EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Disagreements between Members over how to interpret information are to be expected and permitted, so long as Members do not allege that another member is being untruthful.
I would also note that when raising a point of order, it is important that Members clearly indicate how they believe that our Rules have been contravened.
Points of order are properly used to draw the attention of the Chair to possible breaches of our Rules.
They should not be used by Members to express positions within the context of a debate or line of questioning.
I find that there is no point of order.
Minister’s Statement 088 – 2(4): Health Committees of Council (Aglukkaq)
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning to everyone.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to speak about the Health Committees of Council conference that was held on October 16 to 18 here in Iqaluit.
This is the first Health Committees of Council conference to take place face-to-face, and I am pleased to say that it was a success.
Mr. Speaker, it is vital that communities drive health promotion, prevention and awareness activities. It is the communities that know and can express their needs best.
We look to the Health Committees of Council members, to provide us with ongoing community input. This partnership helps our government provide individuals, families and communities in building self-assured, caring communities with health and social conditions.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the committees for their participation, advice and valuable input provided during this important occasion.
A close working relationship with the Health Committees of Council gives our government the feedback it needs to make sure our activities are effective at the community level.
The advice we receive helps us evaluate the suitability and effectiveness of our service delivery.
Mr. Speaker, the goal of the conference was to discuss the proposed Public Health Strategy, the Health Integration Project, wellness programming, and to formerly adopt the committees terms of reference.
Our way forward in public health hinges on meaningful partnerships at the community, regional, and territorial levels. Continuing to build on these partnerships, through improved communication, sharing of resources, support, and empowerment is a priority of the Department of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, together, with the Health Committees of Council, we are taking a proactive approach by focusing on health promotion, wellness, education, and community level interventions.
Minister’s Statement 089 – 2(4): Assessment Rates & Rebate (Netser)
I am pleased to announce that, on October 23, the Workers’ Compensation Board released some good news that will positively affect both employers and workers in Nunavut.
For 2008, the Year’s Maximum Insurable Remuneration, which is the maximum amount of salary or wages for which a worker is fully covered by the WCB in the event of a workplace injury, will increase from $69,200 to $70,600.
As well, the average provisional assessment rate will remain at $1.71 per every $100 of assessable payroll.
The WCB Governance Council sets the average assessment rate each year. Through strong stewardship of the accident fund, the WCB is able to maintain last year’s average assessment rate.
The average assessment rate charged to northern employers not only continues to be stable, it is also once again one of the lowest rates in Canada.
However, this is not the only good news for Nunavut employers. Largely as a result of favourable investment returns, the WCB was 132 percent funded last year.
Mr. Speaker, the WCB is passing this success on to its stakeholders, in the form of an assessment rebate. Nunavut and NWT employers in good standing with the WCB will receive a 30 percent rebate on their paid 2006 assessment premium.
Cheques will be issued and mailed to employers in good standing by the end of this year. Overall, the rebate, Mr. Speaker, totals nearly $10.5 million.
The WCB is dedicated to ensuring its services are affordable for employers while still providing fair benefits to workers. The WCB continues to help northern employers keep their workers safe by making prevention a priority, and by living out its mission to promote workplace safety and care for injured workers.
Minister of Education and Minister responsible for Energy, Mr. Picco.
Minister’s Statement 090 – 2(4): Increase in Apprentices (Picco)
Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning. The Department of Education believes in the need for a skilled, well-trained work force so that Nunavummiut can take advantage of the opportunities that lay before us. A major part of our efforts is to ensure we have experienced trades people to help build, repair, operate and serve as a foundation for our economy.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to report that over the past six months, we have seen more than a 50 percent increase in the number of registered apprentices here in Nunavut. Previously, numbers were on an average of about 115 apprentices a year; now Mr. Speaker, today we have over 175 Nunavummiut pursuing a registered apprentice trade.
Mr. Speaker, there are many partners involved in this growth. From employers who assist students obtaining their trade certification, to staff and agencies that work diligently to provide advice, to those who demonstrate commitment to moving their skills sets forward, all should be commended, Mr. Speaker.
As the department continues to provide new training opportunities and expand on existing programs, we are committed to developing skills sets and enticing new employment prospects.
Work on the construction of the Nunavut Trades School and the progress in pre-trades programs in our schools is evidence of that dedication. Trades in Nunavut is growing and attracting more and more interest every day.
Mr. Speaker, with the ongoing support of this House and the commitment shown by Nunavut employers, agencies, apprentices and others, the future, indeed, looks bright. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Ministers’ Statements. Minister of Community and Government Services, Minister Brown.
Minister’s Statement 091 – 2(4): Project Management In-Service with CGS Project Managers and Officers – May 14 to 18, 2007 (Brown)
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to announce that the department held a Project Management In-Service for all Project Management staff in May of 2007.
