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Ms. Angnakak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I welcome everyone who is watching as well as all my constituents, especially my husband.
I rise today to say how much I have appreciated working with all of my fellow MLAs over the last few weeks and throughout our first sitting.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that we all will not be on the same page in facing and challenging the issues that affect all of Nunavut.
There are a lot of areas that we, in this Legislative Assembly, will need to work on together to be good and effective leaders.
Mr. Speaker, we are the representatives of Nunavummiut and it is our job, collectively, to make Nunavut a better place for our families and for all Nunavummiut to live in.
Mr. Speaker, as an MLA, I look forward to serving my constituency and Nunavut as a whole. I look forward to working together with my fellow MLAs to achieve our goals and to collectively work towards solving problems that some of our constituents face on a daily basis.
Mr. Speaker, I wish everyone a safe trip home after today’s sitting and I look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 4. (interpretation) Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 006 – 4(2): Successful Search and Rescue (Savikataaq)
I rise today to share a good news story with the House.
Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Haven Wilderness Lodge is a world-renowned resort that is located on the shore of a beautiful lake called Ennadai Lake, approximately 250 miles west of Arviat.
On Sunday of this past weekend, two people departed the lodge by snowmobile. Unfortunately, a storm blew up and the travellers found themselves lost out on the land with little in the way of survival gear or communications equipment to get them through their ordeal.
Another factor that made the situation even worse was that the travellers had not informed anyone of their plans.
Mr. Speaker, thanks to the grace of God, Arviat’s conservation officer trainee Joe Savikataaq Jr. …
…and his travelling companion Joseph Kablutsiak happened to be on patrol in the area on Tuesday of this week.
When they arrived at the camp, the only sign of a life was a lone dog. The caretakers’ cabin was cold and abandoned.
After making some quick calls, they confirmed that two people should have been at the camp.
Mr. Speaker, consequently, they immediately launched a search for the missing people.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that the lost travellers were found alive and well late Tuesday.
Although they were cold and hungry, they are expected to make a full recovery.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to use this incident as another reminder of the importance of proper planning for anyone who is going out on the land.
In this case, the incident ended happily, but there have been too many tragedies that could have been avoided.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the hard-working conservation officers and local search and rescue volunteers across Nunavut who risk their lives in order to save the lives of others.
Member’s Statement 007 – 4(2): Appreciation to Constituents and Fellow MLAs (Hickes)
As we conclude the first sitting of this Fourth Assembly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the residents of Tasiluk who have voiced their appreciation to me directly of my voicing their concerns that are revelant to them.
Mr. Speaker, I have watched many hours of proceedings of this House and I can say with certainty that it is very humbling to have my voice being used to represent my constituents.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all members on both sides of the floor, especially yourself, Mr. Speaker, for maintaining the integrity of this Assembly, and I look forward to working for the next almost four years with each and every one of you, representing my constituents, and I really appreciate the respect that has gone around this Assembly and I think we’re going to have a very successful mandate.
Member’s Statement 008 – 4(2): Appreciation to Fellow MLAs (Akoak)
I would like to also say “thank you” to all my fellow MLAs who helped me throughout my first sitting and I learned a lot as well.
I look forward to representing the community of Gjoa Haven to my full ability.
Item 4. Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 009 – 4(2): Opening of Community Banking Centre in Baker Lake (Mikkungwak)
I say “good day” to the people of Baker Lake.
I rise today to share a good news story with my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, weather permitting, the official grand opening of the (interpretation ends) First Nations Bank of Canada’s (interpretation) new community banking centre in Baker Lake is scheduled to take place this afternoon at the Sanavik Co-op.
This day has been a long time coming.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, Baker Lake has been enjoying unprecedented economic growth in recent years.
However, residents and small businesses in the community have lacked access to the kinds of banking and financial services that most Canadians take for granted.
Mr. Speaker, the opening of the new community banking centre in Baker Lake means that my constituents now have more choices when it comes to managing their personal finances. (interpretation ends) I am also hopeful that small businesses in the community will have more options when it comes to accessing capital for the purpose of starting or expanding a business.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of the Atuqtuarvik Corporation to support expanded access to banking and financial services in our smaller communities.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in celebrating another step forward in Baker Lake.
Member’s Statement 010 – 4(2): Congratulations to Constituents Peter Ottokie and Joseph Pinguartuk (Joanasie)
Good afternoon, my colleagues. Welcome to all the people who are in the Gallery and the people of Cape Dorset and Nunavut who are listening to the proceedings.
