EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
As a government we don't give them benefits because they buy the skins on their own.
We don't get a list of individuals who sold the sealskins to the stores.
They take care of those individuals themselves.
But we are talking about the individuals who have sold their skins to Renewable Resources.
These skins would be used and there would be a rebate on the sealskins.
Also we will be using the list that is already written by our staff.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): The list of the individuals who sold sealskins to the Department of Renewable Resources.
I was wondering if he could elaborate to me as to how many skins were sold.
Yes I counted them.
The skins that are listed are close to 5 thousand 500 approximately.
These were the skins that were sold to Renewable Resource offices.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Akesuk for being precise and concise.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): In his response it is evident that they sold over 5 thousand skins.
Do the sealskins vary annually when they sell them or does it vary to other numbers?
With sealskins it is very hard to know the total harvest annually of the skins.
The numbers of the skins that are sold vary from year to year.
But we would like to see the marketing of the sealskins internationally, now that they are starting to buy the sealskins internationally.
We would like to see this go ahead and we would like to see that go ahead.
In regards to your question, there are a number of skins that are sold mostly at the same time.
At times we sell three thousand skins and in some years we sell seven thousand skins a year.
So the number of skins that are sold varies from year to year.
Yes, when the individual sells a skin they get a rebate, which I am very happy to see.
Is there a limit on the number of skins that can be sold at the community level?
For example, can Arctic Bay sell only fifty skins?
Is there a limit on the number of skins that could be sold?
He said the number of skins sold varies, so is there a cap on this and if there is what is the number.
No, we don’t have a quota on the seals that can be harvested and sold.
It is not limited.
Question 510 – 1(5): Soapstone Carving Markets
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): I didn’t speak with my colleagues about whom to target today but I am directing my question to the same department.
I guess we were thinking along the same lines.
The carvers, especially those that depend on carving as their livelihood, there has been a negative impact on those carvers, especially this winter.
We sell our artwork to the galleries down south and overseas.
I was wondering if they have informed you whether the market for these carvings has improved or not.
The September 11th tragedy has had a negative impact on all things, including the market for carvings.
We have had a concern about that in my constituency because it had an impact on the sales and marketing of carvings and art.
When the Premier went to Germany on the trade mission, he brought along some samples to help market the carvings.
In fact every time the Premier goes anywhere he brings along samples from Nunavut to showcase the artwork from Nunavut.
When I travel down south, I often visit the art galleries to find out how we can improve the marketing of the carvings.
I will work hard to improve the marketing of carvings, but September 11 had a negative impact on all the sales of carvings and artwork.
We would like to see an improvement in the marketing of artwork and carvings from Nunavut residents outside of Nunavut.
The artwork and the jewellery workers also depend on their art.
We would like to see them being supported, but at this time, for example when we speak about carvings, I don’t think the government is going to come up with a new strategy to market artwork.
There was a member asking a question on how to improve the marketing of sealskins and I know that at the community level that they can work on their skins and the preparation of the skins and tanning of the skins.
Have you looked at ways to improve these skins so that the woman can better make artwork or at least have a tannery available to the women?
Yes, we’re looking at ways to give more support to the carvers and art workers.
If we’re looking along the lines of establishing a tannery, there are chemicals that they have to use in the process of tanning skins.
Therefore, we have to pay close attention to these contaminants, as we don’t want to pollute our Nunavut environment.
With the sealing strategy we could look at ways of how to improve this situation but it’s quite hard at this time to discuss the tannery issue.
For sealskins, although we can look into this in the future, it’s going to be quite difficult because we have to pay attention the environmental aspects of it.
Yes, at this time, for people who make their living on carving, it’s very difficult and they do have to make ends meet as they do make their money from their carving.
I was wondering if the Department of Sustainable Development of Nunavut could inform by way of press release, at looking at how they can market the artwork, whether they can find a market overseas.
Perhaps if he can appoint an individual to work on this so they can look at the assisting part of it.
Speaker: Thank you. A reminder to my good friend, Mr. Puqiqnak, to try very hard to keep his second supplementary brief.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Yes, the Department of Sustainable Development has been working on this continuously, trying to improve the marketing and employment opportunities for Nunavut.
The Department of Sustainable Development is looking at economic development as it’s within our responsibilities.
We could utilize the Nunavut Development Corporation as they have assisted in marketing handicraft and artwork.
We’re already working on this and we do have officials that work on this issue.
If we were to travel anywhere outside of Nunavut, we can showcase the artwork to advertise the marketing of the handicrafts and art work outside of Canada.
Question 511 - 1(5): Negotiate with Ministers on Payment for Grave Workers
Mr. Speaker, I have asked many times on this to two ministers and at this time, I will ask a question to either one of them.
