EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Although it has been renovated, still, there is a lack of space. The staff don’t have any space; in the capital plans there is nothing planned for that. If we look at other communities where there are ministers and where their constituents are, they utilize huge amounts of money.
This should be clarified so that we can have a better understanding of where the plan is and when we should be expecting this or that, especially facilities which are recreational facilities in the community, when they gather together in the community hall some of them are unsafe now.  I will just conclude with that for now.
I don’t have any more names on my list at this time for general comments.
We are on page J-6. (interpretation ends) Community and Government Services.
Qikiqtaaluk Region.
Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Qikiqtaaluk Region, $4 million is it just for Iqaluit? Qikiqtaaluk Various, and under $4 million that is going to be allotted, where is this funding going to?
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): For the question, (interpretation ends) the block funding total amount is divided among the hamlets in the region and paid directly to them.
It also replaces all the programming of separate projects, funding for roads, sidewalks, site development, employee sources, or places, guided by standards and criteria, but basically administered by the hamlets themselves.
It also provides for extraordinary repair of hamlet (inaudible) units, loaders, dozers, graders, dump trucks, and fire trucks. Funding during recent years has been insufficient for adequate replacement. Some major overhauls are required with greater frequency.
Also administered through our regular office as priorities (inaudible) Capital standards that currently allow for retrofits of mobile equipment. Communities are expected to contribute a portion of material costs.
As your department stated that they were going to visit the communities and find out what their needs are. Did they do that in Qikiqtaaluk region on this? Where is this community $100,000 line item going to here in Qikiqtaaluk?
Perhaps Qikiqtarjuaq? I don’t know.
And I would like to thank you for your question.
In the regions the regional staff do visit the communities and visit the municipalities in all the three regions.
That’s what they do. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, minister.
In the opening comments, I alluded to $31 million in six years. That was found in 2002. Back in 2006-07, capital plan, separated, with Community and Government Services, on their substantiation sheets that we had reviewed at the committee level, $3.6 million special funds geared for Iqaluit, second one, $400,000 base fund, and the purposes are the same for the use of this funding.
My first question in English: (interpretation ends) why has the funding for the Iqaluit funding agreement been split into two different funds?
Ms. Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I thank Mr. Curley.
I will ask Mr. Sitland to respond.
The split of that particular project, the $3.6 million versus $400,000, as the member said they are exactly the same projects. It is an administrative issue during the compiling of the estimates that goes before the standing committee.
They are exactly the same project and they have been combined into one project in the capital estimates.
There has to be a more substantial reason for that instead of splitting it into two separate items.
Anyways further to my question: has there been any third party funding that has been secured for the City of Iqaluit for 2006-07?
Any information you may have from third party contributors.
Ms. Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In order for you to understand when we talk about funding I would like to get an adequate response. Perhaps Mr. Rich can respond to the question.
Recently with the signing last summer with the gas tax agreement with the federal government there is a portion of that funding that will come to the City of Iqaluit and that starts this fall. Actually, we are working out arrangements with the federal government to start transferring the funding. So there will be some funding to 2006-07 that comes through the Gas Tax funding.
Other than that, if there is third party funding that the City has access to, I am not aware of the top of my head. We can certainly check with the City to see if they have other sources of third party funding.
My additional question is dealing with that as well because it is important that we incorporate all these special funds of the federal government. Some maybe applied to some communities and some are coming forth as you indicated in the fall because many of the capital items listed with regions all fall into some pot.
I’m going reference my question in dealing with a single pot instead of breaking it down to the regions page-by-page.
Mr. Chairman, my further question is recognizing the fact the federal government announced that Nunavut will receive $69.5 million in infrastructure fund. And then the new deal facility committee will provide additional $37.5 million and also the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund will provide $16 million each from Government of Nunavut and the Government of Canada, Gas Tax funding to be seen as the deputy minister indicated.
