EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
There is a growing desire to focus on the need for parents do a better job of their role in raising children, as it is a part of income support in general. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 294 – 4(2): Review of Harvesters Support Programs (Savikataaq)
As the minister will be aware, the Government of the Northwest Territories recently announced that it is increasing the price that it pays for sealskins under that government’s Hide Procurement Program from $55 to $70.
In Nunavut, the price that the government pays harvesters for sealskins under our territorial Fur Pricing Program ranges from $35 to $55.
Can the minister indicate if and when the amount that we pay harvesters for sealskins will be increased?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The minister has taken the question as notice and we will move to the next member on my list. (interpretation) Member for (interpretation ends) Hudson Bay, Mr. Rumbolt.
Question 295 – 4(2): Renaming of Repulse Bay to Naujaat (Mapsalak)
As the minister is aware, the residents of Repulse Bay voted earlier this year in support of adopting the traditional Inuktitut name for the community, which is Naujaat.
Under section 4.1 of the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, the minister may, on the recommendation of the Executive Council, agree to such a change and make it official by way of a ministerial order.
Can the minister confirm when the government will officially change the name of the community from Repulse Bay to Naujaat?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Yes, I can confirm to the minister…oh, to the member…
…that we have received that particular request from the hamlet and our government will be reviewing that very shortly. (interpretation) Thank you.
Section 4.1 of the Cities, Towns and Villages Act also provides that the minister may “provide for any transitional matters that may be necessary” in relation to an official change in a community’s name.
Can the minister confirm that his department will be in contact with the municipality to discuss the logistics associated with the change in the community’s name?
Yes, we will be discussing this further with the municipalities before the name is officially changed. (interpretation) Thank you.
Can the minister indicate when the change in the community’s name will officially come into effect?
As a government, we will request the Hamlet of Repulse Bay to provide their thoughts about whether July 15, 2015 is an appropriate date to undertake the name change of the community, as the date in July coincides with their incorporation date as a hamlet.
Question 296 – 4(2): Sale of Ivory from Nunavut (Hickes)
My second question for today is for the Minister of Environment.
Mr. Speaker, in a recent media article, the chair of Cambridge Bay’s hunters and trappers organization suggested the consideration of brokering narwhal tusks directly to buyers to ensure hunters get more revenue.
Mr. Speaker, as the minister will recall, on March 19 of this year, I asked about the feasibility of incorporating the harvest and sale of ivory from narwhal into the department’s existing programs to support harvesters.
In my questions, I noted that this could positively impact revenues of harvesters who legally sell narwhal tusks in the global market.
Mr. Speaker, for the benefit of the listening public and the members with me, can the minister describe the work his department has undertaken in the last eight months on this matter?
Actually, we have reviewed the issue of narwhal tusk sales. With respect to the mandate, the Government of Nunavut isn’t responsible for managing this matter, as it is the Department of Fisheries and Oceans who has the mandate instead.
The Government of Nunavut is heavily involved in any policy changes or management issues related to this species, including meetings with co-management partners.
Now, with respect to further deliberations on the harvesting and sale of tusks, what I can respond about that question is that our department has done some research on the implications on changes to ivory tusk sales stemming from narwhal and other marine mammals.
This aspect is very well managed by the private businesses that sell and buy ivory, as the government doesn’t manage the sales and purchases of ivory. This is a well-run process.
In our opinion, it doesn’t look as if any changes need to be made. Even if we wanted changes to the system, it might also have unwanted ramifications elsewhere. That is all I can respond with at this time.
If the program was being very well run, I think it wouldn’t be that difficult to add a little bit more to a well-run program.
Mr. Speaker, as the minister will recall, in January of 2013, it was announced that the Integrated Fisheries Management Plan for Narwhal was approved by the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, as the minister just spoke to.
It is my understanding that Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, regional wildlife organizations, and hunters and trappers organizations were consulted in the development of this plan.
Can the minister describe his department’s role with respect to the implementation of the Integrated Fisheries Management Plan for Narwhal?
Without a doubt, this issue is something I want to comment on, as whenever this issue is brought up, I really enjoy the discussions.
The meeting you mentioned that took place in January of 2013 is one I recall very vividly, as I was part of it.
With respect to the management of ivory, its sale requires tags.
It is due to the fact that populations can end up in dire straits.
The management system was put in place where any tusk for sale requires a tag. It was primarily due to the conservation concerns of the government at the time and that is the reason why the process was moved under CITES to ensure tusks were sold legally.
