EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
549 – 4(3): Dust Control Initiatives (Rumbolt) 2988
550 – 4(3): Screening for Diabetes (Angnakak) 2989
551 – 4(3): Inuit Employment in the Public Service (Shooyook) 2991
552 – 4(3): Medical Travel Policies (Sammurtok, A) 2994
553 – 4(3): ID Requirements for Travelling (Keyootak) 2996
554 – 4(3): Winnipeg Art Gallery Project (Joanasie) 2998
555 – 4(3): Office of the Fire Marshal (Enook) 3000
556 – 4(3): Management of the Public Service (Okalik) 3001
557 – 4(3): Language Teaching in Schools (Qirngnuq) 3003
558 – 4(3): Fuel Rebates and Subsidies (Mikkungwak) 3005
017 – 4(3): Bill 21, Write-Off of Assets Act, 2015-2016 (Sammurtok, T) 3007
224 – 4(3): 2015-2016 Annual Report on the Tobacco Control Act (Hickes) 3007
225– 4(3): 2015-2016 Public Accounts (Peterson) 3007
226 – 4(3): QEC 2014-2015 Contracting, Procurement and Leasing Activity Report (Mike) 3007
227 – 4(3): 2016 Schedule for the Student Loan Fund for the year ending March 31, 2016 (Mike) 3007
228 – 4(3): 2016 Council of the Federation Summer Meeting in Whitehorse, Yukon, July 21 to 22, 2016 (Taptuna) 3008
039 – 4(3): Extension of Question Period (Enook) 3000
037 – 4(3): Extension of Review Period for Bill 19, Unlawful Property Forfeiture Act (Sammurtok, T) 3008
038 – 4(3): Extended Adjournment (Mikkungwak) 3008
Bill 29 – An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act – First Reading 3009
Bill 30 – An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act – First Reading 3009
Bill 31 – An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act – First Reading 3009
Bill 14 – Public Health Act – Consideration in Committee 3010
Bill 16 – An Act to Amend the Travel and Tourism Act – Consideration in Committee 3026
Bill 21 – Write-off of Assets Act, 2015-2016 – Consideration in Committee 3045
Bill 16 – An Act to Amend the Travel and Tourism Act – Third Reading 3047
Before we begin, we wish a very happy birthday to one of the ministers, Mr. George Kuksuk. (interpretation ends) Happy birthday.
(interpretation) Ministers’ Statements.
Minister’s Statement 218 – 4(3): Public Accounts (Peterson)
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, later today I will be tabling the Public Accounts of the Government of Nunavut for the 2015-16 fiscal year.
Despite the many pressures on our budget, with prudent management we were able to end the year with a surplus.
Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General of Canada has given the Government of Nunavut Public Accounts another clean opinion and this is the sixth year in a row we are delivering them on time.
Mr. Speaker, annually I have the opportunity to discuss the Public Accounts with the Auditor General of Canada and I must say that it was music to my ears to hear them say, “It’s a good news story!”
The Auditor General is very happy with the improvements our government has made over the years to our management of the Public Accounts.
I would like to make special mention to the fact that this year, for the first time in the short history of Nunavut, the financial statements and annual reports for all territorial corporations were completed on time.
This is a huge step forward and shows just how much we have strengthened the financial management of the public purse across all territorial corporations and departments.
Mr. Speaker, a lot of hard work goes into preparing these financial statements each year, and it couldn’t be done without the professionalism and dedication of all of the finance staff across the public service.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to them, in particular Susan Nichols, Claude Carter, and Roxanne Ruediger in my Department of Finance who led the development of the Public Accounts.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Members, the Inuktitut version of the Minister’s Statement will be made available to you once it has been received by my office.
The Hon. Minister of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. George Kuksuk.
