EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I think that we’ll be able to resolve some of the problems that are being encountered by the smaller communities and Nunavut in general.
I apologise for my lengthy comments.
Are you going to be producing another report on the successes and failures of these small businesses prior to this conference?
We’re going to work very hard and also look at the challenges that are experienced.
We do get a lot of calls and there are a lot of problems and challenges that are encountered not only by the Department of Sustainable Development.
There’s also the other policies and rules that are applied by other agencies or entities.
I would like to assure the member that we will look at it very carefully prior to that conference.
Supplementary. Final supplementary, Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Are you going to be looking at the policies, the rules and the criteria that are used and finding out which ones are creating problems or challenges to these small businesses when they are applying for grants, contributions and loans?
Yes we will, because there’s a lot of problems and challenges and we’re not just going to be listening.
We’re going to be looking at them and trying to resolve the problems.
We’ll look at the whole picture including the financial aspects of it in collaboration with Nunavut Tunngavik and the Federal Government.
Question 243 – 1(6): Correctional Facility for Kitikmeot
Mr. Speaker, when we were having our session in Pangnirtung, I asked some questions about the correctional centre that I want built in the Kitikmeot region.
I would like to ask the minister if the minister agreed to build that correctional centre in the Kitikmeot Region.
I would like a direct response.
As I stated in Pangnirtung, we’re going to be making plans this year and I can’t say where it’s going to be located prior to the planning stage but I did have a discussion with the Corrections Services.
We’re looking at possibly working together with the Federal Government and the Government of Nunavut to create a correctional facility.
We haven’t come to a final agreement yet, but we’re talking about working together with the Federal Government in establishing this correctional centre.
And I would like to thank the minister for his response.
It seems like it’s in the works which I’m very pleased about.
I don’t want to keep referring to the same issue but it’s something that is very important because of course we only have one correctional facility here in the whole of Nunavut.
The minister stated that it’s in the works but since we’ve been in Pangnirtung, I would like to ask the minister if he has had discussions on this issue with his colleagues and where they are at, at this point.
As I have stated earlier, we are going to work diligently on it.
We are trying to work together with the Federal Government.
We will keep lobbying the Federal Government until something concrete comes out.
That is one of our goals that we are going to aim for this year, and I do want to see some kind of progress on this issue.
We obviously need one and we do need a replacement, or an alternate facility.
The Baffin Correctional Centre is almost always at full capacity.
If we are going to work with the Federal Government it would be a big benefit to our Government.
We are working very hard on it and if we cannot come to an agreement with the Federal Government, then obviously, we are going to have to do it alone.
Mr. Speaker, I understand where the Minister is coming from.
Can the Minister estimate when the Corrections Division with the Federal Government and the Nunavut Government will conclude their negotiations?
And from the Minister’s words it seems that we are going to be seeing a Correctional Facility.
Are we looking at one year or two years before this Correctional Facility is established?
We would like to conclude it as soon as possible.
In this coming year, we will keep you up-to-date. I don’t know whether it is going to be one or two years, but we will keep you up-to-date.
We will keep lobbying the Federal Government and if we get an early response, then we will know sooner.
If we are going to work with the Federal Government, then we will have to decide on when this Correctional Facility will be established.
We will probably try and conclude at the end of the year.
The Federal and Nunavut Government’s Departments of Justice will be working together.
Of course we want to be kept up-to-date on the process.
The people of Nunavut are anxious to see the establishment of another Correctional Facility.
Could the Minister keep us up-to-date on the status of the negotiations and the timelines for the establishment of this Correctional Facility?
Can the Minister keep us up-to-date?
I will keep you up-to-date in the House and I will keep you up-to-date also outside of the sitting of the House.
Question 244 – 1(6): Aware of Principals’ Comments to DEAs on Bill 1
I would like to ask the Minister responsible for Education.
Perhaps if I could…when we had community consultations to deal with Bill 1, and we spoke with the District Education Authorities in the communities.
They stated to us that the school principals were telling the DEAs that they will have to change the way they operate, in terms of their authority.
Is that the knowledge of the minister?
I would like the member to clarify his question.
Maybe if he could repeat his question.
I guess we don’t really have to discuss Bill 1 at this time, but apparently the school principals are trying to follow the legislation in saying that the DEAs have less authority, that they can’t do this and they can’t do that.
Are you aware of this situation?
I don’t really want to say this prematurely but the member is asking me whether I have any knowledge of matter.
I have been informed about this situation, however I can only reply that the staff must adhere to law that is already in effect… they cannot use the legislation that is pending and not passed into law yet.
That is as far as I know.
