EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
And whereas strategic investments in Nunavut’s infrastructure will foster economic growth and enhance the quality of life in our communities.
And whereas a strong Nunavut in a strong Canada will benefit to all citizens of this Nation.
Therefore I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Qamanittuaq, that the Legislative Assembly recommend that all Ministers of the Government of Nunavut commit themselves to a concerted campaign to raise awareness among their federal counterparts of Nunavut’s circumstances and requirements.
And further I move that a special invitation be extended to the Federal Minister of Industry to come to Nunavut in order to gain firsthand understanding of the challenges and opportunities that we face.
The Motion is in order to the Motion.
Consideration of the Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters.
Item 20. report of committee of the whole.
Item 21. third reading of bills.
Mr. Clerk, before we proceed with the reading of the orders of the day, could you please ascertain whether the Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut is prepared to enter the chamber to give assent to the bills.
>>House recessed at 10.55 a.m. and resumed at 10.58 a.m.
Bill 14 – Nunavut Elections Act – Assent
Bill 15 – Supplementary Appropriation Act # 5 -2001-2002 – Assent
Bill 16 – Supplementary Appropriation Act # 2 -2002-2003 – Assent
Deputy Commissioner (Lena Metuq): Good morning.
Elders, Speaker, Premier, MLAs, guests, observers, please be seated.
As the deputy Commissioner of Nunavut, I’m very pleased to give assent to the following bills as my first duty of office.
Bill 14, Nunavut Elections Act, Bill 15, Supplementary Appropriation Act # 5 2001-2002, Bill 16, Supplementary Appropriation Act #2, 2002-2003.
In representing the residents of Pangnirtung, I’d like to thank all of you for holding your session here in our community and I also want to say that I am very proud of the student body and the school staff of Alookie School, we were happy that you were able to utilize the school.
We also learned a great deal, as did our student body (interpretation ends). I wish each and every one of you a safe journey home, as you return to your home communities and loved ones.
Speaker: Before we continue on with orders of the day, I just like to extend a sincere thank you to all the people in the community that made our week here so special.
Special thanks to the staff, to our pages of course, who worked so hard all week, and our technical staff and our birthday boy, George.
Of course, to the school for allowing us to occupy their building for the last week, and our sergeant-at- arms, Jayko and a special thanks to Michael Langenhan for her tireless work on the translation of the new Nunavut Elections Act.
So for all those that have assisted, thank you very much and we had a great time here in Pangnirtung.
And also thank you, minister, for Minister Kilabuk, for inviting us.
Mut’na
Orders for the day for Tuesday, November 19th.
Table of Documents
Notice of Motion
Notion of Motion for First Reading of Bills
Second Reading Bills
This house stands adjourned until Tuesday, November 19th, 2002 at 1:30 in Iqaluit.
>>House adjourned at 11.04 a.m.  Nunavut Canada
Tuesday November 19, 2002
Pages 1533 – 1597
Minister of Health and Social Services; Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Power Corporation; Minister of Energy, Minister of Homelessness and Immigration
Thomas Elytook
Opening Prayer 1533
Ministers’ Statements 1533
Members’ Statements 1537
Returns to Oral Questions 1543
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1545
Oral Questions 1547
Tabling of Documents 1565
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 1566
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1567
Report of Committee of the Whole 1595
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1595
Orders of the Day 1596
Tuesday November 19, 2002 1533
070 – 1(6): New Fuel Transportation Contracts (Kattuk) 1533
071 – 1(6): Honouring John Amagoalik and Zacharias Kunuk (Anawak) 1534
072 – 1(6): Tenant-to-Owner Program Update (Ng) 1535
073 – 1(6): Nunavut Status of Women Council Annual Report (Anawak) 1536
230 – 1(6): Contributions and Loans to New and Existing Businesses (Iqaqrialu) 1537
231 – 1(6): Fund Raiser Event at Rankin Inlet for Breast Cancer Research (Anawak) 1537
232 – 1(6): Promotion of Culture (Nutarak) 1538
233 – 1(6): New Councillors for City of Iqaluit (Tootoo) 1538