Minister’s Statement 219 – 4(3): New Federal Funding for Housing (Kuksuk)
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker and good afternoon, Nunavummiut, (interpretation) people of Arviat and Whale Cove, and (interpretation ends) my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, it is with great enthusiasm that I rise to speak to you today about a new partnership and agreement that the Government of Nunavut has signed with the federal government to improve the housing situation in Nunavut.
The new Social Infrastructure Fund Agreement will be administered through the Nunavut Housing Corporation and sees significant increases in federal funding for housing in the amount of almost $85 million over two years.
The agreement includes funding in four categories:
Dedicated to renovation of seniors’ housing
Renovations and retrofits of existing public housing
Housing specifically to support victims of family violence, and of course
Construction of new public housing.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation has developed a comprehensive implementation plan for this funding and I am pleased to share with you today some details of where the new money will be spent.
I can tell you that the majority of the funding for renovation of seniors’ housing will be dedicated to improving the conditions of the two elders facilities in Iqaluit and Arviat.
In regard to the funding for shelters for victims of family violence, the Nunavut Housing Corporation is working closely with the Department of Family Services to identify renovation work on two non-government owned and operated shelters that would benefit significantly from this funding.
Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to share the fact that the funding dedicated to renovations of existing public housing units will be going towards a mould remediation project. We all know that mould is a serious problem in some homes and we are eager to dedicate this funding to that specific issue.
Mr. Speaker, the funding for new public housing construction will be used to construct over 185 new units across the territory over the next two years.
Construction allocations were once again made based on the level of relative housing need in each community, so the communities with the greatest need will see new construction.
Mr. Speaker, the new funding was announced as part of the federal government’s March 2016 budget, and I can proudly say it was the result of intensive lobbying efforts made over the past three years.
Most significantly the Nunavut Housing Corporation partnered with its counterparts in Yukon and the Northwest Territories to develop a tri-territorial business case for increased funding for housing in the north.
The funding streams included in the agreement directly reflect the arguments made by the three territories in their lobbying document.
While this funding is a significant accomplishment, it only begins to address Nunavut’s severe housing crisis.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation will continue to work hard with colleagues within the GN and with Nunavut stakeholders to build a strong business case for increased funding to improve the housing situation for all Nunavummiut.
Minister’s Statement 220 – 4(3): Government of Nunavut’s Creation of Climate Change Secretariat (Savikataaq)
Today it is with great pleasure and excitement that I announce the creation of the Government of Nunavut’s Climate Change Secretariat.
As of November 30, the Energy Secretariat of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation and the Climate Change Section of the Department of Environment will merge into a new Climate Change Secretariat within the Department of Environment.
This new secretariat will be responsible for managing climate change adaptation and mitigation programs and policies for the Government of Nunavut.
The creation of the secretariat is timely as the provinces and territories are currently working together on finalizing a pan-Canadian framework to address climate change, and countries around the world are preparing to meet and discuss implementation of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavummiut have an important voice and a critical role to play in these national and international discussions regarding climate change.
Inuit knowledge and extensive research have shown us that the Arctic is the global region experiencing the most rapid and severe effects of climate change.
As such Nunavummiut are among the people most impacted by climate change around the world.
Mr. Speaker, the Climate Change Secretariat will help to ensure that the Government of Nunavut is able to effectively participate in national and international climate change discussions, policies, and programs.
It will also serve the people in our communities across the territory by providing resources and programs that respond to local needs, build local capacity, and increase local resilience to the effects of climate change.
I am proud to say that the creation of the Climate Change Secretariat demonstrates Nunavut’s commitment to addressing the impacts of climate change in the territory.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Ministers’ Statements. The Hon. Minister of the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Johnny Mike.
Minister’s Statement 221 – 4(3): New Power Plant for Taloyoak (Mike)
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to announce that the Qulliq Energy Corporation has recently completed the construction of a brand-new power plant for Taloyoak and it is now in full operation.
Mr. Speaker, Taloyoak’s new power infrastructure is a landmark achievement for Nunavut as it is the first plant to be built from the ground up by QEC.
