EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We are supported in this effort by the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), and the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB), to whom we are greatly appreciative.
Consultations and meetings to gather input from fisheries stakeholders and communities throughout the territory are well underway.
The renewal process includes extensive regional and community consultations, as well as questionnaires and focused interviews and workshops with key stakeholders.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to sharing the completed strategy with the legislature during our fall session.
Minister Monica Ell.
Minister’s Statement 004 – 4(2): Nunavut Celebrates National Nursing Week May 12 to 18, 2014 (Ell)
I ask my colleagues to join me in giving recognition and thanks to our Nunavut nurses in celebration of the National Nursing Week.
We are proud of our nurses and the professionalism they bring to our health care service.
I thank our nurses for their care, compassion, and commitment to all Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, we celebrate International Nurses Day each year on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, a true nursing pioneer.
Florence Nightingale was born in 1820 and is considered the founder of modern nursing.
This year, the International Council of Nurses chose as its theme Nurses: A Force for Change – A Vital Resource for Health.
Nursing in our rural and remote territory is often challenging work. Our nurses work long hours and make many sacrifices to better serve Nunavummiut.
Their contribution to our hospital, health centres, health facilities, and communities are on display each and every day.
Mr. Speaker, Nursing Week reminds us of the devotion of our frontline health care professionals.
At this time of year, we pay tribute to our nurses, the Florence Nightingales in our territory, and offer a sincere thank you for a job well done.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Premier Taptuna.
Minister’s Statement 005 – 4(2): Nunavut at 15 (Taptuna)
Fifteen years ago today, on April 1, 1999, Nunavut officially became a territory and the Government of Nunavut was created.
That is why this year, we are celebrating Nunavut’s 15th birthday.
I am proud of what we have accomplished and excited about our future as we step forward together.
Since 1999, Nunavut has made a global impression. Our traditions, environment, and way of life have become well known around the world. We have shown ourselves to be dynamic and innovative, using our culture to navigate a modern, global reality.
Mr. Speaker, to celebrate this milestone, our government launched the Nunavut at 15 contest on April 1, 2014.
Nunavummiut are encouraged to tell us how they are celebrating Nunavut’s 15th birthday for a chance to win an iPad, iPod, or a box of country food.
Answers can be submitted in an essay or story, photos, video or musical performance in any of Nunavut’s official languages.
Nunavummiut can get complete rules and details on the Government of Nunavut Facebook page or on our website, www.gov.nu.ca.
The winners will be announced at the Nunavut Day celebration in Iqaluit on July 9 of this year.
Mr. Speaker, I remember the work of those who fought to create our territory. Their dreams and passion created Nunavut. Their challenges and the obstacles they faced seemed overwhelming, but their resolve to achieve common goals pushed them forward.
The Government of Nunavut has laid out steps to overcome those obstacles and grow together as a territory in Sivumut Abluqta.
I am confident that our shared passion and drive will inspire success for many years and milestones to come.
Member’s Statement 012 – 4(2): Successful Meeting with Senate Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources (Angnakak)
Ms. Angnakak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Welcome, everyone. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to inform the House about the recent meeting I had with members of the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources.
Mr. Speaker, as you will be aware, the Senate committee travelled to Iqaluit earlier this month as part of its study on renewable and non-renewable energy development in the three territories.
Mr. Speaker, my meeting with the committee provided an opportunity to raise a number of issues of concern to Iqaluit with respect to energy and the environment.
Mr. Speaker, as the House is very much aware, I am a strong proponent of initiatives to address the solid waste management crisis in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, during our recent winter sitting, many questions were asked in this House about such issues as the extent to which communities in Nunavut are able to meet the terms and conditions of their water licences.
This week’s fire at Iqaluit’s landfill provides yet more evidence that action is urgently needed to provide modern waste management infrastructure in the capital.
Even as we speak, residents of this city are deeply concerned about the risk to human health and the environment that results from incidents of this nature.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to express my support for the leadership of Iqaluit’s City Council in working towards solutions in this area.
Mr. Speaker, it’s no secret that the cost of addressing Nunavut’s infrastructure deficit will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. However, the cost of doing nothing is unaffordable.
Mr. Speaker, I took the opportunity when meeting with the Senate committee to strongly emphasize the responsibilities of the national government in this area. I also took the opportunity to speak in favour of such initiatives as recycling and renewable energy, including hydroelectric development.
Mr. Speaker, I want to conclude by taking this opportunity to express my appreciation to Sen. Patterson and his colleagues for their important work. I look forward to reviewing the findings of the Senate committee. I also look forward to continuing to speak out on the issues that I have addressed today.
