EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
So with that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask all members to join me in congratulating this year’s graduating class from Inuksuk High School.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Tootoo. Mr. Tootoo, never say never.
Member’s Statement 253 – 3(2): Defending Montreal Canadiens (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I wasn’t planning on making a statement today, but I must say I have to rebut some comments made by my colleague for Arviat.
I take exception to his comment about some attire that he is wearing, that it is somehow not befitting.
Any time I see a Montreal Canadiens anything, I am very proud of it, so I have to defend my Canadiens.
This year, I was very proud of my Montreal Canadiens. Not only did they beat the top team in the NHL but they also beat the Stanley Cup champions, and they just have to learn how to beat mediocre teams.
That’s what they will have to do is come up with a roster that can beat those teams that don’t really belong where they are. So it’s something that we will have to do in the off-season.
Just like my colleague from Rankin Inlet, it’s normal that my Canadiens go further than the Boston Bruins.
There is a long history of playing the Boston Bruins and I think our record stands by itself that we usually win in those situations. Whenever I bet most seasons, I come out on top against the Boston Bruins.
So I look forward to the coming season and going all the way next year because we have tasted getting this close, I think we can go all of the way next year.
I look forward to the coming season and I wish the best for the remainder of the two teams. Hopefully Chicago wins so that we can say better teams win in most cases.
Members’ Statements. Member for Quttiktuq, Mr. Elliott.
Member’s Statement 254 – 3(2): High Arctic Transportation Study (Elliott)
I would like to start by thanking Minister Tapardjuk for reminding me about the Pangaggujjiniq annual dog team race, which is an amazing race and includes many of the communities in the High Arctic.
I know this year, there was a winner in Hall Beach and close behind in second was Mosesee Oyukuluk.
I was lucky enough to actually go by ski-doo this year from Arctic Bay to Pond Inlet and was hosted by Mr. Arvaluk and the good people over there, so it was nice.
It was my first experience two and a half days caught in a blizzard. It was a very humbling experience not being able to go anywhere, or check your Blackberry, or email, or your phone. So for people who know me, that’s quite a challenge sometimes.
I want to rise today to actually thank the Hon. Peter Taptuna yesterday for his Minister’s Statement and his comments about the High Arctic Transportation Strategy.
I know my three communities of the High Arctic are extremely anxious to find out the findings of his study that the department has been working on for the past year.
It’s definitely an issue of air transportation. Mr. Speaker, the extremely high costs that we experience in travelling in the High Arctic weigh heavy on all my constituents.
With no roads to the communities and one annual resupply or sealift, everything comes through the air transportation.
It would be great sitting down with his department in July. I just wanted to remind him that in July, it will be my halfway mark in Resolute Bay. I won’t actually be in Arctic Bay, I’ll be in Resolute Bay, and I’ll hopefully meet up with them.
I know we have the dates to set up, so I’m looking forward to those meetings.
Member’s Statement 255 – 3(2): Edmonton Oilers - Future Stanley Cup Champions (Peterson)
This being funny Friday, I thought I would throw my hat into the hockey ring here as well.
We hear a lot about Toronto and Montreal, but I would like to tell you a story about the Edmonton Oilers, the future Stanley Cup Champions.
Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago, I was in Cambridge Bay for a visit. We had our annual Umingmak Frolics and I had to participate in a corporate challenge daily.
The boss of Finance over there told me that I had to be on their team. We won one of the corporate events, the backwards piggyback race.
I had to carry the young fellow who carried me down and he carried me back.
You can imagine that I weigh quite a bit and he stumbled about two metres from the finish line, but he tossed me over the line.
I was laying there and everybody was all worried about me, but it was quite an amazing demonstration of strength.
It was a good time with all of the events at lunchtime.
On the final day of the corporate challenge, we had to enter a float.
No one could come up with any good ideas, so I thought, “Why not? I’ll go out and get my truck, get out my Oilers flags.” So I adorned my truck with the Oilers flags and went around.
Of course, every Toronto Maple Leaf fan that I saw, I was giving them the number one sign. Of course, they gave up their chance for a high draft pick to my colleagues, the Boston Bruins fan down here.
There were some good pictures out there, but I think they thought I was thinking the Oilers were going to win the Stanley Cup that year.
I’m telling them the first pick this year, the Stanley Cup coming in a couple of years.
That will still be more cups than the Toronto Maple Leafs have won since, was it 1967?
Mr. Speaker, an odd thing occurred to me this spring as well. I don’t mind admitting it. I temporarily became a Montreal Canadiens fan because they are a Canadian team and of course, we always cheer for Canadian teams, Canada first.
