EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Can you talk with the federal Department of Intergovernmental Affairs?
Here we are, also Canadians, but it seems like we live in the backyard and no one knows of our situation.
The federal government assists many people in Europe, overseas, and in different countries financially.
They seem to pay more attention to them but we’re right in the country and we’re ignored, particularly in Nunavut.
Can you speak with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and mention that they need someone in their department to do the notifications to the Nunavut public as to whether it is the Department of Oceans and Fisheries or Transportation?
You need someone from Department of Indian and Northern Affairs to inform the communities about federal programs and news whenever there are new initiatives from the federal government and send them to the communities. There are only 25 communities in Nunavut and they would not have to make millions of copies.
Can the government commit to informing the federal government about this matter?
We try to work with Intergovernmental Affairs within the federal government and they know all of our programs.  We would like some assistance and we do not want anyone who is eligible in Nunavut to lose out on these programs.
We try to inform them of the needs of Inuit in Nunavut and even if they had their programs translated into Inuktitut, then our constituents would be able to benefit from the programs.
As we all know, sometimes cooperation between governments goes smoothly and at times, it doesn’t, and sometimes we encounter challenges with communication.
When we work together and support each other, then this assistance can become quite substantial.
Looking at the Building Canada Fund, it would be very interesting, particularly on the fisheries, where we have run into obstacles.
So, yes, sometimes they do assist our government and we will pursue them for their continued support.
We are on page B-9. (interpretation ends) Branch Summary.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $1,322,000.
We will go to page B-10.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $412,000.
On B-10, my question to the Premier is: what is the status today of the transboundary issues with the First Nations group in Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba? How is the Government of Nunavut keeping residents in the affected communities, such as Arviat, informed of this situation?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, the Government of Canada appointed a factfinder for the Manitoba Denesuline and I haven’t received a retaining copy of the report that has been produced by the factfinder.
NTI has been working with Denesuline in trying to find a way to resolve this matter and I received a letter from the Manitoba Minister for Aboriginal Affairs indicating willingness to try and work something out on this matter, so there has been no real progress to dates on this matter.
I have been keeping the MLA for Arviat, in particular, up to date on any progress and I’ll continue to do that.
On the Saskatchewan Denesuline, there has been nothing new to report there, but on the Denesuline for Manitoba, that’s been where the focus has been at this time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Evyagotailak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Premier.
On December 1, 2006, you were in attendance at the signing ceremony in Kuujjuaq of the Nunavik Land Claims Agreement. Has the signing of this agreement addressed the Government of Nunavut’s concern in relation to such issues as fisheries?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The issue was deferred but it was clear in the agreement that the Inuit of Nunavut will always have a higher allocation of fisheries than the Inuit of Nunavik in our waters. So that’s where we left the matter.
As you know, this is still an outstanding issue with the Government of Canada and will be so until we have the same allocation as any Canadian jurisdiction in the country. So this matter will not be resolved until we see the day that we’re treated like the rest of the country. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Evyagotailak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to thank the Premier for that response.
While we’re still on B-10, I would like to get into the status of the Government of Nunavut’s relationship with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
In which areas are the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated currently working well together and on which specific issues do the Government of Nunavut and NTI disagree?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I think that’s a very broad question, so it’s hard for me to outline all of the issues that we worked together on. So I’ll just highlight maybe some of the points that have become obvious in the public record where we did differ and where we agreed quite strongly.
We looked to the proposed Education Act where we feel strongly that our young people should have opportunities to learn and be able to attend university, for example, with a recognized diploma. NTI feels that Inuktitut is more important than getting a recognized diploma to use for higher studies in their reports.
So that’s where we have a definite difference of opinion in terms of making sure that our young people have the opportunity to learn and become qualified to take on any job that may come their way. We both agree that we want to make sure that they learn Inuktitut and have a strong foundation of our culture from our schools. How we get there is where we differ.
We agree in terms of getting more Inuit working in our government and getting them trained to take on the jobs throughout our territory, but we also disagree on the method.
We want to work with the Government of Canada outside the court system because taking the government to court takes quite some time and it is costly, but NTI has chosen to do that, while we have chosen to try and work something out.
We are presently in the courts on the gun control legislation, as you know, and we agree strongly that that legislation breaches our land claims agreement. We have the courts agreeing with us for the interim measures but this matter still requires going to trial.
So those are some indicators on devolution. We had a few differences here and there but we have worked them out, and that we have been working well together on devolution.
We worked well together in trying to promote mining activity throughout the territory.
So those are some of the things that we work on. On the overlap situations, we have worked well together and are partners.
