EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Back to the Orders of the Day.
Member’s Statement 131– 1(5): Celebration of Spring
Today is March 21, and that means that this is the first day of spring, and also Mr. Speaker, the Inuit used to celebrate the days getting longer, and they had spring games and had festivals to celebrate the coming of spring.
We do know that the Inuit and the Qallunaaq traditions are very different but we also know that both Inuit and the Qallunaaq celebrate the days when spring is around the corner, the days are getting longer, the weather is warming up, and they also get together in the communities to celebrate, like they are going to be doing today, both Inuit and Qallunaaq the better days are coming.
Member's Statement 132 - 1(5): Support for Businesses
Mr. Speaker, I think I'll be asking a lot of questions today and I extend my congratulations to you as being Speaker for the day.
The Minister for Sustainable Development, the other day, made a statement about Aaruja Development Corporation in Clyde River and it was something that we were happy to hear about.
I wanted to point out though, that smaller communities have very little new injections of money coming into their communities as we have small populations.
We are very pleased that they have set up corporations in Clyde River and Broughton Island, where they will be generating new revenue for the community.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to say that the development corporations in these two communities, will be supported fully by myself as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.
If any new businesses are going to be established, I will be looking forward to the Department of Sustainable Development supporting these new companies, financially and also to make sure that they become viable businesses.
And tomorrow, there will be exciting things that we can look forward to.
Member's Statement 133 - 1(5): Traditional Lifestyle Change
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give you a brief overview of the life that Inuit had and what our life is like today.
I'm extremely proud that a lot of people come here to observe the sittings of the Legislative Assembly, both the Inuit and the Qallunaaq, it's something that we celebrate, that we should be proud of, while we are in session.
When I was growing up, in the beginning of the 60's we lived in an outpost camp and very few Inuit lived in one camp.
We were told that the RCMP were coming in when detachments were being established in the communities.
When I heard that RCMP were coming into our outpost camp, I got extremely scared because I thought that they were going to take me away, and then again with the missionaries, we heard that they were coming in and I got scared and I stayed in the house for the rest of the day.
With that in mind, today's life is totally different now from the days in the 1960's.
We live in a totally different environment.
We are no longer intimidated by the RCMP or the missionaries because we finally found out that they are not scary.
The biggest change of our lifestyle also has been that you need money to live in the community.
It has been a rapid change over these few decades.
There has been a dramatic change to the Inuit lifestyle and we have learned to operate in this lifestyle and economy and I think that we should realize that we have a very unique lifestyle in Nunavut.
We can make it either a happy life or something negative, it is our choice.
Member's Statement 134 - 1(5): Nunavut Youth Abroad
I am going to also talk about growing up.
We thought the world ended at the end of the horizon.
The only mode of travel was dog teams and we lived in igloos and snow houses.
In April 1, 1999 it was something to be extremely proud about with the creation of Nunavut and we had young people as pages who worked for us on that significant day.
One of them was Gloria Kautaq who is from Tikirajuaq but now has moved to Rankin Inlet and now lives in Ottawa.
I received a letter from her and she told me that she was down in Swaziland and had a good time over there.
She was there on training with Jeffery Tulugak, who is my nephew.
They are now travelling abroad where in our childhood we thought the world ended at the horizon.
I would like to express my support to these young people in their travels.
It’s called the Nunavut Youth Abroad program, which is geared towards our youth so that they get to know what is happening out there in the world.
It is something that we should be extremely proud of whether it is Gloria or Jeff or other youth.
We have to support our youth when they want to further their training and if they are going to be travelling overseas and even if they are travelling nationally within the Canadian boundaries.
We have to help them and do all we can so that they can have the proper support.
We know that they are going to be the future leaders and they know how big the world is.
Member's Statement 135 - 1(5): Translation of Income Tax Forms
Mr. Speaker unfortunately as all members in the House know, it is income tax time again.
