EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I want to ask the minister this question. Even though we lodge complaints to the appeals body, we don’t get heard by the deputy minister or even by the regional offices in Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet, or Iqaluit.
Are they paying attention? If people have complaints to us, are they being forwarded, Mr. Speaker?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Ningark for his question.
If a complaint comes to an MLA, you can forward it to the executive director of the regional offices or you can forward it to me, but I’ll make sure it gets to the right people to deal with it.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for that response.
We have tried to utilize the complaints process, as the minister outlines, but it seems as if it’s a waste of time.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, if you sleep in a hotel, there is a hospitality survey card that you can fill about your stay.
Perhaps we should institute those kinds of hospitality survey cards in Edmonton, Yellowknife, Iqaluit, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and any place where medical patients travel to. If these became something standard and addressed to the minister’s office or to us as MLAs, perhaps we would finally see improvements.
As it is, we don’t seem to be heard. Perhaps hospitals and boarding homes can make these hospitality cards available that patients can choose to fill out or not.
I appreciate Mr. Ningark’s concern for his constituents and all Nunavummiut on medical travel. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated to the member for Pond Inlet, our staff is reviewing the process and I’m sure they have taken note of your suggestion.
My second supplementary, I think my colleague, Mr. Enook, indicated that every other MLA on this side of the table knows that constituents come to our offices, we talk with people at the airports, and they complain about the treatment they receive in different medical centres and boarding homes, and such.
I’m wondering, perhaps I hope that the hon. minister will ensure that we can complain. When we get complaints, we bring them up in the House. Sometimes we communicate with different regional centres, but we don’t get anywhere at all.
What can we do to ensure that when our constituents are complaining, we get communication from the minister that the complaint is being corrected? What can we do?
As I indicated to Mr. Ningark, all MLAs, if they are concerned about the process or complaints not being addressed, can give me a phone call, email me, and come meet me at my office.
I know Mr. Ningark has contacted me many times over the years on behalf of his constituents, as well as most of the other members.
We do take every complaint very seriously and we work very hard to address them.
I apologize if we can’t get back to the members within 24 to 48 hours, but sometimes they’re very complex issues and you have to talk to the people who are on the frontlines to find out what happened.
Question 393 – 3(3): Safety of Medical Travellers (Curley)
I would like to give thanks to the individual from whom we heard last week about the pilot smelling of alcohol.
I think it was the security guard at the airport who noticed that pilot, according to news reports. I think we have to talk about this.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I have a question to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
I think it’s important that we acknowledge the important issue of security of passengers, particularly medical passengers from Pangnirtung and Qikiqtarjuaq, who were likely on the plane en route from medical facilities, either from south or from Iqaluit.
So my question to the minister is: what, if any, has the minister communicated with the largest, over 50 percent of the market share of the medical passenger carrier under contract with GN, that the minister may have expressed concern for the breach of security of the passengers while having a pilot under the influence of alcohol?
Has the minister communicated his concern with Canadian North?
The only information I have on it are the emails that I get and I think all members get through a representative of the Canadian North Airlines.
They dealt with the issue swiftly within their policy. I don’t have intimate details of how they dealt with it.
I assure Mr. Curley that the airline took swift action, not only just for medical patients but for all travelling public.
I don’t have any details on the individual or what he or she was doing other than what the airline provided.
I think we should be alarmed as a government. That particular airline has, I believe, more than 50 percent market share of the scheduled medical passenger contract.
Therefore, we should be concerned that this may not have been the last one. I’m sure there have been other cases that may have happened.
Therefore, will the minister, as the minister responsible for implementing the contract or at least having the responsibility for having a safe and secure airline passenger obligation with Canadian North, communicate with them to ensure that you are troubled by this incident?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Curley for his concern. Mr. Speaker, Canadian North, First Air, and many airlines and private airlines in the north fly I don’t know how many thousands of trips per year.
This is the very first incident that I have heard of this in Nunavut.
I don’t know if it’s a full-blown epidemic, as he is alluding to and suggests has happened in the past. This is the first time I have heard it.