Member’s Statement 013 – 4(2): Recent Birth of Daughter Pittaaluk Joanasie (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Good day, my fellow MLAs.
I send my regards to the people watching the televised proceedings and listening to the radio broadcast.
Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to rise today to celebrate the birth of my new daughter.
Mr. Speaker, our daughter, Roberta Pittaaluk Sitaaralaaq Kuuttiq Joanasie, was born at the Qikiqtani General Hospital last month on April 24, 2014. She weighed 8 lbs. and 8 oz. and has already grown considerably since her birth.
Mr. Speaker, I thank our family and friends who helped us through this wonderful event. I would also like to thank all of the staff at the hospital who attended to the labour, notably Dr. Patricia DeMaio. We appreciate the care and comfort they gave us throughout the entire process.
Mr. Speaker, in following Inuit cultural naming practices, Pittaaluk is named after people within our lives who have passed away.
This practice connects us and her to respect and honour our family name history while creating a foundation and bringing light to our future.
Mr. Speaker, many young Nunavummiut have celebrated similar occasions in their family. Reflecting on my daughter’s arrival in the 15th year of Nunavut’s existence, I would like to say that government and society supports young families in building a strong foundation for them to live in healthy communities.
Mr. Speaker, I’m almost done.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, my colleagues. I’m probably too happy now to say much more.
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, please share in my celebration of a new family member in addition to our growing territory.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Pittaaluk, welcome.
Members’ Statements. Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes
Member’s Statement 014 – 4(2): Tribute to Iqaluit First Responders (Hickes)
I rise today to pay tribute to Iqaluit’s first responders. Mr. Speaker, the many hours that have been put in this week by many people to respond to the current emergency at the Iqaluit landfill that the member next to me brought up a little bit earlier reminds us of the importance of our emergency response system.
Mr. Speaker, many residents of the city work or volunteer in the areas of emergency response.
Although the work of our firefighters, police, EMTs, and search and rescue volunteers is extremely visible, there are many others who also deserve our recognition and appreciation.
When Iqaluit was hit with high winds this winter that approached hurricane velocity, frontline crews of the Qulliq Energy Corporation worked through the night in very dangerous conditions to restore power as quickly as possible.  Mr. Speaker, when this week’s incident at the landfill occurred, municipal service crews were pulled off their normal runs to assist in fighting the fire.
Mr. Speaker, although our capital city is growing by the day, there is still a strong sense of community that makes me very proud to represent one of Iqaluit’s four constituencies.
Mr. Speaker, with respect to this week’s incident, it is important to recognize that the issues surrounding waste management are complex, and it is important to recognize that there are legitimate differences of opinion among experts as to the best way forward.
However, I want to express my support for all of the people who have been working very hard this week to deal with this difficult situation.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in paying tribute to first responders in Iqaluit.
Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak.
Member’s Statement 015 – 4(2): Access to Photo Identification (Mikkungwak)
First of all, I wish the people of Baker Lake a good day.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the need to ensure that Nunavummiut have timely access to general identification cards, driver’s licences, and other basic services from the government.
Mr. Speaker, a number of my colleagues have raised concerns in the Legislative Assembly regarding the length of time that it can take to obtain general identification cards and driver’s licences.
Other members have addressed such issues as the need for our communities to have the necessary equipment with which to take photographs that can be used to apply for passports and other types of identification.
Mr. Speaker, although we live in communities where few of us are strangers to each other, we also live in an age where the need for access to photo identification has never been greater.
Mr. Speaker, we all know that photo identification is already needed to board an airplane in most parts of the country, and we know that the trend in other areas, including photo identification requirements for voters in federal elections, is becoming more stringent.
Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to his statement. Are there any nays?
(interpretation) There are none. Please proceed.
Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, although our government’s GLO positions have been working with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation to improve services to Nunavummiut, some communities still do not have a GLO in place.
This is an issue that I will be raising with the appropriate minister during our sitting, in addition to the issue of how the government’s system for issuing general identification cards and driver’s licences can be improved. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 016 – 4(2): Annual Fishing Derby in Igloolik (Quassa)
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good day” to my constituents in the Aggu Riding.
This time of the year, there’s a lot of fishing and fishing derbies going on all across Nunavut. There are many who have won prizes in these fishing derbies and I’m proud of those people.
It’s a lot of fun to fish and fosters family relationships when people go fishing together.
Even though the fishing derbies are competitive, they helps strengthen relationships within and between families to be happy and have a good time together.
I just want to celebrate with the people who won in Igloolik and that is why I’m mentioning them today, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 017 – 4(2): Recent Municipal Elections in Riding (Mapsalak)
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to say “good day” to the people of Repulse Bay and Coral Harbour. I think I’m the only one in the House who is nicely tanned.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about an election that took place for mayor in the two communities that I represent and share this with my fellow MLAs here.
