EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I want to also acknowledge the newly elected members and I want to welcome them to the House. I am quite happy that we now have a full contingent of MLAs in this House.
I want to express a good day’s wishes to the people of Nattilik.
I especially want to say “hello” to my mother as she is probably watching the televised proceedings. I say “hello” to my mother.
I rise today to speak on the issue of the government contracts that pertain to medical evacuation flights or air ambulance services. Due to this contract, I will want to speak to the air ambulance services that are provided in the Kitikmeot region.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as all Members of the Legislative Assembly are aware, the question of which company will be awarded this contract has become a major issue in the Kitikmeot.
Mr. Speaker, I am personally frustrated about how the situation has developed.
The question of which company should be awarded the contract is dividing our communities and people.
People whom I have known for many years are calling each other liars. People who are deeply committed to the Kitikmeot are having their integrity called into question. Mr. Speaker, information that is in the public domain is not helping to clarify the situation.
I want to be perfectly clear today. Mr. Speaker, as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Nattilik, my constituency includes two communities.
As MLA for Nattilik, my first priority is the quality of service that is provided to the public.
Regardless of which company is awarded the contract, I want to see the service levels in the Kitikmeot remain the same or improve.
Mr. Speaker, I am very concerned about how the Nunavut public views the government’s contracting process and I believe that the government must do more to clearly explain to the municipalities and the general public how contracts are evaluated and awarded.
Mr. Speaker, although I recognize that cabinet has certain powers and authorities when it comes to the contracting process, many people believe that MLAs and ministers are the ones who evaluate all tenders and proposals that the government receives.
Mr. Speaker, as an MLA, I want the contracting process to be fair and transparent.
Speaker: Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk. Ms. Ugyuk, your time is finished, if you would like to ask for unanimous consent to conclude your statement, you may.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): I would like to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement as I am nearly finished.
As I stated, I was almost completing my statement.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as an MLA, I want the contracting process to be fair and transparent.
Mr. Speaker, I will have detailed questions for the government at tomorrow’s sitting of the House on this issue.
Member’s Statement 107 – 3(3): Reflections on the Resilience of High Arctic Communities (Elliott)
I rise today to reflect on the resilience of the High Arctic communities and constituents whom I have the honour of representing in the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, over the past few months, a number of tragic events and passings have occurred in the High Arctic.
The tragedy of First Air flight 6560 in Resolute Bay has affected people across the country. The sudden loss of so many lives reminds us that life is brief and precious.
On behalf of the community, I want to thank everyone who took a moment to share their thoughts or to just say a prayer.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to pay tribute to the volunteers from Resolute Bay, first responders, and members of the Coast Guard and Canadian Armed Forces who reacted so quickly and impressively to this catastrophe.
The fact that the Canadian Forces happened to be in Resolute Bay for Operation Nanook when the crash of First Air flight 6560 occurred was a miracle and likely contributed to the survival of three passengers.
Mr. Speaker, a number of passings occurred in my home community of Arctic Bay over the past few months.
We lost Tommy and Noah Kalluk in a tragic boating accident. Their good humour and love of the land will be missed by everyone in the community.
Also, in Arctic Bay, we lost Tommy Kilabuk, a long-time employee of the government with the Department of CGS.
We also lost Sarah Taqtu, a long-time and dedicated employee at our local health centre.
Mr. Speaker, Sarah was like a second mother to me. As you may know, she was the proud mother of twins, and I was often nicknamed her “third twin.”
Mr. Speaker, although we know that the cycle of life and death is eternal and natural, it does not make the passing of loved ones any easier.
Although I have been grieving with my communities over the past few months, I have also been tremendously proud of their strength and resilience, and I ask all members to join me in support of the people of Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, and Arctic Bay.
Member’s Statement 108 – 3(3): Elders’ Council for Rankin Inlet (Curley)
Today I rise as I just got informed about an event of which I am very proud.
Apparently an elders’ committee was formed in Rankin Inlet and they are currently looking for volunteers.
