EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): We are reviewing all of those right now. In the coming weeks, we will be able to make an announcement on whether or not the price of fuel is going to change, Mr. Speaker.
The cold season is upon us and the consumption of fuel is increasing.
I want him to be mindful of that. The price of fuel has gone down a bit, so I’m sure that we will be asking to reduce the price of fuel.
Since Christmas is coming, that would be a great Christmas present from the minister.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Indeed, we are currently conducting our review of the fuel prices along with Department of Finance personnel.
What I can tell the member is that prior to the end of this session, I will be able to make an announcement with respect to fuel prices. I hope to answer his request then.
Question 122 – 3(2): Swimming Pool for Repulse Bay (Ningark)
Yesterday, a letter arrived from Repulse Bay to my offices from a young lady whose name is Jenny and she is nine years old. She wrote to me requesting that her community be granted a swimming pool and obviously I referred to that request in my Member’s Statement.
Further, there is a swimming pool identified for Repulse Bay within the capital estimates for the hamlet. Additionally, when the Minister of CGS was in Repulse Bay, he was notified about this request from the community. I am certain of that.
You already know what my question will be since I have already forwarded the letter to your department and I tabled it in the House.
As a side note, when the minister was but a child and couldn’t zip up his own parka nor put on his own Kamiik, I used to assist him all the time during our residential school tenure and I hope he doesn’t forget that assistance from those days.
I must have really assisted him as he has progressed all the way into a territorial minister.
Therefore, I would like to direct my question to the minister. Has he been included in the request and preparations for a swimming pool in the community of Repulse Bay?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, (interpretation ends) Hon. Louis Tapardjuk.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member as he took great care of me during our tenure at the residential school era; I was sent out when I was a bit too young.
With respect to his question, it is a good one to pose.
At this time, with respect to sports and recreation capital expenditure items, if there is an old facility that the community wants to convert into a swimming pool, then we have funds allocated towards those types of projects, but one has to apply for these funds. We have a set amount available right now.
On the other hand, if you’re requesting a brand new swimming pool, we’re not responsible for new facilities.
However, if you would like to convert an old facility into a swimming pool, we do have funds available and April 10 is the deadline for applications.
If they submit applications requesting funds to retrofit an old building into a swimming pool, we can review that type of request from the Hamlet of Repulse Bay. If they apply to this fund, then we can review their request or application, Mr. Speaker.
First of all, my supplementary question revolves around the Hamlet of Repulse Bay, whose council is quite passionate about getting a swimming pool for the benefit of their youth.
I believe that in their preparations, they have identified an old facility for conversion into a community swimming pool. They have set aside their old fire hall for conversion into a swimming pool. I assume that the Minister of CGS is already aware of these facts stemming from the community.
I imagine that the Minister of CLEY is also aware of that information. They are quite prepared in their quest for a local pool.
Perhaps your officials can work with the local government of Repulse Bay to discuss the matter of the swimming pool since they have the good offices of the minister to lean on. Will the minister direct his officials, perhaps on Monday, to communicate with the hamlet staff so that they can get the details about the facility that they wish to convert into a swimming pool?
Once we are in receipt of a written application or a formal request for a meeting with our department, then our office can work towards a reply to the community.
However, the onus is on the applicant to first submit a written application or formal request to meet with our office. We cannot direct, as a department, any community that this process or facility would be much better, so we require an application or request for assistance prior to our department becoming involved in this process.
We would prefer that the request be formally made so we can become involved.
That is all I can speak to at this time, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your second supplementary, Mr. Ningark.
Yesterday, I made a statement in regard to a person requesting to make a swimming pool and I also identified the individual youth who is requesting to get a swimming pool. The hamlet council has already made a request.
Did you see a copy of the letter from Jenny that I tabled yesterday?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, my officials can see if there was an application that was filled out. I haven’t personally seen an application form sent out by that community, but I will inform the member once I find out.
Yes, I have seen the letter and I feel compassion for that youth.
I cannot even swim myself. Perhaps once they get a swimming pool, they can teach me how to swim.
Tabled Document 061 – 3(2): Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Response to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Accountability (Tootoo)
I am very pleased, as the Clerk is well aware, to be able to table today the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s response to the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations’ recommendations.
An Hon. Member: Yay!
Item 14. Notices of Motions. Mr. Ningark.
Motion 010 – 3(2): Censure of the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Pangnirtung – Notice (Ningark)
I give notice that on Monday, November 30, 2009, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Kugluktuk, that the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Pangnirtung be censured.
