EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Indeed, to reiterate the scenario, I had asked if her departmental staff could inspect the building or work with the community via correspondence on the issue.
Has the minister tasked any of her officials to deal with this issue or inspect the building? It definitely requires renovation as I have visited the office several times and it’s quite old when you walk in.
The roof leaks and it has quite a number of issues to remedy.
Has she tasked any of her officials to conduct an inspection of the hamlet office building?
With respect to the issue the member has raised, I will commit my staff from the regional office to go and inspect that building.
I thank the minister for her commitment to conduct an inspection.
Is there a possibility of receiving the names of her staff who will conduct this investigation of the office building in Kugaaruk immediately after this sitting?
I will inform both the Hamlet of Kugaaruk as well as my senior regional staff of CGS about this issue. The regional staff are the ones that travel to their outlying communities and I will ask them to prepare for a community visit. I will ensure that the member receives a copy of the correspondence.
Member for Rankin Inlet, North, Mr. Curley.
Question 648 – 2(4): Update on GN Policy on Smoking in Apartment Buildings (Curley)
Mr. Speaker, in May of this year, I asked the minister some important questions on the issue of the GN’s policy on smoking in apartment buildings, the effects of second-hand smoke in particular.
I would like to thank Nunavummiut who, although they smoke, are now aware of the effects of second-hand smoke inside of a building and many of them now smoke outside.
We thank them as they are assisting us to deal with the hazards associated with smoking.
At that time, I indicated to the minister that concerns have been brought to my attention by residents of Rankin Inlet who have been suffering from second-hand smoke in their units, elders and children in particular. Due to those reasons, the minister stated that there was no government policy in place to ban smoking in those apartment buildings.
However, I told the minister that they could deliberate on other options and a prime example of that are hotels, where they have certain floors which are non-smoking.
Can the minister update me on any developments, if any, since the minister agreed to look into the matter? Have you dealt with this issue already?
Those units that you were referring to, the units of NCC or Northern Properties, are owned by a business and as such, are subject to their rules and procedures.
We can, as a government, inform them that we prefer all the units to be non-smoking units and which we have indicated as our preference. However, since they are a private business, it is up to them to adhere to the regulations. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Just recently, we heard the government allocates funding to the communities for healthy communities and quality-of-life programming.
For this reason, this policy ought not to apply only to workplaces.
The government already has the power to deal with the workplaces and they have regulations in place for them. I will use the House as an example. This building is not owned by the government, it is leased by the government.
With respect to these apartment buildings, the government also leases these units. The government has the power to enact regulations or policies and make it voluntary for the owners to adhere to these policies.
As I stated earlier, many Inuit are already voluntarily smoking outside of their homes because the government is not pushing for non-smoking policies in workplaces. Second-hand smoke is quite foul and unhealthy, especially for younger children.
I was informed that within these apartments, the corridor as well as the utilidor stank of cigarette smoke and it enters non-smoking units.
Perhaps the government can reflect on their options, especially if you are going to be leasing or renting buildings, and ask that the non-smoking policy be followed. Even the ability to choose a non-smoking unit would improve the situation. So I would like the government to look at their options and allow the people to have choices.
Can the minister agree to look into this matter further?
Perhaps when we are renewing or signing new lease agreements, we can request that this policy be followed and this will alleviate some of the issues our people are facing.
I also am in agreement with the member’s position that smokers ought not to smoke inside buildings.
Question 649 – 2(4): Update on Investigation of Nunavut Business Credit Corporation Files by RCMP (Tootoo)
Mr. Speaker, another issue that has been ongoing for some time now is we know that the Comptroller General referred files relating to the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation to the RCMP to review. I’m just wondering if the Minister of Finance can give us any update as to where that investigation is at. Have they heard anything from the RCMP on that?
Minister of Finance, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk.
It’s still under investigation and it was initiated in November 2007.
The RCMP investigation is still ongoing, so I can’t provide an update on this file at this time.
All I can say is that this process is not completed yet.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Your first supplementary, Mr. Tootoo.
I don’t expect the minister to respond on the investigation itself, I’m just saying, have they had any meetings?
Is he aware if any of his officials had any meetings with the RCMP recently in regard to that investigation?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, our staff have had ongoing meetings with the RCMP investigators and as a matter of fact, in July 2008, there was a final meeting on the issues. However, since these matters are still under investigation, I don’t foresee an immediate conclusion to the investigation and it’s still open until they have submitted their findings on the file.
