EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The transfer of Nunavut’s museum and archives collections to the Canadian Museum of Nature will present exciting opportunities for collaborative research, education and exhibition programs.
The Heritage Division has commenced preparations for the move of its heritage collection from the Prince of Whales Heritage Centre in Yellowknife to the Canadian Museum of Nature’s research facility in Ottawa.
This move should be completed by the end of the summer.
Mr. Chairman, my department is continuing to coordinate the implementation of language programs and services across the government, including the development of a set of guidelines and regulations on the delivery of communications and services in the official languages that implement the Official Languages Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act.
We are also working on Uqausivut II, which is our roadmap to implement our language obligations.
The department has developed a project schedule for developing Uqausivut II for implementation of the Language Acts for 2017 onwards.
As required by the Acts, Uqausivut II will be developed with Inuit involved, particularly in collaboration with NTI, the RIAs, and others.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Culture and Heritage brings focus to the coordination and effective implementation of initiatives that incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit into Government of Nunavut policies, programs, and services.
The Elders and Youth Division is also planning its first hunting and tool-making program workshop in the Kitikmeot region later this month, with participants coming from the Kitikmeot region to Cambridge Bay.
My department actively promotes our grants and contributions policy to Nunavummiut.
Earlier this month two Culture and Heritage staff members travelled to Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord.
We have also tried to take advantage of existing activities throughout the territory like community meetings, AGMs, and workshops to promote our programs and services.
That concludes my opening remarks. I look forward to answering any questions my colleagues may have. (interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Welcome, Minister Kuksuk, Ms. Regilee, and Mr. Suvega.
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Government Estimates and Operations on its review of the proposed 2017-18 main estimates and 2017-2020 business plan of the Department of Culture and Heritage.
The standing committee notes that the department’s proposed 2017-18 operations and maintenance budget of $25,697,000 has not changed since the introduction of its 2016-17 main estimates.
The standing committee emphasizes the importance of providing this information to the public and strongly encourages the minister to table the government’s most recent annual reports on the administration of the Official Languages Act and Inuit Language Protection Act in as timely a manner as possible.
On October 30, 2012 the minister of the day tabled the government’s first comprehensive plan pursuant to the Official Languages Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act, which was titled the Uqausivut Plan and which set out the government’s objectives for the 2012-16 time period.
For a number of years, MLAs have raised concerns regarding the need to update this plan.
According to its proposed 2017-2020 business plan, one of the department’s goals for the upcoming 2017-18 fiscal year is to “Improve the monitoring of the implementation of the 2017 - 2020 Uqausivut Plan.”
The standing committee looks forward to reviewing the government’s 2017-2020 Uqausivut Plan with care.
On October 18, 2016 the minister tabled the government’s formal response to the Standing Committee on Oversight and Government Operations and Public Account’s report on its review of the most recent annual reports of the Languages Commissioner and the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit.
In this response the minister stated that the government anticipates the full implementation of the Inuit Language Incentive Program in the 2017-18 fiscal year.
The standing committee looks forward to receiving ongoing updates on the implementation of this program.
Mr. Chairman, the department is responsible for the development and delivery of the government’s archaeology, museums and archives policies, programs and services.
Under the authority of the Archives Act, the department’s Archives program collects public and private textual records, sound and audiovisual materials, photographs, documentary art, and electronic documents to preserve Nunavut’s documentary heritage.
However, the department’s Archives Policy expired on March 31, 2010.
The standing committee strongly encourages the department to update this policy at the earliest opportunity.
On November 19, 2015 the governments of Manitoba and Nunavut issued a joint news release announcing the extension of their five-year memorandum of understanding.
Under this memorandum, the Government of Nunavut has agreed to house thousands of pieces of fine art from Nunavut at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, which will develop special programming and educational opportunities through the display of this artwork.