If we look at last year’s changes, it has resulted in a better system of control in response to the international community’s concerns about over-harvesting of marine species.
The changes that were made were approved by the international community to better manage tusk sales stemming from our territory.
I was getting more to what the Department of Environment was doing to implement that plan, but I’ll move along to the next part of my question.
Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that some of the concerns that the minister spoke to are regarding the complexity of the Integrated Fisheries Management Plan for Narwhal at the recent annual general meeting of the Kitikmeot Regional Wildlife Board, although there were some differing views on the value impact with the current tagging process of drilling holes to attach the tag to the tusk and some of the onerous paperwork in the shipment of them.
Can the minister describe how his department is working with its partners to address such concerns as tagging of narwhal tusks prior to sale?
Indeed, the Department of Environment which I am responsible for is involved with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to manage the tag system for the sale of ivory tusks, as they have the jurisdictional responsibility.
Additionally, with respect to the management system currently used to manage the narwhal harvest, it also includes other partners, such as the local HTOs, regional wildlife organizations, and the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.
This system was set out in the land claims agreement.
Due to that, it seems bureaucratically cumbersome. However, the issue of the sale of narwhal tusks has been a prime opportunity to showcase the careful management of the species by Nunavummiut. In particular, this is a selling point used by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
That is why, to date, the issue of selling ivory tusks and harvesting of narwhal has been designed to use the best possible management system.
Question 297 – 4(2): Grants for Persons with Mobility-related Disabilities (Angnakak)
Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, a public service announcement went out about the Nunavut Solutions Grants, which are available to persons living with mobility-related disabilities.
A total of $20,000 will be allocated to people who are eligible for this grant.
However, in some cases, a single electric wheelchair can cost almost $15,000.
Can the minister explain how applications for funding under this grant will be evaluated, and how will her department determine who receives the funding?
The Department of Family Services entered into an agreement with the (interpretation ends) Rick Hansen Foundation, (interpretation) and they will be managing this matter. They have to conduct a review on who is eligible for this assistance.
The Department of Family Services, the Nunavut Housing Corporation, and the Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society collaboratively review cases where a request has been made to review any application.
The grants under the Nunavut Solutions program can be used to buy mobility aids like wheelchairs and lifts, renovate homes, or provide support services like respite care.
These are all much needed across our territory.
How will the minister ensure that everyone across Nunavut who may need this kind of support has access to the funding?
The Rick Hansen Foundation had identified an interest in partnering with registered charitable disability-related organizations in Nunavut.
The Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society has agreed to work with the foundation and the GN to administer the program.
The Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society has applied for charitable status.
Once they have the charitable status, they will be looking for donations as a society.
Your final supplementary, Ms. Angnakak
I’m not sure if I got an answer to my question.
I was trying to find out how we can ensure that everybody who needs that kind of support has actual access to the funding.
My third question, Mr. Speaker, applications to the Nunavut Solutions Grants will be accepted until November 28, 2014. That’s this month.
Can the minister provide an update on how many people have applied for these grants to date and what her department is doing to ensure that everyone who is eligible to apply is aware of the program and the deadline?
Thank you to the member for asking for clarity.
To date, no one has applied yet.
There has been some interest, but the decisions for funding approvals will be made by a Nunavut Solutions team consisting of representatives from our department, the Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society, the Nunavut Housing Corporation, the Department of Health, and the Rick Hansen Foundation.
They approve the funding for people who apply.
Question 298 – 4(2): Nepotism and Favouritism within the Public Service (Savikataaq)
Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for recognizing me a second time.
Yesterday, he tabled documents, towards a representative public service, and I have just been going through them.
I have asked many questions and made statements about how casual and relief workers by the GN are a major way to encourage or promote nepotism and favouritism.
I was looking through the figures. On December 31, 2013, there were 2,372 casual and relief workers, and then on June 30, 2014, there were 2,729 relief workers.
If my reading of the stats is correct, can the minister confirm that casuals and relief workers are actually on an increase instead of a decrease?
I didn’t have quite enough time to get my calculator out and add up the numbers, but it appears to me, just quickly glancing at them, that the casuals and relief workers are on the increase.
Is the minister concerned about the casuals and relief workers actually going up?
As I stated, it’s a way around fair and transparent process of hiring a competent worker.
Is there any concern from the minister about those stats?
I have to be careful and choose my words carefully here because I have been accused in the past of using the wrong words.
We constantly analyze these numbers.
