EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Some of it could touch on areas such as regulatory changes from the federal side, also things like search and rescue and emergency preparedness.
What I’m getting at is: how involved is Nunavut Tourism when it comes to, for example, outfitters?
What kind of support do outfitters get at the community level?
I know they go to meetings and stuff like that, but as a business, to run their business, what kind of support does Nunavut Tourism provide to local businesses?
I would like Mr. Suvega to respond to that question as well.
A lot of it is through member services with licensed outfitters.
You also have a lot of work that may occur outside of the relationship with Nunavut Tourism. Let’s say, for example, if an outfitter needs assistance starting up a new business or an expansion of their existing business, there’s a large network of partners throughout the territory where potential outfitters could access if they wanted to do a business start-up or an expansion on a new product.
It really depends on the type of activities that the outfitters want to engage.
I’m having a Joe Enook moment where I feel my questions are not being understood.
I am trying to say I know they can access other partners. I am trying to get the role of Nunavut Tourism at the community level; I know that they have been doing a lot of work in regard to marketing and going to Florida and all of that, but what I am trying to get at is what work are they doing in the communities?
How are they assisting community members?
For example, in Clyde River they are getting famous for their jumping where you jump off the rock. How are they assisting the community in attracting tourists to come to their community?
I would like Mr. Suvega to continue, if you don’t mind.
First, we do not encourage Inuit to jump off high rocks; that is an illegal activity. A large portion of it really is through marketing, not just externally, but also working with communities to ensure that they are linking up with their partners on trying to get some of their products ready.
For example, if they are a member and they know there are certain activities that could be projected throughout the year, some of it is dialogue between the outfitters and with Nunavut Tourism directly.
Some of it is through outreach on regular programs that Nunavut Tourism conducts annually, and it really depends on work with partners. It could be conferences, meetings, or conferences with other partners like NEDA or municipalities when they hold their regional and/or annual general meetings.
It really depends on the kinds of activities that the outfitters are engaged in.
Can the minister tell us how often Nunavut Tourism travel to communities per year, and where was the last community they visited?
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If we have the information available, it would be nice if Mr. Suvega would provide that, if you do not mind, Mr. Chairman.
We do not have that specific information here tonight, but we can certainly get it before the sitting resumes.
Under the community tourism and cultural industries program, it says it supports investments in community infrastructure linking cultural industries. Can you provide us with an example project that is under this initiative?
Mr. Suvega can provide an example.
Some of that is through our existing facilities or visitor tourism and information centres or in the creation of hopefully future visitor centres.
I am going on to mining, minerals and petroleum resources. What kind of programs and services does your department provide to excavation companies who want to come and explore in Nunavut?
If I misunderstood, I’m sorry.
Are you talking about mining?
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) Yes, you understood me.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): I appreciate it that we are at the same wavelength.
I’m not sure what specific activity you’re talking about.
If it is understood, I would like my ADM, Mr. Suvega, to answer that, Mr. Chairman, if it is okay with you.
We don’t have a specific program for encouraging exploration or the actual activity of doing exploration, but we provide services such as prospector courses and/or work with partners, such as the NWT-Nunavut Chamber of Mines, to provide information for the industry that’s interested in doing development work in the territory.
Thank you for that answer, but I would like to ask the minister: what kind of incentives do we have to get exploration companies to come to Nunavut?
I would like Mr. Suvega to elaborate on some of the things that he mentioned.
A few points on that.
From a jurisdictional standpoint, we have one settled land claim. That’s very attractive from an investor perspective in trying to deal with single agencies or as few agencies as possible when doing some of the regulatory work.
In terms of post-development activity, we have the development partnership agreement, which is another incentive for the industry, which can lead to things such as increased employment, investment in infrastructure, improved socio-economic conditions, and a minor example might be something like how mines are learning to be better employers in a multi-cultural setting on a mine site.
I have two more questions.
The first one is: how many exploration companies were in Nunavut last fiscal year?
