EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
In December there was a graduation from Grade 12 and the individuals that graduated from Grade 12 are Blaire Iqaluk, Louisa Meeko, Lucy Meeko and Karlai Appaqaq are the four individuals that completed grade 12 and I am very proud of them Mr. Speaker.
We will also write a letter of congratulations to the four individuals.
Member’s Statement 95 - 1(3): Congratulations to New NTI Executive Members
I stand today to congratulate the newly elected members of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
I would like to congratulate the new President who has worked very hard over the years and the second vice-president Raymond Ningeochiak for being re-elected.
Member’s Statement 96 - 1(3): Congratulations to South Baffin Soccer and Hockey Teams
I would also like to congratulate two winning teams from my constituency.
I would like to congratulate the soccer team from Kimmirut that will be going to the Arctic Winter Games and the Cape Dorset players who will join the Nunavut Midget Hockey Team.
So I would like to congratulate those two teams for succeeding and going to the Arctic Winter Games.
Mr. Ng, members' statements.
Member’s Statement 97 - 1(3): Appreciation to MLAs for Cambridge Bay Visit
Mr. Speaker on January 14th to 18th the regular members' caucus met in Cambridge Bay to carry out some meetings and do some orientation work.
I was there on behalf of the government discussing some of the matters surrounding our budget, scheduling the work of the House.
I would like to at this time on behalf of my constituents, thank them for choosing Cambridge Bay for holding their meetings.
While they were there I also want to thank them for taking the time out of their busy schedules to visit with the youth, to meet with the elders, the Hamlet Council, to meet with the Nunavut Arctic College students and for undertaking the tours of the schools that they did and the tour of the community.
I know when you get into this type of thing there is a lot of work involved and all this stuff was squeezed into their busy schedules.
So thank you members.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Members' Statements.
Member’s Statement 98 - 1(3): Visit to Whale Cove
I would like to notify the members that tomorrow the members and some of the staff will be travelling to Whale Cove, a community that I represent.
Our Member of Parliament Nancy Lindell will also be attending the meeting with us.
So tomorrow at 2 :00 we will be travelling to Whale Cove and we will return to Rankin Inlet about 7:00 in the evening.
This trip is to show the members what it is like to live in the smaller communities.
So please be on time for the flight.
Member’s Statement 99 - 1(3): Logo Colours
Yesterday morning we unveiled the logo and some of the members are using the ties that we received.
I was very proud of those colours because they have Toronto Maple Leaf colours, so I would just like to express how proud I was of that logo.
Member’s Statement 100 - 1(3): Passing of Inusiq Sarah Akavak
Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Inusiq Sarah Akavak who died violently and tragically in Iqaluit recently.
Inusiq was a well known and well loved resident of Iqaluit originally from Kimmirut.
She worked very hard supporting her family by selling jewellery in public places in Iqaluit in the evenings, often with her beloved daughter at her side.
She also worked very hard during the day, housekeeping in houses and as a hotel chambermaid.
It seemed Inusiq always had a smile and a kind word for everyone whether or not they made a purchase from her.
It also seems that at the same time she was coping with violence in her personal life and that she carried this burden largely on her own.
Mr. Speaker, the residents of Iqaluit, Kimmirut and many other places where Inusiq was known and loved were shocked and saddened by the sudden death of such a hard working and always cheerful person.
They are especially saddened because it seemed that this tragedy occurred because of severe family distress.
Mr. Speaker, my community of Iqaluit is reeling from the pressures of growth and rapid change.
It is my sincere hope that we strive to build Nunavut and make our own new government work.
We will also pay attention to helping our citizens cope with the social pressures and costs of change and growth.
Sadly tragedies such as the death of Inusiq remind us of the need for a strengthened health and social service programs which can reach out and offer help to those that are suffering.
Funeral services were held for Inusiq in Kimmirut yesterday, Mr. Speaker.
We will send a sympathy letter to the family that has lost a loved family member.
Returning to our Orders of the Day.