So my question is: when will Community and Government Services identify special specific project for funding under rural infrastructure programs such as Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, Gas Tax funding and new deal facilities in communities? Is it possible to have some indication from either one of you people?
There is a new committee that was formed and it will be utilized.
I would like to respond to your question. The funding that we expect in the new fiscal year 2006, they should be coming in.
I appreciate the minister’s response, but specifically, when can we expect some details on specific projects identified for communities throughout? If that is completed by the department, would that be tabled to the House so that we can have some information to go back to our communities? Maybe early in the New Year?
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will let Mr. Rich respond to that.
As the minister mentioned the key component of this will be the new Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee. The Infrastructure Advisory Committee, which is co-chaired by NAM and the Department of Community and Government Services, and has equal representation from NAM; three mayors are on it; one from each region; and also from CGS and Finance started meeting in September.
They have had three formal meetings up to date.
They are charged with completing in January, a process for identifying projects and establishing priorities on projects. So they have been working hard in doing that, which is a huge amount of work to do. We anticipate then that in January we’ll have from that committee the process they are going to use to work with communities to both identify and establish priority, and also how they’ll be working with communities to develop long-range plans.
What that means is that probably in the first quarter of the next year, we’ll be able to have that process identified. As you can imagine it’s a long process to work with 24 communities and to identify capital projects.
So right now it’s kind of hard to say there is going to be a list. I will say though that I was with the board in its initial meeting.
I spent the morning with them at their first meeting and the NAM representatives were very emphatic in cautioning the department not to start allocating the gas tax funding and municipal rural infrastructure funding until the board has had a chance to review those projects.
So we are being very careful not to announce projects until we worked with the board on those projects.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Rich. Thank you, Mr. Curley.
It’s now almost two o’clock and we have to catch a flight at three o’clock, I would like to make a motion to report progress.
I have a motion on the floor and the motion is not debatable. All those in favour of the motion, please raise your hand.
Thank you, Madame Minister, Mr. Sitland, and Mr. Rich.
Mr. Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Your committee has been considering Bill 1 and the capital estimates, and would like to report progress. Also Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be agreed to.
Speaker (interpretation): There is a motion on the floor. Is there a seconder?
Orders of the Day for November 21:
This House stands adjourned until Monday, November 21, 2005 at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 14:07
Monday, November 21, 2005
Pages 229 – 298
Opening Prayer 229
Ministers’ Statements 229
Members’ Statements 232
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 236
Tabled Documents 256
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 257
Report of the Committee of the Whole 297
Orders of the Day 297
Monday, November 21, 2005 229
013 – 2(3): National Addictions Awareness Week 2005(Aglukkaq) 229
014 – 2(3): Pan Northern Projects – 2007 Canada Winter Games, Whitehorse (Tapardjuk) 230
015 – 2(3): Strategic Investments Program Update (Kilabuk) 230
016 – 2(3): Release of Draft Nunavut Adult Learning Strategy (Picco) 231
041 – 2(3): Congratulate Taloyoak Regional Soccer Teams (Aglukkaq) 232
042 – 2(3): Bathurst Inlet Port and Road Project (Peterson) 232
043 – 2(3): Emergency Shelters Needed (Barnabas) 234
044 – 2(3): Chesterfield Inlet Housing Infrastructure (Netser) 234
045 – 2(3): Restorative Justice Society (Tootoo) 234
046 – 2(3): Soccer Trials in Iqaluit (Picco) 235
042 – 2(3): Concern on HTLV-1 (Tootoo) 236
043 – 2(3): Training for H&SS Employees on Information and Privacy Issues (Curley) 239
044 – 2(3): Government of Nunavut’s Position on the Bathurst Port and Road Project (Peterson) 242
045 – 2(3): Coordinator of Patient Travel Location and Organization (Tootoo) 244
046 – 2(3): Adequate Emergency Shelters (Barnabas) 247
047 – 2(3): GN Response to NAM Resolutions (Peterson) 248
048 – 2(3): Update on the Affordable Energy Fund (Tootoo) 250
049 – 2(3): Five Hundred Thousand Dollar Deletion from Petroleum Product/Energy Corporation (Tootoo) 253
020 – 2(3): WCB Annual Report 2004 (Akesuk) 256
021 – 2(3): Letter to Andy Scott Minister of Indian Affairs & Northern Development regarding Food Mail Program (Okalik) 256
022 – 2(3): Nunavut Lottery Financial Statements March 31, 2005 (Tapardjuk) 256
023 – 2(3): Working Draft Nunavut Adult Learning Strategy October 2005 (Picco) 256
Bill 1 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2006-07 – Community and Government Services – Consideration in Committee 257
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. David Alagalak, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Honourable Levinia Brown, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Joe Allen Evyagotailak, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Mr. Patterk Netser, Honourable Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Paul Okalik, Mr. Keith Peterson, Honourable Edward Picco, Honourable David Simailak, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (interpretation): I would ask Mr. Curley to say the opening prayer.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Good afternoon Mr. Premier, and members of the legislature.
