EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Can the minister tell me, in the five-year plan, if there are any plans for Baker Lake other than a new airport terminal as well as the new runway extension?
I just want to ask that considering that the Baker Lake Airport Terminal was built in 1985 when our population, I’m guessing, was at about 800.
Baker Lake now has a population of over $1,700 and more mining activities.
Oh, not dollars, my apologies, but the question I was alluding to in my notes about the dollars is that it was based on the fact of the mining activity development.
We can’t really facilitate the basic needs in the economic growth, as well as the population growth.
Can the minister foresee anything in terms of having a larger or a newer terminal and an extended runway in Baker Lake?
The current levels of federal funding that we get from the Building Canada Fund just addressed only the most critical of these needs within the airports.
You’re absolutely right when you mentioned that there’s a lot of activity there now, especially with the mining and exploration companies basing their operations out of there.
Although some of these mining companies should be funding some of the building of airports and airstrips, they haven’t shown any interest in doing some of these things.
Of course, with three carriers going into Baker Lake, it is getting pretty tight there.
I found that humorous as well.
It was my mistake in hearing in terms of $1,700, but basically what it came down to was that it’s very crowded in Baker Lake; they’re fighting for counter space right now and are not being able to accommodate as many people in the terminal.
But Baker Lake can also contribute to the rest of Nunavut in future plans by possibly becoming a gateway through the Kitikmeot. If we had an expanded runway as well as better terminal service, our colleagues in the Kitikmeot would better access services through the rest of Nunavut.
I also used my colleagues here from Rankin Inlet. One example I used in my opening comment was when we were at the airport in Rankin Inlet, there was a First Air jet, a Canadian North jet, there was Kivalliq Air as well as Calm Air, and you can also tell that a lot these people were going in and out of Baker Lake too.
So I just wanted to advise to keep in mind that there is going to be a dire need and I can state for a fact now that it is an urgent matter in the case of Baker Lake.
Just as a general comment, I will be following that up later on in operations and maintenance as well.
I didn’t hear a question there, as you indicated.
Minister Taptuna, if you wish to respond to that.
Yes, it’s getting pretty congested in Baker Lake with the addition of another airline flying into there. We have a similar situation here in Iqaluit where the space within the terminal is also maxed right out.
For developing a gateway into the Kitikmeot from Baker Lake, it’s really up to the airlines to create a hub of their own; it’s not within the department or the government. Any kind of travel hub or airport hub created for any jurisdiction is usually the airlines or air carriers that do that.
I do not have any more names for questioning at this time.
Pardon me, Mr. Pauloosie.
The Hamlet of Gjoa Haven has been leasing a dump truck, a garbage truck, and a loader on its own for the past few years. This year, they’re going to be leasing a new water truck and a sewage truck to come in on the barge this summer.
I would like to know if the minister or the department could perhaps return some of the money that the Hamlet of Gjoa Haven has been paying towards leasing these heavy equipments. Is there any way that perhaps they could help out the community of Gjoa Haven’s hamlet with the funds?
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Pauloosie.
I think I’ll have my colleague from CGS answer that question.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Tomorrow or the day after, I will be able to provide a response during Question Period. We’re dealing with the Department of Transportation at this time, so I don’t want to respond to that right now, Mr. Chairman.
I have to apologize; I’m asking the wrong department.
Chairman: One more time, I do not have any more names on my list for questioning.
Perhaps we can go to page K-4.
Chairman: Economic Development and Transportation.
Total Capital Expenditures. $5,833,000.
Chairman: If we can go back to page K-2.
Chairman: Does the committee agree that the Department of Economic Development and Transportation is concluded?
I wish to ask Minister Taptuna if he wishes to give closing comments.
First of all, I want to thank my official here for all the hard work they have done preparing all of these numbers and keeping me up to date and informed on the events that are happening here, and of course, all the members, my colleagues, for assisting us out here.
And I had mentioned before that we will be working together to benefit Nunavummiut.
