EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Again, as a parent who has students in the high school, I, too, am worried about what happens and what transpires. I believe we actually have a good plan in place and I believe the preferred option would probably be the option that most parents would recommend.
I can commit to the member that I would choose whatever option comes out of a public meeting because I don’t know what’s going to come out of the public meeting.
For example, if the decision coming out of a public meeting was to build a brand new school, then we’re not in a position to be able to do that. If the decision coming out of a public meeting was to delay the renovations to the high school for five years, for example, then we wouldn’t be in a position to do that also. So depending on what comes out of the public meeting, I believe that the preferred option would be the one that would be chosen by most parents, and indeed, at the AGM.
Over the last couple of weeks at that meeting, indeed, the preferred option, the one that we have been talking about, is the one that found the most consensus with the group.
Question 452 – 2(4): Update on Manitoba-Kivalliq Winter Road (Alagalak)
First of all, I would like to acknowledge my wife, James Arreak’s wife, and my sister.
Mr. Speaker, I want you to acknowledge them very much.
I have asked this question last year and the year before to the Minister of Transportation.
There have been some concerns raised in the Kivalliq region and they do know that they need support, I don’t think it’s really the case where there is more rough terrain, because when they have to transport large quantities of cargo, they have to find their own way of transporting their goods from Churchill and possibly putting themselves in dangerous situations.
So I had asked the previous minister to see if they could mark the best transportation routes and do some testing on the ice to see if it’s safe to travel on, and to also do some testing on the safety of lakes, the minister had responded that he would look into this. So what’s the status of it to date?
I also would like to welcome the visitors.
Mr. Speaker, I had not been briefed about this issue but I know that in the Keewatin region, there is a lot of cargo being transported from Churchill to the Kivalliq communities. I would like to work closely with God...
Hon. Patterk Netser: I’m sorry, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I would really like to work with the member, Mr. Speaker, on this matter.
I have more hope now that God is going to work with us.
For the cargo, they bring in huge vehicles to bring in large amounts of cargo from Churchill to Baker Lake through Arviat.
They have to look for a transportation route because they lack snow sometimes and they have to test the ice on the lake in the cold winter and they need help.
When we need to transport goods or cargo, the government needs to take the lead.
Since becoming the minister for this portfolio, I wonder what he is prepared to do; I know that the winter is still going to be with us for quite some time.
Sometimes overnight, they start transporting goods through a request for proposal and they get knowledgeable entities at the community to transport goods through the winter trails.
I was wondering what you would be able to do on this issue.
Minister of Transportation, Minister Netser.
I really don’t know how to respond to that question because it seems like he wants me to make a decision right away.
If we need to make a decision that requires funding, I’ll have to work with all Members of the Legislative Assembly.
I think they are about 42 miles away from Baker Lake.
For that reason, the government provides funding where he has authority or jurisdiction over, for example, to work temporarily at the airstrips.
When the government requires work to be done urgently, perhaps, use that.
I know that this not going to be a huge contract. Perhaps, you could work with the Cabinet or work with the appropriate department, such as Community and Government Services, and if there was a big company, ask them if they would provide support for this.
There are various things occurring in the Kivalliq, such as mining, and they have to transport all of the cargo from the huge parts that has been left down there.
There is a lot of work to be done, so if you could discuss this matter with those people.
For the mining sector, they have to work on their own. If there is a cartage company in communities, they use that, but as the Government of Nunavut, we work with the communities.
So if we can have a discussion with the company, we can do so.
Question 453 – 2(4): Forward Operating Location Site in Rankin Inlet (Curley)
As the Premier is aware, the Department of National Defence maintains a number of Forward Operating Location sites in Nunavut, including a major facility in Rankin Inlet.
At a time when the issue of Arctic sovereignty has never been more important, it is essential that these sites be in a state of readiness.
Concerns have been raised with me that the site in Rankin Inlet is being used for such purposes as storing, thawing, staging and marshalling equipment, and cargo owned by private companies.
It does not appear that the military has authorized the use of its facilities for this purpose.
Can the Premier indicate to me how the GN works with the military on the issue of maintaining FOL sites?
Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Premier Okalik.
I’m not aware of how it operates but we did want to use the FOL sites for our own purposes.
We were looking at using these facilities in Rankin Inlet, possibly for the use of student housing, but we were informed at that time by the military that should they use those facilities on an emergency basis, everything that we owned or who rented would have to vacate the premises right away.
I’m not exactly sure how it operates but this question has been posed to the military, and again, those are not our facilities and they are not at our discretion.
