EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
However, the department cannot compel a young person to use services that are currently available.
The amendments proposed in Bill 19 give the legislative authority to the Department of Health and Social Services to provide support services for youth who are found to be in need of assistance or protection. For example, youth need to go to school and have good meals.
Where necessary to protect a young person, the department will be able to apply to the court for a custody order to ensure that appropriate services can be delivered.
Bill 19 is well aligned with the goals of Tamapta to help those most at risk in our communities and it remedies the deficiencies noted in the court decision.
Mr. Chairman, I believe that in the near future, we will find a more comprehensive solution.
It is my hope that by shifting the approach we take in dealing with family problems and by using the strength of our culture, our children will live in environments that are safer and healthier.
These long-term improvements will be the subject of the full Act review over the next two years.
I look forward to your support and I welcome questions from the members.
Hon. Tagak Curley: Yes, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister Curley, please introduce your witnesses.
To my right is Monty Kehler and he is on the strategic area. To my left is our legal counsel from the Department of Justice and she has been working on this legislation.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Curley. (interpretation) Who did you say the person on your left was?
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): To my left is Anne Macintosh, Legal Counsel from the Department of Justice.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Curley. (interpretation ends) Does the Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation have comments?
As the Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, I am pleased to make some brief opening comments as we begin consideration of Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act.
The standing committee recognizes that this bill has been introduced in order to fulfill requirements imposed by the Nunavut Court of Justice in the 2006 decision of the court.
Members support the principle of the bill which is to ensure that individuals who are over the age of 16 but who have not yet reached the age of 19 enjoy equal protection and services under the Act.
It is crucial that no one falls through the cracks when it comes to such services.
Mr. Chairman, all Members of the Legislative Assembly have committed to ensuring that a new Child and Family Services Act is introduced during our term of office.
During the minister’s appearance before the standing committee, members stressed that the importance of ensuring that the new legislation takes into full account Inuit societal and cultural values in areas of child rearing and family relationships.
The standing committee recommends the passage of Bill 19 to all members.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Okalik. (interpretation ends) Are there any general comments?
I have no names for general comments.
We will now proceed to the clause-by-clause review of the bill starting with page 1. Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act.
Chairman: Does the committee agree to Bill 19 as a whole?
Chairman: Do members agree that pursuant to Rule 62(2) that Bill 19 can immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): Thank you. That was very fast.
I would like to thank each and every one of you. I understood the chair’s opening comments. I would like to thank Monty, on my right, and on my left, Anne.
Thank you for passing this bill.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Curley and your officials.
(interpretation ends) What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Chairman: There is a motion on the floor and it’s not debatable.
Those abstained.
The motion is carried. (interpretation) Thank you.
Mr. Ningeongan: Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bills 12, 18, and 19 and would like to report that Bills 12, 18, and 19 are immediately ready for third reading.
Bill 03 – Western Canada Lottery Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 3, Western Canada Lottery Act, be read third time.
Bill 3 has had third reading and is ready for assent.
Bill 12 – Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Protection Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Kugluktuk, that Bill 12, the Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Protection Act, be read for the third time.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Kusugak.
The motion is carried. Bill 12 has had third reading and is ready for assent.
Bill 11 – The Order of Nunavut Act – Third Reading
I forgot to thank Alex Baldwin for working very hard on behalf of this.
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Hudson Bay, that Bill 11, The Order of Nunavut Act, be read for the third time.
The motion is carried. Bill 11 has had third reading and is ready for assent.
Bill 13 – An Act to Amend the Retirement Plan Beneficiaries Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit Centre, that Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Retirement Plan Beneficiaries Act, be read for the third time.
The motion is carried. Bill 13 has had third reading and is ready for assent.
Bill 18 – Language Statutes Amendment Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit East, that Bill 18, Language Statutes Amendment Act, be read for the third time.
The motion is carried. Bill 18 has third reading and is ready for assent.
Bill 19 – An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit East, that Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act, be read for the third time.
