EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Usually, when the women are taught how to sew sealskin pelts they get somebody from down south, are there going to be any training programs developed for sewing.
That is an excellent question that was posed by Ms. Williams because it’s Nunavut related.
I cannot respond to your question at this time.
I will be responding to your question some time this week after I find out what kind of programs are out there and it’s extremely important to have sewing programs.
At the Montreal Trade Show, the products were very well received and I think your question is extremely good so I will be responding to you some time this week.
I wanted to ask again, are there going to be training programs in the smaller communities and if there could also be a tannery built in Nunavut.
Speaker: Just a point of clarification, the question was posed to the minister and he did not take it as notice. But he said he would not be able to answer until next week and the member is now posing another question so the minister may take this as notice. Proceed.
I could also look at that question.
In regards to the tannery, I believe there was one in Broughton Island and they tanned sealskins and so on. Now that there's more demand for sealskins, and since they’re popular again, we could look into building a tannery somewhere, if it seems like a long-term demand for sealskin, we could look into the idea of a tannery.
We could look into it with my department and see if it's feasible to build a tannery in Nunavut.
Speaker: Just another caution to members and the minister. First of all the member has to stay on the same subject and pose the supplementary question on that question.
Now the minister took notice by his answer to the second one.
So I put that out as a caution, I will allow at this time the member to complete her questions.
Thank you very much for that education, I sometimes need to be reminded about the parliamentary customs.
The minister stated that there would be some training programs provided for sewing programs in the smaller communities and he also stated that he would respond to my question next week.
Is it going to be possible for the minister to start the planning process so that the communities can access these training programs and we can start identifying instructors who can teach the students how to sew skins.
In regards to sewing programs, there have been sewing programs in communities and also in my community.
It's a something that's very popular with those who are put into those programs.
The Department of Sustainable Development can look into the types of programs that are available.
Because of course, we don't want to lose the Inuit customs and traditions and that is part of this.
We will look into it further.
Question 248 – 1(5): New Inuktitut Writing System
I didn't think I raised my hand.
I want to direct this question to the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth about the Inuit writing system.
In my constituency, there is a concern about the new Inuinnaqtun writing system.
Some are in favour and some are not.
Also, others do not want to lose their original writing system.
The writing system in the schools is also changing.
I want to ask the minister what he thinks about using the Q's and R's in the new writing system.
What is happening with this.
In response to the member's question about the syllabics and orthography that is used in the regions, I can't tell you because I don’t know the writing system.
My department would prefer to listen to the people and see what they would like instead of imposing the kind of writing system they should use.
As an example, our elders today want to use their old writing system because it is easier for them.
On the other hand we have a new writing system that is being used and taught in the schools with the letters R and Q.
These are two different ways of writing.
As minister, which writing system would you prefer to communicate with the public.
The R's and Q's that the member mentioned don’t apply to me because of course I use the syllabic writing system.
But in the Kitikmeot area, like I said earlier I think it would be better if we listen to the people because they have to use the writing system that they are comfortable with.
In the schools, I know they teach the system and for myself I can't exactly say which I would prefer.
Perhaps I can say this in English.
When we hear this, this is the minister's portfolio, I want to say on behalf of Kugluktuk that our children will have to use this way of writing.
Perhaps to make things easier and less confusing for our young people, there may be a way we can make sure that this is the best possible writing system.
If the minister could meet with the communities it would make it a lot easier and simpler to understand the wishes of the people.
Speaker: Just a final reminder to the members to keep their preambles short.
You are really testing my leniency here.
The Department of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth has some money that can be accessed to be used for languages and culture and for elders and youth.
These funds from my department are accessible through proposals.
However, I think the question that you posed would be better responded to by the Department of Education.
I think that you should talk to the Minister of Education or possibly the minister and myself can get together and discuss this.
As the Government of Nunavut and the departments as well, I want to find out for sure what writing system is going to be used by the Government of Nunavut.
In the Department of Health & Social Services and Community Government & Transportation as well, if we work together the language of Inuit and Inuinnaqtun will be improved overall.
If we work together and talk to the Hamlet Councils as well, we would be able to see for sure what will be done in the future.
Sometimes there are two different writing systems, the old and the new.
The Nunavut Government has stated that they want to use Inuktitut in the workplace.
This is something the government has always said.
I know there are more people using the Inuktitut language.
The departments know what they would like to do but the Inuktitut language is used in the workplace.
That's how I can respond.
Question 249 – 1(5): Housing Task Force Recommendations
Mr. Speaker, last year before March 31, we were asked to sit on the Housing Task Force and I was the Chairperson.