As that seems to be the case, it’s quite cumbersome but they are being used as storage spaces and they’re starting to take photographs of it.
Can the Premier indicate whether the Department of National Defence has raised concerns with him regarding the condition of FOL sites located in the territory?
I haven’t been informed of such but General Whitecross will be coming in tomorrow and I will be having a meeting with him.
I will pose those questions that you’re asking me.
Those sites belong to the federal government in any case.
I will ask this in English. (interpretation ends) The FOL sites are not standing on guard for Canada at this moment, so it’s really quite important that the Premier commits to examining and raising the issue, and we thank the Premier for his commitment to raising it with the man in charge.
We would also like to ask the Premier if he would suggest to the armed forces that they re-tender the contract for maintenance of the security contract for Rankin Inlet as it appears to have been abused by the current contractor. Would he raise that issue with the armed forces as well?
I don’t know exactly how the contract is set up but I will look into the issue. It is out of our hands, so when I have a meeting with the general, I’ll bring it up.
Question 454 – 2(4): Update on Remand Inmates in Iqaluit (Arreak)
I would also like to thank Mr. Alagalak for recognizing my wife.
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Justice. I had posed this question earlier and I was told that they would be looking into it, but I have been directed to bring it up again. It’s with regards to individuals in remand who are sent down here to Iqaluit.
When the inmates come here, they have no place to stay. When they’re in Iqaluit, the parents worry about them because they have no place to stay while they’re in remand.
The minister indicated that he would look into this issue. Could he give us an update on what’s happening with this?
This is a question that we’ve had challenges with.
The court system operates independently and makes its own decisions.
The defence lawyers and the prosecutors are also involved, which are under the jurisdiction of the federal government.
There’s not much we can do on this issue and that’s where the majority of our challenges are.
We can give them advice but the court system operates independently and makes its own decisions.
It’s something that’s very hard to do when you can’t make any decisions, but there’s something we can do under the Family Abuse Intervention Act.
But, to date, we haven’t really gone anywhere.
It’s hard to look at people who are just wandering the streets with nowhere to go and they’re not in Iqaluit on their own will.
Because of these problems, I would suggest that they stay in the communities and be dealt with at the community level before any action is taken.
From what I gather, they do look for housing and if there’s some available, they can either stay at their relatives or board in some other place.
The majority of the people in remand are given the assistance.
If they could look for housing, either stay with their relatives or friends, I would suggest that they do, but sometimes, from what I can gather, they can’t find any place to stay.
I would rather see every single individual on remand have proper housing and not just some of them.
If we could, we would, but as I stated earlier, when there are issues being taken care of by the federal government, it is quite hard to do.
I am sure that we would overcome or alleviate this problem once the facility is opened in Rankin Inlet and we’re building more facilities so that there is room or places to go. It’s going to alleviate some of the problems that we’re experiencing at this point.
I don’t have a question but I’m just focusing on the people in remand who have been sent out to Iqaluit when they’re from another community.
There are some people who are boarding or staying with some relatives, they do need food and there are expenses incurred. Does the government pay for those expenses?
I don’t know how many times I have to say this but the court system operates independently; the prosecutors and the defence lawyers are under the federal jurisdiction. They are the ones who make those decisions and they’re not under our jurisdiction.
The individuals who are going to be sent down here are asked first if they have any relatives they can stay with and then they look for some place where they could board.
It’s not under our jurisdiction and whatever needs to be done is done at the Justice of the Peace level in the community, not through our department.
I don’t know how many times I have to say this but that’s it.
Question 455 – 2(4): Number of Communities Lacking Learning Centres (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, could the minister inform this House of how many communities do not have adult education centres or continuing education facilities?
I believe there are two communities that do not have an adult education centre.
Could the minister inform this House of which two communities don’t have adult education centres?
I believe, I stand to be corrected, it’s Whale Cove, and what we’ve done in Whale Cove, as an example, is we have brought in casual staff when there’s a program being run by the college in the community itself, and I believe the second community is Kugaaruk.
Do they have an individual who teaches adults in Kugaaruk?
It is my understanding that, on a contract basis, when there is a program being run or sponsored by the Nunavut Arctic College, in that case, we actually put a person in place or hire someone from the community to do the Adult Education Program.
Is the minister planning to have an adult education centre built in Kugaaruk, and if he does have plans, when can we expect to see it?
Under the Department of Education, we fund the Nunavut Arctic College capital plan, and included in that capital plan are our community learning centres. What we have tried to do with this budget is to put a rush on the new CLC in Pond Inlet because of the training opportunities through the mine.
