EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Nattilik, that Bill 7, The Integrity Act be read for the third time.
The motion is carried and bill 7 has had third reading.
Mr. Clerk. Item 22.
Orders of the Day for Monday May 28, 2001:
Before we adjourn, I would ask members to stay behind after the adjournment to have some photos taken in front of the tent ring so that we can have a record of this historic session under the midnight sun in Cambridge Bay.
In accordance with the authority vested in me this House stands adjourned until May 28, 2001, 1.30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 2.05 a.m.
Monday May 28, 2001
Pages 1557 - 1607
Opening Prayer 1557
Assent to Bills 1557
Ministers' Statements 1557
Members' Statements 1561
Oral Questions 1570
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills. 1589
Tabling of Documents 1590
Notices of Motions 1590
Motions 1592
Revert to Item 14: Notices of Motions 1594
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1595
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1606
Orders of the Day 1606
Monday May 28, 2001 1557
085 – 1(5): Minister's Absence (Ng) 1557
086 – 1(5): Graduation in Pond Inlet (Kilabuk) 1557
087 – 1(5): Government of Nunavut Staffing Capacity & IEP (Ng) 1558
088 – 1(5): Report on Fuel Rebate Program (Thompson) 1559
089 – 1(5): Greenland Arts Festival (Akesuk) 1559
090 – 1(5): New Social Housing Units (Thompson) 1560
221 – 1(5): Youth Trek for Suicide Prevention (Iqarialu) 1561
222 - 1(5): Post Secondary Tuition Costs (Puqiqnak) 1561
223 - 1(5): Iqaluit Wrestling Team (Tootoo) 1562
224 - 1(5): News Report on Cambridge Bay Session (Anawak) 1562
225 - 1(5): Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan (Mclean) 1563
226 – 1(5): Igloolik Community Hall Extension (Irqittuq) 1564
227 – 1(5): Kugaaruk Fishing Derby (Alakannuark) 1564
228 – 1(5): NEU Job Action (Ng) 1565
229 – 1(5): Thor Simonson’s Book (Picco) 1568
230 – 1(5): Suicide Rates - Deline & Kugluktuk Youth (Havioyak) 1569
231 - 1(5): School Summer Break (Thompson) 1569
253 - 1(5): Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan (Mclean) 1570
254 - 1(5): Igloolik Community Hall Update (Irqittuq) 1571
255 – 1(5): Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti Review Committee (Tootoo) 1573
256 - 1(5): Update on Replacement for St. Theresa’s Hospital (Arvaluk) 1575
257 - 1(5): Innuinaqtun Dictionary (Havioyak) 1579
258 – 1(5): Hamlet Recognition by Federal Legislation (Iqaqrialu) 1580
259 – 1(5): Increase in Student Financial Assistance (Puqiqnak) 1582
260 - 1(5): Pension Concerns (Nutarak) 1583
261 – 1(5): Savings Due to Dissolution of Health Boards (Williams) 1584
262 – 1(5): Repulse Bay Community Freezer (Alakannuark) 1588
029 – 1(5): 2000 Public Utilities Board Annual Report (Thompson) 1590
030 – 1(5): Towards a Representative Public Service (Ng) 1590
031 – 1(5): E-mail to NEU Members (Ng) (Ruled Out of Order) 1590
032 – 1(5): CLEY - Grants and Contributions Expenditures 2000/01 (Kattuk) 1590
033 – 1(5): Media Release - Paper Boy / Thor Simonson (Picco) 1590
007 - 1(5): Extended Adjournment (McLean) 1592
008 - 1(5): Income Support Consultations (Arvaluk) 1593
009 - 1(5): Nunavut Tourism Consultations (Tootoo) 1593
010 - 1(5): Review of Bill 9 be Extended (Williams) 1594
Bill 8 - An Act to Amend Certain Acts Concerning Health Professions 1589
Bill 10 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act, Parental Leave 1589
Bill 5 – Loan Authorization Act, 2001-02 – Assent 1557
Bill 7 – Integrity Act – Assent 1557
Bill 11 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 1, 2001-02 - Assent 1557
Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Honourable Jack Anawak, Mr. James Arvaluk, Mr. Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Honourable Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Glenn McLean, Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Honourable Ed Picco, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Rebekah Williams.