I have been asking this question for about two weeks, practically every day.
Our Premier tabled a letter yesterday and it doesn’t state exactly what compensation will be provided to those workers that transferred the graves. It states that at some time the Federal Government will provide an answer.
As soon as they can, it states.
Because the letter is not very new, from a few months ago, I don’t know what they mean by as soon as they can.
I’d like to ask the Minister of Finance whether he could negotiate with the Minster of Indian Affairs because the amount of money that we are requesting is not very much.
I’d like to ask the minister whether he could negotiate with his federal counterparts and see whether he can get the money given to those people as soon as possible.
We’re trying to work to resolve this as soon as we can.
I will speak to the federal ministers to see whether we can meet with them in this regard on the member’s concern.
I am also having a draft letter translated so I can share it with my colleague.
Speaker: Mr. Irqittuq. Supplementary.
Mr. Speaker, the question that I asked was directed to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Ng. Because it’s going to be dealt with by finance people, so I’m asking the Minister of Finance.
I realize that you did direct a question to Mr. Ng. But rather than see you lose your question, I understand the Premier has been on this issue for the last number of weeks.
So that’s why we directed it to the Premier, which it duly belongs in his hands.
But if you wish I could direct the question to Mr. Ng, he can answer it.
If you choose to answer or take it as notice.
It’s up to you, Mr. Irqittuq.
I would like to get a response to my question from the Minister of Finance.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t try to refuse to answer any questions.
I try not to take any questions as notice unless I have to.
Mr. Speaker, in this situation, I believe my honourable colleagues, both the Premier and the Minister of Health have addressed this issue on numerous occasions and we recognise the importance to the member.
I cannot say I that I would be willing to commit meeting individually with the federal Minister of DIAND on this specific issue.
As you know, at the moment, the Premier does have the lead in the Intergovernmental Affairs portfolio in dealing with the DIAND Minister and I would respect that.
I just asked two questions, but I am already on my last supplementary.
I’m not saying that the Minister of Finance go and meet with the DIAND Minister, but the question is whether he could meet with his cabinet colleagues to discuss the amount of money that should be compensated for those people that transferred the graves.
Mr. Speaker, I wish I had the power to direct ministers to spend on different programs within their areas of responsibility.
If the member would like to propose that as a motion, I certainly would be in support of that.
But I mean, Mr. Speaker, in all seriousness in this situation, it’s up to the individual department or minister responsible to deal with the matter within his or her area of responsibility, to bring forward a submission if required for additional resources to FMB and at that time it would be dealt with.
Question 512 - 1(5): Increase in Student Financial Assistance
I’m directing my question to the Minister of Education.
The minister is quite aware that the Department of Education is a very interesting and challenging department.
Mr. Speaker, the students at Arctic College, whatever kinds of courses they are in, has their funding been increased since the Government of Nunavut came about.
The student financial assistance has not increased since Government of Nunavut came about.
Is the Department of Education planning to increase the student financial assistance because there are a lot of things that are getting very expensive?
For example, government employees got an increase because of the high cost of living.
Even MLAs are getting an increase.
Would he let the students follow this type of increase?
I just want to note that when we have our next session, our sixth, we will be dealing with the Main Estimates.
I will be announcing something at that time.
But I can say for now, that the problems with the funding for students have always been raised with us.
Last year it was the same thing and they wrote us letters wanting an increase in their funding.
We will make an announcement at the budget session but at this time I am not at liberty to discuss it.
Last year some time, the Premier stated that the Akitsiraq Law School students will be provided with adequate funding so they could continue with their education.
The students that are going to Arctic College have no incentives to stay in school.
There should be another one for those students.
Can you do the same thing for the other students that was done for the Akitsiraq students?
We don’t have the same benefits for the Arctic College students as we do for the law school students.
It’s totally different from what the law school students are provided.
It’s too soon, my last question, so I would like to ask him about the policies.
Is the department going to set up a policy or change their policy so that the Arctic College Students could be provided with an incentive and could it be in the budget for the budget session?
Perhaps I could rephrase his questions.
The first question that he had, whether we were looking at the policies in regards to student financial assistance.
We reviewed the policies of student financial assistance and when I have a chance, I can provide members with the policy directives that we have so far.
Speaker: Sorry, Mr. Arvaluk, the minister has answered the question to the best of his ability.
Question 513 - 1(5): Update on Decentralized Positions Filled in Kugluktuk
My question is to the Minister Responsible for the Decentralization Secretariat.
Earlier on the return to oral questions, he mentioned they are at 61 percent capacity as of December 2001.