The CLC for the community in question, Mr. Speaker, is later on in the capital plan. Part of what we have been discussing in the House, Mr. Speaker, is with the new infrastructure monies from the federal government is reorganizing and re-shifting buildings and programs within the capital plan, and that’s something we can look at with the community.
Question 456 – 2(4): Issues Affecting Nunavut (Tootoo)
I would like to direct my question to the Premier. As his colleague, Mr. Netser, pointed out, he’s the one that deals with Ottawa.
It appears, based on questions that my colleague asked, that his fellow minister wasn’t aware of something. Earlier in this sitting, there was another issue that came up with the turbot allocations that we were totally unaware of up here.
Can the Premier indicate what kind of mechanisms or people do they have in place to try and keep on top of things like this so that we aren’t caught off guard on issues and decisions that the federal government makes that have an impact on Nunavut?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I know that we have officials in Ottawa at our office to work with the bureaucracy and EIA works with a lobby firm in Ottawa to keep an eye on the ministerial occurrences in Ottawa.
So those are some of the eyes and ears that we do have on the ground.
Unfortunately, in this case, we were not given warning as to what was going to take place.
So we were all a bit taken aback and surprised with what took place on the turbot issue, and my minister, when he first had an indication, wrote to the Minister of Fisheries expressing our concern on any new allocations to outside interests.
We have been trying to manage it, but unfortunately, in this instance, the Minister of Fisheries chose to ignore our advice and proceed with an allocation that was not in the interests of Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I guess it wasn’t in our interests. It almost looks like it was in the minister’s own interest because he allocated it to his own province.
Mr. Speaker, I’m just wondering, the minister indicated that they have a contract with a consulting firm down there, is that one the responsibilities of that firm, or including the staff down there to try and be a liaison, or be our eyes and ears down there to try and catch these things before they come up?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Yes, that’s part of their function and I don’t know how this progressed to that stage of the actual transfer but I believe it was transferred to a Nova Scotia company out of Newfoundland.
So we were a bit flustered because when I last met with the Fisheries Minister, he explained that there was historical use and allocation of the quota when I expressed our ongoing frustration. So in this instance, when it was transferred to a non-historical entity, that argument is gone. They can’t argue that anymore.
So I’m looking forward to meeting that Fisheries Minister again and asking for an explanation as to why he’s defending that interest and not re-allocating it to Nunavut interests. So I’m looking for an explanation the next time I see the minister.
As I said, the firms that we use have been very good on other interests. It was just this one instance that I think it got missed.
Usually, they’re very much on the ball and they have been very effective on representing us. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I think a fish you can get in Southern Canada, when you have your meeting with that minister, you can bring him a fish, and I think it’s called a “sucker.”
Mr. Speaker, I know the Premier indicated there was just that one instance, but just today, as the minister was saying again that he wasn’t aware of comments on the position by DFO as far as small craft harbours go and their position, that’s a second incident in a very short period of time.
So I’m just wondering if he could follow-up with the people that they have a contract with in Ottawa and find out what’s going on.
Hopefully, more of these things aren’t going to come out.
There were just two incidences in the last month. So would he commit to contacting them and finding out why these things are being missed?
Is it just the federal government being secretive, or someone not doing their job?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I don’t think it’s a matter of our side not doing their jobs. We have been very firm and we have been meeting with the federal Minister of Fisheries, for example, explaining our expectations of seven facilities that we’re expecting, $40 million plus that we were expecting for Nunavut. We have been very firm on that, along with the allocations that are totally unfair to Nunavut.
So it’s not a matter of our interests being represented by our government or entities, it’s that the federal government choosing not to accept our advice and our recommendations.
So I think we have done as much as we could leading up to those announcements; we have tried our utmost, but unfortunately, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans chose to ignore our advice.
So when I see the minister next, I’m looking forward to talking to him and asking for an explanation as to why he made those decisions. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As the Premier indicated, it seems like we’re wasting our time talking to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. Will he commit to writing to the Prime Minister himself expressing our displeasure and concerns with how Nunavut is being treated by that particular minister?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I will do that.
At the same time, I look forward to seeing the Minister of Fisheries when he comes here in a couple of weeks and ask him for an explanation.
Perhaps, he can try and explain. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Members, please note that Question Period is now over.
Written Question 009 – 2(4): Academic Success of Arviammiut (Alagalak)
My Written Question is directed to the Minister of Education.
