EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. While you are at the witness table, Mr. Kilabuk wanted to make a comment. Mr. Kilabuk.
Since we are pressed for time, I would like to recognize the clock and report progress.
Chairman (interpretation): There is a motion on the floor to report progress and it’s not debatable.
All those opposed. (interpretation ends) The motion is carried.
Thank you, Madame Minister and your officials.
Your committee has been considering Bill 12 and the main estimates and would like to report progress.
Also, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
A reminder for meetings tomorrow: at nine o’clock in the morning, the Standing Committee for Government Operations and Accountability in the Tuktu Boardroom, followed by the meeting of the regular caucus at eleven o’clock in the Tuktu Boardroom.
Orders of the Day for March 2:
Speaker (interpretation): The House stands adjourned until Thursday, March 2 at 1:30 in the afternoon.
>>House adjourned at 18:14
Thursday, March 2, 2006
Pages 1198 – 1256
Opening Prayer 1198
Ministers’ Statements 1198
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1200
Members’ Statements 1200
Oral Questions 1202
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1221
Written Questions 1223
Tabled Documents 1224
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1225
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1255
Orders of the Day 1255
Thursday, March 2, 2006 1198
068 – 2(3): Distance Education Pilot Project (Picco) 1198
069 – 2(3): Nunavut Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee (Brown) 1199
168 – 2(3): Film Company Isuma Productions (Tapardjuk) 1200
169 – 2(3): Allocation of Public Housing Units in Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak) 1201
170 – 2(3): Tribute to Arctic Sports (Curley) 1201
171 – 2(3): Congratulate Athletes Going to Arctic Winter Games in Alaska (Brown) 1202
188 – 2(3): Designs for Repulse Bay Health Centre (Tootoo) 1202
189 – 2(3): Incorporating Pre-Trades Program (Peterson) 1205
190 – 2(3): Prescription Medications (Kattuk) 1207
191 – 2(3): Equipment Compensation for Hunters Caused By Natural Disasters (Barnabas) 1208
192 – 2(3): Housing in Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak) 1209
193 – 2(3): Update on Planning and Design of a Trades School (Curley) 1210
194 – 2(3): Update on Decentralization (Mapsalak) 1213
195 – 2(3): Criminals Not Allowed Back to Communities (Kilabuk) 1215
196 – 2(3): Devolution Negotiations (Peterson) 1217
197 – 2(3): Update on Regulations for the Wildlife Act (Arreak) 1219
198 – 2(3): Construction of Houses (Kattuk) 1220
014 – 2(3): Government Contract Regulations Made Under the Financial Administration Act (Curley) 1223
015 – 2(3): Intergovernmental Agreements Between the Government of Nunavut and Other Jurisdictions (Tootoo) 1224
082 – 2(3): P/T – F/P/T Housing Ministers’ Meeting – September 22 to 23, 2005 in Liverpool Nova Scotia (Akesuk) 1224
Bill 12 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2006-07 – Review in Committee – Health and Social Services 1225
Speaker (interpretation): I will ask Mr. Simailak to say the opening prayer.
Speaker (interpretation): Good afternoon, Premier, Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and the staff.
Minister’s Statement 068 – 2(3): Distance Education Pilot Project (Picco)
As technology becomes more readily available here in Nunavut, the Department of Education explores the possibilities it presents for learning in Nunavut. I would like to take this opportunity to inform my colleagues about the Nunavut Broadband Distance Learning Pilot Project; a great example of being innovative and resourceful in seeking solutions.
Mr. Speaker, distance learning is a practical means which allows educators to meet the needs of students by providing courses online.
The goal of the Nunavut Broadband Distance Learning Pilot Project is to test new broadband and distance learning technologies and provide a positive experience for our students while ensuring cultural relevance. In the future, there is potential to involve not only schools, but communities and businesses as well.
Mr. Speaker, a working group is administering the project, in partnership with the department’s Regional School Operations, Curriculum and School Services, and Corporate Services Divisions. Their aim is to determine the best practices for Nunavut schools, the best possible communication systems and a model for delivery for the program.
Mr. Speaker, this information will result in recommendations for the Nunavut Distance Learning Program, which will begin delivery in the spring.
As you can see Mr. Speaker, this is a promising project and, with the expertise of the Department of Community and Government Services and the Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation, I am confident that this initiative will encourage online learning and may become a standard program for our students.
Minister’s Statement 069 – 2(3): Nunavut Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee (Brown)
I rise today to update you on the work of the Nunavut Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee, which was formed last April in anticipation of the Federal Gas Tax Initiative and the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund. The committee has been meeting since last September and met again in Iqaluit during the last week in February to finalize some significant issues.
Much of 2005 was spent by CGS staff negotiating funding agreements with the federal government and working with NAM to develop the Infrastructure Advisory Committee. Priorities have been on developing a consultation plan and a project priority setting process to access capital funds.
