EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I wasn’t aware that he was asking me the question. Can he repeat the question, please.
Clarify your question, Mr. Keyootak.
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank him for the question.
There were many projects that were submitted under the Building Canada Fund and they cannot approve all of them.
The Department of Transportation wanted many projects to proceed and they applied for funding to the federal government.
They have not given a reason why they did not approve that one, but we are aware that they cannot go ahead with all of the projects.
During the recent fall sitting of the Legislative Assembly I made a statement in the House in which I clearly expressed the community’s willingness to work with the government in order to improve the proposal for a new marine facility so that it can be considered for funding.
Can the minister clearly explain today what specific changes need to be made to the Qikiqtarjuaq marine facility business case so that it can be submitted to the federal government for funding?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank him for asking that good question.
Our staff in the Department of Economic Development and Transportation can work with hamlet staff if any changes need to be made to the application. I will direct them to do so.
It’s a good response, but I would like to ask: will the minister commit to having her department prepare an updated business case for a new deepwater marine facility for Qikiqtarjuaq, yes or no?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank him.
Yes, I will direct them to work better together and to see if there are any additions that need to be provided in the details, if it requires changes, and what the reasons were.
They don’t usually need major changes to go ahead.
I will ask our staff to consider that.
Question 589 – 4(3): Culturally Appropriate Services for Elders (Sammurtok, A)
Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s Statement earlier today I spoke of the need to provide culturally appropriate care for our elders.
As I mentioned, it would be much easier to provide culturally appropriate care here in Nunavut.
Can the minister provide an update on how many elders are currently receiving care in Nunavut facilities and how many elders are currently waiting for beds in long-term care facilities?
Currently it’s kind of a complex answer as some of our facilities are still under the care and service of the Department of Family Services.
Those facilities will be transferring over responsibility to my department, the Department of Health, as of April 1.
Right now we have continuing care facilities in Gjoa Haven, Igloolik, and Arviat and there are facilities in Baker Lake.
There are facilities here in Iqaluit.
We have just had seven beds open up in Cambridge Bay very recently, of which a couple of those beds are already full.
Right now I wouldn’t be able to give the member a full response on the number on the waiting list, but other than the beds that are in the process of being filled in Cambridge Bay, it is my understanding that all beds are being currently used.
During the last sitting I tabled a series of documents regarding the Nanuq Lodge in Rankin Inlet, a building that could quite easily be converted into a long-term care facility.
Can the minister confirm whether he has received these documents and what consideration has been given to the possibility of converting this building into an elders facility?
I thank the member for tabling those documents.
It gave us an opportunity to go over them in detail.
As the member is very well aware, any time there is a capital purchase through the Government of Nunavut, it is a lengthy process to get monies allocated through the capital planning process and it does take a period of time.
I do know I have been in discussions with other entities that may want to look at partnership agreements.
In general the type of facilities that we’re looking for across the territory with our limited capital dollars that we have available… . I have spoken to a number of different groups, including a group located here in Iqaluit, on arranging fee-for-service type partnerships.
I would encourage any proponent in the community of Rankin Inlet to… . I’m always open to proposals to provide additional care in the territory.
Like I stated yesterday in one of my responses, our goal is to provide care closer to home or at home wherever and whenever possible.
That will continue to be my vision.
It is clear that there is a desperate need for more elder care beds in Nunavut.
Can the minister confirm whether or not his department is currently considering establishing any new elders’ care facilities in Nunavut?
I’m kind of stealing my own thunder of a minister’s statement I’m looking at making later on this week.
With the opening of the seven beds in Cambridge Bay, it is a step in addressing the need.
Is it a big enough step?
Obviously we all realize that the needs far out encompass what we are able to provide at this time, thus we are having to use outside services.
With a direct response to the member’s question on what projects we have in place right now, in our preplanning dollars we are taking a look at the facility in Igloolik to explore options on expanding that facility to make it more applicable to the level of staffing and a little bit more fiscally responsible.
My intention is to take that data and apply it to a similar sized facility in Gjoa Haven, Mr. Speaker.
We are taking steps right now, but as far as creating a new facility at this time, it’s not on the capital plan at this moment.
Question 590 – 4(3): Addressing the Harmful Impact of Bullying (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Speaker, earlier today I spoke of the harmful impact of bullying.
There are many steps that can be taken to avoid the harmful impacts: preventing the bullying before it even starts, stepping in to stop bullying when it occurs, and being there to support someone who has been the victim of bullying.
