EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We understood that our Premier wanted to go there, but he had other important commitments.
Because of that, I still hear up to today that the old name is being used in the House. I would like to remind my colleagues that Naujaat is now the official name and the old name was removed.
I’m just reminding my colleagues that it’s now Naujaat.
Speaker (interpretation): I thank the member from Naujaat.
Question 037 – 4(3): Status of Long-term Care Needs Assessment (Sammurtok)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, during our sitting in May, the Minister of Health indicated that his department was undertaking a long-term care needs assessment. Addressing the care, comfort, and security of our elders is becoming more urgent day by day.
Can the minister provide an update on the progress and status of his department’s long-term care assessment and tell us if he will be tabling the results during this fall sitting?
The assessment has not been completed yet and I’ll let my colleagues know once the assessment is completed.
Mr. Sammurtok: Mr. Speaker, the need for a long-term care elders facility in Rankin Inlet is well established. We don’t need to wait for the results of the assessment to know the need is there.
I raised this issue with the minister in this House last May, at which time he indicated that he would have to look at how such a facility would operate and how many staff it would need.
Can the minister provide an update on what specific consideration has been given to the cost, operation, and number of staff needed to open a long-term care elders facility in Rankin Inlet?
I made a mistake in my first reply and the assessment is now completed, but we do want to have a thorough review.
I can’t tell you exactly how many staff we need.
We have two continuing care facilities that are in Igloolik and Gjoa Haven. We are working on opening a facility in Cambridge Bay.
We are doing a review on where we can make adjustments or changes to make sure that it is a proper facility and we would like it to be similar to the ones in Igloolik and Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Sammurtok: Mr. Speaker, I recognize that the needs of elders across all of Nunavut’s communities are a concern. We don’t just need facilities; we also need resources and supports and plans to deal with such issues as elder abuse.
Can the minister clarify what steps are being taken to develop a long-term, territory-wide elders strategy?
I can’t really respond to your question because that falls under the Premier, but I would like to indicate that as the Minister of Justice, I do go see elders every year and we educate the elders of their legal rights. We are dealing with issues such as elder abuse.
I was at the high school with Ms. Ell-Kanayuk and we had a dinner with the elders.
Question 038 – 4(3): Access to Information on Record Suspensions (Mikkungwak)
(interpretation ends) As the minister is aware, individuals with a criminal record can apply to the Parole Board of Canada for a record suspension, which is also known as a pardon.
I recognize that the Parole Board of Canada is a federal agency and is responsible for ordering, denying, and revoking record suspensions under the federal Criminal Code Act.
My concern, however, is that information on the application process for requesting a record suspension is not readily available in Nunavut communities.
Can the minister indicate how his department informs Nunavummiut on the application process for record suspensions and what, if any, offices in his department provide advice and assistance to individuals who wish to apply for a record suspension?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) This is a federal program, so it is very difficult to try and deal with a federal program when they have the program and they can change it at any time.
If we were to try and manage a program that we can’t control and if there were changes made to the program that we weren’t aware of, then we would create more unfortunate situations for our constituents.
To date, we have not been in a position to deliver this program because it is a federal program. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Mikkungwak, your first supplementary.
The federal Parole Board of Canada provides a number of resources on its website for individuals who wish to apply for a record suspension, including guidebooks and applications forms.
However, these resources are not available in the Inuit language, which can restrict unilingual, Inuit language speaking individuals from fully accessing these resources.
Will the minister commit to working with the federal Parole Board of Canada to provide its guidebooks, brochures, and application forms in the Inuit language?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I’m not the minister responsible for translations, but at the same time, this is a federal program.
As I said, these programs change. The last government made it more challenging for those who want to seek pardons.
We don’t control those programs, and there is no way of telling how this current government will change it in the future.
It will be a challenging task to try and change even translations without knowing when these programs might change.
It’s a responsibility that is for the federal government, and I will communicate the concern raised by my colleague with our new MP. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Can the minister indicate if offenders are informed of the eligibility criteria and application process for record suspensions upon release from the correctional facilities?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) For our inmates, I’m sure that the corrections facilities do prepare release plans and advise them and support them in their efforts to reintegrate into the community.
That continues. We try and assist them in getting new skills so that they can be productive members of our society. Those programs continue in our facilities.
I cannot speak for the federal facilities at this time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 039 – 4(3): Status of New Cape Dorset Power Plant (Joanasie)
When I last raised the issue of the urgent need for a new power plant in Cape Dorset, the minister indicated that the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s timeline for the new power plant is the 2017-18 fiscal year.
As of today, what is the timeline for constructing the new power plant in Cape Dorset?
Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Minister Peterson.
I applaud Mr. Joanasie for continuously bringing this issue up on the behalf of his constituents.
Last year, he asked my predecessor to expropriate the land in the downtown area to speed up the process and then earlier this year, indeed, he asked me to expropriate the land.
I told him that we would prefer a local solution to the issue about downtown land.
The land, of course, is in a legal dispute and that was the site that the hamlet was working with QEC to secure.
Earlier this year, the hamlet changed their mind and they asked QEC to relocate the new power plant out to the tank farm.
Our QEC officials met with the hamlet in early September. I believe it was a town hall meeting and a meeting with some of the councillors.
A decision was made to locate the new power plant out by the tank farm. Of course, that necessitated a lot of changes in planning.
Mr. Speaker, I believe the QEC officials sent an environment team in there last week to assess the new site. We’re still waiting for a report. Geotechnical work will have to be done over the winter so that we can prepare the site next summer for development.
These changes with the location are adding time and costs to the proposed project. Right now, I believe the timeline is likely 2018.
I thank the minister for his response and also for his interim president of QEC and officials that made their way to Cape Dorset to meet with community members on this topic.
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my Member’s Statement, one of the challenges that Cape Dorset faces and Premier Taptuna saw with his own eyes during his recent visit was the fact that the current lack of power generation capacity has prevented the construction of any new housing units in recent years.
I also noted that one of the ideas that were discussed during the Premier’s visit was to bring in mobile auxiliary generators to help boost capacity over the next few years before the new plant is constructed.
Will the minister commit to bringing forward a plan to implement this idea?
I appreciate the Premier and his assistants going up for a meeting about their issue.
Yes, I’m aware of the issue of the aging power plant up there. Indeed, it is older than Mr. Joanasie and I know for a fact that it’s younger than the Premier and younger than many of us in here.
Mr. Speaker, I have even gone to Ottawa a few times and asked the Ottawa government for a couple hundred million dollars to upgrade most of our aging power plants. I look forward to bringing the business case to the new Minister of Finance and the support of our new MP for Nunavut to get some funding for upgrading our power plants.
The fact of the matter is that that old power plant at its present location does not allow us to expand or add any more capacity to the existing system.
The site location is fully utilized. A mobile power plant or generator is in the range of $2 million to $3 million and possibly more.
We went through the whole situation there with my colleague’s community in Pangnirtung.
It’s a very expensive proposition.
The Qulliq Energy Corporation is fully maxed out on its debt; we’re very strapped. Any changes to the QEC’s capital plan to entertain Mr. Joanasie’s idea would impact the capital plan for other communities.
The QEC board will have to take a very close look at the capital plan to see if that is something that can be entertained and if, in fact, it is even affordable.
Disputes concerning the location of Cape Dorset’s power plant have been an ongoing source of frustration for our community.
As the minister pointed out earlier, now they’re focusing on the location near the tank farm and proceeding with geotechnical. Can I get confirmation and put this issue to rest that QEC will be building a new power plant in Cape Dorset near the tank farm location?
I thank Mr. Joanasie for asking that question.
Mr. Speaker, I have been following this Cape Dorset situation for many years and I wasn’t unfamiliar with what was going on up there when I became the Minister of QEC.
I recall that in June 2012, it was in the News/North that the power plant was $12.5 million and a major project permit application had been approved by URRC.
Just this year, the prices have morphed up to $28 million with all the back and forth and delays over where the land will be. Now this new change could possibly add another $3 million to the price tag.
The plan is to build the power plant on that site, subject to environmental work and geotechnical work. My officials inform me that they’re proceeding in that direction.
Question 040 – 4(3): Status of Iqaluit Beer and Wine Store (Hickes)
Earlier this year, cabinet approved new Iqaluit Beer and Wine Store Regulations which were made under the territorial Liquor Act.
These regulations were registered on June 3 of this year, the day after the legislature adjourned from its spring sitting. I’m sure there is no coincidence there.
Mr. Speaker, it is now the end of October. Will the government be opening a new beer and wine store before the end of 2015, yes or no?
Section 6 of the new regulations prescribe daily purchase limits for customers.
Can the minister explain how his department determined these specific quantities?
Mr. Speaker, I believe quantities were determined in consultation with local organizations and groups.
In the minister’s initial response that no, there would not be a store opening in Iqaluit in this fiscal year or this calendar year, can the minister explain why the delays after all the work has gone through, with the consultations that have been done and the regulations being changed to accommodate a controlled retail store?
Can the minister explain why there are delays on this pilot project?
