EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
010 – 1(6): Gasoline Testing Taking Place in Warmer Weather (Iqaqrialu) 48
011 – 1(6): Testing of 1999 Kitikmeot Gasoline (Puqiqnak) 50
012 – 1(6): 51
013 – 1(6): Update on Nanisivik Mine Closure (Williams) 51
014 – 1(6): Budget Process for District Education Authorities (Tootoo) 52
015 – 1(6): Funding Formula for Schools (Havioyak) 54
016 – 1(6): Timing of Provision of Budget Figures to District Education Authorities (Tootoo) 56
017 – 1(6): Impact of Earned Income on Income Support Payments (Puqiqnak) 58
018 – 1(6): Sending Children South for Schooling (Williams) 59
019 - 1(6): Future Use of Nanisivik Mine (Iqaqrialu) 60
020 - 1(6): 62
Motion 02 – 1(6): Extended Hours and Days - Notice (Irqittuq) 63
Motion 03 – 1(6): Process for Review of Bill 1, Education Act - Notice (Nutarak) 63
Bill 1 – Education Act – Second Reading (Kilabuk) 63
Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, , Mr. Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Honourable Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Ed Picco, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Mr. Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Rebekah Williams.
>>O’Canada
Speaker (Mr. O’Brien): I would now like to call on Father Frank Paturno from Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church to deliver the opening prayer.
Speaker: Thank you, Father Frank.
Ulluukkut, good afternoon members and welcome back to the Assembly.
Moving on to item 2. Ministers’ Statements.
Minister’s Statement 002 – 1(6): Gasoline Testing Update
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Good afternoon colleagues and the people that I represent.
We are now back to the Sixth Session of the Legislative Assembly.
I would like to tell my constituents that they can relay their messages to us.
Mr. Speaker I will be speaking in English. (interpretation ends) Concerns over the quality and performance of gasoline have been described in the news over the past month.
Local media have followed this story closely and have kept the public well informed through government news releases and interviews.
To continue this open communication I would like to officially update the House on the development of gasoline testing since we last met.
A recent snowmobile test in Rankin Inlet revealed slightly higher levels of deposit using untreated gas compared to treated gasoline.
The treated gas contains the missing deposit control additive.
The test program was valuable because the addition of PCA leads to some extent to reducing deposits.
A second phase of snowmobile testing is underway using treated gasoline from the Baffin region.
I am sorry, I mean untreated gasoline from the Baffin region and from the Kitikmeot region.  The test run will compare American source fuel to Canadian source fuel.
The final report on the snowmobile testing is scheduled for the end of this month.
I will table the report here in the Legislative Assembly and make it available to the public.
Additional testing continues at the Alberta Research Council to explore the possibility of contaminants.
ARC is internationally recognized for their expertise in fuel quality and has been in instrumental in providing assistance to the Government of Nunavut.
I would like to thank the public for their patience during our process and further that we are dedicating the necessarily time and resources to address this very important issue.
Minister’s Statement 003 – 1(6): Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada
Mr. Speaker, I want to welcome you back to the Assembly and welcome the members back to Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, on April 8th, I had an opportunity to appear before the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada on behalf of the Government of Nunavut, to discuss Nunavut’s health care system and the health of Nunavummiut.
As you know, Commissioner Romanow is traveling across Canada to hear the views of the people and the governments of our country about the state of health care here in Canada.
During his visit to Nunavut, he toured the hospital as well as met with staff here in the community.
He was able to experience first hand some of the challenges we face in providing healthcare in Nunavut.
I’d also like to take this opportunity Mr. Speaker, to thank the good people of Pangnirtung, the health centre staff, the health committee, the mayor, as well as Minister Kilabuk for a very informative and entertaining session with Minister Romano in Pangnirtung.
Mr. Speaker, this was an important opportunity to appeal to the Federal Government through the Romanow Commission to support our efforts to raise the standard of health care in Nunavut and bring it to the same level as other Canadians.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to say that I was not alone in bringing the concerns and needs of Nunavummiut to the Commission’s attention.
Presentations were made by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Pauktuutit, and several concerned Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I believe Mr. Romanow learned a great deal during his visit to Nunavut and I am optimistic that our unique needs will be reflected in his final report which is due in November 2003.
In the meantime, Mr. Speaker, the Romanow Commission is eager to hear from all Canadians, either by calling their toll-free number, by letter, or by e-mail.
I encourage all Nunavummiut to contact the Romanow Commission and express their opinions about the health care and health standards in Nunavut.
