EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Premier; Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs; Minister of Aboriginal Affairs; Minister responsible for Immigration; Minister responsible for the Status of Women; Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth; Minister of Languages; Minister responsible for the Utility Rates Review Council
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Pages 3050 – 3111
Opening Prayer 3050
Money Message 3050
Ministers’ Statements 3050
Members’ Statements 3051
Returns to Oral Questions* 3060
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3060
Oral Questions 3061
Returns to Written Questions* 3077
Tabling of Documents 3078
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 3079
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3080
Report of the Committee of the Whole 3110
Orders of the Day 3110
Tuesday, February 22, 2011 3050
230 – 3(2): Ministers Taptuna and Tootoo Absent from House (Kusugak) 3050
231 – 3(2): Inuit Language Standardization Symposium – Uqausiqaqatigiinniq (Arreak) 3051
353 – 3(2): Issues with NHC in Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk (Ningark) 3051
354 – 3(2): Working for Arviarmiut (Shewchuk) 3052
355 – 3(2): Nutrition North Canada Program (Elliott) 3053
356 – 3(2): Congratulations on Successful Hosting of Event (Ningeongan) 3055
357 – 3(2): Late Freeze-up in Pangnirtung (Komoartok) 3056
358 – 3(2): Trigger Locks for Kimmirut and Cape Dorset (Schell) 3057
359 – 3(2): Regional Treatment/Healing Centres (Ugyuk) 3058
360 – 3(2): Lack of Government Services in Hall Beach (Tapardjuk) 3059
Return to Oral Question 498 – 3(2): Assessment of Housing Units (Clerk) 3060
Return to Oral Question 501 – 3(2): Office Space for Mental Health in Sanikiluaq (Clerk) 3060
521 – 3(2): Issues with NHC in Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay (Ningark) 3061
522 – 3(2): Health Services in Igloolik (Tapardjuk) 3063
523 – 3(2): Flu Update (Elliott) 3065
524 – 3(2): Money Owed to Pangnirtung Hamlet from NHC (Komoartok) 3066
525 – 3(2): Functional Review of Decentralization (Rumbolt) 3067
526 – 3(2): Nutrition North Canada Program (Elliott) 3068
527 – 3(2): Solid Waste Management (Ningark) 3071
528 – 3(2): Discrimination in the Workplace (Schell) 3073
529 – 3(2): Regional Treatment/Healing Centres (Ugyuk) 3074
530 – 3(2): Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy (Elliott) 3076
Return to Written Question 022 – 3(2): New Nunavut Housing Directorate Office in Iqaluit (Clerk) 3078
266 – 3(2): Baker Lake’s INAC Water Use Inspection Report (Aupaluktuq) 3078
267 – 3(2): Chesterfield Inlet and Coral Harbour’s INAC Water Use Inspection Report (Ningeongan) 3078
268 – 3(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation’s Corporate Plan 2011-2016 (Kusugak) 3078
269 – 3(2): Correspondence to the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board (Elliott) 3079
270 – 3(2): Correspondence to the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board (Elliott) 3079
271 – 3(2): Speaker’s List of Outstanding Statutory Tabling Requirements (Speaker) 3079
Bill 52 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2009-2010 – Notice 3079
Bill 53 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2010-2011 – Notice 3079
Bill 54 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2010-2011 – Notice 3079
Tabled Document 207 – 3(2): Nunavut Housing Corporation Contracting Report for the Year Ended March 31, 2009 – Consideration in Committee 3080
Tabled Document 209 – 3(2): Statement of Expenditures for Nunavut Housing Trust as of April 1, 2006 to February 28, 2010 – Consideration in Committee 3080
Tabled Document 210 – 3(2): Nunavut Housing Corporation Review of Nunavut Housing Trust – Consideration in Committee 3080
Tabled Document 212 – 3(2): Nunavut Housing Trust Project Status Summary, September 30, 2010 – Consideration in Committee 3080
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Honourable Tagak Curley, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Adamee Komoartok, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Mr. Louis Tapardjuk, Ms. Jeannie Ugyuk.
