments. So therefore, we do not go there and evaluate ourselves.
It has to be at the request of other departments, whether it is a school building or a health centre, which you just asked.
The varioius departments have to make a request, and then our Technical Services do the evaluation.
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The Arctic Bay Health Centre is one of the oldest health centre buildings in Nunavut.
I understand the health centre in Taloyoak is also very old.
Can the minister tell me whether technical standards and evaluation reports have been prepared for these two health centres?
If these units are old, they would have been evaluated.
If it’s the client department, they request CGS Technical Services to do an evaluation.
I’m sure there is a report available if there was an evaluation done. It’s evident that when these buildings are old, they do evaluations or inspections.
I’m interested in comparing the status of these two health centres.
Will the minister commit to providing me with the copies of the reports before the end of today?
It’s 2:30, just kidding.
If either one of my officials are listening, yes, I believe I can ask my officials to work on that.
At Technical Services, I will ask my deputy to look into that and if they can make it available, I will do so.
Question 289 – 2(4): Not Raise Power Rates (Curley)
Mr. Speaker, it may be Halloween night but the minister did not have to get into a spooky world of spirits.
Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister of Energy is regarding the high world oil prices.