EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 68, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2013-2014.
The minister is seeking consent to waive to two-day waiting rule so that Bill 68 can be read for the first time today.
Speaker: I only heard one nay, and consent requires two.
Bill 68 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2013-2014 – First Reading
I thank my colleagues for granting this.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South-Whale Cove, that Bill 68, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2013-2014, be read for the first time.
All those in favour of the motion. Any opposed?
The motion is carried and Bill 68 has been read for the first time.
I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two-day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 69, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2013-2014.
The minister is seeking consent to waive the two-day waiting rule so that Bill 69 can be read for the first time today.
Speaker: I think I just heard one nay.
Are there two?
You can only say “nay” once, Mr. Curley…
…each time.
Bill 69 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2013-2014 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South-Whale Cove, that Bill 69, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2013-2014, be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and as such, Bill 69 has been read for the first time.
Bill 66 – Plebiscites Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South-Whale Cove, that Bill 66, Plebiscites Act, be read for the second time.
This bill repeals and replaces the Plebiscites Act and amends related statutes to modernize the conduct of plebiscites and to harmonize the plebiscite process with the conduct of elections under the Nunavut Elections Act.
The provisions of this bill mirror the provisions of the Nunavut Elections Act in respect of all matters relevant to the conduct of plebiscites.
The power to initiate plebiscites is vested in the following six plebiscite authorities to the extent that the plebiscite question is within their respective jurisdictions: the Legislative Assembly, the Commissioner in Executive Council, a minister, the council of a municipal corporation, an education authority, and any other person or body that enters into an agreement with Elections Nunavut to conduct a plebiscite on its behalf.
A plebiscite authority can ask voters to answer any question of public interest or concern where an expression of public opinion is desired, either on its own initiative or when requested by a petition from the public.
The question to be asked in a plebiscite must be clearly expressed in a way that is not misleading, equivocal, or confusing to the voters.
This bill does not cover liquor plebiscites conducted under the Liquor Act.
A plebiscite may be binding on the plebiscite authority or may be for consultation purposes only.
The plebiscite may be conducted throughout Nunavut or may be limited to one community or area in Nunavut.
Persons who are eligible to vote in an election for Members of the Legislative Assembly have the right to vote in a plebiscite, unless the plebiscite is targeted at a different group of Nunavummiut.
The rules on campaigning in a plebiscite allow persons and entities resident in or doing business in Nunavut to participate, but the ability to collect contributions from these persons and entities for campaigning is only available in a Nunavut-wide plebiscite to groups that register with Elections Nunavut.
Registered groups will be required to file financial reports in a manner similar to candidates in an election.
The motion is passed and as such, Bill 66 has been read for the second time. As it is a House Bill, it doesn’t require unanimous consent to be referred immediately to Committee of the Whole. That’s where it will be going.
Bill 68 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2013-2014 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South-Whale Cove, that Bill 68, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2013-2014, be read for the second time.
The motion is carried and Bill 68 has had second reading and is referred to Committee of the Whole.
Bill 69 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2013-2014 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South-Whale Cove, that Bill 69, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2013-2014, be read for the second time.
The motion is carried and Bill 69 has had second reading and is referred to Committee of the Whole.
Next in our Orders of the Day, Item 19.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. Bills 66, 68, and 69, and Minister’s Statement 299 – 3(3) with Mr. Enook in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:35 and Committee resumed at 16:03
I would now like to call the committee meeting to order. Welcome to the people of Nunavut who are listening on the radio and watching on TV.
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 66, 68, and 69, and Minister’s Statement 299 – 3(3).
We wish to proceed with the clause-by-clause review of Bill 66.
Do members agree that we first deal with Bill 66?
Bill 66 – Plebiscites Act – Consideration in Committee
As we begin our deliberations on Bill 66, I would like to ask the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly to go to the witness table.
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the Speaker in.
Mr. Speaker, welcome. Do you have witnesses that you would like to bring to the table? Mr. Speaker.
Yes, I would. I don’t want to be the only one sitting up here breaking in this witness table. It’s the first time someone sat at it.
Does the committee agree to bring in the Speaker’s witnesses?
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the Speaker’s witnesses in.  Thank you.
I am pleased to introduce the officials who are here with me today. To my right, Ms. Sandy Kusugak, who is the Chief Electoral Officer for Nunavut, and to my left, Mr. Patrick Orr, who is the Legal Counsel for Elections Nunavut.
At this time, we can begin our deliberation.
Mr. Speaker, if you can make your opening comments.
Mr. Speaker, whenever you’re ready.
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to appear today before the Committee of the Whole on the occasion of its consideration of Bill 66, the proposed new Plebiscites Act.
Prior to my providing an overview of the provisions contained in Bill 66, I would like to take this opportunity to review the process by which this initiative was developed and to speak about its importance.
As members are very much aware, a number of important milestones in our territory’s history were reached by way of Nunavut-wide public votes.
