EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
advising all departments regarding traffic procedures and services.
10.1 million of the O&M budget has been allocated to our Informatics Operations Division for the operation and maintenance of the data and voice networks established since April 1, 1999.
This includes Network Operations Centres in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay, support centres in six secondary communities and office systems for all Departments in over 50 buildings throughout Nunavut.
Mr. Chairman, as I previously mentioned, Public Works and Services have acquired leases for a number of recently constructed office buildings and staff housing units.
These facilities are located in communities throughout Nunavut and will help meet the requirements of the Government’s Decentralization Plan.
In support of Decentralization, the Department has been allocated 2.2 million.
In addition to providing office space and staff accommodations, we will be involved in the ordering and shipment of office furnishings, the move of office equipment and the installation of communications systems in communities.
Mr. Chairman, the Petroleum Products Division is responsible for providing fuel to the communities of Nunavut.
In 2000-2001, PPD has been allocated 7.7 million in capital funds for the maintenance and enhancement of bulk fuel storage facilities in communities across Nunavut.
As mentioned previously in the House, they are undertaking an extensive review of our entire petroleum products operation.
This review has been prompted by the high price of oil in the world market and the higher expenses we have had to absorb here in Nunavut therefore.
Mr. Chairman, we will provide the findings of that review to the Financial Management Board in June of 2000.
During 2000-2001, Public Works and Services will be taking on the responsibility for the operation and maintenance of facilities previously administered by the Health Boards and the Education Boards.
The transfer of facilities from the Health Boards takes place, effective April 1, 2000, while the transfer from the Education Boards will take place on July 1, 2000.
The Department is currently in discussions to identify Public Works’ responsibilities to the Boards’ staff with respect to operation, maintenance, utilities and lease administration.
Mr. Chairman, early in the coming year, copies of a new Staff Housing Policy for the Government will be tabled.
The finalisation of this policy will ensure the consistent administration of the Staff Housing Program throughout all regions of Nunavut.
In addition, the House Sale Protection Policy for Employees affected by Decentralization will also be finalized.
This policy is intended to assist staff in obtaining a fair sales price for their Houses in the communities from which they will be relocating, due to decentralization initiatives.
Finally, as my colleagues are aware, the current mandate for the Canadian Coast Guard – Arctic Office to administer the Arctic Sealift program will expire at the end of the 2000 shipping season.
As a result, the Department has undertaken a review of the current administration of the Sealift Program and will formally request proposals from interested parties early in the new fiscal year.
Chairperson (interpretation): I apologize, Mr. Akesuk.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, I move that we report progress.
Thank you very much for making your presentation and all the interpreters.
When I do not say it properly I am sure that you have to struggle and translate words.
Also I apologize to Mr. Picco.
If we can ask the Speaker to return.
Speaker: Returning to orders of the day.
Item 20. Report of the committee of the whole. Mr. Chairman.
Your committee has been considering Bill 13 and tabled documents 41-1(3), and 51-1(3), 60-1(3), 61-1(3), 68-1(3), and would like to report that tabled documents 68-1(3) is concluded and I move that the report of the committee of the whole be concurred with.
There is a motion on the floor. Is there a seconder for the motion.
Speaker: The motion is in order. All those in favour of the motion.
Meeting of the Standing Committee on Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development following adjournment at the Tuktu boardroom.
Meeting of the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit on 7:30 am in the Tuktu boardroom.
Orders of the Day, Friday April 14.
