EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Hon. Hunter Tootoo, Member for Iqaluit Centre;
Mr. Ron Elliott, Member for Quttiktuq;
Mr. Paul Okalik, Member for Iqaluit West; and
Mr. Fred Schell, Member for South Baffin.
Notices of Motions. (interpretation) Member for Nattilik, Mr. Pauloosie.
Motion 006 – 3(1): Appointments to the Striking Committee – Notice (Pauloosie)
Mr. Pauloosie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Sorry, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I give notice that on Friday, November 21, 2008, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Nanulik, that the following members be appointed to the Striking Committee:
Mr. James Arvaluk, Member for Tununiq;
Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Member for Baker Lake; and
Mr. Adamee Komoartok, Member for Pangnirtung.
Motion 007 – 3(1): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Tootoo)
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for South Baffin, that notwithstanding Rule 4, that when the House concludes its present sitting in Iqaluit, it shall be adjourned until January 26, 2009.
Moving on, Item 12.
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. (interpretation) As we have not yet sworn in our ministers, there will be none today.
I seek unanimous consent of this Assembly to deal with my motion today.
Motion 002 – 2(4): Appointment of Deputy Speaker (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues.
WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that the Legislative Assembly shall, at its first session, elect a Deputy Speaker;
(interpretation ends) Motions.
Member for Quttiktuq, Mr. Elliott.
Motion 003 – 3(1): Appointment of Premier (Elliott)
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues.
WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that there shall be an Executive Council of Nunavut composed of a Premier chosen by the Legislative Assembly from among its members and persons appointed by the commissioner on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly;
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott.
Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Motion 004 – 3(1): Appointments to the Executive Council of Nunavut (Aupaluktuq)
Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues.
Please proceed, Mr. Rumbolt.
Motion 005 – 3(1): Appointments to the Management and Services Board (Rumbolt)
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues.
WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that the Legislative Assembly shall, by resolution at its first session, appoint members to the Management and Services Board;
(interpretation) Motions.
Member for Nattilik, Mr. Pauloosie.
Mr. Pauloosie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today.
Please proceed, Mr. Pauloosie.
Motion 006 – 3(1): Appointments to the Striking Committee (Pauloosie)
Mr. Pauloosie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues.
WHEREAS the Rules of the Legislative Assembly provide that the Legislative Assembly shall, at its first sitting after a general election, appoint a Striking Committee of at least three members to report and recommend, with all convenient speed, members to comprise standing committees of the Assembly;
Motion 007 – 3(1): Extended Adjournment (Tootoo)
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for South Baffin, that notwithstanding Rule 4, that when the House concludes its present sitting in Iqaluit, it shall be adjourned until January 26, 2009.
Further, at any time prior to January 26, 2009, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and the Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as if it had been duly adjourned to that time.
The motion is in order. Question has been called. All those in favour, raise your hand, please.
As we have not yet sworn in the ministers, there will be none today.
Orders of the Day for January 26, 2009:
I remind all members and visitors that the swearing-in ceremony for the Premier and Members of the Executive Council will take place in this Chamber at 4:00 p.m.
I am also pleased to invite all members, guests and our visitors to join me in the foyer for refreshments after adjournment.