In 1992, public votes were held to approve the proposed boundary for division between Nunavut and the Northwest Territories and to ratify the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. In 1995, public votes were held to determine the location of Nunavut’s capital and to fulfill the requirement under Part 8 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement to hold a public vote respecting the issue of municipal lands.
In 1997, a public vote was held concerning the issue of dual-member constituencies.
Mr. Chairman, I believe that this is an opportune moment to note that Article 14.8.4 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement provides that another public vote may be held as early as 2015 to determine the public’s wishes with respect to removing the restriction on alienation of municipal lands.
Mr. Chairman, as members will also recall, a new Elections Act for Nunavut was passed by the Legislative Assembly in 2002.
Our initiative to bring forward a new Plebiscites Act to replace the statute that was inherited on division will help to ensure that we have a modern and responsive legislative regime in place to govern the conduct of both elections and plebiscites in the territory.
Mr. Chairman, as members will also recall, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer received direction from the Management and Services Board and Caucus early in the life of the current Assembly to move forward with the development of a new Plebiscites Act.
Elections Nunavut held extensive consultations with a number of stakeholders concerning this initiative which contributed greatly to the development of the new legislation.
On October 29, 2012, I tabled a draft new Plebiscites Act in the House and invited public comment on the document. At that time, I also wrote directly to both Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the Nunavut Association of Municipalities concerning the initiative.
On May 16 of this year, Bill 66 received first reading. I again invited members of the public and interested organizations to provide formal submissions concerning the proposed legislation.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to both the Premier and the Minister of Community and Government Services for having taken the time to write directly to presidents Towtongie and Haulli concerning this initiative.
Mr. Chairman, Bill 66 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that addresses all aspects of the conduct of plebiscites in the territory.
In many substantive respects, its provisions mirror those which are contained in the Nunavut Elections Act, a statute with which we are all very familiar.
Mr. Chairman, the power to initiate plebiscites will rest with a number of recognized plebiscite authorities, including municipal councils, the Commissioner in Executive Council, and the Legislative Assembly itself.
I would emphasize that the proposed new Plebiscites Act will come into force on January 1, 2014.
This timeline will ensure that the Members of the next Legislative Assembly have adequate opportunity to familiarize themselves with its provisions as they undertake the necessary steps that accompany the transition from one Assembly to the next.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments. I look forward to responding to any comments or questions that my colleagues may have.
Before we get into the bill and have general comments, because it’s been a while since we last met due to the summer break, I would like to remind members of the following: first of all, according to Rule 77(1), you have 10 minutes to speak, and according to Rule 77(2), subject to the discretion of the Chair, a member may speak more than once to a matter under discussion but not until every member wishing to speak has spoken.
I suggest to members that wherever possible you ask your detailed questions during the page-by-page review. Are there any general comments from members?
The Inuktitut in the opening of the Speaker, both the Inuktitut and English text in the second page, third paragraph, the Speaker indicated that he invited public comments on this particular bill.
He also has communicated with NTI, with this very important body in this jurisdiction, and also the Nunavut Association of Municipalities. I believe the public has a good window of opportunity, and I’m sure that the Speaker has received some correspondence from these entities.
I believe that it is incumbent upon us to approve and support this bill. Having said that, I have no other general comments.
We can begin our review of Bill 66, Plebiscites Act. Bill 66 is in your legislation binder. I think everyone has a copy of it now.
I have the English copy, so I will follow it in English. (interpretation ends) Bill 66, Plebiscites Act. (interpretation) Clause 1.
Chairman (interpretation): If I am too fast, please raise your hand and let me know that I’m going too fast.  Clause 13.
Chairman (interpretation): Just to remind the members that if you are going to agree, please agree loudly so I can hear you.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 67.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 74.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 75.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 76.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 77.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 78.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 79.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 80.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 81.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 82.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 83.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 84.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 85.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 86.
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Chairman (interpretation): Clause 100.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 101.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 102.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 103.
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Chairman (interpretation): Clause 109.
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Chairman (interpretation): Clause 117.
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Chairman (interpretation): Clause 119.
Chairman (interpretation): If you are going to agree, please do it loudly.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 122.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 124.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 125.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 126.
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Chairman (interpretation): Clause 137.
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Chairman (interpretation): Clause 139.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 140.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 141.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 142. (interpretation ends) Mr. Elliott, 142, please.
Under this section, it’s talking about contributions. There is a certain amount that you can actually contribute and that is $2,500. Is that correct?
Speaker: Yes.
That is stated in section 5. Since this is a Nunavut-wide plebiscite, that’s only when you can collect money for campaigning.
Is there a certain amount designated? Individuals can do $2,500, but is there a cumulative total that you cannot exceed?
Speaker: I have been informed that there is no cap there. I think I’m correct there.
To continue. (interpretation) Clause 142.
Clause 143.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 144.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 145.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 146.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 147.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 148.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 150.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 151.
