EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We have many inmates in Nunavut and we need those services, as this is an urgent matter.
Well, they are not just kept in jail; there are probation officers available.
We have the RCMP who are providing those services also.
They are not just kept in jail because we do not have enough officers.
No matter which community they are at, they are provided those services and we place those workers in based on the priorities we have determined.
Question 652 – 1(6): How Often Minster Meets with RCMP Commanding Officer
The Speaker could not see me because of the bouquet of flowers.
It is in regards to the Members’ Statement that I made earlier on.
How often does the Minister meet with the RCMP Commanding Officer annually?
I meet with the commanding officer about once or twice a year.
Whenever there are problems that arise, we communicate with each other and if there is an emergency, we communicate with each other as well.
I was told that by my Constituents in Pond Inlet that there have been RCMP members that enter a home without knocking and the RCMP, like I said in my Members’ Statement that I think the RCMP have to be informed that it is not appropriate to just enter a home without knocking or without notifying the occupants.
Could the Minister look into this?
The RCMP operates through federal legislation.
It states in the Legislation that they cannot just enter a home without notifying the occupants, unless they have a warrant to enter a home and if this is not being the case, then I would like to be notified by the people of Nunavummiut and we can do something about it.
Question 653 – 1(6): Status of Gun Control in Nunavut
My question is directed to the Department of Justice.
It is in regards to firearms control.
What is the current status of gun control here in Nunavut today?
We have been working with the Gun Control Act.
This past spring, a court decision stated that it is not in force with respect to Inuit.
After it is dealt with in the Supreme Court, the decision will be made as to what the status will be; in the meantime Inuit do not require licenses.
As to when that will be done, I’m not really sure but it is not directed to Inuit.
The Gun Control Act is not really totally understood by the people of Nunavut.
Like the Minister said, it does not apply to Inuit.
Even if we don’t use it, the legislation, is it okay to go hunting and what not?
I’m an Inuk and even if I don’t have a license, I could go hunting.
The Act states that we have to have a gun registration or license for a gun but if you’re Inuk and you live in Nunavut, you can go ahead and go hunting without those papers.
On the other hand, you have to have some kind of registration or a license to buy ammunition.
That aspect has not been clarified to date.
But if you want to use a gun, today, it would be okay for Inuit.
You have to have a permit in order to buy ammunition.
Even if I don’t have a permit or license, if I got to a store, such as the Co-op or Northern Store, am I allowed to, can I purchase ammunition for my gun?
That’s the only problem that we have today, that our right to hunt is not respected by the stores.
The permit is only for hunting on the land.
Some stores in the communities, they make it hard to buy ammunition.
That’s why we are still in a process of to revise it or to make it applicable without having to have a permit or license for the people of Nunavut.
We don’t have to have a permit to have a gun, but you still have to have a permit to buy ammunition.
Supplementary Final supplementary.
Yes, I understand it in two ways and I’d like to get more clarification.
The stores are giving us a hard time to get ammunition and at the same time you don’t have to have a permit or license to go hunting and at the same time you need a permit or license to buy ammunition.
So I would really like to get really good clarification whether or how an individual can acquire or buy ammunition from the store.
In some way I understand it, but in another way I really can’t, don’t understand it because you still have to have certificate or permit to purchase ammunition.
Yes, I’m trying to respond properly.
I could say that, we have a right as Inuit to go hunting even if we have a license.
I could use a gun because I have a right as an individual as an Inuk, but because I don’t have a certificate or permit, that is where we have a problem there.
So that is what we are trying to challenge in the Supreme Court because you have to show your permit license in order to purchase the ammunition from the store.
So this is the problem we have right now.
Some stores are looking at the certificate or permit or license more so than the right of the Inuk hunter.
So that is what we are trying to do to fix it through the Supreme Court.
If you are an Inuk and if you are able to use the rifle and if you are allowed to use the rifle, yet we can’t go hunting without having any ammunition.
So that is what we’re trying to do to fix it through the Supreme Court.