234 – 1(6): PPD Division Decentralization & Kivalliq Corporation (McLean) 1539
235 – 1(6): Contributions of Atanarjuat to Preservation of Culture (Irqittuq) 1539
236 – 1(6): In Remembrance of Mabel Ikvana (Ng) 1540
237 – 1(6): Congratulations to Elisapee Shiutiapik & Doug Lem (Okalik) 1541
238 – 1(6): Inuit Employees of Rankin in Private Sector & GN (Thompson) 1541
239 – 1(6): Emergency Services at Gjoa Haven During Blizzard (Puqiqnaq) 1541
240 – 1(6): Nanisivik Mine Closure and Remediation Plans Update (Williams) 1542
241 – 1(6): Lucie Idlout – Host of APTN Buffalo Tracks (Picco) 1543
Return to Oral Question 223 – 1(6): Mining Strategy 1543
239 – 1(6): Insurance Requirements for Cultural Inclusion Program (McLean) 1547
240 – 1(6): Tammaaqtarvik - People Finding Own Billets (Irqittuq) 1548
241 – 1(6): Establishment of a Nunavut Elders’ Council (Nutarak) 1550
242 – 1(6): Problems Encountered by Small Business (Iqaqrialu) 1552
243 – 1(6): Correctional Facility for Kitikmeot (Puqiqnak) 1554
244 – 1(6): Aware of Principals’ Comments to DEAs on Bill 1 (Arvaluk) 1556
245 – 1(6): Reclamation/Clean Up Plans for Nanisivik (Williams) 1557
246 – 1(6): Calculation of Rent Based on Gross or Net Income (Tootoo) 1559
247 – 1(6): Distribution of Paxil in Nunavut (McLean) 1561
248 – 1(6): Boarding Homes Funded by GN (Iqaqrialu) 1562
249 – 1(6): Update on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Alakannuark) 1564
046 – 1(6): 2001-2002 Qullit Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements (Anawak) 1565
047 – 1(6): 2002-2003 Business Plans for the Nunavut Development Corporation and Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Akesuk) 1566
048 – 1(6): Hamlet of Arctic Bay Working Group Submission to the Nunavut Water Board (Williams) 1566
011 – 1(6): Minister’s Statement 070 – 1(6) to Committee of the Whole (McLean) 1534
Bill 18 – Appropriation Act, Capital 2003-2004 – Notice 1566
Bill 21 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act – Notice 1566
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Hon. Jack Anawak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Honourable Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Glenn McLean, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Ed Picco, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Hon. Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker: Members before we proceed with the Orders of the Day I just want to remind members about the preambles to the questions.
I’ve had comments raised by both the regular members and Ministers about the extended length of preambles which takes time away from the other members' questions.
I also, under Members’ Statements, under our rules 36-1-2, 3 and 4, in reference to Members’ Statements as it relates to a Minister, it states a minister may make a statement in accordance with rule 36 (1). But the statement must not relate to his or her responsibilities as a minister.
I would ask ministers to keep that in mind.
Mr Kattuk.
Minister’s Statement 070 – 1(6): New Fuel Transportation Contracts
I am very pleased to update the members on the new fuel transportation contract for Nunavut.
The contract for transportation services of bulk, refined petroleum products for Baffin and Kivalliq communities was awarded to Woodward’s Oil Limited.
Mr. Speaker, this transportation contract with Woodward’s will save the Government of Nunavut over $19 million dollars over the next three years when compared to the 2002 re-supply rate for Baffin and Kivalliq.
Mr. Speaker, the transportation contract for bulk refined petroleum products for Kitikmeot communities has been awarded to NTCL.
This contract will result in extra costs of over $1 million dollars for Government of Nunavut over the next three years when compared to the 2002 for the resupply of the Kitikmeot.
Mr. Speaker, the supply and transportation of fuel were awarded as separate contracts.
I am proud, Mr. Speaker, to report to the Members of this House and all Nunavummiut that the new fuel supply and transportation contracts together represents significant savings to the Government of Nunavut over the next three years.
Mr. Speaker, this is good news for all Nunavummiut.
Motion 011 – 1(6): Minister’s Statement 070 – 1(6) to Committee of the Whole
Mr. McLean: Maatna Uqaqti.
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Rule 34(5), I move seconded by the Honourable Member for the Quttiktuq, that Ministers’ Statement # 70-1(6) be moved into the Committee of the Whole for discussion.
