EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I believe that the peers and citizens of the community are normally accorded to them the opportunity to take part or whatnot or listen to the case.
So I was puzzled by that because the accused, in the first place, was already being accorded with the provision for bail conditions issued by the territorial court judge.
Mr. Chairman, I have a number of questions, one that was cleared already. With respect to the definition of weapons, it says in the clause that they are defined in the Criminal Code of Canada.
Could the minister give further examples on what it means… ?
One of the definitions proposed is “anything else that could be used to,” and there are two definitions where it outlines what could “cause death or serious bodily harm to a person; or” to “threaten or intimidate a person.”
These are quite general provisions accorded to a sheriff, I would say.
So can the minister provide, other than a firearm, what the Nunavut public may expect that they shouldn’t bring or carry in their purse, for all that matter?
I’ll have Mr. Twerdin add to it, but I can give you some examples of more than just a firearm.
Some of the common weapons that you would consider as weapons would be, of course, knives, a sharpened screwdriver, or something that can be used to harm someone.
It’s amazing what you see; some articles that can be turned into weapons, such as toothbrushes, and I said screwdrivers. Some of the things we have seen at BCC would open your eyes to see what they can do with some of these things.
So maybe Dwayne can add to that, but again, that will come in the training that’s provided to the sheriffs to identify which articles would be considered as possibilities to be used as weapons.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Shewchuk. (interpretation ends) Mr. Twerdin, did you want to add?
Mr. Twerdin: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The whole purpose of the amendments to this Act to have the weapons definition is to ensure that we can deal with scenarios where we see a weapon that we don’t normally see on a day-to-day basis.
We wouldn’t ask an individual to leave their nail clippers at the door, for example.
However, there are different weapons at any other jurisdiction that I have seen on a day-to day-basis that it was a first time that a sheriff or court facility has seen a weapon of that nature.
The purpose of having the amendment in this Act is to ensure that sheriffs can look at a weapon that can possibly be a threat to the court and to have the individual who brought in the so-called weapon and have it removed from the court facility.
The sole purpose of that is in order to have the sheriff to have discretion to outline it as a threat to the court and Nunavummiut and the power to have that weapon removed from the court facility.
Further, continuing with that part, the reason why I’m asking these questions is I think Nunavutmiut are entitled to be aware exactly what weapons or assumed weapons shouldn’t be allowed to be carried.
Now that we have a law, what’s going to happen is there will be likely further shutdowns or complete lockdowns of court proceedings, based on assumed threats, which occurred in the first place.
There were never any threats that were demonstrated against a court facility during the March hearing or before.
Maybe the minister can help me. Will that particular legislation allow more court proceedings to be transferred to Iqaluit based on possible reasons for not having a secure facility in other occasions? Would that be possible?
I apologize to the member, but if he could quickly rephrase his question; I never heard it completely.
My preamble was really about the March incident with the territorial court judge where he says that he was not satisfied with the lack of action of the government for the security of court facilities, in this case, in Iqaluit, and so on. He used that case for forcing the government to introduce legislation because it was quite clear in his message that there has to be legislation to protect court facilities. I believe that precipitates to this bill coming into the table before the House.
My point is the territorial court proceedings will now have a further case and perhaps evidence that in most cases, in most communities, there will not be secure facilities.
One of the reasons will likely be to have cases moved to Iqaluit on that basis, that the communities do not have secure facilities.
Would that likely be possible, that we would have more court cases moved to different locations with respect to courts not having security, for all that matter?
Thank you. I clearly understand the question now.
First of all, court cases and trials like that will not be affected by this because we, by this legislation, are going to have trained sheriffs and deputy sheriffs. For serious crimes that are committed and there’s a jury trial happening in a community, we will be supplying sheriffs to those trials in those communities. So it will not shift serious trials to Iqaluit.