I know the minister had indicated that the officials from their department met with the RCMP in July.
I’m just wondering if he could indicate if they gave his officials or his department any idea of when they expect to have this investigation completed.
The consequences of that meeting you refer to led to more files being requested for their investigation, as well as more documentation for review. We have submitted the files they requested at this time.
We cannot even say with any certainty when this investigation will be completed at this time. The RCMP investigation still has to go through the legal system and all I can say with any certainty is that the investigation is still ongoing.
I don’t even have a timeline as to when this matter will be closed, but this is an ongoing matter and that is all I can say, Mr. Speaker.
There’s no control over an RCMP investigation, but I’m just wondering, I know we’re all finished up here probably some time next week and the minister still remains the minister until the new Assembly comes in, if something does come in between now and then while he’s still the minister responsible, would he inform or make sure that that information gets out there to the public?
With respect to the NBCC, they have their own board structure and they’re a standalone corporation. The government will wait patiently for the results of the investigation.
The NBCC board will have to review the matter upon the completion of the investigation prior to the government receiving the file. I imagine that the NBCC board would, upon being apprised of the findings of the investigation, notify the minister responsible for the file.
I can only say with some certainty that this matter will be divulged when the NBCC board has made their decision with respect to the investigation. I presume that they would work with the minister on their options and the consequences to the corporation, and they are the ones who will have to resolve this issue, Mr. Speaker.
Question 650 – 2(4): Update on New School for Sanikiluaq (Kattuk)
This morning, I wanted to raise this matter immediately since what I have to say is important.
I’m trying to speak slowly and perhaps if I were to speak at my natural dialectal speed, then perhaps the minister can respond with the same speed.
I want it noted that our dialects are different here in Nunavut and I enjoy the different dialects being spoken.
As an example, Alianaigijara is translated as ‘I find it very funny,’ and Aliagijara is translated as ‘scared or afraid,’ but it means the opposite in my dialect.
I would like to clarify the words later on
The minister generally responds to my questions, but he has yet to respond to me today on a question I posed earlier that my constituents want more details on.
The people in my community are wondering about the new school and I would appreciate the minister updating me and my constituents on the status of the new school Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Ed. Picco: Indeed, I would like to try to use different dialects and words, and I would say that I am very Aliasuk to answer the member’s question.
I’m not scared or afraid, but happy. Hopefully the member would understand that.
Mr. Speaker, we have moved forward and I’m very pleased to say that I and the Premier had an opportunity to be in the member’s community this past June for their graduation in Sanikiluaq, but also to begin the process of the building of our new school in Sanikiluaq, and indeed we actually did a little bit of work with shovels and put a sign up to indicate that the school is moving forward.
I want to thank the member, indeed, for his hard work on behalf and for the people of Sanikiluaq, not just on the school but over the last several years, as MLA and as a minister representing the community.
The school is moving forward and everything is on schedule, it is my understanding, so we’re quite pleased with the activity.
The new school for Sanikiluaq should be completed and ready for the students in 2010.
That gives us the timeframe of a year and a half to have the building completed and turned over to the community.
I don’t quite understand, he said that the school will be completed in 2010.
My question is: when is the construction going to start?
The majority of the materials for the school itself will be arriving on the ship next year.
Construction would be starting in earnest in the summer of 2009, in less than 11 months.
The construction schedule that will be followed, indeed, the construction should take place between a 12 and 14-month period and thus, be in place and ready for occupancy in early 2010.
Question 651 – 2(4): Update on Assistance for Bathurst Inlet and Umingmaktok (Peterson)
Mr. Speaker, I have stood in this House on several occasions over the life of this Assembly to ask the minister about her department’s support to communities like Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet. Last winter, the minister indicated to me that she would look at how the Government of Nunavut could help the two communities.
My question for the minister: I’m wondering if the minister could update the House on what activities her department has taken since last winter to help the two communities.
To update the Member for Cambridge Bay, our senior staff in the Kitikmeot region have, in fact, gone to meet with both communities, Umingmaktok and the other community.
I have the minutes of those meetings that were held and I could share them with the member and give them to him.
I would sure like those minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I visited both communities in August and I heard from the people of those communities that they’re disappointed that the Government of Nunavut calls them outpost camps.
I noted in the minister’s response to me that she referred to them as communities, so that’s a good sign.
My question for the minister: can the minister inform the House exactly when the two communities went from unorganized community status under the Government of the Northwest Territories to outpost status under the Government of Nunavut?