To motion.
All those in favour of the motion, raise your hand. Opposed.
The motion is carried. Bill 19 has had third reading and is ready for assent.
Before we go to Orders of the Day, Clerk, could you ascertain if the Commissioner of Nunavut is ready to enter the Chambers.
Bill 03 – Western Canada Lottery Act – Assent
Bill 06 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 5, 2007-2008 – Assent
Bill 07 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2008-2009 – Assent
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2010-2011 – Assent
Bill 09 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2009-2010 – Assent
Bill 10 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2009-2010 – Assent
Bill 11 – The Order of Nunavut Act – Assent
Bill 12 – Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Protection Act – Assent
Bill 13 – An Act to Amend the Retirement Plan Beneficiaries Act – Assent
Bill 18 – Language Statutes Amendment Act – Assent
Bill 19 – An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act – Assent
As Commissioner of Nunavut, I hereby give assent to the following bills:
Bill 3, Western Canada Lottery Act
Bill 6, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 5, 2007-2008
Bill 7, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2008-2009
Bill 8, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2010-2011
Bill 9, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2009-2010
Bill 10, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2009-2010
Bill 11, The Order of Nunavut Act
Bill 12, Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Protection Act
Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Retirement Plan Beneficiaries Act
Bill 18, Language Statutes Amendment Act
Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act
That ends the formal aspect of the assent of these bills.
On a personal note, I wish to extend, on behalf of my husband, our children, our relatives and our son-in-laws, including our grandchildren, a very merry Christmas to all of the members here as well as to all of their relatives who are currently awaiting their return home.
I extend a holiday greeting to all Nunavummiut. Merry Christmas to one and all!
We now have several more enacted pieces of legislation.
Item 22. (interpretation ends) Orders of the Day.
Clerk (Mr. Quirke): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Orders of the Day for March 4, 2010:
Prior to our conclusion of this session, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a merry Christmas and to express our wishes for a safe trip to your home community. We hope that you will have a very pleasant and safe holiday with your families and community residents.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express our holiday greetings to our staff, our interpreters, our partners through legal agreements, along with our pages, especially our Sergeant-at-Arms.
Indeed, for many members here, we have made agreements with our partners and spouses to ensure that our families are cared for while we conduct our legal work.
I, too, have made that arrangement and would like to acknowledge my wife, who is sitting in the Gallery, for her support.
Actually, I want all Nunavummiut to have a safe and joyous holiday during the Christmas season. I wish to remind one and all that Christmas is about celebrating family and health, so I hope that everyone will have a healthy and enjoyable season.
During the first few days of this current session, one of my grandchildren, one out of many grandchildren to tell you the truth, a two-year-old girl apparently made a comment, “I am ecstatic to be alive.”
When one strives to enjoy life to the fullest, as evidenced by the comment of this two-year-old, then we all can make that statement, especially us older people, including our elders, youth, and children.
We can all make a truthful statement about the fact that we are glad to be among the living. If you say it once, you can say on the morrow and if you are enjoying life to the fullest, then one ought to be proud of one’s life and to celebrate the occasion with the mentality.
Further, I would like to extend my holiday greetings to all Nunavummiut. Since we only comprise about 32,000 individuals here in Nunavut, to each and everyone of these 32,000 plus Nunavummiut, I am glad that I am alive along with each of you here in our wondrous territory of Nunavut.
With the travel arrangements made for our return home, I wish each of you a very happy New Year, Nunavummiut.
This House stands adjourned until Thursday, March 4, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. Thank you to each and every one of you.
