EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, again, Mr. Chairman, and I apologize to my colleagues for not having the copies available.
I did ask to have some changes made and I again apologize to my colleagues for not providing the copies.
For my opening comments, I’m pleased to be here to present the 2003/2004 business plan and proposed budget for the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
I will go briefly to the role of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
It is to seek political direction, build consensus on policy issues within the government, to communicate that direction, to collect, analyse and provide information to the government and to the public and provide coordination and leadership for the public service.
It is important to note that the department still has no capital expenditures and the department is a small operational department with 45 employees who work in policy, statistics, intergovernmental affairs, communications, decentralization and cabinet support.
These functions are with the budget of 6 million 373 thousand dollars.
When appointments and budgets for Ministers' offices, the Commissioner of Nunavut and the Utility Rates Review Council are added, the total budget rises to 10 million 495 thousand dollars.
This is still the second smallest budget being considered this year by the Assembly.
This operational budget for my office has no capital.
This year’s budget represents a decrease of approximately 595 thousand dollars from the 2002/2003 budget.
That is mainly due to the completion of the program review that will expire on March 31st of this year.
The final report of observations and recommendations for improving the Government of Nunavut’s program delivery will be forthcoming at the end of June 2003.
This is the final year for the decentralization secretariat.
Since August 1999, the secretariat has coordinated the decentralization of 429 positions throughout Nunavut.
In the past year, some relocation efforts have been delayed because of the need for more housing in communities.
The secretariat has been active in developing new housing in these communities and these are coming on stream.
In the coming year, the secretariat will complete the relocation of existing positions and deal with standing commitments to Pangnirtung and Baker Lake.
The secretariat plans to complete this crucial work by the autumn of 2003.
We’re also working with Human Resources to incorporate the tracking of decentralized commitments through the Inuit employment records tabled quarterly in the Assembly.
Finally, an organizational change, Aboriginal and circumpolar affairs is now organized under the responsibility of the Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
The division manages the government of Nunavut’s relationship with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and Land Claims bodies, provides funding to the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, represent the Government on the Arctic Council, and manages trans-boundary dispute issues.
Thus, it has a natural place in the Intergovernmental Affairs portfolio.
Those are some of the issues that we have dealt with.
We are working on the Wildlife Act with the help of Sustainable Development.
We are trying to get more employees through Article 23.
In regards to the economic development issues, we are giving support to that conference that will be held.
In May of 2000, we completed the Inuit Impact and Benefits Agreement for territorial parks.
There are still a lot of outstanding issues that we are dealing with.
We expect to continue with programs like the Government of Nunavut Community Radio Broadcast, and continue to promote Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit as a strong influence in policy development across the Government of Nunavut.
We are also concentrating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, as of course, we have to include those into the day to day activities of the Government.
That is a summary of what we have been doing at the department.
I am sure that there will be questions from the Members.
You can go to the witness table with your officials.
Sergeant at Arms, if you would escort the witnesses please?
Please introduce your officials, Minister Okalik.
I am sure everyone knows the Deputy Minister.
We have Anne Crawford, and on my left with Intergovernmental Affairs, the Deputy Minister, David Omilgoitok.
Thank you very much, and welcome to our Chambers.
Before we begin as usual we have general comments under Rule 77(1), you have ten minutes.
Subject to the discretion of the Chairman, a Member may speak more than once on a matter, but not until every Member wishing to speak has spoken.
Hi Glenn, I would just like to say hi to somebody. They had indicated that they will be watching me on TV.
He indicated that he would really be watching me on T.V. so I just thought I would say hi to him.
Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Services has reviewed the main estimates and business plans for the department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs for the 2003/2004 fiscal and I am pleased to provide you with the comments from the committee.  The Committee notes that the department’s total 2003/2004, budget of $10 million 495 thousand dollars represents an increase of more than $2.7 million dollars or 35 percent from the department’s first budget allocation in 1999/2000.
This is a substantial increase in just five years for a department that delivers few programs or services directly to the public.