I was informed that this initiative will be phased into the Baffin region to start forming elders’ committees. I heard that the federal government is providing funds in my constituency and they are expecting this funding soon.
I am extremely delighted to see this initiative as we do not currently have a Nunavut-wide elders’ representative body that can speak to elders’ issues. Sometimes elders are put into stressful situations due to various reasons. Some of these include selfish relatives who only show up when the elders receive their pension cheques.
This will give the elders a voice.
I am very grateful that they have just formed the Rankin Inlet elders’ committee.
There are eight new members who were elected to the committee, including a chair. The members are Paul Kanayok, Charlie Panigoniak, Jack Kabvitok, Noah Makayak, Jerome Tattuinee, Bernadette Saumik, Marianne Tattuinee, Louisa Ivaasaq Issaluk, and their duly elected chairperson is Noah Makayak and the vice-chair is Paul Kanayok.
I want to welcome the new members.
I look forward to seeing the day when there will be an elders’ council that represents them as this would be very beneficial to the Assembly and to other committees and bodies that need to hear about elders’ issues. I am totally in support of the creation of the committees and I would like to ask all members to provide their support to these committees.
We will move on to Item 4. Sorry, Mr. Peterson.
Member’s Statement 109 – 3(3): Happy Birthday Wayne Maksagak (Peterson)
I apologize to you. I didn’t have my arm out far enough so that you could see me here.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend a special birthday wish to a friend and constituent of mine who comes to visit me almost every day in Cambridge Bay and to drop by for coffee and tell me about all the issues that he hears about on the weekends and during the days. He is well known in Cambridge Bay. He is Wayne John Papak Maksagak.
It’s his 36th birthday today. I promised I would wish him a happy birthday. I couldn’t be there, so I’ll wish him here.
Just so everybody knows, he is also the grandson of Nunavut’s first Commissioner, Helen Maksagak. He is very proud of her.
I would like to wish Wayne a happy birthday.
Return to Oral Question 104 – 3(3): School Non-attenders (Clerk)
Return to Oral Question 112 – 3(3): Work Performed on QEC President’s House by QEC Employees (Clerk)
Return to Oral Question 131 – 3(3): Replacement of Taloyoak Air Terminal Building (Clerk)
Return to Oral Question 132 – 3(3): Renal Care in Nunavut (Clerk)
Clerk (Mr. Quirke): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the returns to oral questions that were asked during the June 2011 sitting and taken as notice. They are No. 104 – 3(3), 112 – 3(3), 131 – 3(3), and 132 – 3(3).
We will move on in our orders of the day. Item 5.
Before we begin, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize my brother, Victor Tootoo, who is here in the Gallery today. I am thankful that you’re here.
He is no stranger to this House, so welcome back, I guess. Welcome to the Gallery.
*See Appendix for full text of Returns to Oral Questions 104 – 3(3), 112 – 3(3), 131 – 3(3), and 132 – 3(3) filed with the Clerk.
I rise today to recognize some very important people and, that is, the interim president and the board of directors of Nunavut Arctic College.
It’s their hard work, guidance, support, and direction provided to all adult learners who are learning across this territory that they contribute to that is very important and appreciated work.
So I would like to recognize Mr. Mike Shouldice, the interim president. Would you stand up, please.
Mr. Frank Pearce is the chair of the board of directors.
Ms. Ann Rose Kerkovius from the Kitikmeot region; Ms. Suzanne Ningeocheak from Rankin Inlet, the Kivalliq region director; Ms. Ruth Niptanatiak-Wilcox from the Kitikmeot; and Mrs. Martha Main, my constituent from Arviat, is on the board of directors from the Kivalliq.
I would like to recognize Annie Quirke from the Nunavut Disabilities Society. Annie is retiring and beside her is her replacement as the co-chair, Wendy Ireland.
Welcome to the Gallery, I’m sure everyone, even someone sitting right in front of me.
