EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I will recognize the clock at this time and report progress. We will start off with page G-10 when we resume our committee meeting.
Moving on in our orders of the day. Item 21.
Your committee has been considering Bill 24 and Bill 25. Mr. Speaker, I wish to report that Bill 35 can immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading.
Moving on to Third Reading of Bills.
Bill 35 – An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 35, An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act, be read for the third time.
Two opposed.
The motion is carried and Bill 35 is now ready for assent.
This House stands adjourned until Friday, February 24, at 9:00 a.m., bright and early.
We will see you tomorrow morning.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Pages 1698 – 1750
Opening Prayer 1698
Ministers’ Statements 1698
Members’ Statements 1701
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1704
Oral Questions 1705
Written Questions 1722
Tabling of Documents 1723
Second Reading of Bills 1724
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1724
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1748
Orders of the Day 1749
Speaker’s Ruling 1749
Friday, February 24, 2012 1698
116 – 3(3): Child and Youth Representative Project (Aariak) 1698
117 – 3(3): Enhancement of Adult Basic Education Programs in Nunavut (Shewchuk) 1699
118 – 3(3): The Makimaniq Plan (Taptuna) 1700
163 – 3(3): Good Luck to Arctic Winter Games Athletes from Quttiktuq (Elliott) 1701
164 – 3(3): Diamond Driller Helper Course - Arviat (Shewchuk) 1702
165 – 3(3): Resolving Longstanding Issue in Hall Beach Concerning the Relocation of Graves (Tapardjuk) 1703
166 – 3(3): Appreciation to Pond Inlet Volunteers (Enook) 1704
249 – 3(3): Measures to Ensure Safe Water and Clean Air (Aupaluktuq) 1705
250 – 3(3): Resolving Longstanding Issue in Hall Beach Concerning the Relocation of Graves (Tapardjuk) 1707
251 – 3(3): Maclean’s Article Regarding Polar Bears (Curley) 1709
252 – 3(3): Liquor Act Task Force Update (Elliott) 1712
253 – 3(3): Airport Terminal Building at Chesterfield Inlet (Ningeongan) 1714
254 – 3(3): Civil Forfeiture (Elliott) 1715
255 – 3(3): Enhancement of Adult Basic Education Certificates (Tapardjuk) 1716
256 – 3(3): Hiring and Dismissal of Senior Civil Servants (Curley) 1719
257 – 3(3): Child and Youth Representative (Elliott) 1720
012 – 3(3): Correctional Facilities, Recidivism Rates, and Rehabilitation Programs (Elliott) 1722
150 – 3(3): Correspondence Dated February 20, 2012 from the Department of Community and Government Services to the NNI Contracting Appeals Board (Curley) 1723
151 – 3(3): The Makimaniq Plan: A Shared Approach to Poverty Reduction, Poverty Summit held in November 2011 in Iqaluit, Nunavut (Taptuna) 1724
Bill 34 – An Act to Amend the Integrity Act – Second Reading 1724
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2012-2013 – Education – Consideration in Committee 1724
>>House commenced at 9:04
Before we proceed with the orders of the day, I wish to advise members that I have received a declaration of assent for Bill 35, An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act, duly signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut, dated February 23, 2012.
Moving on in the orders of the day. Item 2.
Minister’s Statement 116 – 3(3): Child and Youth Representative Project (Aariak)
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Good morning, people of Iqaluit East, as well as Iqalummiut and Nunavummiut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand today to advise my colleagues that drafting of the legislation for a child and youth advocate is currently underway and I will introduce a draft bill in the June session.
This would put us ahead of our original project timeline.
During the past 18 months, the Social Advocacy Office has developed a strong project foundation to ensure this position is grounded in legislation that compliments the provisions set forth in the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child.
Mr. Speaker, we have consulted Nunavummiut and have asked the following questions:
How can Inuit social values be best reflected and incorporated into the new Child and Youth Representative Act and in the work of the new child and youth representative?