Would the minister write to the District Education Authorities and say to them that the old rules of the Education Act still applies, and that they can not be told by their principals what their authority is now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: Thank you. Mr. Kilabuk.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The District Education Authorities in the communities, I had a meeting with them recently in the Kivalliq, Kitikmeot and Baffin regions.
I informed them about the regulations of the act and they recognize that before the law comes into effect, that they could talk to us and their authority is not changed, they still have their authority.
Question 245 – 1(6): Reclamation/Clean Up Plans for Nanisivik
My question is what has been planned to date in regards to the Nanisivik Mine clean up. What is the plan of the GN?
Perhaps if the Minister of Sustainable Development can respond to the question, he’s on his way to his seat.
Speaker: I would like the member to repeat the question for the minister’s benefit.
This is my first question.
My question to the Minister of Sustainable Development is in regards to Nanisivik, the old Nanisivik mine, in regards to the cleanup of that mine.
What is the plan of this government in regard to the cleanup of that Nanisivik mine?
In regards to the cleanup of the Nanisivik mine, the Nunavut Government will have to do a review of the cleanup that has to be done at the old Nanisivik mine and whoever does the cleanup will have to be working with my department.
I think it was last month I went up to Arctic Bay to start some discussions on the cleanup of that Nanisivik mine.
What they have to do is find out exactly how much cleanup there needs to be done and what has to be done.
And I’m pretty sure it will have to be planned by the people of Nanisivik or Arctic Bay and our government.
And we have to keep monitoring the cleanup.
What my question was, what plans are in place for the Nunavut Government for the cleanup of the mine?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): In regards to the question by the member, what we are doing at the time, is meeting with the federal government to find out how they will be working with us or if they can work with us because that old mine has to be cleaned up properly and we have to keep monitoring it as well.
So, after that is done, the plans will come in place by working with the community and the federal government and my department.
What we’re doing is we’re having a meeting in regards to what plans will be in place and we have to speak with the people of Arctic Bay as well in regards to the plans that will be in place for the cleanup of the Nanisivik mine.
Oral Questions supplementary.
I would like to get a clear response Mr. Speaker, yes I realized that it has be cleaned up, what kinds of plans do they have in place, does the government have in place right now.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Strathcona Mining Services, I think, ran the Nanisivik Mine.
At this time we will have to bring about what has to be cleaned up at first and they have to work with the government and find out which area has to be cleaned up.
And the Federal Government signed an agreement with the mine to for the plans that will be in place for the clean up of that mine.
But what the Government of Nunavut is going to do is to monitor the cleaning once it’s in process and if there was to be some more funding needed then the Government of Nunavut would step in and assist them for the cleaning up of that mine.
What we are going to do is, our government is going to do the monitoring while it is being cleaned up.
The Minister responded in part to my question.
Nanisivik and GRECO has already had talks about providing some funding for Nanisivik Mines, I just want to know what the government’s position is today.
This government will be in support of the clean up and to work with the people of Arctic Bay but what we want to do is assist them hands on and to make sure that it’s monitored throughout the whole clean up at that old Nanisivik Mine.
Question 246 – 1(6): Calculation of Rent Based on Gross or Net Income
Mr. Speaker my question is to the Minister responsible for Nunavut Housing Corporation and it relates to the Minister’s Statement made earlier today on the Tenant-to-Owner Program.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to ask the Minister to clarify. In his statement he indicated that effective September 1st that the mortgage payment calculations for the ACCESS program were based on 20% of household income rather than 30%. Is it correct, Mr. Speaker, that is 20% of net income as opposed to what was 30% of gross income used in calculating the rent?
Mr. Speaker, 20% of gross income less, and that is the key point, less the cost of operating a house. So in other words, their power bills, their operating and maintenance bills, heating bills, those payments, and a monthly payment for that commitment would be taken off those mortgage payments as well.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t think it’s going to cost a lot less than 20% if you take a look at those expenditures that the minister is talking about. Can the minister indicate to us where that 20% came from?
How did they come up with the 20% rather than 30%?
I know that the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation national standard is 30% and I’m just wondering how they came up with the 20%.
Mr. Speaker, consultation, like I said earlier, with all Housing Authorities, which recognizes the higher cost of operating in Nunavut and in consultation with the standing committees prior to implementing the program.
I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of people lining up to take part in the access housing program.
So it’s going to be beneficial for them to move into one of those types of units and purchase it rather trying to purchase one on the open market.
Mr. Speaker, my question for the minister is if 20% is going to be used in this case, of gross incomes less those expenses and calculating those payments, is that going to be the same standard across the board for all of the programs operated where a percentage of income towards rent is calculated and based on?
Will they be changing all the programs like the subsidy programs for employees, where if their rent is over 30% right now under the current program, they are eligible for a subsidy to bring it down to 30%?
