EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Maybe it’s just the heat in the building; I don’t know where the air conditioning is.  Mr. Speaker, again, the communities have the opportunity, through their community wellness plans, to negotiate with the Department of Health for funding.
So I encourage all the communities to contact the Department of Health, if they have not already done so, I believe most of them have, and negotiate those community wellness plans.
I believe there have been three or four that have already completed their agreements, ranging from one to five years.
Question 382 – 3(3): Southampton Island Caribou Survey (Ningeongan)
Mr. Ningeongan (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Environment.
I would like some more clarification on his Minister’s Statement. The minister talked about the aerial survey that is planned for this month on caribou.
Just before I came here to Iqaluit, I talked with the chairman of the HTO. I had understood that this would be a land survey. I’m just wondering if this is going to be an aerial survey only.
Minister responsible for the Department of Environment, Minister Arreak
At this time, we have stated that there would only be an aerial survey this month on Southampton Island.
I would like to ask the minister again. The chairman of the HTO in Coral Harbour understood that it’s known that land surveys with snowmobiles are a lot cheaper.
It’s a lot more expensive doing aerial surveys. It’s been found that the numbers are pretty close between surveys by land and by air.
I just wondered if the minister is willing to reconsider that for the survey.
Yes, we can consider the request of the member to do a land survey.
I will let the member know if we will do that, as well as the members of the HTO in Coral Harbour.
Question 383 – 3(3): Staffing at the Pond Inlet Teaching and Learning Centre (Enook)
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my Member’s Statement earlier today, staff positions at the teaching and learning centre in Pond Inlet have remained unfilled for far too long.
Can the minister explain how her department hopes to progress towards the government’s commitment to making the Inuit language the working language of government in Nunavut when there is so little effort to ensure that there are staff in the positions to create the necessary materials to teach and promote the Inuit language?
The people of Nunavut take the provisions of this Act very literally that students will be compelled to become bilingual in Inuktitut and English.
It’s unfortunate that perhaps my colleague didn’t realize at our last sitting this past winter that I showed the numerous teaching material just outside the Chambers here.
It is what has to be done when demonstrating teaching material.
I wish to let it be widely known and I urge everyone to come and take a close look at these teaching materials for Inuktitut. So if the member didn’t see them, I invite him to see for himself.
I would be happy to show him if he wishes in order to help him fully understand the need to teach Inuktitut at different levels.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Madam Minister.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavummiut do indeed believe that and that is to be applauded. If only our government believes in it too.
The employment openings in Pond Inlet have been vacant for a long time now, despite their importance.
Minister, why is it that these positions still haven’t been filled?
Learning Inuktitut is treated as such a high priority by the government that education resource centres exist in Iqaluit, Kugluktuk, Rankin Inlet, Arviat, and Pond Inlet. There are also two positions in Pond Inlet. It is just the other position that is currently vacant.
If I were to say it in English, the Curriculum and School Services Division also produces teaching materials, as well as being responsible for school resources for producing teaching materials.
We have them in Pangnirtung, Arviat, Iqaluit, Kugluktuk, and Rankin Inlet. They are involved in the production of teaching materials.
Pond Inlet is not the only place where these materials are being produced, but in other communities as well.
The other position in Pond Inlet will become available this fall, to be called the media coordinator position, and it will be open to anyone.
The resource centre in Pond Inlet has two positions that have been vacant for a long time now. There is some concern that if Pond Inlet’s teaching and learning centre loses all of its staff members, then the whole office will be closed down.
Will the minister confirm that this important office will remain open in the community of Pond Inlet?
To reiterate, those two positions in Pond Inlet, one is filled and the other one will be filled this fall.
To let the member understand, the teaching and learning centre is now called the media and Inuktitut resource services centre and they’re also doing curriculum work.
There are two positions in Pond Inlet; the other one will be filled this fall.
As I mentioned in my Member’s Statement, if the government is serious about its commitment to the Inuit language, then there is no excuse for the positions at the Pond Inlet Teaching and Learning Centre to remain vacant. When will these positions be filled?
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government seriously believes that the Inuktitut language should be protected.
As I stated, there are other communities that are doing curriculum development in Arviat, Rankin Inlet, Kugluktuk, and Iqaluit.
Those are where the positions are, not just in Pond Inlet, but in those communities I just mentioned and we feel this is very important.
If there’s just one community that has those positions, we believe that there should be more than that, which I mentioned earlier. As well, Pangnirtung and Kugluktuk are developing curriculum.
In Pond Inlet, there are two positions; one is filled and the other one will be filled this coming fall.
