EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
They’re prepared for us to visit them, no matter which community it is, the smaller communities are anxious to meet with us and waiting for us with open arms.
In the future we should visit and tour the smaller communities more often so they can recognize us as Members of the Legislature and we can be closer to the people of Nunavut.
For that reason, I stand up to speak about this issue, and I was proud to see the Premier and the Speaker going with us along with the MLA for Whale Cove.
I also would like to thank my colleagues for going over there.
Looking at the Inuit people when we arrived there, when I saw their faces, I could see that they were happy to see us and it showed physically.
So, they finally saw what they have been expecting for such a long time.
They were not just dreaming or visualising seeing the MLAs, they actually saw us physically.
Member’s Statement 127 - 1(3): Resolution Island Clean-up
Mr. Speaker, about 310 kilometres south of my constituency lies Resolution Island.
This island has earned the dubious reputation of being the most contaminated military sight in the north.
I think that island is in my colleague Mr. Picco’s constituency, however I won't hold him responsible for that.
The concentrations of PCBs on Resolution Island have been found to be up to 160 times higher than the Canadian environmental laws permit.
Mr. Speaker, the good news is that the site is being cleaned up through a five-year plan of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
The even better news is that the work to clean up this remote sight is being done by our own Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, the development arm of the Qikiqtaaluk Inuit Association.
I want to say how pleased I am that QC has been entrusted with this responsibility by DIAND.
First of all, they are employing and training a great crew of Inuit from Iqaluit and other Baffin communities who have worked on this site for the past two years.
So far, 13 million dollars have been spent at this site.
A very large part of this money has stayed in the north due to the enlightened approach taken by DIAND by contracting QC to do the work.
QC has ensured that any employment and benefits have been maximized.
On top of that QC is doing a very good job.
Mr. Speaker, recently the Resolution Island senior management team reviewed last year’s performance.
I can do no better in the praise of the job QC did than quote Mr. Scott Mitchell, head of the DIAND’s contaminated sites office, who was interviewed February 21 in the News North.
He is quoted as saying "everyone is viewing last year as a major success for what was done on the island", said Mr. Mitchell. "
They accomplished much more than was expected, even with the discovery of the lead dump and the sea lift coming in a month late…to our surprise they did it all anyway", he said.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mr. Jerry Ell, President of QC, as well as the crew working on the island for this good work and also give DIAND credit for the trust they placed in this dynamic Baffin corporation.
Mr. Speaker, so far the contaminated soil has been cleaned, stock piled and put into containers.
The next step will be up to the Nunavut Impact Review Board.
The board will have to decide whether the soil can be treated and cleaned up on site or whether it should be shipped south to be cleaned…
Speaker: Mr. Tootoo, your time is up, you have to ask your fellow members to finish your statement.
Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to conclude my member’s statement.
Speaker (interpretation): The member is asking for unanimous consent to complete his member's statement.
Are there any objections.
You have consent, Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you Mr. Speaker, fellow colleagues, I tried to get it done in time.
I realise that all the environmental impacts will have to be carefully assessed by the Nunavut Impact Review Board.
Mr. Speaker, what I would hope is the method they will choose for the clean up will continue to maximize the benefits to my constituents, the people of the Baffin and the regional development corporation.
It is so nice to sit in Rankin Inlet where there are people you know around you for a change and I hope to see the session moved again in the future to other locations.
But today, it gives me great pride to recognize my wife Emily, my oldest daughter Leann and my oldest son Siksi’naaq, my brother-in-law Sam Tutanuak and the author of, "The Shaman’s Nephew", Simon Tookoome.
I would like to welcome the people in the gallery, the visitors.
I am very happy to be in Rankin Inlet because I won't have this opportunity in Iqaluit.
I would like to further recognize my colleague Mr. Luke Issaluk, he is sitting at this corner of the table.
He also has a number of relatives and his grandmother is Bernadette Pattiq and the former grandfather Joe Pattiq.
I would like to recognize him and I am very pleased to recognize Marie Titak who has been an interpreter at the health centre for 29 years.
I am very pleased to recognize her because she has been an employee for the past 29 years at the health centre and also to recognize a number of other visitors in the gallery.
There is also Mr. Thomas Tullik, the cousin of my father.
I am very pleased he is here with us today.
I also would like to recognize the visitors that when we met with the Manitoba delegation, we worked very closely with them.
I would like to recognize Richard Connelly who has been working very closely with the group from Manitoba and Aline Zollner ADM of Intergovernmental Affairs for Manitoba.
Also from the airport, our airport, there's a person here who is also a staff member at the airport.
I would include them all, but I'd like to recognize Johnny Tulugak, my nephew and he's sitting at the back somewhere.