I would like to inform the members that Peter Kattuk will not be in the House due to family matters. He is in Montreal.
Minister’s Statement 013 – 2(3): National Addictions Awareness Week 2005(Aglukkaq)
National Addiction Awareness Week is the time to celebrate the joys of an addictions-free lifestyle. It is a time to honour each other.
Across Nunavut communities are holding a wide range of activities to celebrate healthy living.
They are holding a sober dance, honouring outstanding community members, or having feasts.
National Addiction Awareness Week takes place on November 20 to 26 this year.
It’s important to remember that at any time of the year people can get help here in Nunavut.
When drugs and alcohol are a problem we have addiction counsellors, wellness workers, social workers, and mental health workers who can help.  Substance abuse is a devastating health problem affecting many aspects of Canadian society.
The Department of Health and Social Services works with Community and Government partners to help Nunavummiut live in a society increasingly free of substance abuse.
Minister’s Statement 014 – 2(3): Pan Northern Projects – 2007 Canada Winter Games, Whitehorse (Tapardjuk)
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I stand today to update the House on the upcoming 2007 Canada Arctic Winter Games that will be hosted, for the first time ever, north of 60 in Whitehorse, Yukon. Through the signed Pan Northern Cooperation Accord between the three territories, a variety of projects have been undertaken to promote the North.
By involving all three northern territories in the co-hosting of the 2007 games, an enormous opportunity is created.
The scope of hosting the games changes significantly, and in effect, the north will now be hosting the south. All three northern territories will now be able to share the spotlight in the time leading up to the games and during the actual games themselves.
Opportunities will be created to present their people, culture, and lifestyles to a national and even to an international audience.
In addition, northern businesses will be provided the opportunity to promote their products and services across the country and to link themselves to all of the positive forces associated with youth, sport and healthy, active lifestyles. A number of initiatives are being undertaken by the territories.
The number of programs and deliverables are only limited by the imagination, enthusiasm, and commitment of the Pan Northern partnership.
I look forward to providing you with additional updates as we move closer to the games in February of 2007.
Minister’s Statement 015 – 2(3): Strategic Investments Program Update (Kilabuk)
I would like to take this opportunity to update my colleagues on the Strategic Investment Program.
It’s a $4 million program designed to help develop the capacity and the knowledge needed to enhance economic development opportunities in Nunavut.
This program was created this year and resulted in a total of 65 applicants submitting 101 funding proposals from 18 communities.
The total value of the proposals received was for in excess of $19 million.
This is a tremendous response to a brand new program and shows that Nunavummiut are keenly interested in developing the economy of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, a total of $3.6 million was approved from the initial submissions.
The sheer volume of the projects submitted shows that there’s a continuing need for this program.