Question 384 – 3(3): Search and Rescue Issues and Arctic Sovereignty (Ningark)
Through you, Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Hon Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
This winter, a young man by the name of Bernard perished between Kugaaruk and Taloyoak trying to visit his young family.
The community of Kugaaruk, the Hamlet of Kugaaruk, along with Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven, and Repulse Bay, did what they could. They did do fundraising, but when you’re talking about small communities, there’s not that much money to raise.
The young man perished out in the land alone, cold, and lost.
The Government of Canada talks about sovereignty in the Arctic, but when it comes to search and rescue, where the heck was the Government of Canada when the young man was lost out in the dead of winter up here? Does the Government of Nunavut have any programs when it comes to search and rescue?
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for raising this question.
I feel for the family at this time.
In Baffin region too, they are still searching for a lost person, as well as other lost people outside of Baffin that my colleague mentioned. We feel for them.
This is handled by emergency services that assist search and rescue by the Department of Community and Government Services. I can give him the details and the minister is aware how they operate.
For the federal government, I have brought up how important and serious this is when it comes to search and rescue north of 60. It would be a lot easier to have a centre closer to the communities and I have raised this numerous times.
I fully believe what my colleague is saying.
The land searchers in the communities also have coordinators within government.
Just to remind members to try and keep your supplementaries short. We’re running out of time and I still have one member that hasn’t had an opportunity to ask a question yet.
Your first supplementary, Mr. Ningark.  Mr. Ningark: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
My supplementary question to the hon. minister: what we need now up here during the dead of winter is what we call helicopters from the Government of Canada with night vision and heat sensory technology. That’s what we need and they have those all in the south.
Will the hon. minister speak with her counterpart [about our] need for the technology that we can get up here in Nunavut, especially when the Government of Canada is planning and talking about sovereignty up north? If they want sovereignty, they have to be able to do rescues without the help of the other countries across the globe.
Hon. Eva Aariak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will continue to speak to my counterparts about the importance of search and rescue in Nunavut.
Question 385 – 3(3): Birth Certificates for Nunavummiut Born Outside Nunavut (Curley)
This is to supplement what my colleague from Amittuq was asking in regard to new birth certificates. I also think that the Minister of Health and Social Service stated the truth that newborn babies need birth certificates. I also want to say that we do not live like animals without birth certificates.
Those who are born outside the Baffin region as well as in the Kivalliq and the Kitikmeot, most of them still have difficulty obtaining birth certificates.
I think we should make this easier. I want to ask the minister about agreements they have with provincial governments because Vital Statistics keeps track of Nunavutmiut who are born in Manitoba and Alberta, I believe.
Do you have agreements in place with the provinces with respect to birth certificates?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Curley. Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister Peterson.
Mr. Speaker, it’s my understanding that if you’re born in Ontario or Alberta or BC or Manitoba, the baby is registered there and registered with Vital Statistics in the appropriate province. If you want the birth certificate from that province, or perhaps it could be a territory, you apply to their government.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Peterson. Your first supplementary, Mr. Curley.
I think it sounds quite simple. For most Nunavutmiut, when their child is born in other provinces, they are home within about two or three days after having a birth of a child in that province. When you’re applying for a birth certificate while living in Nunavut to the Province of Ontario or Manitoba or Alberta, it’s not that easy.
Most times, these individuals are unilingual. So what I’m trying to get at is that it is a privilege to have a birth certificate.
You’re not a citizen unless you have a birth certificate.  So my question is: do you have an MOU with the provinces to ensure that the proper services are provided through Vital Statistics of those provinces that Nunavutmiut who are born are given proper services, even as simple as applying for a birth certificate?
Mr. Curley does ask a good question. I myself have constituents in my riding who have come to me seeking assistance to have birth certificates for their children. In fact, I even have some older constituents in their 30s and 40s who are unfamiliar with the process.
Mr. Speaker, most provinces and territories in Canada have people who they can contact to assist them to apply for birth certificates. There is an online application process as well. Most provinces and territories have websites where they can access information.
I believe the Department of Health and Social Services also has a website that people can access for information.
As I indicated earlier in answer to one of the MLAs, we have government liaison officers in most communities who are available to assist people in the communities to access information. I would assume that government liaison [officers] would help people get information from the Government of Nunavut and also assist them to get information from other provinces and territories.
Mr. Speaker, it’s absolutely important that parents register their babies. I’m sure that process is done.
It’s important that babies and individuals, adults, as they grow up, do have their birth certificates and keep them safe.
They are important documents that help them access other important documents, such as passports, which are important to travel around the world. Airlines require it, other countries require it, and also to get identification to board aircraft, which, we all hear, is a very difficult process since 9/11.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Peterson. Your second supplementary, Mr. Curley.