Chairman (interpretation): If you’re going to agree, please do it loudly.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 153.
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Chairman (interpretation): Clause 155.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 156.
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Just a minute. I am sorry. Let me begin again.
Clause 241.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 243.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 244.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 246.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 247.
Chairman (interpretation): Members, do you agree to Bill 66 as a whole?
Chairman (interpretation): Members, do you agree that pursuant to Rule 62(2) that Bill 66 can now immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, (interpretation) we are now done dealing the bill. I give you this opportunity to make closing remarks if you wish. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker.
I thank the members for the passage of Bill 66, Plebiscites Act.
I think this is probably the most comprehensive pieces of legislation that this Assembly has looked at. It has been worked on, I believe, for over five years by Sandy and Patrick.
Michael had input in some stage in the game as well.
I thank them for all their hard work.
As well, I thank the Minister of Justice and the Department of Justice for the feedback that we received from them on the Act.
With that, thank you very much.
I thank your witnesses. They did a lot of hard work.
Mr. Ningeongan (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I’m moving a motion to report progress.
Your committee has been considering Bill 66 and I wish to report that Bill 66 is now ready for third reading.
Bill 66 – Plebiscites Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South-Whale Cove, that Bill 66, Plebiscites Act, be read for the third time.
The motion is carried and Bill 66 has had third reading and is ready for assent.
Orders of the Day for Friday, September 6:
Bill 68
Bill 69
Minister’s Statement 299 – 3(3)
This House stands adjourned until Friday, September 6, at 9:00 a.m.
>>House adjourned at 16:44 Appendix – September 5, 2013
Return to Written Question 28 – 3(3): Management of the M’Clintock Channel and Gulf of Boothia Polar Bear Populations
Asked by: Ms. Jeannie Ugyuk, MLA (Nattilik)
Asked of: Hon. James Arreak, Minister of Environment
Date: May 15, 2013
Noting that some of the questions are requesting specific financial information from over a decade ago, and that the Government of Nunavut Records Retention Schedule requires that information relating to grants and contributions be retained for five years, these answers are as accurate as possible.
Special Economic Initiatives Fund
A total of $200,000 was set aside in 2001/2002 to be shared by the three affected communities (Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak).
The purpose of the “Special Economic Initiatives Fund” was to research and implement alternative economic initiatives in the affected communities to replace the polar bear sport hunting activity.
The amounts dispersed to each community that we were able to verify are as follows: Cambridge Bay ($66,666.66), Gjoa Haven ($62,666.66) and Taloyoak ($37,340.62).
Cambridge Bay used the funds to expanded sport hunting opportunities in the Nelson Hills for other species, developed other hunting opportunities along the Ellice River and established a broader Commercial Musk Ox Hunt user group.
Gjoa Haven undertook a sport hunt and eco-tourism market study, which included developing promotional literature and travel to Salt Lake City Sportsman’s Show.
A musk ox ground survey was also undertaken to ascertain numbers for development of a hunt nearer the community.
Taloyoak hired a consultant to assist with strategic planning and put together a marketing plan to prepare for their hunting season.
They also built and outfitted access cabins to ensure that they had everything needed for a profitable hunt.
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ)
Several GN-funded Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit studies were conducted in the M’Clintock Channel area.
The Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit studies supported the results of the GN’s mark-recapture study of polar bears in M’Clintock Channel and Gulf of Boothia from 1998 to 2000 which indicated that the M’Clintock Channel population was declining.
HTO consultations with all communities that harvest from M’Clintock Channel and Gulf of Boothia were also conducted during the winter of 2013.
Some of the studies include:
Atatahak, G., and V. Banci (eds.). 2001.
Traditional Knowledge Polar Bear Report.
Prepared for the Department of Sustainable Development, Kugluktuk, NU. 15 pp.
Keith, Darren. 2005.
Inuit Qaujimaningit Nanurnut (Inuit knowledge of polar bears): A project of the Gjoa Haven. Hunters’ and Trappers' Organization, Edmonton, Canadian Circumpolar Institute Press
Scientific Research
The GN conducted an extensive mark-recapture study of polar bears in M’Clintock Channel from 1998 to 2000.
The study indicated that between the 1970s and 2000 the population had declined significantly from an estimated 700 bears to approximately 284 bears.
After extensive consultations, a new management plan was completed and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed off by the affected communities and the Government of Nunavut in 2005.
The MOU commits the Government of Nunavut to undertake new research beginning in 2015 and plans are on track for this research to go ahead.
Consultations on research design and planning was undertaken in winter of 2013 with the Hunters and Trappers Organizations (HTOs) in communities that harvest from M’Clintock Channel and Gulf of Boothia.
The GN also funded and collaborated on a sea-ice and habitat study in the M’Clintock Channel and Gulf of Boothia areas with the University of Manitoba:
John Iacozza and David Barber. 2002.