EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
At this time, there is no real agreement in writing, a formal agreement, but that’s upcoming.
During the news release that I did together with the president of the Qikiqtaaluk Inuit Association… . It’s ongoing work.
Of course, in that particular instance of getting together to discuss the process of the Poverty Reduction Strategy, it’s ongoing and we intend to keep that dialogue going with our partners.
Of course, that includes NTI, the RIAs, and the non-profit and business organizations out there.
Again, the other example would be the Suicide Prevention Strategy in terms of the Embrace Life Council, NTI, and the Government of Nunavut working together.
It was great in terms of having the three organizations work together. You get more ability and more skill sets working together to come up with a better strategy or come up with a better way of doing business. To me, I hope this is the way that the Government of Nunavut will work towards, you know, working together.
In that regard, could the minister explain how he sees NTI helping out with this project?
Our intention is to do public engagements rather than public consultations as the member is well aware.
Through public consultations, there is more or less at the end, the end product is still the government that makes the final decision.
Poverty is a very complex issue that this government alone cannot deal with.
So we do have assistance from NTI and through that, we are going to be engaging in public forums rather than public consultations.
That way, we will have more input from regular folks who are out there, communities, and non-governmental organizations. Throughout that process, we will have more input from Nunavummiut on helping us come up with a poverty strategy.
Again I thank you for the answer. One of the things I would like to see is… .
With what Mr. Curley was alluding to yesterday in terms of it would be nice to have organizations like NTI and the regional Inuit organizations working together and doing consultations on these instead of hiring consultants from the south so that you have people who are from Nunavut, who are Inuk, who have the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit values to be able to put them into this sort of a strategy.
So will your department and members of your department be going around to the different communities to do the consultations in terms of the first round of community dialogues or will a consultant be hired to go around and do this work?
As the minister responsible for that strategy, I am a co-chair of the committee with other co-chairs from the non-profit organizations, including NTI and businesses out there.
I am the co-chair and we do have several other people who are identified from other organizations as co-chairs.
Yes, we will be going around to these other communities to start the process of discussions.
I do not think the minister answered my question about whether consultants would be hired, but I have another question that I would like to ask that seems more important in terms of… .
I’ve got one question left.
The Poverty Reduction Strategy is under your department, but it is also under the umbrella of the social advocate’s office.
Could he explain to me today how you will be working with the social advocate’s office to make this all fit?
For hiring consultants through this public engagement process, that’s exactly what we are trying to do so that we can avoid that.
We will have input, solutions, and action plans coming from Nunavummiut rather than consultants from out there.
How we are going to engage the social advocacy group is through discussions, meetings, planning, and coming up with ideas and plans to deal with the situation.
Question 481 – 3(2): Devolution Negotiations (Elliott)
My questions are directed towards the Premier there concerning the Northern Economic and Sovereignty Infrastructure Conference, and thank you for answering the questions that I had asked before.
Although regular MLAs, as myself, couldn’t afford to attend this event, it was about $1,000, I think, a shot to be able to attend this conference, I had the opportunity to read the Premier’s keynote address that she delivered.
I noted that she addressed topics that I have spoken about on many occasions, including sovereignty and devolution.
We have seen that the GNWT and the federal government have made progress in negotiating an agreement in principle regarding devolution.
The Prime Minister’s parliamentary secretary also spoke at this conference.
Can the Premier update us today on whether she spoke directly with him about devolution and, if so, what is the federal government’s current position regarding devolution negotiations with Nunavut?
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for raising that question.
Every time I have an opportunity to speak to the Prime Minister and/or the INAC minister, I always bring up the issue of devolution, devolving jurisdiction, and there is something I always bring up.
Just recently, I had an opportunity to speak with the INAC minister about devolution and that devolution is a priority for our government here in Nunavut.
I have continued to maintain communication with those ministers.
From listening to the news coverage about this event, it sounded like the message that Ottawa came up to give us was that it’s time to tighten our belts. I think there was also some reference to the fact that maybe the tap is being turned off.
This was in direct contrast to what the Premier spoke about in her keynote address, which emphasized the need for federal investment to bring us up to the standards enjoyed by other Canadians.
Can the Premier indicate to us what the reaction of federal decision-makers was to her speech?
I am very happy that I was invited to speak as a keynote speaker.