The standing committee strongly encourages the minister to provide regular updates to the Legislative Assembly regarding department’s efforts to train Nunavummiut in the creation, documentation, and preparing of exhibits at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
Mr. Chairman, the department is responsible for coordinating the development of the government’s Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit initiatives and providing administrative support to the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
The department is also responsible for coordinating the interdepartmental Tuttarviit Committee.
One of the department’s goals for the upcoming 2017-18 fiscal year is to “Continue to assist departments and report on implementation activities identified in the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Framework.”
The standing committee encourages the minister to table the government’s current Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Framework at the earliest opportunity.
The standing committee continues to encourage the minister to table the annual reports of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit in a timely manner to ensure that the recommendations of this committee are provided to the recipient departments and agencies at the earliest opportunity.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2017-18 main estimates and 2017-2020 business plan of the Department of Culture and Heritage.
I don’t have any names on my list. We will go to the page-by-page review.
The first page is F-4. (interpretation ends) Culture and Heritage.
According to the Official Languages Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act on sections 15 and 27 respectively, they’re requesting that annual reports be prepared on how the two Acts are being administered.
However, we haven’t seen any reports for a number of years.
On October 18 of last year you stated that you would be tabling the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 annual reports.
However, they haven’t been tabled to date.
When will you be tabling the most recent annual reports? Will you be tabling the most recent annual reports on the government’s administration of the Official Languages Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act during this winter 2017 sitting?
In regard to the question, they are being translated into Inuktitut right now and once they have all been translated by the translation service, I will be able to table them in the spring session in June 2017.
I also thank the minister. Which annual reports are you going to be tabling?
We want to table all the reports we haven’t tabled at the same time in June.
I don’t have many questions, but I have a question on this line about the Uqausivut Plan.
The first plan for 2012-16 had to do with all the government departments to test proficiency in Inuktitut in those departments and how much Inuktitut is being used in the offices right now.
Will this be reviewed again in the 2017-2020 plan?
You would report on, for example, the Department of Economic Development and Transportation. You would say that this many employees or staff work with Inuktitut and which services are available in Inuktitut or Inuinnaqtun or in the general Inuktut language.
Will there be like a record of which departments offer services in Inuktitut?
Yes, in response to the question, we are planning to do all of that.
In your opening comments you stated that this is continuing and that you are working on the implementation. Has your department started the implementation? We expect that regional Inuit organizations will be involved with this as well in the implementation of language programs and services.
I’m trying to ask how you would monitor the implementation of the plan.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I also thank the member. Mr. Chairman, in regard to his question, it is under review right now.
That’s where we’re at. It’s under review.
Will you be using prepared testing and include them in the report of whichever department is enforcing the Inuit language provisions? Is that how it will be administered?
Yes, that’s exactly what we want to do.
We will work closely with the government departments on that. We will make reports on the progress with respect to the member’s question.
Onto page F-6.
Culture and Heritage. Heritage.
Onto page F-7.
Page F-8.
Chairman: Thank you. Back to page F-3.
Do members agree that we have concluded with Culture and Heritage?
Mr. Kuksuk, you can now proceed with your closing comments.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) That’s a record.
(interpretation) Thank you very much. I was looking forward to more questions, but I know for sure that I will be asked questions during the session.
I would like to thank my officials who are here with me. I know that my officials who are not here are listening to and watching the proceedings. I thank them.
Thank you very much to my colleagues.
I will expect to work closely with you again during the spring session. I’m sure you will be asking more questions about my department.
I’ll just thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much.
Bill 34 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2017-2018 – Legislative Assembly – Consideration in Committee
We will now proceed. (interpretation ends) I would now like to ask the Speaker of this House if he has officials that he would like to appear before the committee.
Mr. Qulaut.
(interpretation) Speaker, for the record, please introduce your witnesses.
To my right is our Clerk, John Quirke, and to my left is our Director of Corporate Services, Mike Rafter.
You can now proceed with your opening comments, Mr. Qulaut.