Moving on with Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
It is not too often that I stand up to recognize visitors from the Kitikmeot, but I would like to recognize Ann Rose Kerkovius and Ruth Niptanatiak-Wilcox. Ann Rose is from Kugluktuk and Ruth Wilcox is from Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Enook.
I would like to recognize three family members: my wife, Mary Kilabuk, my son Jamie Enook, and my brother-in-law Allan Kilabuk.
I am pleased to be able to recognize three people from Rankin Inlet who are here.
I would like to recognize my in-law, who is the deputy commissioner, but she is my Aikuluk first and foremost, Nellie Kusugak. Welcome.
I would like to recognize my brother-in-law Michael Shouldice.
I would also like to recognize Suzanne Ningeocheak from Rankin Inlet. I would like to welcome them to the Legislative Assembly.
Ms. Ell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Lorne beat me to it. I would also like to recognize Nellie Kusugak, Deputy Commissioner for Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you.
Speaker: Thank you, Ms. Ell.
This being the start of the hockey season, I thought it would be a nice hat trick for my constituent to be recognized three times today, Ruth Niptanatiak-Wilcox from Cambridge Bay. She is also originally from Kugluktuk, but she has made Cambridge Bay her home for many years.
She is a great volunteer in our community. I think she chaperoned Arctic Winter Games teams to various venues over the years.
Welcome to the Legislative Assembly, Ruth.
Welcome again, Ruth.
Madam Premier, Ms. Aariak.
I wish to recognize some of my constituents as well. First of all, I recognize Mr. Frank Pearce.
He is the chairman of Nunavut Arctic College’s board of directors. Furthermore, I recognize Ms. Annie Quirke. I want to thank her for her tremendous hard work in her position.
Another person I wish to recognize is Victor Tootoo if he is still in the Gallery.
I also wish to extend a warm welcome to our deputy commissioner.
Mr. Oshutapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I wish to recognize two of my fellow residents here in the Gallery. First of all, I want to recognize my primary assistant and spouse, Tapea. Further, I want to recognize Allan Kilabuk from my community.
There being no more, we will move on in our orders of the day. Item 6. Oral Questions.
Question 139 – 3(3): Search and Rescue in Nunavut (Elliott)
My questions are for the Minister of Community and Government Services, who is responsible for emergency management in Nunavut.
The recent tragedy in Resolute Bay reminded us about the importance of having adequate search and rescue infrastructure in Nunavut.
As I noted in my Member’s Statement, the fact that the Canadian Forces happened to be in Resolute Bay for Operation Nanook when the crash of First Air flight 6560 occurred was a miracle and likely contributed to the survival of three passengers.
While I recognize that it is not realistic to expect the federal government to permanently position search and rescue aircraft and crews in every single one of our communities, I do think that it is reasonable to look into positioning assets in at least one or two hub communities, such as Resolute Bay.
What is the Government of Nunavut’s position on this issue?
I agree. There is a need for more emergency preparedness in Nunavut, and we were very fortunate to have the military where it was at the time it was.
Our position, Mr. Speaker, is to try to continue to lobby the federal government to find ways and to ensure that we have adequate search and rescue facilities and equipment as close to and within Nunavut as possible.
In May of this year, our government joined Canada’s national delegation at a ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council that was held in Greenland.
At that meeting, Canada signed a new agreement on cooperation on aeronautical and maritime search and rescue in the Arctic.
Can the minister provide some detail today about how the Government of Nunavut is working with federal authorities to strengthen search and rescue capacity in Nunavut?
Unfortunately I can’t update you on that at this current time, but as soon as I am able to, I will.
After the May meeting of the Arctic Council concluded, the Government of Nunavut issued a formal statement in which it indicated that the GN looks “forward to the work of the next task force towards another potential agreement for 2013 on emergency response and preparedness” and that Nunavut “will continue to work with Canada.”
Can the minister clarify what specific priorities the GN wants to see addressed in the next agreement on emergency response and preparedness?
There are a number of issues that we want to deal with and to ensure that I do outline them all properly, I will take his question as notice.