Last year, Members raised a number of concerns during the review of the department’s main estimates.
I would like to take a moment to a make some comments regarding progress and performance in these areas.
Last year, Members stressed the need for the department to fulfil its responsibility as a central agency by working to ensure that the government, departments, boards and agencies obey the law and table their annual reports and other statutory required documents on time.
Although there has been a marked improvement in this area over the past year, there remains room for improvement.
In the past, Members have stressed the need for the department to improve communication with the communities.
Members are pleased to note the department’s commitment to more actively using community radio to disseminate information of interest to Nunavummiut.
Last year the Committee spoke strongly on the need for the government to push Nunavut’s priorities on the national stage.
Members supported the government’s efforts to impress upon our federal partners, the need for funding arrangements that are not based on rigid, inadequate, per/capita formulas, but on real needs of a jurisdiction.
In turn, Members urged the government to be consistent and credible by dealing with the needs of our smaller communities in a manner that is not based only population numbers.
Members were extremely pleased to note the recent tri-territorial success in securing a fairer deal for Nunavut and our northern neighbours in the area of health care.
Members remain concerned however, regarding progress on other fronts.
For example, although the recent budget address again spoke of the need for devolution, a goal all Members support, there’s a distinct lack of forward movement on this issue.
Just last week, Mr. Chairman, for example, the Yukon Premier, Mr. Fenti, noted publicly in a legislative debate in the Yukon and I’ll quote him; Unfortunately, Nunavut has not been given the same assurance that they can begin negotiations on devolution.
We remain concerned about this issue.
Last year, the committee indicated that it was looking forward to the tabling of the next annual report on the status of the Clyde River Protocol between the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
Members continue to look forward to this given that it has not been forthcoming.
Members continue to urge the government to be forthright in defending it’s own positions when issues of contention arise between it and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
Mr. Chairman, all Members are aware of the importance of the Government of Nunavut’s ongoing program review exercise which is being coordinated at this stage by Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
The Standing Committee has consistently urged the department to draw extensively on the knowledge of front line workers during this exercise and not fall prey to the over reliance on imported consultants.
Members have noted with concern the various RFPs that the department has issued over the past year to solicit the services of consultants.
Members of the standing committee have suggested that the government examine closely, the desirability of splitting Health and Social Services into two departments and to examine whether there is a continued need for a stand alone Human Resources Department.
Members have also suggested that it may be desirable to take the income support function out of the Department of Education.
Members also urge the Government to scrutinize closely the opportunities for savings in such areas as travel.
Mr. Chairman. a related area is that of performance measurement.
Members have noted with interest the department’s stated business plan goal to “establish a Government of Nunavut performance measurement program” in the coming fiscal year.
Members reiterate their wish to see business plans begin to incorporate performance measures that look at actual results and outcomes, and not just activities and outputs.
Members have consistently supported the Government of Nunavut’s decentralization initiative, which has been coordinated through the department.
Recognizing that decentralization is scheduled to end in the coming year, Members would wish to get clarification on such outstanding issues as the feasibility study for the decentralization of certain positions that has been discussed in this House in recent days, as well as the future of such positions as those associated with the Liquor Commission that were originally earmarked for Gjoa Haven.
That concludes my Opening Comments.
Individual Members may have their own concerns and comments as we proceed.
I am sorry; we will give the Members a chance to do general comments for ten minutes.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): I would like to report progress.
Chairperson (interpretation): The Member made a motion to report progress and it is not debatable.
I am ahead of myself.
I think that we have had a long day.
There is a Motion to report progress.
Thank you, Mr. Minister, and your Officials.
Thank you we will see you again tomorrow.
Speaker: Item 21. Report of Committee of the Whole. Mr. Chairman.
Your Committee has been considering Bill 30 and Bill 22 and would like to report that Bill 22 is ready for third reading.
Mr. Havioyak seconds the motion.
Clerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Orders of the day for Thursday March 20th, 2003,
Bill 31
Bill 32
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Quirke.