I would like to ask (interpretation) the Sergeant-at-Arms if he can escort the officials out, please.
Thank you. (interpretation ends) I would like to ask Minister Curley of the Department of Health and Social Services to make his opening remarks.
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2009-2010 – Health and Social Services – Consideration in Committee
Hon. Tagak Curley: Mr. Chairman, I’ll be pleased to do so if you give me one minute.
We were actually slated for tomorrow, so I hope that I’ll be just as entertaining as the other couple of ministers ahead of me.
But I believe, Mr. Chairman, that we are ready now.
I am pleased to take this opportunity today to the present the 2009-2010 Capital Estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Chairman, every year, we must make difficult choices as the GN, as a whole, has limited funds to deliver on all capital projects submitted by departments.
The Department of Health and Social Services’ total capital budget for 2009-2010 is $4.69 million.
It can be broken down into ongoing projects which are multi-year, small, and minor capital projects.
Currently, the department is engaged in four ongoing capital projects which include the two continuing care centres in Igloolik and Gjoa Haven, the Pangnirtung Health Centre, and the Kivalliq Health Centre.
Mr. Chairman, the continuing care centres in Igloolik and Gjoa Haven are proposed to open some time in the fall of 2009.
The centres enable the department to provide 24-hour professional and personal support services for Nunavutmiut who require higher levels of care.
In 2009-2010, funds are requested for warranty year inspections in the amount of $50,000 for each of the continuing care centres.
The construction of the Pangnirtung Health Centre has experienced some delays, but construction has proceeded with a scheduled opening in August-September 2009.
A substantial inspection for the building has taken place and we are awaiting the results. The department is requesting an additional $200,000 for furniture that will be brought in on this coming summer sealift.
In 2008-09, funds were transferred from the QGH Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) project to fund the designs for the three replacement health centres in Repulse Bay, Taloyoak, and Arctic Bay.
The department is requesting a reinstatement of funds.
Mr. Chairman, a consultant hired by the Department of Community and Government Services has recommended some renovations to improve the Kivalliq Health Centre’s periodic ventilation issues that are due to changes in environmental conditions.
Health and Social Services is requesting an additional $300,000 to correct the problem.
Mr. Chairman, we are ensuring that work will be done on all of our older facilities to maintain the integrity of the buildings.
The $500,000 requested for small capital would be used for repairs, such as boiler replacement, ventilation system improvements, and the replacement of obsolete communications technology.
The $500,000 requested for minor projects would be used to replace medical/dental equipment and vehicles.
The replacement health centres in Repulse Bay, Taloyoak, and Arctic Bay are in the design stage. The Department of Health and Social Services will include these projects in its 2010-11 capital plan submission.
Any funds remaining in these projects will be requested to be carried over into 2009-2010.
Similarly, Mr. Chairman, funds for the renovation of the QGH Baffin Wing will be included in the 2010-11 capital plan submission.
Mr. Chairman, as I mentioned earlier, each year, we have to make difficult decisions regarding our capital projects. We work hard to meet the health needs of all Nunavutmiut.
Our ability to meet these needs is challenged by financial limitations.
Mr. Chairman, these changes set our course as many of Nunavut’s health centres continue to age. In fact, 60 percent of our health centres are 20 years or older. And with anything that ages we must allot funds for upkeep, repairs, and renovations to keep our buildings in good condition.
Mr. Chairman, we will continue to ensure that health centre components, such as structure, boilers, electrical and data systems, are repaired or replaced until such occasions arise when sufficient funds are made available to replace the building in its entirety.
I look forward, Mr. Chairman, to your support and I welcome questions from the members at the appropriate time.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Curley.
Mr. Schell: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move to report progress.
Mr. Ningeongan: Mr. Speaker, 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 concurred with.
My Annuraaqatik, Mr. Tapardjuk.
Third Reading of Bills. (interpretation) There are none. (interpretation ends) Orders of the Day.
Ms. Tupik.