This House stands adjourned until January 26, 2009, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 15:27
Eva Aariak
Moses Aupaluktuq
Ron Elliott
Adamee Komoartok
Johnny Ningeongan
Enuk Pauloosie
Fred Schell
Daniel Shewchuk
Louis Tapardjuk
Peter Taptuna
Monday, January 26, 2009
Pages 29 – 74
Opening Prayer 29
Ministers’ Statements 30
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 43
Oral Questions 43
Reports of Standing and Special Committees 60
Tabling of Documents 66
Notices of Motions 68
Motions 69
Orders of the Day 73
Monday, January 26, 2009 29
001 – 3(1): Remembering Nunavut’s First Commissioner (Peterson) 30
002 – 3(1): First Ministers’ Meeting (Aariak) 30
003 – 3(1): Elder Support Phone Line 1-866-684-5056 (Tapardjuk) 31
004 – 3(1): 4th Judge for Nunavut (Aariak) 32
005 – 3(1): Nunavut Housing Needs Survey (Tootoo) 33
006 – 3(1): Nunavut Participation in National Polar Bear Round Table (Shewchuk) 33
007 – 3(1): New Driver’s Licence and General Identification Card (Taptuna) 34
008 – 3(1): Enhancement to our Search and Rescue Capabilities (Kusugak) 35
017 – 3(1): Recent Deaths in Constituency and Nunavut (Okalik) 36
018 – 3(1): Representing Tununingmiut (Arvaluk) 37
019 – 3(1): Isolation and Opportunity in the High Arctic (Elliott) 38
020 – 3(1): Becoming a Member of the Executive Council (Curley) 39
021 – 3(1): Artwork by Constituent Susan Shirley on Display in the Assembly (Kusugak) 40
022 – 3(1): Constituency Office Location/Condolences to Helen Maksagak and Family (Aariak) 41
023 – 3(1): Messages to Constituents/Condolences to Helen Maksagak and Family (Ningeongan) 41
024 – 3(1): Messages Regarding Constituency/Update on Constituency Office (Aupaluktuq) 42
025 – 3(1): Thanks to Constituents (Shewchuk) 43
001 – 3(1): George W. Bush Claims the Northwest Passage is International Waters (Okalik) 43
002 – 3(1): Infrastructure Needs in the High Arctic (Elliott) 45
003 – 3(1): Airline Service in Nunavut (Arvaluk) 46
004 – 3(1): Financial Aid for Home Heating Fuel in Upcoming Budget (Okalik) 49
005 – 3(1): Emergency Contingency Plan for the High Arctic (Elliott) 50
006 – 3(1): Leaked Comments of Former Minister (Okalik) 51
007 – 3(1): Transportation, Interpreter, and Escort Deficiencies for Medical Travel (Aupaluktuq) 54
008 – 3(1): What Happens to People in the Care of Social Workers?
(Arvaluk) 56
009 – 3(1): Arctic Sovereignty and the Devolution Process (Elliott) 58
010 – 3(1): Update on GN’s Purchase of Sealskins from Nunavummiut (Okalik) 60
Committee Report 001 – 3(1): Report of the Striking Committee on the Recommended Structure and Terms of Reference of the Standing Committees of the Third Legislative Assembly of Nunavut (Komoartok) 61
001 – 3(1): GN’s Response to the 2007-2008 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (Aariak) 66
002 – 3(1): F/P/T Ministerial Report (Aariak) 66
003 – 3(1): GN 2007-08 Interim Financial Report (Peterson) 67
004 – 3(1): Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Annual Report for 2005-2006 (Tootoo) 67
005 – 3(1): Towards a Representative Government – Statistics as of September 30, 2008 (Shewchuk) 67
006 – 3(1): Towards a Representative Government – Statistics as of June 30, 2008 (Shewchuk) 67
007 – 3(1): Elder Help Line Poster (Tapardjuk) 67
008 – 3(1): Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act (Speaker) 68
009 – 3(1): 2006-2007 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut (Speaker) 68
010 – 3(1): 2007-2008 Annual Report on the Payment of Indemnities, Allowances and Expenses to Members of the Legislative Assembly (Speaker) 68
008 – 3(1): Appointment of Languages Commissioner of Nunavut – Notice (Okalik) 68
009 – 3(1): Appointment of Deputy Chairpersons of the Committee of the Whole – Notice (Arvaluk) 68
010 – 3(1): Appointment to the Executive Council of Nunavut – Notice (Aupaluktuq) 69
011 – 3(1): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Elliott) 69
012 – 3(1): Appointments to Standing Committees of the Legislative Assembly – Notice (Komoartok) 69
008 – 3(1): Appointment of Languages Commissioner of Nunavut (Okalik) 70
009 – 3(1): Appointment of Deputy Chairpersons of the Committee of the Whole (Arvaluk) 71
010 – 3(1): Appointment to the Executive Council of Nunavut (Aupaluktuq) 71
011 – 3(1): Extended Adjournment (Elliott) 72
012 – 3(1): Appointments to Standing Committees of the Legislative Assembly (Komoartok) 72
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. James Arvaluk, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Ron Elliot, Mr. Adamee Komoartok, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Paul Okalik, Mr. Enuk Pauloosie, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (Hon. James Arreak)  (interpretation): Good afternoon.