Mr. Speaker, through the Public Service Act, we have said that people will be hired on merit and promoted on merit. There are many reasons for departments using casuals and relief workers. Relief workers are as and when.
It could be for two or three days. It could be for a week. Casuals could be filling in for full-time indeterminate positions or positions that are on training.
For casuals we require under Article 51, I believe, of the collective agreement, we do need approval from the Nunavut Employees Union to go beyond four months.
Usually, we encourage departments, if there are longer term requirements, they go to term positions.
Certainly, any position that casually employs is going beyond 12 months, we contact the departments to give us full explanations on why a position would be over 12 months.
We are working on it. The departments are getting the message that casuals are not to be a way to get around hiring a full-time indeterminate position.
Members will note that the time for question period has expired. (interpretation ends) Item 7.
Tabled Document 067 – 4(2): Annual Report on the Administration of the ATIPP Act for the Period April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 (Taptuna)
I am pleased to table the 2013-14 Annual Report on the Administration of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Hon. Minister Mr. Okalik.
Tabled Document 068 – 4(2): 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 Family Abuse Intervention Act Annual Reports (Okalik)
Tabled Document 069 – 4(2): Victims Assistance Fund Annual Report April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 (Okalik)
I am pleased to table the Victims Assistance Fund Annual Report for the period April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014.
I am pleased to table the 2011-12 and 2012-13 Family Abuse Intervention Act annual reports.
Tabled Document 070 – 4(2): Chief Medical Officer of Health’s 2013-14 Tobacco Control Act Annual Report (Ell)
I am pleased to table the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s 2013-14 Tobacco Control Act Annual Report.
Tabled Document 071 – 4(2): Letters of Expectation and Responses to the Letters of Expectation 2014-2015 (Peterson)
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the Letters of Expectation and Responses to the Letters of Expectation 2014-15.
Tabled Document 072 – 4(2): 2014 Annual Report of the Utility Rates Review Council (Taptuna)
I am pleased to table the 2014 Annual Report of the Utility Rates Review Council.
Tabled Document 073 – 4(2): Human Resource Strategy 2014-2018 (Peterson)
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the Human Resource Strategy 2014-18.
Member Mr. Mikkungwak.
Tabled Document 074 – 4(2): Correspondence to the GN from the Baker Lake Hamlet Council Regarding Resolution (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I wish to table today a copy of a resolution that was recently passed by the Municipal Council of Baker Lake concerning the urgent need to address environmental contamination at the old Northern Canada Power Commission site in the community.
As members will recall, this issue was discussed during our recent hearing on the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s activities, and I look forward to the government’s response to our committee’s report.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 13. Tabling of Documents.
Member Ms. Angnakak.
Motion 014 – 4(2): Establishing a Hospital Board of Management – Notice (Angnakak)
I give notice that on Thursday, November 6, 2014, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, that the Government of Nunavut undertake a comprehensive review of the merits and benefits of establishing a board of management for the Qikiqtani General Hospital;
AND FURTHER I MOVE that the Government report on its considerations and findings to the House on the first day of the 2015 spring sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
Motion 015 – 4(2): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Mikkungwak)
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Netsilik, that pursuant to the provisions of Rule 3, that when the House concludes its fall 2014 sitting, it shall be adjourned until February 24, 2015.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today.
Motion 015 – 4(2): Extended Adjournment (Mikkungwak)
Bills 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 with Mr. Akoak in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:22 and Committee resumed at 15:47
Chairman (Mr. Akoak): Good afternoon, Inuit and fellow members. MLAs, Inuit, and (interpretation) all the people of Nunavut, (interpretation ends) welcome.
(interpretation) If my grandchild happens to be watching on television, I send you a kiss.
(interpretation ends) I would like to call the committee meeting to order.
Mr. Chairman, we wish to commence with the review of the capital appropriation of the Department of Culture and Heritage, followed by the Legislative Assembly.
Are we in agreement that we first deal with the capital estimates for the Department of Culture and Heritage?
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016 – Culture and Heritage – Consideration in Committee
Minister responsible for the Department of Culture and Heritage, Minister Okalik, do you have officials that you would like to appear before the Committee of the Whole?
Does the committee agree to allow his officials to go to the witness table?
For the record, Minister Okalik, please introduce your staff.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With me this afternoon to my right is Joe Kunuk, my Deputy Minister, and to my left is Regilee Adla, who is our Finance Officer for the Department of Culture and Heritage.
