EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. We are now done with Bill 37. We can now go to the clause-by-clause review of Bill 37.
I only have the English copy, so I will read it in English. (interpretation ends) Bill 37, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2012-2013.
Total Supplementary Appropriation. $102,386,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 5?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Do members agree to Bill 37 as a whole?
Chairman: Do members agree, pursuant to Rule 62(2), that Bill 37 can immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Mr. Minister, do you have closing remarks?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Yes, Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you and the committee for asking excellent questions and scrutiny.  I would like to thank my colleagues in cabinet for being here to help answer questions and providing clarity on substantiation sheets on both Bills 36 and 37.
Of course, I would like to thank all the officials, all of our staff in all departments in the government who worked very diligently to prepare very detailed briefing notes for our use today.
In substantiation sheets, I apologize for the one little hiccup.
We had to leave a little something there to add some excitement to the afternoon, but we will work hard to correct that in the future and we assure you that we will provide you, for your record, an updated capital substantiation sheet for the ice arena.
Of course, I would like to thank my two officials, Mr. D’Arcy and Mr. Egeni, for being here today to assist me with the answers to all of your questions.
Your committee has been considering Bills 36 and 37, and would like to report that Bills 36 and 37 are immediately ready for third reading.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Enook. There is a motion on the floor.
A reminder for tomorrow morning: a meeting of the Full Caucus at ten o’clock in the Nanuq Boardroom.
In accordance with the authority granted to me by Motion 28 – 3(3), this House stands adjourned until Thursday, May 31, at 3:00 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 17:33
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Pages 2575 – 2605
Members’ Statements 2578
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2581
Oral Questions 2582
Written Questions 2597
Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters 2598
Tabling of Documents 2604
Third Reading of Bills 2604
Orders of the Day 2605
Thursday, May 31, 2012 2575
147 – 3(3): World No Tobacco Day – May 31 (Peterson) 2575
148 – 3(3): Devolution Takes a Step Forward (Aariak) 2576
149 – 3(3): Annual Reporting for the Gas Tax Agreement (Kusugak) 2577
150 – 3(3): Bill S-210 to Amend the Fisheries Act and Ban Commercial Seal Hunting (Arreak) 2577
242 – 3(3): Infrastructure Needs in Baker Lake (Aupaluktuq) 2578
243 – 3(3): Child and Youth Representative (Ugyuk) 2579
244 – 3(3): Thoughts and Prayers for Pond Inlet Residents (Enook) 2580
245 – 3(3): Progress on Devolution (Ningark) 2580
246 – 3(3): Qikiqtarjuaq High School Graduates (Arreak) 2581
351 – 3(3): Granular Stocks in Nunavut (Rumbolt) 2582
352 – 3(3): Uranium Mining Issues in Nunavut (Aupaluktuq) 2583
353 – 3(3): Cabinet Code of Conduct (Curley) 2586
354 – 3(3): Status of Devolution Negotiations (Ningark) 2588
355 – 3(3): Offshore Drilling in the Canadian Arctic (Enook) 2590
356 – 3(3): Human Resources Management Issues (Elliott) 2592
357 – 3(3): Staff Housing for Taloyoak Teachers (Ugyuk) 2594
358 – 3(3): Ministerial Handbook (Curley) 2595
017 – 3(3): Annual Fuel Purchases by the Government of Nunavut (Rumbolt) 2597
Committee Report 018 – 3(3): Report on the Review of the 2012 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on Procurement of Goods and Services (Elliott) 2598
191 – 3(3): Nunavut Social Safety Net Review – October 2011 (Aariak) 2604
Bill 36 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2012-2013 – Third Reading 2604
Bill 37 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2012-2013 – Third Reading 2604
Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Mr. Tagak Curley, 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, Honourable Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Jeannie Ugyuk.
>>House commenced at 15:01
Before we commence today’s proceedings, I would like to ask Mr. Elliott to lead us off with a prayer, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Elliott. (interpretation ends) Moving on in the orders of the day.
