EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Of course, the government will carefully examine that report. We will look at what areas we would have to make changes to. We would then have to go back to the Financial Management Board if what the mediator proposes goes far beyond what we are willing to agree to.
We are very mindful of this issue. Naturally, we will be very open-minded of the mediator’s report and take what he proposes seriously, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Curley, your time has expired.
I have Mr. Arvaluk on the list.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): I have many questions to ask, but I move to report progress.
We have a motion on the floor to report progress and the motion is not debatable. All those in favour of the motion.
Before I rise to report progress, I thank you, minister. We will be getting back to page D-4 on the Directorate tomorrow.
Speaker (interpretation): Members, please be seated.
Thank you, Minister Brown.
A reminder that there’s a meeting of the Management and Services Board in the Tuktu Boardroom tomorrow starting at 9:30 in the morning.
Orders of the Day for March 5:
Motion 28 – 2(4)
I would like to remind you that we have an invitation after we leave the House.
This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 5, at 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Pages 3299 – 3387
Opening Prayer 3299
Ministers’ Statements 3299
Members’ Statements 3301
Returns to Oral Questions 3310
Oral Questions 3311
Motions 3332
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3334
Report of the Committee of the Whole 3385
Orders of the Day 3386
Wednesday, March 5, 2008 3299
157 – 2(4): Minister Okalik Absent from House (Picco) 3299
158 – 2(4): Mine-Related Training Partnership (Picco) 3299
159 – 2(4): Baffinland and the GN North Baffin Caribou Collaboration (Akesuk) 3300
160 – 2(4): Rankin Inlet State of Emergency (Brown) 3301
364 – 2(4): AWG Athletes of Pangnirtung, Kimmirut and Pond Inlet (Arvaluk) 3301
365 – 2(4): Kitikmeot Regional Chamber of Commerce (Peterson) 3302
366 – 2(4): Birthday Greetings to Wife (Tapardjuk) 3304
367 – 2(4): Governor General Award Recipient – Ranger Ollie Ittinuar (Brown) 3304
368 – 2(4): Muskox Harvest (Evyagotailak) 3305
369 – 2(4): Capital Transfer Process (Alagalak) 3305
370 – 2(4): Transportation Services (Curley) 3306
371 – 2(4): Strategies and Plans (Picco) 3307
372 – 2(4): Birthday Greetings to Daughter (Akesuk) 3307
373 – 2(4): Unemployment Rate in Qikiqtarjuaq (Arreak) 3308
374 – 2(4): Continuation of Search for Sanikiluaq Resident (Kattuk) 3309
375 – 2(4): Request to Increase Narwhal Quota by Repulse Bay Hunter (Mapsalak) 3309
Return to Oral Question 420 – 2(4): Airline Service to Remote Nunavut Communities (Netser) 3310
466 – 2(4): Renewal Options for Medical Travel Contract (Tootoo) 3311
467 – 2(4): Unincorporated Community Funding Policy for Bay Chimo and Bathurst Inlet (Peterson) 3314
468 – 2(4): Awarding of Medical Travel Contract (Curley) 3317
469 – 2(4): Seal Pelts Sold at Auctions (Kattuk) 3320
470 – 2(4): Attendance at Meetings – Northern Air Transport Association (Arvaluk) 3321
471 – 2(4): Extension of the Medical Travel Contract (Tootoo) 3322
472 – 2(4): Upcoming Announcement of Airline Services for the Baffin Region (Tootoo) 3323
473 – 2(4): Design Plans of the Health Centre in Repulse Bay (Mapsalak) 3325
474 – 2(4): Identification of Carving Stone Sites (Peterson) 3326
475 – 2(4): Announcement to Nunavummiut Regarding Fuel Stabilization Rider (Curley) 3329
028 – 2(4): Extension of Review Period of Bill 20 (Alagalak) 3332
Bill 23 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee – Human Resources 3335
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. David Alagalak, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. James Arvaluk, Honourable Levinia Brown, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Joe Allen Evyagotailak, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Honourable Patterk Netser, Mr. Keith Peterson, Honourable Edward Picco, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Good afternoon, Members, Ministers, and Clerks.
