EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
On August 17, 2006, the Tahera Diamond Mine was officially opened after many years of exploration, permitting and construction.
Over 140 VIPs, including the Prime Minister of Canada and the Premier of Nunavut, flew in from across Canada for the ribbon cutting ceremony to open Nunavut’s first diamond mine.
Mr. Speaker, the Tahera Diamond Mine was Nunavut’s first mine to open since Nunavut was created and it came after the closure of three producing mines – Lupin, Polaris and Nanisivik.
Mr. Speaker, the Tahera Diamond Mine ushered in an era of hope for a prosperous future for many Kitikmeot residents and businesses.
The Kitikmeot Inuit Association negotiated an Inuit Impact and Benefits Agreement with the company that provided employment, training, scholarship, and contracting benefits.
Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot’s hopes were short-lived.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut has vast mineral resources but they are difficult to access and mine.
The conditions have to be right for a mine to have a chance to succeed.
The Tahera Diamond Mine spent years in the permitting process, which was followed by a year of construction.
However, they could not contend with Mother Nature, production issues, and global market forces.
Mr. Speaker, a warm 2006 winter shortened the shipping time on the Contwoyto winter road, resulting in Tahera receiving only 60 percent of its fuel re-supply.
The company had to mine their lower grade diamonds during a period when the world demand for diamonds wasn’t great.
Skyrocketing global fuel costs and a rising Canadian loonie against the US dollar hurt them as well.
Mr. Speaker, the recent decision by Tahera to seek bankruptcy protection was the correct decision.
However, it only crystallized the significant blow that the Kitikmeot economy has suffered.
Many Kitikmeot residents lost their jobs and local businesses were left owed millions of dollars in unpaid bills.
Mr. Speaker, Tahera’s misfortunes highlight the fact that mining is a cyclical industry where every misstep is magnified tenfold.
In Nunavut, it is extremely difficult and costly for a mining company to arrive at the production stage, but it might be even more challenging for them to remain in business and confer economic benefits on the Nunavut economy and increase shareholder wealth.
Mr. Speaker, while Nunavut anticipates benefiting from a vibrant and growing mining industry, it is vitally important that the Government of Nunavut develop contingency plans to assist individuals and communities that are displaced by the closure of a major employer such as a mine.
Mr. Speaker, in January of this year, the federal government announced the creation of the new Community Development Trust.
The Prime Minister’s announcement of this initiative indicated that, “Some communities are vulnerable because of their dependence on a single employer or a sector under pressure due to exchange rate fluctuations, declining demand notably in the U.S., or other factors.
A base amount of $10 million will be provided to each province and $3 million to each territory, with the balance of the funding allocated on a per capita basis.
This allocation will give all provinces and territories the capacity to respond to adjustment challenges.”
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the Government of Nunavut should consider using some of its allocation under this new fund to assist the Kitikmeot.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in wishing Tahera Diamond Mine success in developing a recovery plan for the Jericho Diamond Mine.
Member’s Statement 319 – 2(4): Response to Statement by the Member for Iqaluit West (Tootoo)
I rise today to respond to comments made by the Member for Iqaluit West at our sitting of Friday, February 22, 2008.
Mr. Speaker, I have now had the opportunity to review our Hansard from Friday’s sitting.
I would draw your attention to comments made by the member when he rose in his place to deliver Member’s Statement 311 – 2(4).
Mr. Speaker, you will recall that he stated, and I’ll quote:
“When our colleague for Iqaluit Centre was commenting on Bill 13, in terms of the need to have water lights in all our homes today, unfortunately, I want it clear for the record that we do not need a 60-watt light bulb to provide our water light in our homes…,” it goes on to say, “so I want to make that clear for the record and for the people of Nunavut not to be misled by well-meaning statements that they can use other technology today.”
Mr. Speaker, I also took the opportunity this weekend to review our Hansard from November 8, 2007. I would draw your attention to what I actually stated on that day for the public record when I delivered the Report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Accountability on its review of Bill 13.
In my comments to the House, I simply noted that, and I’ll quote:
“Mr. Speaker, Bill 13 would allow regulations to be made to permit the sale of certain types of incandescent light bulbs to deal with certain situations, such as outdoor water service lighting.”
Mr. Speaker, I must say that when I first heard the comments by the Member for Iqaluit West, my initial thought was that the Minister of Energy might want to raise a point of order.
As the Minister of Energy will recall, in his own correspondence to the standing committee of August 29, 2007, concerning Bill 13, he indicated, and again I’ll quote:
“The proposed legislation does take into account the realities of Nunavut’s climate and other circumstances in that it allows exemptions for uses such as you mention, namely in outdoor water service lighting.”