I would like to recognize an individual that is in our gallery.
Andrew Qappik is here, the designer of the logo.
I grew up with Andrew and I know that he started his art work at a really early age of fourteen and he would always win our drawing contests.
I have known him all my life and know him as an artist.
I am very proud to see that he has been recognized for the wonderful work that he does.
Thank you Andrew for being at our Assembly.
Welcome Mr. Qappik.
I am very proud to recognize a young man that grew up in Baker Lake and went from kindergarten to grade 12.
I watched him grow up and I kept an eye on him because I am friends with his parents.
Far too often up here we hear the nought’s against the education system, that it is second rate and we are not really on par with anybody else.
Over the years I strived myself to encourage my kids to go to school and my friends kids, neighbours kids and all kids and I would like to recognize this young gentleman because his parents supported him, his teachers supported him and the community supported him.
He just recently received the Governor General's Award for Academic Excellence and Achievement.
Mr. Speaker, it shows you that people in Nunavut can achieve academic excellence with the right kind of support behind them.
So I would like everybody in this House to recognize Mr. Jeffrey Hart from Baker Lake as a winner of the Governor General's Award for Academic Achievement.
Welcome sir.
I would also like to recognize this morning, we could recognize a lot of people in the gallery, but one time during elections I was not successful and during that time when I was not successful, I decided to move to another community for two weeks and it has been thirteen years now.
During the two weeks when I was there I was invited to go polar bear hunting with this individual and I would like to thank that individual, Jack Nakoolak, for making me feel at home in Coral Harbour.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Welcome Mr. Nakoolak.
I would like to recognize two people that have been involved in politics with the Hamlet and with the Inuit organizations, Kivalliq Inuit Association.
This individual has been involved with KIA and the Hamlet.
I would like to recognize Louis Pilakapsi.
The other individual that I would like to recognize that has worked very hard to keep the Inuit Cultural Institute running and has worked hard to preserve our culture , Ollie Ittinuar.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Ms. Thompson, welcome to the gallery.
I’d like to recognize the same individual.
I had planned to recognize Ollie Ittinuar.
I know he has a lot of knowledge in our culture and has worked very hard to keep our culture alive.
I just wanted to express that.
Welcome again, Mr. Ollie Ittinuar. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Speaker, as the members know, I am originally from Rankin Inlet and I have a great number of relatives here.
I was hoping to recognize a bunch of them yesterday but they have the same amount of patience as I do I guess, they all left early, but today I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a couple of them.
One is currently living in Iqaluit.
He is the assistant Deputy Minister of Finance, my brother Victor Tootoo.
And also in the gallery is a cousin of mine, he is with the HTO here, Mr. Larry Ussak.
Welcome to the gallery. (interpretation) Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Nutarak.
I’d also like to recognize a visitor.
When we visit communities, we always have friends and relatives in the community.
This person is a relative of mine, Louis Pilakapsi.
Welcome again Mr. Pilakapsi.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Anawak.
I think everybody has been recognized, Manitok Thompson and I are representing people in this community.
We will probably be recognizing the same people.
I would also like to recognize Susan Makpah, who is in the gallery and Larry Ussak, who is also here.
Also, Jack Kabvitok who is in the back.
Jack works very hard with Search and Rescue.
I would also like to recognize Ollie Ittinuar for the hard work he does with the Inuit Cultural Institute and Louis Pilakapsi who is heavily involved with NTI and I’d also like to recognize my sister Madeline Manitok who is sitting at the back.
Welcome to the assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery.
I think everybody has been recognized here but I would like to recognize some staff that are here and I’d like to recognize Leona Aglukkak who is the Assistant Deputy Minister for Human Resources and I know she is very capable of doing her job.
Mr. Picco, recognition of visitors in the gallery.
Hon. Ed Picco: I would like to welcome somebody that I worked with in Clyde River about 16 years ago.
An old friend of Mr. Iqaqrialu also.