We want to see the Stanley Cup return to Canada. It’s been 17 or 18 years since that’s occurred. I think Montreal was the last team that won the Stanley Cup in Canada.
Mr. Speaker, I hope spring is eternal. I believe the Oilers will get the first pick this year.
There are other draft choices that will bring the Stanley Cup to Canada within a couple of years and certainly long before Toronto will.
Member’s Statement 256 – 3(2): Thank You to Everyone for a Good First Week as MLA (Ugyuk)
I’m not going to be talking about hockey while all of my colleagues have.
However, I wish to express my gratitude for the hospitality and welcome I have received.
Today is Friday and we will be enjoying the weekend, so I’m thankful for that.
I’m also very grateful that everyone is so hospitable and assisted me throughout this week.
Member’s Statement 257 – 3(2): Go Edmonton Oilers (Aupaluktuq)
Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleagues for this day.
It’s nice to see that we are all individuals and as well, collectively, we do have a sense of humour.
At the same time, I have always believed that quality of life provides quality of service.
I, too, support Mr. Peterson as an Oilers fan.
I think we’re going to do quite well in the next couple of years.  >>Applause
If you consider the option of what we have in the future, we have something quite unique.
We have this year’s first draft choice of either Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin.
We have Jordan Eberle on the lineup, Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, Cogliano, Gagner, Hemsky, and Horcoff.
Hopefully in the next year or two, we can trade for our own Nunavummiuq, Jordan Tootoo, to join up with the Oilers…
… and hopefully we can have that for the Oilers.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. Members’ Statements. Item 4.
Returns to Oral Questions. Hon. Louis Tapardjuk.
Return to Oral Question 361 – 3(2): Status of a New Daycare Facility for Chesterfield Inlet (Tapardjuk)
This was asked by Mr. Ningeongan, the Member for Nanulik, and it’s Question 361 – 3(2) on June 2, 2010 regarding the gathering in Labrador.
The national childhood education gathering in Labrador was organized by the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
The early childhood education work has a committee and it’s involved with Health Canada.
We didn’t get an invitational letter and therefore, we couldn’t attend to this meeting that the member raised a question on.
What I’m updating the member on is based on what ITK released.
There are three main regions that deal with aboriginal people and basically, they’re dealing with the aboriginal health resources agreement. Kakivak, the Kivalliq Partners in Development, and the Kitikmeot Economic Development Commission were all tasked to identify who would represent this territory.
This is a meeting that was raised in the question. However, the Department of Education would be very pleased to be invited if there are any kinds of workshops regarding this issue, as they deal with this matter here in Nunavut.
So this is the information that I’m responding to based on the question that was raised, Mr. Speaker.
Question 381 – 3(2): Baffin Bay Polar Bear Quota (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a question to the Minister of Environment. I will try to ensure that he goes on TV because he is wearing a very nice tie.
I would like to ask him a question. During our last session, he identified that they would be decreasing the polar bear quota for the Baffin Bay region, especially between Greenland and Baffin Island, by ten a year for four years. Again, this is an ongoing concern for Inuit.
We know that the federal government banned the export of polar bear hides as well as stopped the sports hunting of polar bears.
My question is: what progress has been made? Does the federal government still have the ban in place?
I would like an update.
Speaker: Thank you. Minister of Environment, Hon. Daniel Shewchuk.
As he has indicated, since that decision was made, I have written a letter to the federal minister, Minister Prentice, in regard to our concern and the management steps we are taking if it is possible to lift a non-detriment finding and the export ban to European countries. I have done that.
I have received a reply from Minister Prentice stating that that will not happen at this time.
However, as we go on with the management of this population through the joint commission that we have an agreement with, Greenland and Baffin communities, it will be looked at further.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Sounds like my fellow Nunavummiut are getting the shaft on this one.
They are getting their quota cut, but at the same time, they can’t earn an income out of what’s left of the quota.
Can I get a commitment from the minister that he will continue to press the federal government to lift the ban on exports on polar bears on Baffin Bay?
The international community did not put this ban in place; they said no to a ban.
Can the minister continue to pursue this matter so that the people living in your communities, Mr. Speaker, who are hard-pressed to find any employment, have an alternative to at least earn some income from what they have left?
Again, I would like to thank the member for his concern over this situation.
I will make that commitment.
Every step along the way of our management process and our consultations through the joint commission that is set up, they will be reviewing things.
As information comes forward, I will provide that information to Minister Prentice, and requesting along the way, and it is very important to our communities, that we do lift this finding.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Has the minister invited the federal minister perhaps to go and see the challenges that these communities face in terms of trying to generate any form of income in those communities?
