EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We work with various departments and governments on services related to healthy living. We work with the Department of Health on water analysis. We also work with the Department of Environment for other matters.
We generally work as a unified government to deal with the challenges we face in Nunavut with respect to clean air and water and to protect our fellow citizens through proper waste management.
So we collaborate with the various departments and governments as required to ensure that we have healthy living here in Nunavut.
No matter whoever a person is, they require clean drinking water to survive and to be in a safe environment inside Nunavut.
As a government, all departments work together on this.
Question 250 – 3(3): Resolving Longstanding Issue in Hall Beach Concerning the Relocation of Graves (Tapardjuk)
As I indicated in my Member’s Statement today, on October 19, 2001, the federal Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development wrote a letter to the Government of Nunavut’s Minister of Health and Social Services.
Can the minister confirm for me whether he or his predecessors ever received a follow-up from the federal government and, if so, can he indicate what information was provided?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Tapardjuk. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Minister Peterson.
First of all, I would like to express my sympathies to the community of Hall Beach and the folks who were involved in his quite moving Member’s Statement. It must have been a very traumatic experience for those individuals.
Mr. Speaker, I’ve had my officials research the matter in particular that Mr. Tapardjuk has referred to.
At this time, there is no evidence that such a letter was received from INAC.
Will the minister commit to writing to the current federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development on this matter, and to remind the federal government of its promise to review this matter?
Yes, Mr. Speaker, I can write to the federal minister.
Thank you, Minister Peterson. I suppose that only once we have received a response, we will be able to look at our options as this has been under review for far too long.
Mr. Speaker, my question to the minister is: if the federal government is unable to provide compensation as per the participants’ expectations, is the Government of Nunavut willing to consider whether or not they would be able to at least provide a token payment as appreciation for their past work or to be provided compensation? These people are still awaiting compensation to this day.
I wonder if the minister can consider that, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister Peterson.
This is a longstanding issue concerning the community of Hall Beach and individuals involved go back well over 40 years.
There’s a lot of red tape involved, obviously.
Looking at the chronology, it was quite amazing. I’m a little concerned. I know how government works.
At certain points in time, the papers or records are filed or destroyed. I don’t know what the federal government limits are, but we’re going have to look into this before I can consider such a request that you asked.
We will expect a response.
What I want to state, Mr. Speaker, is that the individual who happened to tell his story to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission during the dog slaughter research relayed his story about the grave removal ordeal. He stated that there were originally four participants involved.
When he spoke again a few years later, he said that he was the sole survivor left.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to strongly urge the minister to resolve this issue and to not abandon this attempt to right a wrong. Further, we will be expecting a response based on the minister’s previous answer.
This is just a comment and not a question, Mr. Speaker.
It’s just a statement there.
Moving on in Oral Questions.
Question 251 – 3(3): Maclean’s Article Regarding Polar Bears (Curley)
A couple of days ago, I tabled an article which had a statement that polar bears are being over-harvested in Canada.
In an article published on February 20, the Maclean’s magazine wrote that polar bears in Canada are in a precarious situation, that they’re on the verge of becoming a species at risk, and that more bears are being harvested due to the increasing price of bearskins.
The magazine stated that this is largely due to the increasing demand over in Asia to buy skins.
My question to the minister is: did the Minister of Environment read the article I tabled?
If the minister read the article, does it have any basis, in fact, that the harvest of bears has surpassed previous harvests due to the increasing prices? Are more bears being harvested here in Canada?
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank Mr. Curley for asking that question.
I did indeed get a chance to read the article he referred to.
I can only refer to Nunavut’s quota system which sets a limit to the harvesting of polar bears.
The quota is followed by the communities and every harvest is reported by the local HTO in each Nunavut community.
The community has a set quota and it is followed in most cases.
However, there is a different system in Quebec because of the difference in the land claims agreements.
JBNQ does not set out a quota system for Northern Quebec, and it is true that the number of polar bear harvests has increased in that jurisdiction, but that is the only inter-jurisdictional increase we have been informed of.
If members here were to read this article, it speaks about their perception as to the reason why, for example, the polar bear is a species at risk.
It means that they have been swayed by the animal rights activists and the global anti-harvesting activists as it supports that opinion within the article. They contend that the polar bear, which is a species at risk, is being over-harvested in Canada. However, it is quite obvious that this has no basis in truth if you look at the numbers.
Can the minister carefully peruse this article and counter their assumptions in a written format, stating that Inuit follow all the applicable Canadian legislation when they harvest polar bears?