We were reviewing the housing situation in Nunavut and we had several tasks and made a number of recommendations.
I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
We haven't really seen the results of the Housing Task Force so I would like to get an update from the minister on that.
One of the Housing Task Force recommendations stated that we should create a Housing Corporation and that is done.
We are working on the task force recommendations on leasing units and adjusting the rent scale.
There were 15 recommendations and they are in our business plans for implementation as the basis of Nunavut housing programs in the future.
I know that some of the recommendations have to be dealt with right away.
We had to make recommendations that could be implemented right away.
My question is about the rent scale.
We haven't seen changes to the rent scale and we are often approached with questions about the rent scale.
So I would like to ask about that.
We have gone on the radio and informed the public about housing and we have put out press releases about our activities.
In regards to the rent scale, we had to review the rents for different types of units and we gave that information to the housing authorities and we received some responses.
In March, in Rankin Inlet there was a conference and although the changes won't be implemented right away, we were considering whether we should keep the 32 dollars a month for rent or whether that should be changed.
Different considerations are being made right now and since March the members asked us to look into this, so we are doing that.
We discussed the rates for units, whether they should all be the same or different for each type of unit.
So that is what we are doing presently.
There was a conference in March and the review is being done now.
When does the minister expect the review to be completed.
I would like to thank the member for chairing the Task Force as he did a very good job.
I expect that since the conference in Rankin Inlet we would probably be able to present the rent scale to the House in the fall.
The documents presented to me have been tabled in the House in the last session in Iqaluit.
So I will continue to inform the members of our progress.
I expect it will be done by the fall.
Question 250 – 1(5): Fuel Subsidy for Hunters
My question is what kind of assistance are the hunters receiving for fuel.
We have been dealing with this for a while and are still working on it.
We are working on the subsidies for hunters with NTI.
There are 641 applicants and 428 have been approved, 67% of the applicants have been approved for a total of 128 thousand 400 dollars.
Some of the communities have not submitted their applications yet but we expect that this will continue to proceed smoothly.
Our staff member in charge of this project took some time off. Since he is now back we expect the applications to be processed.
Question 251 – 1(5): Invoices Paid Within 20 Days
Uqaqti, my question today is to the Minister of Finance.
At the end of March I had the privilege of attending the Keewatin Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting that was attended by at least 70 business people from the Kivalliq region.
One of the main concerns that was brought up to me and it is in the form of resolution number 11, is that the Government of Nunavut has a policy of paying local suppliers within 20 days.
However, it frequently takes 60 to 90 days for local suppliers to receive payments.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I got a phone call this morning from a travel agency saying that they were owed over 1.2 million dollars and it is overdue.
Can the minister let me know if he is advising his staff to pay these bills within 20 days.
Mr. Speaker, I can say that generally when the Finance Department gets requisitions for cheques they turn them over in a fairly expedient fashion.
Sometimes there are delays in the paperwork that come forward from the departments quite frankly that lead to some delays.
But I can tell you in the instance of travel agencies and hotels for the travel and accommodations where government employees do spend a significant amount of dollars and there have been concerns raised by the industry about receivables that seem to be on their books a lot longer than acceptable.
We are trying to move away from the accommodation and travel warrant type of system and instigating as I indicated in the past, a credit card system where the suppliers can be paid almost instantaneously in respect, from the credit card supplier.
So that's the move of the government in the future and we hope to have that fully implemented at the latest in the fall, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
That's the answer I was looking for.
The minister said and I remember asking him a question in the House about issuing credit cards to senior government employees and I think he did that.
Has he thought about issuing credit cards to most employees that are responsible.
Yes, right now it depends on each department and their requirements.
So we have left it up to the senior managers in each department to assign the credit cards to individuals that require them.
Of course we do have a lot of safeguards that we have put in place.
There are personal declarations that employees have to sign off on to recognize that any personal charges they are responsible for of course.
The onus for us of course is to ensure that for government expenditures that the employees are paid in a timely fashion as a result of out of pocket expenses.
Uqaqti, the government seems to be moving in the right direction in joining the rest of the governments in Canada in being able to pay our bills.
Mr. Speaker, is there any way that for small contractors that are doing housing projects, purchasing computers or bidding on contracts have a mechanism where if they haven't been paid in 30 days or 45 days, how they go about it. Also, could there be some public awareness for these individuals on how to get paid on time.
Mr. Speaker, we have in the Department of Finance, we do get calls from suppliers and usually what we try to do is backtrack to the department that issued the request, or whatever it may have been, to try and exactly track down where the delays may have been.