Mr. Speaker, at the time that I presented the committee’s report, I did not hear any concerns expressed by the government with respect to the accuracy of what we reported.
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that further work is indeed required to bring forward better legislation in this area, and I applaud the Minister of Energy for having seen the light.
Mr. Speaker, to conclude, my comments to the House, which I delivered to the committee as a chair of the standing committee, were in no way misleading and I hope that this clarifies the record.
Member’s Statement 320 – 2(4): Young People & Elders’ Sporting Event at Gjoa Haven (Aglukkaq)
I would like to tell members about an important event which took place in Gjoa Haven on January 19 and 20 involving youth and elders in a sporting event.
Mr. Speaker, a volleyball tournament took place with five teams taking part. What made this tournament special was that the teams were made up of a combination of youth and elders.
This shows that youth and elders can work together while having fun and it also speaks well to the healthy community principle which we are striving for.
It shows that our youth and elders can work together happily and laugh together as well, in sports and in our lives. I would like to commend the Gjoa Haven youth and elders as they created a fun tournament showcasing the cooperation of different generations.
I would like to thank the volleyball coach who works at the hamlet, Paul Puqiqnak, for organizing events such as this for the residents of Gjoa Haven because it promotes good sportsmanship and living together in harmony. I would also like to thank him for his good organizational skills.
As well, I want to recognize the volunteers from the hamlet as they work for the betterment of the people and I wanted to acknowledge them. Again, I thank Paul Puqiqnak and the Hamlet of Gjoa Haven.
I would like to recognize individuals from the Workers’ Compensation Board Governance Council: Chairperson Denny Rogers from Inuvik; Vice-Chair Shona Barkley from Iqaluit; John Dinner, Governance Advisor to the Governance Council from Ontario; and also the President of the Workers’ Compensation Board and Chief Executive Officer, Anne Clark, and her husband Ryerson Clark from Yellowknife.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. (interpretation ends) Welcome to the Gallery. (interpretation) Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
I would also like to welcome the television audience.
Question 396 – 2(4): Conditions at the Repulse Bay Airport (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, concerns have been raised with me regarding conditions at the Repulse Bay Airport.
There are a number of abandoned drums at the airport and at least one abandoned aircraft wreck. The drums were buried under the runway a number of years ago to help keep the surface level, and the community is concerned that they may be leaking.
Can the minister indicate to me whether his department is aware of the conditions at the Repulse Bay Airport?
I don’t have any information from Repulse Bay but if there is a safety concern and if there is leakage, they would let me know. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister. Your first supplementary, Mr. Mapsalak.
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that it is very important to have the runway at least studied.
Will the minister commit to working with his counterpart in the Department of Environment to undertake an assessment and clean-up at the airport?
I could commit to working with the Department of Environment in regard to the conditions of the Repulse Bay Airport. Thank you.
Can the minister indicate to me how his department works with municipalities to ensure that our airports do not suffer from environmental contaminants?
When we’re going to be making airport runways and roads, there is usually an environmental assessment done prior to getting any work done.
I think it would be better if you refer those questions to the appropriate minister.
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Can the minister indicate to me what training is provided to local airport workers to help them identify potential environmental hazards?
Hon. Patterk Netser: Mr. Speaker, I do not have anything in my notes regarding what the member is inquiring about, so I will have to get back to the member.
He will come back to you once he has the information.
Question 397 – 2(4): Update on Safe Harbour Proposal for Arviat (Alagalak)
I would also like to direct my question to the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.
Mr. Speaker, in December of 2005, I tabled a number of photographs showing the terrible damage suffered by boats in Arviat due to the fact that there is no safe harbour there.
(interpretation ends) Last September I was very pleased to see the plans and drawings for the safe harbour proposal for Arviat presented at a public meeting by a contracted engineering company in Arviat.
Based on those plans, construction on this project can now proceed. (interpretation) That’s what we heard and we were told that construction would start shortly thereafter.
(interpretation ends) I am aware that the Government of Nunavut continues to lobby the federal government for funding for small craft harbours.
Although Arviat is not included in the list of priority communities, I am sure the minister is aware that the community of Arviat desperately needs a safe harbour.
Can the minister update this House on his progress in accessing federal funding for building small craft harbours in Nunavut?
This is going to be a long day, I believe.
Mr. Speaker, we are waiting for the federal government and I understand that they will be announcing their budget within the next day or so, and we hope to hear their plans with the small craft harbour developments for Nunavut.
Can the minister provide an update on the progress in getting a safe harbour built in the community of Arviat?
There are a lot of boat owners and they were anxious to see a safe harbour built in their community, so can the minister give us an update?
Hon. Patterk Netser: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I concur with the member.