I appreciate the information, but it is an obligation of the government to provide basic identity and vital statistic services to the citizens whom they are responsible for. It is also the law of the nations or the provinces that each child born is issued with a birth certificate.
It is therefore a privilege of a citizen born in a particular location to be provided with that identity card or birth certificate.
Why is the minister reluctant to have an MOU with the provinces where they do provide services on behalf of Nunavutmiut when they are born out of the Nunavut territory?
Mr. Speaker, I’m not reluctant.
Therefore, will you enter into an MOU arrangement with the provinces?
It is vitally important that Nunavutmiut are provided with a proper ID, including a birth certificate, when their children are born in the provinces, particularly in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario.
It is not just a wish for many Nunavutmiut. They are normally at home and very unfamiliar with applying for birth certificates.
Therefore, I think the government should have not only a responsibility but obligations clearly spelled out in an MOU with the provinces.  Most Nunavutmiut still rely on other provinces’ birth certificates as most of the children are still born out of the territory.
So I look forward to the minister to commit to having an MOU with the provinces. Will he do that on behalf of Nunavutmiut?
I thank Mr. Curley for his concern for Nunavummiut and birth certificates.
Mr. Speaker, the process seems to be working very well now and, of course, there’s always room for improvement. Most mothers and fathers are aware that they do have to register their children.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I can’t make that commitment.
Committee Report 021 – 3(3): Bill 30, Building Code Act (Ningeongan)
I wish to report that Bill 30, Building Code Act, has been reviewed by the Standing Committee on Legislation and that the bill, as amended and reprinted, is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 30 immediately moved into Committee of the Whole.
The member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) so that Bill 30 can be referred immediately to the Committee of the Whole.
There are none, so Bill 30 is now referred to Committee of the Whole.
Committee Report 022 – 3(3): Bill 31, An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act (Ningeongan)
I wish to report that Bill 31, An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act, has been reviewed by the Standing Committee on Legislation and that the bill is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 31 immediately moved into Committee of the Whole.
The member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) so that Bill 31 can be immediately referred to the Committee of the Whole.
So as such, Bill 31 is automatically now ready for Committee of the Whole.
Tabled Document 199 – 3(3): 2011 Annual Report for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (Aariak)
I am pleased to table the 2011 Annual Report for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
Speaker: Thank you, Madam Premier. Tabling of Documents. Ms. Ugyuk.
Tabled Document 200 – 3(3): Photograph of Fuel Distribution Infrastructure in Taloyoak (Ugyuk)
Tabled Document 201 – 3(3): Correspondence from the Kikitak Housing Association (Ugyuk)
Tabled Document 202 – 3(3): Copy of the Yukon Government’s “Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act” (Ugyuk)
I have three documents to table. Can I do them all at once, please?
Thank you.  Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
On March 6 of this year, I made a Member’s Statement concerning the process by which the government awards fuel distribution contracts.
At that time, I raised concerns regarding the need to ensure that local suppliers have adequate equipment and infrastructure.
I wish to table a photograph today that shows fuel distribution equipment and facilities in Taloyoak. I will have questions for the minister on this issue at a future sitting.
Secondly, I wish to table today a copy of the correspondence that I recently received from the Kikitak Housing Association of Gjoa Haven. The Kikitak Housing Association’s board of directors is lobbying the Government of Nunavut for additional public housing units for the community of Gjoa Haven.
I fully support the Kikitak Housing Association’s efforts to secure additional public housing units for Gjoa Haven and look forward to the government’s response on this issue.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table today a copy of the Government of Yukon’s Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act.
This legislation makes it possible to shut down known properties that are being used for illegal activities, including the illegal consumption or sale of alcohol, drug use, or drug trafficking, the use of intoxicants and prostitution, and related activities.
As a courtesy to the government, I wish to advise that I will have detailed questions on this matter at tomorrow’s sitting. I encourage them to be prepared.
Minister responsible for the Department of Human Resources, Ms. Ell.
Tabled Document 203 – 3(3): Public Service Annual Report for 2010-2011 Fiscal Year (Ell)
Tabled Document 204 – 3(3): Decentralization Action Plan - Strengthening Our Commitment to Servicing Nunavummiut (Ell)
I would like to table two documents.  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the Public Service annual report for the 2010-11 fiscal year.
The second document, Mr. Speaker: I am pleased to table the Decentralization Action Plan - Strengthening Our Commitment to Servicing Nunavummiut.
Motion 031 – 3(3): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Ningeongan)
I give notice that on Thursday, June 7, 2012, I will move the following motion:
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that pursuant to the provisions of Rule 3, that when the House concludes its present spring sitting, it shall be adjourned until October 23, 2012.