Just secondly, Mr. Chairman, I just want to assure the member that this proposal and this bill were initiated long before this trial in Iqaluit here. I mean the timing was kind of there to highlight it, but this was an ongoing concern. The intent here is to make Nunavutmiut safe and secure in our courts.
This is one of my last questions. I appreciate the minister. Once the bill is passed, there will be increased training activities to occur for the officials, including the sheriff’s office and his personnel.
I think it’s also important that the minister initiate a public awareness campaign, that wherever a serious court proceeding may occur, that the public be made aware of what is prohibited or what they should be aware of. Out of the blue, it could be kind of intimidating, I think, for the elders to walk in when they have completely no notion or ever think of harming any individual. Would that be possible?
A very good point and, of course, that would be possible.
We will send a message and educate the people of Nunavut what the expectations of entering a courtroom are.
I come from the old school of thought where integrity is everything, whether you are speaking in the House or reviewing a particular bill.
Mr. Chairman, when we began to review Bill 39, I heard you saying, “No. 1.” Well, I agreed reluctantly.
“No. 2,” are you talking about certain sections of the bill or a page?
I think, looking at this very important bill, that we should recognize clause 1, clause 2, and so on.
That might be recorded in the Hansard and, if I want to wait until I read the Hansard to agree with the bill, I have that privilege.
But in this case, I hope you will start recognizing clause 1, clause 2, not No. 1, No. 2. Yes, I heard that, “No. 1, No. 2,” and we agreed, but I think we should recognize every clause in the term that we use.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningark. (interpretation ends) And I come from the new school.
As you can appreciate, I have only been in this House for several months and I apologize if I have confused the issue. I did not mean to do it. Again, I apologize to this House and I will take your advice. (interpretation) Thank you.
I’ll ask for your agreement on clause 2 once again.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 3. Do you agree?
Committee Motion 010 – 3(3): Annual Report of the Nunavut Court of Justice (Oshutapik)
Mr. Oshutapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I move that this committee recommends that the Minister of Justice formally requests the Senior Judge of the Nunavut Court of Justice to resume the practice of publicly releasing the annual report of the Nunavut Court of Justice, beginning with its report for the 2012 calendar year, and that this annual report be tabled in the Legislative Assembly on an annual basis for the benefit of all Members of the Legislative Assembly, given the important role that such documents play in accounting for the activities, priorities, and concerns of this important institution.
Before we proceed with the motion, I have to remind you that every member has a right to speak once to the motion for a total of 20 minutes.
The mover of the motion speaks first. Thirdly, the mover of the motion has the right to the last reply.
To the motion. Mr. Oshutapik.
Mr. Oshutapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) As the chair of the standing committee noted in his opening comments, it is important that all Members of the Legislative Assembly are aware of the operations, priorities, and concerns of the Nunavut Court of Justice.
I believe that tabling the annual report of the Nunavut Court of Justice in the Legislative Assembly would be a positive step, which is why I made this motion.
I urge all members to support the motion.
In regard to providing this report to the Legislative Assembly on annual basis and during the calendar year, I think this report would be good and I think it would supply this House and all members with information that would keep them up to date on what is happening and the needs of the Nunavut Court of Justice.
I, as the Minister of Justice, support this motion and I would ask my colleagues to do the same.
Let me advise you that I don’t have any more names on my list.
Does the mover have any last reply?
I believe you’re saying “no.”
Do members agree to Bill 39 as a whole?
Pursuant to Rule 62(2), do members agree that Bill 39 can immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister Shewchuk, do you have closing remarks and, if you do, go ahead.
Yes, quickly, I would like to thank you and your committee for reviewing this very important bill, I think, to provide the safety and security in all of our courts across the territory.
I would like to quickly also thank my staff in the Department of Justice who, time and time again, have been assisting me and providing me knowledge in presenting these bills to you and for their work in putting all of this together.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Minister and your staff. (interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses out.