Tabled Document 77 – 1(3)
This House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. Friday, April 14. Sergeant-At-Arms
DAY 35
Friday, April 14, 2000
Pages 1526 - 1565
Tabled of Contents
Opening Prayer 1526
Ministers’ Statements 1526
Members’ Statements 1527
Returns to Oral Questions 1532
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1533
Oral Questions 1533
Reports of Standing and Special Committees 1548
Tabling of Documents 1548
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1549
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1564
Third Reading of Bills 1564
Orders of the Day 1564
Friday April 14, 2000 1526
113 - 1(3): Hockey North Team Wins Bronze at Western Shield Female Championship (Anawak) 1526
314 - 1(3): Congratulations to Pond Inlet Students (Nutarak) 1527
315 - 1(3): Costs due to Cigarette Smoking (Thompson) 1527
316 - 1(3): Working Together Effectively (Alakannuark) 1528
317 - 1(3): Bravery Award to Meeka Mike (Okalik) 1529
318 - 1(3): Congratulations to Women’s Hockey Team (Akesuk) 1530
319 - 1(3): Girl Guides of Canada (Tootoo) 1530
320 - 1(3): MLAs Hair Situation (McLean) 1531
321 - 1(3): Support from Families (Picco) 1531
Return to OQ 427- 1(3): Task Force on Housing Consultation Process (Thompson) 1532
457 - 1(3): July 9 Holiday (Akesuk) 1533
458 - 1(3): Delay of Holiday Bill Enactment (McLean) 1534
459 - 1(3): Greenland/Canada Hunting Jurisdiction (Barnabas) 1535
460 - 1(3): Determination of Subsidies (Tootoo) 1536
461 - 1(3): Hunters’ Compensation (Iqaqrialu) 1538
462 - 1(3): Endangered Species Policies (McLean) 1539
463 - 1(3): Approval for Requests for Proposals (Barnabas) 1540
464 – 1(3): Public Housing Tenders (Tootoo) 1542
465 – 1(3): Eroding House Lot (Barnabas) 1543
466 – 1(3): Compensation for Hunting Accident (Iqaqrialu) 1544
467 – 1(3): Nunavut Housing Corporation Capacity (Tootoo) 1545
77 – 1(3): Technical Report on Baker Lake Adult Education Building (McLean) 1548
78 – 1(3): Iqaluit Housing Authority Concerns (Tootoo) 1549
Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act 1550
15 – 1(3): Public Works, Telecommunications & Technical Services 1551
Bill 16 – An Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act 1564  Friday April 14, 2000
Friday April 14, 2000
Before we proceed today, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the pages that have been assisting us in the House this week.
The pages from Kugluktuk, and forgive me if I don't get the pronunciation of your name correct, but I will do my best, Leslie Atatahak, Chris Ikpakohak and from Coral Harbour Dominic Pootoolik, Madeline Shimout, Shelly Eetuk and Jenny Kolit.
Thank you for your help this week.
Minister’s Statement 113 - 1(3): Hockey North Team Wins at Western Shield Female Championship
I rise today to recognize the achievement of a number of young Nunavut athletes in the Nunavut area in the past week.
On April 9 the Hockey North women's team, which is made up of members from Nunavut and the NWT won the bronze medal in the Western Shield Female Hockey championship in Winnipeg.
Nunavut was represented by Kim Ivanko and Marykulu Macmunn from Cape Dorset. Anik Landry and Susanne Alookie from Iqaluit. Rachel Siusangark from Repulse Bay.
Audry Pameok and Jennelle Pameok from Arviat, and Cheryl Puqiqnak from Gjoa Haven. The team’s coach was Jill Susanne Parks from Pelly Bay.
The Hockey North Team beat team Saskatchewan 3 to 2 in the bronze medal game.
Congratulations are also in order for Dustin MacDonald of Rankin Inlet who was named to the western bantam championship all-star team last week.
Justin was selected last week as the best goalie of the entire tournament.
Mr. Speaker these achievements show that our young athletes can compete with the best athletes that Canada has to offer.
I encourage Nunavummiut to keep competing in regional and national competitions as a way to further develop their skills.
Our athletes need to take advantage of such opportunities as the way to develop their skills.
The more they participate in such events the better the results will be.
Mr. Speaker once again congratulations to these athletes in Nunavut.
Members’ Statements. Mr. Nutarak.
Member’s Statement 314 - 1(3): Congratulations to Pond Inlet Students
I would like to congratulate the students of Pond Inlet for their hard work in helping out the education council in Pond Inlet.
Speaker: Members’ Statements. Ms. Thompson.
Member’s Statement 315 - 1(3): Costs due to Cigarette Smoking
I rise today to discuss the issue of smoking.
This is an issue of great concern to me personally.
There are enormous costs associated with smoking both in terms of dollars and health risks.
Mr Speaker people find themselves in the situation of being unable to pay for the normal everyday family needs due to increasing costs.
