EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I was talking to a student who was taking the management studies program here in Iqaluit and he informed me. The reason I asked the question earlier, for them being eligible to apply for summer student employment and he told me that they weren’t eligible because in order to be eligible you needed confirmation that you are going back to school.
Mr. Speaker, the college had told him that they haven’t been told that they are going to be offering the second year of the management studies program next year for these students.
Instead of taking it this year, I would like to ask the Minister of Education if he could assure me and assure the members of this House that the students didn’t waste their time last year taking a program that won’t be continued next year.
I would like to clarify his question.
I don’t understand what his question was really about.
Speaker: Mr. Tootoo could you clarify your question.
Mr. Speaker will Nunavut Arctic College be offering management studies program next year here in Iqaluit?
I stated I’ll be providing him with information on the calendar of events for Nunavut Arctic College.
I will include that information when I provide it for him.
I guess I got a partial answer to my question and taken as notice.
Is the minister indicating if that is going to be included in the list of programs the core programs that the college funds, that he is stating that management studies is a core program funded by the college.
I am trying to inform the member that I will be providing information to the member at a later date.
If the information that he is asking about is included in there, I’ll look into it and include this information as well.
Mr. Speaker in this particular case I would like to ask the minister to look into it as quickly as possible.
We have a number of students that are taking that program whose future is up in the air right now.
I would like to ask him if he could assure those students that their education and the time that they’ve put into the program so far hasn’t been wasted and it will be offered again next year as soon as possible.
The students that are taking the programs, it doesn’t matter what program it is.
Any student taking a program is not a waste of their time; it is a benefit for the students.
I informed the member that I will be providing that information to the member and include it with other information that I promise to give him.
Just a reminder to the ministers that they may want to give a little more consideration to taking a question as notice; that way we’ll have more time for further questions from the other members.
The member has been asking questions for the last five minutes and not getting any answers.
Question 063 – 1(6): Health Centre Renovations – Start This Summer
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minster of Health and Social Services.
I remember in the budget that there was funding provided for Health Centre in Gjoa Haven, as it needs renovation.
I would like to ask the minister if this project will go ahead this summer.
Will the material for the Health Centre be brought into the community?
Do you expect that it will be completed in the near future?
Mr. Speaker, as the member remembers that the Capital Budget was passed in this House this past fall.
As a result, Mr. Speaker, I can look at my briefing book here and suggest to the member that indeed the Gjoa Haven facility is not mentioned.
No, Mr. Speaker, I don’t have that information with me.
Mr. Speaker, I will make that information available to the member as soon as the House stops.
When question period is over, I will make that information available to the members.
Perhaps the Minister didn’t understand.
I am talking about Taloyoak; I am not talking about Gjoa Haven.
There was money allocated last year for the Nursing Station and the community is aware that there needs to be work done.
When would this be completed?
When will the financial part of it be completed?
In Taloyoak we had two programs, one was the extension of the new garage, and the other one was the renovation of the residential facility.
Mr. Speaker, on the project itself, the tender came in too high for the allocated budgeted amount that was approved in this House, for Capital.
At the present time, Mr. Speaker, the Department is reviewing the Capital request from the Kitikmeot specifically for this project to see if we could find additional dollars to be able to carry out the work.
The short answer, Mr. Speaker, the project has been delayed because the amount of the tenders that came forward were too high for our budgeted amount.
I can recall when we had a meeting of the Standing Committee that we were informed that there would be a half a million dollars set aside for the renovation of the Nursing Station.
I had thought that renovations would start in the summer of 2002.
Could the Minister tell me if this project would go ahead this summer?
Could the Minister tell me if the renovations would start this summer?
Mr. Speaker, originally the budget amount that we had available that was approved this past fall in the capital budget.
An RFP was done, tender, and the bids that were submitted were not enough.
It was over the scope of the amount that we had allocated.
Mr. Speaker, we had made a request to be able to carry over those funds so that we can actually carry out the projects and review the scope of the work that is intended.