The federal funding, when combined with GN funds, will result in more than $69.5 million of infrastructure projects for communities.
The recent meeting of the committee saw the completion of this first phase of preliminary infrastructure planning for municipalities to use the Gas Tax and MRIF funds. Infrastructure Advisory Committee members have finalized their plans for initial community consultation and have identified some priorities for previously identified community projects.
Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure to inform the legislature that the NCIAC is up and running and is now moving on to the second important stage of its work involving community consultation and developing recommendations for government funding.
It gives me great pleasure today to introduce into the Gallery several distinguished visitors from Acadia University that members may be aware of. They are here doing a documentary on cultural learning, new technologies in the classroom similar to my statement earlier this afternoon.
First of all, we have James Frederick Price, who is a political science major in Acadia. Mr. Gordon Waddley, who is also a political science major, and Kate Champion from Acadia, who is in environmental science.
I take this opportunity in welcoming them all to the Gallery.
At the same time, we have all heard of Margaret Wente, we’ve heard of Christie Blatchford, Pamela Wallin, even Wendy Mesley, Allison Smith, and Barbara Frum.
We have someone of that distinguished nature here today in the Gallery.
A journalist without compare here in the north, who has been working for over 20 years with Nunatsiaq News and different publications, published nationally and internationally, well-known journalist Ms. Jane George.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Jane also to the Gallery.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like unanimous consent to go back to Item 3.
Speaker (interpretation): The member is asking to go back to Item 3, Members’ Statements.
Mr. Tapardjuk, you may proceed.
Member’s Statement 168 – 2(3): Film Company Isuma Productions (Tapardjuk)
I apologize; I came in a little bit late.
I would like to inform my colleagues here that you probably know of the Film Company Isuma Productions.
Their first film made was Atanarjuat, and the film that they were working on last year, that was written by Knud Rasmussen in 1923-24, who came into that area, and this was made into a movie.
There were consultations with the people who know them.
On March 11 and 12, they will do a premiere showing in Igloolik.
Who ever is interested to go see that is welcome.
I was also advised that First Air and Air Nunavut they will be seen, but I would like to state at this time that they have assisted in marketing the Inuit culture.
I would like to congratulate them for the premiere showing of that movie on March 11 and 12.
Member’s Statement 169 – 2(3): Allocation of Public Housing Units in Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak)
Mr. Evyagotailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I greatly thank Honourable Louis Tapardjuk for returning to Members’ Statements.
I would like today to voice my concern with regards to the allocation of public housing units in Kugluktuk.
I know that the effects of Nunavut housing crisis can be felt in every community.
We do not make our family members sleep outside because they do not have a house; we make room for them in our own homes.
In many cases, this leads to extreme overcrowding. Mr. Speaker, it does not matter how much you like the other person. If too many people are living in a small home, there will be a lot of problems.
It is my understanding that public housing units are allocated based on a rating system.
Part of that system gives more points to people who have been waiting the longest. Mr. Speaker, I understand that single people and young couples want to have homes of their own. However, I believe that families should be given the higher priorities for housing than single people.
Mr. Speaker, I will be asking questions at the appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 170 – 2(3): Tribute to Arctic Sports (Curley)
Mr. Curley (interpretation): I would like to thank the member for returning to Item 3, Members’ Statements, Member from Igloolik.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to arctic sports, Arctic Winter Games.
Mr. Speaker, Inuit have been doing arctic sports since the early 1960s.
Some of these sports include such traditional sports as the airplane, high kick, knuckle hop, and mouth pull, just to name a few.
Mr. Speaker, there are rules for every sport, and I’m pleased to state that Atima Hadlari, our interpreter over there, and John Taipanak who is one of my constituents helped develop these rules for the University of Alberta in the early 1970s.
Mr. Speaker, Atima and John are still involved today during all those years.
I’m pleased to say that they are both going to Alaska as officials for arctic sports for the Arctic Winter Games.
Mr. Speaker, up to today, John Taipanak holds the record in one of these sports, the kneel jump sport.
I am very proud of these individuals as they teach our young athletes our traditional games.
I strongly believe this is very important. We need to encourage our youth to continue these sports for generations to come.
Mr. Speaker, I wish all our athletes the best at Arctic Winter Games.
Member’s Statement 171 – 2(3): Congratulate Athletes Going to Arctic Winter Games in Alaska (Brown)
I have the grand opportunity to jump on the bandwagon thanks to my colleague here, Louis.
(interpretation) I would just like to congratulate the athletes that are going to Alaska.
There are some people: Malaya Voisy from Whale Cove, for arctic sports; Kayla Adjun from Whale Cove, for arctic sports; Shawn Nipisa from Whale Cove, arctic sports; Jophree Okalik, will be going there to play hockey.