Mr. Elliot, your question has been taken as notice.
Question 140 – 3(3): Communications Issues with Satellite Outage (Rumbolt)
As all members are aware today, recently there was a territorial-wide communications shutdown due to a satellite going offline.
Can the minister explain how well Nunavut communities were prepared for this communications breakdown?
Mr. Speaker, I think our government was prepared for it in the sense that there were no major catastrophes or any major issues that developed because of what occurred.
As everybody knows, we couldn’t communicate with other communities, and all of our young people and so forth had issues with their BlackBerrys and so did some of us, but beyond that, Mr. Speaker, I think our government was very well prepared.
We had been in contact with all municipalities in preparing emergency preparedness plans with each municipality.
Our Premier had asked that those get enacted.
I think, to answer his question in short, we were quite well prepared within a very short time of what happened.
During the communications outage in Sanikiluaq, it was observed that the health centre did not have a satellite phone of its own and had to borrow a phone to communicate with out-of-territory medical personnel during a medevac.
Can the minister explain why essential services, such as a health centre, do not have a satellite phone for such emergencies?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Mr. Speaker, I cannot speak for the Department of Health, but I could say that Sanikiluaq apparently was not the only one that may not have had a satellite phone. There are other agencies out there, such as the RCMP, and other departments within government that had satellite phones available.
Where that was needed, that’s what happened.
The good thing about this, Mr. Speaker, is that we are now working to ensure that all health centres and other essential services within government have radio phones available should such an event like this happen again or anything else that would require using satellite phones in any emergency or priority situations.
Question 141 – 3(3): Impact of the Mary River Project on Territorial Revenues (Elliott)
My questions are for the taxman, the Minister of Finance.
Mr. Speaker, residents of the High Arctic are excited about the economic potential of the Mary River Project.
As a government, I am sure that the minister is excited about the potential for much needed new revenue to fund our programs and services.
Earlier this month, the Government of Nunavut submitted its formal comments to the Nunavut Impact Review Board concerning the draft environmental impact statement submitted by Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation.
Although the company estimates that the GN stands to benefit from approximately 100 million dollars per year in new tax revenue, the GN’s comments to NIRB suggest that the government is not yet convinced about the accuracy of these figures.
Can the minister clarify his department’s concerns about Baffinland’s submission?
Mr. Speaker, of course, we welcomed the owners of Baffinland Iron Mines, ArcellorMittal and Nunavut Iron Ore, to Nunavut and thanked them for their investment in Nunavut. It is going to have tremendous benefits for all of Nunavut.
Of course, Mr. Speaker, mining companies have a habit of making statements and we have asked them to justify or clarify their statements. They said $100 million, but we simply asked them to provide us with the information on the methodology that derived that figure.
We’re not just accepting it at face value that that is the correct number.
Has the company provided that information to the government or is it still in the process of being delivered to you?
I’m not aware that they have delivered that information yet.
I believe, through the draft environmental impact statement, that the government made their submission and I believe that the government will be working very closely with Baffinland to review their submission and their answers.
I understand that our Department of Finance has a good working relationship with Baffinland Mines, so I would assure the member that it is not the intent of the Department of Finance or the Government of Nunavut to scare off investors, particularly large mining companies.
One of the things that I’m trying to find out for sure is that we have seven affected communities where the mine will be affecting them and I want to make sure that all of the communities understand what benefits could be coming. Obviously misinformation is something that we don’t want out there.
The Department of Finance administers the government’s Fuel Tax Rebate Program. Under this program, companies that enter into a formal development partnership agreement with the government are eligible for rebates on their fuel taxes. Development partnership agreements cover such areas as training, local employment, and infrastructure development.
Can the minister indicate if the government anticipates entering into negotiations with Baffinland leading to its participation in the Fuel Tax Rebate Program?