I am pleased to appear before you today to present the 2017-18 main estimates and 2017-2020 business plan of the Office of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. (interpretation ends) The proposed operations and maintenance budget of the Office of the Legislative Assembly for the 2017-18 fiscal year is $26,868,000.
As As members will recall, the first bill to have been passed by the current Assembly was legislation to provide for fixed election dates.
The fifth general election will take place on October 30, 2017.
Consequently a one-time increase in funding to Elections Nunavut of approximately $1.4 million is being provided to administer the upcoming general election.
The Management and Services Board of the Legislative Assembly has been in close communication with Elections Nunavut regarding preparations for the upcoming general election.
I am pleased to note, for example, that a number of returning officers have already been appointed.
These appointments have already been published in the Nunavut Gazette.
With the exception of the additional funding required to administer the upcoming general election, our 2017-18 main estimates do not include any significant increases from the previous fiscal year’s budget.
For example, the additional resources required for salary adjustments for members and employees as a result of the recently signed collective agreement with the Nunavut Employees Union have been funded from within our present budget.
The Management and Services Board is committed to the prudent use of our resources, and I wish to advise members that the board is presently giving close attention to possible areas where savings can be achieved.
The Legislative Assembly’s 2017-18 main estimates also reflect the financial and human resources required for the operations of our other independent officers, including the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth and the Office of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut.
I am pleased to take this opportunity to update members on a recent initiative to further improve our legislature’s accessibility and family-friendliness.
The three public washrooms on the first floor of our building, one of which has been designated as gender-neutral, are now wheelchair-accessible and have been equipped with change tables for infants and babies.
I am also looking forward to visiting the communities of Grise Fiord, Pond Inlet, and Resolute Bay in May of this year as part of my office’s Our House to Your Home Community Mace Tour.
This parliamentary outreach initiative takes place every two years and provides an opportunity to visit schools and other facilities across our territory to speak about our legislature’s traditions and practices.
Go to page A-4.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $7,898,000.
Onto page A-5.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $12,347,000.
Onto page A-6.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $6,623,000.
Back to page A-3.
Office of the Legislative Assembly. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $26,868,000.
Do members agree that we have concluded the Office Legislative Assembly of Nunavut?
Chairman: Thank you. (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, you may now make your closing comments.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you very much to all of you. We now expect to have a good O&M budget for the next fiscal year.
I would also like to thank each and every one of you.
(interpretation ends) Members, go to Bill 34 in your legislation binder.
(interpretation) I believe you have the bill in front of you now. (interpretation ends) Bill 34, Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2017-2018. Clause 1.
Chairman: Go to the Schedule on page 2.
Amounts Appropriated for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2018.
Total Appropriation. $1,565,675,000.
Chairman: Do members agree, pursuant to Rule 62(2), that Bill 34 can immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
I wish to make a motion to report progress.
I will now rise to report to the Speaker.
Your committee has been considering Bill 34 and would like to report that Bill 34 is concluded and that Bill 34 is immediately ready for third reading.
>>Laughter  The motion is in order.
Bill 34 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2017-2018 – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat South, that Bill 34, Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2017-2018, be read for the third time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) In accordance with the authority provided to me by Motion 41 – 4(3), this House stands adjourned until Monday, March 13, at 10:00 a.m.