Item 20 in our Orders of the Day.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 39 and would like to report that Bill 39 is immediately ready for third reading and that one committee motion was adopted.
Bill 39 – An Act to Amend the Judicature Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Kugluktuk, that Bill 39, An Act to Amend the Judicature Act, be read for the third time.
The motion is carried and Bill 39 has had third reading and is now ready for assent.
Orders of the Day. Prior to going to the orders of the day, I would like to ask Madam Deputy Clerk if she could please ascertain if the Commissioner of Nunavut is prepared to enter the Chambers and give assent to bills.
Bill 19 – Family Support Orders Enforcement Act – Assent
Bill 21 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2011, No. 3 – Assent
Bill 30 – Building Code Act – Assent
Bill 31 – An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act – Assent
Bill 36 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2012-2013 – Assent
Bill 37 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2012-2013 – Assent
Bill 38 – An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act – Assent
Bill 39 – An Act to Amend the Judicature Act – Assent
Commissioner Edna Elias: Members, please be seated.
Bill 19, Family Support Orders Enforcement Act;
Bill 21, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2011, No. 3;
Bill 30, Building Code Act;
Bill 31, An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act;
Bill 33, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act;
Bill 36, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2012-2013;
Bill 37, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2012-2013;
Bill 38, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act; and
Bill 39, An Act to Amend the Judicature Act.
(interpretation) With summer approaching, the sun has returned, although we rarely see it.
As our lands warm, Nunavummiut will go out on the land to their summer camping area to reconnect with the land.
As you conclude your work and prepare to return to your families and communities, I hope that you all have a safe trip home.
I want all Nunavummiut to be safe, whether they will be going on the land, hunting, or travelling on the water.
Here is the message I want to convey to Nunavummiut, to thank each and every one in Nunavut who supported and donated to the “Women in Action” walk for breast cancer research. We arrived safely at the conclusion of the walk and were welcomed by a crowd of well-wishers, who congratulated and thanked us at our destination.
To our MLA and Minister of Health and Social Services, (interpretation ends) Keith, you have a cool haircut.
>>Laughter  (interpretation) I wish to extend my thanks to all Nunavummiut and to wish them a safe and enjoyable summer.
Speaker: Continuing on with our orders of the day.
Before we adjourn, I would just like to take this opportunity to ask members to join me in thanking the pages who were here with us this week. There’s Robert Giroux, Johnny Mark, and Justine Cooper-King.
I thank them for all the running around they had to do for us this week.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the interpreters and technical staff for their hard work this week.
As members will recall, this Legislative Assembly hit a milestone this past week, and I just want to mention that today, someone in here has also hit a milestone in their life.
I would like to congratulate our Clerk, John, and his wife, Annie, as today is their 40th wedding anniversary.
>>House adjourned at 10:11
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Pages 2819 – 2879
Sammy Josephie
Opening Prayer 2819
Money Message 2819
Ministers’ Statements 2819
Members’ Statements 2823
Oral Questions 2832
Returns to Written Questions* 2847
Petitions 2848
Tabling of Documents 2848
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 2850
First Reading of Bills 2851
Second Reading of Bills 2852
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2853
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2878
Orders of the Day 2878
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 2819
176 – 3(3): 2013-14 Fiscal Update (Peterson) 2819
177 – 3(3): Circumpolar Conference on Education for Indigenous Peoples (Aariak) 2820
178 – 3(3): Wastewater Research and Capacity Building (Kusugak) 2821
179 – 3(3): International Day of the Girl (Ell) 2822
180 – 3(3): Approval of Official Geographic Names – Cambridge Bay Area (Arreak) 2822
181 – 3(3): Patient Relations (Peterson) 2823
286 – 3(3): 2012 Franklin Expedition (Curley) 2823
