EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I know that in Repulse Bay this has been of some concern to the individuals who own their snowmobiles.
This winter many snowmobiles were broken because of the bad gasoline and one individual even went to Kugaaruk to buy their gasoline even though the government states that the gasoline is very good. But according to the Inuit knowledge they see that it’s doing something wrong to their engines so that’s why I have been asking that question about whether your department has considered the bad gasoline that’s being delivered to the communities.
We’ve sent samples, not just to Canadian labs, but also to some of the laboratories that are situated overseas.
The laboratory that can do comprehensive testing to the gasoline is overseas and we still haven’t received the results as of yet.
Once we receive the results from the testing we expect to get more findings from that laboratory across the ocean but in Canadian laboratories they are unable to find certain things but perhaps after we receive the results we’ll be able to report more findings.
According to the Canadian Standards and also looking at the gas distributors, they stated that the fuel that was sent to Nunavut is adequate for use in the north.
That’s the answer that I’ve received so far.
This will be my last question to the minister.
Could he tell the people of Repulse Bay what the results will be when they come in?
I will keep your concern in mind and for those communities who have any concerns about their gasoline, our department will be able to respond if you have any questions or concerns.
If any results come in, we will have to do something about it.
But to date all we can say is the results came out as good gas.
In regards to your question, we will keep that in mind.
Question 407 - 1(5): Handicapped Facility Schedule
Since we were talking about the Inuktitut languages, I want to say that the language in the Nanulik riding is very strong and has been preserved well.
We have been told by the Minister of Health and Social Services of the types of plans they have for the Chesterfield Inlet facility for the handicapped.
Could the Minister of Health and Social Services tell me if this facility is under way as planned?
Mr. Speaker, first of all let me say that last week I had an opportunity here in Iqaluit to meet with Bishop Roulleau and I want to thank the Bishop and the Archdiocese of the Keewatin for being very supportive with our proposal to use St. Theresa’s home for another year.
At the same time Mr. Speaker we spent several thousand dollars for the St. Theresa home upgrading it and keeping up to date and up to code to be able to use it for another year.
The plans are progressing as I talked to the member and to the people of Chesterfield.
The RFP has been done.
We have a good response from the Chesterfield Inlet Development Corporation and we are working with them right now with the proposal they submitted to us.
And thank you very much for that answer.
When can I tell my constituents of Chesterfield Inlet to expect the minister for the ground breaking ceremony for the new group home?
Speaker: Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Minister Picco.
Mr. Speaker, given what happened in Rankin with the ground breaking ceremony, I think we have to be careful of the date and so on.
Mr. Speaker I don't know what the date of the ground breaking ceremony will be.
I can say in all sincerity and seriousness to the member and to this House and to the people of Chesterfield Inlet that when that time comes to do the ceremony I would be more than happy to go to Chesterfield and be a part of it.
Right now the discussions are on the proposal that was offered by the Chesterfield Inlet Development Corporation.
It falls outside the scope of what we originally intended and the budgeted dollars that were available.
The discussions and negotiations are still on going with the department and the proponents to take a look at the opportunity for the facility to be put in place.
That's where the discussions are.
The commitment is still on the table and as I said before and the Premier has stated, that Chesterfield is a smaller, have not community and it's very important that we maintain and keep those positions and those jobs in Chesterfield.
So, the government is solidly behind the proposal, we just had to work out some of the logistics.
Mr. Arvaluk: Mr. Speaker, thank you, I am getting antsy here.
The anxiety has developed over a couple of years.
Can the minister tell me and the House from his previous work with the Chesterfield Inlet Hamlet Council, development corporations, the Bishop and other groups that the plan is going ahead?
We were talking about having the barge that goes to Rankin Inlet in one of the first barges in June, that it would make an effort to have the ship to go, the barge to go to Chesterfield Inlet at that time rather than usual late in October.
He assured us that he would be talking to NTCL and that.
I asked the minister when can I tell my constituency albeit some minor details still have to be worked out and things like that and I don’t think Chesterfield is very much aware about that.
