EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Many years ago, during the transitional years from the NWT to Nunavut, I remember our dreams and aspirations for this new government to be were to have more independence and jurisdiction in governing our people. That was one of the dreams that we had.
I remember Sheila MacPherson in the NWT legislature. In fact, I worked with her in a similar setting when I was the chairperson of the Committee of the Whole in the NWT and I am proud to be still working with her.
If not, we will go to Bill 60.
I believe you now have it in front of you.
I have an English version. (interpretation ends) Bill 60. Reprint. An Act Respecting the Nunavut Law Foundation. (interpretation) Clause 1.
Does the committee agree that Bill 60, as amended and reprinted, can now be read for the third time?
We have now dealt with Bill 60.
Minister Shewchuk, if you have any closing remarks, I give you the floor.
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Very quickly, Mr. Chairman, I thank you and your committee for reviewing this bill and in providing your support to the important Nunavut Law Foundation that we have in our territory.
Again I thank my witnesses and my staff for preparing this bill.
We will continue with the next item on our agenda, which is Bill 57.
Minister Shewchuk, it is still your department. If you have any opening comments, you may now proceed.
Bill 57 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2013 – Consideration in Committee
Very briefly, I am here today to discuss the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act.
This bill corrects inconsistencies and errors in certain enactments of Nunavut, corrects references to the Northwest Territories statutes, and repeals provisions that have ceased to have effect.
Mr. Chairman, I thank you and I would be happy to answer any questions that you or your committee might have.
Chairman: Minister Shewchuk, you might have to repeat yourself. I understand that the translation did not come through.
When the translation was being done, it was done in Inuktitut, so they didn’t switch over to the English in the booth.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. (interpretation ends) Minister Shewchuk, one more time.
I am here today to discuss the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act.
This bill corrects inconsistencies and errors in certain enactments of Nunavut, corrects references to Northwest Territories statutes, and repeals provisions that have ceased to have effect.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I would be happy to answer any questions you or your committee may have.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) I think we got all of that. (interpretation) At this time, I would like to ask the chair of the standing committee if he has any opening comments. Mr. Ningeongan.
As we’re moving along, we’re trying to make our statements shorter and shorter, so I’ll try and do the same.
As Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, I am pleased to make some very brief opening comments as we begin consideration of Bill 57, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2013.
The standing committee recognizes that Bill 57 is a non-contentious initiative that corrects inconsistencies and errors in a number of Nunavut’s existing statutes.
The standing committee recommends the passage of Bill 57 to all members.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningeongan. (interpretation ends) I appreciate it. (interpretation) Thank you.
Minister Shewchuk, will you have the same witnesses with you or do you need to bring in other witnesses?
They will remain the same.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) And it shall be. (interpretation) Are there any general comments to the opening comments?
If not, we will go to the clause-by-clause review.
Bill 57.
Please note that there are quite a number of pages and we will be going back and forth.
Just try and follow me and I will try to lead you.
Bill 57. (interpretation ends) Reprint. Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2013. (interpretation) Clause 1. Do you agree?
Chairman (interpretation): We will now go to page 19.
We will go back to page 2. Clause 5.
Chairman (interpretation): If you can go to page 22.
Go back. Clause 7.
Chairman (interpretation): Turn to page 23. Page 23.
We will go back to page 4.
Chairman (interpretation): Go to page 7.
We will now go to page 24.
Go back to page 7.
Chairman (interpretation): Page 25.
Chairman (interpretation): We will now go to page 26.
Chairman (interpretation): Page 26.
Chairman (interpretation): Page 27.
Chairman (interpretation): Page 28.
Schedule I. Do you agree?
Chairman (interpretation): Turn to page 33.
Chairman (interpretation): Page 35.
Chairman (interpretation): Go to page 36.
Chairman (interpretation): Go to page 38.
Chairman (interpretation): Do members agree that Bill 57, as amended and reprinted, is now ready for third reading?