Furthermore, polar bears are an integral part of our cultural makeup as they also constitute a food species for Inuit.
Within the article, there is no reference to the fact that Inuit have harvested polar bears throughout millennium, even prior to the country of Canada being created, and it has sustained many Inuit families in times of need.
Can the minister respond in writing to Maclean’s magazine outlining some of these counter arguments about the importance of the polar bear to Inuit, that they are not a species at risk, and furthermore, that we have the utmost respect for the polar bear here in Canada?
Yesterday, during Mr. Oshutapik’s line of questioning about polar bears, we spoke about the fact that each zone requires a population study.
In the majority of the management zones where surveys have been completed, it seems to indicate that the population is slightly increasing, which is largely due to the careful management system we have in place here in Nunavut.
We keep reiterating and emphasizing to the outside world that the bears are not a species at risk. However, the fundraisers for the animal rights activists are contending that due to a variety of reasons, polar bears are at risk, simply trying to coerce funds from the gullible public. Their misstatements include the decreasing population and global warming shrinking their habitat, all in order to get funding.
We, who are responsible for the management of the species, know that at this time, the population is not decreasing, especially since we exercise very good management.
Mr. Speaker, I agree to send correspondence in response to the article in Maclean’s magazine outlining the polar bear population size here in Nunavut.
We will also provide more information next year during the 2013 CITES conference as we will be sending representatives from the Department of Environment to that conference.
Mr. Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, in that same article, it speaks to the increases in the price of bearskins and that the most you could expect was about $2,000 to $3000 per skin in the past.
What they are insinuating in the article is that in the recent past, it is no longer $2,000 per bearskin, but it can be as much as $12,400.
Can the minister provide his position as to whether he agrees to that statement?
I’m trying to determine if they are setting a market price and that if Inuit sell a bearskin from their harvest, it has to be lower.
Is this better to protect the polar bear population or to keep the number of harvested bears low when the bearskin is only priced at $2,000 to $3,000?
I don’t want to hazard a guess in response to the member’s question, but it’s my belief that even if that were the case, there wouldn’t be a corresponding decrease in the numbers of polar bears harvested.
The numbers would remain the same, perhaps even increase by a small amount. Even if the price of a bearskin was lowered or the market disappeared, Inuit would still utilize the polar bear in the Arctic.
The member is correct in stating that the most expensive bearskin was bought for $12,400 at the fur auction.
At this time, the prices are above the usual levels and are quite high.
When I read the article the member asked me to read, we noticed that there was a statement that the general belief of the buyers was that this may be one of the last times that polar bearskins will be available for sale. That was their belief and this was apparent in the language of the article.
We can ensure that polar bears are not impacted severely where we have jurisdiction. At this time, polar bear populations in Nunavut are not decreasing since we have an adequate management system in place.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In reading the article, it becomes obvious that the authors are trying to insinuate that due to the high price of the bearskins, polar bears are being over-harvested.
However, they neglected to say that in Canada, we have legislation governing this, not just in Nunavut, but also in Nunatsiaq and Northern Quebec. Although their management systems don’t include quotas, they are also governed by this legislation to manage their polar bear populations, such as in Quebec.
My last question is this: due to the increase in bearskin prices, (interpretation ends) the spike in kills, (interpretation) for example, in Inukjuak, the prices increased quite dramatically when a foreign buyer arrived wanting to purchase bearskins at a higher price.
The article also includes quotes from Drikus Gissing, (interpretation ends) director of wildlife management for the Nunavut government. (interpretation) Who authorized this person to speak on behalf of our government regarding the issue of polar bear management in Nunavik?
Indeed, legislation governs us for polar bear harvesting and the majority of communities use a quota system in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
With respect to the previous comment I made regarding the JBNQ agreement, they haven’t used a quota system nor have they set one up yet.
Nevertheless, we continue to encourage them to set up a proper system to manage their harvest and to cooperate with them on the criteria used for determining the allowable harvest for polar bears per annum.
We communicate with officials as to how many bears have been harvested in Northern Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as Nunavut.
Due to our continued efforts to keep a close count of the total harvests in these areas, we also noted that the overall harvest of bears increased in Northern Quebec in the previous year.
I had tasked Drikus to speak to this matter as I had just recently been given the portfolio at that time. I had not had the time to properly digest all of the wildlife issues, including polar bear management issues, at the time that the article was being written by Maclean’s magazine.
Question 252 – 3(3): Liquor Act Task Force Update (Elliott)
In the government’s Budget Address, the minister stated, “We will also need to take a close look at the role of liquor in our communities.