Can the minister provide an update on what kinds of bullying prevention programs are delivered in Nunavut’s schools?
I also thank my colleague. It’s appropriate today when it’s a day to recognize what he’s asking about.
I am very happy that he asked me that question because we really try to stop the prevalence of bullying in our schools. We have introduced different programs in our schools along those lines and I will outline what they are. These would be things like literacy programs.
Maybe I’ll speak in English if you don’t mind.
(interpretation ends) We have quite a few resources within our schools. For example, we have the Crisis Response Guidelines for Nunavut Schools as a resource that is given out to all our schools.
We have staff and principal manuals that contain guidelines for schools to prevent and address bullying and resulting incidents.
We have the Aulajaaqtut curriculum for grades 10 to 12 that again deals with understanding and developing healthy relationships, self-esteem, tolerance, and understanding for others regardless of gender, race, or ability.
Certainly our district education authorities also address the issue of bullying in their policies regarding Inuuqatigiitsiarniq.
We have the Student Code of Conduct. As I said, we do have various programs in all our schools concerning anti-bullying within our schools and how to prevent that in all our schools.
Certainly we do rely a lot on our district education authorities. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I recognize that despite many efforts to prevent bullying, it does happen.
Often victims of bullying don’t know where to turn to for help. I understand the minister was making mention of resources within schools within the territory. When we look at this, what services are made available to students in Nunavut’s schools to inform them of where they can find support?
As I stated earlier, there are reading materials that are available as well as resources that can be used by the teachers to try to mitigate bullying in our schools.
We also get assistance from the Red Cross to help us in trying to lessen bullying or stop bullying all together in our schools.
Red Cross is well known across Canada because they are really good in administering things like that. We get them to help us in introducing these programs. Teachers are also taught about dealing with bullying.
As I stated, Red Cross has been assisting us a lot on this. The teachers themselves teach these programs to their students, especially these days.
There were going to be various activities in our schools that I mentioned yesterday. There will be different programs in our schools like recreation programs, dancing, or reading activities which were scheduled to be done in all of our schools in Nunavut today.
I appreciate that community-based district education authorities also have a strong role to play in bringing forward policies and initiatives that will protect all of our students.
Can the minister clarify what kind of support is provided to DEAs to help them address this difficult problem?
We provide assistance to the local DEAs as the Department of Education. For example, Inuuqatigiitsiarniq is one of the policies that we use to try to stop bullying.
If they want to make more policies, we have told them that they can make policies about Inuuqatigiitsiarniq (having good relationships with other people). We help the local district education authorities put in the details as the Department of Education.
Whenever DEAs need more help, the Department of Education is always available at any time and we have informed them that if they need more training on anything, the Department of Education has to be available to them. We even have staff that administer that type of thing for the regional school operations to help the DEAs in the communities.
Question 591 – 4(3): Fuel Tax Rebate Program (Enook)
Mr. Enook: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Good afternoon to the people of Pond Inlet and Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) My questions are for the Minister of Finance. I want to follow up today on the issue of the government’s Fuel Tax Rebate Program and Development Partnership Agreement Policy.
The Minister of Economic Development and Transportation has publicly stated that her department has been working for almost a year with the Department of Finance to develop a replacement for the government’s Development Partnership Agreement Policy.
From the perspective of the Department of Finance, could the minister update the House today on when the replacement for the DPA program will be launched?
I don’t have a date when the new DPA agreement will be in place and ready to launch.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Under the government’s former Development Partnership Agreement Policy, companies that entered into DPAs with the government to benefit communities impacted by mining projects would be eligible for fuel tax rebates.
Shortly before Christmas the government announced that its Fuel Tax Rebate Program was being changed so that the rebate “will no longer be available to firms using the fuel for mining development, extraction or reclamation.”
My question to the minister is: why did the government change its Fuel Tax Rebate Program before it finalized its replacement for the Development Partnership Agreement Policy?
The fuel tax rebate and the development partnership agreement, there is only one ever signed.
They came in with a company back in 2007. Over that decade or so we paid out a rebate of over $20 million.
There were very few benefits received by Nunavut through that DPA.
It was recognized that the agreement allowed not only a company’s exploration, but development and production, but also reclamation.
That is potentially a huge loss of revenue to the Government of Nunavut that we need for all the program and services and all infrastructure that everybody is asking for during these sittings.
What we did is that, working with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, we amended the fuel tax rebate.
We had to do it last year to get it into the calendar year so that we could “gazette” it, inform the companies and all Nunavummiut.