Should the child and youth representative be an independent office of the Legislative Assembly?
What should the role and mandate of the office be?
What name, in English or Inuktitut, would best convey the role of the office?
The Social Advocacy Office and project team have consulted with various stakeholders since November 2011 through teleconference and continue, under the guidance of the project steering committee made up of representatives from several Government of Nunavut departments, Government of Nunavut agencies, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, to meet with key stakeholders from across the territory.
Mr. Speaker, my department has received overwhelmingly positive feedback related to this important initiative.
As we continue this consultation process, I strongly encourage Nunavummiut to share their views.
It is only through discussion that we will create a child and youth advocate that will truly make a difference in the lives of our children and youth in Nunavut.
Nunavummiut can read the child and youth representative consultation document and provide their comments to the Social Advocacy Office until March 31, 2012.
The document and a survey can be found in all official languages at www.eia.gov.nu.ca.
Mr. Speaker, more information and paper copies of the consultation document are available by contacting the Social Advocacy Office at 867-975-6088. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 117 – 3(3): Enhancement of Adult Basic Education Programs in Nunavut (Shewchuk)
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Good morning, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, adult basic education programs are often the first steps many adult students in Nunavut take towards entering a certificate or diploma program.
These preparatory programs are essential tools for establishing pathways to Nunavut employment, for personal development and a higher education for adult Nunavutmiut who have not attained a high school diploma or equivalency.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to inform my fellow members that the Government of Canada will contribute $11,001,559 over the next five years, from 2011 until 2016, to assist Arctic College in improving adult basic education programming in Nunavut.
These enhancements to our adult basic education programming will greatly assist our government in meeting our Tamapta goal of reducing the gaps between those who are unemployed and our territory’s growing job opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut Arctic College will use these funds to develop new culturally relevant curriculum that incorporates Internet learning technologies and best practices in adult education.
We will develop new, creative, and flexible strategies to serve more adult students, including but not limited to self-directed learning, online learning, multiple intakes, enrolment management, culturally appropriate assessments, and more Inuktitut adult learning resources.
We will be able to deliver more in the communities.
In partnership with the Department of Education, we will develop and deliver a new Nunavut Adult High School Diploma and more career development workshops for our learners.
Mr. Speaker, some of the funding will be directed through improvements, such as audio enhancements in the classroom for the hearing impaired.
We will hire more adult educators and elders into our classrooms.
Mr. Speaker, with this injection of funds to enhance adult upgrading programs, we will be able to eliminate some of the barriers that are currently holding our students back.
Minister’s Statement 118 – 3(3): The Makimaniq Plan (Taptuna)
As members are aware, over the past 18 months, I have reported regularly to this House on the progress of my department, working with our partners, on the development of a plan to reduce poverty in Nunavut.
I am pleased to table in the House today The Makimaniq Plan: A Shared Approach to Poverty Reduction.
This plan was prepared by participants in the poverty summit held November 28 to 30, 2011.
The summit was co-chaired by Premier Aariak and NTI Vice-president Jack Anawak and included participants from government, Inuit organizations, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and people who have experienced poverty.
Together, they have produced an ambitious plan to fight poverty in Nunavut.
It is a plan that has risen up from our communities. It is based on the issues and ideas for change that were raised in dialogue sessions held in 21 communities last year.
These ideas were discussed in all three regions, twice in one region, where options for action were prepared and brought forward for consideration at the poverty summit last November.
The options that were selected for action appear within six themes in The Makimaniq Plan.
As members will observe, Mr. Speaker, the plan provides us – governments, Inuit organizations, and our partners – with an ambitious agenda for the next 18 months and beyond.
I want to stress that this agenda is for all of us, not just for government but for all Nunavummiut. Everyone has a role to play in poverty reduction.
Our next step will be to return to our communities with this plan, where the ideas about how to reduce poverty originated.
We will discuss ways we can support community initiatives to implement the plan.