Motion 011 – 3(2): Acceptance of the Report of the Integrity Commissioner to the Legislative Assembly Regarding Mr. Paul Okalik – Notice (Tootoo)
I give notice that on Monday, November 30, 2009, I will be moving the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Cambridge Bay, that the sanctions and recommendations contained in the report of the Integrity Commissioner be accepted.
Bill 11 – An Act to Establish the Order of Nunavut – Notice
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I give notice that on Monday, November 30, 2009, I will move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Quttiktuq, that Bill 11, An Act to Establish the Order of Nunavut, be read for the first time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
There are no nays. You may deal with your motion, Mr. Ningark.
Motion 010 – 3(2): Censure of the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Pangnirtung (Ningark)
Mr. Ningark: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues.
WHEREAS section 18(1) and (3) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that the Legislative Assembly has the power to discipline its members;
AND WHEREAS it is incumbent upon all of the Members of the Legislative Assembly to conduct themselves according to the highest standard of behaviour;
AND WHEREAS the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Pangnirtung has apologized to this House and Nunavummiut for his unacceptable conduct at the Larga Baffin Medical Boarding Home;
Thank you. Mr. Ningark.
I will not speak to the principle of the motion for the hon. member has already made a statement earlier in this House.
All those in favour of the motion, please raise your hand. I would like to note that you have unanimously voted in favour of the motion.
Bill 12 – Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Protection Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Amittuq, that Bill 12, Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Protection Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 12 has had first reading.
Bill 14 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009, No. 2 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 14, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009, No. 2, be read for the first time.
The motion is in order. All those in favour of the motion, please raise your hand.
Bill 18 – Language Statutes Amendment Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 18, Language Statutes Amendment Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 21 – An Act to Amend the Utility Rates Review Council Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Kugluktuk, that Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Utility Rates Review Council Act, be read for the first time.
The motion is carried. Bill 21 has had first reading.
I request consent of this Assembly to waive the one-day notice requirement to allow for the second reading of Bill 12, Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Protection Act.
The member is seeking consent under Rule 62(2) to allow Bill 12 to be read for the second time today.
There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Kusugak.
Bill 12 – Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Protection Act – Second Reading
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Amittuq, that Bill 12, Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Protection Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill provides protection from creditors for the pension entitlements of members of the Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan and restricts the ability of members to pledge as security their pension entitlements under the plan.
Bill 12 has had second reading and is referred to the appropriate standing committee.
Bill 13 – An Act to Amend the Retirement Plan Beneficiaries Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Retirement Plan Beneficiaries Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill adds tax-free savings accounts and types of accounts for which plan holders may designate beneficiaries so that assets in the accounts will not fall into the holders’ general estate on death.
The name of the Act is changed to reflect that it no longer deals only with retirement related plans.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The motion is in order. Question has been called.
The motion is carried and Bill 13 is referred to the appropriate standing committee.
I request consent of this Assembly to waive the one-day notice requirement to allow for the second reading of Bill 14, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009, No. 2.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister. The minister is seeking consent under Rule 62(2) to allow Bill 14 to be read for the second time today.
Are there any nays? There are none.
Bill 14 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009, No.2 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 14, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009, No. 2, be read for the second time.
Bill 14 has had second reading and is referred to the appropriate standing committee.
Second Reading of Bills. Mr. Tapardjuk.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request consent of this Assembly to waive the one-day notice requirement to allow for the second reading of Bill 18, Language Statutes Amendment Act.
The minister is seeking consent under Rule 62(2) to allow Bill 18 to be read for the second time today.
Bill 18 – Language Statutes Amendment Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 18, Language Statutes Amendment Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Inuit Language Protection Act to remove provisions made unnecessary as the result of the concurrence of Parliament that became effective on June 11, 2009.
This bill also corrects inconsistencies and errors in the Inuit Language Protection Act and the new Official Languages Act.
Question has been called. All those in favour of the motion, please raise your hand.
The motion is carried. Bill 18 has had second reading and is referred to the appropriate standing committee.
Second Reading of Bills. Mr. Curley.
I request consent of this Assembly to waive the one-day notice requirement to allow for the second reading of Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Utility Rates Review Council Act.
The minister is seeking consent under Rule 62(2) to allow Bill 21 to be read for the second time today.
There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Minister.
Bill 21 – An Act to Amend the Utility Rates Review Council Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat, that Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Utilities Rate Review Council Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Act to increase the size of the review council and to create the position of executive director.
