EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The total number of days the student was absent with an excuse for each month.  The total number of days the student was truant (absent without an excuse) for each month.
For enrolment purposes, as of September 30th, this electronic school database is uploaded into the Department of Education’s Student Record (SR) database by each region’s Information Technology Coordinator.
A non-attender is defined as having unexcused absences for at least 60% of school days in September.
Non-attenders do not count as a full-time equivalent (FTE) for the school.
At the end of the school year, total attendance by student for the school year is uploaded, by each region’s IT Coordinator, into the Department of Educations Student Record (SR) database.
There have been at least two DEAs over the last ten years that have enquired about or discussed issuing fines under s. 28 of the Education Act.
These discussions have never proceeded to the point where there has been any written correspondence or formal application of legal steps to levy a fine.
The process is much more expensive than the fine recovers, and the process is long enough that the idea of levying a fine was dropped in favour of other, more constructive alternatives, such as counselling and communication with the student and their parents.
Attendance rates for Kitikmeot schools broken down by school year:
Kugaarjuk
4) The graduation numbers for the Kitikmeot Region by Community from 1999 to 2007 are provided in the table below.
Kitikmeot School Graduation Numbers by Community 1999 to 2007
Return to Written Question 015 – 2(4): Disclosure and Withdrawals under the Integrity Act
Date: June 3, 2008
All Executive Council documents are strictly confidential.
To maintain the traditions of and cabinet confidentiality, Executive Council members will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal any matter considered by the Council, or made known to the members as a Member of Executive Council.
Documents registered with the Secretary to Cabinet are confidential to the Executive Council.
Deputy Premier; Minister of Community and Government Services; Minister responsible for the Status of Women
Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth; Minister of Finance, Chairman, Financial Management Board
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Pages 4646 – 4715
Opening Prayer 4646
Ministers’ Statements 4646
Members’ Statements 4650
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 4655
Oral Questions 4657
Tabled Documents 4675
Motions 4676
First Reading of Bills 4677
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 4679
Report of the Committee of the Whole 4713
Orders of the Day 4714
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 4646
204 – 2(4): Devolution Negotiation Protocol Agreement (Okalik) 4646
205 – 2(4): Expansion of the Nunavut Teacher Education Program (Picco) 4647
206 – 2(4): Electronic Health Records (Aglukkaq) 4648
207 – 2(4): Fuel Tanks (Netser) 4649
208 – 2(4): 2008 Archaeological Field School (Tapardjuk) 4650
510 – 2(4): 52nd Anniversary of Mike Gardener and Wife (Okalik) 4650
511 – 2(4): Need for Patient Care in High Arctic for Stroke Patients (Barnabas) 4651
512 – 2(4): Congratulations to Baker Lake Graduates (Simailak) 4651
513 – 2(4): Long-Term Service Awards (Peterson) 4652
514 – 2(4): Promised Baseball Diamond for Pond Inlet (Arvaluk) 4654
515 – 2(4): Announces Resignation from Cabinet (Aglukkaq) 4654
623 – 2(4): Tax Issues (Tootoo) 4657
624 – 2(4): Sudden Resignation of Cambridge Bay School Principal (Peterson) 4658
625 – 2(4): Clarify to Nunavummiut How GN Sets Fuel Prices (Curley) 4660
626 – 2(4): Late Delivery of Fuel to Repulse Bay (Mapsalak) 4663
627– 2(4): Delivery of Fuel in Sanikiluaq When Fuel Truck Breaks Down (Kattuk) 4665
628 – 2(4): Different Tiered-Pricing of Fuel in Nunavut (Arvaluk) 4668
629 – 2(4): Community Assistance for Capital Projects (Simailak) 4671
630 – 2(4): Lobbying Federal Government to Exempt Nunavummiut from Paying GST on Home Heating Fuel (Tootoo) 4673
276 – 2(4): Lands and Resources Devolution Protocol between the Government of Canada, the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (Okalik) 4675
277 – 2(4): Integrity Commissioner (Acting) – Report to the Speaker re: Mr. David Simailak, MLA, September 8, 2008 (Speaker) 4675
042 – 2(4): Referral of Tabled Document 216 – 2(4) to the Committee of the Whole (Curley) 4676
Bill 40 – An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act – First Reading 4677
Bill 42 – Miscellaneous Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2008 – First Reading 4678
Bill 41 – Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008-2009 – First Reading 4678
Bill 43 – Write-Off of Assets and Debts Act, 2008-2009 – First Reading 4679
Bill 36 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008 – Consideration in Committee 4679
Bill 37 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2007-2008 – Consideration in Committee 4693
Bill 38 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee 4697
Bill 39 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee 4707
Before we begin, I would like to ask Mr. Netser to say the opening prayer.
Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): I would like to notify the Members of the Legislative Assembly that our colleague, Mr. David Alagalak wrote to us about the passing of his daughter and that he would like to receive our prayers and to remember him in his time of hardship.
We would like to pray for him before we begin today’s proceedings.
I say “hello” to the residents of Qikiqtarjuaq. (interpretation ends) Item 2. (interpretation) Ministers’ Statements.
Minister’s Statement 204 – 2(4): Devolution Negotiation Protocol Agreement (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to give you and all Nunavummiut good news of recent developments in devolution.
On September 5, 2008, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Paul Kaludjak, President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and I signed the Nunavut Devolution Negotiation Protocol.
This protocol is a milestone. It sets the stage for Canada and Nunavut to move forward, providing a foundation upon which to secure a devolution agreement with the Government of Canada and NTI.
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Canada’s North, along with the military exercise, Operation Nanook, has once again focused the media’s attention on the North.
With the increased interest in the North, it is an opportune time to speak about sovereignty in the context of devolution.
Devolution offers the Government of Canada an opportunity to exercise their sovereignty, signalling to the world its absolute confidence in Canada’s claim over the arctic waters.
For millennia, Inuit have continuously lived in the areas claimed as sovereign by Canada.
When the Prime Minister said that we need to use it or lose it, the transfer of authority to Nunavut can only strengthen Canada’s claim to our sovereignty.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada has said they intend to improve and devolve governance so that northerners have greater control over their destinies.
The protocol moves us in that direction.
Minister Strahl has said that, “This Protocol is all about honouring this commitment and working with our partners in Nunavut to place decision-making in the hands of the people of the territory.”
Mr. Speaker, the signing of the protocol is a positive and powerful signal.
I was honoured to be a part of this momentous occasion as Nunavut took one more step towards greater self-reliance and a prosperous future. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 205 – 2(4): Expansion of the Nunavut Teacher Education Program (Picco)
I would like to take this opportunity to inform the House about plans for the expansion of the Nunavut Teacher Education Program, or NTEP.
One of the most important elements in educating bilingual graduates is well-trained and supported teachers in our schools.
Working in cooperation with the Nunavut Arctic College (NAC), the Department of Education has increased funding to NTEP by $2.13 million. This additional funding will provide for the both the expansion of NTEP into additional communities, as well as the delivery of an aboriginal language and cultural certificate program.
Mr. Speaker, this will enable experts in Inuit knowledge and traditions to be certified to work in our schools, as well as an enhanced current foundation program in many communities.
Mr. Speaker, these monies will also be used to create base programs for NTEP in Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay, ensuring for full delivery of the program in each regional centre, thereby, Mr. Speaker, allowing students to stay closer to their home communities.
Mr. Speaker, the future of the Inuit language rests in our ability to produce bilingual graduates. This requires both financial and administrative commitments to produce teachers that are capable at all levels. The restructuring of our NTEP program will provide much needed life into our school system and provide more opportunity for young Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, revitalization of the program continues on the pledges of the proposed Inuit Language Protection Act and our Education Act.
We have promised to provide a bilingual education, Mr. Speaker, to all students in Nunavut, and we must be able to deliver on that promise.