Minister Shewchuk, now that we are done with Bill 57, do you have any closing remarks?
I thank you and your committee for reviewing this bill and giving it your approval.
Again I would like to thank my staff with the Department of Justice, especially the legislative counsel. That took a great deal of work.
As you know, as we have gone through this bill, I think there are 43 sections, but it does amend 40 Acts and three regulations and statutes in Nunavut. It’s always good to see that we are revising and updating our Acts and regulations to be “Nunavutized.”
Again I thank you and your committee, and we will keep pursuing renewing all of our legislation.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Shewchuk. We thank your staff. (interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms, you can now escort the witnesses out.
We will now deal with another bill and we need to get the documentation ready. We will take a five-minute break. We will come back at 25 minutes after the hour.
>>Committee recessed at 16:17 and resumed at 16:25
Bill 63 – An Act Consequential to the Government Reorganization of 2013 – Consideration in Committee
We can proceed with our meeting.
We will now be dealing with Bill 63.
If you have any opening comments, Minister of Justice, you may now proceed.
I am pleased to have this opportunity to present An Act Consequential to the Government Reorganization of 2013.
With me here today, I will have Daniel Vandermeulen, Deputy Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Ann McIntosh, Acting Director of the Legislation Division, Department of Justice.
The Government of Nunavut underwent restructuring, effective April 1, 2013, which involved the transfer of several functions between departments.
The reorganization also led to the establishment of the Department of Family Services, with responsibility for a number of programs and legislation previously the responsibility of other departments.
Consequential amendments are required to reflect the changes in new departmental names and to clarify the departments responsible for certain pieces of existing legislation.
Many government programs are based on legislative provisions.
In most cases, the relevant legislation simply refers to the “Minister responsible” for a particular Act, but a few Acts and regulations specify which minister or department is responsible for a provision or a program.
The proposed amendments are necessary to correct references where Acts or regulations identify the Minister of Health and Social Services as responsible for those that are now the responsibility of the Minister of Family Services or the Minister of Health as a result of the reorganization.
As you stated in your opening comments, you will have witnesses with you.
To my right, I have Daniel Vandermeulen, Deputy Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, and to my left, I have Ann McIntosh, Acting Director of the Legislation Division from the Department of Justice.
Welcome. (interpretation) As we proceed with the review of Bill 63, are there any general comments on the opening comments?
We will now proceed with the review of Bill 63, (interpretation ends) An Act Consequential to the Government Reorganization of 2013. (interpretation) Clause 1.
Chairman (interpretation): Turn the page. Clause 7.
Chairman (interpretation): Does the committee agree that Bill 63 is now ready for third reading?
Bill 63 is completed. Minister Shewchuk, if you have any closing remarks, you now have the opportunity.
I thank you and your committee for reviewing Bill 63.
I would like to thank my witnesses for being here with me today and for providing, clarifying, and supporting the new organization of the Government of Nunavut and the new departments.
Chairman: You’re welcome. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Ningeongan.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bills 44, 60, 57, and 63 and would like to report that Bills 44, 60, 57, and 63 are ready for third reading.
Thank you, Mr. Taptuna.
Bill 44 – An Act to Amend the Justices of the Peace Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 44, An Act to Amend the Justices of the Peace Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 44 has been read for the third time and is now ready for assent.
Bill 57 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2013 – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 57, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2013, be read for the third time.
Bill 57 has been read for the third time and is now ready for assent.
Bill 60 – An Act Respecting the Nunavut Law Foundation – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 60, An Act Respecting the Nunavut Law Foundation, be read for the third time.
Bill 60 has been read for the third time and as a result, it is ready for assent.
Bill 63 – An Act Consequential to the Government Reorganization of 2013 – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 63, An Act Consequential to the Government Reorganization of 2013, be read for the third time.
As such, Bill 63 has had third reading and is ready for assent.