>>House adjourned at 21:40
Monday, March 13, 2017
Pages 4074 – 4130
Opening Prayer 4074
Ministers’ Statements 4074
Members’ Statements 4077
Oral Questions 4082
Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters 4097
Tabling of Documents 4098
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 4099
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 4100
Report of the Committee of the Whole 4128
Third Reading of Bills 4128
Orders of the Day 4130
Monday, March 13, 2017 4074
281 – 4(3): Nunavut Seniors Strategic Framework and Handbook Launch (Taptuna) 4074
282 – 4(3): The Kitikmeot Regional Health Centre Residential Long-term Care Unit is Now Operational (Hickes) 4075
283 – 4(3): Elders and Youth Programs (Kuksuk) 4075
284 – 4(3): Capacity Building Sessions with Elders from the Community (Quassa) 4076
528 – 4(3): The Incorporation of Inuit Qaujimanituqangit (Shooyook) 4077
529 – 4(3): Sudden Passing of Napatchie McRae (Okalik) 4077
530 – 4(3): Gift of Dolls from Sperry-Friesen Family (Angnakak) 4078
531 – 4(3): Update on Activities since School Fire (Qirngnuq) 4079
532 – 4(3): Recognition of Volunteers in Naujaat (Mapsalak) 4080
533 – 4(3): Traditional Activities at Qaqqalik School (Joanasie) 4081
534 – 4(3): Arctic Waters (Enook) 4081
689 – 4(3): Blueprint for Action on Housing (Angnakak) 4082
690 – 4(3): The Need for a Wellness and Addictions Counsellor (Shooyook) 4084
691 – 4(3): Telecommunications in the North (Mikkungwak) 4086
692 – 4(3): Departmental Funding Programs (Akoak) 4088
693 – 4(3): Homeownership Programs (Mapsalak) 4089
694 – 4(3): Rankin Inlet’s Hamlet Office (Sammurtok, T) 4091
695 – 4(3): Municipal Training Organization (Rumbolt) 4092
696 – 4(3): Property Taxes (Enook) 4093
697 – 4(3): Status of New Cape Dorset Power Plant (Joanasie) 4095
698 – 4(3): Minimum Wage (Angnakak) 4096
026 – 4(3): Bill 36, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act (Sammurtok, T) 4097
284 – 4(3): Nunatsiaq News Article: Nunavut’s New Senator Fills Out His To-do List (Okalik) 4098
285 – 4(3): Strategic Framework: Addressing the needs of Nunavut Seniors (Taptuna) 4098
286 – 4(3): Nunavut Seniors’ Information Handbook (Taptuna) 4098
287 – 4(3): The Makimaniq Plan 2, A Shared Approach to Poverty Reduction 2017-2022 (Mike) 4098
288 – 4(3): Minister’s Annual Report on Poverty Reduction 2014-2016 (Mike) 4098
289 – 4(3): FPT Ministerial Report on the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment, October 3, 2016 (Savikataaq) 4098
290 – 4(3): FPT Report on the Ministers Responsible for Infrastructure, September 6 to 7, 2016 (Savikataaq) 4098
291 – 4(3): Contract Activity Report 2015-2016 (Savikataaq) 4098
292 – 4(3): Procurement Activity Report 2015-2016 (Savikataaq) 4099
293 – 4(3): Leasing Activity Report 2015-2016 (Savikataaq) 4099
294 – 4(3): Community Based Search and Rescue Policy (Savikataaq) 4099
013 – 4(3): Bill 35, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2017-2018 Additional $10 Million (Peterson) 4113
014 – 4(3): Bill 19, Unlawful Property Forfeiture Act Clause 8 (Okalik) 4122
015 – 4(3): Bill 19, Unlawful Property Forfeiture Act Clause 31 (Okalik) 4124
Bill 39 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2017 – Notice 4099
Bill 32 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 5, 2015-2016 – Consideration in Committee 4100
Bill 33 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2016-2017 – Consideration in Committee 4102
Bill 35 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2017-2018 – Consideration in Committee 4107
Bill 36 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Consideration in Committee 4114
Bill 42 – An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act – Consideration in Committee 4117
Bill 19 – Unlawful Property Forfeiture Act – Consideration in Committee 4119
Bill 31 – An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act – Consideration in Committee 4125
Bill 32 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 5, 2015-2016 – Third Reading 4128
Bill 33 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2016-2017 – Third Reading 4128
Bill 35 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2017-2018 – Third Reading 4129
Bill 36 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Third Reading 4129
Bill 42 – An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act – Third Reading 4129
Bill 19 – Unlawful Property Forfeiture Act – Third Reading 4129
Bill 31 – An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act – Third Reading 4130
Speaker (interpretation): Good morning, my fellow Nunavummiut. Members, ministers, and (interpretation ends) Premier, (interpretation) welcome to the House.