(interpretation ends) For the years 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, and 2006-07, broken down by gender and type of educational course, how many adult Arviammiut have enrolled in courses funded by the Department of Education, including Nunavut Arctic College?
For the years 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, and 2006-07, broken down by gender and type of educational course, how many adult Arviammiut have completed courses funded by the Department of Education, including Nunavut Arctic College?
For the years 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, and 2006-07, broken down by gender and type of educational program and/or course of study, how many adult Arviammiut have received diplomas, or other certification from the Department of Education, including Nunavut Arctic College?
For the years 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, and 2006-07, broken down by gender and type of educational course, how many adult Arviammiut have received degrees from the Department of Education, including Nunavut Arctic College and in partnership with accredited institutions?
For the years 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, and 2006-07, broken down by gender and type of educational course, how many adult Arviammiut have received diplomas, certifications, or degrees from educational institutions outside of Nunavut?
Tabled Document 188 – 2(4): NTI/NSDC Annual Report on the State of Inuit Culture and Society 2005/06 and 2006/07 Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education in Nunavut (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I wish to table the following document: Saqqiqput: NTI/NSDC Annual Report on the State of Inuit Culture and Society for 2005/06 and 2006/07. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 189 – 2(4): Photographs of Rankin Inlet FOL Site (Curley)
I wish to table four photographs that shows exactly how Canada is standing on guard for Arctic sovereignty at Rankin Inlet with all of the private sectors that supply the photographs.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Curley. (interpretation ends) Can we have that document brought forward to the table, please?
Tabled Document 190 – 2(4): Environmental Rights Act Annual Report January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007 (Akesuk)
Tabled Document 191 – 2(4): WCB of the NWT and Nunavut Corporate Plan for 2008 (Akesuk)
I am pleased to table the following document: The Environmental Rights Annual Report for the period of January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007.
The other one that I would like to table is a document from Workers’ Compensation Board for Nunavut and NWT Corporate Plan for 2008.
Tabled Document 192 – 2(4): Piqqusilirivvik Status Report February 2008 (Tapardjuk)
Tabled Document 193 – 2(4): Terms of Reference for the Nunavut Heritage Centre Capital Fundraising Campaign Request for Proposal 2007-40 (Tapardjuk)
Tabled Document 194 – 2(4): FPT Finance Ministers’ Meeting December 12, 2007 (Tapardjuk)
I have three documents to table.
I mentioned the first one in my Minister’s Statement and it’s the Piqqusilirivvik Status Report.
The other document that I would like to table is an update on the status of the fundraising for the Nunavut Heritage Centre that I was going to table at the last sitting in the fall.
Mr. Speaker, the third document that I would like to table is the FPT Finance Ministers’ Meeting, December 12, 2007.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. (interpretation ends) Can we have those documents brought forward to the table, please? (interpretation) Please wait a minute.
There being none, Item 14.
Motion 028 – 2(4): Extension of Review Period of Bill 20 – Notice (Alagalak)
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I give notice that on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, I will move the following motion:
Now therefore I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit Centre, that the period of time for the standing committee to report Bill 20 back to the House be extended by a further 120 days. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Before we proceed with Committee of the Whole with Mr. Evyagotailak in the Chair, we will take a 20-minute break.
>>House recessed at 15:09 and Committee resumed at 15:38
In the Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 23, 24, and 25.
We wish to continue with Bill 23 and commence with the review of the Main Estimates for the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, followed by the Department of Human Resources.
Are we in agreement we deal with the Main Estimates for the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth?
Bill 23 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee – CLEY
I would now like to ask Minister Tapardjuk, the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, to make his opening remarks.
I am pleased to have the opportunity to present the Department of Culture, Language, Elders, and Youth’s 2008-09 Business Plan and Main Estimates.
This department holds the leadership role within the Government of Nunavut for the preservation, development, and enhancement of Nunavut’s culture, heritage, languages and healthy living opportunities for Nunavummiut.
To show commitment to our lead role with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, the department has increased contribution funding for community-based projects focused on incorporating Inuit societal values in the 2008-09 fiscal year.
The ultimate goal is to improve community wellness by establishing high-level cooperation between community services agencies and groups, using the Inuit approach in dealing with social problems.
Piqqusilirivvik remains a major priority. This project will help to strengthen Nunavummiut’s unique identity and create an environment where our youth can positively contribute to the cultural and linguistic development of the territory.
The department now has two dedicated positions to work with steering committees and working groups in moving this initiative forward.
Language is a vital element in the incorporation of Inuit societal values.
The Official Languages Branch is working hard towards the future implementation of the important made-in-Nunavut language legislation.