I would also like to recognize Kerry Angalik who is a staff member of the government and my cousin Thomas Tullik who has been with us for a number of days.
There's Mr. Simon Tuaya who is just behind him and I think I forgot, the Assistant Deputy Minister, Mr. Tommy Sammurtok is here with us and a long time resident of Rankin Inlet Alvin Kanuk is up in the gallery there and is one of our Nunavut employees.
Jane Aupaluktuk is also here.
So I'd like to recognize these people in the gallery Mr. Speaker.
I would like to welcome all those people to the gallery.
Mr. McLean: I know it was a slight oversight for my colleague across the floor there, but I can't let this individual go unrecognised, because he calls me about once a week for information on what the government is doing, and he published a very unflattering picture of me on the front page of the Kivalliq News in June, that caused quite a bit of debate about my physical stature on the political discussion forums.
So I would like to recognize the Editor of the Kivalliq News. Ma'na Uqaqti.
While we were down south with the Management Services Board this summer, I was very pleased to be given some caribou meat and I'd like to recognize Luke Paquet.
Item 5, Mr. Puqiqnak.
I know the member from Baker Lake has recognized this person as part of our tradition, my uncle, my step uncle.
I know he's a very well known artist and I have been with him a number of times.
I am very pleased that he is my uncle, my step and he also calls me step nephew.
He is very well known across Canada and we have a number of relatives between us, Mr. Simon Tookoome.
Mr. Tootoo: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a couple of ladies in the audience that I had the pleasure of working with while I was here in Rankin Inlet with the financial management board.
I would like to recognize Christine Nukapiak and Carrie Aiyiliik.
I would like to welcome you to the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome a constituent of mine, who is the wife of member Tootoo, Carol Tootoo.
Sitting next to Carol is Laura Gauthier, Assistant Deputy Minister for the Executive.
I would personally like to recognize Simon Tookoome.
He was one of the first artists I have known.
He is really good with the whip.
Question 196 - 1(3): Suicide in Nunavut Communities
Yesterday Mr. Speaker, Mr. Anawak spoke on the issue of suicide and that he would like support for the leadership to address this issue.
I would like clarification as to whether this was a Member's Statement or a Minister's Statement.
As a representative of Rankin North, I mentioned that the leadership should address this very serious issue.
I said that in the context of a Member of the Legislative Assembly.
Question 197 - 1(3): Assistance from CLEY for Elders & Youth
My question is, is the department being instrumental in helping the young people and the Elders.
Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth, Mr Havioyak.
If any communities or organizations are requesting funding to start programs in their communities they can ask our department anytime.
In terms of young people and elders, have you supported young people or elders in terms of their organizations.
Has your department been instrumental or helpful to the youth and elders.
What improvements have you seen or have you noticed Mr. Minister.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister for Youth and Elders, Mr Havioyak.
I am sorry I did not quite understand your first question, Mr Speaker.
We try and help the elders and youth.
As I have stated this week, the elders and youth have already had their conference.
We were listening to their comments in their meetings and we gathered this information from their meetings and how they can help one another.
Right now the programs that they are trying to work with either in the Kitikmeot, Qikiqtaaluk or Keewatin, right now we are studying the minutes and finding out what they have been seeking from the department, the elders and youth.
But we are working on this right now, as I have stated earlier this week.
As soon as we gather all the information from these meetings I will inform the members of this Assembly.
Question 198 - 1(3): Health Board Deficits
Mr. Speaker, this is directed to the Minister responsible for Finance and it relates to the 30 to 40 million dollar surplus that we read about and hear about through the various media.
Mr. Speaker, I know we are talking about predictions for the most part, and Mr. Picco, Minister Picco may refer to Nostradamus and whether or not these are really psychic predictions but in reference to the 30 to 40 million dollars, is it over and above the 20 million dollar deficit that we’ll have to pay for the Health Boards.
Is that the big picture.
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in the past in trying to answer this question, it is an anticipated surplus that we’re going to have, anticipated until the final year end takes place March 31st 2000.
Until such time as the Auditor General audits the books of the Government of Nunavut and files his report, some time in the fall of this year, that is the time that the actual surplus will be confirmed.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ng. Oral Questions. Mr. O'Brien.
I don’t mean to beat a dead horse here.
We’re a little short on questions here today so I will stay on this line of questioning.
Part of the projected deficit of the three health boards was 8.9 million dollars from, I believe, over the last year and a half. Two years. Can the minister tell me whether this 8.9 million dollars has actually been spent.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. O'Brien. Minister of Finance, Mr. Ng.
Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated in respect of the 8.9 million dollars, that the opening accumulated deficits of the health boards, we assumed on April 1st, we have not spent per se, the 8.9 million dollars. There is an understanding that there will be some requirement to offset that deficit from current years unexpended dollars. That was a decision that was made in respect of those deficits, that at some point before the close of the books, the Government of Nunavut’s financial statements by March 31st 2000, that that issue of the outstanding deficits of the three health boards will be resolved.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Oral question, Mr. O'Brien.
Could the minister further clarify this issue of the 8.9 million dollars.
This amount has been committed or spent, however you want to phrase it.
This may be only semantics.
If that is the case, why was it not put into the supplementary appropriation that we did last week here.
We debated it and passed it and I remember asking if there were more looming financial matters on the horizon that we’d have to deal with.
I believe the answer that I got was that it was hard to predict if we may have larger amounts that we’d have to bring another sup forward for.
I guess what my concern is, is that if we’re aware of this and it’s in our hands and on the table, why was it not put forth in the sup last week.
Mr. Speaker, primarily because of the reason that the money, the savings in respect of where that will come from, to cover off the 8.9 million dollars has not been clearly identified at this stage.
As members may recall, I did say also because of the fact that that was a prior to March 31st 1999, liability, I did state at that time for the current operating year the 1999/2000 fiscal year that we’re still in right now, that we have authorized 5 million dollars.
Five point two I believe is the actual figure from the Department of Health, unexpended funds to be allocated to the regional health boards.
So the matter of the 8.9 million dollars as I indicated earlier on the actual financial treatment of that hasn’t been finalised yet.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Final supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.
Mr. Speaker, the general question in reference to the famous projected 30 – 40 million dollars surplus that we all hear about, does the minister have any intentions of coming back to the members so that they can have some input in how this projected surplus will be spent.
We’ve talked about the housing needs and health care and so on and so forth.
Minister for Finance, Mr. Ng.
Mr. Speaker, yes from the perspective of the committee report, in terms of the recommendations that have been made, yes from the perspective of the development of the 2000/2001 budget that is before the committees right now and will be tabled fairly shortly.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ng. Oral questions.
Question 199 - 1(3): Stop Work Order on Aqaumajuq Fisheries
Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board.
On February 21st, 2000, a safety officer for the WCB issued a stop work order to four of my constituents who were diving for clams.
The stop work order is in English only and does not give the reasons why the work was stopped.
My question to the minister, could the minister explain why the order was issued.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the honourable member for advance notice on the actual inspection report or the stop work order that was given out by the WCB inspector, I don’t know quite frankly what the reasons were.
It doesn’t state whether it was in respect to a safety issue surrounding the employees or whether it was in respect to possible deficiencies by the employer.
But I will commit to following up with the WCB to get more details on this particular circumstance.
Mr. Speaker, supplementary question.
I understand that the WCB has the responsibility for enforcing safety in the work place.
I would like to ask the minister, does the WCB also have a mandate to assist workers and businesses to make their work places safer.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, I believe that the compensation board does have a workers' safety division within their realm of responsibility.
Question 200 - 1(3): Funding for Cultural Instructors
My question is regarding the fact that the department is working very closely with NTI on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, and Mr. Speaker, can they respond in English please Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Donald Havioyak: I’m sorry, the translation did not come through.
Could you please repeat the question.
Mr. Irqittuq please repeat your question.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): My question is Mr. Speaker, you responded to my question earlier that young people have to learn.
My question is, do NTI and yourselves have any plans in place for the youth to learn Inuktitut, their language.
Hon. Donald Havioyak: I think that the question is asking about NTI working on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, and about the youth involvement in this working with NTI and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit but (interpretation) youth groups and also elders, in the near future will be having meetings with NTI, maybe I answered your question.
I couldn’t hear part of your question.
Oral Questions. Mr. Irqittuq.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understood the response and I understand that the NTI will be working with young people such as youth groups.
Will the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth be able to provide funds so that this could be done.
In a few days, I can’t really answer this but I really want to answer your question about March 31, 2000.
Around then there’s money for that and also I would like to support the elders and youth.
We would like to try to see how youth will work together will elders and help them.
Also in the summer time while camping, they could be helping each other so that they don’t forget about our culture.
At our department Iliqusiliit, they will be looking after it because they want to try and get definite money to try and do something for it.
I understood his response.
I understand that they’re looking for funds and I’m sure they’ll be able to find the money before April 1st and as soon as the money is available, would those funds be used to teach the youth about our culture, through cultural instructors.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister for Culture, Language, Elders & Youth, Mr. Havioyak.
Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation): I would look at this in the March review of funding.
We will be reviewing all the funding.
Last supplementary, Mr. Irqittuq.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. He seemed to have responded that he would try and do this. I just want to clarify if he’s really going to do this or will he just be trying to find funds.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Havioyak.  Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Sorry about that, we’ll be looking at the funding.