Before we proceed, I would like to ask Mr. Ningeongan to say the opening prayer.
Good afternoon, Premier, Ministers, Members, and all Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) At this time, I would like to make a statement.
On behalf of all Members of the Legislative Assembly, I wish to express our deepest condolences to the family of the Hon. Helen Maksagak, who passed away last week.
Helen Maksagak served with distinction as Nunavut’s first commissioner. She also served as the territory’s deputy commissioner.
Helen devoted her life to community service. In 2002, she was appointed to the Order of Canada in recognition of her service to the people of the North.
I also want to take this opportunity to note that one of Helen’s many contributions to this House will remain with us.
On April 1, 1999, Helen donated one of the bibles in her personal collection to the Legislative Assembly. As you can see from where it rests on the table to my right, it has been present in the Chamber since that day.
I wish to advise the House that the flags at the Legislative Assembly have been lowered to half mast in commemoration of Mrs. Maksagak’s passing.
I ask all members to join me in a moment of silence.
Before we proceed to the Orders of the Day, I am pleased to take this opportunity to make an announcement regarding the upcoming celebrations to mark the 10th anniversary of the creation of Nunavut.
Later today, I will be writing to the principals of all of our high schools in order to inform them of the Legislative Assembly’s Nunavut at 10 essay competition.
The competition is open to any person who is enrolled in grades 10 to 12 in a Nunavut high school.
Essays may be submitted in any of Nunavut’s official languages.
The deadline for submissions is March 13, 2009.
I look forward to announcing the winners on April 1, 2009.
Each winner will receive one of the Royal Canadian Mint’s 2009 14-karat commemorative $100 gold coins to mark the 10th anniversary of Nunavut’s creation.
The coins were designed by internationally-renowned Pangnirtung artist Andrew Qappik.
Speaker (interpretation): I would ask all members to encourage youth in their communities to take part in this competition.
We will now proceed with the Orders of the Day. (interpretation ends) Item 2.
Minister’s Statement 001 – 3(1): Remembering Nunavut’s First Commissioner (Peterson)
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today in remembrance of our first Commissioner of Nunavut and most recently, our Deputy Commissioner, Helen Maksagak. On Friday, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer, Helen passed away at home on the shores of Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Speaker, Helen was not only a constituent of mine but a wonderful friend to my family for over 40 years. Helen was always there to provide generous support and advice as a friend and mentor.
She was a strong community leader who dedicated herself to public service and she raised the bar for all of Nunavut’s current and future leaders.
Helen was the first woman and Inuk to serve as Deputy Commissioner and later as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, among her many personal and public achievements, she was recognized for her public service with the Order of Canada in 2002, as well as an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Cape Breton University in Nova Scotia.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Cambridge Bay and all of Nunavut, I would like to take this opportunity to extend sincere condolences to Helen’s family.
Helen’s accomplishments and gifts to Nunavut will never be forgotten.
Ms. Premier.
Minister’s Statement 002 – 3(1): First Ministers’ Meeting (Aariak)
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
During my first two months as Premier, I have met several times with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Cabinet, including Nunavut Member of Parliament Leona Aglukkaq. Recently, these meetings have been focused on the 2009-2010 federal budget and Nunavut’s priorities for infrastructure investment.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, on January 6, I was joined by my colleague, the Minister for Community and Government Services, for meetings with Ministers Baird, Strahl, and Aglukkaq on our infrastructure needs.