Before continuing on with the Orders of the Day, I have a note here from the Commissioner of Nunavut addressed to myself.
I am pleased to provide assent to the following Bills.
Bill 5 – Loan Authorization Act, 2001-02 – Assent
Bill 7 – Integrity Act – Assent
Bill 11 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 1, 2001-02 - Assent
Signed by the Commissioner of Nunavut, Peter Irniq.
Continuing on with the Orders of the Day.
Minister's Statement 085 – 1(5): Minister's Absence
I wish to advise members that the Honourable Paul Okalik will be absent from the House today and tomorrow to attend the Western Premiers’ Meeting.
Speaker: Item 2. Ministers' Statements.
Minister's Statement 086 – 1(5): Graduation in Pond Inlet
Mr Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to inform members of a graduation that took place in Pond Inlet on May 25th.
It is an exciting time for the community as it is the first graduation at the Bachelors of Education degree level taking place outside of Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize today that the successes of the graduates are a result of their hard work and dedication.
These thirteen graduates are joining a growing list of Inuit educators in Nunavut.
They are; Joatta Arnakallak, Geebowah Arreak, Rhoda Atagootak, Susie Enook, Akoela Kautainuk, Yvonne Kayotak, Tuqqasie Killiktee, Carmen Kyak, April Kyak, Joanna Nutarak, Meeka Qamaniq, Elijah Tigullaraq, and last but not least Naomi Tigullaraq
Please join me in congratulating the graduates.
Minister's Statement 087 – 1(5): Government of Nunavut Staffing Capacity & IEP
I am pleased to be able to provide Members of the Legislative Assembly with the Government of Nunavut's fourth quarter staffing capacity and Inuit Employment statistics for 2000 and 2001.
Mr. Speaker, as of March 31 2001, 80% of the 2,717 positions within the departments, boards and agencies of the Government of Nunavut were filled.
We are making steady progress in filling vacant positions.
At the end of the same quarter last year we were reporting that only 68% of identified positions were filled.
This is a significant increase in one year.
Mr. Speaker, of all the filled positions, beneficiaries occupy 943 or 43% of the 2,171 filled positions.
We are continuing to experience a great deal of competition between both public and private sectors for beneficiaries and I am pleased to see that this number is staying relatively stable.
Mr. Speaker, the Staffing Division of the Department of Human Resources has initiated 134 competitions during the last quarter of this fiscal year.
Overall, we are making progress towards our goal of full capacity and a representative public service, notwithstanding the many challenges that face us.
Whatever progress we have made in the last quarter of the last fiscal year, we may see some slight decline in numbers in the next report, due mainly to the Nunavut Employees' Union job action.
During the job action the department was not able to advertise, recruit or hire any unionized positions.
Now that the NEU membership has ratified the Government of Nunavut's final offer, the Department of Human Resources will renew its full staffing process.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Department of Human Resources and all Government of Nunavut departments for working hard over the last year in their efforts to recruit staff.
Their combined efforts have been very successful in moving us from 68% staffing levels to 80%.
Minister's Statement 088 – 1(5): Report on Fuel Rebate Program
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to report on the success of the Nunavut Fuel Rebate Program.
Mr. Speaker, in recognition of the high cost of fuel to Nunavut households, the Nunavut Housing Corporation announced a Fuel Rebate Program.
This program provided households with low to moderate incomes which are responsible to pay for their own home heating fuel, a fuel rebate cheque in the amount of 450 dollars.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that this program was a great success with over 1,360 households receiving a fuel rebate cheque with a total cash value of over 612 thousand dollars.
I must take this opportunity to thank the staff from the Nunavut Housing Corporation and the local housing organizations who assisted with the delivery of this program at the community level.
The staff dedication and hard work can be measured by the success of this program.
Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker.
Minister's Statement 089 – 1(5): Greenland Arts Festival
Mr. Speaker, earlier this year I was invited by the Honourable Simon Olsen, Minister of Industry for Greenland to attend the Greenland Arts Festival, which takes place this week in Nuuk.