Our department is concerned. We have a contract with both major airlines. I’m sure the concern will be communicated through the proper channels.
Mr. Curley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that.
I think that the proper channel, Mr. Speaker, is the minister responsible for enforcing scheduled medical contracts, who is the Minister of Health and Social Services.
The safety of medical passengers coming from Ottawa or Iqaluit to those two communities was compromised and was in danger.
Correctly, I think the security official was able to properly report it to the officials.
So therefore, I think the minister has a responsibility whether to continue with that contract in view of the fact that it was breached.
The minister has an option, in view of the fact that it was defaulted, that he will cancel the contract with Canadian North.
I thank Mr. Curley again for his concern for all medical travel patients. I’m sure he speaks, of course, for all travellers in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, we don’t have the details. It was reported through the media. Canadian North Airline has assured us that they have taken prompt action.
They did their internal investigation.
We understand that Transport Canada’s aviation enforcement folks are looking at it.
The RCMP is investigating it. So everybody is taking it… . Some of the top regulatory agencies in Canada are reviewing it.
I don’t think it warrants a minister to write a letter and cancel the contract. If it came to that based on one incident that’s being reviewed internally, and then by the RCMP, I don’t know what we do.
What happens if another incident like that happens at the other airline? We would then have two airlines that we would have to cancel contracts with. What will we do for medical travel for Nunavut?
So, Mr. Speaker, I can assure the member that we take it very seriously. Everybody is taking it very seriously. Through the proper channels, we will communicate to the airline that we are concerned.
I would think that the minister would be more aware in view of the fact that my colleague from Akulliq already indicated, that we’re not getting any proper responses from the Minister of Health and Social Services.
This is not a fuzzy issue.
You have a contract with an airline service to ensure safety, that medical passengers are brought to communities safely, and in the most comfort, if at all possible.
The contract has been breached.
Will the minister at least indicate to this House that he will communicate his concerns as a first notice to that airline that you are not satisfied with the performance of that contract, as they have indicated they would do so within the contract?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, thank you again to Mr. Curley.
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier, through the contract process, we will address the issue.
Motion 032 – 3(3): Motion to Extend Question Period (Enook)
Mr. Enook: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Pursuant to Rule 39(7), I move, seconded by the Member for Rankin Inlet North, that question period be extended [for 30 minutes].
Maybe I can just ask members to raise their hands again; I might have missed somebody.
We will move on as the time allotted for question period has expired. Moving on in our orders of the day. Item 7.
Committee Report 023 – 3(3): Bill 39, An Act to Amend the Judicature Act (Ningeongan)
I wish to report that Bill 39, An Act to Amend the Judicature Act, has been reviewed by the Standing Committee on Legislation and that the bill is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 39 immediately moved into Committee of the Whole.
The member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) so that Bill 39 can be referred immediately to Committee of the Whole.
There’s a nay, so unanimous consent has not been granted.
Report of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters.
Tabled Document 205 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut’s Uranium Policy Statement (Taptuna)
I am pleased to table the Government of Nunavut’s Uranium Policy Statement.
Tabled Document 206 – 3(3): FPT Report on the Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management in Victoria, BC May 2012 (Kusugak)
Tabled Document 207 – 3(3): Office of the Fire Marshal’s 2011 Annual Report (Kusugak)
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the FPT Report on the Meeting of Ministers responsible for Emergency Management in Victoria, BC, May 2012.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the Office of the Fire Marshal’s 2011 Annual Report.
Tabled Document 208 – 3(3): Presentation to the United Nations on Achieving Sustainable Food Security in Nunavut (Peterson)
Tabled Document 209 – 3(3): Public Agencies Council’s 2012-2013 Annual Letters of Expectation (Peterson)
I am pleased to table the presentation to the United Nations on “Achieving Sustainable Food Security in Nunavut.”  I am pleased to table the Public Agencies Council’s 2012-13 Annual Letters of Expectation.
Tabled Document 210 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut’s Public Forum on Uranium, Summary Report (Aariak)
I am pleased to table the Government of Nunavut’s Public Forum on Uranium, Summary Report.
Item 13. Tabling of Documents. Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Minister Arreak.
