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The deficit includes $19.2 million that this House approved in June for the government’s share of capital projects in support of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
Some of these capital projects include:
Upgrading the information technology infrastructure at Nunavut Arctic College
Recreational infrastructure in Pond Inlet, Taloyoak, Chesterfield Inlet, Igloolik, Sanikiluaq, and Iqaluit
Municipal infrastructure in Sanikiluaq, Arviat, Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak, and Cambridge Bay
One of the major cost drivers in the government’s budget continues to be health care expenditures.
Our deficit projection includes a further appropriation of $14.7 million to the Department of Health and Social Services through Bill 9.
To further support the Department of Health and Social Services, the government is taking advantage of an opportunity to purchase the Arviat Health Facility.
This proposed purchase is part of Bill 10.
Later in this sitting, I will table the 2008-09 Interim Financial Report and the 2007-08 Public Accounts.
Mr. Speaker, this brings the government’s tabling of financial information up to date.
Along with this, two supplementary appropriation bills for previous fiscal years 2007-08 and 2008-09 will be introduced to provide additional monies to the Department of Health and Social Services.
In 2010-11, the government is allocating $111 million for capital projects throughout our territory.
When the 2009-2013 Five-Year Capital Plan was approved, $91 million was allocated for 2010-11.
Although there is a backlog of capital projects, the government acknowledges that an increase of $20 million is needed to reflect our commitment to Tamapta through:
Ensuring air transportation is safe in our smaller communities
Ensuring our communities have the necessary infrastructure.
An example of this is the increase to bulk fuel storage capacity in Pangnirtung
The recognition that the cost to build the Nunavut Heritage Centre has increased, thus a further $7 million has been allocated to this embodiment of Inuit culture
The construction of staff housing in Cape Dorset, Qikiqtarjuaq, and Sanikiluaq, where new schools are either being constructed or additions are being built to ensure that our students have the best facilities possible to further their education
The recognition that homeownership is a dream of many Nunavummiut.
The government is assisting in this regard by doubling the amount of funding for homeownership programs to $4 million.
This will support the government’s goal of increasing housing options to Nunavummiut
Mr. Speaker, our government will continue to ensure that fiscal resources are managed properly while continuing to invest in priority areas of Tamapta.
Working together, we will reach our vision for Nunavut.
Minister’s Statement 041 – 3(2): Education Act Implementation Workshop (Tapardjuk)
I rise today to inform my colleagues about an exciting workshop that was held in Iqaluit in late September.
The Department of Education hosted all school principals and district education authority chairs to a three-day meeting on implementing Nunavut’s Education Act in our communities.
Mr. Speaker, now that the Education Act is in force, the Department of Education is committed to a thorough and in-depth implementation process for Nunavut’s education professionals and community leaders.
Discussions over the three days covered language of instruction, positive school environments, curriculum initiatives, inclusive education, staffing elders, and the DEA coalition.
The workshop helped determine how to apply these changes in practice, clarify when they must be implemented, and explain how staff and DEAs can find and understand the information they need to support this process.
Mr. Speaker, this conference also provided an opportunity to reinforce relationships and support a collaborative approach to change.
This work is an important part of continuing to build more meaningful and positive learning environments and supporting greater student achievement in our schools.
Principals and DEAs worked closely to share their ideas and vision for the schools in their communities and the school system as a whole.
Mr. Speaker, an educated population is the foundation to build greater individual well-being, self-reliance, and to maximize the economic and social potential of communities.
It is up to government and Nunavut’s educational and community leaders to navigate this new journey.
After this workshop, I can assure you we are all up to the challenge.
Minister’s Statement 042 – 3(2): H1N1 Flu Virus (Curley)
I would like to take this time to provide an update on H1N1, as this issue has consumed a great deal of the health system’s time across the country and, of course, in Nunavut over the past number of months.
We’ve only had a handful of confirmed H1N1 cases since September in Nunavut.
We are hoping the success of our mass vaccine clinics will keep this trend going.
To reach this goal, my department organized mass H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine clinics in every community in Nunavut.
Staff and many volunteers worked hard to ensure short wait times so that all Nunavutmiut got their flu vaccines in a timely manner.
Mr. Speaker, the mass vaccine clinics ran from November 1 to 16 and upon their completion, more than 18,832 Nunavutmiut, or 60 percent of our population, had been vaccinated against the H1N1 flu virus.
Approximately 16,000 were also vaccinated against the seasonal flu, close to double last year’s number.
I am very pleased to see that so many people decided to protect themselves, their families, their communities, and other Nunavutmiut by getting their flu vaccines this year.
Anyone who missed the clinics can still get their H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines at their local health centre.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to making our mass vaccination clinics a success.