>>House adjourned at 16:47
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Pages 1106 – 1139
Michael Chandler
Opening Prayer 1106
Ministers’ Statements 1106
Members’ Statements 1109
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1114
Oral Questions 1114
Written Questions 1131
Returns to Written Questions 1135
Petitions 1135
Tabling of Documents 1135
Notices of Motions 1137
Motions 1137
Orders of the Day 1138
Thursday, March 4, 2010 1106
088 – 3(2): Relocation of Pangnirtung Medical Travel Office to Iqaluit (Curley) 1106
089 – 3(2): Nunavut’s Participation in the Northern Lights 2010 Tradeshow (Taptuna) 1107
090 – 3(2): US Proposal to Uplist Polar Bears under CITES (Shewchuk) 1108
091 – 3(2): 2010 Arctic Winter Games (Tapardjuk) 1108
137 – 3(2): Resignation of Enuk Pauloosie and Nattilik Constituents (Okalik) 1109
138 – 3(2): Support Success in Sport (Schell) 1109
139 – 3(2): Petition for a Safe House in Kugaaruk (Ningark) 1110
140 – 3(2): Good Luck to AWG Athletes from Arctic Bay (Elliott) 1111
141 – 3(2): New Health Centre in Pangnirtung (Komoartok) 1111
142 – 3(2): Simon Koomak Participating in Paralympics (Shewchuk) 1112
143 – 3(2): Avataq Hockey Tournament in Rankin Inlet (Kusugak) 1113
203 – 3(2): Nunavut Liquor Commission Sale of European Union Products (Schell) 1114
204 – 3(2): Teaching Positions Created by New Education Act (Ningark) 1115
205 – 3(2): Minimum Wage in Nunavut (Rumbolt) 1116
206 – 3(2): New Health Centre in Pangnirtung (Rumbolt) 1117
207 – 3(2): Status of Federal Funding Announcement for Community Bridges and Roads (Elliott) 1118
208 – 3(2): Utility Rates Review Council Consideration of Qulliq Energy Corporation’s Capital Projects (Okalik) 1120
209 – 3(2): Adequate Housing for Education Staff (Ningark) 1121
210 – 3(2): Electrical Inspector for Kivalliq Region (Ningeongan) 1123
211 – 3(2): New Corporate Office Building for the Qulliq Energy Corporation (Okalik) 1124
212 – 3(2): Problems with Sanikiluaq District Education Authority (Elliott) 1126
213 – 3(2): Pangnirtung Staff of Medical Travel Office (Komoartok) 1128
214 – 3(2): Banning European Union Liquor Products (Schell) 1130
215 – 3(2): Minister’s Task Force on Nunavut Liquor Act (Okalik) 1130
003 – 3(2): Annual Fuel Purchases by the Government of Nunavut (Rumbolt) 1131
004 – 3(2): Government of Nunavut Response to Resolutions Adopted at the 2009 Annual General Meeting of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities (Schell) 1132
005 – 3(2): Ministerial Travel (Okalik) 1132
006 – 3(2): Status of the Implementation of the Nunavut Housing Trust Delivery Strategy (Komoartok) 1133
007 – 3(2): Enforcement of the Wildlife Act (Ningeongan) 1133
008 – 3(2): Correctional Facilities, Recidivism Rates and Rehabilitation Programs (Elliott) 1133
009 – 3(2): Activities of the Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board (Ningark) 1135
Return to Written Question 002 – 3(2): Graduation Standards Across Nunavut (Clerk) 1135
003 – 3(2): Petition for a Safe House in Kugaaruk (Ningark) 1135
105 – 3(2): Mould Problems Closes Minto Mine Bunkhouses (Okalik) 1135
106 – 3(2): 2009 Tobacco Control Act Annual Report (Curley) 1136
107 – 3(2): 2008-2009 Annual Report on the Operation of the Medical Care Plan (Curley) 1136
108 – 3(2): Correspondence to the Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, Minister Responsible for the North (Okalik) 1136
109 – 3(2): Correspondence to the Hon. Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment (Okalik) 1136
110 – 3(2): Returns to Oral Questions 199 – 3(2), 200 – 3(2), and 202 – 3(2) (Clerk) 1136
015 – 3(2): Appointment of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut – Notice (Schell) 1137
015 – 3(2): Appointment of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut (Schell) 1137
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Honourable Tagak Curley, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Adamee Komoartok, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Paul Okalik, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (Hon. James Arreak) (interpretation): Before we proceed, I would like to ask Mr. Ningeongan to say the opening prayer.