Speaker (Hon. Paul Okalik) (interpretation): I would like to ask Mr. Ningeongan to say the opening prayer.
Just prior to commencing our session, I would like to first inform the House that the MLA representing Tununiq will be unable to attend due to his continuing recuperation from his health issues.
That is my first housekeeping item.
Before we proceed with our orders of the day, I have received the following correspondence from our esteemed Commissioner addressed to my attention:
Hon. Paul Okalik, Speaker of the House
Bill 52, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2009-2010
Bill 53, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2010-2011
Bill 54, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2010-2011
Sincerely, Edna Elias, C.M.
Government House Leader, Minister Lorne Kusugak.
Minister’s Statement 230 – 3(2): Ministers Taptuna and Tootoo Absent from House (Kusugak)
I wish my colleagues a good day. Further, I would like to extend a good day to my constituents in Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the House that the Hon. Hunter Tootoo will be absent from the House from February 22 to 23 to attend an FPT ministers’ meeting on education.
I also would like to inform you, along with our colleagues, that the Hon. Peter Taptuna will also be absent from the House for the same time period of February 22 to 23.
An unfortunate incident occurred whereby Kugluktuk lost one of their esteemed elders, Mr. Peter Kamingoak, who passed away just recently.
Our hon. colleague is currently visiting the family to mourn with them and offer his support.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend our sympathies to those left behind by the passing of Mr. Peter Kamingoak in Kugluktuk.
Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
Minister’s Statement 231 – 3(2): Inuit Language Standardization Symposium – Uqausiqaqatigiinniq (Arreak)
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to inform my fellow Nunavummiut about an event that occurred just recently. We held an Inuit Language Standardization Symposium that was held in Iqaluit from February 7 to 11, 2011 during Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq, Language Week.
I am pleased to announce that this event was part of our efforts to implement Nunavut’s Inuit Language Protection Act.
The symposium was an opportunity for all of us to better understand and appreciate the importance of Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit’s efforts in standardizing the Inuit language in Nunavut.
We believe that standardization of our language will help protect and promote our unique Inuit language.
Standardizing the Inuit language will help communities, public, schools, departments, organizations, and the private sector, regardless of which regions they are from, to have better communication with each other, establish safety measures for service providers, and will help to ensure that our language will be used in all fields of society in our homeland.
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude towards regional Inuit organizations, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Office of the Languages Commissioner, and departments and staff who worked hard to plan for this event and have assisted in kick-starting the working relationship that is required among communities, organizations, the private sector, and the departments to start standardizing our beautiful language.
There are no more hands up.
Member’s Statement 353 – 3(2): Issues with NHC in Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk (Ningark)
I recognize your role and for that, I congratulate you for your position
I went to Repulse Bay to meet with the hamlet council as well as to meet with other constituents in that community; I am grateful that I was able to do so.
I also went to Kugaaruk.  In Repulse Bay, the issue of housing is the most pressing concern.
Perhaps, at the appropriate time, I would like to recognize that the minister of housing has allocated enough units to the communities.
The two construction projects are currently in limbo because they have not been paid. I spoke with the two construction companies.
They stated they have not been paid yet and they would like to be paid for the services they rendered so that they can go back to their home communities. They have been told that they will not be paid the ticket to return home and they have another arrangement.
Currently in Kugaaruk, I was told that a correspondence was sent to the minister and the housing association employees in Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay were not paid.
I would like to know why they were not paid when they are conducting their mandate as per legislation.
Why are the Repulse Bay Housing Association and the Kugaaruk Housing Association employees not being paid?
I also heard another piece of news from Kugaaruk that did not sit well. They hired a housing association manager from the regional office. He stated to the housing association that if the council is not willing to listen to the regional authority, they would be kicked out, (interpretation ends) “Out they go,” (interpretation) and the minister would choose replacements.