Our staff and health professionals should be acknowledged for their timely and appropriate response to this issue which has transpired over several months.
I would also like to acknowledge the support we received from other GN departments, especially CGS for their support in planning and to Education for the use of their school facilities.
We would be remiss if we didn’t thank the Canadian Rangers, who made themselves available to assist if called upon. They assisted people with disabilities and carted people without transportation to the health centres to get their vaccination shots.
We also wish to thank the RCMP, hamlets and their officials, many local volunteers, nurses, local businesses and organizations that provided donations and transportation services, and to community stores that provided refreshments and snacks to the people who went to the vaccination clinics.
We wish to thank all of the people, who are too numerous to mention but whom we wish to thank, for their assistance in this vaccination program.
So I would like to thank all Nunavutmiut who partook in this vaccination program in their communities.
Minister’s Statement 043 – 3(2): Ministers Announce Funding for Cyber Infrastructure Project (Shewchuk)
In Arviat this past September, I was joined by the Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, our federal health minister and the Minister responsible for the North, to announce more than $4.9 million of federal and territorial infrastructure funding to improve the information technology infrastructure of Nunavut Arctic College.
Called the Cyber Infrastructure Project, it is being implemented for Arctic College by the Informatics Division of CG&S.
The goal is to build a system that works in all communities and we are committed to providing as many opportunities as we can for our students in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, more Nunavutmiut are setting their sights on post-secondary education each year.
We are the only jurisdiction in Canada that does not yet have the capacity to take full advantage of distance and online learning technologies.
These infrastructure improvements will address this concern and lead to new learning opportunities for our students.
It establishes a foundation for the communications infrastructure required to make online learning and research more accessible to all Nunavutmiut through Arctic College’s network of community learning centres.
Mr. Speaker, these investments will help us build connections with each other, with the rest of Canada and the world.
The impact on adult learners will mirror the commercial revolution that occurred only a few short years ago with the establishment of broadband Internet services in our territory.
Investment in these resources will improve the lives of all Nunavutmiut who call Canada’s polar region home.
Minister’s Statement 044 – 3(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation Accomplishment: Apprenticeship Boot Camp (Tootoo)
I rise today to inform the Members of this House of the Third Annual Apprenticeship Boot Camp held by the Qulliq Energy Corporation this past month.
The previous boot camp program was completely redesigned in 2009, becoming one of the most successful apprentice training/recruitment programs in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the excellent partnership and support that the Qulliq Energy Corporation received from the Department of Education and the Government of Nunavut is living testimony of what can be achieved when cross-government departments and organizations sincerely work as mutual collaborators to ensure the success of the goals of both.
Forty-two candidates started the program, moving through a structured three-pronged trades training program based on a rigorous set of technical and aptitude criteria.
Mr. Speaker, at the close of boot camp, our trainer committee selected 18 candidates, of which 83.3 percent are beneficiaries. That’s 15 out of the 18, Mr. Speaker.
These new apprentices will be based in Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, and Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, the real success of this program is twofold.
The Qulliq Energy Corporation is bringing into its trades 18 new apprentice employees that will provide important succession planning and reduce recruitment costs.
It also moves 18 very excited Nunavummiut into future long-term and important trade careers that will provide them and their families with excellent financial stability as well as the life opportunities this stability offers.
Member for Akulliq, John Ningark.
Member’s Statement 066 – 3(2): Escorts for Patients (Ningark)
I would like to send greetings to my constituents in the communities of Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk. To the rest of Nunavut, I hope you have a good day.
I have gone to both Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk several times since I was elected and many concerns have been relayed to me which I would like to voice.
I would like to first of all thank the nurses for the vaccination shots which I received in both arms.
I urge all of the members to take the vaccine shot.
We know that this is a health precaution that is for the good of the health of Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay residents. We are aware of this because the Department of Health and Social Services has a very good policy that they use.
I wish to personally thank the minister for giving the patients a place to voice their concerns and request information, especially after Mr. Curley took on the portfolio. People can either call or perhaps write to the minister to express their issues.
It is a fact that some people don’t have telephones in their homes, Mr. Speaker, and to exacerbate this, many people are fearful to make a complaint in person.
As I stated earlier, many of my constituents express their concerns to me, several of which I have noticed personally with regard to medical travel. Some patients are allowed to bring escorts and they are sent with the patient.
However, some patients are sent out without escorts while other patients who are quite capable of communicating are allowed escorts.
With respect to patients who are in more difficult situations, whether they be patients with second language difficulties or those who are in more serious health circumstances, they are sometimes sent out without escorts. At the appropriate time, I will be posing questions to the minister with regard to the escort policy.
To cite specific examples, there was a patient who was suffering from a bad back and couldn’t even hold any luggage, yet they were sent out without an escort.