The department has developed an annual plan to consider and implement improved client-oriented services to all GN departments to maximize our capital budgets.
These meetings were an important part of that plan.
The department conducted an initial client survey to fully understand the concerns and expectation of CGS, and better recognize the expertise across departments for management of capital projects.
This initiative was based on the GN’s desire and need to improve client expertise, as well as offer the best service possible to our clients. The meeting addressed these issues and concerns.
Mr. Speaker, the department has an appreciation of departmental capital management resources. We understand that resources vary dependent on the number and complexity of projects a specific department has within its mandate.
These in-service meetings are important to CGS. They allow us to fulfill our commitment to ensuring our Project Management staff offers the best service possible to each GN department.
Mr. Speaker, this in-service was one step in the department’s efforts to improve how we manage capital dollars on behalf of all our client departments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Ministers’ Statements. Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Mr. Tapardjuk.
Minister’s Statement 092 – 2(4): 2007 Summer Student Employment Equity Program (Tapardjuk)
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Good morning, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues of the continued success of the Summer Student Employment Equity Program.
Over this summer, 18 communities, 172 students were hired and 141 of them, or 82 percent, were beneficiaries.
Fourteen different departments and agencies participated in the summer student program.
As is in past years, Mr. Speaker, there was significant demand for Nunavut Government summer student jobs.
Again, the number of applications this past summer was far more than the number of positions available. Despite creating an appeals process for student applicants, we did not receive any appeals.
With the cooperation of departments, students were provided with jobs in a timely manner, and faced fewer obstacles and issues.
A unique opportunity was made available to students in this year’s program. As you know, the Western Premiers’ Conference was held in Iqaluit in July.
Six students were selected and assigned as youth ambassadors for each of the jurisdictions represented at the conference.
This provided an opportunity for students to interact with and learn from delegates from across Western Canada and in turn, students were able to assist the delegates better understand Nunavut.
All the students that took part were very pleased with their role in the conference and we are confident that this experience will assist them in their future endeavours.
Mr. Speaker, the Summer Student Employment Equity Program will continue to provide Nunavut’s young future leaders with valuable and relevant work experience within the Government of Nunavut in a wide variety of occupations and communities.
Member’s Statement 202 – 2(4): Governor General’s Order of Canada to Reverend Mike Gardener (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to offer my congratulations and I’m sure all members will agree.  This morning, the Right Honourable Michëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will bestow the honour to one of my constituents.
He is known around our communities that he has lived as Ajurirsuiji. That’s all I have to say and everybody will know who.
Translated as the word “The Reverend,” Mike Gardener as a member of the Order of Canada.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Mike since the 1970s when I was a troubled young man. And he, along with his wonderful family, showed wonderful care to our families during our times of need.
Since arriving in the North as a missionary in the 1950s, Mike Gardener has travelled by dogsled and lived amongst us as Inuit, learning our language, customs and history.
In Iqaluit, where he currently resides, he has mobilized community action on a number of challenging social issues. He also served with the city’s Adult Justice Committee during our days with the Northwest Territories and on our elder’s society.
Currently retired, he continues to provide comfort and pastoral care to seniors, bereaved families and families in crisis.
I’m sure all members want to join me in congratulating him and his wonderful family for the heartfelt and well deserved Order of Canada. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 203 – 2(4): Preventing Pollution in Arctic Waters (Arreak)
Before I start, I wish my daughter a happy birthday, Sheena Arreak, who is in Clyde River.
It’s her birthday today.
I rise today in support of an issue recently raised by our own Minister of Environment and the concerns of my constituents: the prevention of pollution in our arctic waters.
Mr. Speaker, concerns over our environment, especially the terminal effects of pollution and the dumping of waste, have been in the headlines across Canada and the world for some time. Global warming and climate change are key examples of pollution’s deadly affects.
Mr. Speaker, studies have repeatedly shown that toxic chemicals from waste and pollution are entering our food chain. Our marine mammals have been tested and shown to have high levels of PCBs in their fats.
Levels of mercury in fish are rising. The safety of our country food is continually at risk.
Mr. Speaker, even from a practical point of view, the dumping of garbage at sea risks the lives of our hunters and boaters. Anyone whose outboard motor has seized because a piece of plastic has wrapped around the propeller shaft can tell you how dangerous it is to throw bags of garbage overboard.
Mr. Speaker, the decision to allow our Canadian Navy to dump garbage in our Arctic Ocean is dangerous and misguided. Our navy should be focusing on protecting and enhancing our marine security.