There are not a lot of opportunities to earn any sort of income and perhaps, if he saw that first-hand, he may reconsider lifting this ban on exports of polar bears. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We will do what we have in our power to do. I will take that suggestion forward and review that suggestion with my department.
I think it’s a good one, and I think we could invite the federal minister to attend meetings at these communities and see what the reality is.
Question 382 – 3(2): Mental Health Issues in the Corrections System (Elliott)
In response to my recent written question concerning the correctional system, the government has indicated that the rate at which adult male offenders in Nunavut re-offend is 72 percent.
The Department of Justice’s 2010-13 business plan states that, “Mental Health is a significant component concerning chronic offenders.”
The department’s business plan also states that, “New mental health assessments have been implemented at the adult centre to provide more information concerning the client’s condition.
Programming for these clients is provided by a case worker under the supervision of the psychologist at the facility.”
Can the minister provide us with some detail on how the Department of Justice is evaluating the success of programming for these clients?
Mr. Speaker, I’m not the facility manager and I’m not into the details of what transpires out there.
I can assure the member that we take the situation with all inmates seriously.
We offer them all types of programs to improve themselves, to better themselves, and if he wants the details of the type of programming that we provide to our inmates with mental health issues, I would be pleased to provide that to him later in the session.
Yes, I would like to receive some information on the types of programs.
My concern is if we have 72 percent of inmates re-offending and you have programs out there to assess mental health issues, I’m just wondering how that is being evaluated.
So if the minister could commit to when that would be happening.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Elliott.
I can’t give him a firm commitment, but we are willing to share any information with him and other Members of the House about programs that are available at BCC.
Mr. Speaker, all prisoners who go to the BCC and other facilities sit down and meet with caseworkers to assess their personal issues; what kind of programming they require, what kind of counselling they should receive, whether that is within Nunavut, Northwest Territories, or Ontario.
I would be pleased to direct my officials to provide that information for Mr. Elliott.
Again, this is from the business plan. Given that mental health is a significant component concerning chronic offenders, does the minister deem it necessary to pay more attention to the management of offenders with mental health issues?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Minister Peterson.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Elliott again for that question. He is asking a fairly tough question on prisoners with mental health issues. They do have to be assessed.
They take specialized assessment tools to assess them. We have a lot of people who suffer from fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. I’m not saying that that’s the fault of the prisoners, but we have to assess those folks to determine special treatment for them and that’s very expensive.
I remember as a Member of the Second Assembly when I was asking questions about assessment of inmates. If they’re chronic offenders, sometimes there are reasons why they are in jail.
They may require some special review for people who have mental health conditions.
I have been digging into this on the FASD side anyway of how we treat people in the communities and how we treat them when they go through the court system.
A couple of months ago, there were some experts from down south who came up to talk to our justice officials about people with mental health conditions.
It is not always related to FASD, but they do require special consideration.
Chronic offenders, for one reason or another, go through the system, they get out, and then they are back again in months or sometimes very quickly.
We have to look at why that occurs, so I have my officials working on this. I have had them working on it for the last couple of months and we are hoping to get some answers that we can share with the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Because of what the minister has just said, are there any new strategies within your department to help with this situation?
As I indicated, we are looking into a number of things.
We have to research all of this stuff. FASD is a recognized condition for a lot of people who end up in jail.
I know the Yukon is taking the lead in how to deal with FASD. They have pilot projects over there. We were talking to those officials.
We did have some world experts in town two months ago who talked to the judiciary and to our lawyers and Crown counsel, I believe.
I had the opportunity to talk to these two people and I have continued to dialogue with the lady who is a recognized expert on it. She has enlightened me about people with those types of conditions.
I have asked my department officials to start looking into that and talking to our colleagues in other departments because I don’t believe it’s just an issue that should be looked at by Justice. We have to involve Education and other departments, Health certainly.
At some point, I hope to be able to update the House on some of the strategies that we will try to initiate to help people with mental health conditions who are caught up in the justice system.
Member for Akulliq… Nanulik, Mr. Ningeongan. Mr. Ningeongan.
Question 383 – 3(2): Escorts for Medical Patients (Ningark)
I will ask him this question shortly, but prior to that, I believe our good minister sometimes travels to Montreal. Prior to 2011, if he ever goes to Montreal, I would like to ask him to make sure that he blesses the Montreal Canadiens so that they can win in 2011.
My question to minister is with regard to medical travel. I still get concerns expressed to me by patients, especially about the escort policy.
People have been led to believe that escorts would be included and just prior to their travel, unfortunately, their escort could not be paid for. My question to the minister is: who makes the decision when escorts have been promised? Who really makes the final decisions?