At the appropriate time, I will be asking the minister if anyone has the power to remove our council members.
Member’s Statement 354 – 3(2): Working for Arviarmiut (Shewchuk)
I, too, would also like to welcome you to your new Chair in the House.
I rise today to say a special “hello” to all of my constituents in Arviat who are joining us in this sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to represent and be the MLA for Arviat. I also want to ensure all of my constituents that I am working very hard with all of my colleagues in cabinet and all of the regular members to deal with the challenges we face in the community of Arviat.
I am working diligently to work on our degrading infrastructure needs, shortage of housing needs, critical health issues, and also to try and replace lost GN positions in our community. Mr. Speaker, I will continue to address these issues with a deep concern and try to bring some of them to resolve.
Member’s Statement 355 – 3(2): Nutrition North Canada Program (Elliott)
Before I start my Member’s Statement, I would like to extend my condolences to Ludy Pudluk, his family, and the community of Resolute Bay on the passing of his wife, Dora, last month.
As members are aware, Ludy has been a huge supporter of the High Arctic as a Member of the NWT Legislative Assembly. Most recently, he was elected as mayor of Resolute Bay and resigned to spend time with his wife.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the Nutrition North Canada Program.
Mr. Speaker, as Members of the House will be aware, the federal government’s new Nutrition North Canada Program officially replaces the Food Mail Program in less than 40 days.
Over the past two years, one of my priorities as a Member of the Legislative Assembly has been to address the issue of the high cost of living in the High Arctic.
This has also been one of the areas that the High Arctic Council has focused much of its work, especially with respect to the issue of air transportation, the cost of which has a significant impact on the price of food and other goods.
Mr. Speaker, as you may be aware, the community of Arctic Bay has recently seen the opening of a food bank. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Anna Qaunaq and other Arctic Bay residents who have volunteered to do what she can to make sure that no child and no family goes hungry in our community.
Mr. Speaker, the fact that we need to have a food bank should tell us that something is wrong.
Food insecurity is a profoundly disturbing issue and one which is fundamentally linked to poverty.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, I have been actively engaged in dialogue with the federal government over the past two years concerning its review of the Food Mail Program and the subsequent introduction of the new Nutrition North Canada Program.
In December of 2009, I tabled copies of correspondence that I had sent to the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs concerning INAC’s review of the Food Mail Program.
This correspondence urged the federal government to take into account a number of concerns in its review of the Food Mail Program.
As members will be aware, a Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board has been established by the federal government to “Review and consider matters including, but no exclusive to, program performance, communications and public awareness, health and nutrition strategies, transportation systems, food supply chain management, food pricing… .”
The Member for Quttiktuq is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays?
There are no nays. Member for Quttiktuq.
As members will be aware, a Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board has been established by the federal government to “Review and consider matters including, but not exclusive to, program performance, communications and public awareness, health and nutrition strategies, transportation systems, food supply chain management, food pricing, and product subsidy eligibility, in terms of the ways in which they are serving the interests of northern residents or could be improved.”
Later today, I will be tabling two letters that I have recently written to the chairperson of the advisory board, both of which outline a number of concerns and suggestions for the advisory board’s consideration.
These include the importance of ensuring that the board closely monitors the success of the new Nutrition North Canada Program in such areas as lowering the retail price of nutritious food, addressing the needs of communities that are served by airlines and retailers that enjoy a monopoly or near-monopoly position, enhancing the transparency of retail pricing, and expanding access to country food.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that there has been a significant amount of public attention paid recently to the prices of products on the shelves of stores in Arctic Bay.
I was pleased to note that there was productive discussion of the new Nutrition North Canada Program at last week’s meeting of Baffin mayors, which I had the privilege of attending.
As well, Minister Duncan himself mentioned in a teleconference meeting with media that it has been healthy to engage in a debate over this issue.