A very good afternoon, Premier, Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and all Nunavummiut.
Going to our orders of the day.
Minister’s Statement 088 – 3(2): Relocation of Pangnirtung Medical Travel Office to Iqaluit (Curley)
I am very pleased today and wish to welcome the people in my community who are going to be watching the proceedings. If they have any questions, they should feel free to call my constituency office in Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the Department of Health and Social Services is committed to providing the most efficient and cost-effective access to medical travel support that we can.
Medical travel services for Qikiqtaaluk residents travelling to Iqaluit for treatment have been provided through the Pangnirtung Regional Medical Travel Services Office since 2006.
However, providing these services from this location has presented a number of challenges over the years and has been a recurring issue raised in the legislature.
Despite various efforts to address issues of technology, communication, and logistics, we continue to receive complaints.
Mr. Speaker, last summer, my department undertook a review of the medical travel file by visiting all of the communities and also held discussions with all of the mayors with regard to the challenges posed by having the medical travel office based out of Pangnirtung. We requested their opinions about this issue and this was sent to all the mayors in Baffin.
Community leaders and medical travel clients in 11 Baffin communities we consulted strongly supported an improvement in the effectiveness of the medical travel office, which they conveyed to the staff we had consulting the communities, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to state that our department has listened to the concerns expressed by our residents, which included my colleagues in the cabinet who agreed to the recommendation to change the venue out of which the medical travel warrants are issued.
This decision supports greater management and accountability and will allow us to provide better travel support services.
Mr. Speaker, please note that our department is working closely with the Department of Human Resources, my colleague Mr. Shewchuk’s department, to ensure a smooth transition for the three affected individuals in Pangnirtung.
Qikiqtaaluk residents should be aware that the relocation of these services is expected to be completed by April 1, 2010.
Minister’s Statement 089 – 3(2): Nunavut’s Participation in the Northern Lights 2010 Tradeshow (Taptuna)
Hon. Peter Taptuna (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Good afternoon to everybody, Nunavummiut, and my colleagues across there.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to update the Members of this House on the government’s participation in the Northern Lights Tradeshow and Exhibition that was held last month in Montreal.
This event occurs every two years and is a joint effort between the Baffin Regional and Labrador North chambers of commerce.
Northern Lights 2010 in Montreal follows on the successful initial Northern Lights event held in Ottawa in 2008.
The Northern Lights event provides a business, economic development, and cultural showcase of Nunavut, Nunavik, Labrador, and Nunatsiavut.
The event consists of conference sessions, cultural events, and a trade show delivering an excellent opportunity for businesses and the general public to get to know the north.
Mr. Speaker, Northern Lights 2010 was a great success with over 800 exhibitors and delegates with 300 organizations and businesses represented.
A highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Authentic Nunavut brand for promoting art to the south.
Northern Lights provided audiences from outside of Nunavut a tremendous opportunity to experience something of the strength and creativity of our people and our communities.
This event showcased our business capacity, cultural industries, tourism, and resources to potential partners and investors.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the ongoing economic development and business benefits for Nunavummiut that follow from this and future Northern Lights events.
Minister’s Statement 090 – 3(2): US Proposal to Uplist Polar Bears under CITES (Shewchuk)
I am pleased to inform you that the Department of Environment will be part of the Canadian delegation to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Conference of Parties 15 meeting in Doha, Qatar this month.
In collaboration with Environment Canada, other Canadian jurisdictions, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), we will strongly be opposing the recommendation of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to uplist the polar bears from CITES Appendix II to Appendix I, endangered species.
This proposed up-listing would effectively end the export of polar bear hides, trophies, and products from Canada. This would cripple the polar bear sport hunt industry in Nunavut and cause significant impact to many Nunavutmiut participating in this sustainable harvest.