We will also work within government and with our partners at NTI and with other organizations and the business community to collaborate on projects and policy changes for each of the poverty reduction themes described in The Makimaniq Plan.
I look forward to reporting to this House in the future on our continuing progress.
Member’s Statement 163 – 3(3): Good Luck to Arctic Winter Games Athletes from Quttiktuq (Elliott)
I rise today to wish the best of luck to my young constituents from Quttiktuq who will be participating in the 2012 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon, from March 4 to March 10.
Twenty athletes from Arctic Bay and one from Grise Fiord have been selected to participate in the 2012 Arctic Winter Games.
Seventeen will travel to participate in the Dene Game events, such as the pole push, the stick pull, and the snow snake.
I would like to pay tribute to the many people in Quttiktuq who make it possible for our athletes to participate in these events.
Without the dedication of coaches and the effort that they put into organizing these sports in our communities, these athletes would not be able to benefit from the experience of international competition.
As all members are aware, it is important for Nunavummiut to have access to activities and events that promote healthy lifestyles.
For the Dene Games, our athletes are:
Thomas Levi, who is acting as a participant and coach;
Darryl Levi;
Tom Naqitarvik;
Johnny James Kilabuk;
Bryan Kalluk;
Andrew Reid Jr.;
Jordan Levi;
Jack Attagutsiak;
Malinda Audlakiak;
Caroline Pauloosie;
Rosemary Barnabas;
Letia Kalluk;
Patty Levi;
Louanne Iqalukjuak;
Leslie Oyukuluk;
Carla Oyukuluk; and
Chaperone Sheena Qaunaq.
For indoor soccer, our athletes are:
April Eecheak and Sheena Kilabuk.
For boys’ basketball, our athlete is Steven Hughes.
And from Grise Fiord, participating in badminton is Jayko Akeeagok.
Mr. Speaker, just a special note for Jayko, his family, and the entire community of Grise Fiord, as they take great pride in having one of their own participants in this year’s Arctic Winter Games.
I ask all members to join me in expressing our appreciation for those who make the dreams of our athletes a reality and to join me in wishing good luck to each and every member of Team Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 164 – 3(3): Diamond Driller Helper Course - Arviat (Shewchuk)
I rise and I would like to say “good morning” to all of my constituents in Arviat.
Mr. Speaker, last December, I rose to inform the House that 11 Arviat students graduated from the first intake of the Arviat Diamond Driller Training Program.
Those graduates have since gained access to well-paying jobs as surface diamond drill helpers and will continue experience as they advance their work as diamond drillers qualified to work anywhere in Canada and in the world.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to inform my fellow members that another 12 students have joined the second intake of this highly successful program which started earlier this month.
Four of the students are from Kivalliq communities outside of Arviat: Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, and Chesterfield Inlet.
I would very much like to acknowledge and thank partners and supporters whose contributions have made this program possible.
These are, Mr. Speaker:
Government of Nunavut, Department of Economic Development and Transportation
Agnico-Eagle Mines
Orbit Garant Drilling Services
Boart Longyear Canada
Kivalliq Mine Training Society
Northern College
Kivalliq Inuit Association
Contaminants Remediation Training Organization of Canada.
Mr. Speaker, working together with our partners, we are providing Kivallirmiut learners with the skills, abilities, and experience needed to support Nunavut’s expanding mineral exploration and mining sectors.
I would like to wish the 12 new driller helper students the very best of success in a challenging and exciting program.
They are, Mr. Speaker:
Andy Illungiayok of Arviat
Leo Karetak of Arviat
Chesley Nibgoarsi of Arviat
John Myles Kigusiutnak of Arviat
Hunter Tattuinee of Arviat
Jackson Kablutsiak of Arviat
Gary Ippiak of Arviat
Gavin Gibbons of Arviat
Ovinik Pilakapsi of Rankin Inlet
George Ipkornerk of Rankin Inlet
Abraham Kadluk of Chesterfield Inlet, and
Miranda Uqayuittuq of Baker Lake.