It also points to the need to better integrate the SIP Program with a $6 million targeted investment program of the federal government.
We remain committed to working with the federal government to ensure maximum use of growth programs in promoting economic development in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Government of Nunavut, I wish to congratulate all of the successful applicants and wish them success in the future with their projects.
Minister’s Statement 016 – 2(3): Release of Draft Nunavut Adult Learning Strategy (Picco)
I am pleased to inform my honourable colleagues of the release of the working draft of the Nunavut Adult Learning Strategy.
Mr. Speaker, guided by the Iqanaijaqatigiit Agreement, the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated struck a working group to develop this strategy.
Membership of the working group is drawn from a broad representation of agencies involved in adult learning in Nunavut.
I would like to personally thank Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated President Paul Kaludjak for support of a process that has been very positive and has moved forward in a very short time.
Mr. Speaker, the resulting draft focuses on the changes needed to make the learning system here in Nunavut functional and seamless while providing Nunavummiut with the means to actively participate in the economic growth and development of our communities.
The 29 strategies and associated actions suggest actions in practical ways which we can move forward over the 20 years to make our adult learning system the envy of Canada.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage my colleagues for those interested in adult learning to obtain a copy of this document and give this careful consideration. We are encouraging a public review of the draft to ensure that we have captured all the issues and identified all of our options.
After we have received input from Nunavummiut we will revise the document accordingly. In the meantime Mr. Speaker I will table later today the draft of the Nunavut Adult Learning Strategy.
Member’s Statement 041 – 2(3): Congratulate Taloyoak Regional Soccer Teams (Aglukkaq)
I would like to congratulate two winning soccer teams from Taloyoak today.
Recently the two teams from Taloyoak attended the regional tournament held in Kugluktuk. Mr. Speaker, the juvenile boys under 16 soccer team took home the gold and the girls under 14 also took home the gold.
I would like to congratulate the coach of the boys team Peter Aqqaq and the coach for the girls team Magin Pizulau for their hard work. I would like to congratulate Robert Tucktoo, Sean Alookee, DJ Neeveeacheak, Peter Ittunga, Simon Tulurialik, and Damian Alookie for the boys teams and from the girls winning team, I would like to congratulate Niomie Alookie, Cecile Lyall, Patricia Lyall, Tammy Pauloosie, Pamela Manilaq, Sandra Aqqaq, Steven Aniqsaq and Annette Jakyo.
Member’s Statement 042 – 2(3): Bathurst Inlet Port and Road Project (Peterson)
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update the House on the Bathurst Inlet Port and Road project, also known as BIPAR.
Mr. Speaker, BIPAR has been at the core of the Kitikmeot’s economic development strategy for a number of years. Many good people in the region have been working for many years to help push this project forward, and to make the case for the federal and territorial governments to invest in this key project.
Mr. Speaker, economic modeling by economists from the University of Saskatchewan showed that construction on this mega-project and access to the Izok Deposit owned by Inmet Mining would provide 17,000 person years of employment and generate billions of dollars in economic activity and tax revenue.
Mr. Speaker, since the late 1990s, a committee headed by the Kitikmeot Corporation has completed several technical and environmental studies. Mr. Speaker, the GN contributed $1.5 million to those studies while the federal government contributed $3 million. The private sector has funded the balance.
Mr. Speaker, Inuit organizations and businesses in the Kitikmeot are leading the project.
It holds untold potential to contribute significantly to Nunavut’s future economic growth.
Inmet Mining conducted two feasibility studies in 1995 and 2003 on their Izok Project.
Both indicated that their deposit is not economic without a road being in place. There are many other potential mineral deposits in the Slave Geologic Province that have economic potential if the deposits could be accessed.
Mr. Speaker, the 2005 Nunavut Economic Outlook stated that infrastructure “projects will never be built if the decision is made exclusively on economics.
Cost-benefit analyses miss far too many intangible social benefits, especially in depressed regions.”