Now the Department of Economic Development and Transportation knows what they can work with and now they can move forward and finalize it.
The purpose of the Development Partnership Agreement Policy was to create incentives for natural resource companies to provide additional benefits to communities that are most impacted by large-scale mining projects.
How will the replacement for the DPA program accomplish this objective?
It’s well known that companies go through an evolution of their project, but usually it is the junior explorers who are doing the exploring.
In a place like Nunavut the juniors have a difficult time raising funding, doing the exploration, and then they move into the development phase.
Typically they would be taken over or purchased by a larger company.
The development partnership agreement will assist the communities and mining companies. There would be incentives there for the juniors through the exploration development stage to look at projects in that area and provide benefits to the local community.
I don’t have a copy and I can’t say what the companies will negotiate.
I do know that under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, Article 26 is the Inuit impact and benefit agreements.
They are negotiated with the regional Inuit associations.
They typically provide a lot of benefits to Inuit organizations and Inuit in the surrounding communities as well.
I have worked for the Kitikmeot Inuit Association for many years.
I was a part of the negotiating team for a number of Inuit impact and benefit agreements.
There’s always that type of agreement and development partnership agreements. I can’t say whether they add anything or not.
Written Questions. (interpretation ends) Item 9.
Item 11: Replies to Budget Address
Reply to Budget Address 001 – 4(3): Mr. Paul Okalik (Okalik)
I am grateful that I am able to be here today when we are dealing with the proposed budget.
As I listened to the Budget Address of our government, I was very pleased to hear some of the things that are proposed.
I know from personal experience that education is beneficial and it has helped me to be where I am now. There are funds to help people with mental health problems. I thank the government for doing that and I encourage them to work on that.
However, I was quite concerned with some of the issues that were raised.
As we’re aware, I have experienced substance abuse and I know that we can provide more support for treatment.
As the minister stated, this will go ahead some time this current year, even though it only says, “in the future.”
If you remember that in the past, for those of you who were here, the minister responsible for alcohol, when the changes were being debated in September 2013 on the very last day of that session, there were some questions posed.
Mr. Curley stated, “I understand that. I think it begs the question, though, what the consultation means.”
He said, “Would it involve another task force to ask these particular communities A or B or C involving some MLAs so that they are bound by the recommendations of a task force?
So my question is: if it’s a legal mechanism to consult, would the consultation be in a form of a plebiscite or just by way of official-to-official consultation?”
Minister Peterson responded by saying, “Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The consultations or discussions that I’m talking about would be one on one with all of the affected members of a community.”
I’m still waiting for the consultation work. It seems like we’re not following through with that.
Mr. Elliott then asked a question when he was a Member of the Legislative Assembly, “...will the closer surrounding communities be consulted as well, as they might have a part in this?”
Mr. Peterson responded by saying, “Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Yes, we would consult with neighbouring communities.”
However, I have never heard if the adjacent communities were ever consulted.
Looking at what was stated in the Hansard, nothing is being followed.
I’m not just trying to state my opposition.
My constituents and fellow community members voted to see this go through.
I know that they need to do more consultation work because they said that they’re using what they heard during the consultations.
I would like to see a treatment centre first before they open the liquor outlet.
That’s exactly what it states in the report.
We haven’t seen that yet.
I was able to attend the consultation meeting in our community.
Many elders attended the consultation meeting to express their concern that they don’t want to see a liquor outlet opened and they don’t want to relive their past.
That had a very serious impact on me and that’s why I wanted to provide my support to them.
It seems like the elders’ concerns were not listened to and they will just go ahead without regard for the concerns of long-time residents of Iqaluit.
Let us learn from the information that was collected.
As representatives, if we’re just going to go ahead and proceed to open a liquor outlet, this will not look good, so let’s take this opportunity in opening this liquor outlet to push hard for a treatment centre and support for the people who are in the clutches of alcohol abuse.
Our correctional facilities are filled to capacity because these inmates are there due to alcohol problems.
How are we going to resolve this issue?
We should be providing support to our fellow community members.
I have experienced it personally.
Opening this kind of store is supposed to reduce bootlegging.
Having used it myself, I would wait for the store to open and since I know the alcohol they sell me won’t be enough, I buy my limit and turn to bootleggers after I finish that purchase.
We fall prey to our needs every time.
It just seems to be lip service and pretending to say it will reduce purchasing from bootleggers.
Having abused alcohol myself, I don’t have much faith in such claims.
I just wanted to cover all the points that I wanted to make and I will want to see something that is better put together in the future.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Replies to Budget Address. (interpretation) Moving on. (interpretation ends) Item 12.