Mr. Speaker, now I don’t have the actual schedule with me, all I have is the breakdown of the projects itself and what it’s accomplished today and that’s as of April 15th.
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, I have no problems, Mr. Speaker, in sitting down with the member and actually finding out this afternoon what the status of that project is.
The reason why I’m asking that question is there money set aside for this project.
My only question is when the construction is going to start.
I don’t want to have a meeting with you.
I just want to know when the renovations will start and when the completion date is.
I do know that there is money. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, Mr. Speaker, on the tenders that were publicly advertised, the amounts of the tenders that came forward were outside the scope of the allocated amounts.
Therefore Mr. Speaker, we need to go back to the department and with conjunction with the Finance Department and be able to reallocate or at least hold over those capital funds and redefine the project to see indeed if we can do the scope of the work differently.
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, I don’t have the time frame with me on when it would be re-tendered or indeed when the project would start and that’s the information that I can give to the member that I would get it for him.
When the project would start and so on.
I don’t have that information with me here at this moment.
I’m sorry Mr. Puqiqnak you’ve run out of questions.
Tabled Document 006 – 1(6): Hamlet of Repulse Bay Motion Re: Medical Travel
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a document regarding the motion that was made by the Repulse Bay Hamlet in 2001/2002, in regards to the Medical transportation of patients.
Tabled Document 007 – 1(6): Hamlet of Coral Harbour Motion Re: Medical Travel
I would like to table a document from the mayor of Coral Harbour.
It is also a motion dated March 28, 2002 and that was a motion made by the Hamlet of Coral Harbour in regards to medical travel in that they are not in support of the air carrier.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker I seek consensus from the Assembly to waive the 2 day notice requirement to allow for First Reading of Bill 6.
Appropriation Act number 2 2002-2003 today.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ng. I believe you are getting ahead of yourself here.
We are at Item 17.
Minister Ng I would just ask to repeat under Item 17; Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. For the record.
Members we will take a 10 minute break.
It’s a long day. 15 minutes.
There is coffee in the Members’ Lounge.
Mr. Ng I would like to meet with you.
>>House recessed at 4.02 and resumed at 4.24 p.m.
Item 17: Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills
Bill 6 – Appropriation Act No. 2, 2002 – 2003 – Notice
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members for your patience.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, May 2nd, I will move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Baffin South, that Bill 6, Appropriation Act No. 2, 2002 – 2003, be read for the first time.
Mr. Speaker, I seek consent of the Assembly to waive the two day notice requirement to allow for First Reading of Bill 6, Appropriation Act No. 2, 2002 – 2003 for today.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Ng. The minister is seeking consent to waive Rule 62 (1) so the Bill can have First Reading today.
Please proceed, Mr. Minister.
Bill 6 – Appropriation Act No. 2, 2002 – 2003 – First Reading
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Baffin South, that Bill 6, Appropriation Act No. 2, 2002 - 2003, be read for the first time, and including as attachments, the Main Estimates documents and the Budget.
Speaker: The motion is in Order. All those in favour? All those opposed?
The motion is carried. The Bill has had First Reading. First Reading of Bills.
Item 20. Second Reading of Bills. Minister Ng.
Bill 6 – Appropriation Act No. 2, 2002 – 2003 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Baffin South, that Bill 6, Appropriation Act No. 2, 2002 - 2003, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this Bill is to seek Legislative Approval to the Operations and Maintenance requirements for the Government of Nunavut departments, in the amount 689 million, 608 thousand dollars, to allow for the delivery of programs and services effective April 1st, 2002.
The Bill has had Second Reading, and accordingly the Bill stands referred to a committee.
Bill 10 – An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act – Second Reading
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Hudson Bay, that Bill 10, an Act to Amend the Land Titles Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, one of the sections of the Land Titles Act will soon be brought into force, will require spousal consent or declaration of support, for the registration of a lease transfer or mortgage.
The amendment in this Bill provides an exception so that this provision will not apply to documents executed, before the coming into force of this Act. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Bill has had second reading, and accordingly the Bill stands referred to a committee.
Item 21. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bill and Other Matters.