The infusion of funds and renewed enthusiasm for the development of Inuit teachers is an important step in realizing our government’s goal of having Inuktitut as our working language.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank NAC and the staff at Education for their continued dedication and efforts in this area. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 206 – 2(4): Electronic Health Records (Aglukkaq)
Before I do my statement, I, too, want to offer my condolences to our colleague’s, David Alagalak, loss and we are thinking about him today.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the Department of Health and Social Services is moving forward with an electronic health record system.
An electronic health record is a secure and private lifetime record of a patient’s health care history.
All jurisdictions across Canada currently use electronic health records, to some degree, for faster transfer of patient information, resulting in reduced wait times.
Nunavut’s electronic health record project is a five-year initiative from creation to implementation. The total cost of the project is $11.6 million, $4.2 million of which will be provided through a combination of federal funds, such as the Patient Wait Times Guarantee Trust Fund, and I am very pleased to announce that Canada Health Infoway will invest $7.4 million.
Mr. Speaker, Canada Health Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit corporation. Its goal is to put in place the basic elements of a Canada-wide electronic health record system.
They work as a strategic investor to accelerate the development of health information and communications technologies on a pan-Canadian basis.
Mr. Speaker, better information equals better care. Reducing wait times means X-ray results that normally take weeks can take 72 hours with an electronic health record system.
Electronic health records are a key building block in establishing a health care system that provides improved access, quality and productivity throughout Nunavut, and connects us to the rest of Canada.
By 2012, the electronic health record system will be integrated and available in all communities.
Minister’s Statement 207 – 2(4): Fuel Tanks (Netser)
I rise today to inform this legislature that officials with the corporation and local housing organizations are proactively taking steps to address problems with outdated fuel tanks.
There have recently been a number of costly oil spills and minor fuel leaks in various communities throughout Nunavut.
Those incidents prompted the NHC to undertake inspections of our oil tanks.
Mr. Speaker, officials discovered that a number of those tanks were between 20 and 30 years old; almost as old as I am.
And many were without a manufacturer’s label.
The Auditor General had raised concerns about a lack of asset monitoring at the community level. In the course of addressing those concerns about management at the LHO level, the corporation has developed fuel tank maintenance standards to more closely monitor such assets.
Mr. Speaker, the corporation and LHOs have already compiled a Nunavut-wide report resulting from fuel tank inspections. We need to bring all fuel tanks up to acceptable environmental standards, many tanks will be replaced.
The corporation is developing a strategy for the acquisition and replacement of outdated fuel tanks in their public housing stock.
Such a replacement strategy will likely involve a five-year action plan.
The corporation has already ordered 260 new fuel tanks that will be distributed to communities on a priority basis. More tanks will be ordered.
Minister of Finance, Minister Aglukkaq. (interpretation ends) No, I’m sorry. Minister Tapardjuk.
Minister’s Statement 208 – 2(4): 2008 Archaeological Field School (Tapardjuk)
I would like to say “hello” to my constituents, especially the people of Hall Beach.
Mr. Speaker, I raise today to report to my colleagues that the collaborative archaeology field school between Inuit Heritage Trust and Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth project in Hall Beach, launched in July 2006, has been completed.
Archaeology training of Nunavummiut is a core area of mutual interest and responsibility that the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth and the Inuit Heritage Trust collaborate on together and share the program delivery costs.
Mr. Speaker, the 2008 field school ran for approximately four weeks, commencing June 30 and ending on July 24.
Six students participated in the field school - one in Hall Beach, three in Arviat, one in Pond Inlet, and one in Repulse Bay.
One of the features excavated this summer was a house in which no less than 500 items were found.
The list of items includes several harpoon heads, a comb, three soapstone vessel fragments which can be put back together, and a large quantity of animal remains.
The artefacts are currently in Igloolik being analyzed by our territorial archaeologist and the animal remains have been sent to the University of Toronto.
Mr. Speaker, as Nunavummiut, we have a rich cultural heritage that we should all be proud of and be interested in discovering.
This field school has the potential of awakening that interest in our youth.