Minister’s Statement 157 – 2(4): Minister Okalik Absent from House (Picco)
I would like to advise the House and the members that the Premier, the Honourable Paul Okalik, will be absent from the House today.
Minister’s Statement 158 – 2(4): Mine-Related Training Partnership (Picco)
Hon. Ed. Picco: Mr. Speaker, recently in an agreement between the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, Newmont (Miramar Hope Bay Ltd), Nunavut Arctic College, the Kitikmeot Economic Development Commission and the Department of Energy signed off an agreement.
Mr. Speaker, these parties have signed an MOU to develop cooperative ventures in education, labour force research and training associated with mine-related opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, this MOU will also involve projects to develop career orientation programs, transition-to-work programs as well as certification and registry requirements.
Mr. Speaker, this new initiative will also provide a seamless approach to services from K to12 and to adult training. This has been carried out through partnerships between communities, government, Inuit organizations and industry.
The first project launched under this new agreement is an underground mine training program.
Mr. Speaker, this program is critical in the Kitikmeot region and will provide residents with transferable skills and certification to work on the Doris North project as well as other potential mining sites.
We look forward, Mr. Speaker, to similar agreements with the Kivalliq and the Qikiqtani regions.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to thank all the partners involved with this initiative and I look forward to updating my colleagues and the House on this exciting endeavour.
Minister’s Statement 159 – 2(4): Baffinland and the GN North Baffin Caribou Collaboration (Akesuk)
The Government of Nunavut is always seeking to collaborate with the private sector in programs that will benefit the people of Nunavut.
I am pleased to announce the Department of Environment recently signed such an agreement.
On November 2, 2007, the Government of Nunavut signed a multi-year contribution agreement with Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation to support the government lead North Baffin Caribou Collaring Program.
In the agreement, Baffinland will provide $246,800 in funding and in-kind support in 2008, $100,640 in 2009, and $104,720 in 2010 to the Government of Nunavut to support this project.
The initiative came from the concerns of hunter and trapper organizations that there was little information about North Baffin caribou, as little has been done in the area since 1997.
Mr. Speaker, to address the HTO concerns, the Government of Nunavut will be conducting a study with the North Baffin caribou to identify herds and determine the population dynamics.
In order to reduce the impact of surveying the caribou, the government will be sharing the information on caribou locations with Baffinland to be used for their impact mitigation of development operations.
By entering into this agreement with industry, the government is able to reduce costs while achieving our mandate to conserve wildlife. This is a situation where everyone wins. It will benefit the Government of Nunavut, Baffinland, HTOs, and the local communities.
It’s an agreement I am proud the government is a part of.
Minister’s Statement 160 – 2(4): Rankin Inlet State of Emergency (Brown)
I rise today to commend the efforts of the residents and local organizations in Rankin Inlet as they dealt with the power crisis in the community over the past number of days.
Rankin Inlet has always been a close-knit community and this showed once again as local organizations teamed up and collaborated in dealing with the emergency.
Mr. Speaker, once the mayor and the council declared the local state of emergency, it allowed our government to bring many resources to their assistance and through this collaboration, the government departments have teamed together and coordinated support for the community.
My department played a central coordinating role with the hamlet, government departments, and QEC. There are so many different individuals in the private sector who have worked non-stop to offer their assistance.
Minister Picco, MLA Tagak Curley, Minister Netser, and I were kept informed on a daily basis and participated in the action required at the territorial level during this ordeal.
I would like to thank them all. I would also like to say thank you to everyone in the community for their great efforts and extend thanks outside of Rankin Inlet.
In particular, Public Safety Canada, Northern Region; Canada Command; Emergency Measures Quebec; Emergency Measures Manitoba; First Air; Manitoba Hydro; and Joint Task Force North for their assistance and offers of assistance.
Mr. Speaker, while this event is in the minds of Nunavummiut, I wish to remind everyone to be prepared for 72 hours should an emergency happen, including the need for all communities to have their emergency plans updated.