I guess, first of all, I would ask how many positions are filled in Kugluktuk to date.
Speaker: Thank you. Premier Okalik.
According to the document that I tabled that I attached to the statement, there are currently 33 jobs filled in Kugluktuk as of December 2001.
How many Inuit have filled these government positions in Kugluktuk?
How many Inuit have been hired?
I should clarify there are 33 jobs at the headquarters in Kugluktuk and 21 were filled.
From that there are 13 that are Inuit employed.
Mr. Havioyak (interpretation): Thank you for that response.
Will there be more Inuit filling these positions?
I would like to see more and more Inuit filling these positions.
Would there be any initiatives for training so that we will have more Inuit to fill these positions?
Not just Kugluktuk but for the whole of Nunavut.
We are planning to make sure that the Inuit employment is increased in the government.
I am glad to say that there are a lot of people employed in the Government of Nunavut in the decentralized communities and if we can do more we will try to do more.
Is there an on-the-job training program in Kugluktuk?
In several decentralized communities there have been various on-the-job training positions for example in the Department of Health and Social Services.
We will try to do as much as we can in this area.
Question 514 - 1(5): Plans for Youth
Mr. Speaker my question is directed to Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
Today many young people are unemployed in the communities.
I noticed that there are many youth in Iqaluit unemployed also.
They go through hard times during the time that they are unemployed.
Is there any assistance that will be provided to young people that need it to keep them busy?
I have a cold and I apologize my voice isn't very clear.
We often talk about our young people not having centres or places to go to.
I have stated on the earlier occasions that we don’t have any money for building facilities at the moment.
I will work with the members in the coming years in order to seek some funds for youth and elders’ centres.
In the communities, the hamlet or the Department of Education might have buildings that have rooms or spaces available.
I am inclined to first check to see if there are existing facilities that we could lease.
I stated there are a lot of young people that don’t have anything to do in the communities.
Is the minister looking at ways as to how young people could be taken out on the land perhaps learning how to survive and programs such as that?
Annually in Nunavut community groups often take young people out especially during the fishing season.
The elders often take young people out on land.
We’re going to look at how these kinds of activities could be promoted in the communities, because we feel this would benefit our youth.
We’ll be looking for funds for these kinds of activities for our youth in the communities.
My last question for the minister.
In Nunavut does he have an estimate as to how many young people there are, what the population is in Nunavut for young people?
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): This answer, as an Inuk, would be different to estimate.
Young people are identified in today’s terms as being under 18 years of age but elders often look at people my age as being young.
The population is proportionally very high in Nunavut for people that are under the age of 25.
We’re looking at how we could promote healthy living in the community for our young people, because the population is very high in Nunavut for people that are under the age of 25.
Members will note that question period is now up.
I ask unanimous consent to go back to item 5 on the Orders of the Day.
Speaker: The member is asking unanimous consent to return to item 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Proceed Mr. Akesuk.
I would like to recognize a good friend of mine who works very hard during the Federal/Provincial/Territorial meetings for Canadian Council for the Environment. My colleague from the Federal, Territorial and Provincial Ministers, he works very hard to make sure that our meetings on the environment are well run.
I believe he is one of the guys that work very hard to make sure that our meetings on FTP go really well. It is Mr. Peter Kablinski from CCME, behind me.
Also, a good friend of mine is sitting over there, Mr. Andrew Tagak. I would also like to recognize him too please.
Petition 007 – 1(5): Concern and Dissatisfaction with Quality of Gasoline in Cape Dorset
I guess it’s my day today. I would like to table a petition from constituents of mine on the gas issue from Cape Dorset.
Are there any further petitions?
Report 019 – 1(5): Report on the Review of the 2001 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the members of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Services I am pleased to rise today to present the report of the Standing Committee on its review of the first report of the Auditor General for the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, your committee is requesting that, pursuant to Rule 91(5), that the government table a comprehensive response to the report within 120 days of its presentation.
Today with your indulgence, my colleagues and I would like to read some portions of our report into the record.
The first Report of the Auditor General to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut was tabled on November 27, 2001.
This followed the tabling of Nunavut's first set of Public Accounts on May 29, 2001.
Under the Nunavut Act, the Auditor General of Canada is responsible for auditing the Government of Nunavut's financial transactions and financial statements.
The Auditor General also performs this function federally, as well as in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon.
Each year, the Auditor General prepares a report to the Legislative Assembly in which management issues that arise during the course of the annual audit are brought to the attention of elected MLAs.
The Government is provided with the opportunity to make management responses to the Auditor General's observations and recommendations.