Please proceed with your opening comments, minister.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to appear before the Committee of the Whole to present the Department of Culture and Heritage’s 2015-16 capital plan.
The department holds a leadership role within the Government of Nunavut for the preservation, development, and enhancement of Nunavut’s culture, heritage, and languages for Nunavummiut.
Mr. Chairman, the capital estimates for the Department of Culture and Heritage for the 2015-16 fiscal year is $560,000. $60,000 of the capital budget is to renovate its headquarter offices and to purchase new office equipment to accommodate new or expanding programs and services within the department.
Mr. Chairman, since the creation of Nunavut, we have been storing our history in other jurisdictions.
The cost for care and storage is now over $1 million annually, yet the loss to our identity cannot be quantified.
An additional $500,000 is to inject funding into current and future heritage infrastructure across Nunavut.
This is a positive step towards being able to begin the repatriation process of heritage assets currently cared for outside of the territory.
Mr. Chairman, I will be pleased to respond to any questions that members of the committee may have.
I would now ask the chair for the standing committee to make his comments.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness concerning its review of the proposed 2015-16 Capital Estimates of the Department of Culture and Heritage.
Members note that the department’s proposed capital budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year is $560,000.
The department did not receive any capital funding for the 2014-15 fiscal year.
Members note that the department’s proposed 2015-16 capital estimates include $500,000 for a minor project that will allow the department to begin repatriating Nunavut’s cultural artefacts from facilities in the Northwest Territories and Ottawa.
Members also note that the department will allocate $60,000 for small capital projects such as office renovations and equipment replacement.
Mr. Chairman, members recognize that Nunavut’s artefacts hold great cultural and historical significance for the territory.
Members also note that the cost of storing artefacts in out-of-territory facilities has been increasing on an annual basis.
The standing committee notes that the ongoing costs of such contracts are currently in excess of $1 million per year.
During the minister’s recent appearance, members were informed that climate-controlled cases may be installed in various buildings throughout the territory, allowing a number of communities to receive and display repatriated artefacts. Members encourage the minister to develop a strategy by which artefacts will be distributed fairly throughout Nunavut.
Members also encourage the minister and his officials to open a dialogue with the territory’s regional Inuit organizations and schools to explore options for identifying additional facilities that may receive and display artefacts.
During the minister’s recent appearance, he indicated that approximately 145,000 artefacts are currently being stored and displayed in out-of-territory facilities.
Members encourage the department to develop a timeframe for repatriating all artefacts which will allow the department to evaluate its progress in completing this important project.
Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Social Wellness looks forward to receiving regular updates on the department’s progress in repatriating these artefacts and distributing them across the territory.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2015-16 Capital Estimates of the Department of Culture and Heritage.
I will now open the floor for questions starting on page F-3.
In the $500,000 for storage of the heritage collections, there is an agreement between the GNWT and an agreement with the Canadian Museum of Nature.
While they both finish at the same time, March 31, 2016, there’s a fairly substantial difference in the contract amounts. Is there an explanation? Are there more artefacts stored at one site over the other or is the storage cost substantially more expensive from one to the other?
Hon. Paul Okalik: Yes, there are more artefacts being held in Yellowknife. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Hickes: With the storage of the artefacts and the desire to bring them back to Nunavut, the substantiation sheet makes reference to specific equipment and care required to properly move, store, and maintain these artefacts.
Will Culture and Heritage be hiring any specialists to complete or supervise this project?
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Hickes. Minister Okalik.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We’re blessed with the cooperation of the operators and they have been very helpful in looking after our artefacts.
They’re very open to assisting us in relocating these artefacts to our territory when and if we have proper storage facilities in our territory. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
With the number of artefacts in these two different facilities that we’re paying quite a substantial amount of money to store, what is the estimated value of these artefacts?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We cannot value the artefacts. They’re far more valuable to us, so we cannot estimate the amount at this time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, not Mr. Speaker.
My question is: in your opening comments, you talk about that it costs $1 million to store the artefacts annually and you’re asking $500,000 to inject into current and future heritage infrastructure that can store the items. What is the $500,000 really buying if it costs $1 million to store the artefacts now? Nunavut is an expensive place to do business.
What will that $500,000 really get you?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Technology is catching up to our desires whereby you can purchase showcases that provide climate-controlled protection and those are now available.
We would love to explore those and find ways to showcase the artefacts in each of the communities that these artefacts come from so that the stories can be passed on to the community, especially the young people, so that they learn about their own history and what these artefacts meant to their community at the time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.