Is this 20% going to fall into the same thing, so that in that program, that those people will be treated equally as the other people.
Mr. Speaker, I’ve announced on numerous occasions that the Housing Corporation is trying to be more consistent in applying the criteria for their programming.
And yes the 20% factor will be used, including as I’ve indicated in the past, that we’re working toward revising some of our staff housing rental policies for our employees that are currently in staff housing as well.
So, there is a move to bring some more consistency overall to the government’s treatment of income in relation to rent.
Mr. Speaker, I’m sure that there are a lot of people out there who are going to be happy to see that it’s going to be the 20%. But will these other payments, like the monthly mortgage costs, the additional costs, the operating costs of the unit, the utilities, any repairs and maintenance, insurance and taxes that may be required to be paid by a home owner, or a staff member in staff housing. Are those costs going to be subtracted from the 20% as well, the same as in this program?
That hasn’t been determined yet but I can say that we’re talking about two different things in one respect here.
The staff housing program is subsidised staff housing that we provide to employees.
The Tenant-to-Owner program is for private home owners, for those wishing to get into owning their own houses.
We will look at, obviously, some consistency in trying to support employees that may want to get into private housing, into their own units.
But as far as the staff housing that is owned or leased, through this government, those criteria around that have yet to be finalized.
Question 247 – 1(6): Distribution of Paxil in Nunavut
I’m quoting a recent newspaper article…taken during late pregnancy, babies suffered withdrawal when mothers took Paxil…woman claims addiction to an anti-depressant called Paxil…drug company sued.
My question today to the Minister of Health; is Paxil used in Nunavut today and is the health centre dispensing that drug?
Speaker: Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, I can’t as the member knows, and the House knows, answer to articles that are placed in the newspaper that are not in front of the House.
I’m not aware of Paxil being distributed or indeed if the patients referred to in the newspaper article include patients in Nunavut.
What I can say is that the different drugs, medications, services delivered by the Department of Health and Social Services in Nunavut are all authorized, regulated and controlled by Health Canada.
And therefore and thus, Mr. Speaker, are permitted within regulations under Health Canada standards, to be used in Nunavut.
I believe the Member was asking about the drug and not asking you to validate the article.
I will be the first one in this House to say don’t believe everything you read in the newspaper, according to current events lately in the Kivalliq.
My question to the Minister again, is Paxil being used in Nunavut, in our Health Centres and Hospitals?
A simple question; yes or no?
Speaker: Minister of Health.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t have that information with me and in three and a half years I think that this is the second time I will say that the question is taken as notice.
I will get the information on Paxil being distributed and if or when it is being used, or being prescribed in Nunavut and get that information for the Member.
I will take that question for the second time in three and half years as notice.
Question 248 – 1(6): Boarding Homes Funded by GN
This question was posed today in regards to the Tammaatarvik Boarding Home.
I think that there are three Boarding Homes for Nunavut.
One in Ottawa, one in Edmonton for the Kitikmeot.
And I am sure that they are operated by Government money.
I was wondering if the Minister can clarify to me if these Boarding Homes are operated, such as Tammaatarvik, under Government budgets.
Mr. Speaker, the Boarding Homes are operated under a contract with the Government of Nunavut and reimbursed by the Federal Government under the NIHB programs.
That is where the revenue flow comes for the Boarding Homes.
My second question, as he stated the Tammaatarvik Boarding Home, they are considering that it might be enlarged.
Who would be responsible for the extension or the enlargement of that Boarding Home?
Mr. Speaker, we, just this summer, had a good opportunity to be in Winnipeg and turn the sod for a new Boarding Home in Winnipeg.
That is still under contract for the Government of Nunavut with Nunasi.
For that type when we are looking at the extension, looking at extending or building a bigger facility or having more rooms to be made available.
That would be done through a tender of contract through the Government of Nunavut.
Although I understand his response, but I would like clarification; would this cost the Nunavut Government money?
Mr. Speaker, there would be some costs associated to the Government of Nunavut.
It would be minimum costs.
The majority of costs that are incurred are billed back on reciprocal billing with the Federal Government through the NIHB Program.
Just to get further understanding that some parts of it would be paid for by the Government of Nunavut.
Was this approved at the Cabinet level?
Is it evident now that it’s going to go ahead?
Mr. Speaker, under the operating budget with the Government of Nunavut, there are to the Department of Health and Social Services, there are monies to help us facilitate the boarding with patients and so on.
If there’s a cost to that, outside to the allocated amount, then we bill those back to the NIHC.
Question 249 – 1(6): Update on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit
I will try and make my question brief.