The Legislative Assembly's Standing Committee on Government Operations and Services has the mandate to review the Public Accounts and the Report of the Auditor General.
Standing Committee reviews of such reports as those presented by the Auditor General, the Information and Privacy Commissioner and the Languages Commissioner provide an opportunity for the issues raised by each independent office to be discussed in a transparent manner.
Government accountability is fostered through the requirement in the Rules of the Legislative Assembly that the Government table a comprehensive response to the Standing Committee's report and recommendations within 120 days of its presentation to the House.
The Standing Committee held meetings on February 5 and 6, 2002, to review the Auditor General's 2001 report.
These meetings were open to the public and media to observe, and were broadcast on local cable television.
In addition to providing an opportunity for the Auditor General to appear before the Committee to speak to the issues raised in her report, Committee Members were able to pose questions to senior Government of Nunavut officials on the management responses to the Auditor General's recommendations.
English and Inuktitut transcripts of the meetings are being prepared and will be made available on the website of the Legislative Assembly.
The Standing Committee would like to express its appreciation to Mrs. Sheila Fraser, the Auditor General of Canada, for appearing in person before the Committee to present and discuss her first annual report.
The Committee would also like to thank the following officials from the Office of the Auditor General (OAG): Mr. Ronald Thompson, Assistant Auditor General; Mr. Dale Shier, Director; and Mr. Roger Simpson, Principal.
The Committee would also like to acknowledge the witnesses from the Government of Nunavut who appeared before the Committee in order to respond to questions posed by Members:
Mr. Robert Vardy, Deputy Minister of Finance and Comptroller General; Mr. Rod Malcolm, Assistant Comptroller General; Mr. Alex Campbell, Deputy Minister of Sustainable Development; Mr. Ross Mrazek, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Services; Mr. Andrew Johnston, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services; Ms. Terryl Allen, Department of Sustainable Development; and Mr. Don Maychruk, Department of Health and Social Services.
Senior officials from the Nunavut Development Corporation were unable to appear before the Committee because of flight cancellations resulting from inclement Kivalliq weather.
Observations and Recommendations
General Issues
The Auditor General's 2001 Report presented sixteen recommendations directed to the Government of Nunavut.
The Standing Committee undertook a chapter-by-chapter review of the Auditor General's report, posing questions and comments to appropriate Government of Nunavut witnesses at each stage.
During her appearance before the Standing Committee, Members enjoyed a productive exchange with the Auditor General on a number of broad themes.
In particular, Members noted with approval her observations concerning the need for governments to introduce performance measures that take into account outcomes, and not simply outputs.
The Government of Nunavut began tabling annual business plans of departments and other entities for the 2000-2001 fiscal year.
However, less progress has been made with respect to implementing a government-wide system for evaluating its performance and results, and for making this information public in the Legislative Assembly.
The timing of the Auditor General's appearance in early 2002 is noteworthy.
On February 21, 2001, the 5th Session of the Legislative Assembly was opened with an announcement during the Throne Speech that the Government would be undertaking a Program Review exercise.
The Government stated that: "In the coming months, the financial and program experience gathered in the first two years of Nunavut's operations will be examined.
The integrity of our programs and expenditures will be tested against the expressed concerns of this Assembly and the people of Nunavut, through a process of Program Review.
This review will bring together our stated priorities with the financial and program experience of our first years.
Our goal will be to use this knowledge to effectively re-shape our institutions and activities to better respond to the needs of Nunavummiut."
In May 2001, the Standing Committees of the Legislative Assembly tabled a joint report in which a number of critical questions concerning Program Review were raised.
These remain relevant, and are attached to this report as an appendix.
It is the Standing Committee's understanding that the 2002-2003 Main Estimates, which are not scheduled to be introduced until after the new fiscal year has begun, will take into account the Program Review process to date.
It is the Standing Committee's expectation that the issues raised by Members will be addressed in the Government's decisions and spending proposals.
The Auditor General made a number of valuable comments with respect to Program Review in other jurisdictions.
Members noted her observations regarding the present structure of the Government of Nunavut.
Members also raised the important issue of the social and economic costs to Nunavut that may be incurred as a consequence of the Government's inability to deliver essential services because of such factors as a lack of staff housing and high turnover within departments.
Standing Committee Recommendation #1: That the Government of Nunavut table, on an annual basis, performance reports for each of its departments, boards and agencies.
These performance reports should reflect not only expenditures and outputs, but results and outcomes.
In some cases, these may complement existing statutory reporting requirements.
Standing Committee Recommendation #2: That the Government of Nunavut table, during the Spring 2002 Session of the Legislative Assembly, a report on the progress to date of the Program Review initiative.
Chapter 1 - Introduction