Deputy Clerk (Ms. Tupik)  (interpretation): Orders of the Day for March 26:
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Thursday, March 26, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 17:47
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Pages 398 – 440
Opening Prayer 398
Ministers’ Statements 398
Members’ Statements 402
Oral Questions 408
Tabling of Documents 425
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 426
Report of the Committee of the Whole 439
Orders of the Day 440
Thursday, March 26, 2009 398
044 – 3(1): Appointment of Patsy Owlijoot to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (Tootoo) 398
045 – 3(1): Official Launching of Life Stories of Northern Leaders (Shewchuk) 399
046 – 3(1): New Trades Brochures (Tapardjuk) 400
047 – 3(1): Community Celebrations: Nunavut at 10 (Kusugak) 401
048 – 3(1): Nunavut Department of Justice (Peterson) 402
080 – 3(1): Public Housing Construction in Nunavut (Schell) 402
081 – 3(1): Importance of Upgrading Arenas (Ningeongan) 403
082 – 3(1): Healing for Residential School Survivors (Pauloosie) 404
083 – 3(1): 2008 Bowhead Hunt at Kugaaruk (Ningark) 404
084 – 3(1): Hudson Bay Quest Suspended (Shewchuk) 405
085 – 3(1): Congratulations to Army Cadet Corps of Arctic Bay (Elliott) 406
086 – 3(1): Physical Activity for Nunavummiut (Okalik) 407
087 – 3(1): Fundraising Efforts in Pond Inlet for an Arena (Arvaluk) 407
083 – 3(1): Status of Federal Concurrence on the Official Languages Act (Okalik) 408
084 – 3(1): Healing for Residential School Survivors (Pauloosie) 410
085 – 3(1): Federal Funding for Recreational Infrastructure (Ningeongan) 411
086 – 3(1): Protection of Nunavut Waters from Pollution (Elliott) 412
087 – 3(1): Architectural Design of Pond Inlet Arena (Arvaluk) 413
088 – 3(1): Assistance to Purchase Sports Trophies (Ningark) 415
089 – 3(1): Medical Travel Benefits (Aupaluktuq) 416
090 – 3(1): Plans for Iqaluit International Airport (Okalik) 418
091 – 3(1): Eye Care Services to Nunavummiut (Ningeongan) 420
092 – 3(1): Heavy Equipment Vehicles (Rumbolt) 422
093 – 3(1): Services for Medical Patients (Elliott) 423
094 –3(1): Responsibility for Dogs in Nunavut (Ningark) 424
023 – 3(1): New Trades Brochure (Tapardjuk) 425
024 – 3(1): Youth Committee Tool Kit (Tapardjuk) 425
025 – 3(1): Model Consent Form under section 48(5) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Elliott) 425
026 – 3(1): 2009-2011 Corporate Plan for Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (Curley) 426
027 – 3(1): Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission’s Annual Report for 2007 (Curley) 426
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2009-2010 – Health and Social Services – Consideration in Committee 427
Good afternoon, Premier, Ministers, my colleagues, and all the people of Nunavut, Qikiqtarjuaq residents in particular.
Minister’s Statement 044 – 3(1): Appointment of Patsy Owlijoot to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (Tootoo)
I rise today to recognize the appointment of Ms. Patsy Owlijoot, Vice-President of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association.
The CHRA is a national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and strengthening the social and affordable housing sectors.
At CHRA’s annual meeting to be held next month, Patsy is to be acclaimed as the new northern representative of their board.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize Patsy for her dedication to providing housing services for Nunavut and in Nunavut.
Patsy began her career in housing as a housing board member before taking a position with the local housing organization in Arviat in 1989.
She has held numerous roles at the headquarters of the Nunavut Housing Corporation since 1999.
In the course of her work, Patsy has been extensively involved in the development of housing designs that are compatible to northern living and she has played a lead role in pursuing innovative solutions to addressing energy efficiency within residential dwellings and housing programs sensitive to the needs of Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt that Patsy will bring the unique perspective of northern housing delivery to the work of the CHRA.