Mr. Speaker, a beer and wine store pilot project is a bit of a sensitive issue for the City of Iqaluit and I appreciate that. I think 40 percent of the eligible voters came out and voted. 75 percent of them voted in favour of a beer and wine store and I believe they spoke for everybody in the community.
Our government recognizes and respects the decision of the voters.
We have decided that before we proceed, we would work with some of our fellow departments so that they would be given time to put programs and policies in place under the Sivumut Abluqta Mandate before we can proceed as the Department of Finance. Also, the timing of the plebiscite would not have allowed us to open a store in Iqaluit this year anyway.
Question 041 – 4(3): Status of Scoping Study on Manitoba-Nunavut Hydroelectric Power Line (Savikataaq)
My questions are for the Minister of Community and Government Services, who is the co-chairperson of the Hudson Bay Regional Round Table.
Last month, the round table met in Rankin Inlet. At that time, the Energy Options Working Group presented a scoping study on the viability of a hydroelectric power transmission line to run from Churchill, Manitoba to the Kivalliq.
When will the minister table this important study in the Legislative Assembly?
As of today, I can’t state when we can table it, but I want to review it carefully and that’s why I can’t answer the question at this time.
The study is ongoing and that’s the current status.
As the minister is aware, the Kivalliq Inuit Association has been a partner in this work. In announcing the results of the scoping study, KIA indicated that the next step will be a funding request to the Government of Nunavut, the Government of Manitoba, and the federal government in order to “conduct a briefing and feasibility study.”
Has the GN been approached for their share of the funding?
Yes, I’m aware that we’re partners with KIA and they have done some work.
As I stated, we’re just following procedures and my officials are working on that right now.
Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for a response but not an answer.
Just to read off some of the benefits that can come from this power line, from a news release that KIA issued back in September, it says that the savings would be up to $40 million annually in diesel energy costs. The mining sector would save $60 million to $100 million annually and they estimated that 380,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gases would be eliminated. Further to that, we would not be tied to the cost of the price of oil in this world.
The fuel subsidy programs would save money too that could be used for such other things as health and education. A fibre-optic line could also be strung up for communication and Internet. There are lots of benefits that would come with the power line.
Now I ask the minister, the new federal government was elected earlier this week and we are expecting a new cabinet to be named early in November. When will the GN be formally raising the issue to the federal government and with the MP with the intent and purpose of furthering the project of the Manitoba and Kivalliq hydro line in our region?
Yes, dealing with the new government, it’s obvious that this has been explained, but according to my information, for example, the new issues will be brought up in January on this issue.
Yes, we’re trying to keep aware of this and it is important to me on how we can do cost savings through energy.
It’s obvious to the government and to CGS that if it’s going to be impacted, we have to deal with it carefully because of that reason and having a new government is a part of it.
I would like you to know that we are working on this right now.
Question 042 – 4(3): Iqaluit Elders Facility (Angnakak)
Mr. Speaker, I have grown very concerned about the state of the elders facility in Iqaluit.
I have spoken with a number of elders and others about the facility and they have raised concerns regarding such issues as food insecurity, the safety of residents, and the type of care that is provided.
Can the minister provide an update on which division of her department or which entity is responsible for the Iqaluit Elders Facility?
Let me ask a question. I believe we were on the wrong channel.
Did the minister understand the question that was posed?
I believe you understood the question.
Madam Minister, did you understand the question?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for asking the question in regard to the elders facility and others.
As to which department entity is responsible for the Iqaluit Elders Facility, the Department of Family Services has three programs: one in Arviat, one in Baker Lake, and one in Iqaluit.
There are three facilities that are operated and we provide funding from the Department of Family Services through an agreement.
The agreement contains a lot of information.
If elders have concerns of care, the process is that they can report back to the Department of Family Services.
If there is a complaint from the elders about how they are treated by the managers or by the staff, they can report to that entity.
Can the minister tell us how many complaints her department has received in regard to the elders centre in Iqaluit?
Hon. Jennie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I don’t know how many complaints there were, but I can ask my officials if there were any complaints received.
Starting from last year, we have been comprehensively reviewing the agreement and we want to make sure that they are following the plan and we are reviewing it to make sure that they are following through with the plan.
It seems that the operations, management, and maintenance of the elders facility here in Iqaluit are in complete disarray.
Can the minister clearly explain which departments, divisions, or entities are involved in the maintenance and operation of this facility?
I would also like to thank my colleague for that question.
The operations, maintenance, and management of the elders facility in Baker Lake is operated by CGS. The Arviat and Iqaluit facilities are the responsibility of the housing corporation.