Just a reminder that the meeting tomorrow of the Standing Committee on Legislation is cancelled.
Orders of the Day for May 14:
This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, May 14, at 1:30 p.m.
Again, happy birthday, Mr. Innuksuk.
>>House adjourned at 16:38  Appendix – May 13, 2013
2011-2012 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut
Louis Tapardjuk, MLA
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour today of presenting the report of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts on its review of the 2011-2012 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, Ms. Sandra Inutiq is the new Languages Commissioner for Nunavut.
She assumed her duties as Languages Commissioner on January 14, 2013, and is at the very beginning of her term.
The Languages Commissioner of Nunavut’s duties and responsibilities are established by two pieces of Nunavut legislation: the Official Languages Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act.
Nunavut’s new Official Languages Act which was passed in this House in 2008 and, with the exception of section 12(7)(c), came into force on April 1 of this year, 2013.
The Inuit Language Protection Act was also passed in this House in 2008, and has come into force in stages since that time.
Mr. Speaker, the Languages Commissioner has three main areas of responsibility: the investigation and resolution of concerns relating to language rights, providing guidance and support to various bodies and institutions, and the administration of her office.
As you will recall, Mr. Speaker, the Languages Commissioner’s Annual Report for 2011-2012 was tabled in this House on October 26, 2012.
While the Standing Committee recognized that the Languages Commissioner’s Annual Report described activities conducted in 2011 and 2012 under the tenure of her predecessor, Committee Members appreciated Ms. Inutiq’s willingness to update the Committee on the status of many of the Office’s activities over this period as well to discuss her own plans for the future.
The Standing Committee held its hearings on the Languages Commissioner’s 2011-2012 Annual Report from April 16 to 17, 2013.
Mr. Speaker, last year, the Standing Committee’s report on its review of the Languages Commissioner’s 2010-2011 Annual Report included a number of recommendations with respect to the presentation of information within the report.
The Standing Committee maintained the view that in order to gain a greater appreciation of the workload and focus of resources within the Office of the Languages Commissioner as well as the effectiveness of her role, a significantly greater level of detail regarding the activities undertaken by the Languages Commissioner’s Office should be included in her annual report.
Members were pleased to note that those recommendations have been followed.
The level of detail and analysis in the 2011-2012 Annual Report, specifically regarding concerns received and addressed by the Office of the Languages Commissioner, provides a very comprehensive overview of the Office’s activities in this area.
With respect to the 2011-2012 Annual Report’s description and analysis of investigations conducted by the Office of the Languages Commissioner, the Standing Committee also appreciated the level of information provided and looks forward to future updates in this area.
Mr. Speaker, in its report on the review of the Languages Commissioner’s 2010-2011 Annual Report, the Standing Committee had recommended that the Languages Commissioner and her staff work to create benchmarks for specific objectives and to establish criteria with which to evaluate progress towards meeting those objectives as they support language rights.
The Standing Committee had recommended that the Languages Commissioner report on her Office’s progress towards those benchmarks in her annual reports.
While the Standing Committee notes that the Office of the Languages Commissioner’s Office has made efforts to improve this aspect of the 2011-2012 Annual Report, Members were of the view that further work could be done in this area.
The Standing Committee recommends that the Languages Commissioner work to improve the benchmark criteria for the specific objectives listed in her Annual Report’s work plan section by establishing a baseline status for each proposed activity and indicating what measures will be used to evaluate the Office’s progress towards meeting each objective in support of the Office’s mandate.
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier, the Languages Commissioner’s duties are established under Nunavut’s language legislation.
For some sections of the legislation, Members raised the concern that developing the relevant guidelines, policies and parameters for implementing the law falls to the Office of the Languages Commissioner.
For example, under section 3(5) of the Inuit Language Protection Act, and in certain circumstances, it would fall to the Languages Commissioner to determine whether or not to relieve a private sector body of the obligation to provide Inuit Language services.