I would like to ask my question to the Minister responsible for the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
We usually talk about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
What development is it at right now that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, what kinds of plans are you making for Elder’s and Youth so that they can be together and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit?
First of all, there was a question posed by the member.
We’re now making plans on setting up an Elders’ Council to review how we can utilize Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in the government. At this time we’re making plans so all the communities could be represented at the local level.
Some communities have used committees and some have Elder’s Committees. These efforts have been initiated at the local level.
When we want to utilize the Elders and also, when Government of Nunavut was created, it was to utilize Inuit culture.  It’s part of that.
Elders at the local level, if we can utilize them more, it seems like the government has deleted some of their involvement in the activities and also the young people live contemporary lives and the younger generation has changed.
We’re looking at ways to involve the young people at the local level and also the government level.
We’re making plans on those stages and also if the government kept up with the capital, such as, our priorities are safety issues.
After these priorities have been completed, perhaps we can look at ways of facilitating and providing services for the Youth and the Elders perhaps utilize the Elders.
And that’s one of the reasons why we created Government of Nunavut, to use Inuit culture and traditions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I understand his response very well, that they would like to use the Elders.
My question is, what kinds of goals will you have for the Youth and the Elders so that there will be less of a gap between the two generations?
Their knowledge, there’s a large gap between the Youth and the Elders knowledge.
In the past their knowledge used to be uniform.
So I was wondering what kinds of goals and objectives he has for those two?
As I have stated we’re looking for ways, if we can get representatives of Elders and Youth at the community level but we don’t want to see them segregated, youth working in one side and the elders working on the other side.
What we want to do is to have funding so that they could create committees at the local level and ask them to discuss things thoroughly.
Like at this time, the member knows that, the majority of the members know the youth today are now using a culture that is not theirs.
They should work together on this issue of culture so that they can have a better understanding of where they come from.
Every time we provide funding they can make the gap smaller between the elders and the youth so that the young people will have a better understanding of our culture and heritage whether they can be utilized within the government or at the community level.
Return to orders of the day.
Return to Written Questions.
Reports to Committees on the Review of Bills.
Tabled Document 046 – 1(6): 2001-2002 Qullit Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements
Section 13(2), I am pleased to table the documents on the Women’s Council Annual Report and Financial Statements.
Tabled Document 047 – 1(6): 2002-2003 Business Plans for the Nunavut Development Corporation and Nunavut Business Credit Corporation
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the 2002-2003 Business Plans for Nunavut Development Corporation and Nunavut Business Credit Corporation.
Tabled Document 048 – 1(6): Hamlet of Arctic Bay Working Group Submission to the Nunavut Water Board
I would like to table a report which is written in both Inuktitut and English by the Nunavut Water Board by the Hamlet of Arctic Bay, outside the government.
Consider this document closely.
Notice of the Motions for First Reading of Bills.
Bill 18 – Appropriation Act, Capital 2003-2004 – Notice
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, November 21st, 2002, I shall move that Bill 18 Appropriation Act Capital 2003-2004, be read for the first time.
Bill 21 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act – Notice
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, November 21st, 2002 I shall move that Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act be read for the first time.
Notices of Motions for the First Reading of Bills.Item16.
Minister’s Statement 070-1(6) with Mr. Puqiqnak in the Chair.
We will take a short break before we continue with Committee of the Whole.
>>House recessed a 15.36 and resumed at 16.04 p.m.
We are discussing during Committee of the Whole, Minister’s Statement 070-1(6).
Would the Minister for Public Works and Services, have any opening comments.
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
I have no opening remarks at this time, but I’m ready to go to the witness table.
Does the committee agree that the minister brings his officials with him?
Sergeant-at-Arms, would you please escort the Minister’s officials.
Mr. Minister and your Deputy Minister, if you would please introduce your officials.
My Deputy Minister Ross Mrazek, from Public Works.
Chairperson (interpretation): Welcome Mr. Mrazek and Mr. Minister.
During Committee of the Whole, and following the rules of the Committee of the Whole, I will allow the members to make general comments for 10 minutes each.
After general comments, you will be able to ask questions of the minister.
Just to remind the members, if you have to ask a question, ask short questions, so that everyone gets a chance to speak.
At this time, we can begin.
My opening comment is in regards to the transportation of petroleum products and awarding the contract to Shell Canada and Woodward Doyle.
It brings a lot of unanswered questions to the region that I reside in, the Kivalliq.
We’ve been receiving what I call excellent, excellent service from the Northern Transportation Company Limited which is an Inuit owned firm, by the way, in Nunavut.
There was a major issue back in 1996/97 when the Government of the Northwest Territories wanted to award the contract to another shipping company that was going to provide shipping with huge tankers.