The motion is carried that Ministers’ Statement 70-1(6) is referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Minister’s Statement 071 – 1(6): Honouring John Amagoalik and Zacharias Kunuk
I rise today to recognize two Inuit who were among the 51 distinguished Canadians invited to join the Queen at a Special Golden Jubilee dinner at Rideau Hall.
Mr. Speaker, John Amagoalik has been very active in Inuit politics, furthering Inuit rights and interests within Canada.
He has led the way along the road to the creation of Nunavut.
Mr. Amagoalik’s extensive political contributions include his work with Nunavut Land Claims Commission, Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, Inuit Committee on National Issues, Nunavut Constitutional Forum, Nunavut Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut, and he was also the Chair of the Nunavut Implementation Commission.
He also worked for a decade to gain Federal compensation for the surviving Inuit High Arctic Exiles, resulting in a $10 million dollar settlement.
Mr. Amagoalik’s accolades include a National Aboriginal Achievement Award, ITC’s 20th Anniversary Award and an honorary degree from St. Mary’s University in Halifax.
Mr. Speaker, the other Inuk is Zacharias Kunuk, as we are all aware Mr. Kunuk directed Atanarjuat, which brought Inuit heritage and language to the world stage.
It is the first Inuktitut-language movie written, produced, directed, and acted by Inuit.
Mr. Kunuk has said that his inspiration for making Atanarjuat was that he remembered a story of a naked man running for his life across the snow and ice.
He has interpreted Inuit traditional life through the contemporary medium of film, preserving Inuit oral traditions for future Nunavummiut.
His landmark film won the prestigious Camera D’Or prize at the Cannes Film Festival in France and it has gone on to win many more awards in Canada and internationally.
I would like to ask my colleagues to join with me to recognize and thank both Mr. John Amagoalik and Mr. Zacharias Kunuk for their contribution towards the preservation, promotion and protection of Inuit cultural and language both within Nunavut and worldwide.
Minister’s Statement 072 – 1(6): Tenant-to-Owner Program Update
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to provide members of the Assembly with an update on the new Tenant-to-Owner program.
Mr. Speaker, the initial response to Tenant-to-Owner Program has been very positive.
Since this program became available on September 1st, 2002, the Nunavut Housing Corporation Staff have answered many questions from interested tenants and the first applications are now being evaluated.
The Tenant-to-Owner Program gives public housing tenants who are ready to become homeowners the opportunity to buy “their unit.”
The Nunavut Housing Corporation has reintroduced its Corporation-held Residential Mortgage Programs for eligible tenants, making the Tenant-to-Owner Program accessible to a wide range of new homeowners.
Mr. Speaker, the provisions of this innovative homeownership program grew out of extensive consultations with our Local Housing Organizations.
The Housing Corporation will work closely with our community partners over the coming weeks to ensure everyone agrees when public housing units are sold.
Continuing its commitment to maintaining and renewing the public housing stock, the Housing Corporation will replace units sold under the Tenant-to-Owner Program within three years.
An important improvement that relates to the Tenant-to-Owner Program will also assist our clients with existing mortgages under the ACCESS program.
Mortgage payment calculations effective September 1st, 2002, are based on 20% of household income rather than 30%.
Mr. Speaker, monthly payments will also cover both mortgage costs and ongoing operating costs such as utilities, home repair and maintenance, insurance and taxes.
The adjustment of the ACCESS repayment calculation down to 20% of household income provides clients with more cash to assist in enjoying an acceptable standard of living in Nunavut.
The Corporation is making sure all affected clients understand the change to the ACCESS repayment calculation.
The Corporation has corresponded with all 460 ACCESS clients advising them of the adjustment.
The staff have begun meeting individually with every client to answer questions.
Mr. Speaker, our communications activities to promote awareness and understanding of the new Tenant-to-Owner Program are proceeding in every district.
Our goal is to provide clear information to interested tenants and to all Nunavummiut.
I look forward to rising again in this house during our winter session to provide an update on the Tenant-to-Owner program.
Mr. Speaker, by introducing the Tenant-to-Owner Program and revamping our repayment programs our goal is to continue providing affordable housing programs based on Nunavut needs and conditions.
Minister’s Statement 073 – 1(6): Nunavut Status of Women Council Annual Report
The Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth has received the annual report for 2001-2002 from the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council.