Member’s Statement 165 – 3(3): Resolving Longstanding Issue in Hall Beach Concerning the Relocation of Graves (Tapardjuk)
I say “good morning” to my constituents, especially my grandchildren.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a longstanding issue in the community of Hall Beach.
As Members of the Legislative Assembly will be aware, the unresolved matter of compensation for individuals who were involved in the relocation of graves in Hall Beach during the 1960s continues to be a concern in the community.
Mr. Speaker, the traumatic impact of this event on the community of Hall Beach was clearly articulated in the 2010 publication by the Qikiqtani Truth Commission, Interview and Testimony Summaries, which described the reflections of a survivor of the experience:
“His second testimony includes information about his experiences, which included moving bodies from one location to another.
Along with three other men, he was required to move the bodies by the hamlet so that houses could be built in the community in 1968.
He remembers that they were not given any assistance.
He remembers being rushed but also doing his best not to disturb the bodies.”
There are none. Please proceed, Mr. Tapardjuk.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, my colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
“He remembers that they were not given any assistance.
He remembers being rushed but also doing his best not to disturb the bodies.
He has vivid and painful memories of this experience.
None of the four men were ever compensated for their work.”
I have written to the Minister of Health and Social Services on this matter and have provided him with documents concerning this issue that were tabled in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut almost a decade ago.
Mr. Speaker, there have been exchanges of correspondence between territorial and federal ministers on this issue since the 1990s.
On October 19, 2001, the federal Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development wrote to the Government of Nunavut’s Minister of Health and Social Services.
His letter stated in part that “INAC officials will continue to research this event and will contact you as soon as we have some substantial evidence for payment…I sincerely hope that INAC can provide a positive response in the near future.”
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be asking questions to the minister to determine whether he or his predecessors ever received follow-up information from the Government of Canada on this issue and, if so, to indicate what information was received.
This will enable us to determine an appropriate course of action towards resolving this longstanding and painful incident in the community’s history.
Member’s Statement 166 – 3(3): Appreciation to Pond Inlet Volunteers (Enook)
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to the people of Pond Inlet and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my gratitude towards some people who, in my opinion, did an immense service by doing some fundraising this winter in our community.
Mr. Speaker, sisters Laisa and Listina Koonark, along with Leah Atadjuak and Julia Inualuk, organized a table at the local co-op to raise money for supplemental food for those who were on the social assistance list and needy during the Christmas festivities in Pond Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, these women’s dedication and commitment towards this goal to help others has to be something we can all emulate in this day and age.
Although Pond Inlet is not a city, these women were able to fundraise close to $30,000 to provide foodstuffs for the needy.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to share in our appreciation to these selfless women for providing help to others and for showcasing their community spirit and goodwill towards their fellow residents. This type of community spirit has to be one of our priorities and it’s something we should emulate as residents. I thank them for their efforts.
I rise today to recognize the fine work of the two young pages from Arviat who worked in the House and looked after us this week.
Mr. Speaker, I spent time with them when they were here and they have advised me that this has been a true learning experience for them in the understanding of the structure and how the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut works.
Mr. Speaker, you never know; we may see these young women leading this beautiful territory one day. I wish Vayda Kaviok and Stephanie Aulajut and their chaperone, Susie Johnson, a safe trip home and again thank you for being here.
Question 249 – 3(3): Measures to Ensure Safe Water and Clean Air (Aupaluktuq)
I would like to wish everybody in Baker Lake a good morning.
Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Community and Government Services, the Hon. Minister Lorne Kusugak.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the right to breathe clean air and the right to drink safe water are fundamental human rights.
Earlier this year, I tabled a copy of a recent water use inspection report for Baker Lake that was prepared by the federal government.
As the minister will recall, I noted with concern that the report recommended that enforcement action be taken against the territorial and municipal governments.
The minister informed me that his department is working with municipalities with respect to the issue of ensuring that water licences are in place.