If there are none, going to the Orders of the Day.
Member’s Statement 364 – 2(4): AWG Athletes of Pangnirtung, Kimmirut and Pond Inlet (Arvaluk)
Arctic Winter Games is just around the weekend’s corner. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate a few Pond Inlet athletes joining the Junior Girls Volleyball Team from Pangnirtung and the one from Kimmirut.
This group and other athletes were recognized and cheered for during the pep rally at the Attagoyuk School in Pangnirtung.
I would also like to thank the hamlet for providing snacks during the gathering, Alookie School students for coming out to cheer, and finally, the parents and community members for their support.
Mr. Speaker, it was an uplifting experience and I ask members to join me to join the teachers, students, parents, and community members in congratulating the athletes starting with the Junior Women’s Volleyball from Pangnirtung: Captain Jenna Kilabuk, Flora Nauyuk, Janet Evic, Annie Nakasuk, and Kelly Qaapik, and from Kimmirut, Ala Michael, and three from Pond Inlet, Roseanna Arnakallak, Emma Atagootak, Jennifer Kautainuk, and their coach, Daisy Sowdluapik from Pangnirtung.
Also, in other categories during the pep rally mentions were playing volleyball, Hugh John Qaapik; Badminton, Lila Evic; Female Hockey, Bonnie Etuangat and Mary Rose Kilabuk; Male Hockey, Scott Arnakaq.
Mr. Speaker, I ask members to join me in wishing them the best of luck and good sportsmanship during the Arctic Winter Games. Congratulations and good luck to all.
Member’s Statement 365 – 2(4): Kitikmeot Regional Chamber of Commerce (Peterson)
I rise today to inform the House about a long-overdue initiative that is underway in the Kitikmeot.
Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot is “on the move” with respect to developing our economy. Developments in the mining sector and the increased attendance at the annual Kitikmeot Trade Show highlight our current and future potential across all sectors.
Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot business community has long had to rely on others, such as hamlet councils, to speak for them on important business issues that affect them.
In recent years, some of these issues have included fuel price and rate rider increases; changing airline schedules; government policy changes; skilled labour force shortages; costly or scarce commercial space; attracting investment; and securing affordable business loans.
Mr. Speaker, unlike the Baffin and Kivalliq, the Kitikmeot has never had an organization that is solely dedicated to being an advocate for the business community.
This will soon change.
Mr. Speaker, later this month, March 26 and 27, a steering committee will meet in Gjoa Haven to start the process to create the Kitikmeot Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Speaker, community economic development officers and four businesses from each Kitikmeot community will attend the organizational meeting with the express purpose to establish the regional chamber of commerce.
Mr. Wayne Whorsman, Economic Development Officer for Cambridge Bay, is coordinating the event with his colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, there are numerous benefits to being a member of a regional chamber of commerce.
The primary benefit is the critical mass that comes from a large membership with common interests and concerns.
With the support of many members the regional chamber of commerce will provide a vehicle to support, change, or criticize government budgets; policies; programs and services.
The regional chamber of commerce can assist their members with practical concerns such as securing affordable business insurance; employee medical insurance; interpreting government policy; employee training; and to attend territorial and national chamber of commerce events.
Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of inter-regional support, the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce will attend the meeting to provide their support and answer questions about the benefit of a regional chamber of commerce. I am also aware from conversations with members of the Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce, that that organization also supports the establishment of the Kitikmeot Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to finish my statement.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that in time we may see the establishment of a Nunavut Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Speaker, I would like the House to join me in wishing the Kitikmeot Steering Committee success when they meet to start the process to establish the Kitikmeot Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Member’s Statement 366 – 2(4): Birthday Greetings to Wife (Tapardjuk)
I rise today to wish my wife happy birthday.
I think she is watching the live broadcast on television, so I wish her well and I remember her and my family members.
When I was 15 months old, I was promised to my wife and she was a daughter of the Uqajuittuq family.
I was told that I was promised to her and when she was born, I was promised to her to marry her in the future.
She has supported me up to today, and even though I am not with her, I wish her well.
We had our 33rd anniversary on February 13.