As Minister responsible for the Status of Women, my Department provides funding for the operations and maintenance of this council.
This year, Qulliit consulted with women across Nunavut to determine the organization’s priority areas of work.
These include: violence against women, health, justice, employment and women in leadership.
In addition, the Council is involved in the Breast Cancer Community Capacity Building project funded by Health Canada, and a research project on Violence Against Women with the Agvvik Society.
Later today I will be tabling the Qulliit Status of Women Council 2001-2002 Annual Report.
I would like to congratulate the Council on its valuable work.
Member’s Statement 230 – 1(6): Contributions and Loans to New and Existing Businesses
I would like to make some comments on economic development in the smaller communities. There are various organizations, for example, the Department of Sustainable Development, Kakivak Association, that make contributions and loans to small businesses that are setting up or are interested in Nunavut.
Even though that’s the case, there are some challenges that these existing businesses or businesses that are just starting experience and I don’t know what the problems or challenges are.
But I would like to say that when we’re trying to get economic development going, we have to give them support, if we don’t, the business either goes bankrupt or can’t expand.
There has to be more support for the small businesses in the Nunavut communities.
It’s very hard to access funds that are made available to the people of Nunavut.
The funds should be easily accessible so that these businesses can thrive.
Member’s Statement 231 – 1(6): Fund Raiser Event at Rankin Inlet for Breast Cancer Research
I would like to wish my granddaughter Stephanie Gibbon from Arviat a happy birthday.
Mr. Speaker, she is from your riding.
On November 2, in Rankin Inlet, there was a fundraiser in Rankin Inlet for breast cancer research and there were 220 people who went to this fundraiser.
They raised $14,000 and $7,000 of it will be given to the Canadian Cancer Society in Toronto and $7,000 will be given to Cancer Breast Cancer Centre in Alberta.
I would like to thank the Department of Health and Social Services in Rankin Inlet for their support and also the board of directors for Atuqtuarvik and Jean Simailak and Rosie Oolooyuk who worked extremely hard to raise those funds.
Member’s Statement 232 – 1(6): Promotion of Culture
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Culture has to become more prominent for the people of Nunavut.
I think we see it as like a mirror, where we’re on one side and culture is on the other side.
We see the culture of Nunavut from one end but if I saw myself in the mirror I would see myself alone.
We have to do more things to promote our culture and the only way that we can do that is for the people of Nunavut to work together.
It is something that is not written down but it’s there.
We all know that it’s there and nothing will be tangible if we just think about it and work on promoting it on an individual basis.
I will be asking the minister at the appropriate time about culture and promotion.
Member’s Statement 233 – 1(6): New Councillors for City of Iqaluit
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to formally congratulate the City of Iqaluit’s two new Council members.
They are Elisapee Shiutiapik and Mr. Doug Lem.
Mr. Speaker, I have had the pleasure of knowing Doug and Elisapee for a few years.
Both of these individuals are hard working, dedicated community members.
I have every confidence that their contributions to council deliberations will be extremely valuable.
Mr. Speaker, a number of strong candidates ran in the by-election earlier this month for the council vacancies.
I would like to thank all of them for having the personal commitment to run for public office.
Mr. Speaker, as all members of this House know, running for public office is not an easy thing to do.
I believe that it reflects well on this community that we have such a strong field of candidates.
Mr. Speaker, Doug and Elisapee have a number of challenges ahead of them and I encourage all members of council to continue their good work in moving this community forward in partnership with our territorial government and other bodies.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take a moment to remind members of the invitation that the City Council has extended to us to attend the gathering this evening at the Discovery Inn at 6:00 p.m. I look forward to seeing all the members there.
Member’s Statement 234 – 1(6): PPD Division Decentralization & Kivalliq Corporation
Uqaqti, I would like to address an issue of great importance and concern to my constituents in Baker Lake.
During our Pangnirtung sitting last month we heard the welcome announcement from the Premier that Nunavut has a new Energy Minister, Mr. Ed. Picco, my good friend.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that this is a first step to responding to the Ikuma II report and a positive move forward to addressing the long term energy issues facing this territory.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my support to the new Energy Minister.
He has a lot of work ahead of him to bring the Qulliq Energy Corporation to life.
Mr. Speaker, my constituents are concerned about the transition and how it will affect those people that are currently working for the Nunavut Power Corporation in my home town.