But the major effort has been made and the progression in getting things done has been very successful according to the minister.
Mr. Speaker, when can I tell my constituency, since the barge will be coming in this summer, when it will be able to come sometime after June before October that will he be able to celebrate with Chesterfieldmiut.
Mr. Speaker, as I tried to say in the House, the proposal sent in by the Chesterfield Development Corporation, the people in Chesterfield is a good proposal.
But it fell outside the scope of the budgeted dollars that we had available.
Right now we spend over a million dollars in Chesterfield on the St. Theresa’s Home.
The proposal that was presented is considerably more than the million dollars.
So the negotiations had to continue with those groups to get the amount of the expenditure down so that we can afford it as a department, so I can have the allocated dollars available.
I have instructed our department officials to expedite those negotiations and we fully intend, with the proponent, to get the project underway this construction season.
If that's the first, second or third barge, I'm not sure.
But that is the plan right now.
Again, I have to bring it in based on the budget dollars that are available and that's why the negotiations are continuing.
So we want to move forward, I just don't have the date right now.
Question 408 – 1(5): High Turnover Rate of Staff
Mr. Speaker, my question today and I would like to congratulate the new Minister of Human Resources, my question is for him.
I see the old minister smiling now.
I see he is laughing.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the minister if he would agree that having a very high turnover rate within the public service isn't good for the government insofar as it adds additional costs as far as advertising, interviews and the cost of removals and things like that.
Also there's also other costs things like staff burn-out for the people that are there continuing new training of new people also the possible interruption of service delivery in the government.
I'd like to ask the minister if he'd agree that a high turnover rate within the public service is not good.
It's very true about what the member has stated, of course there's a time period required for the advertisements, for the removal costs and for everything else.
Mr. Speaker, I apologize but I don't have the statistics in front of me in regards to the casual labour that has to replace the people that have been moved.
And yes, it is expensive.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for acknowledging the high costs but I guess I'd like to ask if he would also, by that response I would assume that he does agree that a high turn over rate isn't good for the government.
I'd like to ask, as the minister indicated that they don't have any information, he didn't have any information with him.
Does the department in lieu of a document that was tabled on the last day of our last session, the Public Service Report, that I understand in the past has contained turn over rates of the department, when does the minister anticipate being able to have this kind of information.
The new Minister responsible for Human Resources.
I apologize I do have the numbers but I don't have the statistics here with me.
Are you looking at numbers on how much turnover there was in 99, 2000-2001?
What I could do is compile them for those years.
We do have the numbers but they are, it's all in lump sum figures.
Mr. Speaker it's good to hear that those numbers are there, it's something I've been after for over a year now to try and find out, I'd love to see what the numbers are broken down by department.
Mr. Speaker, I'd also ask the minister if that information was available why it wasn't included as part of the information in the Public Service Report.
In regards to the question, I will get back to you on that and I will also give you the information by department and by year.
Question 409 - 1(5): University Students Increase
That was a very good statement made by the minister, that there was an increase in the graduates.
As we are we seeing more students going into the higher grades, are there also more going into the post secondary school system.
We have had quite a lot of concerns about that from communities regarding the students graduating from grade 12 and moving on to Universities or Colleges.
I could respond that there are a number of students who do go to higher education in the south.
There have also been a number that have missed out if we are looking at Alberta for example.
So there are some slight differences.
There are some students that have to take on additional studies in order to get into the courses that they would like to take and what trades they like to get in.
I would like to ask a supplementary question.
How many students continue their education down south after graduating from grade 12 in Nunavut?
For the grade 12 graduates we are not responsible for their continuing education.
We can identify the numbers that we have funded, it is possible to do that, but we might not have all the numbers though.
There are students who go down and their tuition is funded by other sources.
Can the minister tell us that we have a lower… Recognizing the clock and that some members have not been able to ask questions.
I move that we extend the Question Period.
Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to extend Question Period.
Are there any nays? Are there any nays? Please proceed Ms. Williams.