So I think where it goes down to the core Inuit matters, we have worked very well together and made a difference, like in housing, and we continue to work on the fisheries matters. So those are some things that we have in common and we will continue to find ways to work together. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to add a little bit to what Mr. Evyagotailak was asking, maybe with more specific examples.
You stated earlier that you wanted to take the federal government to court over the land claims agreement on economic development issues, especially adjacent to or in the vicinity issues of the economic development section of the fishing in Davis Strait, especially between Clyde River and Pond Inlet, but you were disqualified because GN is a public body.
Have you spoken to NTI and urged them that because they qualify to sue the federal government under the land claims agreement to proceed with them, have you also advised them or urged them to start investing in more economic development opportunities for the communities, for example, partnerships with Baffinland and the Pond Inlet people on a development corporation, etcetera, along that line that you did not use in your examples?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Our focus has been in implementing the land claim agreement and I leave it to other entities to push NTI in governing how they will manage their affairs.
We focus on governing matters in terms of trying to implement the land claims agreement, so we don’t get involved in each others internal affairs.
So that’s where we try and leave it at that because our focus is to implement and make sure the benefits flow to Inuit throughout the territory.
As I said yesterday, this has been a grey area in terms of the fisheries allocation to date and we will do what we can. I know that my officials have been in touch with NTI’s officials, the workers, on the most recent fisheries allocation.
So I’m hopeful that we will work something out in the long run. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, I need your assistance. I think we have one page left. If nobody has to leave, I’m suggesting that we go past two o’clock to conclude this department.
Can I make a motion?
Chairman: Does the members agree with Mr. Arvaluk?
Chairman (interpretation): Let’s proceed. We’re on (interpretation ends) Branch Summary.
B-10.
Chairman: We will go to B-11. Branch Summary. Devolution.
I have three quick questions on B-11.
In the last year, in June I think, the Mayer Report on Nunavut Devolution was released and the report recommended a ‘go slow’ approach to devolution. In August of last year, a new Minister of Indian Affairs was appointed.
What is the status today of devolution negotiations with the Government of Canada?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) There has been some movement and I’ll be tabling a letter I received from the Prime Minister in the coming days.
There has been movement and I look forward to reporting progress to the House in the coming days as early as maybe Monday or Tuesday.
So there’s progress and I look forward to seeing these discussions turn into negotiations in the near future. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Arvaluk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In a speech in December 2006, you publicly expressed concerns regarding the federal government’s reluctance to include internal waters in the High Arctic as part of the devolution talks.
In 2006-07, your department commissioned a $28,500 study on oil and gas issues related to devolution.
What is the status today of this issue and what did the study conclude?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We have been working very hard and pushing strong for internal waters. And, as I said, there has been some movement and I look forward to reporting the progress in the coming days very shortly. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Did the minister say that he will be reporting during this session?
Is that what he just said?
Please clarify your response, Mr. Premier.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Yes, (interpretation ends) either this coming Monday or Tuesday. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Premier Okalik. We’ll go on to page B-11. (interpretation ends) Branch Summary.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $1,065,000.
Chairman: We’ll go back to page B-3.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $11,240,000.
Chairman: Are we in agreement that the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs is concluded?
Sergeant-at-Arms… If you have any closing remarks, Mr. Premier, please go ahead.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman and my colleagues.
The comments that we heard will definitely be taken into consideration, especially when we are planning our estimates.
Even though I couldn’t respond to all of the questions, I will try my best to respond to them in this House.
I thank you very much and hope to have productive meetings in the near future.
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses from the witness table.
I would really like to move to report progress.
The motion is carried. (interpretation ends) I will now rise to report progress.
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Your committee has been considering Bill 23 and the main estimates, and would like to report progress.
Thank you, Ms. Aglukkaq.