It would also significantly impact the benefits Inuit are able to derive from the sale of hides and other products while providing no conservation benefit or even a change in the number of bears harvested.
We have the full support of the Canadian government and our co-management partners, and hope to convince the other nations that are party to CITES that polar bears do not belong on Appendix I of CITES.
Representing the Department of Environment on the Canadian delegation will be Deputy Minister Simon Awa and Director of Wildlife Drikus Gissing.
Minister’s Statement 091 – 3(2): 2010 Arctic Winter Games (Tapardjuk)
Welcome all to Iqaluit.
I am very pleased to see that everybody is able to make it here. My Annuraaqatik, Mr. Speaker, I’m sure you will do very well at your job.
Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Winter Games are a high profile circumpolar sport competition for northern athletes.
These games provide an opportunity to strengthen our sport development, to promote the benefit of sport, to build partnerships and new friendships, and to promote our culture and values.
The games celebrate sport, social exchange, and the cultures of the circumpolar world. The games provide an opportunity for Nunavut’s athletes to compete in friendly competitions while sharing cultural values from northern regions around the world.
The 21st Arctic Winter Games will be celebrated in Grande Prairie, Alberta from March 6 to 13, 2010.
The games will provide a great opportunity for approximately 227 athletes and cultural performers, 37 coaches, and 14 mission staff from across Nunavut to interact with other youth from across the arctic world for a week beginning on March 6.
At this time, I would like to introduce to the House this year’s Arctic Winter Games “look” as modelled by Amber Eleehetook, if you would please stand up, she is from Gjoa Haven, Brittany Masson of Iqaluit, and Stephane Angotialuk of Repulse Bay, who will be representing Nunavut in volleyball at the games.
Mr. Speaker, these are the uniforms that Team Nunavut will be wearing during the 2010 Arctic Winter Games. I also would like my colleagues to view the pin sets that our participants will be exchanging with the other contingents and spectators at the games.
Colleagues, I ask that you join me in wishing all participants good luck in their sporting and to take as many ulus as they can.
I would like to thank all of the staff and volunteers that help make these events happen across Nunavut and especially to make sure that they enjoy the games.
We are extremely pleased with the athletes and other participants who will be attending the games.
Wait a moment. (interpretation ends) Member for Iqaluit West, Mr. Okalik.
Member’s Statement 137 – 3(2): Resignation of Enuk Pauloosie and Nattilik Constituents (Okalik)
I would like to congratulate the Arctic Winter Games participants.
Colleagues, I thank you for being able to make it to Iqaluit and welcome all to my beautiful community.
We have just recently lost a member, who was representing Nattilik, and we are sorry that he has left the House, but we do wish him the best in the future and thank him for making a contribution to this House.
For the communities of Nattilik, Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak, I have talked to the members and I asked them to make sure that they voice their concerns through me. I want them to feel free to contact me if they would like any answers to their concerns.
My number is 975-5017 or 979-5807, and my fax number is 975-5112.
As an Inuk, my name is Paulusi, so I will be making my comments on his behalf.
Member’s Statement 138 – 3(2): Support Success in Sport (Schell)
I rise today to add my voice to those of the millions of other Canadians from coast to coast to coast who have been filled with pride by the performance of our athletes at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate not only our record-setting 14 gold medalists, but also our silver and bronze medallists, as well as every single athlete who made our country proud by participating to the best of their ability.
Mr. Speaker, in a couple of days, our Nunavut athletes will be heading off to Grande Prairie to represent us at the 2010 Arctic Winter Games.
They will be competing in hockey, soccer, Inuit games, basketball, speed skating, and many other sports.
I wish them all the best of luck. For some of them, this activity may even be a stepping stone to other opportunities. They may go on to compete at the Canada Games and perhaps even the Olympics.
Mr. Speaker, in my mind, our young athletes have already achieved a major success.
They have focused their energy, disciplined their minds and bodies, and developed the will to participate, perform, and succeed.