Minister’s Statement 147 – 3(3): World No Tobacco Day – May 31 (Peterson)
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, smoking rates in Nunavut are more than double the national average.
Over 50 percent of Nunavummiut over the age of 12 and 80 percent of pregnant women in the Baffin region smoke on a daily basis.
Tobacco is a major risk factor for most of the leading causes of death in this territory.
Mr. Speaker, as members know, the Department of Health and Social Services developed a five-year Nunavut tobacco reduction framework for action plan and the “Tobacco Has No Place Here” campaign.
Today, I ask this House to join me in recognizing World No Tobacco Day. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of World No Tobacco Day, communities and groups were offered funds to host community breakfasts promoting this important day. Sixteen will be held across the territory.
Here in Iqaluit, the community breakfast will be held June 2 at the Parish Hall from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Please join me today at the break when my tobacco reduction team and I will screen a one-minute animated short video created specifically for Nunavummiut. The video shows the global connection between tobacco production, Big Tobacco’s role, and the health and social consequences of smoking in Nunavut.
The video will be shown on CBC television, in the Astro Theatre in Iqaluit, and social media sites, including YouTube and Facebook.
Mr. Speaker, today we also have the winners of the tri-territorial “Get Reel” anti-tobacco video advertising campaign. Students from grades 6 to 12 were invited to participate.
I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Nola Hicks’ grade 5/6 class at Victor Sammurtok School in Chesterfield Inlet.
Her class was Nunavut’s grand prize winner and receives $500 for their “Smokes Make You Broke” video.
We congratulate the three semi-finalists who receive $100 each:
Kassidy Koaha-Laube, Tyshauna Atighioyak, Natasha Angulalik, and Eliza Cockatt of Kiilinik High School in Cambridge Bay;
Adam Hicks’ grade 7/8 class of Victor Sammurtok School in Chesterfield Inlet; and
Pootoogoo Ivvaluajuk, Naiomi Ottokie, and Laina Geetah of Peter Pitseolak School in Cape Dorset.
Mr. Speaker, World No Tobacco Day encourages each of us to talk about how tobacco has affected our lives, our families, and our communities. Our government supports a healthy lifestyle that is tobacco-free.
Minister’s Statement 148 – 3(3): Devolution Takes a Step Forward (Aariak)
Hon. Eva Aariak: Uqaqtittijii, I rise today to update my colleagues on Nunavut’s devolution.
I am pleased to say that the federal government has appointed a chief negotiator for devolution negotiations and has taken the next step in devolving northern governance in Nunavut.
Currently, the federal government makes decisions on what happens to over 80 percent of the land in Nunavut. However, on May 18, 2012, the Government of Canada appointed a negotiator to start the process of devolving this decision-making authority to Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut’s lands and natural resources rightfully belong to Nunavummiut to develop and protect according to our needs and priorities. Reclaiming the ability to make the decisions about how our lands and resources are managed is the next chapter in building a self-reliant Nunavut.
I would like to thank Prime Minister Harper for his strong and personal commitment to strengthening governance in Canada’s North, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated for their partnership and unwavering support for Nunavut’s devolution.
Uqaqtittijii, our economic development and self-reliance depend on getting to the negotiating table and coming to an agreement to transfer land management responsibilities to Nunavut.
Devolution will not happen overnight, but the appointment of a federal negotiator moves the process to the next step.
Uqaqtittijii, I have great confidence in our Chief Negotiator, Mr. David Akeeagok, and am certain that he will work together constructively with Chief Federal Negotiator, Mr. Dale Drown, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated on a devolution agreement for Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 149 – 3(3): Annual Reporting for the Gas Tax Agreement (Kusugak)
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to update members on the Gas Tax Agreement which was officially signed by Nunavut and the Government of Canada in 2005.