The report also noted that “at this point key stakeholders in the federal government have not viewed these projects from that perspective.”
Mr. Speaker, in a recent speech to a Vancouver resource conference, the Premier stated that “we are pushing the federal government to join with us, Inuit organizations and private businesses to develop the Bathurst Inlet Port and Road Project.” I want to thank the Premier today for his commitment to BIPAR, and for taking our message to the rest of Canada.
I request unanimous consent to complete my statement.
I thank my colleagues for letting me continue.
Mr. Speaker, Charlie Lyall, the President of Kitikmeot Corporation recently attended the Northern Transportation Conference in Yellowknife where BIPAR was discussed.
He told participants that he is taking the project to the Government of Nunavut because it is too big of a project for the Kitikmeot Corporation to do it alone.
Mr. Speaker, there are many partners in this project, including the federal government, who are looking to the Government of Nunavut to make a serious commitment to this project.
Mr. Speaker, the 2005 Nunavut Economic Outlook concluded that “the most significant upside risk to the forecast is the possibility that the Bathurst Inlet Port and Road project receives approval from the Nunavut Impact Review Board and is able to raise the necessary capital to begin the construction.”
Mr. Speaker, with the GN firmly involved as a proponent, a strong message would be sent to Ottawa and the mining industry that this is a key infrastructure project that must proceed in Nunavut if we are to unlock our mineral potential to create economic wealth and social well-being for our citizens.
I will be asking the appropriate minister questions about the status of the project during this session.
Member’s Statement 043 – 2(3): Emergency Shelters Needed (Barnabas)
I would like to talk about what my constituents have said about the community halls being very small.
We have seen on television from the American people about emergency shelters during a natural disaster.
Today our recreational facilities are not very big and in the case of an emergency they would not hold all the people in a community. The facility that we have in my community, if the power house shuts down, that would be a great disaster in my community.
For that reason Mr. Speaker I feel that the recreational facilities have to meet up-to-date standards.
Some of those facilities are over 22 years old even though the community is growing.
For that reason, there have to be emergency measures standards met by the hamlet in the community.
Member’s Statement 044 – 2(3): Chesterfield Inlet Housing Infrastructure (Netser)
I rise today in regards to the people that I represent.
The Chesterfield Inlet Development Corporation was given a negotiated contract to build houses.
I could say today that they started on September 20 and they employed eight people.
They only had one southern construction manager.
I have seen those houses that were done but I am sure that if it was tendered there would not be any northern content.
I would like to congratulate them for they will be completing the houses on February 8, and I would to invite the Housing Minister to be able to see those buildings that they constructed.
Member’s Statement 045 – 2(3): Restorative Justice Society (Tootoo)
Before I start my statement I would just like to take this opportunity to thank my Constituency Assistant Amanda Ford for making my tie nice and clean and helping me pick the appropriate shirt to wear today. I would like to thank her for that.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the important work taken on by restorative justice groups within Nunavut.
You may have heard the Chair of the Iqaluit Restorative Justice Society, Ms. Annie Nattaq, and her committee members on the radio last week as they described their work and the value of practicing restorative justice here in the community of Iqaluit.
As a part of Restorative Justice Week, they also made presentations at schools and elders’ facilities.
Mr. Speaker, the Iqaluit Restorative Justice Society is a group of trained volunteer mediators and elders who work with victims and offenders to come up with out of court solutions that focus on healing relationships between victims and offenders.
Offenders are referred by the RCMP, the Crown, or courts to the Iqaluit Restorative Justice Society and participate in either victim-offender mediation, or an elder panel meeting, depending on the nature of the offence.
Mr. Speaker, restorative justice provides an alternative to how we think about crime and how we respond to crime; it puts forward community-based solutions.
Although restorative justice practices are not unique to Nunavut, the concept of healing relationships between victims and offenders is strongly rooted in Inuit community life.