Tabled Document 211 – 3(3): Nunavut Lottery Financial Statements for 2010 (Arreak)
I am pleased to table the Nunavut Lottery Financial Statements for 2010. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Bill 40 – Representative for Children and Youth Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat, that Bill 40, Representative for Children and Youth Act, be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 40 has been read for the first time.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. Minister’s Statement 155 – 3(3).
Before we proceed to Committee of the Whole, we will take a 20-minute break, and Mr. Enook will be in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 16:52 and Committee resumed at 17:14
Chairman (Mr. Enook): Thank you.
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following item to deal with: Minister’s Statement 155 – 3(3).
We wish to deal with Minister’s Statement 155 – 3(3).
Is the minister prepared to deal with Minister’s Statement 155 – 3(3)?
At this time, we are not prepared to deal with this item.
The minister has indicated that he is not prepared to address this matter, so I will now rise to report progress.
There is no report from Committee of the Whole.
A reminder of a meeting of the Standing Committee on Legislation at nine o’clock in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Before I adjourn for the day, I would just like to ask all members… .
When I go out, I’m going to place the Orders of the Day for today out there and I would like to ask all members to sign it as a little token of appreciation and showing, I think, the only person who has been to all 500 sitting days, our Clerk, Mr. Quirke.
So I would like to ask all members to sign it for him.
This House stands adjourned until Thursday, June 7, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 17:19
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Pages 2762 – 2801
Opening Prayer 2762
Ministers’ Statements 2762
Members’ Statements 2764
Returns to Oral Questions 2770
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2771
Oral Questions 2771
Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters 2788
Tabling of Documents 2789
Second Reading of Bills 2790
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2791
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2800
Third Reading of Bills 2800
Orders of the Day 2800
Thursday, June 7, 2012 2762
172 – 3(3): Territorial Skills Competition and Skills Canada Competition (Aariak) 2762
173 – 3(3): Council of the Federation Award (Aariak) 2763
174 – 3(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit (Arreak) 2763
175 – 3(3): Lifting of Narwhal Tusk Ban Restrictions (Arreak) 2764
279 – 3(3): Congratulations to High School Graduates in Constituency (Schell) 2764
280 – 3(3): Gratitude to Volunteers in Iqaluit (Aariak) 2765
281 – 3(3): CanNor’s Funding Cut to CEDOs (Ell) 2766
282 – 3(3): Rankin Inlet Study for a Port Project (Kusugak) 2766
283 – 3(3): Congratulations to Arctic Bay Residents (Elliott) 2767
284 – 3(3): Unmanned Drones (Curley) 2768
285 – 3(3): Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (Arreak) 2769
Return to Oral Question 366 – 3(3): Rent Scale for Public Housing (Taptuna) 2770
394 – 3(3): Mental Health Strategy (Enook) 2771
395 – 3(3): Public Housing Rent Scale Review (Curley) 2773
396 – 3(3): Fuel Supply in Grise Fiord (Elliott) 2774
397 – 3(3): Kugaaruk Water Quality (Ningark) 2776
398 – 3(3): Baseball Field for Pond Inlet (Enook) 2777
399 – 3(3): Plans for GN’s Research Vessel Nuliajut (Rumbolt) 2778
400 – 3(3): Bilingual Education Models (Elliott) 2779
401 – 3(3): Pubic Disclosure Requirements for Senior Government of Nunavut Officials (Enook) 2781
402 – 3(3): Mentoring for New Teachers (Elliott) 2782
403– 3(3): Review of Mental Health Act (Elliott) 2784
404 – 3(3): Mentoring for New Teachers (Elliott) 2786
Committee Report 024 – 3(3): Bill 38, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Ningeongan) 2788
212 – 3(3): Towards a Representative Public Service – Statistics as of June 30, 2011 (Ell) 2789
213 – 3(3): Towards a Representative Public Service – Statistics as of September 30, 2011 (Ell) 2789
214 – 3(3): Towards a Representative Public Service – Statistics as of December 31, 2011 (Ell) 2789
215 – 3(3): Correspondence from Kakivak Association from June 1, 2012 about CEDO Funding Cuts (Ell) 2789
216 – 3(3): Annual Report on the Implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA) for 2006-2008 (Aariak) 2789
217 – 3(3): Annual Report for the Nunavut Implementation Plan for 2008-2010 (Aariak) 2789
218 – 3(3): Fuel Tax Rebate Program Annual Report for 2010-2011 (Peterson) 2789