When I’m back in Iqaluit, we’ll be reviewing the funding.
Question 201 - 1(3): Proposal Call for Airport Engineering Services
My question today is to the Minister Responsible for Community Government and Transportation.
The Department of Community Government and Transportation has recently issued a proposal call for ACAP engineering design services for projects at the Iqaluit and Cambridge Bay airports in the neighbourhood of 2 million dollars.
My question is, will the funds to pay for these projects be taken from the departmental 1999/2000 budgets or from the capital dollars that the standing committees haven’t approved yet.
Minister responsible for Community Government and Transportation, Mr. Anawak.
Mr. Speaker, the reason for the proposal call is to comply with the regulations that the Federal Government is putting out but I would have to get back to the member as to where the funds are actually coming from.
So can I take that as notice and respond by tomorrow.
Question 202 - 1(3): Comments to Media by Petroleum Products Staff
Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister responsible for Public Works.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday I was very pleased that the minister confirmed that she was committed to the principles of openness and responsiveness set out in the Bathurst Mandate.
As the minister knows, I was concerned about how this commitment fits with the report in the news article I referred to in tabled document 21-1(3), which said that the minister refused to speak on the issue of fuel price increases stating she had already given enough interviews about the gas prices.
The minister said that she had not spoken to this reporter.
Mr. Speaker, I spoke to the reporter earlier today and the reporter informed me that it was the minister’s executive assistant who told her that the minister would not give any more interviews on that subject for those reasons.
Mr. Speaker, my question is, when the minister’s executive assistant told the reporter that the minister would give no further interviews because she had given enough interviews already, was her executive assistant acting on instructions from the minister.
I was not at the office at the time and I can’t make a comment on what my staff said to the reporter.
Mr. Speaker, my question to the minister is that since the minister is committed to openness and responsiveness, will the minister instruct her staff that from now on they should not, or that they should encourage or not discourage interviews from the press on such important public matters.
It is always interesting what the media is saying.
They have to make their money.
That has always been the case with my staff.
Mr. Speaker, I’m afraid I don’t understand the minister’s response, the minister indicated that she had…
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Tootoo, Ms. Thompson.
Perhaps if I can speak Inuktitut you would be able to understand.
Quite often the media misquote the members and it is something that happens quite often.
My responses, my staff know what they are supposed to do and they know that they should work openly.
So that is my response.
Speaker: Thank you Ms. Thompson Mr. Tootoo.
So if I understand the minister correctly, she is indicating that she gave no direction at any time for her staff to slough off any possible interview on this topic.
Minister responsible for Telecommunications and Technical Services.
Hon. Manitok Thompson: Actually if you read, Mr. Speaker, in the newspaper, one of my staff was available for interviews and that was Roy Greene.
So we were open to the media.
Question 203 - 1(3): Manitoba Presentation on Pre-Feasibility Study
Mr. Speaker, this is not a question related to the media or CBC, nor Nunatsiaq News but they sure make things interesting.
Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, on Friday past I posed a question in reference to the recent pre-feasibility study that has been completed regarding the possibility of a power grid between Manitoba and the Keewatin.
The minister indicated that given the fact that there was a delegation coming here from Manitoba this week, basically that he would wait to comment on it at that time.
Mr. Speaker, the delegation did come, they did make a presentation.
Unfortunately I don’t believe that there was anybody from the Executive side of the table, from Cabinet, at that presentation.
There were regular members at it and it was a very interesting and detailed report.
Mr. Speaker, given the fact that the delegation did come and make a presentation, provided a fair bit of detail, can the minister indicate his thoughts or his feelings on this report.
Maybe he had an opportunity to speak to some of the staff after this presentation.
Speaker: Mr. O'Brien, I am asking you to rephrase your question.
You cannot ask the minister how he feels.
Mr. Speaker, I will rephrase my question and I do hope the minister is feeling well.
After all he is the Minister of Health.
Mr. Speaker, my question was in reference to the detailed report and presentation that was given to various members of the Assembly here, regarding the possibility of a power grid between Manitoba and the Keewatin and also the possible power array, transportation link, a road link between Manitoba and the Keewatin.
The minister I would assume has had an opportunity to review some of this information and I would like to know what he feels is the next step in this process.
Hon. Ed Picco: I am feeling fine, thank you Mr. Speaker.
I did meet with the Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro when they were here and the delegation was here.
I also met with the CEO for Manitoba Hydro.
The presentation that the member talked about earlier, they said there were no Cabinet people available, that we weren’t there for that presentation.
Indeed, Mr. Speaker, I attended a private presentation with my senior staff of the power corporation here on the Manitoba pre-feasibility study for the power grid link to the Keewatin region of Nunavut.