I would like to wish them the best of luck in Alaska for the Arctic Winter Games.
Question 188 – 2(3): Designs for Repulse Bay Health Centre (Tootoo)
I don’t know if it’s a good thing or not to have been around here for a while, and follow what’s been transpiring over the last number of years.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, my colleague, Mr. Mapsalak, asked the Minister of Health some questions regarding the health centre and residence replacement in Repulse Bay and the minister had indicated in the Hansard and I will quote it, “There will be some funding set aside to start the planning for the design for the new health centre for Repulse Bay, and at this point in time, I don’t know what the design will include.”
Mr. Speaker, I know, again from being here in the past in the 2003-04 Capital Budget, there was a project in there called ‘Health Centre/Residence Replacement.’ And for that current year, there was $75,000 set aside and $445,000 of prior year’s cost for that project.
In the 2004-05 Capital Budget there was a name change called just ‘Replacement Health Centre’ for the same project; $20,000 set aside in that year’s capital budget and $401,000 as a prior year’s cost.
Mr. Speaker, looks like there’s almost $850,000 being spent on that project already and I’m just wondering if there were any designs. You indicated that there were no designs yet. So I’m just wondering what that money was used for.
This morning when I reviewed the Blues related to that response, that particular response I had provided to Mapsalak I had responded in Inuktitut.
At this present time, I have asked the officials from the third floor to review the tape because from what I understand and what I said yesterday, I said that whatever considerations we make for any housing as part of the health centre; it would have to be within budget of what we are looking at.
So with all due respect to the member’s question, at this point in time, that statement is being reviewed in the Blues. So I would like to review that first before I can pursue that question further.
Speaker (interpretation): The tapes are being reviewed. I would like you to wait on that question at this time until the reviewing is done.
Mr. Tootoo, if you would rephrase your question, please.
I would be happy to do that.
I guess, Mr. Speaker, given the fact that there has been almost $850,000 spent on that project since 2003-04, I am just wondering if the minister could indicate if they do have designs for that replacement health facility.
As far as I know, there has been no design for the renovation of the Repulse Bay Health Centre.
I guess this just begs the question to be asked: where did the $850,000 go that was approved in the capital estimates if it didn’t go towards the design for that facility?
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Mr. Speaker, where that funding allocation went, I can look into that. That was a previous government expenditure that was approved, so I would have to go back to those records and find out through my staff exactly where that funding went.
It could have been used for minor renovations of the health centre for all I know, but at this point in time, I do not have any information on Capital Projects from 2003, and perhaps through Committee of the Whole today, I will have that information to share with the member.
I know it is a small little change, but as I indicated in my first question, in 2003-04 Main Estimates, the project title was called ‘Health Centre/Residence Replacement,’ and in 2004-05 Main Estimates it was just called ‘Replacement of Health Centre.’
I am just wondering; if there is a change because of the change in title there, if there has been a change in the scope of work in the project taking out the residence.
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Mr. Speaker, from the 2003 Capital Budget plans, I will have that information in Committee of the Whole.
I don’t have that information before me. What I do have is what was discussed back when we were dealing with the Capital Projects in November and from what I understand, the allocation to start the design of the renovation of Repulse Bay Project, there was funding allocated in the 2005-06 Capital Estimates and that is the information I have before me.
Whether there has been a change in scope that some other information, I will have to find out because the information that the member is referring to was in the previous government legislature.
I will have to get my researchers and my staff to pull that information together to find out where that funding was spent and perhaps report back again in Committee of the Whole today.
Question 189 – 2(3): Incorporating Pre-Trades Program (Peterson)
I remember years ago, the Department of Education had a program called the Community Opportunity Programs, which was called COPS for short. It provided kids in the high schools with the opportunity to gain basic trade skills and to encourage them to take trades training after high school.
The question for the minister is: can the minister update this House on whether his department has considered incorporating pre-trade skills development programs for high school students?
We have been proceeding with multiple pass options as well as training opportunities within the classroom, especially targeted into high school levels grade 11 and grade 12. A good example of that is a project that we have had underway in Kugluktuk.
I am not sure if I am clear on the minister’s answer.
Can the minister update the House on what specific kinds of pre-trades programs are being offered to Nunavut high school programs to help prepare students for upcoming opportunities in the trades?
As I said earlier, we are looking at several opportunities within the framework of our current curriculum to introduce pre-trades programming through Skills Canada.
And a good example of that, Mr. Speaker, is the high school students who take on for example a program here in Iqaluit was cooking, where they would do pre-trades cooking in their classrooms as part of their curriculum development.
Mr. Speaker, at the same time, in Kugluktuk, we have programs still in place; training programs for mines-specific trades, but for also some of the trades programs themselves; basic woodworking and carpentry and so on.