A hard working guy, an entrepreneur and a heck of a dart player, Mr. Ron Roche.
Thank you Mr. Speaker .
Welcome to the gallery. (interpretation) Recognition of visitors in the gallery, Mr. Puqiqnak.
I had a sister who passed away and she was a really close friend of an individual who is in the gallery today.
I know that when they were little girls, we used to have a 110 Honda and it was very easy to start.
They would always want to go and fetch water for our family.
I would like to recognize Leona Aglukkak .
Mr. O’Brien: I didn’t think there was anybody else in the Assembly left to recognize, but I do notice somebody sitting over there, a resident of Iqaluit, a friend of mine and the former premier of the NWT, Dennis Patterson.
Welcome to the gallery. (interpretation) Recognition of visitors in the gallery.
Question 162 - 1(3): Social Worker for Kimmirut
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you very much Mr. Speaker.
Ever since I was elected, I have been questioning the Minister of Health and Social Services on this issue.
Kimmirut has been waiting over a year now for a social worker.
They require this staff member.
My question is for the minister, whether anything is happening with that issue.
Hon. Ed Picco : The member is correct.
The position was vacant for about 14 months.
The Baffin Regional Health and Social Services Board has worked very hard in staffing the position and it is my understanding that a qualified applicant has been identified.
There is housing available, the interview is booked and the person should be in place over the next two weeks or so.
Question 163 - 1(3): Decentralization for Smaller Communities
Will the small communities benefit from the issue of decentralization.
That is my question for the Premier, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Premier
Yes, we haven’t forgotten our smaller communities and I always bring up that issue when I visit these small communities who will not benefit from decentralization and I have spoken with our Minister of Sustainable Development and we will develop a strategy for the smaller communities.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Premier. Mr. Iqaqrialu.
I think if you don’t have a full commitment for the smaller communities, I wonder if you have plans or strategies for small communities for decentralization.
Yes we like to support the small communities and we would like to support the Hamlet in the very near future and we would like to see them pursue this issue with us.
Speaker: Mr. Alakannuark.
Question 164 - 1(3): Air Link Between Keewatin and Kitikmeot Region
My question is for the Minister of Transportation.
Is the Minister considering taking a look at a route between Keewatin and Kitikmeot Region.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Transportation, Mr. Anawak
Yes, we have been looking at this issue whether there could be alternate routes between the two regions.
Whether it’s by air or sea, we are looking at this Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Thank you sir.
Mr. Speaker, the reason that I raised this question is to find out how soon you will be looking at the aircraft routes between the Keewatin and Kitikmeot region
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Transportation, Mr. Anawak.
We can’t order the airlines what to do but perhaps the airlines themselves are looking at alternate routes.
There have been discussions but I’m not sure when we will actually see those new routes between the Keewatin and Kitikmeot Region.
Question 165 - 1(3): Fuel Subsidies
My question is for the Minister responsible for Public Works and Services and Petroleum Products.
Yesterday Mr. Speaker, the minister indicated that there were four areas in which the Government Department subsidizes the fuels across Nunavut which were diesel fuel, heating fuel, aviation fuel, gasoline and jet A1.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the minister indicated that the total subsidy by the Government, by her Department, was 9.6 million dollars.
Mr. Speaker the numbers that she provided in the House yesterday on the breakdown of those subsidies only come up to about 7 million dollars unless I got a number wrong.
Mr. Speaker, I am wondering if there is another area of subsidy that was missed and where the other 2 million dollars in subsidies go.
The Minister responsible for Public Works, Manitok Thompson.
I just mentioned heating, aviation, gasoline and jet A1 fuel but there are other subsidies.
They are heating fuel, motor, aviation fuel, naphtha and av-gas.
The total figure is still nine million six hundred fifty one thousand two hundred sixty six dollars.
If the member wants me to tell him the rest of the subsidies, I can do so or I can table this document.
Mr. Speaker, I am just going to ask the minister, it might be a lot simpler if we just simply ask her if she would be able to table that document that outlines all the subsidies later today.