Is the nurse who is a resident in the community or the nurses in the regional centres that are making the final decisions? Is it the deputy minister?
Who makes the final decision on the escorts?
I would like to give them an opportunity to call a particular number or person if they want to appeal.
Can you please provide an update?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningark. (interpretation ends) Minister of Health and Social Services, Hon. Tagak Curley.
First of all, I’m not much of a Montreal Canadiens fan. However, what I can say is that we really do assist them because Calgary gave them Mike Cammalleri and he scored quite a few goals.
So that was Calgary’s assistance to the Montreal Canadiens. Calgary is my team.
We did not try to ask Cammalleri to go help them, but he was their most prolific goal scorer.
Mr. Speaker, with regard to the question, I know that this is definitely information that we have to provide to the communities, especially the smaller communities because again, they do not have as much information with regard to the escort policy.
Again, we have stated in the past that there are two sets of escorts. One is to assist the client.
If the client is unilingual and cannot understand English, then yes, they require an assistant and the nurse can make that decision.
The second is when the patient is so sick and they are unable to look after themselves, the doctor makes the decision as to whether that really sick patient requires an escort due to their inability to perform their own functions.
Both of these decisions can be made at the local community health centre, but if there is any misunderstanding or disagreement, they can call the regional offices. The regional directors do have the ability to deal with the communities. If there is anything that needs to be dealt with, then it can go up to the deputy minister.
However, the policy related to escorts is available.
Question 384 – 3(2): Status of Airport Improvements in Taloyoak (Ugyuk)
Earlier this week, I addressed the need for a new air terminal building in Taloyoak.
In reviewing the government’s current five-year capital plan, I have noted that the department plans to spend $50,000 in 2012-13 on this project.
However, no additional funds have been identified in future years.
Can the minister confirm when your construction of the new air terminal building will begin?
Yes, there are plans in place for the designing and planning of a new air terminal building in Taloyoak.
At this point, until the design and planning is in place, there has to be a process of putting in the estimated costs and that’s still in progress.
We won’t have that information until the planning and designing is in place.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Can the minister indicate what will be the approximate cost for the new air terminal building and is this project eligible for federal funding under any of the Government of Canada’s infrastructure programs?
Yes, the project would be eligible for federal government infrastructure funding.
At this time, we can’t determine the estimated cost yet until the planning and designing is completed.
Your second supplementary, Ms. Ugyuk.
The government’s five-year capital plan also indicates that the department plans to spend $100,000 in 2011-12 on a new airport equipment shelter for the Taloyoak Airport.
Can the minister confirm that this project is on schedule?
As far as I know, it is on schedule, but if that does change and I’m giving you inaccurate information, I will get back to you on the scheduling of the shelter for equipment in Taloyoak.
Speaker (interpretation): Are you done?
(interpretation ends) Your final supplementary, Ms. Ugyuk.
Those were my only questions.
Question 385 – 3(2): Polar Bear Management and Quota System (Arvaluk)
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for my usual suspect, the Minister of Environment.
I just want more information because residents of Pond Inlet are still asking questions about what the minister stated.
There were consultation tours going on in the High Arctic with regard to the Baffin Bay communities.
Once the consultations were done, the government direction was completely turned upside down.
It’s as if they believe now that there are more than enough polar bears; the polar bear population is not declining.
Again, they based it on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit as well as polar bear research studies.
However, what the residents want to understand is why, when the population is stable, the government is still trying to bring the quota down to the tune of ten tags per year for four years.
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the member for the question and clarify the question for him.
We have changed our position on listing polar bears as a special concern under COSEWIC and SARA. The polar bear population that is being looked at under that system applies to all of Nunavut.
We believe that we do have a healthy polar bear population in Nunavut.
Also in all my correspondence and anything that I have ever said about polar bears, we do realize that we do have a couple of challenges, one is western Hudson Bay and one is Baffin Bay. We are addressing those challenges through this joint commission that we have set up with Greenland that we share that population with and we are moving forward in the management plan.
Those discussions and consultations are taking place with that commission. They have already met twice.
The member is very aware that I travelled in March to all of the affected communities and provided alternate programs and sources that the government has to look at keeping the polar bear industry alive and well.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t quite get this part. It’s very hard to raise income, especially with all of the challenges.
In Inuktitut, there really isn’t a term to equate with that.
(interpretation ends) Perhaps I could try to suggest a question to the minister. What does he mean by challenges in the Baffin Bay and western Hudson Bay?
Is he saying that they are still endangered species? Can he explain the definition of challenges in this case?
I thank the member for the question again.
I am not saying that they are an endangered species. There are no endangered species in Nunavut in regard to polar bears.