219 – 3(3): FPT Ministerial Report of the Northern Development Ministers’ Forum in Happy Valley, Goose Bay – February 1-4, 2012 (Taptuna) 2790
220 – 3(3): Strengthening the Nunavut Human Rights System (Shewchuk) 2790
221 – 3(3): Sitting Calendar for 2012 (Speaker) 2790
222 – 3(3): Report of Members’ Absences from Sitting of the House and Meetings of Committees and Caucuses to the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut January 1, 2012 to March 31, 2012 (Speaker) 2790
009 – 3(3): Minister’s Statement 155 – 3(3) Be Deemed Concluded (Enook) 2798
Bill 40 – Representative for Children and Youth Act – Second Reading 2790
Bill 38 – An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act – Consideration in Committee 2791
Bill 38 – An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act – Third Reading 2800
Before we proceed with today’s session, I would like to ask Ms. Ell to lead us off with a prayer, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Ell. (interpretation ends) Moving on in our orders of the day.
Minister’s Statement 172 – 3(3): Territorial Skills Competition and Skills Canada Competition (Aariak)
I rise today to inform my colleagues about Skills Canada Nunavut’s seventh annual territorial skills competition held in Iqaluit on April 24.
Students and apprentices from seven communities across Nunavut came together to compete in 11 areas.
Skills Canada Nunavut is a non-profit organization whose mission is to expose youth to trade and technology occupations by developing and delivering educational programs and activities to youth, educators, parents, and others.
In partnership with the private and public sector, the organization is helping to address northern Canada’s need for a skilled workforce.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the winners from this year’s territorial competition who represented Nunavut at the Canadian Skills Competition in Edmonton May 13 to 16, 2012.
We sent 13 competitors to Edmonton this year, up from 7 in 2011.
I am thrilled to announce that Team Nunavut won the team spirit award at the national event.
Mr. Speaker, skills clubs are an important step in helping to guide our young people on the path to success. Volunteer professionals in the community donate their time and expertise to help Nunavut’s youth to realize potential career opportunities.
Please join me in congratulating the members of Team Nunavut for their spirit and impressive work at the national skills competition.
Speaker: Thank you, Madam Minister of Education.
Minister’s Statement 173 – 3(3): Council of the Federation Award (Aariak)
As a member of the Council of the Federation, I present one literacy award each year to a Nunavummiuq who has made a significant contribution to literacy in Nunavut.
This award was publicized in the newspapers, radio, public service announcements, online, and included outreach to schools, libraries, adult learning facilities, Nunavut Arctic College, government liaison officers, and of course, to Members of this Legislative Assembly.
I ask my colleagues and all Nunavummiut to look within their communities and identify and nominate an adult who encourages and shares ways to strengthen literacy skills with others.
The nomination form and process can be found on the Government of Nunavut website at www.gov.nu.ca.
Please remember that the deadline for nominations for the Council of the Federation Literacy Award is June 8, 2012.
Minister of Culture, Elders and Youth, Minister Arreak.
Minister’s Statement 174 – 3(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit (Arreak)
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I send good afternoon greetings to Clyde River, particularly to my grandchildren and daughters, as well as the residents of Qikiqtarjuaq.
Mr. Speaker, I stand today to thank the 15 members of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
They have served as an advisory on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit to departments of this government for the past three years. Their term ends on July 31, 2012.
As well as representing the diverse geographic and linguistic areas of Nunavut, the committee members are individuals well respected for their knowledge, experience, and skills on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and culture.
I would like to take a moment to read the names of the members who have helped in shaping our programs, policies, and legislation.
The current IQK members have served us well since April 2009. Co-chairs selected of the third committee were Arnaoyok Alookee of Taloyoak and Qabaroak Qatsiya of Cape Dorset.