Ms. Williams (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, thank you very much colleagues.
I was asking, does the minister agree that the education standards in Nunavut are lower than other Canadian standards.
Perhaps we have to recognize that education system in Nunavut includes several languages, which are Inuktitut, English and French.
In the Bathurst Mandate, we were asked to produce a curriculum within ten years and I don’t like to say that the education level is lower in Nunavut but the Inuktitut language, the language curriculum is the highest priority in Nunavut.
The English curriculum within Nunavut is of equal priority because we are encouraged to strengthen the education level through language and to go back to my response earlier there’s a lot more Inuktitut teachers available in Nunavut to date.
I appreciate his response and I’m sure this is clearer to the people of Nunavut. We encourage our children to go to school and with that encouragement we have to strengthen our education levels in Nunavut so our grade 12 graduates would be able to go on to further their education.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): I would like the member to clarify her question.
The Inuktitut programs that are available in our schools are made available in the schools, there are survival skills, hunting skills, made available to our students, and these are the areas that need to be promoted.
We are expecting that in the year 2020 our children will be able to speak both languages fluently.
Are there any further questions?
Mr. Speaker I’d just like to note that I could hear both Inuktitut and English on the earphone during the last response.
Question 410 - 1(5): Responses to After Hours Calls
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the Minister of Justice is not here but I have a question regarding RCMP being available for emergencies, that when there is an emergency in a community that call is directed to Iqaluit.
My question is whether this is the case.
Mr. Speaker, in the absence of the Premier I am officially acting as the Minister of Justice, I have been for a little bit now and enjoyed this role.
On the specific question the member raises concerning the RCMP and after hours call outs, I don't have that information with me.
Mr. Speaker, I was told I don't smile enough on TV.
That is an important and serious issue and I will endeavour to have that information available at the latest 9 o'clock tomorrow morning from the Department of Justice.
Speaker: Minister are you taking the question as notice?
As you know, I don't like taking questions as notice and I think on the record you can check your Hansard.
This is the first since 1999.
Yes, I will take the question as notice.
The question has been taken as notice.
Question 411 – 1(5): Public Service Report Workplace Profile Data
Mr. Speaker again my question is for the Minister responsible for Human Resources.
I hope he is enjoying it as much as the acting Minister of Justice.
Mr. Speaker, the report that I referred to earlier, that was again tabled on the last day of our last sitting, the Public Service report for the combined years of 1999/2000 and 2000/2001.
It talks about the fact that data collection on workplace profiles hasn’t been a priority of this government and tracking information like the information that I have been asking about on turn over rates.
These things and not looking at things like this, I'll use an example that the Auditor General pointed out in her report of not scrutinizing things could end up costing us a lot of money.
I would like to ask the minister what plans does he and his department have at looking at analysing this information and ensuring that we are not spending money needlessly and if we are how much it is and look at ways to try and solve those problems.
Speaker: Thank you. The almost new Minister of Human Resources.
I thank the member for that question.
We are in the process of developing a proposal to look at exactly collecting data and also to be able to provide more resource, human resource information and also in with that we are looking at ways to effectively, most effectively better manage the Human Resource public service files for all our departments.
Mr. Speaker, the minister's predecessor has indicated in the past that the department was developing a new Human Resource management system.
He indicated I believe it was supposed to be ready last March or April.
I believe the implementation of such a system would provide the information that the minister is looking for.
I’d like to ask the minister if they have the system up and running and if they don't, when do they plan on having that.
There is still a lot of information that needs to be collected.
Information is being collected and the new database is being put together so that information is made available.
It hasn’t been completed and once it’s completed I will inform the House.
Boy, it must take an awful long time to develop a human resource system.
I would like to ask the minister if he has any idea when, this system has been in the works for almost two and a half years now, when it will be ready.
The former government was working on putting this together but it was very costly and a lot of work had to be put into it.
The work is very slow right now and there is the payroll information that would have to be put together but once that is available, I’ll inform the House.
I will reread my question again.
Does the minister have any idea of when this system will be ready?