Member’s Statement 510 – 2(4): 52nd Anniversary of Mike Gardener and Wife (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am very pleased to rise today to acknowledge a very significant and special day for a couple of my constituents.
I am talking about a very happy couple, they have been very happy together for 52 years as of today.
As you know, I represent a wonderful couple named Mr. and Mrs. Gardener, and today is their special day. Mr. Gardener tells me of stories of the first time he came to Nunavut when there was no airplane service, no telephones, and it was a real challenge according to his wife, Margaret, at that time.
Mr. Gardener was able to work out an arrangement where he could get married in a ship here with the captain on the shores of Frobisher Bay.
So that was 52 years ago today that this happy couple tied the knot here in Nunavut.
I want to thank them for sharing their stories and their happy memories, and I hope that they will continue to have a very happy future together. (interpretation) Thank you and congratulations.
Member’s Statement 511 – 2(4): Need for Patient Care in High Arctic for Stroke Patients (Barnabas)
I also send my condolences to Peter Kilabuk and David Alagalak.
I say “hello” to my constituents.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about a trip I made to my constituencies. I was informed that people who are unable to take care of themselves due to heart problems have no one who could look after them or facilities to go to.
For that reason, some of these people are in very difficult situations.
There’s an individual who has to travel to Iqaluit to receive medical attention.
Now, the family ends up spending a lot of money to go and see this individual who needs continuous care in the hospital. This is a problem that we have in the smaller communities, especially when it comes down to the elders.
Something must be done to assist those individuals and that’s the reason why I rose today.
Member’s Statement 512 – 2(4): Congratulations to Baker Lake Graduates (Simailak)
I rise today to recognize the important achievement of a number of very special Baker Lake residents, the 2008 grade 12 graduates.
Mr. Speaker, at a beautiful ceremony held at the Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School in Baker Lake, eight students celebrated one of the important milestones in their young lives.
Graduating from grade 12, Mr. Speaker, is a stepping stone to future opportunities.
Every one of those students and their families and the friends who supported them along the way should be proud of what they have achieved.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the following grade 12 graduates:
Ian Joey Atutuva Amarook;
Annie Malaiya Amaruq;
Kevin Aksarniq Iksiktaaryuk;
Emma Kataujq Kreuger;
Lillian Aglukkaq Mannik;
Paula Amy Ikuutak Rumbolt; and
Lance Millak Singaqti.
And also, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the honorary grade 12 graduate this year and that was Hugh Tulurialik.
Mr. Speaker, these young people are now role models for students in the community.
I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating their achievement. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 513 – 2(4): Long-Term Service Awards (Peterson)
I rise today to congratulate the many Government of Nunavut employees in my community of Cambridge Bay who received long-term service awards at an event held at the Elders’ Palace on August 22, 2008.
Mr. Speaker, we are very fortunate that the Government of Nunavut has many dedicated, loyal, and hard-working employees who are committed to the ideals of public service. Without them, the Government of Nunavut would find it very difficult to deliver the many essential programs and services that are needed in our communities across Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to inform the House that 34 Government of Nunavut employees received long-term service awards.
Brent Boddy
Sandra Peterson
Darlene Aknavigak
Jessie Lyall  Eva Ohokak
Patti Greenley
Alice Lafrance
Donna Olsen-Hakongak
Amaiya Emingak
Nancy Mahagak
Terry McCallum
Doris Angohiatok
Korinne MacDonald
Roni Ohokannoak
Amy Aknavigak
Bessie Joy
Fiona Buchan-Corey
And finally, Mr. Speaker:
Eileen Crane
Peter Evalik
Celina Hogaluk
Joan McCallum
Johnny Oyakyoak
Bram Sikma
Terry Aknavigak
Jeffery Avery
Daisy Eyegetok
Sandra Eyegetok
Ann Wingnek
Marlana Hakongak
Harry Etegik
Kitty Taipana
Diana Thompson
Michal Lozowski
Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in recognizing our many long-term service award employees in Cambridge Bay and elsewhere in the Kitikmeot for their services and contributions to our residents and communities.