While the Languages Commissioner made it clear during our hearings that her Office had informed private sector bodies which are established for purposes relating primarily to the heritage, expression, strengthening or promotion of a non-Inuit linguistic community, such as the Francophone Association of Nunavut and the French school in Iqaluit, that they could be exempt from providing Inuit Language services under this section of the Act, it appeared that her Office had yet to establish the necessary guidelines by which to exempt other types of private sector bodies.
Committee Members were of the view that the Government of Nunavut should bear some responsibility for establishing the necessary criteria by which to implement this and other aspects of Nunavut’s language legislation.
Mr. Speaker, as I also mentioned earlier, the one section of Nunavut’s new Official Languages Act that did not to come into force on April 1, 2013, was section 12 (7) (c).
This section would have placed official language service obligations on third party contractors which deliver communications and services to the public on behalf of the government.
At this time, official language service obligations do not apply to third party contractors.
As noted by the Languages Commissioner during our hearings, a concern about whether the language rights of Nunavummiut are being respected when they are receiving services, for example, health services delivered by a third party contractor outside of Nunavut, could become quite complex to address.
The Standing Committee recommends that the Languages Commissioner work with representatives from the Government of Nunavut, and specifically with the Minister of Languages, to develop and establish the necessary guidelines and policies by which her Office can most effectively monitor the implementation of Nunavut’s language legislation.
Mr. Speaker, throughout the course of our hearings, Members provided a number of examples of federal agencies, federally-regulated agencies or federally-affiliated entities and raised a number of questions regarding the obligations of these entities with respect to Nunavut’s language legislation.
The Standing Committee remains somewhat unsure of the Languages Commissioner’s position on this issue.
The Standing Committee recommends that the Office of the Languages Commissioner be more fully prepared to substantively address issues relating to the delivery of services in the territory’s official languages by federal and federally-regulated entities and federally-affiliated organizations.
The Standing Committee membership itself includes speakers of no less than nine different dialects of the Inuit language, spanning all three regions of the territory.
Committee Members had strong but diverse views on the role that Nunavut’s language legislation should play with respect to the use of different dialects.
The issue of standardization, especially with respect to terminology and orthography, was also addressed in this context.
Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee firmly supports the protection and promotion of the Inuit language and its use as the working language of the Government of Nunavut.
The Committee discussed the importance of training and certifying interpreter-translators, teachers and education specialists as well as ensuring adequate levels of language competency to reach this goal.
While the Standing Committee fully recognizes that the responsibility for many aspects of language promotion and use across Nunavut does not fall under the mandate of the Languages Commissioner, Members are of the view that the success of her Office will be very much affected by developments in these areas.
The Standing Committee therefore encourages the Languages Commissioner to continue her review of language legislation in other jurisdictions, such as our neighbouring Greenland which has a much longer history of protecting and reinforcing Inuit language rights.
The Committee further encourages the Languages Commissioner to review factors relating to language loss which is a growing concern in some areas of Nunavut.
The Standing Committee recommends that the Languages Commissioner work closely with entities such as the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit, the Inuit Language Authority, the Minister of Languages, Nunavut Arctic College, and affected government departments to address those areas which will most directly affect how legislated language service obligations are met.
Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee applauds the Languages Commissioner’s enthusiasm and determination to address the issue of language learning in early childhood.
While Members agree that the need for action in this area is critical, it was suggested that the Languages Commissioner ensure that her activities fall within her mandate and complement and support those undertaken by entities such as District Education Authorities and the Department of Education.
The Standing Committee further appreciated the Languages Commissioner’s recognition of the specific needs and concerns of Elders with respect to language rights and issues across Nunavut.
The Standing Committee recommends that the Languages Commissioner collaborate with territorial, municipal and regional entities to address language issues which directly affect target groups such as young children, youth and Elders.
Mr. Speaker, that concludes the Standing Committee’s report.
I move that the report of the Standing Committee be received by the House.