Tabled Document 246 – 4(3): Correspondence Regarding the Territory’s Language Legislation (Okalik)
I wish to table today copies of correspondence that I have sent to and received from the Minister of Languages concerning the territory’s language legislation.
Mr. Speaker, this correspondence relates to those sections of the Inuit Language Protection Act and the Official Languages Act which have not yet come into force.
That’s what I wish to table in the House.
The Hon. Member for Iqaluit South, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok.
(interpretation) I’m sorry, I made a mistake. Member for Rankin Inlet South, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok.
Tabled Document 247 – 4(3): Letter Regarding Language Services (Sammurtok, A)
In my Member’s Statement earlier today I spoke to a lack of culturally appropriate language services for our elders who are sent out of the territory to receive care.
This issue was raised by a concerned member of the public and today I would like to table the response she received from the Office of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut.
Tabled Document 248 – 4(3): Product Safety Recall Notice Issued by Remington Arms Company (Enook)
I wish to table today a product safety recall notice that has been issued by the Remington Arms Company concerning its Model 700 and Model Seven rifles.
Mr. Speaker, Remington rifles are very common in our communities.
I urge the Department of Environment to ensure that this product safety recall notice is shared with all hunters and trappers organizations in the territory.
Tabled Document 249 – 4(3): IUT – Apqutauvugut Language Conference February 8 to 12, 2017 (Kuksuk)
Tabled Document 250 – 4(3): 2015-2016 IUT Annual Report (Kuksuk)
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am rising today to table the conference summary of the Apqutauvugut Language Conference held in Iqaluit on February 8 to 12, 2016.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I would like to table today the 2015-16 Annual Report for the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joe Savikataaq.
Tabled Document 251 – 4(3): Nunavut Lottery Financial Statements March 31, 2016 (Savikataaq)
Tabled Document 252 – 4(3): Nunavut Emergency Management Annual Report 2015-2016 (Savikataaq)
The first one I would like to table is the Nunavut Lottery Financial Statements, March 31, 2016.
The other document I would like to table is the Nunavut Emergency Management Annual Report for 2015-16.
Tabled Document 253 – 4(3): Office of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut Business Plan 2017-2020 (Speaker)
Tabled Document 254 – 4(3): Representative for Children and Youth Business Plan 2017-2020 (Speaker)
Tabled Document 255 – 4(3): Office of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut Business Plan 2017-2020 (Speaker)
The first document is the 2017-2020 Business Plan of the Office of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
The second document is the 2017-2020 Business Plan of the Office of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut.
The third document is the 2017-2020 Business Plan of the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth. (interpretation) Thank you.
Notices of Motions (interpretation ends) Item 17.
Bill 34 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2017-2018 – First Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat South, that Bill 34, Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2017-2018, be read for the first time.
Bill 34 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2017-2018 – Second 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 second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the Government of Nunavut to make operations and maintenance expenditures for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.
The motion is carried and Bill 34 is referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Bill 38 – Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti Implementation Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aggu, that Bill 38, Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti Implementation Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill provides for the preferential treatment of Inuit firms, Nunavut businesses and contractors employing Inuit, local and Nunavut labour in public procurement.
The motion is carried and Bill 38 is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 34 with Mr. Akoak in the Chair.
In accordance with the authority provided to me by Motion 41 – 4(3), the committee will stay in session until it reports itself out.
>>House recessed at 15:48 and Committee resumed at 16:15
Chairman (Mr. Akoak): Welcome to the Committee of the Whole and Inuit watching this meeting. I would like to call the committee meeting to order.
In Committee of the Whole we have the following item to deal with: Bill 34. What is the wish of the committee?
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, members. Mr. Chairman, we wish to commence with Bill 34, beginning with the review of the main estimates for the Department of Health.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. Are we in agreement that we first deal with Bill 34?
Bill 34 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2017-2018 – Health – Consideration in Committee
Chairman: Thank you. I would now like to ask the Minister of Health if he has officials that he would like to appear before the committee.
Chairman: Thank you. Does the committee agree to let the minister’s staff go to the witness table?
Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Chairman and members.
I would like to introduce my Deputy Minister, Colleen Stockley, who is no stranger to the House, as well as Associate Deputy Minister Karen Kabloona. If the members will indulge me, I also have Greg Babstock, Executive Director of Corporate Services, on standby.
Chairman: Thank you. Welcome to the staff. Minister Hickes, please proceed with your opening comments.