Built to last for 40 years or more, the new power plant is equipped with four new fuel-efficient generator sets that can produce up to 1.7 megawatts of power.
In consideration of the community’s well-being, the plant has been fitted with a hospital grade silencer that significantly reduces sound pollution.
It also features demand side management technology to help run the plant at an optimal level, resulting in less emissions and operational costs.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, this project is also a very important achievement on the path towards QEC’s committed vision to supply Nunavummiut with sustainable electricity because the new plant will be able to integrate renewable energy systems, such as solar or wind power.
(interpretation) A reliable supply of electricity is an economic enabler and this new critical infrastructure paves the way for Taloyoak’s economic outlook and its success as a community with a sustainable energy future.
Minister’s Statement 222 – 4(3): Winnipeg Art Gallery: Inuit Art Marketing Pilot Project (Ell-Kanayuk)
On June 25 the Winnipeg Art Gallery, or WAG, in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation and the Nunavut Development Corporation, opened a new retail gallery at the Forks in Winnipeg called WAG at the Forks.
WAG at the Forks is a three-year pilot project aiming to market and promote Inuit art.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the department is providing the Nunavut Development Corporation an additional $75,000 per year for the next three years to support the pilot project.
We anticipate annual sales of up to $500,000 at the WAG at the Forks location by 2019.
Mr. Speaker, this retail gallery is a strategic way to present and promote Nunavut and Nunavut artists domestically and to international visitors.
The Winnipeg Art Gallery is also partnering with Canadian Arctic Producers and the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association on an artist-in-residence program that will engage a wider audience for Inuit art and culture.
These initiatives are raising awareness of artists, increasing art sales, creating more opportunities for Nunavut artists, and increasing the economic impact of the arts in Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 223 – 4(3): 2016 Nunavut Food Price Survey (Taptuna)
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Good afternoon to my colleagues, people of Kugluktuk, and Nunavummiut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to inform my colleagues about the most recent Nunavut Food Price Survey.
Earlier this year the Nunavut Bureau of Statistics, with the help of government liaison officers, completed the 2016 survey for the fourth year in a row.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Food Price Survey collects information to help measure the difference in the cost of living between Nunavut communities as well as differences with other jurisdictions.
This year government liaison officers collected prices on a total of 141 items from local retail stores.
This was a combination of 122 food and 19 non-food items.
The data collected has been analyzed and is available online at the Nunavut Bureau of Statistics website.
Mr. Speaker, results from this year’s survey indicate that prices in Nunavut are generally 2.1 times higher than those in Canada.
Prices of retail items range from 1.2 to 3.7 times the Canadian average.
I invite all members to find publications and tables from the current and past Nunavut Food Price Surveys on the Nunavut Bureau of Statistics website to learn more about this important endeavour.
Member’s Statement 395 – 4(3): Appreciation of Support in the Time of Need (Okalik)
I rise today to express my appreciation on behalf of my family who have been going through and are still experiencing hardship today.
When we were experiencing difficulty in our community, everyone was very helpful.
We had to do some quick fundraising during the weekend to help send some family members to Pangnirtung.
I’m thinking of you and I send my love to you.
I do want to thank each and every one of the people who were able to provide support and to those people who came to check in on us. I thank them very much. On behalf of my family members, I thank you all and all the people who supported us.
Member’s Statement 396 – 4(3): Nunavut Health Care Cards (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am very pleased to rise today as my wife, Eva, and my son Lewis are here to visit with me as we work through the remainder of this sitting.
Mr. Speaker, last week when my wife went to collect the mail, she sorted through it and found one letter directed to my son Lewis, who is five years old.
Lewis said, “I finally got mail. Somebody finally remembered me!”
Mr. Speaker, my son had just received his updated health care card.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Department of Health and the hard-working staff of the Health Insurance Division for making sure that all eligible residents of Nunavut receive their up-to-date health care cards.
My son Lewis also thanks you.