Mr. Speaker, I support the goal of having positions that result from the implementation of the Ikuma II report being decentralized to encourage growth in Nunavut’s communities outside of the capital and the regional centres.
Mr. Speaker, Footprints I and II clearly indicated that Baker Lake would benefit from decentralization.
Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that many of those originally promised positions did not materialize.
Mr. Speaker, we have now heard reports that a number of positions currently associated with PPD will be decentralized to Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, Baker Lake welcomes this news with enthusiasm.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge the new Minister of Energy to make every effort to keep moving forward and to keep the assembly and the public informed about progress.
And Mr. Speaker, on that note, I would like to say that there’s over 50 of my constituents living, going to school, and working in the capital and there are over 30 of my constituents living and going to school in Rankin Inlet.
And Mr. Speaker, yes, they would like to be home with their family.
But unfortunately, they have to travel to Iqaluit to find employment and Rankin Inlet.
It’s not a perfect world, but we’re trying to get that way and I think that the first step is with the energy minister.
Member’s Statement 235 – 1(6): Contributions of Atanarjuat to Preservation of Culture
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Anawak for congratulating and recognizing Mr. Zacharias Kunuk for the production of his film.
He made a contribution in promoting the culture of Inuit and he worked extremely hard to produce Atanarjuat, the Fast Runner.
I also know that the government had to make contributions in order to complete the production and congratulations are in order for Minister Akesuk and the Premier for making the film possible.
There were times that we had to emphasize how it’s promoting our culture.
It is a valuable film because it promotes the Inuit culture and language.
After the production of this film, more Inuit are using their own language as a means of communicating.
With this in mind, it is very obvious now that we have to give support to this type of art.
I know that they have to work extremely hard to raise funds and to make proposals and everything else.
It’s now obvious that Isuma Productions has to be thanked by the people of Nunavut.
They made a huge contribution to the promotion and recognition of the Inuit culture and language.
Member’s Statement 236 – 1(6): In Remembrance of Mabel Ikvana
I rise today to remember one of our late respected Elders; Ms. Mabel Ikvana, better known in her home of Cambridge Bay as Ekvanna.
Ekvanna left us on October 29th after a battle with cancer.
I’m told that when she was in her teens she used the bible to teach herself how to read both syllabics and roman orthography.
As an adult she worked to ensure that youth and elders could continue to understand each other by communicating in Innuinaqtut.
As an elder she was active in the Elders’ Group and the Kitikmeot Heritage Society.
She recently assisted in putting together the book, The Legend of Uviuq and the Inuinnaqtun/English Dictionary.
Cambridge Bay, the Kitikmeot and Nunavut have lost a valued and respected resource of Inuinnaqtun expertise.
However, her memory will live on in the work that she has assisted to complete.
Mr. Speaker, I know that all of you will join me in extending our deepest sympathies to the Angulalik family and in recognizing the valuable contributions that Ekvanna made to the promotion and preservation of Innuinaqtut.
Member’s Statement 237 – 1(6): Congratulations to Elisapee Shiutiapik & Doug Lem
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): I’m sorry Mr. Speaker.
My colleague from Iqaluit, already mentioned it, so, I was very pleased to see Elisapee Shiutiapik receive the most votes within my constituency.
On behalf of Iqaluit, I congratulate them.
Although the turnout was quite low, the candidates put together an excellent campaign.
I would like to thank them and also Doug Lem, I would like to congratulate him.
I am happy for Elisapee Shiutiapik for her election.
Member’s Statement 238 – 1(6): Inuit Employees of Rankin in Private Sector & GN
My constituents planned to do a prayer today for an individual that died recently in Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to rise and talk about the sentiments on the creation of Nunavut and its government.
At that time the people of Nunavut’s expectations were very great and we did some planning in Rankin Inlet for Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I could say today that the people that drive taxis in Rankin Inlet are all Inuit taxi operators and owners.
They have Inuit employees at CIBC, Royal Bank, and in the Northern Stores and the Co-op.
And there are also some midwives that work in the Hospital which are Inuit as well.
Mr. Speaker, some Inuit work for the Government and they are very capable of doing their jobs and they are in higher positions.
There are teachers that are Inuit in Rankin Inlet as well as electricians that are Inuit, and there are also business people like Evo Airut.