I rise today to congratulate a couple of individuals in Cape Dorset, Peter Ottokie and Joseph Pinguartuk, who took part in the Montreal Cup Judo Tournament. Even though it was Peter Ottokie’s first time at the tournament, he won the first prize.
I would like to congratulate these two individuals for participating in the tournament, for being good role models in the communities, and for being considerate to the residents of their community.
I would like to congratulate and acknowledge them in the House for their achievements.
Member for High Arctic, Mr. Shooyook.
Member’s Statement 011 – 4(2): Appreciation of Fellow MLAs (Shooyook)
First of all, I would like to thank and congratulate the people for coming in to watch the proceedings at the Gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my appreciation as a unilingual Inuktitut-speaking person. I cannot read and write in English.
I would like to extend my appreciation to my colleagues. After I was elected, they have been providing support and assisted me, even though they’re non-Inuit.
I am very appreciative and I thank you.
Whenever I can, I will be bringing up Inuit traditional knowledge because I do want to see it incorporated. I will be requesting for support. Don’t hesitate to ask me questions.
I am very thankful to my colleagues.
I would like to recognize Madison Ali Savikataaq and Kevin Ali Savikataaq, my two grandkids.
The person I would like to recognize is no stranger to this Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Peter Kattuk was elected to the Fist Nunavut Assembly in 1999 and went on to serve two terms representing the people of Sanikiluaq.
Mr. Speaker, it was 12 years ago, I think, he rose and recognized me in the House. It gives me great pleasure today to rise and recognize Mr. Peter Kattuk to the Gallery.
I hope I didn’t miss anyone that are residents of Tasiluk, but Mr. Roy Green, the Deputy Minister of Community and Government Services, it’s a pleasure to see him in the Gallery and not stuck in the witness table.
As well, I would like to welcome Mr. James Arreak, who I may not know personally as well as I would like to, but I have heard many good things about him from my brother.
I, too, am very pleased to acknowledge firstly Elisapee Quassa, my wife, although her other name is Malaya.
I would also like to recognize an individual from NTI, Joe Attagutaaluk, who is a representative of our community at the NTI board in the area of Aggu, where he resides. Also James Arreak is one of the officials from NTI.
I would like to acknowledge these individuals and also an individual I haven’t seen for a long time, Celestino Ujarak, originally from Igloolik. He’s also the deputy mayor of the hamlet council.
I would like to acknowledge everyone here and Brian Fleming, who is the SAO of the Hamlet of Igloolik. Welcome to the Gallery.
He is well known by residents of Igloolik and not just the people of Igloolik, but even people from Sanikiluaq know this individual.
I would like to recognize my nephews behind me, Russell Akeeagok and Pauloosie Akeeagok, for being in the Gallery, and also my constituents, Kathy Okpik, Joe Kunuk, and Elisapee, who is also one of my constituents. I would like to acknowledge them all.
I would like to recognize an individual who used to reside in Rankin Inlet but no longer, Shawn Maley, and Roy Green.
Welcome to the Gallery. Recognition of Visitors to the Gallery.
I would like to recognize this individual who is from Netsilik and is in the House, my husband, Nauyaq Ugyuk. He is a very handsome man.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation) Member for (interpretation ends) Rankin Inlet North and Chesterfield Inlet, Mr. Sammurtok.
I would like to recognize some visitors.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Brian Fleming, SAO for the Hamlet of Igloolik, who is also the President and Chair for the Board of Northern Employees Benefits Services, and also Shawn Maley. He is the CEO for the Northern Employees Benefits Services.
Many of you know Mr. Maley. He worked for many years in the government.
I would also like to recognize Roy Green, Deputy Minister of CGS, and also Leanne Babstock from CGS to the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, these folks have been heavily involved in the development of the NEBS pension legislation that I will be introducing today, and I am pleased to have them present here in the Assembly to witness the introduction of this very important legislation.
Also, I would like to recognize Joe Attagutaluk. Joe and I spent many years going to high school in Le Pas, Manitoba.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome, each and every one of you to the Gallery.
This week, it gives me great pleasure to welcome to the Gallery today my wife, Sandra, who’s sitting in the Gallery over here.
She’s very shy and she doesn’t like me to recognize her, so I am going to be in trouble tonight, I guess.
Thirty years ago this year, she encouraged me to get into municipal politics, so she has been with me every step of the way.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome. (interpretation ends) Item 5. (interpretation) Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
It’s not too often that I get to stand and recognize anybody in the House here, but I want to recognize my key staff, Mr. Alain Barriault and Mr. David Akeeagok. If I don’t do that, I know I’ll get a really rough time in the next couple of weeks.
Member for (interpretation ends) Arviat North-Whale Cove, Mr. Kuksuk.