Over the past two years I have been communication with the Federal Minister for National Revenue who is in charge of income tax and associated forms.
I have, Mr. Speaker, in writing requested that Minister Kaoshaow move forward to have the income tax forms translated into Inuktitut.
Mr. Speaker, the Federal Minister indicated that the official languages authorized for said forms are English and French only.
I have since suggested that at the very least, Mr. Speaker, and as a start the Northern Allowance taxation deduction forms be translated.
Mr. Speaker, this is a serious issue as Mr. Ng knows who is in charge of income tax from this side the House.
It is a serious issue for many of our constituents as filing annual income tax statements on income received is required by tax law.
Mr. Speaker, when you can't read or understand the forms, this compounds and complicates the issue.
Mr. Speaker, we have had some success in our letter writing campaign to Martin Kaoshaow.
Mr. Speaker, Revenue Canada last year for the first time opened up their office here in Nunavut, and they set it up, Mr. Speaker, and allowed for the first time, Inuit language capabilities.
Mr. Speaker, it's still not enough, today Mr. Speaker, I will be sending another letter to the Federal Minister, to our MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell, as well as Senator Willie Adams, to again to impress on the federal government the importance of having these forms translated into Inuktitut.
Mr. Speaker, in my correspondence and conversation with the Honourable Martin Kaoshaow, Mr. Kaoshaow stated that one of the concerns that they had was the ability to have the legal text of the income tax forms translated, and who would authorize that. So I said to the minister at that time in writing then indeed Mr. Speaker, with the support of the federal government in setting up Nunavut, all of our legislation Mr. Speaker, legislation and law is in Inuktitut and if there is a problem with the federal government bringing the forms forward in Inuktitut, I think we could be giving them assistance from the Government of Nunavut, where we actually have those people and that ability in this Government.
Member's Statement 136 - 1(5): Working Language & Customs in the Legislative Assembly
And welcome, you’re a little bit shorter than the other Speaker so you didn't see me, from where I was sitting.
Today I would like to say that I'm very proud and there are a lot of observers here who used to go to school in Churchill, Manitoba.
We were young when we were sent out, and we had to learn the English language.
They had thought that we were going to turn into Qallunaat and we did try to the best of our abilities to become Qallunaat but we are still Inuit today.
I am very proud that we are almost all Inuit and we are using our mother tongue during the proceedings and I'm extremely proud to see some our former classmates, and I'm very proud that we can have this sitting using our own language.
Mr. Speaker, I'm sure some the members have some of their constituents in this group and I'm sure they would like to welcome them to the gallery also.
I would like to take this opportunity Mr. Speaker, last night we had the final banquet between the NWT Power Corporation, who served Nunavut well over the past several years, but April 1st as I said Mr. Speaker, we are having our Nunavut Power Corporation being set up.
And I would like to take this opportunity to introduce to the House some of the people involved in the Nunavut Power Corporation as well as our colleagues, friends from the NWT Power Board who are also in town for these important meetings.
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I know no stranger to anyone in this House, a good friend of mine, I've known him many years, he always gives me a hard time, he's a great hockey player, Mr. Speaker, the Chairman of the Nunavut Power Corporation Board, Mr. Simon Merkosak.
Simon, please stand up.
Sitting next to Mr. Merkosak, is a man ….
Sitting next to Mr. Merkosak is a man of incomparable abilities, an entrepreneur, a businessperson as well as one of the people that was on the NTPC Board, and I should point out Mr. Speaker, Mr. Merkosak and Mr. Simailak did yeoman’s service on the NWT Power Corporation Board and now both of them are heading up our Nunavut Power Corporation.
The Vice-Chair of the Nunavut Power Corporation, the pride of Baker Lake, sorry Mr. McLean, the pride of Baker Lake, Mr. David Simailak.
Also, on the board is a person from Iqaluit, another businessperson, that runs the Grind & Brew Coffee shop, well known throughout I think, Iqaluit, Baffin and in Nunavut, Elisapee Sheutiapik.