As the practice has been to commence review of the Main Estimates in the Committee of the Whole, on the following day, and as there are no additional items in the committee, we will proceed to the next Item on the order paper.
Item 22. Report of Committee of the Whole.
Item 23. Third Reading of Bills.
Item 24. Orders of the Day.
Meeting of the regular caucus at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning at the Natsiq boardroom.
Orders of the Day for Wednesday May 1st, 2002:
This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, May 1st, at 1:30 p.m. Sergeant-At-Arms.
>>House adjourned at 4.30 p.m.  Nunavut Canada
Wednesday May 1, 2002
Pages 208 - 268
Opening Prayer 208
Ministers’ Statements 208
Members’ Statements 209
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 213
Oral Questions 214
Petitions 233
Tabling of Documents 233
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 234
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 235
Report of Committee of the Whole 267
Orders of the Day 267
Wednesday May 1, 2002 208
016 – 1(6): Workplace Wellness Strategy (Kilabuk) 208
063 – 1(6): Remembering Goo Arlooktoo – Condolences (Arvaluk) 209
064 – 1(6): Condolences to Arlooktoo Family and Relatives in Cape Dorset and Kimmirut (Akesuk) 209
065 – 1(6): Dog Team Race from Clyde River to Pond Inlet (Nutarak) 209
066 – 1(6): Income Support – Tax Benefit (McLean) 210
067 – 1(6): Encourage Students to Succeed – Media Comments 211
068 – 1(6): Remembrance of Goo Arlooktoo and Condolences (Ng) 212
069 – 1(6): Rental and Mortgage Scales (Alakannuark) 213
064 – 1(6): 214
065 – 1(6): Will the Capital Project Budgets Keep Dropping (Havioyak) 216
066 – 1(6): Change to Mortgage and Rental Scales (Alakannuark) 217
067 – 1(6): Nursing Program Funds are Less Than the Law Students 218
068 – 1(6): Job Training Drop-outs (Iqaqrialu) 221
069 – 1(6): Renovations to Women’s Shelters – Increase of Budget (Puqiqnak) 223
070 – 1(6): Advertisement of RFPs – Timeline (Nutarak) 225
071 – 1(6): Amount of Funding to HTA for 225
072 – 1(6): Review of Nunavut’s Income Support Program (McLean) 226
073 – 1(6): Staff Housing/ 227
074 – 1(6): Revenue from Tobacco Tax into Treatment Programs (Williams) 229
075 – 1(6): Income Support Improvements (Iqaqrialu) 231
002 – 1(6): Provide Adequate Bussing Services in Rankin Inlet (Anawak) 233
008 – 1(6): Workplace Wellness Survey (Kilabuk) 233
009 – 1(6): Report on Repairs in Pelly Bay/Kugaaruk – Bad Gasoline (Alakannuark) 233
010 – 1(6): Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce 2002 Annual General Meeting Report (McLean) 233
011 – 1(6): NNI Policy – 2000/2001 Annual Review (Kattuk) 234
Bill 2 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 4, 1999-2000 – Notice 234
Bill 3 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3, 2000-2001 – Notice 234
Bill 4 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 4, 2001-2002 – Notice 234
Bill 5 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 1, 2002-2003 – Notice 234  Bill 6 – Appropriation Act No. 2, 2002-2003 – Consideration in Committee 235
Speaker: Mr. Puqiqnak could you say the opening prayer?
Good afternoon Premier and members.
Before we start with the Orders of the Day I would like to, on behalf of the members, offer our condolences to the family of Goo Arlooktoo who passed away suddenly last evening.
Minister’s Statement 016 – 1(6): Workplace Wellness Strategy
Today I rise to inform this House of the Nunavut Government’s initiative dealing with workplace wellness.
Later today I will table a survey that was coordinated by my Department of Human Resources and involving representatives from different GN departments, regional community representatives and both unions.
The survey addresses wellness issues such as job satisfactions and aspirations, physical workplace, healthy living and cross cultural work environment.  Mr. Speaker, the results of the survey are now being presented to deputy ministers, managers and employees.