Mr. Speaker: Thank you Mr Tootoo.
I guess another thing I have to remind you guys is I sent out a little thing for you guys to sign.
Please pass it along.
I will do that – I will table the document.
Question 166 - 1(3): Gjoa Haven Water Quality
My question is for Minister responsible for Community Governments and my question is regarding Gjoa Haven’s water reservoir.
We all are aware that I raised this issue yesterday about some worms in the water supply and Mr. Speaker, I have a question.
The water reservoir at risk is in Gjoa Haven.
We have problems with the water system.
We had problems with the lines for the reservoir as well as the pump house and every morning one of our local staff members have to de-ice the line because the line tends to freeze every morning.
So, Mr. Speaker it was previously fixed and we had a line about four miles going to our community and the water reservoir is very small now, Mr. Speaker.
But right now, the water reservoir in Gjoa Haven is causing problems and the Minister of Justice has been working on decentralization to our community.
There is also the fact that our population is growing and decentralization is impacting on our community.
Mr. Speaker, my question to the minister is whether he will address this issue regarding the problems with the water reservoir in Gjoa Haven, Mr. Speaker.
Will the minister address this issue for Gjoa Haven.
Mr Anawak.
We are waiting for some consultants that will be looking at some parts that we have ordered for this water reservoir and they are in communication with the Hamlet Council about the situation in Gjoa Haven.
So we are waiting for some parts, but I'm very sorry that we are taking much longer than we expected Mr. Speaker.
Perhaps today or tomorrow we will give you an update on what is happening with this issue in Gjoa Haven.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Puqiqnak.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker, I remember the issue of the water system that’s been in place and hasn't been used in a long time because the container is so small.
Is the minister saying they will be using that existing water filter system that’s in place or are they ordering parts for another water system.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Sorry, to clarify the issue, Mr. Speaker, when I mentioned that we have ordered some parts perhaps tomorrow I will give you a more detailed update Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Perhaps, I don’t think that item has been budgeted.
But, perhaps they will have to look for some funding elsewhere from their department.
Is there a way they will address this issue in Gjoa Haven, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: Mr. Anawak
We are all aware that we have some concerns on health issues, especially with the water supply.
In conjunction with the Minister of Health and Social Services we will be working very hard to address this issue Mr. Speaker, and in terms of the water supply and the organisms in the water supply.
So I will be sitting down with the Minister of Health and Social Services and look at this issue very closely.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Anawak. (interpretation) I want to remind you the budget has not been tabled, perhaps at the committee of the whole you can discuss possible funding that could be allocated for this issue.
Question 167 - 1(3): Hall Beach School
Mr. Speaker, there have been a number of petitions from Hall Beach for the school system.
Perhaps the Minister of Education has written a letter, but I don’t recall seeing any of those letters.
Can we get an update on what is happening with the school in Hall Beach.
This addition was previously from the GNWT and there have been a number of times it has been delayed in the capital plans and now it has been delayed to the 2000/2001 plans, Mr. Speaker.
We're short Mr. Speaker, in terms of capital dollars for Nunavut, so we’re only dealing with emergency or priority issues.
Perhaps at the committee of the whole we can look at this item a little more closely.
Where you would like to put it in a twenty year plan and look at a twenty year plan for capital in education.
We would like to prepare plans that will look at long term plans instead of short term.
If you only look at short term plans it doesn’t really help.
So I want to work very closely with the members to prepare a long term plan for education.
Mr Irqittuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It is my understanding that you will just be reviewing 2000/2001 plans for Hall Beach.
We will be looking at all the schools in Nunavut.
We have included Hall Beach in the 2000/2001 plans and we will be doing some inspections on that basis.
So Hall Beach has been included in our plans.
The minister mentioned that you are looking at the architectural plans in terms where the location will be for these schools.
You gave some examples, so can you give us some clarification Mr. Speaker.
I was just giving you an example of the location because we have seen a lot of schools built.