Members, please note that we have approximately eight minutes left.
And we have two Members next.
We’ll have Mr. MacLean and then Mr. Puqiqnak.
Question 654 – 1(6): Provide House Arrest
Mr. Glenn McLean: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot in media in the last few weeks about overcrowding of our correctional centers in Nunavut, and setting up new correctional facilities in Kugluktuk, etc, and about female inmates having no institution in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, in the larger communities, especially Baker Lake, we have a full time probation officer and three full time RCMP and three full time social workers.
Does the Minister, a question to the Minister of Justice, does the Minister have any house arrest program in place in Nunavut at this time?
Currently, I’m not aware of any.
But like I said we have various programs, like outpost camp programs, probation services other than that I am not aware of any specific house arrest services.
The courts may impose curfews and other restrictions on the offender, but I am not aware of any specific house arrest has been instituted.
Some of the circumstances where offenders are sent out into Iqaluit or outpost camps or Yellowknife that probably warrants dangerous offenders are sent out of their community.
I hear time and time again that they don’t get the counselling and services that they need.
The Minister of Justice over the last couple of years has been very pro-active in setting up and educating our community justice committees.
Looking at a community like Baker Lake, I just don’t know how active they are at this time and they are there.
There are elders on there.
There are young people on there.
And getting to, maybe using the wrong word, house arrest, because when you say house, I looked at my colleague from Kugluktuk and sometimes I feel like I’m under arrest with him.
But on that issue, I’d like to call it some kind of incarceration in the community.
And technology is changing today where they have collars and leg ID and those sorts of paraphernalia that helps keep a person in the place that they’re supposed to be.
Has the Minister, I don’t want to call them collars, has the Minister looked at this type, look at trying to keep offenders in their own community?
Because we do have the resources in our communities, like I said, we have full time probation officers, social workers etc. etc.
I haven’t been made aware of any specific cases where certain things like electronic equipment can be used as surveillance.
We’ll have to look at that, if we can accommodate that within Nunavut.
As you know, we’re just trying to catch up with the rest of the country in terms of broadband and other modern technology.
We’d have to look at whether it would be possible to institute such electronic gadgetry in Nunavut.
Question 655 – 1(6): Lack of Spaces for Elders and Youth Facilities
Mr. Speaker, I rise today regarding concerns in my community due to the growth of population in the communities and the lack of infrastructure in the government that offers education, and through the Federal Government, do offer funding for aboriginal communities through the application process from the communities.
My question is directed to the Minister Responsible for Community Government and Transportation.
I’ll use this as an example.
At the hamlet in Gjoa Haven, the hamlet office building is being used as a kindergarten class room space and in Taloyoak, because there is a lack of space for the elder’s facility, they use the hamlet warehouse for elders’ gatherings.
There is a lack of space and infrastructure.
Is the Minister aware in his department whether they’re losing those spaces to other agencies?
Excuse me. Mr. Speaker, I am well aware that the majority of hamlets do have daycare spaces or adult learning centres or youth centres or elders’ centres.
The hamlets usually have an agreement with local organizations for the rental of such spaces and yes, I am well aware of it.
Mr. Speaker, the hamlet in the communities within the hamlet boundary governs within the municipal boundary, but the hamlet does not regulate everything or provide for all funding within the boundary.
And due to the lack of space in the community, at times have to let go some of the buildings to other agencies and I think the Government of Nunavut has to take a closer look in the communities on the infrastructure needs for the hamlets.
So, I would like to ask the Minister for my two particular communities of Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven, whether they can take a closer look and send his officials to find out what the infrastructure needs are in those communities.
Mr. Speaker, just to clarify, on the hamlets in those communities, it is up to their discretion as to what they would like to do with their buildings and who they would like to lend their buildings to.
And because it is at the discretion of the hamlets, they can either give those buildings to other agencies and if he can give me more specific information, I can have my Officials look into the matter to find out what the needs are.