I meant to say they’re referred to as unorganized communities in our policy within the GN in the place for recognizing unincorporated communities that may exist in Nunavut.
There is also no mechanism in place for municipal services in any unincorporated community within Nunavut at this time. Also, the Hamlet Act does not allow for incorporated communities with less than 25 adults.
I appreciate the minister’s candidness.
I’m fully aware of what the Hamlet Act says, but under the Government of the Northwest Territories, they were recognized as unorganized communities. They had special status and they were provided with a level of funding assistance for their community needs.
When Nunavut became Nunavut, they suddenly became outpost camps when the government developed their policies.
My question for the minister and I asked her about it last winter: can the minister indicate if the Government of Nunavut is developing a policy similar to the unorganized communities policy that would recognize the special status of communities with populations of under 50 or under 25 people?
The Government of Nunavut, as I mentioned, has no policy at this time in place for recognizing unincorporated communities that may exist in Nunavut, nor is there any policy or programs for funding municipal or government services in unincorporated communities.
CGS does deliver fuel oil to those places. However, we need to talk with other government departments, which may be the Housing Corporation and also possibly the Department of Health.
We are doing our utmost to make sure they have fuel oil in those two places and that has been ongoing from the perspective of our department.
Mr. Speaker, there was a nice story in Nunatsiaq News this summer about Bathurst Inlet. If you have an opportunity to read it, I encourage you to read it.
The people there believe in their communities.
They are very upset and offended by the fact that they’re referred to as outpost camps, and I think the minister probably recognizes that.
There is an Act, there is the law, and there is what people think.
In the Kitikmeot, the people think these two communities are communities and they need help.
We’re very concerned, with the lack of ongoing help and annual assistance that is guaranteed, that people are going to move away from those communities. It’s already happening in Bathurst Inlet this year.
In the upcoming year, I don’t think there is going to be anybody there and that’s unheard of in the history of the community.
I’m wondering if the minister could tell me today if she will commit to developing a policy similar to an unorganized communities policy that will provide a guaranteed level of funding annually to the communities of Bathurst Inlet and Umingmaktok.
Thank you, Member, for raising those issues.
I would like to refer to my briefing notes because this year alone, the situation has changed.
Representatives from Health and Social Services, CG&S department, DOE, EDT, and the Housing Corporation flew to Bathurst Inlet on August 28 of this year to discuss concerns with community members. However, weather did no permit them to visit Bay Chimo.
At this time, it was determined that Bathurst Inlet will not be inhabited during the coming winter.
Community members plan to relocate elsewhere for the upcoming cold winter months and returning in the spring of 2009.
I think the member’s questions are valid.
However, I alone cannot make a decision to make that policy; I need the other departments to make that decision with me.
I brought this proposal to my colleagues on the Cabinet and I would still have to talk to the Cabinet.
However, maybe the next government will have a more promising situation for the Member for Cambridge Bay and I thank him very much for always representing those two places.
Question 652 – 2(4): Responsibility for Uninhabitable Units (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, my question is about government staff houses that are leased. Once they’re not leased anymore, who becomes responsible for those units?
Are they still under the responsibility of the Housing Corporation?
It’s very nice to be called honourable.
Houses that are rented by the Housing Corporation are put under lease agreements only when they are ready.
I guess I didn’t make myself sufficiently clear.
In Repulse Bay, there was a unit rented by the government and part of it was used as an office.
This unit is now unusable and is now boarded up as it is uninhabitable.
When units or buildings become unusable, who assumes responsibility for the disposition of those units?
Hon. Patterk Netser: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) In regard to the building in Repulse Bay, I was told that it cannot be occupied due to safety hazards. I haven’t been told what the status of that is to date, but all I know is that the building has been closed due to safety reasons.
Can the minister get back to me and give me an update on what will be happening with this unit? We will have to be prepared to dismantle it before winter.
Can the minister assure me that he will provide a response so that we can be prepared to do something about it?
Yes, I can provide the member with that information. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Question 653 – 2(4): Secure Young Offenders’ Facility (Tootoo)
I just have another follow-up question to the Minister of Justice.
Last spring, I was asking questions to him regarding the young offenders’ facility here and he had indicated that they were looking at different options and trying to work out a solution. They were looking at options to determine how to ensure that we have a secure facility here in Nunavut for young offenders. I’m just wondering if the minister could give us an update on that situation.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As I said, I’m committed to ensuring that the facility remains open and that it’s operational for young offenders here in our territory.