287 – 3(3): Congratulations to Igloolik High School Graduates (Tapardjuk) 2824
288 – 3(3): Food Security (Elliott) 2824
289 – 3(3): Changing Approaches to Learning (Ningeongan) 2826
290 – 3(3): Kivalliq Inuit Games in Whale Cove (Kusugak) 2827
291 – 3(3): Arviat Nanisiniq Project (Shewchuk) 2828
292 – 3(3): In Support of Language Rights (Aupaluktuq) 2829
293 – 3(3): Firearm Safety in Nunavut Communities (Ningark) 2830
294 – 3(3): Happy Birthday to Peter Iqalugjuaq (Arreak) 2831
295 – 3(3): Government Contracts (Ugyuk) 2831
405 – 3(3): Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan (Rumbolt) 2832
406 – 3(3): Policing Services in Nunavut (Tapardjuk) 2833
407 – 3(3): Status of Mary River Project (Enook) 2836
408 – 3(3): Update on Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meetings of Ministers of Health (Elliott) 2838
409 – 3(3): Status of Public Housing Rent Scale Review (Oshutapik) 2840
410 – 3(3): 2012 Franklin Expedition (Curley) 2842
411 – 3(3): Firearms Safety in Nunavut Communities (Ningark) 2844
412 – 3(3): Taloyoak Fuel Truck Garage (Ugyuk) 2845
Return to Written Question 017 – 3(3): Annual Fuel Purchases by the Government of Nunavut (Clerk) 2847
Return to Written Question 018 – 3(3): Vacant Staff Housing Units (Clerk) 2847
003 – 3(3): Petition for Resignation (Curley) 2848
223 – 3(3): Community and Government Services’ Action Plan in Response of the Auditor General of Canada’s Report on Procurement of Goods and Services (Aariak) 2848
224 – 3(3): Economic Development and Transportation’s Action Plan in Response of the Auditor General of Canada’s Report on Procurement of Goods and Services (Aariak) 2848
225 – 3(3): Qulliq Energy Corporation’s Action Plan in Response of the Auditor General of Canada’s Report on Procurement of Goods and Services (Aariak) 2848
226 – 3(3): Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Action Plan in Response of the Auditor General of Canada’s Report on Procurement of Goods and Services (Aariak) 2848
227 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut’s Response to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts Recommendations on the Report on the Review of the 2012 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on Procurement of Goods and Services (Aariak) 2848
228 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut’s Response to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts Recommendations on the Report on the Review of the 2010-2011 Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut (Aariak) 2849
229 – 3(3): Correspondence from the Inuit Heritage Trust Concerning Traditional Place Names (Elliott) 2849
230 – 3(3): Presentation by the Department of National Defence on the Nanisivik Naval Facility Project (Elliott) 2849
231 – 3(3): Nunavut Business Credit Corporation’s Procurement Activity Report for the Period from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 (Taptuna) 2850
232 – 3(3): Nunavut Business Credit Corporation’s Annual Report for the Period 2011-2012 (Taptuna) 2850
Bill 41 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014 – Notice 2850
Bill 42 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2012-2013 – Notice 2850
Bill 43 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2012-2013 – Notice 2850
Bill 44 – An Act to Amend the Justices of the Peace Act – Notice 2850
Bill 41 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014 – First Reading 2851
Bill 42 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2012-2013 – First Reading 2851
Bill 43 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2012-2013 – First Reading 2852
Bill 41 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014 – Second Reading 2852
Bill 42 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2012-2013 – Second Reading 2852
Bill 43 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2012-2013 – Second Reading 2853
Bill 41 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014 – Community and Government Services – Consideration in Committee 2853
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Curley. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
I welcome all members and the public back to our Chambers here today.
Before we proceed with the orders of the day, I would like to read the following communication from the Commissioner of Nunavut:
Bill 41, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014;
Bill 42, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2012-2013; and
Bill 43, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2012-2013.
Signed by the Commissioner of Nunavut, Hon. Edna Elias.