Very briefly, I would like to ask him whether his Department in the Kitikmeot Region, we do have regional staff and as a Minister for the Department, can he direct his staff to find out what the infrastructure needs are in those two communities?
Yes, perhaps it would be more proactive to work with the communities have them write to the Department and identify what their needs are.
And once they have done that, then I can direct my staff with more specific information to take a closer look in those communities, once we receive those letters, and it will also have to be clear to see what the priorities of those communities are.
Looking at this copy, 2004-2005 Capital Estimates and 2008-2009 Capital Planning, there is nothing in the works for infrastructure.
And although this is 2003-2004, we still have a high need, perhaps because the hamlet has let go a lot of their infrastructure in support of the needs of other agencies in the communities.
Perhaps I will write a letter to the Minister to work with your departmental staff?
As my budget has not been presented to the Committee of the Whole yet it is impossible for me to even refer to the Budget and Plans, as they are still forthcoming to the Committee of the Whole for approval.
Until such time that the Committee has had the opportunity of approving the budget, and the plans, I am at a loss to discuss this any further.
Report 019 – 1(6): Bill 41 – An Act to Amend the Nursing Act – COW Review of Bill
I wish to report that Bill 41, an Act to Amend the Nursing Act, has been reviewed by the Standing Committee for Health and Education, and that the Bill is ready for consideration in the Committee of the Whole.
Tabled Document 138 – 1(6): The Nunavut Fire Protection Strategy
The Nunavut Fire Protection Strategy, Enhancing Community Fire Protection and Response.
Tabled Document 139 – 1(6): Addendum to the 2004/2005 Capital Estimates
The Addendum to the 2004-2005 Capital Estimates, both containing corrected information for the Department of Community Government and Transportation referring this document in Committee of the Whole.
Consideration to the Committee of the Whole of Bills and other Matters.
Bill 12, Bill 33, Bill 45, Bill 46, Bill 47, and Bill 48, with Mr. Puqiqnak in the Chair.
Before we proceed to the Committee, we will take a short break.
>>Committee recessed at 15:30 and resumed at16:06
Chairman (Mr. Puqiqnak) (interpretation): Thank you.
During Committee of the Whole yesterday, the Minister for Public Works made his Opening Remarks.
The Minister can proceed to the Witness Table with his staff.
Go ahead, Mr. Minister.
Welcome, Mr. Minister and if you could please introduce your staff for the record.
On my right, my Deputy Minister, Robert Gunn, on my left Assistant Deputy Minister, David Akoak.
Chairman (interpretation): Welcome, David and Mr. Gunn.
Just before we start with the Capital Estimates, the Members have 10 minutes to make their General Comments.
The Floor is now open for General Comments.
If there are no General Comments from the Members, under 6-5, any questions from the Members.
Mr. McLean: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just one question on the $1 million 150 thousand, that is for new computer hardware and software or just updates?
This is for the six communities for vehicles that have to be replaced and for the renovations for Government staff houses; that is what it is for.
I have, under 6-5, any questions, concerns?
Total Summary, Public Works and Services, 6-6 Detail of Capital, Baffin Region, Total Qikiqtaaluk Region, $170 thousand, Mr. Nutarak.
If there is an emergency that has to be taken care of right away, will there be some money available for emergency items that have to be done right away?
Could the Member clarify what kinds of emergency items that he is speaking about?
Mr. Nutarak, if you can clarify your question.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): If there needs to be vehicles replaced and for the renovations of the public or staff housing, if there are emergency renovations that have to be done for staff housing, is there any money set aside for that purpose in 2004-2005 or in the contingency plan?
Chairman (interpretation): Minister Kattuk.
If there is an emergency where you have to do renovations or you have to work on it right away, if there is anything that has to be done that is of an emergency nature, it will have to be done.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Can you point me to the page where the money would be on these pages for emergency purposes?
Under Qikiqtaaluk Region, under 6-6, there is $130 thousand for minor Capital Projects.