The federal government is proposing to stimulate the economy with short-term investments and is determining which ones would be the biggest impact now.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut has an infrastructure deficit that we are addressing through our own capital plan and through federal monies, including the Building Canada Fund and the Northern Housing Trust. We have been working with the federal departments to move forward with those projects to the best of our capabilities and we have made suggestions to the Government of Canada on where they should focus increased infrastructure investments.
On January 15, Mr. Speaker, and 16, I attended meetings on the economy with the Prime Minister and my provincial and territorial colleagues.
First, we met with the leaders of the five national aboriginal organizations to discuss practical ways to increase aboriginal participation in the economy.
I was pleased to share the views expressed by Mary Simon, President of Tapiriit Kanatami, for improving education and skills development, and for focusing on housing construction as a way of promoting on-the-job skills development and economic growth.
On Friday, First Ministers reconvened and I had an opportunity to speak about our infrastructure priorities, including housing, for the 2009-2010 construction seasons.
I also spoke about skills development needs within our territory, the need for innovative approaches to federal funding for labour market development, and the need for Canada to renew funding for Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development.
At the appropriate time, I will table a report on this meeting.
Mr. Speaker, the results of these meetings should be reflected in announcements contained tomorrow in the 2009 Federal Budget.
We intend to monitor those outcomes very carefully, and we’re anticipating the outcomes, and to continue to work with Canada to strengthen our economy and to ensure that our labour force is well prepared for the future.
Minister’s Statement 003 – 3(1): Elder Support Phone Line 1-866-684-5056 (Tapardjuk)
I wish to welcome all the members. Although we saw each other recently, it is good to see my colleagues again.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues and Nunavummiut about the launch of an elder support line by the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
During consultations throughout Nunavut over the past year, the need for elders to have somewhere to turn to for advice and support in dealing with personal safety issues they are facing on a daily basis in their homes came up again and again.
This toll-free support line will be managed by CLEY’s Elder Advisor here in Iqaluit.
The line will keep names and experiences confidential, but provide a safe haven for elders (in Inuktitut only) to receive advice and talk to a confidante.
Non-intrusive, basic baseline data will be collected from the telephone line in order to address needs and plan for future programs.
For elders concerned about their physical and emotional wellbeing and who would like to talk to someone, this toll-free phone line will be available for peer-to-peer counselling in Inuktitut.
The phone line will be open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
No one deserves to have their rights violated.
No one deserves to be mistreated or exploited at any age.
Those who are suffering need to know that we care and help is available.
Please join me in making Nunavummiut aware that our elders should be respected; abuse, in any form, is not right. I would like to encourage all Nunavummiut to get involved and ensure that the elders in our communities are treated fairly.
If you have any statements, please raise your hand. (interpretation ends) Ms. Premier.
Minister’s Statement 004 – 3(1): 4th Judge for Nunavut (Aariak)
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to take this opportunity to applaud the recent appointment of the Hon. Neil A. Sharkey as Judge of the Nunavut Court of Justice.
Mr. Justice Sharkey has been a member of the Nunavut Bar since 1999, of the Northwest Territories Bar since 1983, and the Bar of Saskatchewan since 1976.
Mr. Justice Sharkey has been involved in the practice of law in Nunavut in various roles, from Crown Counsel to private practitioner and Executive Director of Maliganik Tukisiniakvik for many years.
Mr. Justice Sharkey has an acknowledged expertise in criminal appeals and major criminal cases.
As you are aware, the justice department is dedicated to providing the most culturally appropriate, equitable and effective justice services to Nunavummiut, and it was quite clear that part of the reason for delays in hearings, trials, and other court procedures was the lack of a fourth judge.
As our Senior Judge, the Hon. Beverley Browne indicated some time ago “the lack of judicial resources in Nunavut continues to be a chronic problem and a concern.”
The Department of Justice of the Nunavut government, in cooperation and coordination with our federal partners, had made a strong case for the increase in judicial resources for our territory.
The appointment of Hon. Justice Sharkey was the result of our efforts and this appointment will certainly assist the administration of justice in Nunavut and address many of the shortfalls and delays in the courts.