Mr. Speaker, having an up-to-date health insurance number ensures that Nunavut residents are covered under our health care system.
It also means that if a Nunavut resident is in another jurisdiction, health care workers there can provide services that will be covered under our health insurance program.
It is an important piece of personal identification.
Mr. Speaker, since all Nunavut residents should have a health insurance card, I believe that it could be made even more useful as a piece of identification.
Member’s Statement 397 – 4(3): Celebration of International Inuit Day (Sammurtok, T)
I send my greetings to the residents of Rankin Inlet, Chesterfield, and Nunavut. Have a good day.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say a few words in celebration of Inuit Day.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, in 2006 at its 10th annual general meeting in Barrow, Alaska, the Inuit Circumpolar Council decided that it would annually proclaim November 7 as Inuit Day.
November 7 marks the birth date of the late Eben Hopsen, Sr., whose visionary work led to the creation of what is now known as the Inuit Circumpolar Council.
For almost 40 years, the Inuit Circumpolar Council has brought together Inuit representatives from across the world to promote Inuit rights and interests on an international level, to lobby for legislation and policy to protect the arctic environment, and to develop active partnerships in political, economic and social development in the circumpolar world.
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian branch of the Inuit Circumpolar Council was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1984.
The Canadian branch is led by a board of directors comprising of the elected leaders of the four Inuit settlement regions in Canada, including Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, today there are countless organizations and individuals who continue to work hard to lobby for the needs of Inuit.
I would like to take this time to express my appreciation for all of these people who commit their time and efforts to improve the lives of Canadian Inuit and our fellow Inuit across the globe.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Inuit Day and applauding the work of the Inuit Circumpolar Council and all organizations and individuals who have made it their aim to improve the lives of Inuit across the world. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 398 – 4(3): Inuit in the Public Service (Shooyook)
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day to the people of my community, the people of Quttiktuq, and my colleagues.
I rise today to talk about the time I missed a few days when I was first elected.
Today is a very special day for me.
On the third year as I look around the House, I look at how we operated and take a close look at what work needs to be done.
One of the things that I have examined is Inuit employment seems to have reduced.
It looks like the employment targets for Inuit just cannot be reached.
I realize this is very difficult as I’m taking part in the government and I’m very passionate about it.
Mr. Speaker, when they ask a question why they are not hiring Inuit into the workforce, the answer is usually because they’re not qualified or they’re not educated enough.
Although I agree with this, I know for a fact that Inuit are very capable and they are available in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I know that when we talk about this, we never agree with that, but I know that the number of Inuit in the workforce is quite low and it’s way below our target.
I, too, consider and think that Inuit are very capable of working.
My colleagues, I thank you very much for accepting my request.
With that, we need to hire more Inuit in the middle management areas based on their abilities.
Mr. Speaker, I will now talk about what I have observed. There have been Inuit who never went to school, yet have acquired construction skills in Nunavut.
They’re not just merely capable; they are highly skilled.
Mr. Speaker, Inuit in the past, as I stated before, I talked about what I have reviewed or seen because I have seen an individual who has never gone through formal education who can operate heavy equipment machinery, construction of buildings, and electrical wiring. When I worked at Panarctic, I worked with an older man there. He had no formal electrician training, yet he did electrical work that requires a high amount of skill.
He was so skilled that even some certified electricians were impressed by his ability and resourcefulness.
That is why, within this government, we need to be much more aware of the potential of Inuit to acquire skills.
Mr. Speaker, today we constantly hear the phrase “Inuit have lower levels of education.”
That may be true with the western education approach.
The Inuit approach to learning is by close observation.
We are clearly capable of learning that is based on developing one’s observation skills and to do so without the need for academic learning.
My wish is for this unique Inuit skill to be recognized, accommodated, and incorporated.
Mr. Speaker, if we don’t take that step, Inuit will never achieve the ability to do everything themselves.
We will always be treated as second class labour. It is high time that the government finally make this recognition in full.