Members, this House stands adjourned until Monday, March 3, at 1:30 p.m.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Pages 3172 – 3239
Opening Prayer 3172
Ministers’ Statements 3172
Members’ Statements 3176
Returns to Oral Questions 3178
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3179
Oral Questions 3181
Written Questions 3200
Tabled Documents 3200
Notices of Motions 3202
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3202
Report of the Committee of the Whole 3238
Orders of the Day 3238
Monday, March 3, 2008 3172
150 – 2(4): New Members for Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council and Celebrating International Women’s Day (Aglukkaq) 3172
151 – 2(4): Nunavut Down Payment Assistance Program 3173
152 – 2(4): Workers’ Compensation Board 2008 Corporate Plan (Akesuk) 3174
153 – 2(4): Piqqusilirivvik Status Report (Tapardjuk) 3175
357 – 2(4): Search and Rescue at Sanikiluaq (Kattuk) 3176
358 – 2(4): Importance of Fire Prevention Measures (Barnabas) 3176
359 – 2(4): Avataq Hockey Tournament at Rankin Inlet (Curley) 3177
Return to Oral Question 427 – 2(4): $89.1 Million Contingency Fund (Tapardjuk) 3178
Return to Oral Question 422 – 2(4): 2008 Federal Budget – Gas Tax Fund (Tapardjuk) 3178
448 – 2(4): Review of Qulliq Energy Corporation Emergency Preparedness and Practices (Curley) 3181
449 – 2(4): Status of Small Craft Harbours for Nunavut (Arvaluk) 3184
450 – 2(4): Announcement in Budget Address of Outfitters Assistance Program (Barnabas) 3186
451 – 2(4): Options Paper on Inuksuk High School Forwarded to DEA (Tootoo) 3187
452 – 2(4): Update on Manitoba-Kivalliq Winter Road (Alagalak) 3190
453 – 2(4): Forward Operating Location Site in Rankin Inlet (Curley) 3192
454 – 2(4): Update on Remand Inmates in Iqaluit (Arreak) 3194
455 – 2(4): Number of Communities Lacking Learning Centres (Mapsalak) 3196
456 – 2(4): Issues Affecting Nunavut (Tootoo) 3197
009 – 2(4): Academic Success of Arviammiut (Alagalak) 3200
188 – 2(4): NTI/NSDC Annual Report on the State of Inuit Culture and Society 2005/06 and 2006/07 Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education in Nunavut (Okalik) 3201
189 – 2(4): Photographs of Rankin Inlet FOL Site (Curley) 3201
190 – 2(4): Environmental Rights Act Annual Report January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007 (Akesuk) 3201
191 – 2(4): WCB of the NWT and Nunavut Corporate Plan for 2008 (Akesuk) 3201
192 – 2(4): Piqqusilirivvik Status Report February 2008 (Tapardjuk) 3201
193 – 2(4): Terms of Reference for the Nunavut Heritage Centre Capital Fundraising Campaign Request for Proposal 2007-40 (Tapardjuk) 3202
194 – 2(4): FPT Finance Ministers’ Meeting December 12, 2007 (Tapardjuk) 3202
028 – 2(4): Extension of Review Period of Bill 20 – Notice (Alagalak) 3202
Bill 23 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee – CLEY 3203
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. David Alagalak, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. James Arvaluk, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Honourable Levinia Brown, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Joe Allen Evyagotailak, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Honourable Patterk Netser, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Edward Picco, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Good afternoon, Mr. Premier, Ministers, and Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Minister’s Statement 150 – 2(4): New Members for Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council and Celebrating International Women’s Day (Aglukkaq)
Mr. Speaker, as Minister responsible for the Status of Women, I am pleased to announce the appointment of five new council members to Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council.
I would like to congratulate Neevee Wilkins and Trista Mercer from Iqaluit, Annie Iqalukjuak from Clyde River, Bernadette Miqusaaq Dean from Rankin Inlet, and Meeka Alivaktuk from Pangnirtung, on their appointments to the council.
Mr. Speaker, the new council members will serve a two-year term and will join Donna Hakongak, Acting President, Leonie Duffy, Vice-President, and council members Anaoyok Alookee and Anne Isnor.
The council is here with us today so I would like to welcome them all. I would also like to take a moment to thank those council members whose terms expired in December: Kathy Hanson, Meeka Mearns, Celine Ningark, Catherine Pilakapsi and Christine Ekidlak, for their hard work and dedication during the time they served on the council.
Mr. Speaker, on March 8, Nunavut communities will be celebrating International Women’s Day.
This day is set aside to celebrate women, to bring attention to the challenges they face, and their roles in leadership and the role everyone can play in advancing their issues.
In Iqaluit, we will be holding our second annual Nunavut Wise Women of the Year Award Ceremony, held to celebrate the strength and wisdom of our women in Nunavut.
This year three will be awarded to represent the entire territory.
I am also proud to announce, leading up to International Women’s Day, that in partnership with Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council and other stakeholders, we are planning a multi-year program called “Women’s Voices in Leadership.”
Mr. Speaker, the intent of this program is to increase women’s participation leadership roles and decision making in Nunavut.
This program is in the design phase and will involve Women and Elections workshops and Forums; a Nunavut-based Women & Leadership conference; and promotional activities.
Mr. Speaker, we need the talent and skills of our women in Nunavut, such as the Qulliit Council members, to contribute to the leadership at the local, regional and territorial level.
We need to ensure our women’s voices are heard.
Later in the agenda, Mr. Speaker, I will be recognizing each of the members that are here with us today.
Minister’s Statement 151 – 2(4): Nunavut Down Payment Assistance Program
Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to inform this House of changes to the Nunavut Down Payment Assistance Program, or NDAP, for Iqaluit residents.