My liquor task force will soon complete its extensive consultations with all communities. I will give the report the serious consideration that it deserves.”
I think that the Liquor Act needs more than just serious consideration; I think it needs change.
Can the minister give the House an update on the progress of his Liquor Act task force?
Mr. Speaker, I committed quite a long time ago now that all communities in Nunavut would be visited by the liquor task force and I believe all communities have been visited, except one. That’s my current information, but I could be wrong.
It’s important that all communities be engaged in the dialogue on liquor because it’s such a sensitive issue up here and we all know what the horrific problems it causes to our friends and families in our communities.
I have been able to attend some of the community meetings and they have been quite informative. There is quite a range of issues and concerns being expressed by people.
I did talk to one of the members of the task force a few weeks ago and they are in the process of starting to compile information and preparing a draft report.
As I said, I want to give it serious consideration because it will have important applications for the future of this territory.
Could the minister highlight some of the changes that his department will make after hearing the concerns and suggestions from the communities?
I can’t provide that information. I would have to see the report with the recommendations.
The concerns of residents from Iqaluit having to receive alcohol orders from Rankin Inlet and residents from Rankin Inlet having to receive alcohol orders from Iqaluit seems to be a little redundant.
From the conversations that I’ve had with concerned individuals, I don’t think it is the wait period that concerns them; it is the extra freight charges that they incur for having to have their orders shipped to a different location.
Is this one of the issues that his Liquor Act task force is investigating?
Mr. Speaker, I didn’t attend the Iqaluit meetings. I’m trying not to be involved. I don’t want any political influence to taint the report, so I’m deliberately trying to stay away from it.
I just occasionally run into members or attend the three meetings that I did attend in Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, and Cambridge Bay.
I have told the liquor task force to operate and conduct their community consultations and don’t worry about influence or involvement from the Minister of Finance.
When can we expect this new piece of legislation to be introduced in the House?
Mr. Speaker, I can’t say when a new piece of legislation will come forward.
I want to get the report first and then have the opportunity to table that in the House and have some discussions with all Members of the House.
Question 253 – 3(3): Airport Terminal Building at Chesterfield Inlet (Ningeongan)
I say “good morning” to the people of Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet.
Prior to this session, I have asked numerous questions about Chesterfield Inlet’s need for a new terminal and when they can expect to get a new facility.
As the minister is quite aware, the current terminal is very old.
Can the minister inform this House whether his department can represent Chesterfield Inlet in requesting information from the federal government as to the air terminal replacement and if funding would be available?
I thank the member for that very excellent question.
In 1999, when Nunavut became a territory, we inherited airport infrastructure that was quite old.
In Chesterfield Inlet, there’s no exception.
The infrastructure there is rather overused and the building itself has come to a situation where it is in bad state.
But also remember, Mr. Speaker, that there are situations in other communities that are like that; Whale Cove, Taloyoak.
At this time, Mr. Speaker, we continue to try and access funds to upgrade and build new infrastructure for our Nunavut airports.
At this time, Mr. Speaker, we haven’t identified funds for the Chesterfield Inlet Air Terminal Building.
The minister didn’t answer my question entirely.
I asked if his department had a priority list drawn up of communities that they could submit to the federal government for air terminals as there are many communities that would like to get new terminals.
Where does the Chesterfield Inlet terminal request fall into this priority list?
That is my question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Again I thank the Member for Nanulik for that question.
Mr. Speaker, I apologize if I didn’t make it quite clear.
Chesterfield Inlet has been identified as a priority, along with Whale Cove and Taloyoak.
Question 254 – 3(3): Civil Forfeiture (Elliott)
His predecessor, the hon. member from Cambridge Bay, when speaking about options regarding recommendations for the Liquor Act task force, brought forward the idea of civil forfeiture.
Could the minister confirm that this is an option that his department is entertaining as a measure to deter bootleggers of alcohol?
Minister responsible for the Department of Justice, Minister Shewchuk.
Civil forfeiture is absolutely being discussed in the Department of Justice and it is an option that’s being looked at more right now.
Will the minister’s department be bringing forward legislation on this?
Minister of Justice, Minister Shewchuk.
As I indicated, there are still discussions and ongoing assessments of civil forfeiture. The plan in the future is to bring draft legislation to this House at some point.
In terms of doing the review, will there be community consultation done for this?
In the ongoing review right now, there is absolutely consultation going on with all partners involved; NTI, community justice. So there is consultation happening.
With around 18 months left in the life of this Assembly, I’m just wondering: what type of a timeline is the minister looking at for coming up with a legislative proposal and actually putting legislation through this Assembly?