CGS administers the Gas Tax Fund and provides project oversight for initiatives funded under this program. To date, over 45 projects have been initiated with gas tax funding, many of which have since been completed. Some of these projects have now resulted in improvements to water, wastewater, and solid waste services to communities.
As part of this multi-year funding agreement, there are reporting requirements that have to be filed with Canada on an annual basis.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to say that Infrastructure Canada has recognized that Nunavut consistently files the Annual Expenditure Report (AER) on time and has also noted that our report is among the most organized and accurate that Canada receives from provinces and territories.
I am to happy to say that Infrastructure Canada is now using Nunavut’s Annual Expenditure Report as a model of “best practice” as an example for other jurisdictions.
Mr. Speaker, this shows the quality and attention to detail that the Department of Community and Government Services strives to obtain. It is a testament to the efforts of our committed and hard-working project team members and program and financial managers with the department.
Minister’s Statement 150 – 3(3): Bill S-210 to Amend the Fisheries Act and Ban Commercial Seal Hunting (Arreak)
I say “good afternoon” to the residents of Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to my colleagues’ and Nunavummiut attention a bill that was recently introduced by Liberal Senator Mac Harb to amend the federal Fisheries Act to ban commercial seal hunting in Canada.
This bill marks Senator Harb’s third attempt to ban the commercial hunting of seals, following his two previous bills, S-207 and S-229, which received little support and were unsuccessful.
Senator Harb’s bill contains an exemption for aboriginal people. However, the EU seal ban has demonstrated that any ban related to the commercial seal hunt negatively impacts the market for Inuit seal products.
This means that Nunavut communities are affected.
Senator Harb has publicly suggested that sealing activities are not “befitting a modern country,” ignoring the fact that seals continue to be an essential source of both food and revenue for Nunavummiut.
I have written a letter to the Liberal Party Leader Bob Rae urging him to address Senator Harb’s radical anti-hunting agenda because it violates accepted principles of conservation and sustainable resource use.
It has the potential to cause direct harm to seal hunters, families, and communities.
Mr. Speaker, we will continue to work to support and defend the Nunavut sealing sector.
I’ll just note the appropriate letter is preceding the numbers of that bill.
Moving on in the orders of the day. Item 3.
Member’s Statement 242 – 3(3): Infrastructure Needs in Baker Lake (Aupaluktuq)
I rise today to speak about infrastructure needs in Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, as you will recall, I made a series of statements in this House during our recent winter sitting on this issue.
As we approach the introduction of the Government of Nunavut’s 2013-14 capital estimates later this year, I would like to take this opportunity to again emphasize the importance of addressing Baker Lake’s needs.
Mr. Speaker, according to 2011 census data from Statistics Canada, Baker Lake’s population is approaching 2,000.
As I have noted, Baker Lake is looking forward to a new middle school, and I continue to urge the Department of Health and Social Services to take a close look at whether our community’s health centre is adequate to the needs of our rapidly growing population.
Mr. Speaker, I have risen in this House on a number of occasions to speak about the benefits of strategic transportation infrastructure in Baker Lake.
Air and marine infrastructure are critical. I continue to encourage the federal and territorial governments to work closely with the Municipality of Baker Lake to identify areas of potential for investment.
Mr. Speaker, I note that our neighbours in Rankin Inlet recently received assistance from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency for the development of a business case for the construction and operation of a port.
As an integral part of the dynamic Kivalliq region, Baker Lake is positioned to make significant contributions to achieving environmentally responsible economic development.
Mr. Speaker, I continue to advocate for strategic investments in Baker Lake.
Member’s Statement 243 – 3(3): Child and Youth Representative (Ugyuk)
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to make a statement that comes from my heart.
Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to hear our Premier announce at our last sitting that the government is moving ahead with the establishment of an independent child and youth representative for Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, my background is in the field of social work.
For many years, I worked closely with families, children, and the community.