Mr. Speaker, I say with all sincerity that I am pleased that there has been a vigorous discussion in recent days concerning the new Nutrition North Canada Program.
Many of the comments made by our Member of Parliament and the federal Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs reflect what I believe is a sincere desire on their part to see this program succeed for the benefit of all northerners.
I again state that nobody will be more pleased than me to see this program have a positive impact on the lives of my constituents.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank Minister Aglukkaq for having arranged for Nutrition North Canada officials to meet with me last week in Ottawa as I felt that it was important for me to have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the officials who will actually be administering this program and to provide them with suggestions concerning priority areas of action.
Mr. Speaker, we must not lose sight of the fact that the success of the Nutrition North Canada Program will ultimately depend on all stakeholders living up to their responsibilities.
The federal government has stated that northern retailers and southern suppliers who “agree to the terms and conditions of the arrangements to be made with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to govern the transfer of funds” will be eligible to participate in the program.
Clearly, the federal government has an important role to play in monitoring and auditing the extent to which retailers and suppliers use the federal subsidy to pass on savings to their customers, who are our constituents.
As I noted earlier, the communities that I represent are serviced by retailers and airlines that enjoy near-monopoly power.
I believe that it is important for all of us as MLAs to have the opportunity to speak directly with the private sector decision-makers whose actions have significant impact on our communities and constituents.
I would note that in November of last year, senior executives from the North West Company, Arctic Co-Operatives Limited, First Air, and other corporate citizens appeared before a standing committee of the House of Commons on the occasion of its review of the new Nutrition North Canada Program.
It would be my hope and expectation that these corporate citizens will also welcome the opportunity to appear before our Legislative Assembly later this year and I look forward to the support of my colleagues in extending the appropriate invitation to them.
Member’s Statement 356 – 3(2): Congratulations on Successful Hosting of Event (Ningeongan)
Before I begin with my statement, I would like to say “good day” to the residents of Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to take this opportunity to inform our colleagues of a very successful event that you hosted last month as our Speaker.
The 28th Annual Canadian Presiding Officers’ Conference was held in Iqaluit in late January.
This event brings together Speakers and other presiding officers from legislatures across Canada.  As the Deputy Speaker, during this conference at our Legislative Assembly, I was quite proud that all of these delegates who came to our territory were quite impressed with the Speaker’s presentation and the fact that he highlighted the different languages that we use in this territory.
While we were welcoming our colleagues, our Speaker spoke about how the Inuktitut language legislation was undertaken, along with the protocol and the behaviour that are expected of the Members in the House. He highlighted a lot of the operations and the protocol that we follow here in the House.
He was very good in highlighting that.
It seemed to fall right into the Inuit Language Week. We happened to have caught it and it seemed like an appropriate time to bring up the Inuktitut language.
Mr. Speaker, I firmly believe that this opened up the eyes of many of our fellow provincial legislators or Speakers who may not have understood the circumstances of Nunavut and how Inuktitut is very important.
The Member for Nanulik is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
There are no nays. Member for Nanulik, you may proceed.
Furthermore, I also want to inform the members that our Speaker was also quite eloquent when he spoke about the language, what is occurring in Nunavut, what the resources are, and what economic opportunities may exist in Nunavut. He was able to present this in a good manner.
He was very hospitable. It was obvious that his colleagues were quite impressed when we conducted the opening session.
It was quite obvious that a lot of the protocols we use, along with the clothing we wear in the House, were quite eye-opening for the other Speakers because, again, it highlighted the fact that we are Inuit and that Inuit seamstresses are quite good at making clothing, especially here in Iqaluit.
I was also quite happy when the delegates would come and speak to me about this conference. They stated that they were quite proud that Nunavut has its own identity and they wanted to support us, especially in providing support for wildlife or other trades that will allow Nunavut to grow.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to invite my colleagues in congratulating the Speaker and his employees for being so hospitable and welcoming to his colleagues from the rest of Canada.