Under the same question as my Colleague, under Qikiqtaaluk Region, what happens if the money is not used?
We do not believe that there would be any money left over.
We believe that it is going to be used up for minor Capital Projects because the Government staff houses have to be renovated.
In 2004-2005, we expect that there will be no money left over.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): It just says that various Qikiqtaaluk Region, Minor Capital Projects, I just wondered whether it is going to be used for the purpose that it is meant to be used for.
Chairman (interpretation): Minister Kattuk.  Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Yes, I can assure the Member that this will not be misappropriated because there has to be Minor Capital Projects done for the various staff houses in the Qikiqtaaluk Region.
I can assure the Member that the money will not be misappropriated.
After the end of our term, would you be able to tell us how much is going to be allotted for each?
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Yes, there will be money set aside again for doing minor capital projects after the end of that year.
Chairman (interpretation): I have no more names.
Detail of Capital, Public Works and Services, Technical Services, the Qikiqtaaluk region, $170 thousand.
Kivalliq Region, 6-6, or 6-7.
If there is no questions, or comments.
Total Kivalliq region, $850 thousand.
Chairman (interpretation): Under 6-7, the Kitikmeot region, 6-7.
I just want to get some clarification under the Kitikmeot region; Kugluktuk is the only community that has a Capital Estimate for vehicle replacement.
In this area, some communities in the Kitikmeot region, that have requested to have their vehicle replaced, and Kugluktuk is the only one that is there.
Are there other communities in the Kitikmeot region that are going to get their vehicle replacement allotment?
Kugluktuk’s vehicle is seven years old.
As soon as the vehicle reaches the age of seven years, they have to be replaced.
And the other question that the Member had if there is any other community in the Kitikmeot region that is going to get their vehicle replaced, if we know that the community requires a vehicle replacement then we will consider that.
For further clarification, even there is no money for the other communities, if there is an emergency, then would that money be available for that?
If there is nothing in these Capital Estimates, and if there is an emergency, we are told whether there is a fire in a vehicle, or if a vehicle burns down, and if it is an emergency then we can consider it.
We have to have subs for that.
At this time, it would not come from my department, but it would come from the Department of Finance.
I have no more names for that page.
Total Kitikmeot Region, $130 thousand.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Total Tangible Assets, $1 million, 150 thousand.
Public Works and Services, Branch Summary, Petroleum Products Divisions, 6-8, and 6-9.
Any concerns or questions.
Detail of Capital. Total Headquarters Region, $100 thousand.
Chairman (interpretation): 6-9, Qikiqtaaluk Region, Total Qikiqtaaluk Region, $3 million, $200 thousand.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. 6-10, Kivalliq Region, Total Kivalliq Region, $1 million, 800 thousand.
Total Kitikmeot Region, $1 million, 475 thousand.
As you know, last year and the year before, there was some fuel shipped to Kugaaruk as they ran out of fuel.
I was wondering if the fuel tanks will be sufficient. 1.4 million litres, will that be sufficient to provide fuel for Kugaaruk?
As you know, we had to charter a hercules jet to haul fuel to Kugaaruk to replenish their fuel supply.
Does Kugaaruk have sufficient fuel supply for this time around?
Chairman (interpretation): Minister.
The question from the Member is whether there is going to be a sufficient amount of fuel for this year for Kugaaruk.
I will have my Deputy Minister, Robert Gunn, respond to that question.
Chairman (interpretation): Deputy Minister.
Mr. Gunn.
Mr. Gunn: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Havioyak, with this increase in the code capacity, there should be no problems with fuel delivery in Kugaaruk.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Anything else?
Just looking at the two numbers, when I say two, I should say 2003/2004, in comparison with the numbers for 2004/2005, when I look at those, the reason I ask is that it seems to me, when you look at the numbers, they’re about 50 percent done.
Maybe you could provide an update, because I want to make sure that they have sufficient facilities for their petroleum.
Chairman (interpretation): Mr. Minister. Mr. Gunn.