I would like to point out a couple of facts for public consumption.
For example, a family of two adults that smoke a package of cigarettes each a day.
The cost is approximately 108 dollars per week. For a total of 5 thousand 600 hundred dollars per year.
This is very expensive and this means that if there are 4 people in the family that are smokers then it would cost over 10 thousand dollars over a year that they are throwing toward tobacco.
This is money that could be used to improve the quality of a family’s life, and to help pay the Bills and other things that are necessary for their children.
This does not include the cost of alcohol consumption or illegal drugs.
Approximately 250 thousand youth began to smoke in 1998, the last year for which accurate figures are available.
Mr. Speaker, approximately as I estimated, 250 thousand youth began smoking in 1998, which is the last year the figures were made available. This would mean children between the ages of 10 and 19 would start smoking in 1998.
Here in Canada there are approximately 45 thousand deaths attributed to smoking in 1996, the last year of statistics.
Mr. Speaker, it seems that on average if an individual smokes he loses 15 years of his life expectancy.
Also Mr. Speaker the health care system, the direct costs is approximately 2 Billion dollars per year connected to disease treatment and others.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to complete my statement.
Speaker: The minister is seeking unanimous consent to complete her statement.
Hon. Manitok Thompson: Mr. Speaker not all news is bad.
If an individual quits smoking, not only will they have more disposable income, but within 8 hours carbon monoxide levels in the blood drop and oxygen levels increase.
Within twenty-four hours the chance of heart attack decreases.
Within one year the chance of heart disease is that of a non-smoker.
Mr. Speaker within five years the risk of dying may be similar to someone that never smoked.
So in conclusion Mr. Speaker I ask people consider the fact that smoking can result in the increase in the amount for the necessary necessities of life, improved health and a much better example for young people.
I offer my support and congratulations to our Health Minister and Social Services, Mr. Picco on his personal battle with smoking.
Speaker: Just a reminder to the members to watch their times. I don’t want to embarrass members by cutting them off.
So keep your eye on the clock and when your two and a half minutes is up you can request additional time.
Members’ Statements. Mr. Alakannuark.
Member’s Statement 316 - 1(3): Working Together Effectively
Here in Nunavut working together will be effective if our constituents can tell us what their needs and expectations are from time to time.
This way we can all work together for the people of Nunavut.
We as MLAs should ask the people what their needs and expectations are so we can be better prepared in the future.
This will be difficult but at the same time we can not forget the work that we do today is not the same as the work we did years ago.
We can find strength together collectively by working with the people of Nunavut and by being recognized by them.
At the same time we have to have many laws to guide ourselves and our children and grandchildren.
In this day and age the population of our young people is increasing and we want to lay out a good foundation for them and provide them with employment for them.
There must be a way to address the needs of our elders and our young people today.
The Nunavut population is growing in the regional centres of the Kitikmeot, Kivalliq and Baffin.
We have to treat all people of Nunavut equally and build a good foundation for them.
As I said we have to be able to treat the people of Nunavut equally and be unified.
We have to look at the whole territory and in doing so it can help the young people. To pave the way for them, and get them working together for all people.
Mr. Speaker I seek unanimous consent to complete my statement.
Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to seek conclude his statement.
There are no nays you may proceed Mr. Alakannuark.
However, we can only work together and do positive things for our people, which is the traditional way that Inuit work together. Whereby families would co-operate and this would result in very positive things.
This is just an example on how we can run the Nunavut Government and understand each other’s needs.
At times we will encounter problems but if we really try we will much happier and have less disagreements.
Also sometimes we will have debates but that is the way we can come to terms to resolve problems and we can understand each other.
At times we will be happy, other times we might not, but that is life, and it will continue to be so.
Our ancestors worked hard to survive and we have to work just as hard for the betterment of our young people.
In the communities there are young people that are worried.
They have no employment and when they are thinking that nobody cares many commit suicide.
I think we have to get the elders and the young people to work together to work towards something positive for them. Because their lives are very important for the future.
Speaker: Members’ Statements. Mr. Premier.
Member’s Statement 317 - 1(3): Bravery Award to Meeka Mike
I rise today to recognise and I congratulate the individual received an award from the town council for bravery.