Mr. Suvega can respond to the question, if it’s okay with you.
We work with one of our territorial partners on this, the Nunavut Geoscience Office, to produce an annual activity report, exploration and mining, and we can provide that tomorrow.
My last question is: as a department, what do you expect for this coming summer and over the next fiscal year in terms of exploration?
What’s the interest? Do you expect more mining companies or less or the same?
I think Mr. Suvega is in a better position to answer in terms of what the outlook for exploration in Nunavut.
Although we don’t have the exact figures or numbers as to what to expect, it has been pretty stable for the last little while, although for the past few years, there has been a decline in exploration across the north, not just within Nunavut. Some of that is driven by market conditions and the cost of commodities across the world.
The next name I have on the list, Mr. Joanasie.
I don’t have a whole lot of questions, but I will begin with page K-5, Economic Development.
My first question will be in relation to the grants and contributions directed more to smaller communities, non-regional centres.
Are they the priority in terms of contributions to the smaller communities for the purpose of creating employment?
If I was clear, Mr. Chairman.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much. I thank the member for that question. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Suvega would like to answer that.
We don’t have any specific policies that spell out prioritizing non-decentralized communities over decentralized communities. A lot of our programs are geared toward driving economic activity, accessed through a wide variety of groups, non-government organizations or individual companies, and municipalities.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the official for the question.
Just for your consideration, I wonder if… . The non-decentralized would like to have some funding as well, so that’s why I asked the question. When they ask for funding from the government, because the decentralized communities usually have access to the government departments… .
That’s what I wanted to make a comment on, just for the consideration of the minister’s department. That’s what I wanted to say.
With respect to administering the development partnership agreements, even though they don’t have to have a development partnership agreement, if the government and the mining companies can have a development partnership agreement, can that agreement make money for the government? If I was understandable, Mr. Chairman.
I will give that question to Mr. Suvega, if it’s okay with you, Mr. Chairman.
According to the development partnership agreement, the government can make revenue by charging taxes, such as corporate taxes or payroll taxes. The royalties do not go to the Government of Nunavut, but they could go to the Inuit.
I think somebody mentioned it earlier on. The gold mine near Baker Lake has a DPA.
Has there been any funding or revenue coming to the government of Nunavut because of the DPA?
I think the member is asking about the DPA and if the government has been making any… Thank you.
I’ll get Mr. Suvega to respond to that question.
We don’t collect any money but we collect money as a government from corporate taxes and the taxes paid by the employees. I would not have any answers to that right now.
I wonder if the Minister of Finance would know how much money they collected from corporate and payroll taxes thus far from the Meadowbank mine near Baker Lake?
Only the minister would be able to defer it to another minister. Only if the minister is able to or wants to answer the question.
That’s a very good question. I would get some information to the members when the information is available, if you don’t mind.
I will wait for your answer.
Not just for me, but for the other members. My last question is with respect to mining companies and oil companies. In the 2014-15 priorities, the sixth bullet states that they will assist with respect to devolution agreement, will the Nunavut government is in negotiations with… what kind of assistance will they provide?
I will get my Associate Deputy Minister to respond to the question. It’s not just us that the question should be directed to but I will get Mr. Suvega to respond to that question.
Organizations such as the Inuit organizations and Community and Government Services deals with subsurface rights.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $21,960,000.
Item 20. (interpretation ends) Report of the Committee of the Whole. (interpretation) Member for Gjoa Haven, Mr. Akoak.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I move the Report of the Committee of the Whole be agreed to.
There is a meeting tomorrow morning at 9:30 of the Special Standing Committee on the Review of the Education Act, 9:30 in the Tuktu Boardroom, for members only of that committee.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) In accordance with the authority provided to me by Motion 3 – 4(2), this House stands adjourned until Tuesday, June 10, at 10:00 a.m.