I say “good day” to the people of Nunavut.
I also would like to acknowledge all the people who have been acknowledged.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge and recognize an individual here who works at the Nunavut Housing Corporation. I would like to welcome Lori Kimball, who is the President of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
I am very pleased to rise today to acknowledge the individuals for coming here to watch the proceedings.
I have a constituent who is also my deputy minister and I would like to acknowledge the individual who has been working for 10 years in the Nunavut government.
I would like to warmly welcome Simon Mala Awa.
Although they are not my constituents, I would like to thank Navarana Beveridge and also from the High Arctic, Larry Audlaluk. I would like to acknowledge all of the people who have been recognized and I would like to welcome them to the Gallery.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 5. (interpretation) Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Question 001 – 4(2): Northern Residents Deduction (Savikataaq)
This is the time of year when Canadians file their annual tax returns with the federal government.
In 2008, the federal budget increased the residency portion of the Northern Residents Deduction.
However, the Northern Residents Deduction has not been enhanced since that time.
During the Second Legislative Assembly, the minister moved a motion calling on the federal government to “ensure that the residency portion be adjusted on an annual basis to an inflation index that reflects the cost of living in Canada’s Arctic.”
Can the minister indicate if this issue is on his agenda to raise with the new federal Minister of Finance?
One of the hazards of being a former MLA and being on this side is that new MLAs can research what we did back when we were MLAs.
That was a very challenging time for us. I remember all three territories were pushing for that.
We had a unanimous motion in the House and it was a great effort by everybody. We did succeed in getting a slight adjustment, which I’m sure many people benefited from.
With respect to whether it’s on my radar to raise with the new Minister of Finance for Canada, it’s not on my radar.
In 2012, the three territorial Premiers jointly called on the federal government to enhance the Northern Residents Deduction.
Can the minister describe how the three territories are currently working together to present a unified position to the federal government on this issue?
We undertook that request of the three finance ministers through our officials who did a considerable amount of research.
We determined that the amount of effort that it would take to get the federal government to make the changes that people would like to see made wasn’t worth the effort.
We focused our efforts more on lobbying for such important issues as the gas tax, the Building Canada Fund and funding for health and housing.
We recommended to the Premiers that we not pursue any further lobbying for the foreseeable future on the Northern Residents Deduction.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 6. (interpretation) Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) Member for Hudson Bay, Mr. Rumbolt.
Question 002 – 4(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation’s General Rate Application (Rumbolt)
I would like to direct my questions towards the Minister of the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
Yesterday, the minister announced that the QEC has been instructed to retract its application to move towards a territorial power rate structure.
Can the minister clarify what the new timeline is for the Utility Rates Review Council to consider QEC’s revised general rate application?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The application process did not change. It’s legislated and it will continue.
I believe there was a proposal for 5 percent in December and it was revised recently to 8.6 percent. That will continue.
Those proposals will continue to go through the process and be reviewed by the URRC. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
QEC’s original explanation for moving towards a territorial power rate structure was that it would involve, and I quote, “rebalancing between communities to gradually levelize rates across the territory.”
In his statement yesterday, the minister indicated that concerns about the impact that this change would have had on businesses in some of our larger communities formed part of the reason for retracting the proposal to move towards a territorial power rate structure.
Can the minister clarify how this decision will impact private homeowners and businesses in smaller communities in Nunavut?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The current system that we are operating under today will continue. However, even with the change to territorial rates, the homeowners will have been impacted by the increase in rates for homeowners throughout the territory, regardless of location throughout our wonderful territory. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
QEC’s general rate application that was originally submitted last year included a number of proposed changes to the corporation’s terms and conditions of service.
These terms and conditions cover everything from billing practices to disconnection policies.
Can the minister clarify whether QEC’s revised general rate application still contains the same proposed changes to its terms and conditions of service?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The only change that I insisted on was the change to the rebalancing of the territorial rate.
No other changes are requested at this time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 003 – 4(2): Public Housing Rent Scale (Mikkungwak)
On January 24, the Nunavut Housing Corporation announced that changes to the public housing rent scale would come into effect in the fall of 2013.
In September of 2013, my colleague from Hudson Bay asked questions in this House concerning the status of the new rent scale.
At that time, the Legislative Assembly was informed that the Nunavut Housing Corporation was looking at fully implementing the changes in November.
Can the minister update the House today on whether the new public housing rent scale has been fully implemented across Nunavut?
The subject of his question was implemented on February 1, 2014, so the rent scale was put into effect.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s announcement of last year indicated that, and I quote, “…if a public housing tenant secures employment or receives a pay raise, their rent will not increase until September 1 of the following year.”