The business of this House has kept me here in Cambridge Bay.
(interpretation ends) I am pleased to report however, that there will be strong representation from Nunavut at this important international arts event.
Three artists from Iqaluit, Ross Kayotak, Thomasie Etuangat and Aaju Peter, and Jolly Atagooyuk from Pangnirtung, Pierre Aupilardjuk from Rankin Inlet and Bobby Anavilok from Kugluktuk will attend the festival.
The participation of these artists in the Greenland Festival has been organized by the Nunavut Arts & Crafts Association and received financial assistance from the Department of Sustainable Development.
Minister's Statement 090 – 1(5): New Social Housing Units
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give members an update on the Nunavut Housing Corporation's commitment to increase the number of social housing units in Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce the Nunavut Housing Corporation has implemented the Minister's Task Force on Housing recommendation in the interim report and have successfully delivered all 100 new units to the communities.
We have made a very positive impact on the families that have moved to these new units.
Mr. Speaker, another 2000-2001 housing initiative was to lease up to 40 social housing units for a five year period.
Although the budget did not allow us to achieve our goal of 40 units, I am pleased to report that the Corporation has completed its review of available properties and have entered into lease arrangements for 33 units.
In addition, the Nunavut Housing Corporation identified a total of 17 homeownership units.
These units were located in communities that did not have any potential homeownership clients.
We were not willing to leave these units vacant.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to say that the 17 units have been transferred to the social housing portfolio.
Mr. Speaker, through these three initiatives and the Housing Corporation's commitment to build 50 new social housing units this construction season, we will be able to provide an additional 200 desperately needed social housing units to Nunavummiut in a two year period.
>>Applause  Speaker: Thank you, Ms. Thompson.
Member's Statement 221 – 1(5): Youth Trek for Suicide Prevention
Mr. Speaker, I rise today give you an update on the youth that trekked from out on the land to Clyde River, which happened last week.
The youth of Clyde River stayed overnight and trekked 20 miles.
There were 39 youth participating.
Four of them had to be picked up as they could no longer walk and some of the youth were falling down from exhaustion by the time they reached our community.
This was a suicide prevention and awareness program that the youth were doing.
It is something that we are very proud of and it shows us what we can do to prevent suicide.
I am extremely proud that the youth of my community did this.
I would like to have the communities of Nunavut more aware of suicide prevention as something that the youth can initiate.  Give the opportunity to the youth so that they can overcome their challenges so that they can have a long and fulfilled life.
It has been extremely beneficial to the people of Clyde River and there were no dry eyes by the time the youth arrived to the shores of Clyde River.
If I was there I'm sure I would have been emotionally affected the same way.
Again I would like to say that I am very proud of our youth.
Member's Statement 222 - 1(5): Post Secondary Tuition Costs
Mr. Speaker, first of all I would like to thank the communities in my constituency.
We were able to include them in the tour that we went on to Taloyoak and Uqsuqtuq with some of the MLAs.
The mayor from my community stated that he was very thankful that the Members of the Legislative Assembly and the Government of Nunavut were able to visit the community.
So on behalf of the mayor of that community I would like to say thank you to the members.
I will not state all the names but I would like to thank Minister Ng, Minister Anawak and Minister Kattuk and all members who participated in that tour.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make a statement about a concern that was given by a parent about a student attending university, that the present package for student financial assistance does not even cover half of the actual tuition costs.
This is a concern for the parents because they will have more than one child wanting to attend university next fall.
These and other parents are not sure how they will be able to pay for tuition for more than one dependant in university.
Mr. Speaker, I will be asking questions later to the Minister of Education because I am sure this is a concern to all Nunavummiut who have children who are planning to attend university in the future.
Member's Statement 223 - 1(5): Iqaluit Wrestling Team
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to start off first by recognizing the efforts of everyone from the Iqaluit Fire Department, the Airport Fire Department, EMO and the RCMP who were involved last night in fighting the fire at the First Air hanger in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the efforts of several students of Inukshuk High School who represented their school, Iqaluit and Nunavut last month in the Four City Wrestling Festival in London, Ontario.