So we have actively pursued any inquiries that have come forward.
But having said that, Mr. Speaker, if there are more than what we would expect, it is certainly something that we would review.
We are constantly reviewing our payment procedures to ensure that all suppliers can be paid in as timely a fashion as possible.
Question 252 – 1(5): High Price of Goods and Services
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Transportation.
I have raised this question in the past about the cost of living and the costs of materials for homeowners.
Can there be a review done on the cost of goods in Nunavut.
The Department of Education is looking at the cost of living in Nunavut.
It is very expensive to live in Nunavut as everybody knows.
The Department of Education is looking at this presently and we are doing a transportation strategy in Nunavut and looking for ways to lower prices in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, when might this review be completed.
Will it be done this year, next year or perhaps he could give us this information.
The Department of Education is doing the review and because we are working together on the review of the cost of living and the transportation strategy, we would expect the review to be completed perhaps in a few months.
It wouldn't take a year but perhaps in a few months.
Thank you, for that response Mr. Minister.
Once the review has been completed and the cost of living is so high in Nunavut but once the review has been completed, do they expect that the cost of living will be lowered.
Do they expect the cost of living will be lowered once the review is completed.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): I just heard from my colleague that the price of food is being reviewed by Department of Education and Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs are also doing a review on fuel, gas and other essentials. I think that if people from the south saw the prices up here they would be alarmed and the Parliament in Ottawa would probably be surprised to see how expensive a turkey costs because it's like 92 dollars in some areas of Nunavut.
And, so, the Department of Education and my department will be working together to decrease the prices and we have also have had discussions with Department of Indian and Northern Affairs regarding the Food Mail Program.
We are working on the Food Mail Program so that shipping items to Nunavut will be less costly.
Once this is completed and once the Transportation Strategy is completed we will be able to present the review.
Report 06 - 1(5): Review of Bill 5 - Loan Authorization Act 2001-2002
Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Services has reviewed Bill 5, the Loan Authorization Act 2001-2002 and wishes to report that the Bill is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.
And Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive rule 68(5) and have the Bill moved into Committee of the Whole for today.
There is a request to waive Rule 68(5) so the report can be referred to the Committee of the Whole.
The Standing Committee Report is referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Tabled Document 028 – 1(5): Status of Contracting Back 2001 – 2002
Hon. Paul Okalik: Koanaqutit, Uqaqti.
It is my pleasure to table this document titled, "Status of Contracting Back, 2001-2002", which reflects the fact that contracting back has been reduced considerably over the past two years.
Motion 006 – 1(5): Changes to Standing Committee Portfolios
Mr. Speaker, this motion is for changes to the standing committee portfolios.
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Kugluktuk, that Tabled Document 1 - 1(1), Terms of Reference for the Standing Committees, be amended as follows:
The Department of Justice be moved to the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit from the Standing Committee on Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development and further;
The Legislative Assembly has chosen to make revisions to the membership of the Standing Committees and therefore, Rebekah Williams, Member for Quttiktuq be reassigned as alternate member to the Standing Committee on Health and Education from the Standing Committee on Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development.
Speaker: To the motion.
Bill 9 – Change of Name Act 2001 – Second Reading
Mr. Speaker I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove, that Bill 9 – Change of Name Act be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this bill is to create a new Change of Name Act for Nunavut.
The new Act will allow applications for name changes to be made to the Registrar for Vital Statistics instead of going through the courts.
Mr. Speaker, this is to simplify the process for people wishing to officially change their names.
The fees for the name change will also be waived for a one-year period.
Bill 9 has had second reading and accordingly the Bill stands referred to a committee.
Before we proceed this afternoon, I'd like to inform the members that at 4 p.m. today there will be a mock sitting of the Legislature.
This sitting is being carried out by the grade 7 class of this high school.
The grade 7 class has elected a full slate of members complete with Cabinet Ministers and a Speaker.
It is my pleasure to invite all the members and everyone else who would like to participate in this exercise to come and sit in on this 30-minute program.
A great deal of time has been put into this program and we'd like to see as many people here as possible.
In accordance with the authority vested in me by motion 002-1(5) we will recess until 10:00 p.m. this evening.
>>House Recessed at 3:51 p.m. and resumed at 10.01 p.m.
Speaker: Item 18.
If it is possible, I would like to return to Item 2.
The member is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 2.
Revert to Item 2: Ministers' Statements
Minister's Statement 084 – 1(5): Canada Summer Games 2001
Mr. Speaker, on August 11, 2001 Nunavummiut and the rest of Canada will witness the debut of Team Nunavut at the Canada Games in London, Ontario.