Mr. Speaker, Operation Nanook was a military operation held in our coastal waters this past summer. Our navy, in cooperation with our Coastguard services and the RCMP, conducted a number of exercises and drills related to our marine security.
I was very pleased that Nunavut could host such an important activity.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I would like consent to conclude my statement.
You can proceed. Mr. Arreak.
Mr. Speaker, enhancing our marine security does mean protection our waters against terrorists and terrorist activities or devices. As Operation Nanook demonstrated, it also means fighting organized crime, enhancing search and rescue capabilities, and protecting our fishing interests.
Mr. Speaker, enhancing our marine security also means combating marine pollution.
I believe that our navy should not be adding to the problem of marine pollution. In fact, I believe quite the opposite.
I believe the navy should be monitoring the ships and other marine traffic that travels through our arctic waters to ensure that they don’t dump pollution such as bags of garbage and oily bilge water.
Mr. Speaker, I would like our Minister of Environment to know that he has my full support and the support of my constituents on this issue. I urge my fellow Members of the Legislative Assembly to stand behind all efforts to protest against any additional pollution of our arctic waters and to protect our fragile marine environment.
Member’s Statement 204 – 2(4): Environmental Concerns (Curley)
Today is Friday and I wanted to say that our colleague is recovering in Winnipeg.
First of all, I would like to raise the issue because it is similar to what my colleague mentioned, especially in Nunavut, if we look at the environment, we are getting concerned. Even our Prime Minister is concerned about the pollutants globally and about climate change.
I also wanted to state that that is not the only problem, and we have to keep the environment in Nunavut clean. Now we can say that the work of the government to improve the situation, such as the recycling program, which can be used to get a rebate off of the material.
That is very good, and we should see more of that, but we all contribute to the problem and it is bad for the hunters when they are trying to eke out a living. These plastic bags out to be found everywhere on the land, not only in the communities, but also out on the land, everywhere they are a real problem nowadays. We can control that.
We don’t have to ask the world, “Please don’t throw these harmful materials to our environment.”
Nowadays there is biodegradable material available. While being in Iqaluit I have had one plastic bag for three days which I got from the Northmart. I can see that in our land these plastic bags and they will not biodegrade and they will not spoil, they are very bad.
I wanted to tell the government that we should make a policy where we’d be able to help the environment.
Your timing was very prompt.
Members’ Statements. Mr. Netser.
Member’s Statement 205 – 2(4): 35th Anniversary Hamlet of Coral Harbour (Netser)
Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This past summer in Coral Harbour we celebrated the 35th year as a hamlet and I wish to thank the people who came, such as the mayor.
I also wish to thank the Members for Arviat and Rankin Inlet North, who were able to come to our community. Rhoda Angutialuk and Mauya Etuk worked really hard. We are very proud of them and appreciated their effort.
There were singers from Arviat, Baker Lake, Taloyoak, Igloolik, and from Coral Harbour. Andy Alayak from Rankin Inlet was the emcee and he was quite comical, and we wish to thank him. We want him to move to Coral Harbour now.
Member’s Statement 206 – 2(4): Concerns with Federal Government’s Treatment of Nunavummiut (Kattuk)
You didn’t see me yesterday when I raised my hand, so I’m wearing a Pangnirtung tie so you can recognize me, or notice me.
Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to talk about what I heard yesterday as to what the federal government is doing because I also have concerns.
In some cases, what the federal government does in Nunavut is not acceptable, especially with what we heard from the Prime Minister this past summer. I have some concerns.
While I was here, I heard that we were sent to a different place and felt alienated that we were treated by the federal government like that.
If they’re going to dumping waste into our waters, that is not acceptable to our wildlife and to the environment.
It seems like the federal government is just doing whatever they want to do. At that time when they sent us to residential schools, they just took us and sent us there, so we had to leave our families.
They seem to be doing that again.
In Nunavut, it is very expensive to live up here and there some people who are hungry...
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Kattuk, your tie is very appealing but it cannot hold on your timing.
You have to ask for unanimous consent to conclude your statement.
You can proceed, Mr. Kattuk.
What I’m trying to say is that trying to survive in Nunavut has to be a priority because we are facing a difficult situation because we have heard the gasoline prices are going to increase in the Nunavut communities.
For that reason, Mr. Speaker, what I’m trying to say is to encourage the federal government, let them know and find out what the situation is to live up here.
There are people out there who are hungry and they have a lot of expensive things to buy and they can’t really afford it anymore.
For that reason, I believe that we need to encourage the federal government to resolve these situations.
I’m very pleased and proud of the fact that they provide funding for Nunavut but there are negative things that are occurring in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, let’s look at the negative things happening first, and then encourage the federal government to look at the situation that Nunavut is in.