>>House adjourned at 19:45
Pages 770 – 848
Members’ Statements 771
Returns to Oral Questions 774
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 776
Oral Questions 776
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 791
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 792
Report of the Committee of the Whole 847
Orders of the Day 847
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 770
039 – 4(2): Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (Quassa) 770
040 – 4(2): Western Premiers’ Conference 2014 (Taptuna) 771
093 – 4(2): Baker Lake Graduates of NTEP 2014 (Mikkungwak) 771
094 – 4(2): Congratulations to Skills Nunavut Competitors (Savikataaq) 772
095 – 4(2): Expansion of Banking Services in Pond Inlet (Enook) 772
096 – 4(2): Cambridge Bay Wellness Centre Initiative (Peterson) 773
097 – 4(2): Condolences to Constituents (Ugyuk) 774
098 – 4(2): 2014 Graduates of Cape Dorset (Joanasie) 774
Return to Oral Question 121 – 4(2): Definition of Homelessness (Ugyuk) 775
Return to Oral Question 136 – 4(2): Financial Support for Adult Students (Angnakak) 775
146 – 4(2): Access to Affordable and Nutritious Food in Nunavut (Akoak) 776
147 – 4(2): Taxation (Joanasie) 777
148 – 4(2): Nunavut Food Security Coalition (Hickes) 779
149 – 4(2): Alternative Options for Housing (Sammurtok) 780
150 – 4(2): Options for Income Assistance Clients (Mikkungwak) 781
151 – 4(2): QEC Procurement and Contracting (Angnakak) 783
152 – 4(2): Search and Rescue Protocols (Mapsalak) 784
153 – 4(2): Issues with Search and Rescue (Enook) 785
154 – 4(2): Building Foundations for Public Housing in Arviat (Savikataaq) 786
155 – 4(2): Rankin Inlet Infrastructure Needs (Sammurtok) 787
156 – 4(2): Nunavut Food Strategy (Hickes) 788
157 – 4(2): Compliance with Annual Letters of Expectation (Angnakak) 790
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2014-2015 – Economic Development – Consideration in Committee 792
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2014-2015 – Nunavut Arctic College – Consideration in Committee 821
Mr. Tony Akoak, Ms. Pat Angnakak, Hon. Monica Ell, Mr. Joe Enook, Mr. George Hickes, Mr. David Joanasie, Hon. George Kuksuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Hon. Johnny Mike, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak, Hon. Paul Okalik, Hon. Keith Peterson, Hon. Paul Quassa, Hon. George Qulaut, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok, Hon. Tom Sammurtok, Mr. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Isaac Shooyook, Hon. Peter Taptuna, Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk.
>>House commenced at 10:01
Speaker: I’ll ask you to remain standing, please.
Before we proceed with the orders of the day, I ask all members to join me in a moment of silence in memory of the fallen members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Moncton, New Brunswick.
Speaker: Thank you. (interpretation) Going to the orders of the day.
Ministers... .
I would like to make a motion that we request to proceed directly to Item 19.
Speaker: The member is unanimous consent to proceed to Item 19.
Since there is a nay, we will proceed onto Item 2.
Hon. Minister of Education, Mr. Quassa.
Minister’s Statement 039 – 4(2): Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (Quassa)
The Department of Health, the Department of Education, and the Nunavut Teachers Federation worked together with Nunavut Arctic College to deliver Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training to community members across the territory this past year.
(interpretation ends) In the 2013-14 fiscal year, 33 ASIST courses took place in 23 different communities.
More than 570 participants took part in the training, including 340 individuals from the Department of Education.
Mr. Speaker, the goal of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training is to help people feel more ready, willing, and able to help prevent the immediate risk of suicide.
Mr. Speaker, Arctic College has added ASIST training to the curriculum for its Nunavut Teacher Education Program and Nursing Program.
This means that all new teachers and nurses will have ASIST training when they begin their careers. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 2. (interpretation) Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Taptuna.
Minister’s Statement 040 – 4(2): Western Premiers’ Conference 2014 (Taptuna)
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues about an upcoming event in our capital.