This House stands adjourned until Thursday, March 20th, 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 19:03 p.m.  Nunavut Canada
Thursday March 20, 2003
Pages 2956 - 3025
Opening Prayer 2956
Ministers’ Statements 2956
Members’ Statements 2958
Returns to Oral Questions 2966
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2967
Oral Questions 2969
Written Questions 2987
Reports of Standing and Special Committees 2988
Tabling of Documents 2995
First Reading of Bills 2997
Second Reading of Bills 2998
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2999
Report of Committee of the Whole 3024
Orders of the Day 3024
Thursday March 20, 2003 2956
137 – 1(6): Minister Akesuk Absent from House (Picco) 2956
138 – 1(6): Community Justice Activities in Nunavut (Okalik) 2956
139 – 1(6): Iraqi Conflict (Thompson) 2957
456 – 1(6): Decentralized and Non Decentralized Communities (Puqiqnak) 2958
457 – 1(6): Polar Bear Quotas in the High Arctic (Williams) 2959
458 – 1(6): Departments Recognizing Inuinnaqtun Language (Havioyak) 2960
459 – 1(6): 1960s Activities in Sanikiluaq (Kattuk) 2960
460 – 1(6): Helicopter Pilots’ Exercise Near Pangnirtung (Kilabuk) 2961
461 – 1(6): Post Secondary Students – High Cost of Transportation (Alakannuark) 2962
462 – 1(6): Heavy Equipment Operator Certificate – Leonard Sweetland Commendation (McLean) 2962
463 – 1(6): Rankin Inlet Comments and Concerns (Thompson) 2963
464 – 1(6): Medical Patients Travelling South for Treatment (Arvaluk) 2964
465 – 1(6): Power Corporation Payment Centres (Irqittuq) 2964
466 – 1(6): Standardized Testing (Picco) 2965
467 – 1(6): Pond Inlet Athletes (Nutarak) 2966
Return to Question 365 – 1(6): Small Business Grants for Construction (Kattuk) 2966
454 – 1(6): Plans for Equal Opportunity in Non-decentralized Communities (Puqiqnak) 2969
455 – 1(6): Telephone Communication to IDEA (Tootoo) 2971
456 – 1(6): Transportation Assistance for Post Secondary Students (Alakannuark) 2972
457 – 1 (6): Number of Outpost Camps in Nunavut (McLean) 2974
458 – 1(6): A Need to Increase Inuinnaqtun Teachers (Havioyak) 2976
459 – 1(6): Update on Tammaatikvik Boarding Home and Patients’ Concerns (Irqittuq) 2977
460 – 1(6): Tabling of Recommended Rent Scale (Iqaqrialu) 2979
461 – 1(6): Medical Travel Routes – Skyward and Scheduled Flights (Arvaluk) 2982
462 – 1(6): Rent Scale – Consider Family Size for Homeowners (Tootoo) 2985
463 – 1(6): Homeowner Applications This Year (McLean) 2986
009 – 1(6): Dental Services (McLean) 2987
003 – 1(6): Bill 1 – Education Act (Nutarak) 2988
088 – 1(6): Written Submissions on Bill 1Received by Standing Committee (Nutarak) 2995
089 – 1(6): January 28 Letter to Hon. Ed. Picco – Martha Taliruq Centre (McLean) 2996
090 – 1(6): Inter-Branch Transfer (Ng) 2996
091 – 1(6): January 29 Letter Regarding Eye Glass Repair (McLean) 2996
092 – 1(6): Job Ad – Child and Outreach Youth Worker (McLean) 2996
093 – 1(6): January 8 Letter to Hon. Manitok Thompson – New Docking Facility (McLean) 2996
094 – 1(6): Health and Social Services Medivac Contract (McLean) 2997
095 – 1(6): January 28 Letter from Hamlet of Baker Lake – Jonah Amitnaaq Building (McLean) 2997
096 – 1(6): PPD Positions to Baker Lake (McLean) 2997
Bill 31 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3 – 2002/2003 – First Reading 2997
Bill 32 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 2 – 2002/2003 – First Reading 2997
Bill 31 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3 – 2002/2003 – Second Reading 2998
Bill 32 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 2 – 2002/2003 – Second Reading 2998
Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Mr. James Arvaluk, Mr. Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Irqittuq, Honourable Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Glenn McLean, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Ed Picco, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Rebekah Williams.