Through that opportunity, we were able to voice our concerns about various issues and I used that forum to remind delegates that everything that requires capital as well as infrastructure hinge on the need of this government to prepare for devolution. There has been no response to the positions outlined in my keynote speech. However, I will continue to maintain our message about Nunavut’s needs.
With respect to the Nunavut government, we are open for negotiations and we are working hard towards self-sustaining abilities. We are basically waiting for the terms of reference on the negotiations.
Our partnership with Nunavut Tunngavik is also available for negotiation.
Out of the three parties, two are ready for negotiation. It is only the federal government who are not ready and they have yet to appoint the chief negotiator.
We have been pushing them to make that appointment in order to get the ball rolling.
Under her Department of EIA, there are seven people who work in the office on the file of devolution. I was just wondering if she could spend a little time expanding on the roles of these seven individuals and what they are doing in terms of bringing forward the file of devolution.
With regard to the staff and their positions, a lot of them are vacant. I believe we have two or three workers. I’ll have to check the number of staff.
However, the director has been very busy in trying to push along the devolution file and has been working since January 2009.
They started preparing the consultation process, especially on the need to become self-sufficient and the need to communicate this fact to all Nunavummiut.
We have to ensure that we educate our public and public servants, and that this committee needs to be on the same page on this particular issue. This process has begun.
With regard to communication, a communication strategy has been prepared.
Furthermore, in regard to the communication strategy, it is now very important to let the federal government know about our wishes on devolution.
The federal government has treated this issue with little priority to date. What we want to do is to use the communication strategy to better communicate with the federal government.
We have created an initiative. I will be creating a recording in Inuktitut. I already finished a recording in English, a recording that will be aired throughout all community radios that explains what devolution is.
We also plan to publish documents and other published materials to be made available to the news media.
The group that has been working on devolution has been working hard even though all positions are not filled.
For my final question, I’m just curious to find out: how does the Premier respond to comments that if we are unable to handle $200 million in terms of a Nunavut Housing Trust program, how will we be ever able to handle a program such as devolution?
I wish to add that when speaking with the Prime Minister’s Office, he wrote that when approaching where we are heading, we should not aim to inherit everything all at once, (interpretation ends) as in a phased-in approach, non-fiscal, phased-in approach.
(interpretation) We have maintained our position that we want to conduct a phased-in approach to deal with devolution. We responded to the Prime Minister’s correspondence, which I alluded to in a previous statement about the newest INAC minister.
This was good to hear from our discussions with the newest INAC minister.
This will not occur overnight.
It’s quite obvious that it will be a fairly lengthy process as devolution is geared towards greater self-sufficiency.
In the Yukon and the NWT, it took many years of negotiations before they were finally able to reach this stage.
The Yukon has completed that and the NWT has reached an agreement in principle.
It is only by undertaking this process can we move forward.
If we look at the housing issue, although we may have funding problems, we know we’re making corrections.
We are now able to resolve a lot of the problems that created this issue and we have prepared to make improvements in our system.
Now with regard to devolution, we really have to deal with this because it’s a big priority for our government.
As it takes a fair number of years to realize the progress, we will be too late if we don’t initiate it now.
Pretty much the whole globe is looking at the Inuit homeland’s freshwater and marine area, and we have to ensure that we are able to manage our own lands and resources before everyone else makes those decisions for Nunavummiut.
We will be going back to our orders of the day as question period is now over. (interpretation ends) Item 7.
Tabled Document 224 – 3(2): Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy, September 17, 2010 (Curley)
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the Nunavut Prevention Strategy, September 17, 2010.
Tabled Document 225 – 3(2): Nunavut Arts and Crafts Final Report, June 2010 (Taptuna)
I am pleased to table the Economic Impact Study: Nunavut Arts and Crafts Final Report, June 2010.
Tabled Document 226 – 3(2): Nunavut Development Corporation’s Annual Report for 2009-2010 (Taptuna)
I am pleased to table the Nunavut Development Corporation’s Annual Report for 2009-2010.
Tabled Document 227 – 3(2): Refined Direction from Cabinet Retreat 2010 (Aariak)
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to table the document “Refined Direction from Cabinet Retreat 2010.” (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 228 – 3(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation’s Ninth Annual Report 2009-2010 (Kusugak)
I am pleased to table the following document: the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s ninth annual report for the year 2009-2010.
Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, and French will be distributed as soon as possible.