So Mr. Speaker, that type of program that the member is talking about used to be under the old Community Occupational Program, or COP, as the member referred to. That has been revamped, has been updated, and Mr. Speaker, is under way right now in our schools in Nunavut, particularly in given schools where we have the capacity. For example, you need instructors and so on to be able to deliver that type of program.
So I hope that helps clarify the answer for the member.
I thank the minister for that answer. He clarified it for me somewhat.
Yesterday, in the Minister’s Statement, he talked about the Nunavut Apprenticeship Program. He mentioned that currently there were 116 apprentices registered in Nunavut. Can I ask the minister to commit to tabling a list of apprentices and their trades by region in the House before the end of the session?
I thank the minister for that answer. I think that’s the shortest answer you’ve ever given me.
My final question for the minister; last month, I noticed in the Nunavut Gazette that new appointments were being made to the Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupation Certification Board. The minister mentioned that in his Minister’s Statement yesterday. Can the minister clarify for this House what kinds of activities will be undertaken by the board members?
I’m going to try to keep my answers quick and to the point.
The board deals with logistical as well as administrative issues pertaining to the Apprenticeship Program across Nunavut. As the member just acknowledged, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many Nunavummiut who actually submitted their names to be on the apprenticeship board, and thank the members for soliciting and actually submitting names also.
So hopefully that will help answer the member’s question.
Question 190 – 2(3): Prescription Medications (Kattuk)
I will direct my question, and I might be wrong, to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
Since our government was created and since we’ve got a new government, I would like to ask a question in regard to prescription drugs. Are we going to be paying for prescription drugs at this point, since the new government was elected?
Those are covered under the Non-Insured Health Benefit Program, so we don’t anticipate that we will be asking residents to cover for prescription medication.
Do I understand that we’re not going to be paying for prescription drugs?
Those are covered through the arrangement we have with the federal government and Health Canada under the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program.
But if an individual goes to the Northern Store, or to the Co-op and buys Tylenol, yes you would pay for that. If you went to the health centre and are given a prescription or medication, you don’t pay for that.
I have experienced it the last time when we had a Conservative Federal Government.
I remember that when you go to the health centre and they didn’t give you a medication, they wished to invoice you or bill you for the medication.
So I’m worried about…we have a Conservative Federal Government, is the minister telling me that this is not going to happen?
Mr. Speaker, the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program is a national program that was developed by the federal government and the member is correct.
It provides non-insured health benefits to Inuit and First Nations in Canada. Health Canada covers all costs of medication.
So at this point in time, I don’t know if there is any thought to change that process or that arrangement, but I take the member’s concern and will monitor the situation closely.
Could the minister make sure that the Inuit don’t have to pay for prescriptions and lobby the federal government?
I agree with the member and I will work to keep the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program in place.
Question 191 – 2(3): Equipment Compensation for Hunters Caused By Natural Disasters (Barnabas)
I will direct my question to the Minister of Environment
I know that we have heard that our colleague has stated that the natural causes have made...I’m talking about the natural causes damaging property of the harvesters.
As Mr. Tapardjuk already had commented on that in regard to Hall Beach; the ice had crumbled up right down to the shoreline.
Mr. Speaker, in my riding in the community of Grise Fiord the personal belongings of hunters like boats were damaged by the high winds.
For that reason, even though the hunters are in the community and not even out hunting, their equipment is damaged by natural disasters.
How can you provide more support to those harvesters? That’s my question to the minister.
It is exactly as he stated. We help the hunters and trappers; we were able to acquire some assistance for the hunters and trappers under the Harvesters’ Support Program.
The funding that we have is limited, but it is available for the hunters and trappers.
Local conservation officers can assist the people who have lost their equipment through natural causes.
They decide on whether they are eligible to receive the funding.
Some of the hunters have to pay for part of their equipment when they purchase their equipment through the Harvesters’ Support Program when they have a full-time job.
But the harvesting equipment, when some of the equipment is new and they get damaged right there in the community and they are very expensive, if it is a boat with an outboard motor or if it is a snowmobile. If you lose all your equipment or if the boat is damaged by high winds and it cannot be used, do these hunters have to pay for part of that?
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Akesuk
We will not be able to go over the $4,500 to compensate hunters for damaged equipment. We want to change that right now. We are reviewing how we can improve the policy to compensate harvesters.
We do not take money from the hunters; we provide compensation to them.
This $4,500 is not enough to purchase a snowmobile or even for an outboard motor, and they are even more expensive from that line item or more so than the skidoos. Could the minister update the House once you increase the compensation program?
Yes, I will inform you right away and I will provide you with a copy as to how we are planning to make changes so that you can be involved in the consideration of the changes.
Question 192 – 2(3): Housing in Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak)
Mr. Evyagotailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation (interpretation ends) Can the minister outline, for the House, the process that is used to determine a person’s priority for public housing?
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Housing, Mr. Akesuk.