She has helped me and supported me, and I leave her for many long months when she’s at home. Sometimes when we go through hard times, I am not able to be with her.
I wish her really well and particularly, let everyone in the community of Igloolik treat her well.
Member’s Statement 367 – 2(4): Governor General Award Recipient – Ranger Ollie Ittinuar (Brown)
I rise today to recognize an elder from Rankin Inlet.
There are many elders in Rankin Inlet, but I’m particularly proud of that person because he will be recognized by the Governor General this year in the coming months in Ottawa.
This person is 87 years old, Ollie Ittinuar, who is from Rankin Inlet, and is one of the oldest people who are still with the Canadian Armed Forces.
You probably say them a different way, the Armed Forces.
He’s been with the Armed Forces for 26 years now.
Since he began in 1982, Mr. Ittinuar’s family and residents of Rankin Inlet have been very proud of him, and we would like to congratulate him.
He used to be a Special RCMP Constable in Chesterfield Inlet.
He has worked with the search and rescue organizations, HTOs, and hamlet councils.
He will be recognized for his long-term with the Canadian Rangers.
We are very happy and honoured that he will be recognized as this is a very important recognition.
He has done a lot, so I want the members to join me to congratulate this person.
Member’s Statement 368 – 2(4): Muskox Harvest (Evyagotailak)
I rise today to share with my colleagues some good news about a hunting event that took place in my constituency of Kugluktuk.
Mr. Speaker, there were 14 hunters, including three inmates from the Illavut Men’s Healing Facility; they went to Victoria Island to hunt muskox.
This group was lead by George Kapolak, Frank Ipakohak, Phillip Kadlun, Isaac Klengenberg and Stanley Klengenberg.
Mr. Speaker, I have always been in support of including inmates in activities such as this one. These types of initiatives are very important.
They help to instil a greater sense of social responsibility in the inmates and provide food for elders and other residents.
Mr. Speaker, during this hunt, Luigi Torretti took samples from the animals. He also showed the hunters how to take blood samples and how to preserve them without freezing the blood. After the hunt, the hides and the meat were divided between the participants for distribution.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the hunters on their successful hunt. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 369 – 2(4): Capital Transfer Process (Alagalak)
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to express my disappointment with the way our government transfers capital funds without full consideration of the need expressed by the Members of this House.
Mr. Speaker, I have recently learned that funding has been transferred from a number of capital projects to the Iqaluit Airport Apron Project.
One of the projects which lost funding was the Small Craft Harbours Project.
Mr. Speaker, the 2008-09 Capital Estimates for the Department of Economic Development and Transportation were approved by the Legislative Assembly last fall.
They include $1 million in funding for small craft harbours’ projects.
This $1 million represents the Government of Nunavut’s 10 percent contribution to a fund with the remaining funding to be provided by the federal government.
Mr. Speaker, I support our government’s continued lobbying of the federal government to obtain the balance of this funding. However, in the meantime, some of the available funding could still be used for small craft harbour projects that are desperately needed in Nunavut’s communities.
In addition, summer employment opportunities working on small projects such as these are precious to our community residents.
Mr. Speaker, it is clear to me that our government is not clear on what is happening with our capital projects.
My colleagues have asked questions in this House on the issue of funding for small craft harbour projects.
We read in the news media that the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans will not be contributing any further funding for this initiative, although the minister has indicated that lobbying efforts with the federal government are ongoing.
Mr. Speaker, the government’s practice of redirecting funds in this manner is not acceptable to many Members of this House.
I would like the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation to make a clear statement in this House on the exact status of small craft harbour project funding and indicate what is going to be done to address the issues raised by the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 370 – 2(4): Transportation Services (Curley)
I rise today in regard to the Transportation Strategy.
I rise because we have to ask Nunavummiut: are the aircraft regulations adequate?
Will the business community or the passengers be affected?
Mr. Speaker, those are the questions that we have to ask.
When we’re talking about transportation, we have to be clear that the Transportation Strategy is not done by the Department of Transportation because they don’t have funding.