Mr. Gunn: Thank you. We’re about 90 percent complete on the project now.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Havioyak. In the Kitikmeot Region, Total Kitikmeot Region, $1 million, 475 thousand.
Total Tangible Assets, $6 million, 575 thousand.
Going back. 6-4.
Department Summary Detailed Capital Expenditures.
Total capital Expenditures. $7 million, 725 thousand.
Chairman (interpretation): The department is now complete.
Thank you Mr. Kattuk and your officials and staff for coming.
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for you information, the individuals to my left and my right, we are all Inuit.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you for making your appearance.
We have completed with Public Works and Services.
The Committee wishes to continue with the Community Government and Transportation Capital Estimates 2004/2005.
Chairman (interpretation): We will move on to the Community Government and Transportation.
Mr. Kilabuk, do you have any opening comments?
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman I guess I can start with my opening in my seat or at the witness table?
Chairman (interpretation): You could make your opening comments exactly from where you are.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman and thank you for giving me your consideration.
Thank you Chairman.
I will be discussing the department’s Capital Budget with the Committee as a Whole.
My department plays an important role in the aspects of community life and well-being.
So many of our day to day activities are affected by basic the infrastructures that surround us.
For example, the water we drink is collected, pumped and delivered.
The roads we drive on are graded and smoothed.
The garbage we throw out is collected and disposed of.
Community members work, gather and celebrate in municipal facilities.
All these activities are supported through our community’s infrastructure and essential part of daily life.
In the last five years, the capital programs division has been successful in undertaking many different projects.
Some of these projects have involved basic but critically required infrastructure such as water and sewage facilities.
Examples include a mechanical sewage treatment plant in Pangnirtung, my home community.
Also, ongoing major works of Coral Harbour sewage site and significant improvements in water and storage in Kugluktuk.
Mr. Chairman, although water and sewer systems are important in our daily lives, it is often community-based infrastructure that is highest on the priority list for our communities.
We have managed to continue to purchase municipal equipment such as loaders, dozers and fire trucks.
We have built the new arena in Kimmirut and extended the community hall in Arviat.
We have built bridges in Pelly Bay and Rankin Inlet and improved roads in local and many other projects across Nunavut.
Mr. Chairman, an important part of our communities is airports and without them, our communities would be completely isolated.
Through the Nunavut Airports Division of my Department, we provide safe infrastructure and quality maintenance for safety and reliability and the communication and weather services.
We have built the new air terminal building in Clyde River and improved runways in Whale Cove, Baker Lake and Resolute Bay.
We have also identified funding and completed designs for new airport terminal buildings in Pond Inlet, Gjoa Haven and Coral Harbour.
All will be constructed this upcoming summer.
Mr. Chairman, even with these successes we have faced an uphill battle to meet community needs and requirements of Federal Regulations.
This is particular, too, for water and sewage systems.
For instance, for the first time in some communities’ histories, they are being checked to see if they comply, if they complied with Federal Environment Rules.
Laws and Regulations are now being enforced and applied to a standard never before seen in the north.
We have an infrastructure left to us, we have infrastructure left to us by the previous Government that was often neglected.
We also have a rapidly growing population and several emergency situations that require emergency infusion of capital dollars.
Excuse me, Mr. Chairman.
All of these required us to adopt the 5-Year Capital Planning to the available dollars and forced us to make difficult choices in what projects can go ahead with funding available.
But Mr. Chairman, I have worked very hard with my Cabinet Colleagues to advance our 5-Year Capital Plans, but even with this work, Mr. Chairman, we still face tremendous pressure to do more with less.
Our task at Community Government and Transportation is not just to build, grade and deliver.
We are actively planning lifecycle management of our facilities and buildings.
We are also taking aggressive steps to train and build the municipalities’ capacities to take preventative measures against building loss.
This is supported through my Department’s funding of the Municipal Training Organizations and our financial assistance to help establish NAMIX, the municipal insured programs for communities.