Ms. Meeka Mike, who operates Qimuk Adventure Tours was taking clients out for a dogsled ride here in town and was out about 5 miles when she realised her dogs were getting a bit excited.
It was minus thirty with a wind chill of minus thirty.
They soon realised there was a person by the name of Allen Bywaters, who had been preparing for a trek to the North Pole and had broken his thigh bone.
This was an unusual area of terrain near the sea ice where it is really rough and it is a rough route for any snowmobile ride.
She placed Allen in the kamotik and made her way back to town in the dog sled.
It was estimated that he probably had another hour left of live in those temperatures.
She managed to get Mr. Bywater to the hospital and he recovered thereafter.
So, I would like to commend Meeka Mike for the rescue and congratulate her and keep up the good work.
Speaker: Members’ Statements, Mr. Akesuk.
Member’s Statement 318 - 1(3): Congratulations to Women’s Hockey Team
I would like to congratulate the people that went to a hockey tournament in Winnipeg.
Those individual are the women's hockey players from my constituency and I would also like to say perhaps that communities that do not have arenas have a lot of people who can achieve things such as what the women's team recently achieved.
I feel the communities should have arenas such as these for the individuals to practice in.
Member’s Statement 319 - 1(3): Girl Guides of Canada
Mr. Speaker as members of this assembly know well, I take great interest in the options, opportunities and support programs available for the youth of Nunavut.
I firmly believe that opportunities offered to the youth of Nunavut through pre-school, elementary and the secondary programs and through extra curricular activities can help them to develop the skills, values and abilities that help them become healthy, self-reliant individuals who contribute positively to their communities and Nunavut as a whole.
Mr. Speaker I wish today to voice my support for one such particular program.
The Girl Guides of Canada is a movement that challenges girls to reach their potential and empowers them to give leadership and service as responsible citizens.
This year Mr. Speaker, five communities offer Girl Guide programs for 300 hundred girls between the ages of 5 and 17.
We are fortunate that there are dedicated women leaders who have supported these programs for several years in the communities.
Linda Huisman, Laura Lee Shupe, and Carla Kosher have run the program in Rankin Inlet.
Nichole Arnatsiak has received a lot of support from the hamlet of Igloolik, and here in Iqaluit, Kerry Ferris, Darlene Nuvingmuk and her youth leaders, Jana Rose and Crista Mckinder have organized and run the program over the years.
Mr Speaker, Elaine Patterson, the Chief Commissioner of Girl Guides of Canada, in Toronto is currently visiting these Nunavut communities with active programs. I know she can be proud of the efforts of these volunteers.
Mr. Speaker, Sparks, Brownies and Girl Guides learn many practical skills during their activities.
They learn decision-making skills, teamwork, leadership and appreciation for the environment and diversity in people.
These are skills that will be carried with them throughout their lives.
Through school, through work, through being responsible community members, movements such as these provide fun, adventure and challenging alternatives for youth.
As the member from Quttiktuq noted the other day, our youth need alternatives to lead them away from boredom, frustration and social unrest and towards positive roles in their communities.
The Girl Guide Movement is one such movement that I give my full support to.
Members’ statements. Mr. McLean.
Member’s Statement 320 - 1(3): MLAs Hair Situation
I've got my bright blue shirt on today and I'm glad you finally recognized me.
But Speaker I have to challenge the honourable minister of Public Works and her statement on March 21 about salt and pepper hair and working hard and James Arvaluk working hard and having less hair and my colleague Ovide Alakannuark about having grey hair and losing his.
I am offended that she forgot to mention one of the hardest working members of this legislature, as I have less hair than anybody here and I have more white hair than anybody here.
When I was the honourable Ed Picco's age I had more hair than him and I know that he is one of the hardest working cabinet ministers in this House.
When he gets to be my age he’ll probably look like me.
But Mr. Speaker I have to look at my other colleague David Iqaqrialu and he has more hair on his face then I have on my head so does that mean Mr. Iqaqrialu sleeps all day.
>>Applause, Laughter
Speaker: Thank you Mr. McLean for that Friday morning statement.
Mr. McLean it was not that I was ignoring you I was saving the best to the last.