Brendan Doherty, Luke Joamie, Nanauk Kusugak, Andrew Morrison, and Daniel Young were accompanied by their coach and principal of Inukshuk High School, Mr. Terry Young, to this tournament.
Mr. Speaker, Daniel and Nanauk both won bronze medals in their weight categories and I’m told that all of the athletes that participated did extremely well in the tournament and they also performed well as ambassadors for Iqaluit and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the members to join me in thanking and congratulating our young athletes.
Member's Statement 224 - 1(5): News Report on Cambridge Bay Session
Mr. Speaker, first of all I extend my congratulations to the youth that the Member for Uqqummiut spoke about.
It is a very worthwhile effort and something that we should support.
While we have been here during this session we have done quite a lot of things.
There was the Loan Authorization Act and the Integrity Act that we dealt with in our midnight session.
There was also the Change of Name Act which we dealt with and we have one other Act that we dealt with.
Also, yesterday we went to Kugaaruk, Taloyoak and Uqsuqtuq.
Those are some of the things that we did while we were in Cambridge Bay.
Our Human Resource Minister also announced that we have come to an agreement with the union.
So those are the things that we have dealt with this week.
But I was a little bit surprised this morning.
I don't know if my skin is too thin but when I was listening to the radio this morning somebody asked what we did while we were here in Cambridge Bay.
It was reported that we’ve had a good time all along.
It sounded like we were just here having fun and being on vacation.
That is what that surprised me a little bit when I heard that on the radio this morning.
But we did do a lot of work.
We worked extremely hard and of course there were some fishing trips or excursions and so on.
But while we were here we worked extremely hard, so this morning was a bit surprising.
If I was listening to the radio over there I would just think that we were here on vacation.
Maybe my skin is too thin but I would like the people out there to know that we worked extremely hard.
But again when we had the opportunity to go fishing or to go seal hunting or to do some other activities, of course we went.
Also our staff, our interpreters and Members of the Legislative Assembly worked extremely hard.
Member's Statement 225 - 1(5): Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan
Mr. Speaker, today I lend my support to my community of Baker Lake in its efforts to bring the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan to finalization.
Mr. Speaker, the community of Baker Lake has worked for some time in co-operation with the community of Lutsel’ke on the management plan for the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary.
From 1994 to 1997 the Akinilik planning committee helped to prepare the plan.
More recently in March of this year the two communities met again to review the plan.
Mr. Speaker, the communities of Baker Lake and Lutsel’ke have a long history of living on the land in this area and they share a common interest of protecting the land, water and wildlife of the Thelon.
They have worked together to determine the best ways to manage their heritage and resources.
At this point Mr. Speaker, at this point the community of Baker Lake and Lutsel’ke have agreed to accept the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary management plan in principle.
I urge the Minister of Sustainable Development to also accept the plan in principle and to work with his counterparts in the Northwest Territories to provide the resources to the communities of Baker Lake and Lutsel’ke to proceed to a Joint Management Board.
A Joint Management Board needs to be established so that certain key issues within the plan can be re-addressed and re-drafted with consultation in the communities.
With the appropriate resources in place a plan can be finalized this summer.
Mr. Speaker, it is important that the Department of Sustainable Development recognize the efforts of these communities and lend its support to the finalization of the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan.
I shall be asking the minister some questions on this issue at a different time.
Member's Statement 226 – 1(5): Igloolik Community Hall Extension
Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a statement about something I have spoken about before, the Igloolik community hall.
Igloolik has a population of approximately 1,200 or more and all the members know about the community hall because you have gone there before.
As members know there is not much room and it is a safety issue when there are too many people in that community hall.
Mr. Speaker, when we look at the capital plans, I would like the members and the ministers to consider the extension of that community hall.
Member's Statement 227 – 1(5): Kugaaruk Fishing Derby
Excuse me for my hoarse voice. I was happy that we were able to travel to my community yesterday.
Also Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say how happy I was to see so many participants at the fishing derby held in my community of Kugaaruk last week from the 19th to 21st.
I could not even begin to count the number of people that actually came.