Tabled Document 229 – 3(2): Nunavut Public Library Service 2009-2010 Annual Report (Tapardjuk)
I am pleased to table the first Nunavut Public Library Service 2009-2010 Annual Report.
Tabled Document 230 – 3(2): Grants and Contributions 2009-2010 (Peterson)
Tabled Document 231 – 3(2): Interim Financial Report (unaudited) March 31, 2010 (Peterson)
I am pleased to table the Department of Finance’s grants and contributions report for 2009-2010.
I am pleased to table the Interim Financial Report (Unaudited) March 31, 2010.
Tabling of Documents. (interpretation) If there are no more, we will move on to another item. (interpretation ends) Item 14.
Motion 029 – 3(2): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Ningeongan)
Mr. Ningeongan: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, October 28, 2010, I will move the following motion:
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet North, that not withstanding Rule 4, that when the House concludes its present sitting in Iqaluit, it shall be adjourned until February 22, 2011 for the winter sitting.
Mr. Ningeongan: Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with my extended adjournment motion today.
The member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with his extended adjournment motion. Are there any nays?
There are none. Please proceed, Mr. Ningeongan.
Motion 029 – 3(2): Extended Adjournment (Ningeongan)
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet North, that not withstanding Rule 4, that when the House concludes its fall 2010 sitting in Iqaluit, it shall be adjourned until the winter 2011 sitting, which shall commence on February 22, 2011.
Further, that at any time prior to February 22, 2011, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and 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 stated time in such notice and shall transact its business as if it had been duly adjourned to that time.
Bill 44 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 44, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Income Tax Act to reflect amendments made in the federal Act respecting the addition of the concept of “shared custody parent.” The bill also clarifies certain provisions and corrects minor errors.
The motion is carried and Bill 44 is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 45 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act (Minimum Wage) – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 45, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act (Minimum Wage), be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill increases the minimum wage in Nunavut to $11 an hour.
The motion is carried and Bill 45 is referred to the Standing on Committee on Legislation.
Bill 46 – An Act to Amend the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 46, An Act to Amend the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill clarifies the definition of eligible property. This bill clarifies the powers of the Minister of Finance to declare an individual tax exempt. The bill also corrects errors.
The motion is carried and Bill 46 is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 47 – International Interests in Mobile Aircraft Equipment Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 47, International Interests in Mobile Aircraft Equipment Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill implements the 2001 Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and the Protocol to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on Matters Specific to Aircraft Equipment.
The motion is carried and Bill 47 is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 48 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2010, No. 3 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 48, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2010, No. 3, be read for the second time.
The motion is carried and Bill 48 is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 49 – Agricultural Products Marketing Act, Repeal – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the hon. member from Arviat, that Bill 49, Agricultural Products Marketing Act, Repeal, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill repeals the Agricultural Products Marketing Act.
The motion is carried and Bill 49 is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 50 – Nunavut Outfitters Liability Protection Fund Act, Repeal – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the hard-working Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 50, Nunavut Outfitters Liability Protection Fund Act, Repeal, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill repeals the Nunavut Outfitters Liability Protection Fund Act.
The motion is carried and Bill 50 is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Second Reading of Bills. (interpretation) If there are no more… .
I request unanimous consent to go back to section 5 of the Orders of the Day.
Our colleague would like to go back to Item 5, Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
We have returned to Item 5, (interpretation ends) Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
I would like to recognize and welcome Chief Superintendent Steve McVarnock of the “V” Division RCMP for Nunavut to the Gallery.
Mr. Speaker, the chief superintendent is no stranger to the north; he has been here a few times and he recently arrived to command the “V” division in July of 2009. He has been to all communities in Nunavut. He is very hard working and dedicated.
Also, he works closely with the Suicide Prevention Strategy that my colleague mentioned.
One thing I noticed about the chief superintendent is that he cares for the people of Nunavut, he cares for the communities, and he cares for his office. The only thing negative he has is that he is not an Edmonton Oilers fan and I’m okay with that.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other… oh, I’m sorry.
I would like to recognize Chris Farris here with First Air.
Mr. Schell: I would also like to recognize Rick Lefebvre with First Air there.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. Bills 38, 39, 40, and 41 with Mr. Schell in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:33 and Committee resumed at 15:59
Chairman (Mr. Schell): I would like to call the committee meeting to order. In the Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 38, 39, 40, and 41.