I am excited to announce that Nunavut is hosting the Western Premiers’ Conference in Iqaluit on July 9 and 10 of this year.
Mr. Speaker, the Western Premiers’ Conference is a forum for Premiers to discuss issues that are of interest or concern to the seven western provinces and territories.
It is also an opportunity to learn best practices and build relationships with western jurisdictions.
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut are all members. Western Premiers’ Conference meetings are held annually and their locations rotate among the seven jurisdictions.
Nunavut last hosted in 2007 with great success.
This year, the proposed themes of the conference will focus on the challenges and opportunities facing the west’s northern and remote communities, and competitiveness, making sure our jurisdictions remain strong and resilient leaders.
I am confident that discussions will be enlightening and lively, and I look forward to engaging my fellow premiers about Nunavut’s challenges and opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, the opportunity to showcase Nunavut’s culture, traditions, and language is always a thrill. My colleagues are set to arrive on Nunavut Day, and I look forward to showing off our beautiful city on Nunavut’s 15th anniversary.
Member’s Statement 093 – 4(2): Baker Lake Graduates of NTEP 2014 (Mikkungwak)
I rise today to recognize three people from Baker Lake who have completed their training in the Nunavut Teacher Education Program and they are Sandy Tagoona, Maggie Perkison, and Jeannie Tapatai. They completed the Nunavut Teacher Education Program in Baker Lake.
I also know that the graduates definitely will be becoming teachers and love teaching children in Baker Lake. From my knowledge, I know that they have worked very hard and have participated in the affairs of the children.
I am very happy and I feel blessed that they have completed their education and training.
I wholeheartedly support them as they move forward.
Member’s Statement 094 – 4(2): Congratulations to Skills Nunavut Competitors (Savikataaq)
I rise today to recognize four skilled students from my community.
This past weekend, 14 youth from Nunavut attended the 20th Skills Canada Competition in Toronto.
Mr. Speaker, I extend my congratulations to the four youth from Arviat who attended that competition and these students are:
Terri Angalik, who competed in the baking category;
Amanda Pingushat, who competed in photography;
Hattie Pameolik, who competed in public speaking, and maybe she can give me some lessons; and,
Jonathan Kigusiutnak, who represented Nunavut in this year’s National Youth Forum.
I commend these youth for the courage that they have shown by competing on the national level.
I also recognize all volunteers and organizers of the Nunavut Skills competitions.
I would like to thank those individuals for keeping our youth involved in the trades industry.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in congratulating the Nunavummiut who participated in the Skills Canada Competition.
Member’s Statement 095 – 4(2): Expansion of Banking Services in Pond Inlet (Enook)
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House about the upcoming expansion of banking services in Pond Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, my colleague from Baker Lake spoke about the First Nations Bank of Canada’s new community banking centre in Baker Lake.
I am very pleased that Pond Inlet will be the location for the bank’s next expansion into our territory’s smaller communities.
Mr. Speaker, the increase in training and employment opportunities that are associated with such projects as Mary River will result in greater demand on the part of my constituents for banking services.
This is a positive step forward, and I want to acknowledge the work of the Atuqtuarvik Corporation in supporting expanded access to banking and financial services for Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, whether we are talking about the airline sector or other parts of the economy, I strongly support initiatives that provide more options and more choices for our residents.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in acknowledging this positive development for Pond Inlet.
Member’s Statement 096 – 4(2): Cambridge Bay Wellness Centre Initiative (Peterson)
Good morning, Nunavummiut and Cambridge Bay residents.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House of a successful initiative that was offered last month by the Cambridge Bay Wellness Centre.
Mr. Speaker, our wellness centre recently delivered a specialized program in community addictions training aimed at providing individuals and communities with the tools needed to help improve the health and well-being of all residents.
Mr. Speaker, this training was provided by Senior Trainer Ms. Peggy Lafleur and assisted by Ms. Janet Stafford from the wellness centre.
Nine community members took this training in order to learn how to better help their fellow residents overcome addictions.