Speaker (Mr. O’Brien): I would like to call on Ms. Thompson to say the opening prayer.
Speaker: Good Afternoon.
Mr. Premier, Members.
Welcome to the first day of spring.
Welcome to the people in the gallery.
Minister’s Statement 137 – 1(6): Minister Akesuk Absent from House
Mr. Speaker, First of I would like to thank you for the gift of the flowers.
I know you have noticed that I have been a little bit depressed over the last few days so I appreciate that.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Olayuk Akesuk will be absent from the House from March 20th to the 21st, 2003.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Picco, and we’re pleased that you like your flowers.
Minister’s Statement 138 – 1(6): Community Justice Activities in Nunavut
Mr. Speaker, you look quite feminine today with all the floral arrangements.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to share with Members of the Assembly the activities of our Community Justice Committee and the work that the Department of Justice has done in assisting them.
Our Corrections Committee, Justice Division provides funding to our Community Justice Committees to support and assist in the development of community based justice projects.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, 12 Community Justice Coordinators based throughout Nunavut and five Community Justice Specialists will attend a 4 day course to practise and develop community development facilitation skills.
This course will be held in Cape Dorset starting this week, from March 20-24.
Additional funding has been provided by Justice Canada.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, our Corrections and Community Justice Division, in conjunction with the RCMP, have undertaken a role to ensure that Community Justice Committees are trained in Family Group Conferencing.
(interpretation ends) The values of Family Group Conferencing methods are consistent with and reflective of traditional Inuit values.
I am please to report that training in Family Group Conferencing has taken place in 15 Nunavut communities to date.
In April of this year, training will be given in the communities of Kugaaruk and Taloyoak.
Training for Baker Lake and Chesterfield Inlet has been postponed to a later date due to bad weather.
Our goal is to get all the communities trained.
It’s a matter of scheduling with the ones we haven’t gone to yet.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I am please to report on these very important initiatives regarding Community Justice activities and ask that Members acknowledge the very important work that our Community Justice Committees are doing.
Minister’s Statement 139 – 1(6): Iraqi Conflict
Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the Minister responsible for Nunavut Emergency Services to comment on the situation in Iraq.
I want to reassure Nunavummiut that the events we see on our televisions from Iraq will not affect Nunavummiut directly.
It is understandable that when most channels are broadcasting the events in English, our elders and unilingual Inuktitut speakers might be troubled.
Mr. Speaker, I want to advise this House and all Nunavummiut that GN Departments have been briefed and are receiving information from the Federal Counterparts regarding impacts on Canada of the Iraqi conflict.
Awareness and response arrangements are in place throughout Canada.
Action Plans can be implemented if the need should ever arise.
Although we are quite distant from this conflict, I hope for the sake of our world and the people directly involved that it is over quickly.
Mr. Speaker, although these events may not affect us personally, we should pray for all the parents and the children that may be involved in the conflict on all sides.
(interpretation ends) As Minister responsible for Emergency Preparedness, I recognize the need to ensure all safety measures are in place.
I would like to inform residents of Nunavut that though our Emergency Measures Office we have taken steps to ensure Nunavut is included in all discussion regarding the security of Canadians as well as to ensure resources are available if required.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the elders because they have been asking a lot of questions on the Iraq conflict.
We do not want them to worry about it because it is quote far away from Nunavut because they might be mislead while watching television, looking at the conflict in Iraq.
We don’t want the unilingual elders to worry about it.
Member’s Statement 456 – 1(6): Decentralized and Non Decentralized Communities
Mr. Speaker, Please let me know when my time is almost over.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about decentralization.