I’m committed for this term where I have control, but at the same time, we’re juggling inmates. I believe we have about 75 inmates outside the territory, so it’s a real challenge to try to manage this issue for the territory, but it’s something that we will continue to work on.
I hope that we can move quickly on a women’s facility and we’re working away on the Rankin Inlet facility.
So it’s something that will require ongoing attention for future governments. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. Tootoo.
I agree with the Premier.
It’s unfortunate that we need those facilities and that they are full.
Just in his response, I know one of the concerns that was raised that I questioned him on before was the fact that they were looking at turning the current young offenders’ facility into space for adult offenders from BCC.
I believe he just indicated that is not something they’re planning on doing, they’re planning on keeping the young offenders’ facility a young offenders’ facility. So could I just get confirmation on that?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) We can’t bind future governments. As I said, I’m committed to making sure that we have a young offenders’ facility here in our territory and that the current facility will remain that way during our term.
I cannot make decisions on behalf of the future governments. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 654 – 2(4): Changing Scientific Methods Currently Practiced in Nunavut (Curley)
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Environment.
We all know that Inuit are saying, in the Inuit way, they know that there is a danger out there with regards to the wildlife being studied. We have a lot of differences in our opinion on doing research on animals.
For that reason, can the minister state whether the department would be involved in wildlife research?
If they are involved in wildlife research, perhaps the minister can come up with a better way of determining wildlife populations.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) We will commit to helping the people of Nunavut and the people who do studies on wildlife.
We will make sure that we follow the rules that we have set out with regards to conducting research on wildlife and to involve the NWMB and wildlife organizations in the communities.
As the Department of Environment, we will make sure that the information is out there, that when there are people conducting studies on animals or research on animals, they respect the Inuit, the HTOs, and other organizations.
We will be communicating via correspondence to make sure that it’s followed.
Yes, I understand that there’s going to be a meeting, but I’m saying that the government should provide some funding to use next year for polar bear studies and it has to be approved in January.
What I’m trying to say, Mr. Minister, is that Nunavummiut have to have a leader with regards to wildlife studies.
It is high time that consultations or further rounds of discussions are stopped since it’s quite obvious that Inuit and scientists are in complete disagreement about the matter. There is a core disagreement between Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and Western Science on the proper method of conducting polar bear studies.
Inuit completely disagree with the current method of using a helicopter to chase down the bear and shoot it with a tranquilizer dart, even if they are on pack ice.
These scientists may not be totally aware that the ice the bear is on is moving since that is not their field of expertise.
For that reason, why are you reticent to put a stop to this abhorrent practice? You can provide leadership on this matter since that is part of your mandate, to deal with wildlife matters.
What we are recommending here or rather, I am recommending that this practice be stopped and the funding not approved for projects utilizing these methodologies where they use helicopters for surveys.
Can this be included in the review?
With respect to this matter, we have discussed the recommendations put forward as a result of that meeting, and we would like to come to a common understanding as to how we can conduct these types of surveys.
Additionally, we work with NWMB on these matters and we try to come up with the best possible practices when reviewing wildlife surveys. We also receive recommendations from the NWMB outlining their preferred methodology for these surveys, including conditions.
As the minister, I also have to include these recommendations in my review of these projects and my staff also submit their briefing notes on the issues, but I generally tend to place more weight on recommendations stemming from the board.
With respect to possibilities of changing the methodology of wildlife surveys, perhaps we could deliberate on just this one issue and come up with a Nunavut-wide policy. It would be easier to deal with this matter once the majority supports or recommends a new method.
I understand that the meeting has to occur first, but this is a glorious opportunity to provide leadership based on the minister’s mandate. The minister ought not to just meet with NWMB or the regional wildlife organizations, or to consult solely with these bodies.
Many Inuit have expressed their concerns about this matter and Nunavummiut have stated that the minister ought not to rely solely on western scientific methods and this was a statement I heard as a radio excerpt.
The person on the radio implored the minister to listen to the people and if you were to listen to their concerns, then you would probably make this statement.
Wildlife cannot be mistreated during research surveys and we know that invasive research procedures result in deaths or affect animals in such a way as to affect their survival. I have been told by many Inuit hunters that they spot polar bears that are suffering trauma and cannot relax at the time of day they were tranquilized. One hunter observed a bear that was very trepid and that could not relax for a week, and this was during the summer.
However, this government does not include these animals in their population survey. They do not count the animals that are affected, only the ones that are successfully tagged and captured.