The authority of the review council to establish panels and require information is clarified.
The procedure for handling rate applications is amended by conferring on the minister for the review council the power to authorize the imposition of interim rates.
The bill allows the review council to determine whether a rate application is minor or major and to take additional time to consider the latter.
The bill clarifies the procedure for making information publicly known.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, the bill corrects several errors.
Bill 21 has had second reading and is referred to the appropriate standing committee.
Motion 012 – 3(2): Early Adjournment (Schell)
We will go directly to Item 22 on the order paper. Mr. Clerk.
Clerk (Mr. Quirke): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Notice of meetings: there’s a meeting of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development at twelve o’clock in the Tuktu Room; there is also a meeting of the Management and Services Board at half past one in the Tuktu Room. I ask that members check the sessional work plan for meetings on Monday morning.
Motion 11 – 3(2)
This House stands adjourned until Monday, November 30, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 11:58
Monday, November 30, 2009
Pages 710 – 769
Opening Prayer 710
Ministers’ Statements 710
Members’ Statements 714
Returns to Oral Questions 717
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 718
Oral Questions 718
Tabled Documents 735
Motions 736
Point of Privilege 747
Point of Privilege 748
First Reading of Bills 749
Second Reading of Bills 750
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 751
Report of the Committee of the Whole 767
Revert to Item 3: Members’ Statements 768
Orders of the Day 768
Monday, November 30, 2009 710
056 – 3(2): ASIST Training (Tapardjuk) 710
057 – 3(2): Nunavut Film, Television and Digital Media Summit (Taptuna) 711
058 – 3(2): Land Based Camps Program a Success (Shewchuk) 711
059 – 3(2): 2009 Canada Summer Games (Tapardjuk) 712
060 – 3(2): Nunavut’s Participation in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games (Taptuna) 713
061 – 3(2): Child and Family Services Knowledge Sharing Forum (Curley) 713
091 – 3(2): Congratulations to Montreal Alouettes (Schell) 714
092 – 3(2): Need for Social Workers in the High Arctic (Elliott) 715
093 – 3(2): The Olympic Flame in Kugluktuk (Taptuna) 716
094 – 3(2): Coral Harbour Men’s Group Steps Forward (Ningeongan) 716
095 – 3(2): Response to the Acceptance of the Report of the Integrity Commissioner to the Legislative Assembly Regarding Mr. Paul Okalik, MLA (Okalik) 768
Return to Oral Question 105 – 3(2): Government Response to Conservation Officer’s Actions (Shewchuk) 717
123 – 3(2): Five-Year Funding Agreement with Health Canada (Okalik) 718
124 – 3(2): Status of New Dozer for Grise Fiord (Elliott) 720
125 – 3(2): Update on Federal Funding Request for Small Craft Harbours (Arvaluk) 721
126 – 3(2): Update on Language Laws Consultation (Elliott) 722
127 – 3(2): Funds for Kinngait Studio (Schell) 723
128 – 3(2): Eliminating Violence against Women (Okalik) 724
129 – 3(2): Capital Planning Process (Elliott) 725
130 – 3(2): Annual Sealift Resupply for Kugaaruk (Ningark) 727
131 – 3(2): Metal Waste in Iqaluit (Okalik) 727
132 – 3(2): Sale of Inuksuit for 2010 Olympics (Okalik) 729
133 – 3(2): Federal Funding for Medical Travel (Elliott) 729
134 – 3(2): Implementation of New Language Laws (Okalik) 731
135 – 3(2): Bilingual Bonus for Educators (Arvaluk) 732
136 – 3(2): Union for Nunavut Nurses (Okalik) 734
062 – 3(2): House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (Taptuna) 735
063 – 3(2): Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Report to Cabinet on Provincial/Territorial Housing Ministers’ Meeting (Tootoo) 736
064 – 3(2): 2008 Qulliq Energy Corporation Annual Report (Tootoo) 736
065 – 3(2): 2008-2009 Annual Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Nunavut (Speaker) 736
011 – 3(2): Acceptance of the Report of the Integrity Commissioner to the Legislative Assembly Regarding Mr. Paul Okalik, MLA (Tootoo) 736
Bill 19 – An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act – First Reading 750
Bill 19 – An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act – Second Reading 750
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2010-2011 – Nunavut Housing Corporation – Consideration in Committee 751
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2010-2011 – Justice – Consideration in Committee 764
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. James Arvaluk, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Honourable Tagak Curley, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Adamee Komoartok, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Paul Okalik, 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): Thank you. Before we proceed to today’s agenda, I would like to ask Mr. Elliott to say the opening prayer. Mr. Elliott.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. (interpretation) Good afternoon, Premier, Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, Nunavummiut, and the people of Clyde River, especially my grandchildren.