Further, another patient who was being sent out for an operation was very concerned about the operation but was sent out without an escort. There are cases like this that I will be referring to later.
Member’s Statement 067 – 3(2): Pond Inlet Sports Arena Announcement (Arvaluk)
It is very pleasurable to be back in the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice our gratitude on behalf of Pond Inlet residents, particularly our youth.
I would like to specifically thank Senator Dennis Patterson and Minister Kusugak, the Minister of Community and Government Services, for visiting our community to announce the funding for the construction of our new sports arena.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with Senator Patterson on several occasions in the past, starting from the time when he first came north as a young lawyer full of energy and ideas to initiate the Maliiganik Tukisiiniakvik program to when we served together as MLAs in the Northwest Territories legislature.
I am very pleased and honoured that our newly appointed Senator took the time to visit Nunavut and to come to our community of Pond Inlet to announce this important investment in our youth and in our families.
Last Friday, many Pond Inlet residents came to welcome and meet the Senator and Minister Kusugak, as well as to hear the official announcement regarding the new arena and partake in a community feast.
I understand that the materials for the arena will be arriving in the summer and it will be built shortly thereafter.
However, I would like to first of all thank my predecessor who unfortunately passed away, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, and his surviving family for tirelessly pursuing the issue on behalf of young Pond Inlet residents.
I would also like to thank the previous mayors, Peter Aglak and David Qamaniq, for pursuing what sometimes seemed like a lost cause.
Last but not least, I wish to recognize the people of Pond Inlet for not giving up on the idea of having a proper winter recreational complex for their community.
There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Arvaluk.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, investment in infrastructure projects, such as the Pond Inlet Arena, is vitally important to the social and economic health of our communities.
The youth of our communities are future hockey players, figure skaters, and other ice sports athletes. I greatly appreciate the effort made on their behalf.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the community of Pond Inlet for achieving this goal. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 068 – 3(2): Sport and Recreation: Ensuring Equal Opportunity (Elliott)
I rise today to bring attention to the importance of ensuring equal opportunity for all young Nunavummiut who participate in sporting events.
The physical and mental health of young people is extremely important.
This is especially true in Nunavut, where youth make up a large percentage of the population.
Participation in sports is a major contributing factor to the physical and mental health of young Nunavummiut.
There are a number of major sporting events in Nunavut that require sports teams to travel in order to meet in one community.
Regardless of where a sports team is located, a registration fee is usually required in order for a team to participate in an event.
However, for those teams travelling from more remote communities in Nunavut, travel costs are higher. The more remote the location the higher the travel cost and the higher the travel cost the more fundraising is required.
I believe that high travel costs should not prevent young Nunavummiut from participating in sporting events.
Young athletes should not be penalized because of where they live.
Rather than impose greater effort and financial burden on youth in more remote locations, I suggest that the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth work towards ensuring that young Nunavummiut in remote communities do not get left out.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth to consider what steps need to be taken to ensure that all teams have equal opportunity to participate in sporting events.
Member’s Statement 069 – 3(2): A Warm Welcome to Air Canada Jazz (Okalik)
I wish to extend a welcome to everyone here, especially our elders. I am very pleased that you are able to attend this meeting today.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish a very warm welcome to Air Canada Jazz, which has announced that it will commence service between Iqaluit and Ottawa/Montreal early next year.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that this is very positive news for the residents of Iqaluit and my constituents.
As all members are aware, the high cost of air travel to and within the north is an issue of concern in all of our communities here in Nunavut.
I have lost count of the number of hours that I have spent on aircraft over the years and I probably couldn’t even begin to calculate how much I have spent on airfare costs.
The introduction of new carriers serving Nunavut should be welcomed as a positive step towards greater competition and lower prices for our residents.
I believe that competition between stores, airlines, and other private sector companies should be embraced, not feared.
Mr. Speaker, a closely related issue concerns the development of our tourism industry. For many years, we have heard that tourism has the potential to be a significant growth area in our economy.
It is a sector that also holds the potential for creating much needed jobs in our territory.
However, the high cost of air travel between Nunavut and the south has always been a major barrier to the tourism sector.
Earlier today, I went online and priced two different routes.
A return ticket on Air Canada between Ottawa and London, England, leaving on December 10 of this year will cost you as little as $1,163.
However, a return ticket between Ottawa and Iqaluit on one of the two carriers currently serving the north leaving on the same day will cost you over $1,900.
Mr. Speaker, if we want more tourists to choose Nunavut as their destination, airfares have to come down to reasonable levels. We will never be able to fully realize our tourism potential if southerners can fly to Europe hundreds of dollars less than it takes to make the three-hour commute to Iqaluit.