Elisapee.
Now we also have with us two of our new board members that we introduced earlier.
Which is fantastic with their years and years of experience in utilities they are bringing some expertise to our board that we need.
Mr. Bill Shanks.
Thank you Bill.
Also Mr. Barry Gessnor.
Now, Mr. Speaker, anyone who has a board needs staff and I would like to take a chance here and the opportunity just to introduce some of our staff.
First of all the Vice-President I believe of operations, who has been running the Baffin operations for the NWT Power Corporation, will be now moving on up to the Nunavut Power Corporation, an excellent individual, a great conversationalist, Mr. Axel Have.
Coming from the Kitikmeot region, a well known individual to the Members of this House, an excellent person, one of the first hires of the Nunavut Power Corporation, Ms. Clara O’Gorman.
Our communications person who keeps the messages going and clear, who brought us in co-operation with our communication policy people, the power to the people advertisement, Mr. Jobie Inuya.
I would also like to introduce a person who is back in the House, who used to sit right up here at the desk, no stranger to the House, one of the first hires in Baker Lake, was over there, one of the big reasons for the success that we have had in Baker Lake, with the vision that the Premier talked about, with all the local hires that we have done in Baker Lake, almost 90%.
I think that is something that the Nunavut Government should be very proud of.
Sometimes we talk about staff housing issues and everything, if we are going to hire local, we don’t need to bring people in from outside, and I think the Power Corporation has demonstrated and shown that.
We would like to thank Rhoda Perkison, for her hard work.
Rhoda would you stand up please.
I think I forgot one person the President/CEO, also a board member, as I said last night he is affectionately known as the Colonel, a very proud, dominant person, people will recognize him when he stands up, Mr. Rick Blennerhassett.
Mr. Blennerhassett.
Now Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take the opportunity to quickly introduce the NTPC Board.
Our friends who are over here from the Western Arctic.
First of all I would start off by introducing a friend of mine, used to be with Braden Bury Expediting, a businessperson, an all round good guy, Mr. Gordon Stewart. Gordon.
The Chair of the Board.
I also would like to introduce Leon Cournoyea, and Leon is no stranger to Iqaluit, or to Nunavut.
A long time head of the NWT Power Corporation.
Mr. Leon Cournoyea.
I would also like to introduce some of the other members and I will call out their names.
Tom Zubko.
Another person who is over here with Nunasi Corporation, sometimes the Canadian Airlines, the McDonalds’ franchise, an excellent person, Kelly Kaylo.
Another long time northerner, well known person Mr. Speaker, on NTPC’s board.
John Parker.
Andy Duvall.
Ted Humphreys.
Eric Shouldice.
Christine Jacko.
Billy Shuman.
Ben Gee.
And finally, but not least, Christina Ford.
Those are your NTPC and your NPC Boards of Directors and employees.
I just wanted to also express recognition and honour to an individual.
Knowing that in the past, we did not always agree with the Government of the Northwest Territories at times, but however we worked together and went on to create Nunavut.
I think the driving force, one of the driving forces behind that whole thing was the former commissioner and now, private citizen, but he was always there to listen to the people and I think he was instrumental in making sure that when Nunavut was created that there was no risk and also in dividing up the boundary lines.
So, I would like to pay special tribute to John Parker, a long time friend of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
Speaker: Thank you. Mr. Anawak.
When we were starting to have our first sitting in the Legislative Assembly for Nunavut we came here with no prior knowledge of procedures that we could follow through as MLAs.
Some of us could not speak any English and not knowing any of the legislation that was all written in English and it was very difficult for us.
This lady worked very hard for us.