Elected for mayor of Coral Harbour were Willie Nakoolak and Soloman Maliki for Repulse Bay. They didn’t have a mayor for awhile. I’m also pleased to say that I’ll be able to work closely with them.
Not too long from now, I’ll be visiting Coral Harbour. I couldn’t go previously due to problems with the airplane, so I would like to tell the people of Coral Harbour that I will be visiting them after this sitting is over.
I would like my colleagues in joining me to celebrate the newly elected mayors in my constituency.
Member’s Statement 018 – 4(2): Congratulations to Phoebe Neeveacheak (Ugyuk)
I would like to welcome our new baby. He was talking about how babies are precious; newborns are precious.
I would like all of the people of Nunavut to have a good day. It’s a beautiful spring day. People will start to prepare the food that they will be gathering for the coming winter during the next summer months.
I also say “good day” to the people of Netsilik.
At the beginning of this month in Taloyoak at the Netsilik School, there were some student achievement awards ceremonies. An individual was recognized for coming back to school. The student who was named after my father was recognized and her name is Phoebe Neeveacheak.
She just came back to the school to encourage her fellow community members to keep going to school.
Teacher Nick Newberry started this initiative to improve something.
We’re very proud as a family. My mother and relatives are very grateful for that.
I would like the award recipient, Phoebe Neeveacheak, to have a good future and best wished in completing her education.
Member’s Statement 019 – 4(2): Recent Volleyball Tournament in Iqaluit (Enook)
Good afternoon, people of Pond Inlet and fellow Nunavummiut.
I would like to express my pride in the teams that went to go compete at a recent sports event.
Before I do that, I want to say that my very good friend, Brian Dialla, is celebrating a birthday today and I want him to have a very good day. He is seven years old today.
From May 9 to 11, there were soccer and volleyball tournaments. The teams came from different communities and Pond Inlet was included.
In the juniors, Pangnirtung won and I would like to express my pride to them. The Pond Inlet team got the silver and I’m proud of them as well.
Whenever our youth are involved in activities and recreational events, I’m very proud of them. I want to always support them and for them to always be supported. I’m glad to say that I’m grateful to our government’s Sport North department for their assistance.
I would like to mention the names of the team members from Pond Inlet.
In the juniors, Siglu Kublu, Steven Innuaraq, Peter Inootik, Jassie Simonee, Simon Kovik Inootik, Adam Ootoova, and Robert Aglak.
I also thank the coach, Norman Inootik. I thank all of the people who support our youth when they go to these competitions.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to especially express my pride to three participants, Jassie Simonee, Peter Inootik, and Simon Kovik Inootik, for their selection to attend the North American Indigenous Games in soccer, which will be in Regina. I would like to express my pride in them.
Member’s Statement 020 – 4(2): The Importance of Recycling (Okalik)
It’s great to be back here again.
As people from Iqaluit, we always try to think about how we can help others. We hear that our dump fire is going to be burning for a while.
The garbage collectors will only be picking up our garbage once a week, so we have to try and help them as well.
Try not to use too much plastic wherever possible. There is recycling for cans, tins, and pop cans.
The money raised by these recycling plants goes for daycares. Please utilize them more. I encourage people who go south to try and bring down recyclable plastics when they go south so that it lessens the amount of garbage that is in our environment.
I encourage you to look for other ways to support our environment. We have to do our part to help our community so that our environment won’t be so badly damaged.
That’s what I wanted to say to my fellow MLAs here and to fellow community members.
Member’s Statement 021 – 4(2): Fundraising for Cancer Research (Ell)
I say “good afternoon” to the people of Iqaluit-Manirajak and Nunavut.
You can all see us on TV, so I’ll tell a story. I’ll tell you why I have a brush cut, as you can see.
On April 25, Edna Elias and other people asked for volunteer who wanted to have their hair cut in my constituency in order to try and raise funds for their cancer awareness campaign. We did so to raise funds for that. Many people were involved and it was great.
Once it was my turn, $1,800 was bid by the people who wanted to cut my hair. The person who bid the highest was given the honour to cut my hair and that’s how much that person paid to cut my hair.
My colleague, Keith Peterson, was there as well and he went through that too. Also, Iqaluit Mayor John Graham, CBC personality Joanne Awa, and Hunter Tootoo, who is the previous chairman of the finance board, had a brush cut as well.
A lot of people had their hair cut and raised over $31,000 that would be donated to the cancer awareness campaign in the struggle to fight that terrible illness.
I’m grateful to the people who were able to go on the walk, although not many people took part.