Changes will be effective April 1 of this year.
In an effort to encourage homeownership, Mr. Speaker, the corporation will increase assistance to new homeowners in Iqaluit to the same level as that which is currently available in Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay...
... $30,000 for an existing home and $50,000 for a newly constructed home.
I would also like to note that the current levels in all other communities is $45,000 for an existing home and $75,000 for a newly constructed home.
Mr. Speaker, in November 2005, the NDAP limits were increased in all Nunavut communities except for Iqaluit.
At that time, it was felt that Iqaluit had a healthy homeownership market, but demanding fairly high prices for single family homes. Mr. Speaker, at that time, there was concern that an increase in the down payment assistance available to homeowners would only encourage even higher prices in Iqaluit.
Since then, the Iqaluit market seems to have softened with most sales falling under the $400,000 mark.
The current level of assistance is not enough to cover even the minimum required down payment of five percent.
Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that an increase in NDAP in Iqaluit at this time will encourage and make it easier for more qualifying applicants to enter into homeownership, and at the same time, serve to aid recruitment and retention of GN personnel in Iqaluit through the purchase of their new homes.
Minister’s Statement 152 – 2(4): Workers’ Compensation Board 2008 Corporate Plan (Akesuk)
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, my colleagues.
Under the new Workers’ Compensation Act that comes to force on April 1, the Workers’ Compensation Board’s name will change to the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC).
This reflects the shift of philosophy to emphasize safety and prevention in addition to fair compensation for injured workers.
Later today, I will table the Workers’ Compensation Board’s 2008 Corporate Plan.
The 2008 Balanced Scorecard sets the WCB’s strategic direction by establishing its priorities and goals as well as measures and targets for the coming year.
Flowing from the balanced scorecard, the corporate plan explains the importance of WCB’s priorities, the associated goals, and the means by which the goals will be achieved.
The annual report then highlights the WCB’s results.
The Workers’ Compensation Board values openness and transparency. As a means to foster this openness, the Governance Council initiated activity reporting to provide stakeholders with frequent and current operations updates.
The Activities Report will present a summary of WCB’s activities, programs, and projects, allowing stakeholders to track progress and evaluate the WCB’s success. The report will be published on a quarterly basis.
As I have stated, the Workers’ Compensation Board’s name will be changed to the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission on April 1. To make stakeholders aware of the name change, as well as changes to the Act, and its progress on objectives, the WCB has implemented a communications strategy.
The process of disseminating information has already started. Using existing and established mediums of communication, like the website, the e-newsletter Insight: A Look a Safety & Service and Reflections, a semi-annual magazine, the WCB is committed to ensuring northern workers and employers know how WCB is changing and how the changes affect them.
The new Workers’ Compensation Act strengthened reporting system, and communications strategy support and further the board’s mission to promote workplace safety and care for injured workers. They allow the board to better and more effectively serve the people of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
Minister of Finance, CLEY, and Human Resources, Minister Tapardjuk.
Minister’s Statement 153 – 2(4): Piqqusilirivvik Status Report (Tapardjuk)
Having a cultural school in Nunavut has been a vision of Nunavummiut for many years.
Inuit are passionate about their identity, language and culture.
They value highly the importance of passing along their traditional knowledge to future generations.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth has been working to respond to the high priority set by our caucus meeting in Arviat to establish such a unique learning facility.
We are well on the way to design and construction of Piqqusilirivvik in Clyde River and we are now developing the programs that will be offered there and in the two satellite communities of Baker Lake and Igloolik.
Mr. Speaker, my staff have prepared the Piqqusilirivvik Status Report, which I will be tabling later today, to inform us all on the developments to date, the values and the goals of this exciting new project, and to outline the direction of work in the coming years.
I would like to emphasize that we are working very closely with NTI on this project, and their participation and contributions to this process have been very constructive and helpful. Similarly, we have benefited from the contributions and the advice of a number of Inuit elders and youth from throughout Nunavut who believe very strongly in what we are creating.
In fact, my staff and I would like to thank all elders involved in this project to date. Without their commitment and vision, this project would not be moving forward.
Mr. Speaker, the Piqqusilirivvik Status Report marks an important step in the creation of this wonderful institution that will be so important to the continued support and preservation of those values, skills and knowledge that are so essential for Inuit.
If there are none left, we’ll move on. Members, for your information, we have two Members from Cambridge Bay and Akulliq who will be arriving a little later on today, and the Member for Baker Lake, due to his constituency work, will be coming in on Thursday.
Member’s Statement 357 – 2(4): Search and Rescue at Sanikiluaq (Kattuk)
I send my regards to my family and the people of Sanikiluaq.
This is something that I don’t want to mention in the House but I do have to make an announcement.