We usually set aside $1 million and if it’s not too expensive, we can start working on a safe harbour in Arviat.
Last year, we saw some documents outlining the plans and it also identified which communities would get those facilities and in which year, and I’m sure that the plans have changed to date.
When will the minister make a public announcement of all small craft harbour projects that will be undertaken across Nunavut?
We would like to see safe harbours and docking facilities in all the Nunavut communities, but we, as the government, cannot work alone without support from the federal government.
I would like to work with Members of this Legislative Assembly to lobby the federal government, but as this time, we have no resources to build anything.
It was very expensive also for the consulting firm, engineers, surveyors, and so on, when the plans were getting prepared. I’m sure that you have all documentation and you can also use part of the $241 million that we received from the federal government.
What’s going to happen with all of the plans that were finalized? Is there any money to pay for those?
I believe he is talking about the Building Canada Fund and it would have to be approved by the members. At this time, I cannot make any commitment in regard to the Arviat Safe Harbour.
Question 398 – 2(4): Update on the Meadowbank Mine Training (Simailak)
My question is in regard to Meadowbank, which, I believe, will be starting their development and I heard that they will be employing approximately 300 people.
Could the minister give us an update on Meadowbank and the training opportunities that will be coming out through this mining development?
We’re quite excited throughout Nunavut with the opportunity that we have with mining development. Indeed, we have actually unveiled, as the member knows and the members know, our Adult Learning Strategy. We’ve also put in place, based in Rankin Inlet, where we’re going to be putting a new trades school and that construction will start this summer, a Director of Mines Training and so on, for across Nunavut; mines training and apprenticeship training.
At the same time, Meadowbank, specifically, Mr. Speaker, we’ve had an opportunity to bring several people out of Baker Lake and graduated through our Heavy Equipment Operator Program.
All of those people are qualified, indeed, they have national certification. That’s part of the work that we’ve done.
I would hope to be in a position, Mr. Speaker, probably in April after the House finishes here in the middle of March, to be meeting with some of the mine officials, like we did two weeks ago with the Baffinland people here in Iqaluit, to talk about specific training initiatives that they would request to us as a government.
In regard to the trades school in Rankin Inlet, I hear that construction is going to start this summer.
There’s an Arctic College facility in Baker Lake and there’s a lot of room to house students.
I think it would be best to have the training held in Baker Lake until the trades school is completed. When is the training going to start?
I had an opportunity to go through the Community Learning Centre in Baker Lake with the member last year, and indeed, what we’re trying to put in place right now, and it should start this September of 2008, is a Pre-Mines Training Access Program.
What that program would do at the community level, Mr. Speaker, is to familiarize students with opportunities that present themselves in the mining field.
When we talk about mines today, Mr. Speaker, we’re not just talking about the old traditional pick and shovel jobs in some hole somewhere. What happens right now, Mr. Speaker, when we talk about mines, we’re talking about the whole gambit of professions that would be included, for example, heavy equipment operators, administrative people, support staff, we would be looking at all types of computer generated systems that would need to be run at a mine site, and indeed, power plants would be needed to provide electricity, so you’re looking at diesel mechanics and so on. So there’s a wealth of opportunity there.
What we need to do is make sure that for people in Nunavut who want to take part in an exciting world that’s happening for us here, through the Mines Training Strategy that we have put in place and our Adult Learning Strategy, is to raise the bars in where we get more of our students with grade 10, 11, and 12 so they can actually take on some more of these other opportunities.
Did the Department of Education meet with the mining companies to see how much it would cost to facilitate training projects and other issues so that the young people in Baker Lake could go to work in the mining companies and get some training?
I know that the Director of Mines Training that we have on the ground in Rankin Inlet has been very proactive, especially in the Kivalliq region, facilitating meetings with the mining companies and looking at their training needs and training needs specifically. Again, Mr. Speaker, that’s something that is occurring on an ongoing and go forward basis.
In the community of Rankin Inlet, we have that program that we have talked about that has won an award, the NECIS system, which matches the community skills inventory of what not only academic but also vocational experience that the people have and we’re able to match that with a given employer, for example, in the community.
We know that Baker Lake is one of the communities where you actually have quite a few people on the ground that are trained and ready to go.
Can the Minister of Education go to Baker Lake and meet with the District Education Authority and the hamlet council as soon as he can to see what is happening and so that he could be involved in the process? Will he be able to attend and come to Baker Lake as soon as possible?
Yes. As I was saying earlier, once the House is finished in March, we’re looking at end of March and April an opportunity to visit different communities in Nunavut, look at mine training and meet with mining companies.