The Department of Justice will continue to work to improve the provision of justice services to Nunavummiut, to increase the number of lawyers and amount of legal aid funding available in the territory, and to strive to ensure that all justice-related needs of Nunavummiut are met. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 005 – 3(1): Nunavut Housing Needs Survey (Tootoo)
Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today as the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation to inform this House and all Nunavummiut of an important initiative.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation, in partnership with Statistics Canada and the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, is undertaking a comprehensive and Nunavut-wide housing needs survey.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Housing Needs Survey aims to collect current and accurate data on the housing needs of Nunavummiut, and to assist the Government of Nunavut in planning and providing for the housing needs of our communities.
In 2004, it was estimated that 3,000 public housing units were required over a ten-year time span to alleviate the severe overcrowding in our public housing.
Mr. Speaker, this estimate was based on statistical information from the 2001 Census and the 2001 Aboriginal Peoples Survey. Since then, the Housing Corporation has continued to deliver public housing units through federal investments from Infrastructure Canada and the Northern Housing Trust.
Mr. Speaker, also since 2001, the annual growth and demand for new housing has grown at an estimated pace of over 270 public housing units per year.
Best estimates are that after the 725 units from the $200 million Housing Trust have been delivered and built, Nunavut will still have a shortfall of over 3,300 units.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut housing survey is designed to provide the corporation with the most current data to determine the exact needs for additional investment into housing for Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, given the critical shortage of housing, we require current and real data to update the Nunavut Ten-Year Inuit Housing Action Plan in order to secure additional funding that will address the growing housing crisis in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut housing survey is a confidential, door-to-door survey that will be locally delivered throughout March and April of this year.
The survey requires the full participation of all Nunavummiut, whether they are in public housing, staff housing, employee provided housing, private housing, or own their own homes, to ensure that the housing needs of our people are accurately recorded.
Minister Shewchuk.
Minister’s Statement 006 – 3(1): Nunavut Participation in National Polar Bear Round Table (Shewchuk)
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
On January 16, I attended a National Polar Bear Round Table hosted by the federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice.
This was a very successful meeting in that it allowed all parties, including scientists, Inuit, the provinces and territories, the federal government, wildlife management boards, and non-government organizations, to present their views and to gather a better understanding of each other’s points of view on polar bear management in Canada.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, Nunavut is home to 65 percent of the world’s polar bears and has a very successful polar bear management program.
We were able to describe this program and how we work with communities using a combination of Inuit knowledge and science to manage polar bears, using a co-management system outlined under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
We, of course, have challenges and the potential effects of climate change are a concern, but the fact is that the polar bear populations are mostly thriving. Polar bears are not in a crisis situation; they are a resource to be managed and that is what we are doing.
Perhaps the biggest value of the meeting was to give the rest of Canada a better understanding of how polar bear management actually works. Other more tangible outcomes include a commitment from the federal minister to support better inclusion of Inuit knowledge in polar bear management decision-making and a commitment to pursue the completion of co-management agreements with other jurisdictions that we share our polar bear populations with such as Greenland.
This forum was an important first step toward better cooperation and collaboration between all parties interested in sustainable polar bear management.
Minister’s Statement 007 – 3(1): New Driver’s Licence and General Identification Card (Taptuna)
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to advise the Members of this House to the introduction of a new system that will provide Nunavummiut with secure and enhanced driver’s licences and identification cards.
Under the Canadian Driver’s Licence Agreement signed by the Government of Nunavut, driver’s licences and identification cards are required to have enhanced security features in order to be accepted by other jurisdictions.
Mr. Speaker, Transport Canada regulations also require that all air travellers over the age of 12 years old have government issued photo identification before boarding aircraft.
In order to meet these requirements, the Department of Economic Development and Transportation has had to change the way driver’s licences and general identification cards are processed and printed.
Mr. Speaker, with the new system, the security features in the card includes holographic images, microprinting, and other features found in currency.