Mr. Speaker, as everyone knows, there are a number decentralized communities in Nunavut: Cape Dorset, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet, Igloolik, Baker Lake, Gjoa Haven, Kugluktuk and Arviat.
Mr. Speaker, I know that the people in those decentralized communities are happy to have those jobs in their communities.
Mr. Speaker, I also know that Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Cambridge Bay have their share of jobs because they are the three big Regional Centres.
Mr. Speaker, what I am concerned about is the non-decentralized communities in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the Bathurst Mandate says that by the year 2020, Nunavut is a place where equal opportunities exists across Nunavut in areas of jobs, education, health, justice, and all other services.
Mr. Speaker, jobs are very important to the people of those non-decentralized communities.
I would like to stress that these communities should be given the same opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, I know that my colleagues share this concern, as they have expressed various issues of decentralization, or non-decentralization in this House.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be asking questions.
Member’s Statement 457 – 1(6): Polar Bear Quotas in the High Arctic
Speaker, I rise today to talk about the issues of polar bear quotas in the High Arctic.
This not the first time that I have risen in this House on this topic.
In fact, Mr. Speaker, I addressed this issue in November of last year, and my questions have not been answered yet.
Mr. Speaker, at the time I voiced my concerns regarding quotas in Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord, and Arctic Bay.
As Members are aware those three communities currently host close to twenty polar bear sports hunts every year.
(Interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I have heard that discussions and consultations are being undertaken regarding the polar bear quotas and a new memorandum of understanding across Nunavut.
My colleagues and I have risen in this House to advocate for the use of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in the management process.
However, Mr. Speaker, the procedure used to determined quotas for sports hunts in our community, remains unclear.
Mr. Speaker, Article 5 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement indicates that the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board shall have full authority to establish, modify, or remove some of the total allowable harvest.
At the same time the Government retains the ultimate responsibility for wildlife management.
Mr. Speaker, it is now clear to me how these organizations work together to determine quotas for sport hunting and community hunts.
(Interpretation) Mr. Speaker, polar bear quotas impact greatly on the economy of each community in my constituency.
Sport hunting accounts for a significant amount of money flowing into those communities each year.
For this reason, Mr. Speaker, I believe that this is important for the quota allocation process to be completely transparent.
Ms. Williams (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that this is important for the quota allocations to be completely transparent.
The process should be clear to me, my colleagues and my constituents as it is to the Department of Sustainable Development itself.
Currently that is not the case.
Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Sustainable Development questions at the appropriate time.
Speaker: Thank you, Ms. Williams. Members’ Statements. Mr. Havioyak.
Member’s Statement 458 – 1(6): Departments Recognizing Inuinnaqtun Language
I want to make a short comment.
This is an old item that I’ve been brining up for some time.
I’ve been talking about this issue for quite some time now, the Inuinnaqtun language and our writing system that.
I am happy that some of the departments are now starting to work with Inuinnaqtun language and also working in our language.
I appreciate all the hard work for the department for recognizing the Inuinnaqtun language.
I would like to see the Inuinnaqtun language be used a lot more in the House and in our communities.
Today, the Federal Government only have materials that are presented in English and I would like to see a lot of Inuinnaqtun translated from English to Inuinnaqtun from the Federal Government documents.
I would like to urge the House to inform the Federal Government to have their documents written in the Inuinnaqtun language as well as all the organizations and other agencies.
Member’s Statement 459 – 1(6): 1960s Activities in Sanikiluaq
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to inform my fellow colleagues regarding activities in Sanikiluaq.
In Sanikiluaq in the 1960s, the Belcher Islands and the surrounding area, the water levels have fluctuated and the ownership of those islands has been an issue with Quebec and other territories.
So I’d like to raise this concern, when in the 1960s, there were two residents from Sanikiluaq who went to a meeting in Iqaluit regarding the islands in the Hudson Bay area and the jurisdiction issue of those islands.
I’d like to recognise the two delegates that attended the meeting.