Rhoda Perkison helped us to understand the system that we had to work with and it was very quick for us to learn because of the way she taught us.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): I hardly ever recognize any of our visitors in the Legislative Assembly but at this time I would like to recognize a person from Pond Inlet who is visiting here with us who is also board member for the Nunavut Power Corporation, Simon Merkosak.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Picco passed me a quick note, he missed one individual that is here with the Power Corporation group and that is Mr. Carl Bird who is with GNWT Finance out of Yellowknife.
Good department.
Mr. Ng. Welcome to the gallery.
Question 153 - 1(5): Nunavut Tourism Funding
I would like to direct this question to the Minister of Sustainable Development.
In regards to the Tourism Association in Nunavut, how is their organization funded.
Is it similar to the Yukon and Northwest Territories funding formula.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Akesuk.
At this time our funding to support Nunavut Tourism is at the maximum, we fund and support them as much as we can.
I will explain further when I am at the witness table under the Department of Sustainable Development budget.
We have designed it for Nunavut and not by comparing it to the Yukon or the NWT.
The funding formula for the Tourism Association is quite different from other tourism associations.
Is the budget for Nunavut tourism industry set up so that there will be enough for the organization to operate.
Speaker: Minster Akesuk.
We are working on a partnership program to deal with tourism issues in our area.
We are working with the governments of the Yukon and the NWT on how we can co-operate in this sector.
It is obvious that the tourism industry in Nunavut, especially people who are hosting tourists in our region is extremely important.
Can the minister find better ways to make use of the tourism funding, not just the administrative activities of the association, but give more to the communities.
Yes, we are waiting for audited statements from the Tourism Association so we can move forward.
We will be looking for ways to organize local tourism businesses and local aspects of the tourism industry.
We will be looking at how we can support the tourism industry locally so that they can make better use of this funding in Nunavut.
We will be looking at the funding and then decide on exactly what is the best way to approach this.
I know that this is my final supplementary.
Is the department going to be working with other departments perhaps the Department of Transportation, so that the local businesses and the hospitality industry will be able to work towards a more successful industry.
Chairperson (interpretation): Minister Akesuk.
Yes we'll be working with the stakeholders, and perhaps Nunavut Tunngavik will be working with us, we've always been working with Nunavut Tunngavik dealing with the tourism industry and they have assisted us in developing some of the policies required for the future.
Question 154 - 1(5): Workers' Compensation Board Coverage for Hunters & Trappers
I'm not sure who will answer this question, it’s about the Workers' Compensation Board.
The minister announced earlier that they'll be sharing some of the responsibilities of the Workers' Compensation Board with the Government of NWT and they'll be transferring the responsibilities here on September 31st, 2003.
Can the minister advise us about the recent review on the Workers' Compensation Board.
It affects the regions greatly and also the operations of the Nunavut Government on the responsibilities that will be transferred to the Nunavut Government, when will that be happening.
Mr. Speaker, we've entered into an extension of the shared responsibility for the Workers’ Compensation Board.
The Government of the NWT along with the Government of Nunavut will continue to have a shared Workers’ Compensation Board.
I understand the answer.
The Workers’ Compensation Board deals with people who are earning income through wages, and how are you going to be dealing with those involved in hunting and fishing activities, how will they be dealt with.
Mr. Speaker, the harvester’s coverage continues on, the Department of Sustainable Development funds coverage for harvesters, if they were to be injured while trying to derive income from harvesting activities.
Who is responsible for hunters’ and trappers’ coverage, is it the Nunavut Government or NWT Government.
We are, the Government of Nunavut.
This is the first time I heard that the government is responsible for hunters’ and trappers’ coverage.
Is there a written agreement, anything to deal with this particular responsibility.
Speaker: Mr. Iqaqrialu that was your final supplementary.
Question 155 - 1(5): Fuel Assistance for Outpost Camps
During a member’s statement recently, I stated that I was going to bring up some questions to the Minister of DSD.
I talked about outpost camps and the fact that they receive some assistance, some money, but this money has decreased since we became a government.
I think the assistance they receive is too small.
I think they receive 50 dollars to transport their fuel each year.