Mr. Speaker, the fishing derby participants travelled to Kugaaruk from Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak and Repulse Bay.
This derby certainly brought together all the people that live in and around that area.
It was a very nice sight to so many tents and people that had relatives staying with them.
Mr. Speaker, I could visually see how this derby brought to all participants the feeling of togetherness as Inuit used to gather.
There were smiling faces, happy greetings, laughter and joy amongst the winners and those that did not win were still very joyful.
Mr. Speaker, the first prize was a snowmobile that was won by Uqsuqtuq's Pirgunee Kumagak, and the second prize was 2,500 dollars won by a person from Taloyoak, Ulugak.
Mr. Speaker, I am inviting members and anyone else to join us in this event if they happen to be around my community next year.
Member's Statement 228 – 1(5): NEU Job Action
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to address the Legislative Assembly and the leadership of the Nunavut Employees' Union on the recent job action here in Cambridge Bay and in communities across Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased, as are all my fellow MLAs that the Nunavut Employees' Union membership has voiced their opinion and accepted the Government of Nunavut's final offer.
As the Government of Nunavut has repeated throughout this debate, the final offer struck a balance, it was fair to our employees and responsible to Nunavut's citizens.
The decision by the Nunavut Employees' Union to conduct their vote by secret ballot is one that I applaud.
A secret ballot enables an individual to express his or her opinion without fear of reprisal or retribution.
In theory this process should be free and clear of intimidation.
An individual should be free to express his or her own opinion and form their own thoughts without being stage managed and intimidated by their elected leadership.
This forms the basis of democracy.
During the recent strike activity across Nunavut, union members have picketed Government of Nunavut facilities and freely expressed their opinion on the issues at hand.
Freedom of expression is constitutionally guaranteed and underpins one of the basic freedoms that we, as Canadians, enjoy.
I respect a difference of opinion, as do all Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Yet I expect individuals to express their opinions in a manner that is respectful of others.
Mr. Speaker, some union members did not hold respect for differing opinions during the recent job action.
Some individuals have targeted myself, as the Minister of Finance and MLA for Cambridge Bay, as a focal point for their demonstrations and protests.
These same union leaders have personalized this dispute between the Government of Nunavut and the Nunavut Employees' Union through their personal attacks on my family and I.
Mr. Speaker, it is well known that it was only a handful of the elected union leadership who led the charge in targeting my family and I in their demonstrations and protests.
They have also been leading the charge in sanctioning strike action to advocate their demands and furthering their personal agendas.
More seriously, Mr. Speaker, these same individuals have been intimidating other union members into joining the job action on the picket line.
Mr. Speaker, I will be tabling a copy of an e-mail correspondence later today, for all Members of the Legislative Assembly and for the public to see.
It clearly shows that intimidation, again that some union leadership were practicing, during and leading up to the job action.
I would like Mr. Speaker, to read some excerpts from this e-mail into the public record of the Hansard, once I have permission to continue on in concluding my statement, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: I believe the minister is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
You may proceed, Mr. Ng.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you, members and honourable colleagues. I quote Mr. Speaker:
"Please, no bodily harm.
Tempers will be high and everyone hates a scab who first undermines our struggle then takes the benefits of it.
However, that person will be photographed and their name recorded.
They will be subject to full union discipline, which means being expelled from the union and possibly fined. " Unquote.
Quote again. " Once a person is expelled from the union they are a non-union worker in a union job.
The employer may either move them to an excluded position or replace them.
We don't expect the employer to replace them, however we will file an expedited grievance and request that an arbitrator compel the government to remove the person.
The person will not have the benefit of representation at grievances, and will have to furnish their own legal counsel if they are involved in a grievance." Unquote.
Quote again. " There will be a wall of shame at the union hall to remind people who the scabs were.
We may send a delegation of picketers to the individual's home to counsel them about the harm they are doing to their brothers and sisters who are accepting the burden of social justice.
I guess their neighbours and family will wonder what sort of person would betray everyone that way." End of quote.
Mr. Speaker, these are actual excerpts from e-mail correspondence which was inadvertently copied to management on April 11 between known union supporters.