For the maintenance work, we provide funding from the Department of Family Services for the repair work on elders facilities and each elders unit has to have an intercom and we need to install intercoms so that we can communicate with elders in their units. As per the agreement, we are looking at the funding.
We are providing funding to the Nunavut Housing Corporation through our department to make improvements on the intercom system.
Last year, we were monitoring the agreement to make sure that they are following through.
Question 043 – 4(3): G.R.E.A.T. Program (Mikkungwak)
My question will be to the Minister of Family Services on the Minister’s Statement that she made this morning regarding the G.R.E.A.T. program, Getting Ready for Employment and Training Program.
In the document, it indicates that “The G.R.E.A.T. program will be piloted in 10 communities in 2015-16.”
After that she identifies three communities: Kugluktuk, Rankin Inlet, and Iqaluit.
When will the minister make a decision as to the other communities that will be identified for the pilot project?
I would also like to thank my colleague, Mr. Mikkungwak, for asking that question related to my Minister’s Statement from this morning in regard to the G.R.E.A.T. program.
For labour market programs, we understand that we are going to start the pilot project in those communities and we will start the other programs in January. We are concerned and are making sure that there are adult educators and if we have space to deliver that training.
In the document, it also identifies that “Our goal is that 120 income assistance clients will participate in the pilot phase.”
It’s nice to see that the income assistance clients are being assisted. Out of the 120 income assistance clients, is that a random selection across the territory of Nunavut?
I would also like to thank my colleague for asking the question on this issue.
I know that if income assistance clients are physically able to work, they should work.
Through Nunavut Arctic College, we are working with income assistance clients. There are many people who would like to get into training and into the workforce.
For clients who want to take the training, as a government, we don’t select the income assistance clients.
We only select them according to their willingness.
In the document, it also identifies that “Clients who graduate from the program will be better prepared to be successfully employed or to seek further training and schooling.”
As I had asked earlier, 120, I presume that is a random selection across the territory of Nunavut, which has 25 communities.
When we look at this, my final question here is, these 120 clients who have been selected will have an opportunity to enhance their lives and their families.
Is there an alternate plan for all the other income support assistance clients in the Nunavut territory?
Yes, according to when we were first elected, we had set a goal through our mandate, Sivumut Abluqta. The priority of all the Members of the Legislative Assembly was to work on this and all of us attended.
We said that this was our support to make sure that we reduce poverty and to make sure that they get into the workforce.
This is a pilot project. After we have completed the pilot project, we will have a better idea as to which way we will be proceeding.
That’s the response I can provide, Mr. Speaker.
Question 044 – 4(3): Baffin Island Caribou (Hickes)
I’m going to keep with Mr. Mikkungwak’s theme of going over Ministers’ Statements this morning.
The Minister of Environment stated in his statement regarding Baffin Island caribou when he was thanking Nunavummiut for working through the moratorium that recently there was an announcement made to lift the moratorium and have 250 tags issued across Baffin Island for caribou.
With regard to the tags, what is the process for monitoring, and who decided how many tags each community got?
The moratorium on caribou hunting has been lifted and they can now harvest 250 male caribou only on Baffin Island, not for the whole of Nunavut.
It’s only for Baffin Island.
These 250 tags were approved by our department. It is at QWB’s discretion to allocate tags in the Baffin region communities.
The Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board is responsible for the allocation of the tags.
Just from the first part of my question with regard to monitoring and enforcement, what assurances do we have that only 250 animals will be harvested as the population is very critical, which caused the moratorium?
If the minister could answer that for my first question. With my first supplementary, once these tags are issued and filled, will the moratorium be reinstated?
I also thank the member. I apologize for not responding to part of your question.
We have now been working on the Wildlife Regulations in regard to caribou on Baffin Island. The Department of Environment staff, conservation officers in the communities, and HTOs are responsible for the Baffin region caribou hunting.
At this time, I don’t have the information as to how many tags have been used, but when the hunting season first opened at the beginning of October, there were 61 caribou harvested in the Baffin region.
With all the talk of codeshare and cargo and issues with freight that has been occurring across the territory and the costs associated, although the rates for shipping country food haven’t increased, there has been a change to the way it’s charged per leg, not the animal leg, Mr. Speaker, but the per leg of flight.
The government currently subsidizes shipping of seal pelts. There’s a commercial fisheries freight subsidy that covers up to 50 percent of the freight cost.
There has been a lot of concern brought to my attention, because we are limited in the hunting here on Baffin Island, that the cost of shipping meat and country food from other parts of Nunavut is very onerous on a lot of people. As everyone is very well aware, there are a lot of people who live below the poverty line here in Nunavut.