I want to close with this story I saw first hand.
We had a mechanic in our community. He started out dismantling a windup clock and learnt the mechanics of the clock because he wanted to be a mechanic.
When he became an adult, he continued and ended up being extremely capable, although he has since passed on.
There are many capable Inuit in most of our communities and our past is littered with stories of Inuit with almost superhuman abilities with no formal education.
Our goal of reaching 85 Inuit employment will never be achieved unless we recognize that unique ability of Inuit.
We need to bring this ability back to life. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 399 – 4(3): Young Artists from Cape Dorset Paint Mural in Montreal (Joanasie)
I am happy today that I am alive and I really felt my colleague’s comments.
Today is the celebration of Inuit Day.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a Cape Dorset youth who contributed to a mural project in Montréal this past summer.
Mr. Speaker, Saaki Nuna, Tommy Quvianatuliak, Johnny Samayualie, Salomonie Ashoona, along with mentors Susan Rowsell, Parr Josephee, Seayenna Lee, and Aidan Price-Bottenberg, created a large colourful urban mural depicting arctic animals and images, which was quite gratifying to see.
Mr. Speaker, the project was facilitated by (interpretation ends) the Embassy of Imagination (interpretation) founders, Alexa Hatanaka and Patrick Thompson, who worked in collaboration with MU Montreal.
They are an organization dedicated to brightening up the exteriors of apartment buildings.
Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of attending the unveiling of the mural on August 9.
The weather was extremely sweltering as it was the middle of summer, but it was still a very gratifying experience.
Mr. Speaker, I also wish to thank and acknowledge the (interpretation ends) Canada Council for the Arts and Taking it Global, (interpretation) as well as the many generous donors whom I will not name due to time constraints. They donated cash and in-kind contributions.
Mr. Speaker, anyone can go and see the mural that was painted on the outside of the building if they wish to see it. They can go to 2360 Rue Ontario East, Habitation Coupal, Montréal, Quebec.
Mr. Speaker, join me in congratulating the Embassy of Imagination for another successful project involving Nunavut youth and I look forward to their future projects.
Member’s Statement 400 – 4(3): Happy Birthday Wishes to Brother Joseph Mapsalak (Mapsalak)
I would first like to say “good day” to the people of Naujaat and Coral Harbour.
Mr. Speaker, it is my younger brother Joseph Mapsalak’s birthday today.
He’s the youngest member of the family.
I wish Joseph Mapsalak a happy birthday if he’s watching.
Mr. Speaker, a while ago now when he was still nursing, my brother whose birthday it is, was stuck with us on the land because of the ice in the summer.
He was nursing and because we were only supposed to be gone for one week, he had no more milk left.
I walked for three days to fetch him milk and I think of that once in a while.
He’s an adult now with children of his own. He helps me a lot and I thank him.
I wish him a happy birthday today.
Member’s Statement 401 – 4(3): Remembering International Inuit Day and Nunavut (Keyootak)
I rise today as well to celebrate Inuit Day, and I was quite pleased to listen to the comments from the Member for the High Arctic, as Inuit have to work towards that goal.
Mr. Speaker, I want to speak to this issue as well since our fall session revolves around capital estimates for the upcoming fiscal year.
Mr. Speaker, if we are going to be approving any large capital projects for infrastructure in the communities, we must ensure that we do not overlook any community.
We should try to be inclusive of those who are less fortunate, in particular when a capital project is being initiated in our communities as we have residents who are less capable than us.
Residents with disabilities who can’t walk, are mute, or are blind also live in our communities. We should ensure that their needs are addressed whenever any capital project is being contemplated for any community.
Mr. Speaker, one thing that we seem to keep forgetting as members speak is this fact I tend to return to, which is we are here as Nunavut MLAs only because Inuit negotiated our land claims agreement. If Inuit hadn’t insisted on including governance as part of the claim, we would not have any representatives here in Nunavut.