I passionately believe that we have a responsibility as leaders to speak and act on behalf of the most vulnerable people in society.
(interpretation) Our societal values were instilled through oral tradition and unwritten laws.
We used to be a society with specific roles in the family unit. Today, it is a sad fact, but that society no longer exists.
In today’s Nunavut, we face many challenges, from high unemployment to issues, such as spousal abuse, child abuse, and elder abuse. (interpretation ends) We need to move with the times and find new ways to help the vulnerable and to address family problems within the family unit.
Mr. Speaker, we are lawmakers and we have a responsibility to pass laws that reflect the values and priorities of our society, communities, and constituents.
The challenge before us is to pass legislation that accomplishes the goal of taking care of our people in a way that recognizes and respects those things that make us unique in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, in March, when the Premier updated us on the status of the child and youth representative initiative, she indicated that the government’s consultation process has been considering a number of important questions.
I also thank you for the members’ consent.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I strongly believe that we should not be afraid of initiatives such as this.
This is an important opportunity for us as a society to take on greater ownership and responsibility for the well-being of our children in a way that does not undermine the responsibilities of parents and families.
As a proud Inuk and Nattilingmiuq, I see this initiative as having the potential to establish a strong foundation based on our sense of cultural identity and show that we are capable of protecting the rights and safety of the most vulnerable in our society.
I have said on many occasions that we need to regain our strength and move past being victims. I have said on many occasions that we are in danger of losing our sense of responsibility.
I have said on many occasions that we cannot go on blaming addictions, foreign ways of decision-making, and other outside forces for the problems that face our communities.
Mr. Speaker, I see the child and youth representative as having the responsibility of ensuring that the government is living up to its obligations with respect to what should be provided to children and youth.
I see the child and youth representative as having the responsibility of reporting his or her findings to us, the elected leaders, for action.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage the government to ensure that its work on the child and youth representative takes into account two other important initiatives: the review of our Child and Family Services Act and the review of the structure of the Department of Health and Social Services.
As you know, I strongly support creating two separate departments, which will allow for better focus on issues related to children, youth, and families.
I also support improvements to the Child and Family Services Act that will address issues that I faced for many years working in the field.
Mr. Speaker, I very much look forward to working with my colleagues on these important initiatives and I am confident that we can work together and move forward.
Qujanarluaqqutit, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 244 – 3(3): Thoughts and Prayers for Pond Inlet Residents (Enook)
Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart due to the fact that yesterday, in Pond Inlet, we lost two residents, one elder and the other a young adult.
All of us who live in Pond Inlet are deeply affected by these two deaths.
I would like to inform those who just lost their dear ones that they are in our thoughts. We sympathize with your loss.
I, my colleagues, and all Nunavummiut will keep you in our thoughts and we will ensure that you are in our prayers.
Member’s Statement 245 – 3(3): Progress on Devolution (Ningark)
I rise today to express my support for the recent progress that has been made towards achieving a devolution agreement with the federal government.
Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to note that the Government of Canada has now appointed a chief federal negotiator for Nunavut devolution.  I would also like to note with appreciation the support that Nunavut received earlier this week from Canada’s Western Premiers concerning devolution in the north.
Mr. Speaker, I do wish to sound a cautionary note today. In the federal government’s own announcement of this appointment, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development stated, and I quote, “An important element” of the federal negotiator’s mandate “will be to engage key stakeholders on their views with respect to devolution to identify the next steps required to advance negotiations and to examine how land and resource management capacity can be improved in Nunavut.”
Mr. Speaker, these cautious words suggest to me that the federal government’s timetable for achieving a devolution agreement may not be as ambitious as our timetable.
At the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Premier on this issue.
Member’s Statement 246 – 3(3): Qikiqtarjuaq High School Graduates (Arreak)
I would like to share some good news.
I rise today to congratulate students who will be graduating tonight at a graduation ceremony in Qikiqtarjuaq.