As a board member of this important housing advocate and research network, Patsy will also be in a position to share innovative ideas from the other provinces and territories, ensuring that Nunavummiut will benefit from a strengthened understanding of housing delivery.
Minister’s Statement 045 – 3(1): Official Launching of Life Stories of Northern Leaders (Shewchuk)
This year being the 10th anniversary of the creation of Nunavut, I would like to inform the House about the official launch of a very exciting series of publications created here in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, produced between 2005 and 2008, Life Stories of Northern Leaders is a five-volume series published by Nunavut Arctic College in collaboration with Universite Laval in Quebec City and Nunavut Sivuniksavut in Ottawa.
For this series, five Inuit leaders, instrumental to the creation of Nunavut, were selected to narrate their life stories: Abe Okpik, John Amagoalik, Paul Quassa, Peter Freuchen Ittinuar, and one of our fellow Members of this Legislative Assembly, the Member for Tununiq, James Arvaluk.
Mr. Speaker, this biography project officially began in 1995 when adjunct instructor Louis McComber invited the late Abe Okpik to be a guest lecturer in a Northern History class in our college’s Language and Culture Program.
Those interviews and other interviews conducted by Louis McComber formed the first book of the series entitled “We Call It Survival.”
Second in the series is John Amagoalik’s Changing the Face of Canada.
Through his words and life story, we experience the journey of Inuit as they moved from being wards of the state to full-fledged Canadian citizens on equal footing with the rest of Canada.
As Chief Negotiator for the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut, Paul Quassa became familiar with the Canadian legal context of aboriginal rights and his life is a constant voice between the sophisticated process of lawmaking and Inuit community life.
His book is titled We Need to Know Who We Are.
A spirited exchange between Pierre Elliot Trudeau and Peter Ittinuar on the tundra inspires the fourth volume, Teach an Eskimo How to Read.
We follow Canada’s first Inuk Member of Parliament through his life from the days of the Eskimo Experiment to the creation of Nunavut.
And the fifth volume, James Arvaluk’s That’s My Vision, sheds light on the involvement of Inuit politicians in territorial politics and the quest for a territory called Nunavut.
This book also came to being through interview sessions held during special classes with Arctic College’s Language and Culture Program in Iqaluit.
Beyond the individual stories themselves, Mr. Speaker, it is important to consider this collection in its entirety as an analysis of contributions Nunavut Inuit have made to the development of Canada and the development of government structures in the North.
Mr. Speaker, it is also important to recognize the work of Nunavut Arctic College language and culture students for their hard work transcribing interviews and translating the series into Inuktitut.
We also thank the Department of Education, the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
This project would not have been possible without their support.
I encourage all those who are interested in learning more about this series to come out and attend the launch.
For those who are interested in reading them, Mr. Speaker, these books are available in English and Inuktitut, and can be purchased from Nunavut Arctic College and at bookstores across the North.
Mr. Speaker, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the creation of Nunavut, we will be officially launching this series of books on April 1, 2009, in the main foyer of the Arctic College’s Nunatta Campus here in Iqaluit.
On April 3, we will be holding a similar event on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
As Nunavut turns ten, the Life Stories of Northern Leaders series serves as an important reminder of where we have been and where those who came before us wanted us to go.
Mr. Speaker, these stories will continue to be told for many, many years to come.
Minister’s Statement 046 – 3(1): New Trades Brochures (Tapardjuk)
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell my colleagues about new brochures that the Department of Education has produced highlighting the most popular trades in Nunavut.
These information items, Mr. Speaker, we are releasing are very timely as our government plans to open the Nunavut Trade School in Rankin Inlet, which is geared towards some of these trades.
There are ten brochures in total, one for each of our most common trades professions in Nunavut – carpenter, cook, electrician, heavy duty equipment technician, and a trade I have always dreamed of and regret never taking, heavy equipment operators, housing maintainer, industrial mechanic, oil burner mechanic, plumber, and welder.