It is a lot of work to bring fuel to the outpost camps I am wondering if there could be some more funds available.
Speaker: Thank you. Minister Akesuk.
I do not want to keep saying this but we are presently reviewing the assistance that is provided for harvesters and I stated during an earlier ministers' statement that we are looking at different ideas on how to assist the harvesters.
It is called the Harvester's Support Program.
I would just like to state that we are presently reviewing it.
Speaker: Thank you. Mr. Irqittuq.
I will smile.
I was told to smile.
The minister replied by saying that it is being reviewed and we understand this differently or we could interpret it differently.
To review something it is just looking at the document and my constituency, I interpret it differently so once the review is done in the year 2001 and 2002 once the review is done will the support for outpost camps be increased.
I cannot say when the review would be completed.
We say the word “review” differently in Inuktitut so during my minister's statement I talked about the Harvester's Support Policy Review and once the review is done we will look at how we can better support the outpost camps and the harvesters in Nunavut.
I can’t say whether we can increase the amount that is given, but we will know better after the review is done.
The minister said that there is a review being started.
When are they going to start the review.
Yesterday, the questionnaires were sent to the communities.
So the communities should be receiving them in the mail shortly.
Speaker: Mr. Irqittuq this is going to be your final supplementary.
Once this is complete, will we be able to find out if the support will be increased.
The review that is going to be done, we can’t say now whether we will increase the assistance until the review is done.
So once it has been completed we will be able to inform you and the other members whether that is going to be decided.
That information will be given to you once it is done.
Question 156 – 1(5): Name of Akitsiraq Law School
I asked him questions about the name of the Akitsiraq Law School.
Has he researched the name of the law school, as he said he would.
Yes, we looked into the name of the law school and it wasn’t put together by the Department of Justice.
A committee from outside of the government named the law school.
I looked into this and found that the name of the law school was derived that way and so we would just like to leave it as it is.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Okalik.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): The name, Akitsiraq, I said earlier that it might be incorrect and the minister was going to look into this.
Has he looked into whether it is incorrect.
It has different meanings, I guess for different dialects.
I looked into what it means but we are already using that name for the law school and I would just like to leave it as it is.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Not a question but, I understand that but he is not going to review this or look into this further and I will not bring it up to him again but I will be expecting to get more clarification later on.
Speaker: Thank you. Mr. Nutarak .
Mr. Minister would you like to comment on that.
I have stated that we are presently calling the law school Akitsiraq and if we were to change it I think it would confuse people so later on I think we would be able to review it again or look at the name and see if it needs to be changed.
Question 157 - 1(5): Summer Student Employment Outside GN
A little dull around here today, so my question today is to the Premier.
This is the third year in a row I stood up and asked this question at the same time of year.
It is regarding our summer student employment.
Can somebody on the other side of the House and I am directing this question to the Premier, have they come up with any kind of plan to employ summer students this year outside of the government.
In previous years, they used to fund through community government, through other departments with a fifty percent contribution to the hamlet to hire recreation leaders and people with the housing associations and various other organizations.
Does this government have a plan yet, to hire some summer students outside of the regular government of Nunavut personnel.
A good question the member raised.
I remember when the member raised that issue during the first budget of 1999, as you may recall, we tried to scramble to put together something but we were a bit late.
Last year we had an actual, as members may recall in the budget speech, it was an announcement of summer student employment programs outside of Government of Nunavut and unfortunately, there was not a high uptake of that program from my recollection.
In this coming fiscal year Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that we put it back in because of the low uptake from the previous year. But I will just to make sure, check with the responsible minister who I believe may be myself, Mr. Speaker, and find out if that is the case and if not and there is a required need we can certainly try to be flexible in trying to address that issue.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Ng. If you are going to redirect a question, please notify me.
That may be my fault, Mr. Speaker, for asking the Premier but like I say this is the third year in a row I have been asking this question.