Minister’s Statement 056 – 3(2): ASIST Training (Tapardjuk)
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the 97 teachers from across Nunavut who participated in the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training workshops in Iqaluit this past September.
The goal of the ASIST program is to help people feel more comfortable, confident, and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide.
The ASIST program is being culturally adapted to meet our needs and will be renamed Uqaqatigiilluk!/Talk About It!
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform my colleagues that in February, we will be offering the ASIST training to our school community counsellors.
I am pleased as well to inform my colleagues that the Nunavut Teachers Association and the Department of Education are hoping to offer the program to a second group of teachers in the New Year as part of their Professional Improvement Program.
Mr. Speaker, it is important that all community leaders strive to promote positive, healthy life choices for our youth.
This requires all of us to be the best role models we can be so that our children, the future of Nunavut, choose to live positively, are proud of their language and culture, and are contributing members of their community.
Mr. Speaker, I must take this opportunity to thank our partner, the Nunavut Teachers Association, for helping to make this training program such a success.
Please join me in congratulating the 97 teachers for successfully completing the training and their willingness to address this most difficult subject.
Minister’s Statement 057 – 3(2): Nunavut Film, Television and Digital Media Summit (Taptuna)
I want to inform Members of this House of an important meeting which took place recently here in Iqaluit on September 22 and 23 of this year: the Nunavut Film, Television and Digital Media Summit.
This summit brought together filmmakers from across Nunavut, as well as guest filmmakers from other parts of Canada, local businesses, Inuit organizations, and funders from territorial and other national agencies.
A highlight of the summit was the presentation of the first economic impact study on the film industry in Nunavut.
This study documents the considerable impact of this industry on our territorial economy. In the past four years, total film production spending has averaged almost $10 million annually.
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Mr. Speaker, the cultural industries in Nunavut, of which film, television, and digital media are very important parts, is playing an increasingly important role in Nunavut’s economy.
As members know, the government is committed to working with artists and the business community to create a more cohesive cultural and arts sector.
I want to congratulate the Nunavut Film Development Corporation for their sponsorship of the Nunavut Film, Television and Digital Media Summit and for all of the work that they do to strengthen the cultural industries in the territory. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 058 – 3(2): Land Based Camps Program a Success (Shewchuk)
I am pleased to inform members of a very successful initiative of the Department of Environment.
This summer, students from across Nunavut participated in innovative land-based camp programs run in partnership with a number of community-based organizations.
The pilot camps, which took place outside of Kugluktuk and in Katannilik Territorial Park outside of Kimmirut, were part of a curriculum development project involving elders and representatives from several organizations, including the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, the Department of Education, and Nunavut Arctic College. The goal of this project is to develop land-based camp curriculum that engage Nunavut youth in Inuit traditional knowledge and science learning activities on the land.
One of the main successes of the camp curriculum was that it involved many different stakeholders equally in program development and delivery.
While out on the land, elders, scientists, teachers, Department of Environment staff, and students came together to share knowledge and unique perspectives on the environment.
These camps helped students to see the local landscape through the lenses of both science and Inuit traditional knowledge and deepened their understanding of the cultural, traditional, and scientific significance of the surrounding environment.
Mr. Speaker, these camp programs are a key step in building capacity among Nunavutmiut to become future leaders in environmental stewardship, management, and research in the territory. The Department of Environment looks forward to continuing in partnership with the multi-stakeholder working groups to make these land-based learning opportunities available in many other communities in the future.
Minister’s Statement 059 – 3(2): 2009 Canada Summer Games (Tapardjuk)
I am pleased to provide an update to members on Team Nunavut’s participation in the 2009 Canada Summer Games hosted in the province of Prince Edward Island August 15 to 29.
The Canada Games provide an opportunity to promote athletic excellence and provide participants with an opportunity to share Nunavut’s unique culture while celebrating in the diversity of life in Canada.
Preparation for an event of this scale requires commitment and effort from not only the athletes and performers but from the volunteers, parents, and support personnel.
All should be congratulated for the role in preparing the participants for the games.