Some are improperly structured and there are some other problems.
Pond Inlet is one example and the other one is Baker Lake.
I was just giving you an example of the foundations of these facilities because spring and winter effect the ground and the base, for example in Clyde River.
The reason we want to see a long term plan is because it would be more beneficial for these communities.
If we put in a twenty year plan I think it will be more beneficial for these communities, using our funds for the greater good of the communities, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker back in December we were in Hall Beach.
The minister was asked at the public meeting when we would see a new school.
The minister responded to that question and I would ask him to explain how you responded at that time.
Would you clarify that here.
Yes I could clarify what I said in Hall Beach Mr. Speaker.
I think what I stated in Hall Beach and how that reflects in terms of our budget for education, I think that if I were to respond to that question fully, I would take up all your time.
I think it would be more appropriate if I could respond to that question later because if I respond to it now I would take up too much time Mr. Speaker.
You would have to look at architectural plans and other plans and the long term plans we have for the school facilities.
You would have to look at long term plans for population forecasted from kindergarten up to grade twelve.
Question 168 - 1(3): Manitoba / Keewatin Power Grid
My question today is for the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, some time ago a committee was struck to review and study the possibility of a power grid between Manitoba and the Keewatin.
Mr Speaker we spoke about, at great length, the increase in fuel costs and the effect it's having on the people of Nunavut.
My question to the minister is, can he give the members an update as to the status of this study and proposal that has been ongoing for the past year and a half.
Minister responsible for the Power Corporation.
Mr. Speaker just a point of clarification, is the member asking about the Ikuma working group report, or is he asking about the pre -feasibility study by Manitoba Hydro.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr Picco.
Could you rephrase your question Mr. O'Brien.
Mr. Speaker, I'm referring to the pre-feasibility study of which we spoke about in this House before, and the fact that this report or study has been ongoing for the past two years.
So I think it's fairly clear where my question is coming from.
Minister for the Power Corporation - Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker the pre-feasibility study was delivered officially to the government in mid-September.
I guess we are fortunate that on Sunday and Monday a delegation from Manitoba, including some representatives from Manitoba Hydro will be here in Rankin Inlet and will be giving a presentation.
My understanding, Mr. Speaker, is that presentation is on the pre-feasibility study of Manitoba Hydro.
At that time I will be meeting with the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation for Manitoba Hydro to discuss issues surrounding the pre-feasibility study.
Given the fact that we've had this report for some time now, can the minister tell the members with the information he has before him whether or not he sees this particular proposal as a clear possibility to move forward on it.
Mr Picco.
Mr. Speaker, I think it's very important to point out this is a pre-feasibility.
It's broad in its implication and its assumptions.
There are major impacts on environmental assessments, on parks, on protected areas and indeed, Mr. Speaker, there are huge capital dollar implications.
We are just now as a government trying to get a feel for what some of the implications are in the pre-feasibility study and hopefully in the next couple of days with the Manitoba delegation arriving we will be able to have some frank and serious discussions surrounding the pre-feasibility study, and then as a government with consultation with the ordinary members we will be able to look at what the next direction this government will take in regards to the pre-feasibility study on the possibility of a electrical link with the province of Manitoba.
Speaker. Thank you Mr. Picco.
It is my understanding that presently we're paying seventy cents per kilowatt hour for power in the Keewatin.
Can the minister confirm a comment or statement that was made in the pre-feasibility study that indicated that if this line, this linkage were to go ahead that costs would actually be reduced to twenty-five cents per kilowatt hour.
Would he consider that significant.
Minister responsible for the power corporation.
Mr. Speaker, I think it's hard for me to comment on a report that is not before this House, that has not been tabled, and what the implications of recommendations or options pointed out in a study that is a pre-feasibility study are.
What I am saying Mr. Speaker, is that this government will be meeting with the Manitoba officials.
There will be an in-depth presentation by Manitoba Hydro on this pre-feasibility study.
We will have to look at it over the next couple of weeks to see where we go from there.