Again I thank the member for that question. I cannot give any timelines as to the time we’re going to come forward with this. However, we will in due course, when all consultation and review has been done accordingly.
We do have, as a government, many amendments to legislation that have to come forward, so I cannot put a timeline on it.
Question 255 – 3(3): Enhancement of Adult Basic Education Certificates (Tapardjuk)
I would like to direct this question to the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Minister Shewchuk.
Let me start off with a preamble. This is regarding the new funding announcement for Nunavut specifically for adult education and I completely concur with the purpose and we totally welcome this new funding that will provide assistance to many people in Nunavut.
By the sounds of it, this new funding is set for a five-year period, with an annual infusion of $2.2 million.
Mr. Speaker, in his Minister’s Statement, the minister stated that those who have dropped out, perhaps adults… .
I get confused by exactly what age constitutes an adult. In any event, it indicates that those who have dropped out of school will now be eligible for assistance in order to get a GED certificate as well as a diploma to showcase their passing of the high school requirements.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to clarification on what exactly is meant by this wording in this context.
That is my first question, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for that question.
This funding is very important to Arctic College and to the Territory of Nunavut.
In conjunction with the Department of Education, we plan on using this funding to enhance and deliver education to more adult people in communities, through their adult basic education right now, to attain their grade 12 equivalency certificate, to enhance them, to enter the economy that we have and the future economy we’re going to have in Nunavut and enter the workforce, for them to get skills to attain that education, to apply and have the jobs that are going to be available in Nunavut.
I would like to thank the minister for his answer.
In his statement earlier this morning, it also included a reference to Nunavut Arctic College receiving this funding for adult education.
The statement says that it will also apply towards cultural lessons or courses on Inuit culture using computers and other medium used for teaching students in adult learning centres.
Mr. Speaker, let me ask this question so we can have some expectations on what this statement’s implementation will result in.
How will the department develop the Inuit cultural courses or lessons and what purpose or accreditation will this have on the students trying to complete their high school equivalency certification?
I thank the member for that important question and I’ll try and clarify as best as I can.
Yes, this funding will be used to get and attain equipment that is up to date and online to offer more online learning and more videoconferencing learning, where an actual learning process can take place with an instructor in another place.
I would just like to enhance what the all the funds will be used for in a list that I have here. The funds will be used to:
Develop an online delivery of adult basic education;
Develop northern and culturally relevant learning and literacy assessment tools;
Revise the essential skills workwrite curriculum;
Twenty-five programs from elders for literacy and cultural instruction;
Develop Inuktitut adult learning resources and related instructors manuals; and
Provide audio enhancements in the classroom for the hearing impaired.
We will also develop and deliver, with the Department of Education, the Nunavut Adult High School Diploma and deliver and develop a literacy and adult basic education framework with the Department of Education.
The development and delivery of career centre workshops within the Department of Education will be involved too.
So, Mr. Speaker, the funding will be used to enhance what we have for tools and equipment and also manpower and staff.
Perhaps I’ll rephrase my question because I didn’t hear a response specific to what I just asked.
How will this count towards their high school equivalency certificate if they are going to be taught cultural courses within that stated goal? What kind of recognition will they receive for being taught this Inuit cultural education?
Let’s say that the students have passed the requirements and are told that they have passed their high school equivalency. What certification or acknowledgement of this Inuit cultural component will be produced?
How will students be able to show that they have passed this component?
Again, if I was unclear in my answer, I apologize.
As the member states, the curriculum will include Inuktitut and culturally relevant aspects to the diploma process.
The diploma and certificate that the adult learner will receive when done is a grade 12 certificate.
However, in the assessment of this program and how it’s going to be delivered, we’re going to do that with the Department of Education right now before it is delivered.
As far as the culturally relevant part, the Inuktitut part, as I believe, it’s an extra part of that program that’s going to enhance the person who graduates with a certificate.
Only by reviewing the Hansard will I be able to determine whether or not I received the response to my actual question.
I’m quite concerned about this matter, especially since our constituents need to hear about the details.
Some people will have expectations about this new funding that will enable them to take Inuit cultural courses in their communities through their NAC adult learning centres. This is especially if it counts towards a grade 12 equivalency certificate.
Mr. Speaker, I would like further clarification on the statement made earlier today.
It states that the government has identified or rather, within the Department of Finance’s Budget Address for 2012-13, one of their priorities is to consider whether or not the Piqqusilirivvik Cultural School in Clyde River will be shuffled from the Department of CLEY to Nunavut Arctic College.