Mr. Speaker, those graduates were:
Jordan Anderson;
Jeannie Evalik;
Thomas Kaohina;
Linda Kavanna;
Mary Rose Maksagak;
Talia Maksagak;
Annie Neglak;
Andrew Pokiak; and
Janet Stafford.
Mr. Speaker, the graduates received training in drug and alcohol counselling skills, knowledge to understand the process of addictions and process of treatment, and knowledge to develop and design community prevention programs.
Mr. Speaker, these graduates, through their personal actions, are taking steps to combat the devastating effects of alcohol and drug addiction in our communities.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in congratulating these graduates.
Member’s Statement 097 – 4(2): Condolences to Constituents (Ugyuk)
I rise today in remembrance of our fellow people of Nunavut.
We heard during the prayer about participating.
The sister of one of the people is here and I am very thankful for that.
As relatives, we have feelings and I love my relatives in Taloyoak too, and my mother has been watching the proceedings here too.
All of the people of Kugaaruk, good morning and have a good day and help each other.
Member’s Statement 098 – 4(2): 2014 Graduates of Cape Dorset (Joanasie)
Good morning, people of Nunavut and everyone who is listening.
I rise today to recognize those who graduated from grade 12 in Cape Dorset.
It will create an opening for more opportunities in the future.
The graduates are as follows:
Joseph Pinguartuk;
Leeta Qimirpik;
Mosie Tunnillie;
Melanie Curley;
Moosie Toonoo;
Etulu Saila;
Pee Toonoo; and
Nallie Ashoona.
These students completed their education and we thank their teachers, who were able to teach these students so that they could take their training properly.
In Nunavut, there are a lot of opportunities to whoever has excelled and completed their education. It opens a lot of opportunities to jobs that are becoming more and more available everywhere, especially in the professions of teachers, police, nurses, and other professions.
Like these people who have completed their education, I encourage everyone to complete their high school education and to look for further and higher education so that they can increase their skills to be ready for the workforce and to have a great and excellent life.
I have no more names on my list. Orders of the Day.
Return to Oral Question 121 – 4(2): Definition of Homelessness (Ugyuk)
Asked by the Member for Tununiq, Joe Enook, on June 4, No. 121 – 4(2), Definition of Homelessness.
“Is this definition that apparently is in the memorandum of understanding different from the definition of the Government of Nunavut’s position on what the definition is of homelessness?”
On June 3, I indicated to the Member for Tununiq, Joe Enook, that the Government of Nunavut had a memorandum of understanding with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, which defined homelessness.
The memorandum of understanding that I referred to in my response is the one between the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, which focuses on poverty reduction. That memorandum of understanding does not define homelessness.
My apologies for the misunderstanding this has caused. (interpretation) I’m sorry.
(interpretation ends) Currently, there is no definition of homelessness that has been officially adopted or endorsed by the Government of Nunavut.
For the purpose of our profile of homelessness study, we adapted the working definition of absolute, at-risk, and hidden homelessness as identified in the Government of Nunavut’s Long-term Comprehensive Housing Strategy.
These terms have been generally accepted to understand homelessness in the territory and in other jurisdictions.
The Government of Nunavut’s Long-term Comprehensive Housing Strategy also noted that “Nunavut lacks a single, shared definition of homelessness, perhaps because several forms of homelessness can be included.”
We recognize this, and we will consult with the homelessness support community throughout Nunavut and a variety of stakeholders, including Inuit organizations, to develop a Nunavut-specific definition of homelessness.
The Minister for Education, Mr. Quassa.
Return to Oral Question 136 – 4(2): Financial Support for Adult Students (Angnakak)
This was asked by Pat Angnakak, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, No. 136 – 4(2), and the subject being, “Financial Support for Adult Students.”
Mr. Speaker, according to Nunavut Arctic College, in your report which was tabled yesterday, it says that the number of applicants to adult basic education has declined due to lack of financial support.
Nunavut Arctic College and Family Services work together to establish a program plan for student support for college programs.