Can the minister update the House today on what progress he has made on this issue?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Indeed, I thank my colleague from Baker Lake for speaking to that issue.
Potable water is definitely a very important aspect of the services we provide in Nunavut.
We collaborate with all hamlets to work on water quality challenges facing them. We also require an agreement on the water report copies to ensure that their system is working and to provide potable water.
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Hon. Minister Lorne Kusugak for his informative response.
It is true that all communities within Nunavut require potable water and sewage services to protect their environment, community, and residents, who need to maintain these essential services. It is a good example of the legislation that was used to create Nunavut, which is recognized by both the Nunavut government and the federal government.
I wanted to add this when I raise the question, but some of it is written in English, so I’ll have to use that language to ask my question.
(interpretation ends) A related issue concerns the management of solid waste in Nunavut.
On October 21, 2011, the minister tabled a report on the current state of solid waste management and facilities in Nunavut.
The report recommended that modified landfills are the “preferred strategy to sustainably manage waste materials” in the territory.
Can the minister update the House today on what his department’s next steps are to implement the recommendations in the report?
When speaking about waste management related to waste water and sewage, nobody wants to see this water spilling everywhere.
All the communities in Nunavut will need to have their waste infrastructure replaced eventually. With that in mind, I announced last fall the new review on replacement needs for landfills, sewage lagoons, and related infrastructure.
If we were to replace and repair the entire infrastructure, it would be a very high expenditure of public funds. It would cost in the neighbourhood of $500 million for replacing the entire existing infrastructure in Nunavut.
At this time, we are working on a strategy as to how we can meet this challenge.
We have to work with other bodies in order to fulfill all the regulatory obligations.
We are currently working out our plans to resolve challenges in replacing this infrastructure since we have to have enough capacity to meet our needs, but we also need to reclaim the old landfills.
We are aware of what we need, the approximate costs of replacement of the old infrastructure, and we are trying to move forward with a timeline and schedule of the work required.
These questions I raise today are simply as follows: to ensure that Baker Lake, Nunavut, and our departments are following up to ensure what would be more suitable to meet the best needs of our communities.
Mr. Speaker, the reason why I mention this is because Arktis Solutions, in the Nunavut waste management report, there are “5.0 Conclusions” on page 72. I would be raising this at a later date.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask: on October 21, 2011, important questions were asked in the Legislative Assembly concerning the issue of air quality and dust control in our smaller communities, as my colleague, Mr. Oshutapik, had also raised, as well as other members in the past.
At that time, the Minister of CGS informed the House that his department was reviewing the issue of dust control in our communities.
I note that the questions had to deal with safety for the public.
I will attempt to answer that question.
I thought we were talking about water and now we’re talking about dust.
Our department is working constantly to try to find the better mousetrap, I guess, in terms of dealing with dust control. It is a very serious issue in our territory. We have communities that end up in sandstorms in the summer, so it is very serious.
We are working to try to find a better way of dealing with dust control. We’re very limited in terms of what we can do.
There was a time when people used to pour used motor oil to suppress dust.
You can’t do that anymore, thank goodness.
We continue to strive to find better ways and work with municipalities to deal with dust suppressants.
We have done dust suppressant training throughout the territory and we help the municipalities with trying to find better ways to deal with dust in the community, and we will continue to do that.
Just a note that we will review the preamble in the Hansard tomorrow to ensure the question is, or I’m pretty sure that it was, talking about overall safety.
We will reconfirm that after reviewing the Hansard tomorrow.
I also thank the hon. minister for that. I also thank the House for the courtesy.
In the preamble, I did state that I believe we have the right to breathe clean air and the right to safe drinking water, and it’s in regard to safeguarding the health of our land, air, and water.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that safeguarding the health of our land, air, and water requires an integrated approach.
Can the minister indicate how his department and the Department of Environment coordinate their activities in this area?
When we are dealing with these matters, we primarily work with the local hamlets on operational issues to ensure that essential services are provided.