The survey provides a wealth of information on issues affecting the well being of our employees and will need to be further analysed, but preliminary results are positive with job satisfaction levels high.
Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to thank the members of the Workplace Wellness Advisory Committee and the Government of Nunavut employees who participated and supported this important initiative.
I would also like to say it is the government’s intention to continue to work cooperatively with our employees and other stakeholders to improve and enhance the overall being of all of our employees.
Member’s Statement 063 – 1(6): Remembering Goo Arlooktoo - Condolences
We have just been informed about the loss of our good friend Goo Arlooktoo.
He was a friend and I went hunting with him and overnighted out there around Mackay Lake, Igloo Point.
When we were Members of the Legislative Assembly with the previous government we would go hunting and I recall that I took him moose hunting for the first time and when we moved to Iqaluit we went out hunting together and overnighted out there on the land.
We all know him as a good person and when we had a workshop as new Members of the Legislative Assembly for Nunavut, he was facilitating our orientation sessions and would assist us.
So we remember and we express our love for his family members in Kimmirut.
(interpretation ends) Also, his wife Dorothy, their children, his brother-in-law Henry Zoe and their family in Rae Edzo. (interpretation) On behalf of the Members of the Legislative Assembly, we send out our condolences to the family members.
Member’s Statement 064 – 1(6): Condolences to Arlooktoo Family and Relatives in Cape Dorset and Kimmirut
Again following Mr. Arvaluk’s comments, we will remember Mr. Goo Arlooktoo for his tremendous contribution to the Territory of Nunavut and his representation of Baffin South and the whole of Nunavut as an MLA.
We send our condolences to the relatives in Cape Dorset and his family members, including his father in Kimmirut and we will also keep his wife and family members in our prayers and thoughts.
Member’s Statement 065 – 1(6): Dog Team Race from Clyde River to Pond Inlet
On April 26 there were dog teams that arrived in Pond Inlet from Clyde River.
It used to take a dog team eight to nine days to go from Clyde River to Pond Inlet.
A long time ago there used to be trips by dog team from Clyde River to Pond Inlet and vice versa.
We have the top three dog team racers.
Jacopie Avingaq came in first place.
Panuilie Okangok and Larry Kautuq who came in the top three.
There were fifteen dog team mushers who participated in the race.
There is Peter Siakuluk, Joshua Illauq, Samson Qannguq, Imoosie Sivugaq, Simon Qammaniq, Jacolassie Killiktie, Peter Piunngittuq, Joanasie Attarjuat, Romeo Palluq, Petooloosie Attakaalik, Jason Palluq, and Silasie Takaugaq.
Those were the mushers who participated in the race.
They were timed by the number of hours that it took for them to go from point A to point B, and this continued throughout the race.
The total time for the third place finisher was thirty-four hours, forty-six minutes and seven seconds.
The second place finisher came in at thirty-three hours, fifty-two minutes and twenty-two seconds and Jacopie Avinngaq came in at thirty-one hours, fifty-two minutes and seventeen seconds.
As I said earlier it used to take eight or nine days to go from Clyde River to Pond Inlet but it took them that many hours to make it from point A to point B during the dog team races.
They were quite fast and were actually as fast as the old snow machines of the early seventies, and it was quite uplifting to see the dog teams arriving.
So April 28 was a very exciting day and eight Members of the Legislative Assembly went up there.
While we were about to land we saw the last musher come in past Mount Herodier.
The dog teams beat us into Pond Inlet, although we saw three teams coming in. It was very exciting, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 066 – 1(6): Income Support – Tax Benefit
Mr. Speaker, Members of this House will know that the issue of poverty and the plight of low-wage earners is very close to me.
Last year, concerns were raised in this House about whether the Federal Fuel Rebate that was provided to low-wage earners would be deducted from Social Assistance Cheques.
At that time, I was very relieved to hear that it would not be and I was pleased to learn that other federal benefits such as GST rebates and Child Tax Benefits do not lower the amount of social assistance received.