I cannot say when it will be completed but the work is being done and I’ll look into seeing when it might be completed.
Are there any further Oral Questions?
If not we’ll conclude Question Period.
Speaker: I would like to recognize the Clerk’s table.
Return to Petition 005 – 1 (5): Repulse Bay Medical Travel and Choice of Airline
Ms. Tupik (interpretation): Return to Petition.
Petition 005 – 1 (5) Repulse Bay Medical Travel and Choice of Airline.
Tabling of Documents. Mr. Picco.
Tabled Document 075 – 1(5): The People – A Glimpse, A Taste, A Virtual Reality, the Trip of a Lifetime
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to be able to table an overview document on the IMAX film "The People" that has been talked about over the past several weeks.
It is a glimpse, a taste, a virtual reality, the trip of a lifetime.
The IMAX film, "The People".
Just a reminder that when we table documents for anybody else, make sure that you hold the document up for the page to pick it up.
Otherwise we get behind.
Before I proceed further, I note that we have one item in Committee of the Whole.
I would like to ask the member Mr. Tootoo, if he is ready to speak to this item today.
Mr. Speaker, I am not ready to deal with that motion in Committee of the Whole today.
Notwithstanding Rule 27(2), do members agree that we proceed to Item 20?
Ms. Clerk.
Deputy Clerk (Ms. Aglukkaq): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Government Operations meeting tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock in Tuktu.
Orders of the Day for Thursday February 21, 2002
Speaker: Thank you, Ms. Clerk.
This House stands adjourned until February 21, 2002 at 1.30. Sergeant-At-Arms.
>>House adjourned at 4.55 p.m.
Thursday February 21, 2002
2471 – 2504
Opening Prayer 2471
Ministers’ Statements 2471
Members' Statements 2474
Returns to Oral Questions 2482
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2482
Oral Questions 2483
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2493
Return to Item 6: Oral Questions 2494
Tabling of Documents 2501
Notices of Motions 2502
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 2502
Orders of the Day 2503
Thursday February 21, 2002 2471
143 - 1(5): GN Staffing Capacity & Inuit Employment (Kilabuk) 2471
144 - 1(5): Workers’ Compensation Legislative Review Panel (Ng) 2472
145 - 1(5): Nuvisavik: An Exhibition of the Pangnirtung Tapestries at the Canadian Museum of Civilization (Akesuk) 2473
403 - 1(5): Group Home at Chesterfield Inlet for All Nunavut Residents (Arvaluk) 2474
404 - 1(5): Potential in Gold & Diamond; Training Opportunities (McLean) 2474
405 - 1(5): Frobisher Bay Kayaking Club Events (Tootoo) 2475
406 - 1(5): Gift from Pond Inlet Anglican Women’s Group (Nutarak) 2476
407 - 1(5): Grizzly Bear Hides Confiscated (Alakannuark) 2476
408 - 1(5): Sylvia Grinnell River & Fish Net Needs (Iqaqrialu) 2476
409 - 1(5): Public Service Act Amendment (Irqittuq) 2477
410 - 1(5): Training Program Graduates – Kugluktuk (Havioyak) 2477
411 - 1(5): Minister’s Visit to Gjoa Haven (Puqiqnak) 2478
412 - 1(5): Sanikiluaq Concerns Regarding Potential Environmental Mishaps (Kattak) 2479
413 - 1(5): Young Ambassadors - Tootoo Brothers (Anawak) 2480
414 - 1(5): Pangnirtung Weavers & Printers - Uqqummiut Centre (Kilabuk) 2481
Return to Question 384 - 1(5): Temperature Compensation Meters (Kattuk) 2482
Return to Question 387 - 1(5): Impact of Compensation Meter Installation (Kattuk) 2482
412 - 1(5): Delay of Winnipeg Medical Boarding Home Contract (McLean) 2483
413 - 1(5): Negotiations on Chesterfield Group Home & Development Corporation (Arvaluk) 2485
414 - 1(5): Addressing High Cost of Agency Workers (Tootoo) 2487
415 - 1(5): Arctic College Facilities - Kugluktuk (Havioyak) 2490
416 - 1(5): Percentage of Inuit Staff Expected in April 1999 (Irqittuq) 2491
417 – 1(5): Passports Update for AWG Athletes (Williams) 2494
418 - 1(5): Women’s Shelters & Spouse Communication (Nutarak) 2495
419 - 1(5): Grizzly Bear Compensation Studies (Alakannuark) 2498
420 - 1(5): Training for Social Workers in Holistic Treatment (Iqaqrialu) 2499
076 - 1(5): Workers Compensation Legislative Review Panel Report (Ng) 2501
Bill 19 - Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3, 2001/2002 – Notice (Ng) 2502
Bill 20 - Interim Appropriation Act, April 1 – June 30,2002 – Notice (Ng) 2502  Thursday February 21, 2002
Speaker (Mr. O'Brien): I would like to call on Mr. Irqittuq to say the prayer.