Member’s Statement 207 – 2(4): Recognition of Ulikattaqs of Repulse Bay (Mapsalak)
I rise this morning to acknowledge the people from Repulse Bay who have saved an individual.
Mr. Speaker, a few days ago a couple, a man and a wife, had an accident during their snowmobile ride. Both of them fell into the water.
The husband is a full-time hunter and he provides food for the people of Repulse Bay. John Pingasu, him and his wife had fallen into the water.
It took them a while to get out of the water because the weather was really cold. Once they got out of the water, they started walking.
They wore caribou fur, so that’s how they had survived.
The wife was becoming very weak but they were found. Tony and Sarah Ulikattaq had found the couple. They were then able to get help from Luuti Paskuali Putulik and George Putulik.
They took them home, changed their clothes, and they were able to take them home.
So they rescued these individuals and I believe that they have to be acknowledged for rescuing people. Once they got to their community, this couple was sent out by medivac. So we definitely need to acknowledge these people whom I just mentioned and I am very proud of them and thank them.
Member’s Statement 208 – 2(4): Nunavut Health Benefits (Barnabas)
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today since we met with the Disability Council when they requested to meet with us to talk about their concerns.
And Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank you for writing a letter to all the Members of the Legislative Assembly in regard to this issue that we need to deal with their concerns.
Mr. Speaker, the point I want to raise is inside the Nunavut Health Benefits that our constituents require according to their needs.
They are not included in there; they are not covered by that.
Mr. Speaker, we all represent our communities, which include people with disabilities. They require motorized wheelchairs which are very expensive. They could be used by disabled people but they cost over $9,000.
For that reason, Mr. Speaker, this has to be set properly because they are not even covered under Nunavut Health Benefits.
Our constituencies, whom we represent, have to purchase their own equipment.
Also, during my consultation visits in the High Arctic, some of the homes who house disabled people don’t even have ramps. So therefore, they can’t purchase wheelchairs with motors.
At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be raising this question.
Member for Iqaluit East and Apex, Mr. Picco.
Member’s Statement 209 – 2(4): National CBC Award – Joanna Awa (Picco)
I would like to take this opportunity to inform the House about a national award for a constituent of mine.  Mr. Speaker, well known CBC personality Joanna Awa has been selected from among her peers across Canada for the prestigious CBC National Peer Award.
Mr. Speaker, Joanna has become a fixture on CBC Radio. Her voice is well recognized across Nunavut, and indeed, in Labrador, Northern Quebec, Northwest Territories, and even in the Yukon. It is well known that our hospital patients who received a CBC North feed at southern hospital boarding homes enjoy listening to and look forward to hearing Joanna on CBC.
Mr. Speaker, she has been in the business for quite a while. I know about 20 years ago, Joanna interviewed me for the first time about my seal flipper pie recipe.
Mr. Speaker, 20 years later, Joanna is still going strong and her energy, her commitment, and professionalism are legendary, Mr. Speaker, within the ranks of the CBC family, not only here in Nunavut but nationally.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of this House I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Nunavut’s own Joanna Awa on her CBC National Peer Award, and when she is in Toronto on November 14 to pick up her award, I’m sure we, here in Nunavut, will be cheering her on. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 210 – 2(4): Predators – Thrashers Hockey Game – 3rd Star Jordin Tootoo (Tootoo)
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning everybody.
Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, I made it very clear that I wasn’t a Predator fan but today I am a predator fan, a different predator, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, we all know that my cousin, Jordin Tootoo, plays with the Nashville Predators and in the game last night, they played against the Atlanta Thrashers.
He was able to help his team out. He provided a goal in the second period and assisted in the third period, and he was the third star of the game.
So I just want to ask all members in joining me in congratulating him on a great game last night and wish him continued success through the year.
I know they have not been off to a great start. I also know that he got his two points last night with about nine minutes of ice time.
We know that if he had more ice time, he would probably do a lot better.
Even my two colleagues from Iqaluit here, always hope, wish, and pray that he could join the teams that they cheer for and provide some spark to those teams, but they’ll have to just keep trying and hoping.
But again, I would like to ask all members to join me in congratulating Jordin on a great game last night and I’m very proud of him.
I’m sure his parents are very proud of his performance and wish him all the best.
Members, when I have the opportunity to introduce our pages for this week, I was told that they would probably be heading home today.
To my right, Keifer Kikoak, thank you, and Percy Ikualaak, to my left, thank you.
And further down behind my colleagues, Jessamyn Mallory, thank you, and right behind Minister Aglukkaq, I would also like to thank Sarah Ali.
Thank you for being our pages for this week.
Back to Orders of the Day. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Speaker’s Caution
Members, before we proceed with Oral Questions, I wish to remind all members of the importance of correct parliamentary form during our proceedings.