However, I am concerned with this government’s approach to the federal supplement to the Child Tax Benefit, which in this jurisdiction is called the Nunavut Child Tax Benefit.
In July 1998, the Federal Government introduced a supplement to the Child Tax Benefit, which provided an extra amount over and above the Child Tax Benefit to low income families in Nunavut.
Following the standards set by the NWT and other jurisdictions, families receiving social assistance have never benefited from what could represent a significant amount of additional and much needed money.
This is because the supplement is considered to be non-exempt income and triggers a cut in the family’s social assistance cheques.
Mr. Speaker, year after year across Canada, families headed by single parent mothers face the highest risk of poverty of any family type year after year and in Nunavut the high cost of living simply adds to that risk.
Last year, families on Social Assistance living in Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and Quebec, joined families in Newfoundland, Labrador, and New Brunswick and saw an increase in their income.
In those jurisdictions income support programs were revised so that lower income families actually benefit from the supplement to the Canadian Child Tax Benefit.
But in Nunavut, that amount is brought back by the territorial government and low income families who receive social assistance are effectively cut off from extra money provided by the Federal Government.
I would also like to note Mr. Speaker that I’ve heard from some of my constituents that even if a family member buys a plane ticket for someone who is on social assistance to come and visit them or babysit for them, the cost of the plane ticket is considered as income and their social assistance payments are reduced accordingly.
It seems to me, Mr. Speaker, that there’s something wrong with the interpretation of the regulations in these kinds of circumstances; why a person on social assistance should be penalized when a family member, such as a parent, tries to help them out or give them a gift.
Mr. Speaker, I understand that Nunavut’s income support program is currently under review.
At the appropriate time, I will be asking the minister some questions on this issue.
Member’s Statement 067 – 1(6): Encourage Students to Succeed – Media Comments
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the issue of expectations.
Mr. Speaker, in June of 1999, Nunavummiut were proud to hear that the grade six class of Nakasuk Elementary School placed second in a nation wide math competition.
At that time the Minister of Education made the following comments in an official Government of Nunavut News release.
This is a great achievement for those young scholars.
They should feel very proud of themselves.
They are an example of what our youth in schools are capable of in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Education of the day said the right thing; our children and our educators need to know that we expect and welcome success in the classroom.
They need to know that hard work will be rewarded and that support will be provided when results aren’t what we would want them to be.
Mr. Speaker, I was distressed this week to read comments in the media attributed to the Department of Education.
Mr. Speaker, these comments seem to suggest that the poor results of Nunavut schools in a nation wide math test were inevitable.
Mr. Speaker, I’m going to speak as a parent for a moment.
It quite simply sends the wrong message to our youth and to our teachers when the government says that failure is to be expected.
The message…
A Member: Shame, shame.
…our children need to hear is that failure is not an option.
They need to hear that we will provide our students and our schools with the resources they need to be successful.
Mr. Speaker, we need to work for a Nunavut where success is what’s to be expected and not to hide our disappointments behind excuses and jargon.
Mr. Speaker, I conclude by saying that the minister had the right idea back in Nunavut’s first spring.
Our students and our schools are capable of great things.
It’s tragic that we see that we seem to have reversed our expectations in just three short years.
Mr. Speaker, I feel adamantly that the Department of Education should not be presenting failure as inevitable, but instead should be encouraging our students to be the best that they can be.
Speaker: Members’ Statements. Mr. Ng.
Member’s Statement 068 – 1(6): Remembrance of Goo Arlooktoo and Condolences
Mr. Speaker, I too heard earlier this morning of the passing of Goo Arlooktoo.
I was shocked at the early age of 38.
I first met Goo when he became a Renewable Resource Officer in Cambridge Bay and that was in the early 1980s.
I did have the pleasure of serving with him in the 13th Assembly of the Legislature of the Northwest Territories where he was the Deputy Premier, Housing Minister, Public Works Minister and Justice Minister at different times.
And I know he was fully committed and dedicated to his job and particularly at protecting and promoting the interests of Nunavut at that time.
He was also a very dedicated family man, husband and father.