The member seeking unanimous consent to deal with his motion today, Are there any nays?
Motion 031 – 3(3): Extended Adjournment (Ningeongan)
May I ask for unanimous consent to go back to Item 5 on the order paper?
There being none. Please proceed, Mr. Kusugak.
I would like to recognize Pangnirtung Mayor Sakiasie Sowdluapik. Welcome and I’m glad to see you here.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. Minister’s Statement 155 – 3(3), Bill 30, and Bill 31 with Mr. Enook in the Chair.
Before we proceed into Committee of the Whole, we will take a 20-minute break.
>>House recessed at 15:22 and Committee resumed at 15:49
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bill 30, Bill 31, and Minister’s Statement 155 – 3(3). What is the wish of the committee?
We wish to review Bill 30 and at its conclusion, we would like to deal with Bill 31. Upon completion, we wish to report progress.
Are we in agreement to deal with Bill 30 first?
Bill 30 – Building Code Act – Consideration in Committee
Minister of Community and Government Services, Minister Kusugak, do you have opening comments?
Yes, I do have opening comments.
Chairman (interpretation): Please proceed, Minister Kusugak.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Mr. Chairman, the Building Code Act authorizes the adoption of the National Building Code of Canada for new construction within the territory of Nunavut.
Presently, the GN does not have a regulatory framework in place that is capable of effectively enforcing compliance with the National Building Code of Canada (NBC).
Though certain specific aspects of the NBC, such as fire safety and electrical safety, are in force in Nunavut and enforced by the Government of Nunavut, a new Building Code Act with associated regulations will establish the regulatory framework to direct the approval and inspection of new construction, reconstruction, and change of occupancy of buildings.
This Act will facilitate the creation of a building official’s office focused on the application of the National Building Code in new construction.
Subsequent amendments of the Fire Prevention Act will clarify the focus of the Fire Marshal’s Office to the ongoing application of the National Fire Code.
I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman and colleagues, for this opportunity to outline the proposed bill before the House.
We appreciate the discussion we had at standing committee earlier today and I would be pleased to respond to any questions you may have at this time.
Minister Kusugak, please introduce your witnesses for the benefit of the committee and for the record.
To my left is Kathleen Lausman, my Deputy Minister, and to my right is Gary Wong, (interpretation ends) Facilities Planner and building official with CGS.
I apologize, we are not quite prepared with the documents that we need to have in front of us all. As Chair, I wish to call a 10-minute break.
>>Committee recessed at 15:54 and resumed at 16:02
Chairman (interpretation): I would like to call the committee meeting to order.
Thank you for your patience. I wanted to make sure everyone had all the papers with them and that’s why our break was longer than usual.
We know the witnesses at the witness table and Minister Kusugak had already given his opening comments.
I would like to ask the chair of the standing committee if he has opening remarks. Mr. Ningeongan.
(interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
As Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, I am pleased to make some brief opening comments as we begin consideration of Bill 30, Building Code Act.
The standing committee recognizes that the intent of the bill is to create enabling legislation that will allow the Government of Nunavut to adopt the National Building Code of Canada and other codes for the purpose of establishing minimum standards for the construction of buildings in Nunavut.
The standing committee encourages the minister to develop a communications plan for ensuring that stakeholders are aware of the government’s timetable for bringing the legislation into force, appointing the members of the Nunavut Building Advisory Committee, and making regulations under the Act.
The standing committee also encourages the minister to table an annual report in the Legislative Assembly on the administration of the new legislation.
This information will be of benefit to all members in evaluating the success of the legislation, especially in respect to the activities and decisions of the Nunavut Building Advisory Committee established under section 23.
Members note the important role of the advisory committee with respect to ruling on disputes, making recommendations for amendments to the code, and advising the minister on building standards.
During the standing committee’s clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 30, a number of technical amendments were made to it.
The standing committee recommends the passage of Bill 30, as amended, to all members.
I just had some general questions around the implementation of the bill once it becomes an Act.
Under the current practice that is being followed using the Canadian building code, I was wondering if the minister could outline who inspects buildings at this time.
At this time, the inspections are done by electricians, fire marshals, and boiler inspectors.
In terms of the positions that you have, I was wondering if the minister could explain: is there a hard time filling those positions, or are there long times where positions are vacant?
I just want to get a feel of the current situation in terms of how business is being done and how hard it is to fill those positions.
Like any professional designated and trades professions, it’s very challenging to fill inspector positions and keep them filled.
We do have times in the year where we may be short of inspectors, but to answer in a nutshell, yes, it becomes a challenge at times.