We would like to continue with Bill 38 and commence the review of the Nunavut Arctic College, followed by the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. After that, we will proceed with the review of Bill 39, Bill 40, and Bill 41.
Chairman: Do members agree that we proceed with capital estimates for Nunavut Arctic College?
Bill 38 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2011-2012 – Nunavut Arctic College – Consideration in Committee
Chairman: I would now like to ask Minister Shewchuk, responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, to make his opening remarks.
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to be here today to present the 2011-12 capital estimates and update you on the capital planning being done by Nunavut Arctic College.
As the only post-secondary institution in the territory, Nunavut Arctic College plays the central role in providing Nunavutmiut with adult learning programs and services.
Our core business is training for employment. This addresses the Tamapta goal: “Through Nunavut Arctic College and its partners, we will increase post-secondary opportunities in all occupational categories from career training to professional education.”
Starting in 2010-11, Nunavut Arctic College receives an annual capital budget for minor projects.
The 2010-11 budget is funding a technical assessment and design to resolve the shifting foundations at the old married student residence in Iqaluit.
It will also fund improved handicapped access and office capacity in the old administration building in Cambridge Bay. Future budgets will be used to further renew college facilities.
The fall marks the opening of Nunavut’s new trades training centre in Rankin Inlet. The facility was handed over by the contractor on September 1. The new centre expands Nunavut’s capacity to train housing maintainers, oil burner mechanics, plumbers, and electricians.
The trades training [centre] will be officially opened on November 16.
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: All Members of the Legislative Assembly are invited to join in the celebration.
Arctic College’s roots are in the community learning centres. The new community learning centre in Qikiqtarjuaq is almost complete.
The students will move in this fall. The 2010-11 capital estimates provided funding to start planning new community learning centres in Grise Fiord, Whale Cove, and Iqaluit.
Child care is a major challenge for many Nunavutmiut trying to advance their education.
Tamapta states, “We will diligently examine possibilities for adding daycare space to new capital projects.”
Part of the planning for new community learning centres will include an appraisal of the child care services needed by adult students.
Nunavutmiut wishing to take career training programs not available in their home community are accommodated in Arctic College’s regional campuses at Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet, and Iqaluit.
Mining is becoming a major employer in Nunavut. Planning is proceeding on a mine training centre at the core of a proposed consolidated Kitikmeot campus in Cambridge Bay.
The centre will train mine workers, millwrights, and welders.
The campus will also provide space for expanded teacher, nurse, and human service education.
To support this program expansion, the project will include accommodations for single students and a daycare centre.
Two important projects under construction are not part of these estimates. In 2009, Nunavut Arctic College received $11 million from the federal Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund for the replacement of the old headquarters of Nunavut Research Institute in Iqaluit. The old facility is being replaced on the same site with a larger, more modern, and more energy efficient facility.
It will enable Nunavut Research Institute to expand its research activities and services in the health, natural, and social sciences.
The new facility will be ready for occupancy early in 2011.
Also funded are: four field research support units being installed in Arviat, Cambridge Bay, Igloolik, and Rankin Inlet.
Also in 2009, Arctic College received $2.2 million from the federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program and $2.76 million from the Government of Nunavut for the Cyber Infrastructure Project.
This project will improve telecommunications connectivity and establish the communication network required to make online learning and research accessible to Nunavutmiut throughout Nunavut.
This project is scheduled to be complete by March 2011.
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to be here today to discuss Nunavut Artic College’s capital estimates for 2011-12. I welcome your questions and advice.
Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, can you please escort the witness in.
I have with me here today sitting on my right is Mr. Dan Vandermeulen, the President of Nunavut Arctic College.
I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of Nunavut Arctic College’s proposed 2011-12 capital estimates.
Nunavut Arctic College’s proposed capital budget for 2011-12 is $100,000, which will be allocated towards minor capital projects, including upgrades and renovations to current facilities.
Mr. Chairman, Nunavut Arctic College is Nunavut’s central agency for providing adult educational opportunities from basic upgrading, to training programs to opportunities for career development.
Given the desperate need to improve the abilities of Nunavummiut to be self-reliant and independent, members of the standing committee are of the view that the limited amount of funding proposed for Nunavut Arctic College for 2011-12 allows for very limited progress in the upcoming year towards reaching our goals for the future.