Minister’s Statement 281 – 4(3): Nunavut Seniors Strategic Framework and Handbook Launch (Taptuna)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, elders are Nunavut’s strongest tie to our history and our resilient traditions, and to bridging our culture and language in the modern world. The Government of Nunavut is committed to supporting one of our most vulnerable and influential groups.
Mr. Speaker, today I’m going to be tabling two documents - Strategic Framework: Addressing the needs of Nunavut Seniors and the Nunavut Seniors’ Information Handbook.
Mr. Speaker, the strategic framework focuses on the challenges of Nunavut’s seniors, the current status of programs and services, and the next steps.
It acts as a starting point for the future development of a comprehensive Government of Nunavut seniors’ strategy to eliminate barriers and to enhance available community supports at the local level. This is a living document and will be updated and reviewed regularly as issues are raised and developments occur.
Mr. Speaker, the handbook was prepared as part of our work to plan ahead to make sure Nunavut’s seniors have adequate resources and easier access to support services.
The handbook lists what is available and where and who to contact for more information. In addition the handbook will soon be available in larger print. I hope that it provides the information our seniors need to help find services within their communities and across the territory.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to note that I have directed the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs to provide Nunavuumi Inutuqait Katujjiqatigiingit, the Nunavut Seniors Society, with $100,000 for the 2016-17 fiscal year, as well as an annual contribution of $150,000 moving forward.
The Nunavut Seniors Society acts as a voice to empower seniors and to advocate and educate on issues that affect seniors and help make their voices heard.
Mr. Speaker, I am confident that these are positive steps in our work to support Nunavut’s seniors, and I look forward to providing more updates as they occur.
Minister’s Statement 282 – 4(3): The Kitikmeot Regional Health Centre Residential Long-term Care Unit is Now Operational (Hickes)
While we’re on the topic of seniors, I would like to inform the House that the renovations to repurpose the Kitikmeot Regional Health Centre inpatient unit into the new long-term residential care unit have been completed.
This new unit supports seven residential long-term care beds plus one bed designated for respite and palliative care.
The level of care provided at this facility is intended for Nunavummiut who require professional nursing care up to level 4.
Mr. Speaker, all care on this unit is provided by new full-time positions. Seventeen new personal care workers, who are local residents, are currently receiving on-the-job training to fulfill the unit’s staffing requirements.
Mr. Speaker, our first two residents have already been admitted as of last week.
Health is committed to providing care for and support to Nunavummiut who need care while acknowledging the need for a made-in-Nunavut strategy.
I look forward to celebrating the formal grand opening of the facility.
Minister’s Statement 283 – 4(3): Elders and Youth Programs (Kuksuk)
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Good morning, (interpretation) my fellow Nunavummiut, as well as the people of Whale Cove and Arviat.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, the Department of Culture and Heritage is responsible for providing leadership in the development and implementation of policies, programs, and services aimed at youth and elders to strengthening the culture, language and heritage for Nunavut.
Elders have stressed the increasing importance of giving youth a connection to culture, traditional values, and skills. The Department of Culture and Heritage believes that elders play an important role in Inuit society.
To tackle that issue, in January 2017 Culture and Heritage met with eight elders, two from each region, to revise the Elders Programs Strategy.
Since then Culture and Heritage has been working on revising the strategy and implementing the recommendations of this strategy.
Culture and Heritage offered a tool-making workshop in Cambridge Bay in January 2017.
Culture and Heritage will be offering a fox trapping program in March 2017 hosted by Igloolik and have Kivalliq participants.