Member’s Statement 321 - 1(3): Support from Families
Mr. Speaker I don't have a bright blue shirt on and indeed I probably had more hair than Mr. McLean has at the present time and I would suggest Mr. Speaker I will probably have more hair when I am his age thirty-five years from now.
Mr. Speaker, Friday is usually a time for a light debate but I would like to make a serious statement today concerning families and support.
Mr. Speaker the job of an MLA means a lot of time spent away from home.
Family support is essential.
This morning our youngest son Paka was all dressed and prepared for his day.
He ran into our bedroom and said dad I need a new pair of pants because the toilet made me pee on myself.
Mr. Speaker Paka is named after his grandmother from Clyde River, his late grandmother and was born during the 1995 election campaign.
During that time, like yourself, Mr. Barnabas, Ms. Thompson and Mr. Ng were away from home a lot of the time so during that 4 year period Mr. Speaker my wife had to raise the kids much of the time on her own.
I would like to thank my wife Oopa and our many relatives and friends who have supported Oopa and our family Mr. Speaker, during the last 4 years and indeed over the coming years.
Mr. Speaker, next weekend is a long weekend and I sincerely would like to take this opportunity to wish the members a good long weekend with your families.
The job of an MLA can be very stressful and only with support in and out of the house can an MLA be successful.
Return to OQ 427- 1(3): Task Force on Housing Consultation Process
My apologies to Mr. McLean the most hard working MLA from the Keewatin Region. We all know that.
Hon. Manitok Thompson: I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. McLean on April 11, 2000.
I rise today to provide a response. The member asked how many communities were visited and were there any public consultations done.
Mr. Speaker the task force on housing was comprised of members that represented each region within Nunavut.
Mr. Irqittuq, Mr. Tootoo and Mr. Iqaqrialu represented the Baffin Region.
Mr. Puqiqnak represented the Kitikmeot Regions and Mr. Nicholls represented the Kivalliq region.
Meetings were held in Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay, Arviat and one meeting was held in Yellowknife to enable the task force members access to the GNWT's housing corporation building plans and designs.
Mr. Speaker given the short time period and the magnitude of the task force mandate it was not realistic to incorporate additional community consultation visits.
However it is important to mention that the task force relied on local housing organizations to provide the community specific information such as waiting lists and cost of public housing.
Speaker: Item 4. Returns to Oral Questions.
It gives me great pleasure to welcome a woman in the gallery.
An academic from the University of Sussex in Brighton from the great country of England and Great Britain.
The person that has being doing several pieces and I think she just finished a book, and she is now writing a book on the consensus government system in Nunavut, Ms. Anna May Timpson. Over there.
Speaker: Welcome to the assembly.
Question 457 - 1(3): July 9 Holiday
Yesterday the premier spoke eloquently on the issue of making July 9 a holiday.
Mr. Speaker the people of my community have been telling me that while they like the holiday, they do not want to give up the present civic holiday in August.
Mr. Speaker, our standing committee will be meeting with the minister on Monday to review this Bill.
My question is, would the minister support the commitment of the Bill that would have to the effect making July 9 a holiday, while keeping the present civic holiday in August.
Mr. Speaker I can not commit at this time.
Obviously we have to see what kind of feed back we get from the public at large.
From the recommendation of the standing committee might have and then subsequent to that obviously what the cabinet position would be in respect to any amendments that might be proposed.
Speaker: Oral questions. Mr. McLean:
Question 458 - 1(3): Delay of Holiday Bill Enactment
My question is to the Minister of Human Resources regarding the July 9 holiday.
Would the Minister consider delaying the holiday for another year and let the standing committee go on the road to get public input and feedback.
Mr. Speaker again I could not commit to that at this point.
It is obvious as I indicated in my earlier response a lot would depend on what kind of feedback the standing committee currently is receiving from the public at large.
Then cabinet would have to consider those comments.
What those views are what recommendations will be coming forward to the standing committee, members of the public and than decide on a course of action after receiving that information.
Speaker: Supplementary. Mr. McLean.
Would the minister consider delaying the Bill this year so we can get the feedback that is necessary from the public consultations to see this indeed will happen.