The Canada Games are held every two years alternating between winter games and summer games.
These games provide the highest level of competition in Canada and act as a stepping stone to the Commonwealth Games, the Pan-American Games and National Teams.
Canada's Olympic Team often has former Canada Games participants.
Sport Nunavut, a division of the Department of Community Government & Transportation, has the mandate to develop representative teams for Nunavut in multi-sport competitions such as the Canada Games.
For this year's Canada Summer Games, Nunavut will be represented by athletes and coaching representatives in wrestling.
These athletes have attended numerous competitions in southern Canada over the past three years.
A media guide highlighting team members will be available in June.
Nunavut's involvement in the games has provided an avenue for a higher standard of coaching development in Nunavut.
Involvement in multi-sport games like the Canada Summer Games is a great boost to Nunavut's sport system.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the games are a collaboration and a celebration of the cultural diversity of Canada as well as a sporting event.
Three young innovative leaders in the fine arts will represent Nunavut in the cultural fine arts program at the Canada Summer Games.
This program provides an opportunity to showcase Nunavut's artistic talent and gives them an opportunity to interact with equally talented Canadians.
This opportunity of a lifetime will contribute to the realization of our young representatives' artistic goals.
Recognizing the potential for young Nunavummiut, Sport Nunavut has decided to sponsor four athletes and four coaches to attend an educational symposium held in conjunction with the Canada Games.
Topics range from sessions dealing with sporting activity in today's society, fair play in sport as well as training and inclusion issues in sport.
Their participation will provide them with valuable tools as leaders of sport in their communities.
These capacity building tools will enhance Nunavut's sports structure.
We will also be partnering with our northern neighbours to demonstrate traditional arctic sports during the Games.
Representatives from the Yukon, NWT, Nunavik and Nunavut will showcase traditional sport.
Three of our finest young athletes have been chosen to represent Nunavut.
Participation in the Canada Summer Games is an exciting opportunity for Nunavummiut.
It provides and opportunity to showcase Nunavut talent and acts as a capacity building tool in making our communities proud.
It also provides Nunavut athletes an opportunity to serve as role models for the youth of Nunavut.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to unveil the uniform that Team Nunavut will proudly wear at the Canada Summer Games.
T. Fox Graphics in Iqaluit made the official walk out dress.
Ivalu Limited of Rankin Inlet produced the hats, sweatshirts and shorts and the Team Nunavut bags were silk-screened in Baker Lake at the Jessie Oonark centre.
The team pins were designed in Nunavut and our model was born and raised here in Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to introduce Mr. Jason Tologanak, mission staff member for Team Nunavut and the Team Nunavut uniform.
I would like to wish our athletes all the luck in London.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Anawak.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters, with Mr. Puqiqnak in the Chair.
We have bill 5 and bill 7.
Good evening members, Premier and visitors.
During the committee of the whole, we have Bill 7 and Bill 5.
Mr. Chairman, we would like to deal with Bill 7, the Integrity Act and once we are done with Bill 7 to proceed with Bill 5, Loans Authorization Act.
I would like to invite Ms. Cooper up to the table.
Welcome Ms. Cooper.
The minister responsible may proceed with his opening comments.
Bill 7 – The Integrity Act – Consideration in Committee
Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to have the opportunity today to appear before the Committee to introduce Bill 7, the Integrity Act.
This new legislation creates standards for Members of the Legislative Assembly in performing their duties of office.
It establishes the highest standard for ethical leadership in Nunavut.
On behalf of all members, I would like to thank the Conflict of Interest Commissioner of Nunavut, the Honourable Robert Stanbury, for his excellent work in bringing forward a comprehensive set of recommendations concerning this issue.
I would also like to thank my colleagues in this House for their contributions in moving this initiative forward.
Mr. Chairman, this is a comprehensive Bill that incorporates four important elements.
It has been designed using Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit as its foundation; it considers the realities that we must deal with in Nunavut and in our communities; it incorporates approaches being taken on these issues in other jurisdictions within Canada; and it builds on our own vision for open and accountable government in Nunavut.
Mr. Chairman, the current provisions governing conflict of interest for members are contained in Part III of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act.
This legislation was duplicated from the existing NWT legislation at the time Nunavut came into being on April 1, 1999.
The new Bill before the House, if passed, will replace this section with a stand-alone statute called the Integrity Act.
It is a core principle in any democratic government that elected officials must put the public interest ahead of private gain.
Members have put a high priority on this important principle since the creation of Nunavut.
You will recall, Mr. Chairman, that this House adopted a code of Members’ Obligations in May of last year.