I consider all successful students excellent role models.
I would like to encourage all current students to pursue their education, especially after graduation from high school, to pursue their post-secondary education.
Mr. Speaker, I am quite proud of these students’ accomplishments. They are: Melanie Nookiguak, Charlie Nutaralak, and Kayla Qappik.
The graduation ceremony to be held in Qikiqtarjuaq tonight is in their honour.
So I urge my colleagues to share in my appreciation of these students’ success.
Minister of Health and Social Services and Finance, Minister Peterson.
As I have said on many occasions over the years, it’s always a special occasion when I get to recognize a constituent from the Kitikmeot.
It’s my pleasure today to recognize Susan Anderson from Cambridge Bay. She’s sitting in the Gallery over on the other side there.
She’s also the acting territorial director of mental health and addictions for the Department of Health and Social Services. I welcome Sue to the Gallery.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Moving on in our orders of the day.
Question 351 – 3(3): Granular Stocks in Nunavut (Rumbolt)
Mr. Speaker, during the minister’s opening comments of his department’s 2012-13 capital estimates, he indicated that his department is developing a comprehensive management strategy to address the lack of granular stock in the territory.
Can the minister indicate if this management strategy has been completed and will he commit to tabling it in the Legislative Assembly?
Mr. Speaker, I will commit to tabling the document once it is ready for tabling.
Can the minister highlight for us today the key elements of the strategy?
I understand the strategy is not completed yet and when it is, I will table it.
We have an ongoing shortage of gravel in almost all the communities. We have communities with mountains of gravel and then we have communities with mountains or none of the above. It’s something that our department has been working very hard with.
We have been working with the municipalities in trying to alleviate the issue of gravel shortage. We began by doing what we can, at least to start by getting some gravel screeners into eight municipalities last year. I believe we’re at the end of that.
We’re hoping that will alleviate some of the requirements of gravel.
In the meantime, we are doing a study on gravel crushers and how they could best be used in the municipalities. We need to figure out the best kind of gravel, the amount of gravel that will be required in municipalities, how we could secure the gravel, and then, in turn, how much does it cost to produce an X amount of gravel to resell it so that we could make more, or rebating the municipality if the municipality were to take on that responsibility.
So there are many aspects to this study that is being done and I look forward to its completion so that we can bring some proposals to some municipalities and this House.
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for his reply.
During the minister’s opening comments on his department’s 2012-13 capital estimates, he also indicated that his department was expanding the Kitikmeot Granular Program for gravel crushing projects for both Gjoa Haven and Kugluktuk for the upcoming 2012 summer.
Can the minister confirm if these gravel crushing projects are on schedule and if the program will be expanded to other communities?
I could assure my colleague that they are, as far as I’m concerned, on schedule.
We’re hoping to be able to wrap up this stuff probably by the end of the gravel crushing season and shortly thereafter. Once we find out the details of that, I would really like to see it expanded throughout Nunavut. I’m sure that there will be a priority list.
Before we get there, yes, the idea is, “Let’s see what we could gain from the knowledge from these two,” and then expand it as quickly as possible, at least through the five-year capital plan if need be, and get it out to the communities that require crushed gravel.
I would just like to make a final comment if I could. The department’s 2012-13 capital estimates allocated Sanikiluaq a gravel screener, but given the condition of the roads in the community, the screener is not producing adequate granular material to resurface all the roads.
I received correspondence from the municipality concerning this issue and will be passing this correspondence on to the minister.
I ask the minister to review the correspondence carefully and I look forward to his reply on the issue.
Speaker: That was just a comment, I believe.
I realize there’s no question, but I look forward to seeing the letter and I will review it with my colleagues and the MLA. I’m sure I’ll be in communication with the Municipality of Sanikiluaq to see if there’s any way that we can deal with the gravel crusher in that community.
Question 352 – 3(3): Uranium Mining Issues in Nunavut (Aupaluktuq)