Minister’s Statement 176 – 3(3): 2013-14 Fiscal Update (Peterson)
Good afternoon to all Nunavummiut and colleagues.
It’s good to be back here in the fall.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to provide Nunavummiut with a fiscal update and to introduce the 2013-14 capital estimates and the five-year capital plan.
Mr. Speaker, our interim financial report was delivered to me on September 24 and later this session, I will table the report.
Using the information contained in the interim report, our deficit will be about $5.6 million, significantly less than the $50 million deficit originally budgeted.
Prudent expenditure plans in our departments resulted in savings of about $40 million.
As of today, our surplus for 2012-13 is tracking at about $50 million, about $12 million higher than our original projection.
This projection includes the items contained in the 2012-13 supplementary appropriations for O&M and capital that we will be debating this session, along with a $50 million contingency.
Mr. Speaker, we are on track to return to balance this fiscal year. We have focused on addressing the pent up demand for capital funds in our plans for 2013-14 as opposed to introducing new capital initiatives.
Moving forward, we will continue to deliver capital funding around $110 million per year, not including the P3 airport project. Ongoing projects will receive $112.4 million in funding. Small capital initiatives will receive $23.4 million.
New capital initiatives will receive $17.1 million. Mr. Speaker, our total capital plan for 2013-14 will come in at $152.9 million.
Minister’s Statement 177 – 3(3): Circumpolar Conference on Education for Indigenous Peoples (Aariak)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to announce the Circumpolar Conference on Education for Indigenous People will be taking place in Iqaluit from November 26 to 30, 2012.
The conference will bring together more than 100 educators, researchers, aboriginal organization representatives, ministers, and decision-makers from seven countries, three Canadian territories and six provinces.
Mr. Speaker, in partnership with the Government of Greenland, our main goal is to combine the knowledge of our circumpolar neighbours, to share best practices, and to learn about current challenges and issues in order to determine education priorities.
The conference will focus on three main topics: family and community school engagement, early childhood education, and the delivery of quality education programs in all communities, including remote and small schools.
Mr. Speaker, this conference is a tremendous opportunity to share best practices, develop our knowledge, and build new relationships.
Our partnerships within the circumpolar world have proven to be long-lasting and solid, and we share a common passion for finding solutions and successful outcomes in education.
I am very excited about the connections that we will make over the course of this conference and the long-term developments that will follow.
I look forward to updating my fellow members on our progress in this area and our collaborations with circumpolar partners.
Minister’s Statement 178 – 3(3): Wastewater Research and Capacity Building (Kusugak)
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Good day and thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good day” to Nunavummiut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues and Nunavummiut about the wastewater research and capacity building initiatives the Department of Community and Government Services is currently involved in.
In 2009, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) introduced the Municipal Wastewater Effluent Strategy.
The strategy outlined minimum standards of effluent quality that need to be achieved by all wastewater systems. However, it is recognized by CCME that there was insufficient understanding of wastewater treatment in the north. Therefore, a five-year research window was provided in order to collect baseline information and help determine factors that influence northern wastewater treatment.
In July 2010, Dalhousie University was contracted by CG&S to undertake wastewater research in Nunavut. The mandate of this research study is ultimately to provide a better understanding of wastewater treatment and allow development of appropriate standards for wastewater regulation in the north.
Mr. Speaker, recognizing that an opportunity exists within the wastewater initiative to build capacity, CGS, in conjunction with Dalhousie University and Nunavut Arctic College, launched an initiative in 2011 to provide equipment and training for in-territory analyses of wastewater samples. This initiative has resulted in the development of a fully functional wastewater laboratory, with new equipment purchased by Dalhousie University.
Upon completion of the wastewater study, the equipment will be donated to Nunavut Arctic College and will remain available for continued use in Nunavut.
In addition to providing the equipment, Dalhousie University has also agreed to provide annual training and lectures to students enrolled in the Environmental Technology Program as well as Nunavut Arctic College staff.