I welcome the potential for our constituents to benefit from more competition, more choice, and I look forward to a new era of air travel to the north.
Member’s Statement 070 – 3(2): Update on the New School for Coral Harbour (Ningeongan)
Before I begin, I would like to send my condolences to the Kolit family of Coral Harbour and to the Kimmaliardjuk family of Chesterfield Inlet who have lost a close family member. My thoughts are with you today.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Minister Tapardjuk and his staff, as well as Minister Kusugak for coming to the community of Coral Harbour on November 12 to meet with community representatives.
Mr. Speaker, members of Coral Harbour’s hamlet council and district education authority appreciated the opportunity to raise the issue of the new school with the ministers.
The discussions were far-ranging and also addressed issues such as the new Education Act and its regulations, which were considered very important.
Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, I have addressed on more than one occasion the importance that communities feel that they are being listened to and that their community concerns are being addressed.
It is something that is very important to the communities and I encourage ministers to continue to keep the lines of communication with community representatives clear and open. It makes a difference.
Mr. Speaker, Members of this House will be aware that the new school project in Coral Harbour has been an issue to me. I was disappointed when it was not included in previous budgets until 2014. I am pleased that it is back on the government’s capital plan.
Mr. Speaker, I should note, however, that I’m not entirely satisfied that Coral Harbour’s new school project will be getting underway sooner than the year 2014. I will be lobbying this issue.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningeongan. Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 071 – 3(2): Opening of the Gjoa Haven Continuing Care Facility (Pauloosie)
Mr. Pauloosie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate the many individuals who worked long and hard towards the opening of the new continuing care facility in Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Speaker, the community of Gjoa Haven was pleased to welcome the Minister of Health and Social Services to the community for the grand opening event on November 4.
On behalf of the community, I thank Minister Curley and his staff for sharing this important occasion with us.
Mr. Speaker, I am also very pleased to congratulate the 14 ladies from Gjoa Haven who dedicated themselves to the health care training program which now certifies them to work in the facility once it begins to take in clients in the new year.
Mr. Speaker, in celebration of this event, the community hosted a drum dance followed by a community feast and a square dance at the gymnasium.
I was very happy to be able to play music for this event.
It is not often that one gets to participate on so many levels.
Mr. Speaker, having a 24-hour care facility in Nunavut, such as the continuing care centre in Gjoa Haven, means that many of our residents who need this additional care and support will be able to receive it in Nunavut, closer to their home and families.
This benefits all of us.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank our former health and social services minister, Leona Aglukkaq, who is now our federal health minister, who worked very hard in getting this beautiful facility built in Gjoa Haven, which will be utilized by many in need of 24-hour care.
Member’s Statement 072 – 3(2): Passing of Mrs. Ukpik Patiq (Kusugak)
I rise today to offer my condolences to the people of Rankin Inlet.
This fall, the residents of Rankin Inlet lost an elder and with this loss, it seemed that the median age dropped.
The individual who passed away was over 90 years old and her name was Mrs. Ukpik Patiq. She passed away this fall and I’m sure that she was one of the oldest people in Nunavut.
Ukpik was quite skilled, strong, and knowledgeable and I am sure that her legacy will continue with her relatives as well as the people of Rankin Inlet and Nunavut. She had many relatives throughout Nunavut. I send my condolences to all of her relatives who lost their loved one.
I would like to show my gratitude to Ukpik as she was an important part of Rankin Inlet’s development and she also left behind her wisdom to many residents.
If there are no more, Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) Premier, Hon. Eva Aariak.
Return to Oral Question 093 – 3(2): Former Deputy Minister of Justice (Aariak)
I would like to apologize for a slight error made in my response to a question directed to me by the Member for Iqaluit West yesterday.
(interpretation ends) Yesterday, in a response to an oral question from the MLA for Iqaluit West, I indicated that a former Deputy Minister of Justice was removed by a member when he was the Minister of Justice.
The member tabled a document yesterday which indicated that the deputy resigned and indicated the reason for that resignation.
Mr. Speaker, I apologize for my error and I apologize to the member.
If there are no more, Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. My Annuraaqatik, Louis Tapardjuk.
At this time, I have the pleasure of acknowledging the members from the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit who are in the Gallery.
The council has been re-established with members appointed for a three-year term. These new members will be on this committee for the next three years and I will be introducing them, although not all of them managed to arrive to Iqaluit.
Alice Ayalik from Kugluktuk.
Koonoo Oyukuluk from Arctic Bay.
Ragilee Arnaquq from Qikiqtarjuaq.
Leonie Qrunnut from Igloolik.
Sammie Peter from Iqaluit.
Laisa Ningiuk from Grise Fiord.
Simeonie Aqpik from Kimmirut.