Mr. Speaker, development partnership agreements are a tool that the Government of Nunavut uses to ensure that mining companies will provide employment, training, and other benefits to local communities, similar to the Inuit impact and benefits agreements under Article 26 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
Mr. Speaker, I can’t state today that Baffinland and the Government of Nunavut are negotiating or entering into an agreement. That would be the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation who could perhaps share the information if he’s aware that that is underway.
In terms of the $100 million figure that Baffinland came up with, my understanding is that part of it that they say is coming from corporate taxes that will be paid to the Government of Nunavut.
My understanding is that when you pay corporate taxes, it’s paid where your headquarters is based, of which, I believe, Baffinland is based in Toronto, Ontario.
I’m wondering if you could confirm whether corporate taxes will be paid here in Nunavut and whether they have a location and headquarters here in Nunavut or whether it is actually in Toronto.
As Mr. Elliott well knows, Baffinland Mines is based in Toronto. However, Mr. Speaker, through the benefits of the Inuit impact and benefit agreements and development partnership agreements, there will be business opportunities for Nunavut-based businesses in the Baffin and perhaps elsewhere in Nunavut with their head offices in Nunavut. So I’m sure that they will be able to be paying their share of corporate taxes.
Question 142 – 3(3): Territorial Formula Financing Agreement (Elliott)
I would like to continue on with my question to the Minister of Finance and that being that the Territorial Formula Financing Agreement with Ottawa is our government’s primary source of revenue.
It is my understanding that the GN is getting ready to negotiate a new Territorial Formula Financing Agreement with the federal government.
Can the minister clarify the extent to which the current TFF claws back funds in circumstances where the government experiences major increases in its own source revenue, including corporate income taxes?
Mr. Speaker, the current TFF expires in 2014.
I’m unaware of any major increases in our own source revenues, so I don’t think we have to worry about that right away.
If Mr. Elliott wants the specific details, I would be very happy to provide them when I do have that level of detail.
So just to clarify, if we have an increase of $100 million in revenue from Baffinland and then we have Meadowbank coming online as well, and I’m sure there are taxes that are going to be coming in there, we could have a real increase in the amount of revenue coming into the territory.
There is no threat that the federal government will stand up and say, “Well, now that we have a revenue base, there is no need for territorial finance,” where we will actually have a cutback because that could seriously affect our budgeting. I’m just curious.
You’re saying that that will not affect it.
We’re dealing with “hypotheticals” here. We only have one operating mine in Nunavut. As several others are under development, so to speak, Newmont in the Kitikmeot and Baffinland here, it could be years.
When the current agreement, as I said, expires, we will be taking all of the factors and some of the factors that Mr. Elliott has raised. Circumstances have changed quite a bit since 2007, when the current agreement was negotiated. We will be taking all of that into account.
I can assure Mr. Elliott that we’re well aware of the Government of Canada and their deficit reduction plans. They will be taking every opportunity they can to not transfer as much money to Nunavut and other northern territories as we require.
Minister Peterson, that wasn’t a hypothetical question.
Question 143 – 3(3): Filling Vacant GN Positions (Rumbolt)
I would like to congratulate Mr. Schell on his position as Human Resources and I thought it would be nice if we could at least give one question to him today, being his first day sitting over there.
Mr. Speaker, my question is: in a past Auditor General’s report, it stated that it was taking well over 300 days to fill vacancies within government.
Can the minister update the House today on how long it takes his department to fill vacant positions?
Minister responsible for Human Resources, Minister Schell.
Hon. Fred Schell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to thank Mr. Rumbolt for that question.
We have made some improvements there but they’re not drastic improvements.
We’re still working on it here.
We have improved it by approximately 15 to 20 days, but it’s still too long and we are definitely looking at restructuring the whole of HR and looking at other options.
Hopefully, in the future, we can shorten that time.
Question 144 – 3(3): Community Emergency Plans (Elliott)
My questions are for the Minister of Community and Government Services again, who is responsible for emergency management in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, from the questions raised earlier, I agree that we learn from our mistakes, we learn from things that happen, and it’s nice to see that we are learning from what happened with the communications failures of a week and a half ago.