Can the minister confirm that this practice is being followed in all of our communities?
As I said, on February 1, 2014, just a month ago, the new rent scale was put into effect.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s announcement of last year also indicated, and I quote, “maximum rents are to be reviewed to support the objective of encouraging tenants over Core Need Income Thresholds to transition out of public housing.”
Can the minister indicate what the results of this review were?
If the member didn’t understand what I said, I could tell the member that what was to be in effect on February 1, 2014 with respect to rental scales contained a lot of things. If I understood him on whether or not there was a survey, I don’t have any information in front of me from my department at this time. I will provide the member with that response later on when that information becomes available.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): I didn’t put my hand up.
Speaker (interpretation): I’m sorry. Someone wrote your name.
Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) Member for Rankin Inlet South, Mr. Sammurtok.
Question 004 – 4(2): Dust Control in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok)
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My question is for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
As the minister is aware, summer will soon be here.
Although we are happy that the weather will be warmer, summer also means that the dust season has returned.
Many concerns have been raised with me regarding the impact of dust in the community of Rankin Inlet, including the impact on our community’s drinking water supply at Nippisar Lake.
Can the minister indicate if his department will be providing any new assistance to communities this summer, including Rankin Inlet, to help them control dust levels?
Last week, the Baffin mayors had a meeting and we told them that if they have a memory stick that could be provided to the communities to help them with respect to dust in the communities and as to how they can keep the dust away from the communities, they have been given that memory stick so that the hamlets themselves can be provided with information with respect to dust control.
Let me ask this supplementary question. (interpretation ends) Rankin Inlet is very pleased about the economic growth that is occurring as a result of activity in the mining sector.
However, one of the impacts of this growth is an increase in the number of trucks and other pieces of heavy equipment on the roads, which contributes to the dust situation.
Will the minister commit to meeting with representatives of the mining companies to find ways of sharing the cost of controlling dust?
As a department, we’re always looking for any solutions that will be helpful in our communities.
Certainly, we would be willing to talk with the mining company in regard to the dust control between the community and their mine site.
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As I noted in the preamble to my question, concerns have been raised about the impact of dust and other pollutants on the quality of Rankin Inlet’s drinking water supply.
It is my understanding that the government is required by law to conduct regular testing of drinking water supplies in our communities.
Will the minister commit to tabling in the Legislative Assembly the results of Rankin Inlet’s most recent water quality tests?
As soon as I get that report and it’s completed, I would be happy share that with the member.
Question 005 – 4(2): Delivery of GN Programs (Hickes)
I’ve got some questions for the Premier today.
During the leadership forum, the Premier is quoted as saying, “it’s about taking responsibility, delivering results that are built on integrity, while facing challenges head-on.”
Mr. Speaker, what are some of the strategies the Premier’s government is planning to use to achieve the commitment to deliver programs and services in a sensible and effective manner that is effective, efficient, and economical?
Mr. Speaker, again I thank all the members across there who participated and helped with initiating our government’s mandate.
Mr. Speaker, I’ll be tabling the action plans for the mandate that he specifically talked about.
Of course, one of the priorities of this government is to review the programs, take a look at what’s happening there, and either improve them or eliminate some of these programs that are not beneficial to both the government and the people of Nunavut.
Within the mandate, this government has committed to ensuring the funds provided to organizations, communities, and individuals adhere to better accountability practices that achieve the outcomes this government expects from its investment of the limited funds available.
What is the Premier’s plan to achieve these goals?
We do have a number of things that we’re going to be doing in reviewing contribution agreements and any kind of funding program that we put out there for the communities, individuals, and organizations.
Mr. Speaker, at the end of the day, we are using public funds and any investments we do make out there have to have beneficial results for the communities and the individuals out there that are accessing public funds.
One of the strategies we’re going to be doing is to actually review some of these programs that we think that need revision and we will do that according to our action plans in our mandate.
Another quote from the leadership forum, “It’s about actions and outcomes, not visions and wish lists.
Most of all, it’s about us. It’s about Nunavummiut, not individuals.”
Mr. Speaker, we all recognize that we need to accomplish a lot with the limited funds and I think we have also put a lot of faith in devolution to assist us with access to increasing revenue streams from our natural resources.
Mr. Speaker, what is the opinion of the Premier of the status and timeline of negotiations?
Mr. Speaker, in the federal government’s Throne Speech, there’s a quote in there that the federal government does want to negotiate and complete an agreement-in-principle this year with this new government, and we look forward to doing that and moving our file forward in negotiating benefits for Nunavummiut.