Alice Ayalik – Kugluktuk
Liza Ningiuk – Grise Fiord
Andre Tautu – Chesterfield Inlet
Marie Anguti – Kugaaruk
Peteroosie Qarpik – Pangnirtung
Erksuktuk Eetuk – Coral Harbour
Gamailee Kilukishak – Pond Inlet
Ragalee Angnakok – Qikiqtarjuaq
Jacopie Iqalukjuaq – Clyde River
Sammie Peter – Iqaluit
Koonoo Oyukuluk – Arctic Bay
Simeonie Aqpik – Kimmirut
Leonie Qrunnut – Igloolik
Mr. Speaker, I am proud of what the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Committee has contributed.
I would like my colleagues to join me in acknowledging their work and commitment.
Minister’s Statement 175 – 3(3): Lifting of Narwhal Tusk Ban Restrictions (Arreak)
I think today is Arreak Day.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform my colleagues of a major development on the export restrictions for narwhal products.
The Government of Nunavut has been informed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans that the export restrictions for narwhal have been lifted for all communities except Grise Fiord.
The lifting of the ban is retroactive to 2010, so tusks harvested since that time can now be exported.
Since the restrictions were put in place in 2010, our officials have been participating in discussions with NTI, Canada, and the NWMB to seek a resolution to this issue.
Most recently, we supported community consultations towards the establishment of a sound management plan to ensure that Inuit can continue to benefit economically from this sustainable resource.
This is a positive development and I appreciate the federal government’s action on this issue which has been of major concern to Nunavummiut.
I encourage the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to continue to engage Inuit and other stakeholders on narwhal management and to complete necessary research to have the ban lifted for all communities.
Mr. Speaker, while the Government of Nunavut does not have jurisdiction for marine mammal management, we recognize the critical importance of marine mammals to Inuit.
We will continue to be engaged in discussions for sustainable marine mammal management and will continue to advocate for the right of Inuit to maximize benefits they receive from harvesting.
Member for South Baffin, Minister Schell.
Member’s Statement 279 – 3(3): Congratulations to High School Graduates in Constituency (Schell)
I would like to say a very appreciative “good afternoon” to all of my constituents in Cape Dorset and Kimmirut.
Although several communities had their graduation ceremonies this past weekend, the communities I represent, Cape Dorset and Kimmirut, will be celebrating their graduations in the next several weeks.
In Cape Dorset, we have seven graduates and the ceremony will take place on June 22.
I will be in my home community at this time, so I will have the pleasure of joining these graduates and their friends and families as we pay tribute to these young adults in honour of their accomplishments.
The names of the Cape Dorset graduates are:
Ian Ross,
Neevee Jaw,
Elisapie Joanasie,
Josephine Kingwatsiak,
Nora Samayualie,
Amaudla Alariaq, and
Maata Jaw.
In Kimmirut, there will be four graduates, with the ceremony taking place this coming June 15.
I’m planning on attending this ceremony as well so I can personally congratulate the graduates for all their hard work.
The number of graduates in Kimmirut represents a 67 percent graduation rate.
This is very encouraging given that some communities are struggling to attain a 50 percent graduation rate.
The names of the Kimmirut graduates are:
Nina Manning,
Quppaapik Michael,
Jamesie Temela, and
Simeonie Itturjuak.
I ask my fellow members to join me in congratulating these young individuals who represent the future of our communities and Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 280 – 3(3): Gratitude to Volunteers in Iqaluit (Aariak)
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon to my constituents in Iqaluit East.
Mr. Speaker, volunteers in the communities are a positive force in their own communities in various ways.
People with ability surface in the community and volunteer selflessly.
They serve as role models to the youth that one can do positive things without expectations of financial gain. Many youth themselves do volunteer work and become excellent role models themselves.
Volunteers demonstrate how communities gain the ability for self-reliance when we talk about how communities become able to stand up by themselves.
This past Sunday, a special event took place that was widely attended and enjoyed: the official opening of one of Nunavut’s cathedrals, St. Jude’s Cathedral.