Speaker: Thank you. (interpretation) Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 514 – 2(4): Promised Baseball Diamond for Pond Inlet (Arvaluk)
I made a statement yesterday about the arena in our community, so I’m going to focus on the baseball diamond today.
When the community hall was being built in Pond Inlet, the residents wanted a park built near the school instead of near the community hall.
The hamlet council agreed to that change because that’s what they thought the government was going to do.
Yet, two summers have passed and we still haven’t seen the construction of the baseball diamond.
When Ms. Brown and some of her officials were in our community this summer, we went to go see the site where she wanted to build the park.
At that time, I asked her why they still haven’t constructed the baseball diamond.
We were told by the officials that the site they had wanted to build the park was swampy and that further studies had to be done, so they decided to defer the project.
There was also some ground movement near the school because it was unstable.
We’re not going to be building any houses over there; all they have to do is put some sand on it to make it a park.
Why did they have to conduct a study when they’re not going to be building any houses on the site?
I will want to find out from the minister exactly why the baseball diamond hasn’t been built yet.
We don’t have an arena for the young people and the baseball diamond should be easy enough to build. So I will be asking questions at the appropriate time on this issue.
Member’s Statement 515 – 2(4): Announces Resignation from Cabinet (Aglukkaq)
Since 2004, when I was first elected to represent the people of Nattilik in this Assembly, we have accomplished much together.
It has been a privilege and an honour to serve with so many dedicated people in this Assembly and in this government who have tried daily to serve the people of our great territory.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my constituents, my staff, and my family and friends for their support.
I also want to thank my colleagues in this House for electing me to serve in the Executive Council and to thank Premier Paul Okalik for appointing me to serve first as finance minister and currently as your Minister of Health and Social Services.
I have served with great dedication, honour, and humility. It is with mixed emotion today that I announce that I will be resigning from the Executive Council effective end of today.
My desire to serve the people of Nunavut will continue as I embark on my campaign to become the Conservative Member of Parliament of Nunavut for Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, Prime Minister Harper and his Conservative government have made the Arctic and northern Canada a priority. The Prime Minister’s commitment to Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic, to economic development with northern input and control, and to protecting our arctic environment is a welcomed relief.
I wish to be a contributing member of a Conservative federal government that recognizes the importance of Canada’s North and its people who have been all but ignored by previous governments.
While I will miss serving in this distinguished Assembly, I am looking forward to continuing to serve our people, Nunavummiut, as your Member of Parliament for Nunavut in Ottawa.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you very much, Ms. Aglukkaq.
Members’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Item 4.
I would like to recognize in the Assembly today my husband, Robbie MacNeil. I also want to recognize my son, Cooper MacNeil, who was born June 17...
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: It looks like we have already put him to sleep. I would also like to recognize a friend of mine, Sheila Higdon, who is also in the Gallery with me today.
Even if we don’t get our baseball diamond, I would like to recognize Ragilee Ootoovak from Pond Inlet and Rhoda Cunningham, who moved back and forth from Pond Inlet to Iqaluit. She has been very, very busy.
I would like to recognize these two individuals.
What an exciting time to be in Nunavut and indeed in North America with the federal election in Canada, the territorial election here, and the great American debate south of the border.
In that context, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome to the House a constituent and a friend of mine, a guy who is also on the political hustings over the next several weeks, he needs no introduction to this House, and indeed, on behalf of his brother, Mr. Barnabas, we would like to welcome to the Gallery the NDP candidate for Nunavut, Mr. Paul Irngaut.
This individual isn’t from my community nor did he vote for me since he’s not from my constituency. However, I have worked with this individual for many years in other places and he has fought for the Inuit culture. At one time, he was also the President of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.
So it gives me great pleasure to recognize this individual who so fortuitously entered the Chamber just now, Mr. Pauloosie Keyootak.
Mr. Speaker, I realize that he is from your constituency, but I would like to take the opportunity of recognizing him away from you for the time being.