As I said earlier, we had an opportunity about two weeks ago to sit down here at the Legislative Assembly with Baffinland to look at some of their opportunities. Our next effort is to go into the Kivalliq and we also have a commitment on the table to be in the Kitikmeot and meet with some of the mining interests there too.
Question 399 – 2(4): Details of the Business Training Tax Credit Program (Tootoo)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Finance, and before I give my questions, I would like to say hi to Brian and the crew down at the Grind and Brew.
Mr. Speaker, in the minister’s Budget Address, he indicated that they’re going to be bringing forward a new Business Training Tax Credit that would encourage and reward businesses to develop a Nunavut workforce, and it indicates that a credit equal up to 30 percent of eligible expenditures would be available to businesses that are based in the territory and provide qualified training.
I’m just wondering if the minister could expand on that a little more and give us a little more detail as to exactly what’s involved in this program, if they have a budget amount for it; how much they have set aside, is there a cap on it, and what those eligible expenses are going to be.
In 2008, the expenditure estimates are exactly as they are shown.
For instance, if businesses wish to have a training program for new employees, then the government would pay 30 percent of the cost for up to six months of training.
We are trying something new with the small businesses; if they’re involved in the training program, we will be paying up to 30 percent towards the training of the students for a six-month term.
Also, for other types of employees, if he or she is working in a business and if they wanted further training outside of their job, then they would be subsidized by the Government of Nunavut to further their education in business of up to $2,000 for the Business Training Tax Credit.
This would be a subsidy for the businesses, Mr. Speaker.
I’m just wondering if he could clarify; in here it talks about a tax credit, so there is no real subsidy paid out to any of the businesses.
He had indicated in his response that there would be a subsidy.
So I’m just wondering: is it just the tax credit under this program for those expenses that he had talked about?
I know there are already existing programs in place, but I’m just wondering if they’re going to be the same eligible expenses as the existing programs, or if there are going to be any new areas that are identified to be eligible expenses.
As a government, we have subsidies in three categories of what are eligible expenses.
I just want to summarize the three categories.
Employee salaries are included in the subsidies, as well as various northern allowances, things like for housing, and others such as air fare necessary for the training outside of their workplace, and if they wanted to further their education.
So the total budget from the government subsidy, if that person is going to further their education, once that person is in place, and once they finish their training program and are back to their workplace, then they would be able to be credited in that category for their tax credits once they get back to the workforce. So we would be able to say… I don’t really know how to say this in Inuktitut, but it’s an investment, meaning that the money we are spending on this program would benefit us in the long run and that’s how it would be set up, Mr. Speaker.
I know that it’s hard to determine what the costs to the government on this program would be; it’s something we wouldn’t find out until the following year as it depends on how many businesses took part in the program.
Can the minister indicate if the department has developed any kind of information package to go out to businesses outlining this new program so that they fully understand what’s out there and what they may be able to claim credit for under the program?
What we have planned in the budget for training programs, the Department of Education already has programs with respect to those and we’re trying to work together with them on this.
Mr. Speaker, we are expecting the plan and the programs to be ready this coming fall for the Business Training Tax Credit.
At this time, we are trying to figure out what people think if such a program was being offered where a tax credit would be available for training.
Before that is done, we’re able to provide support through what we already have in place, Mr. Speaker.
I guess the minister has indicated that they don’t really have a general outline of what’s going to be covered under that program and they probably won’t until the fall.
I’m just wondering if this tax credit is starting this fiscal year, for the 2008 year. So I’m just wondering: how are they going to ensure that the businesses are aware, between now and the fall, if they engage in any kind of training opportunities for their employees, if they potentially may be able to get a credit for those expenses prior to the information on exactly what the criteria is going to be being put out there?
I’m just wondering if the minister would commit to informing businesses in some way of informing them to let them know that “These are the general criteria that we’re looking at and we’re defining it, if you’re not sure about something, hang on to all of your receipts and things like that,” so that when the program guidelines do finally come out in the fall, that they may be able to capitalize on it.
Yes, I agree with the member. My colleague from Economic Development and Transportation and I will be able to work on this together because the employees working outside of government within businesses, who also require assistance for training, need to be informed of the programs available for them, Mr. Speaker.
Question 400 – 2(4): Funding for Replacement of Grise Fiord Office (Barnabas)
Mr. Speaker, in the 2008-09 Budget Address, the minister stated that the government’s office will be replaced in my constituency of Grise Fiord.
When can we see the funding in place to replace that building?
The Department of Community and Government Services is in the process of making those plans, but I believe that during this session, we’ll be able to get more information, Mr. Speaker.
At this time, they are using this building even though it has been closed and condemned by the government. It is still being used by entities that don’t have insurance, such as the Hunters and Trappers Organization and the MLO.