Member’s Statement 357 – 3(2): Late Freeze-up in Pangnirtung (Komoartok)
Mr. Komoartok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am also quite proud that you are sitting in your role.
I also say “good afternoon” to my fellow residents in Pangnirtung.
I was just apprised of the very good weather up there and I am quite proud that they are enjoying the weather.
Please enjoy your stay at home.
I would like to speak about the long summer we had.
From about the middle of June, when the ice broke off, our community was able to boat until January 10, when the ice finally formed.
Cumberland Sound finally iced over around January 16 or 17 and people were able to go to Cumberland Sound.
This was so far behind. The weather wasn’t cooperating and it was too warm for the ice to form.
It was the first time we observed that the usual time of ice forming is November and December, and the ice didn’t even form in those two months.
Some of us were wondering what’s so different about these two months, and it seemed like every time it would freeze, the weather would change and it would melt again.
Usually, by December 31, there’s enough snow for people to start using their snowmobiles.
For a while, we weren’t even expecting any further snow, but luckily for us, on December 31, a big snow storm came that allowed our community to be able to use snowmobiles.
On January 24, our temperature rose to 8 degrees Celsius and that melted all of the snow we used for our snowmobiles.
Again, there have been more snowfalls, but there are certain areas with snow patches that allow us to use the land.
With that as it is, the fiord had iced over, but the Cumberland Sound hasn’t iced over yet.
The people who want to go fishing and go to other areas have been unable to reach those lakes due to the lack of ice and snow.
This has really impacted our community, especially for those who depend on the land for revenue and for supplemental food.
The Member for Pangnirtung is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Member for Pangnirtung, you may proceed.
Wildlife and harvesting is a very important part of our culture. When you cannot undertake that due to the lack of ice and snow, it becomes very hard, but we also get a lot of support from other communities.
This fall and winter, we were getting freight that was shipped to our community from Coral Harbour, Repulse Bay, and from other communities that provided us with caribou and other country foods, and we’re very grateful for all of the country food that was sent to our community.
Just before I came here, prior to my travel, another freighter landed with a lot of country food.
The lack of ice formation during the winter is becoming a more pressing issue and it seems to be delayed time and time again every year by another month or so. We’re not even close to where the time periods used to be for ice formation.
It was very different. We didn’t seem to have a very good fall and I never got cold. This is just to let you know that our community is being severely impacted by climate change.
Those of us in South Baffin have had a very long fall and it seemed like we would never reach winter.
This may become a larger and more pressing issue in Nunavut, and this is something we’re going to have to plan for because the impact of climate change is going to affect more and more communities, not just our community.
That comprises my Member’s Statement.
Member for South Baffin.
Member’s Statement 358 – 3(2): Trigger Locks for Kimmirut and Cape Dorset (Schell)
I would just to like everybody here back to the leg., and it’s been two or three months since we have been here and I’m sure a lot of things have happened here.
There are going to be some good questions asked in question period and hopefully the ministers will have some answers.
Personally I would like to welcome the new Speaker in this position here and also Hon. Louis Tapardjuk here to help us on our side.
I’m sure he’s going to come up with some good questions.
I’m just going to make it short and sweet. I just want to let everyone know that I made good on my promise of supplying trigger locks to Kimmirut and Cape Dorset and they will be shipped in the next week.
I’m hoping the government will look at ways to try to get trigger locks to the rest of Nunavut.
Member for Nattilik.
Member’s Statement 359 – 3(2): Regional Treatment/Healing Centres (Ugyuk)
I would like to say “good day” to Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak residents, and I am honoured to be back in the legislature.
From time to time, I’ll be asking questions on social issues.
We know that the treatment centres will be opened in the Baffin, Kivalliq, and Kitikmeot regions, which our residents have been expecting for some time.