DAY 82
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Pages 4562 – 4603
Opening Prayer 4562
Ministers’ Statements 4562
Members’ Statements 4565
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 4572
Oral Questions 4573
Petitions 4588
Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters* 4588
Tabling of Documents 4591
Notices of Motions 4591
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 4592
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 4592
Report of the Committee of the Whole 4602
Third Reading of Bills 4602
Orders of the Day 4602
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 4562
291 – 3(3): Wise Woman Award (Ell) 4562
292 – 3(3): Early Childhood Education Training in Nunavut (Shewchuk) 4563
293 – 3(3): New Sexual Health Resource: Choices Comic Book (Aariak) 4563
294 – 3(3): Skills Canada Nunavut (Ell) 4564
295 – 3(3): Importance of Airport Security (Taptuna) 4565
493 – 3(3): The Boston Bruins Win Series with Toronto Maple Leafs (Shewchuk) 4565
494 – 3(3): Audit Request Regarding Nutrition North Canada Program (Schell) 4566
495 – 3(3): Nutrition North Canada Program (Elliott) 4566
496 – 3(3): North West Company Attempts to Stifle Competition (Kusugak) 4567
497 – 3(3): Environmental Protection Initiative in Pangnirtung (Oshutapik) 4569
498 – 3(3): Congratulations to Sanikiluaq’s 2013 High School Graduates (Rumbolt) 4569
499 – 3(3): Supporting Cultural Instruction Programs in Nunavut’s Schools (Ningark) 4570
500 – 3(3): 2013 Graduates of Nunavut Sivuniksavut (Aariak) 4570
501 – 3(3): NS Graduates from Constituency (Ugyuk) 4572
502 – 3(3): Appreciation for Marion Love (Ningeongan) 4572
643 – 3(3): Cultural Programs in Nunavut Schools (Ningark) 4573
644 – 3(3): Government Office Space in Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt) 4574
645 – 3(3): Solid Waste Management Plan (Oshutapik) 4576
646 – 3(3): Indeterminate Nurses in Nunavut (Elliott) 4577
647 – 3(3): Status of New High School for Coral Harbour (Ningeongan) 4579
648 – 3(3): GN’s Position on Seismic Testing (Enook) 4580
649 – 3(3): Additional Office Space at Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt) 4582
650 – 3(3): Update on Devolution (Elliott) 4583
651 – 3(3): Status of Iqaluit International Airport Project (Enook) 4584
652 – 3(3): Status of Equipment Shelter in Arctic Bay (Elliott) 4585
653 – 3(3): Multiple Options Program (Elliott) 4586
006 – 3(3): Gjoa Haven Sewage Lagoon (Ugyuk) 4588
Committee Report 034 – 3(3): Bill 59, Collaboration for Poverty Reduction Act (Ningeongan) 4588
Committee Report 035 – 3(3): Report on the Review of the 2011-2012 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut (Elliott) 4588
368 – 3(3): Comic Book Titled “Choices” (Aariak) 4591
369 – 3(3): Fuel Tax Rebate Program 2011-2012 Annual Report (Peterson) 4591
370 – 3(3): Chief Medical Officer of Health’s 2011-2012 Tobacco Control Act Annual Report (Peterson) 4591
050 – 3(3): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Ningeongan) 4591
051 – 3(3): Performance Audit of the Nutrition North Canada Program – Notice (Schell) 4592
Bill 66 – Plebiscites Act – Notice 4592
Bill 59 – Collaboration for Poverty Reduction Act – Consideration in Committee 4592
Bill 59 – Collaboration for Poverty Reduction Act – Third Reading 4602
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Honourable Monica Ell, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Joe Enook, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Hezakiah Oshutapik, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Mr. Louis Tapardjuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Jeannie Ugyuk.
Before we proceed with today’s sitting, I would like to ask Ms. Ell to lead us off in a prayer, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Ell. (interpretation ends) I ask members to bear with me.