Minister's Statement 143 - 1(5): GN Staffing Capacity & Inuit Employment
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide Members of the Legislative Assembly with the latest staffing and Inuit Employment statistics within the Government of Nunavut for 2001.
As of September 30, 2001, seventy eight percent of the 2,836 positions within departments and boards of the Government of Nunavut were filled.
Of the 2,212 filled, beneficiaries occupied 924 positions.
Our beneficiaries’ employment increased from 848 in October 1999, to 924 in September 2001, an increase of 8.3%.
Mr. Speaker, the government’s successful decentralization program has been the major initiative to increase Inuit representation in the public service and bring government jobs to the communities.
Mr. Speaker, in addition to our decentralization program, there are other measures underway currently to increase beneficiary employment in the government.
We are raising the awareness of Inuit about available job opportunities within the government.
We have extended the priority hiring policy for another five years.
We are also developing a comprehensive Inuit Employment and Implementation Plan.
We will be working very closely with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to achieve the goals of Article 23 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement on Inuit employment within the government.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut continues towards creating and maintaining a representative public service.
There are many challenges ahead of us.
I am confident that if we continue working together, we can have a government that is representative of the people it serves.
Speaker: Thank you, minister. Ministers’ Statements. Mr. Ng.
Minister's Statement 144 - 1(5): Workers’ Compensation Legislative Review Panel
I would like to take this opportunity to update Members of the Assembly on the Report of the Workers’ Compensation Legislative Review Panel.
Mr. Speaker, as this Assembly is aware, last year the Honourable Joe Handley from the Government of the Northwest Territories and I appointed a joint panel to study the Workers’ Compensation Act, the Safety Act and general safety regulations of both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Chaired by Louise Vertes, the membership of this panel had equal representation from both jurisdictions.
Nunavut representatives included Shona Barkley from Iqaluit as the labour representative.
Also Alex Stuit of Kugluktuk and David Simailak of Baker Lake who represented employer interests.
Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the work of the panel.
Their report entitled, “Act Now” contains several recommendations that they believe will improve upon the current Workers' Compensation regimes in both jurisdictions.
The panel was very active and aggressive in pursuing comments from key stakeholders.
This report has been referred to the Workers' Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut for their input and was released to the public on January 31st, 2002.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time today I will be tabling this report in the Assembly.
I welcome the input from the public and from this Assembly as we work towards changes to existing legislation and a new Act in the longer term.
Minister's Statement 145 - 1(5): Nuvisavik: An Exhibition of the Pangnirtung Tapestries at the Canadian Museum of Civilization
Mr. Speaker, I want to bring to the attention of this House a very significant event in the development of our cultural industries in Nunavut.
Tonight a major art exhibition will be opening at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
This will be an important event in the Ottawa cultural calendar and it is a major cultural event for Nunavummiut as well.
That is because this exhibition will feature 50 woven tapestries and 10 drawings produced by the artists of Pangnirtung who work at the Pangnirtung tapestry studio at Uqqummiut Centre for Arts and Crafts.