The people walked from Whale Cove to Rankin Inlet from May 1 to 3 to raise funds for cancer awareness.
I express my appreciation to Susan Ball, Bernadette Dean, who is my cousin, and Jesse Mike. I thank those three people for doing that walk.
Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) Mr. Clerk.
Return to Oral Question 079 – 4(1): High School Trades Pilot Program (Clerk)
Return to Oral Question 120 – 4(1): Helping Low-income Families Meet High Cost of Living (Clerk)
Return to Oral Question 121 – 4(1): Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund (Clerk)
I am tabling the responses to questions taken at notice during the First Session of the Fourth Assembly.
*See Appendix for full text of Returns to Oral Questions 79 – 4(1), 120 – 4(1), and 121 – 4(1) filed with the Clerk.
Question numbers are 79, 120, and 121.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Item 5.
I would like to recognize my wife, Emily Joanasie, and our daughter Pittaaluk Joanasie, who are in the Gallery.
No one else has their hand up. Thank you.
I would like to recognize everyone who is in the Gallery.
Item 5 is completed.
We will then move on to Item 6.
Question 010 – 4(2): Status of Iqaluit Hydroelectric Development (Angnakak)
The 2013-14 corporate business plan of QEC indicates that it has been “actively seeking funding for hydroelectric development in Iqaluit.
Initial studies indicate that the Jaynes Inlet and Armshow South sites have potential, but require in-depth feasibility studies to help determine the overall socioeconomic and environmental viability of the development.”
Can the minister update the House today on what progress the Qulliq Energy Corporation has made in this area?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Okalik.
I cannot give you an update on what is happening in this area, but it will be quite expensive and we will not be able to do it alone as a government. We are currently looking at who we can partner up with to work on this project.
We are talking to mining companies and other entities out there regarding hydroelectric development near Iqaluit.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Paul, for your answer.
As I noted in my Member’s Statement today, hydroelectric development was one of the issues that I raised with the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources on the occasion of its visit to Iqaluit earlier this month.
As we are all aware, the new Iqaluit airport is being undertaken as a P3 project with significant support from the federal government.
Can the minister describe what efforts are being made by the government and the Qulliq Energy Corporation to obtain federal support for hydroelectric development in the vicinity of Iqaluit?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Hon. Minister Okalik.
We are currently looking at other companies that can help us.
For example, I have been in dialogue with a mining company and I have also had meetings with various organizations from here in Iqaluit.
I cannot give you an update on what’s happening on this project, but we will keep looking at it and see what we can do about it.
Question 011 – 4(2): Minimum Wage Rate in Nunavut (Hickes)
As the minister will recall, I asked him questions during our recent winter sitting concerning the minimum wage in Nunavut.
As the minister is aware, his department is required under the Labour Standards Act to review the minimum wage on an annual basis.
At our last sitting, I pointed out that Nunavut’s minimum wage of $11 per hour has not increased since 2011.
Can the minister update the House today on whether Nunavut’s minimum wage will be increasing this year?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister of Justice, Hon. Minister Okalik.
I am required by law to table the annual report in the House and once I do, we will have a look at that and start the process from there. We will look and see if we will be able to increase the minimum wage in Nunavut from then on.
The Minister of Justice also has responsibility for the immigration portfolio.
As the minister will be aware, concerns have been raised recently about the use of the federal government’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program in Nunavut, and the Northern Territories Federation of Labour has expressed concerns that Nunavut’s minimum wage is simply too low.
What is our government’s position on the use of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program by employers in Nunavut?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister of Justice, the Hon. Minister Okalik.
The federal minister is responsible for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. I will be discussing this issue with the federal minister on how to improve this program, although we are not very much affected by it at this time.
What we usually do is place a priority on hiring Nunavummiut. We also are encouraging the employers out there to hire Nunavummiut on a priority basis.
As I noted in the preamble to my question, the minister’s department is required under the Labour Standards Act to review the minimum wage on an annual basis.
However, the department has not produced an annual report on this issue since 2012.
When I raised this matter in our March sitting, the minister indicated that the report was not yet ready.
Will the minister commit to tabling this report before the end of our current spring sitting?
Speaker: Minister of Justice, the Hon. Minister Okalik.
Question 012 – 4(2): Status of New Cape Dorset Power Plant (Joanasie)
As the minister will recall, I asked questions during our recent winter sitting concerning the urgent need to address Cape Dorset’s aging power plant.
At that time, I noted that although QEC’s application to replace the power plant was approved in June of 2011, the corporation has been “unable to secure an appropriate site to construct a new facility.”
Can the minister update the House today on what progress has been made in resolving this issue?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, the Hon. Minister Okalik.