It should be very clear that we know the airlines, Transportation, and the Department of Health makes the rules because they have over $40 million to contract those airlines.
They don’t even consult with the communities and they don’t even ask us, “If we make changes, will that be fine?”
We just found out that the jet service will not be used, or maybe it won’t even be operating anymore because there is no competition.
This is not acceptable, Mr. Speaker. We would like to see some improvements, for example, the cost of shipping materials would go down if there was more competition.
If the contract isn’t broken up, or if it’s completely taken out, then we might not even have jet service. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, just between you and me, (interpretation) I am saying that we will have to make improvements and open it up, not just have us talking about it but the Minister of Health will have to agree.
Member’s Statement 371 – 2(4): Strategies and Plans (Picco)
A strategy, what’s it good for?
Mr. Speaker, a goal without a strategy is just a slogan. If there are no strategies, then there are no plans. A strategy gives direction.
A strategy puts out a plan to do something and it can be debated. It could be added to and it could be criticized or agreed to.
Mr. Speaker, strategies and plans are delivered and developed by and for businesses, communities, Legislative Assemblies, governments and so on, and ultimately, the clients, or people, or customers they are about to serve.
If there are no strategies to purchase fuel cheaper, to develop infrastructure, build houses, health centres, and schools, playgrounds, or indeed, Mr. Speaker, build roads, or fix our airports, then what would you have?
A strategy is just like that: a plan to move in a certain direction.
This is not to be confused, Mr. Speaker, with capacity.
As we have demonstrated, Mr. Speaker, and stated, we don’t have the capacity to be that strategic.
Mr. Speaker, if there were no plans or strategies, if they weren’t tabled, if they weren’t discussed, if they weren’t made public, then we would be criticized for not having a plan, or companies, or governments, or so on.
Mr. Speaker, strategies and plans go together in the public sector and in the private sector, in this House, and across the democratic world.
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, a strategy without a goal is just a slogan.
Slogans are something we have too many of at all levels of government and societies in a democratic world.
Member’s Statement 372 – 2(4): Birthday Greetings to Daughter (Akesuk)
Just like Mr. Tapardjuk, my wife and I had a premature child; two pounds, eight ounces.
Up to now, she is still alive and she is now 13 years old. I believe that she was in an incubator for five months in Montreal.
It is her birthday today and we love her very much, Okalik Akesuk, happy birthday.
We wish her a happy birthday.
Member’s Statement 373 – 2(4): Unemployment Rate in Qikiqtarjuaq (Arreak)
I don’t think they can still watch us on television from Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq because they are still having technical problems.
It is also one of my daughter’s birthday today. She is in Clyde River and I wish her a happy birthday.
Mr. Speaker, I have stated this before but I would like to refresh everyone. When the government officials or other important people come to Iqaluit, they are very ignorant of Nunavut and they just come here to do business.
What I would like to see is for them to go to smaller communities, for example, Qikiqtarjuaq.
There are very few jobs available and the unemployment rate is at 40 percent because there are no jobs from the territorial or federal government.
Because of the high unemployment rate, they tried starting a fishing boat, but this hasn’t made too much difference and we just heard that the 0A quota was granted to another jurisdiction and that didn’t open up any more employment opportunities in Nunavut, particularly Qikiqtarjuaq.
That community needs assistance in opening up jobs or to see if there are any jobs around their community because they want to be self-sufficient.
A lot of people leave their communities in search for jobs somewhere else, even though they don’t want to leave their community.
For that reason, the federal government makes $5 million available to overseas to help other countries, even though there are a lot of people who are in need in Nunavut.
They even send money to Afghanistan where they don’t even create jobs within their own country.
So we definitely need more jobs.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I want to say to the federal government, “Please look up, way up to the North and you will see people being neglected by their very own government who are first Canadians and the natives of this great land.”
Member’s Statement 374 – 2(4): Continuation of Search for Sanikiluaq Resident (Kattuk)
I really don’t have much of a statement but I’m sure that the people out there are interested about the individual that is being searched in Sanikiluaq. The search is still ongoing and I hear that he also has relatives in Nunavut.