I will be tabling these brochures shortly, Mr. Speaker, and these brochures will be distributed to all of our high schools, income support offices, and all our career development officers. It is our hope that this material will move Nunavummiut to learn more about careers in trades and pursue more information about attending the trade school.
We all know there is a vital need for fully-trained tradespeople all across the country and this is especially true here in Nunavut.
Nunavummiut will soon have access to the trades training opportunities they need to participate in the wage economy as we move towards self-reliance.
It is up to the government to make information about trades readily available to our citizens so that they can make informed decisions about their career options. These brochures are a launch point for gathering this information.
Mr. Speaker, I will be tabling these trade brochures later today.
I am confident these brochures will be well-received and will provide valuable information for the people of Nunavut.
Minister’s Statement 047 – 3(1): Community Celebrations: Nunavut at 10 (Kusugak)
I am pleased to rise today to provide an update to my colleagues and Nunavummiut about the planned celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the creation of Nunavut.
As I stated a couple of weeks ago, we will provide $5,000 to each community applying for the grant for the anniversary.
To date, 25 Nunavut communities have applied to the grant to assist them with their celebrations for April 1.
Mr. Speaker, the communities are pleased to be receiving this funding and are looking forward to being able to plan their celebrations to mark this anniversary.
Applications have included specific events that they want to fund and with the plethora of different events planned throughout Nunavut, I would love to visit some of these celebrations.
There are planned community feasts, dances, indoor and outdoor games. Some have planned radio game shows to include people who otherwise cannot participate in outdoor events. Some specified activities include throat singing and talent shows.
Some will be holding fishing derbies, while others will have hunting competitions.
It is quite obvious that some of these communities will hold festivities that will be enjoyed by our fellow Nunavummiut and the funds will be utilized properly to ensure its success.
Last week, our Premier recently had a chance to begin the countdown to April 1 in Pond Inlet with the Member for Tununiq and our Cabinet colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, these plans make one especially proud and ecstatic of the continuing partnership between our department and the municipalities. We have worked hard together over the past ten years to provide quality services and we look forward to collaborating in the coming years to improve the quality of life of our fellow Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I am confident that there will be some very unique and enjoyable activities in each of our communities to celebrate this important milestone for Nunavut. I am very pleased that we have been able to provide this funding directly to the communities for their use and I look forward to taking part in the celebrations with my colleagues and all Nunavummiut, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 048 – 3(1): Nunavut Department of Justice (Peterson)
The 10th anniversary of Nunavut is just around the corner.
In recognition of this significant event in our history, I would like to highlight a number of accomplishments by the Department of Justice.
The Akitsiraq Law School was established in 2001 and with support from the Department of Justice, we were honoured to see 11 students graduate.
We created a made-in-Nunavut Family Abuse Intervention Act to allow for community empowerment by providing an individualized community driven process.
In 2006, we established a Human Rights Tribunal to hear human rights complaints from Nunavummiut and this process allowed equality of opportunity in the areas of employment, services, and communications.
We have made considerable progress with our infrastructure by building a new court house that is able to meet the needs of our territory.
We also opened Nunavut’s first healing facility in Kugluktuk that delivers culturally relevant programming to assist adult male offenders prepare for reintegration back into their communities.
I am honoured to advise the House today our healing facility is employed by 85 percent Nunavut Land Claims beneficiaries.
Soon, we will have a new men’s correctional centre in Rankin Inlet and a women’s healing facility in Iqaluit.
These facilities will help alleviate some of the overcrowding currently faced at the Baffin Correctional Centre.
This will allow offenders to remain in our territory and participate in culturally relevant programs that involve community service agencies, elders, and families.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all Nunavummiut who have contributed towards helping improve our justice system.
Working together, we have seen what we can accomplish.
I am confident that our government will continue to build on these accomplishments.
Members’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Member for South Baffin, Mr. Schell.
Member’s Statement 080 – 3(1): Public Housing Construction in Nunavut (Schell)
I rise today to address the issue of public housing construction in Nunavut. The recent announcement that Nunavut will receive $100 million in new federal funding for public housing construction is very welcome news.