Minister’s Statement 004 – 1(6): 2002 Conference of Ministers Responsible for Physical Activity, Recreation and Sport
Mr. Speaker, on March 4th of this year, I rose in this Assembly to inform members of the upcoming 2002 Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport, Recreation, and Fitness which was to be held here in Iqaluit on the weekend of April 5 – 7, 2002.
I am happy to report to the members that we had a great conference and that much was accomplished at these meetings.
Mr. Speaker, we had delegations in Iqaluit representing the Federal Government and all the Territories and Provinces.
At our meeting, Ministers Responsible for Sport, Recreation and Fitness, endorsed Canada’s first ever Sport Policy and announced its release at our conference.
The Canadian Sport Policy is a result of consultations which took place all over the country and is aimed at creating an effective Canadian sports system.
In addition, what Mr. Picco just talked about, the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada, chaired by former Saskatchewan Premier Roy Romanow, met with ministers.
We urged Mr. Romanow to consider the contribution that physical activity, sport and recreation has to the overall health of Canadians.
Our weekend concluded with a gathering marking World Health day on April 7th 2002.
We were able to take a number of Ministers to Sylvia Grinnell Park where they were able to experience a truly northern experience by taking a brief ride by dog-team and on skidoos.
The conference provided us with the chance to emphasise the fact that Nunavut needs infrastructure funding for our recreational facilities.
While we do receive funding from the federal government for infrastructure, there are so many infrastructure needs in other areas that recreation is sometimes forgotten.
We need to work in partnership with the federal government and with our communities to identify funding for our recreational facilities.
Recreational facilities assist in building healthy communities and the Department of Community Government and Transportation is committed to promoting healthy communities as stated in our Bathurst Mandate.
Minister’s Statement 005 – 1(6): Minister Ng’s Absence from the House
I welcome the members back to the session.
I just want to let the members know that Minister Kelvin Ng will not be in attendance in the House today, tomorrow and the next day.
Minister’s Statement 006 – 1(6): Minister Anawak’s Absence from the House
For the information of the members, Minister Anawak will not be attending from April 24th to 26th .
Member’s Statement 015 – 1(6): Recognition of Byron Alonak and Nomination for Bravery Award
I rise today to recognize a very brave young man from Kugluktuk.
At the beginning of the month, a 12 year old young man went on a hunting trip with well known elder, Buster Kailek.
After a successful hunt they were caught in a blizzard.
When night came the snowmobile hit a rock and rolled, leaving Byron and Kailek stranded.
They passed the night in a makeshift tent and then kept themselves warm and waited for quite a while and started walking to a cabin.
They thought the cabin was far away even though it wasn’t very far.
The elder is 91 years old and he was traveling with a 12 year old.
The elder was having a hard time walking and the youngster kept urging him to keep walking and that is how he survived.
They both survived.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, Byron Alonak acted with courage and bravery beyond his years when he struggled to get Kailek to shelter.
Mr. Speaker, Byron has been credited for saving Kailek’s life.
For this reason I am proud to say that I have nominated Byron for the Commissioner’s Award for bravery. I would like to ask all members to join me today in recognizing Byron for his bravery.
Member’s Statement 016 – 1(6): Nattilik Cup: Hockey Tournament in Taloyoak
There seems to be something different in the chambers today.
I believe the lights have been changed.
There was a hockey tournament in Taloyoak a couple of days ago and the people of Taloyoak completed this tournament on Sunday.
They were going for the Nattilik Cup.
There were a lot of people in Taloyoak with Repulse Bay and other outlying communities going for the tournament.
There were athletes as well as parents escorting their children to our community.
The team from my community did not win the cup but they came in third and I am very proud of them as their representative in the House.
Kugaaruk got the gold and Repulse Bay got the silver.
I would like to thank the people of Taloyoak for their hospitality and also for hosting the hockey tournament in that region.
Everybody has gone home safely.
At this time I would also like to say thank you to the people and in the up coming months the people of Taloyoak will be hosting a bible conference.
There will be a large number of people in that community.
I wish them well because this is very important to the people of Christ.
I would like to extend my congratulations to the people of Taloyoak.
Member’s Statement 017 – 1(6): Iqaluit Medal Winners in AWG in Iqaluit
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today here in the House to welcome back all members to the House and to Iqaluit for our budget session.
Mr. Speaker, last month was a triumph for Iqaluit and the people of Nunavut.
Years of hard work and planning came into fruition as this community successfully pulled off one of the biggest international events ever held in the north, and certainly the biggest in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, acknowledgement and appreciation is due to the hundreds of volunteers who came together to make the 2002 Arctic Winter Games a major success.
The host society proved that Nunavut has indeed taken its place as a jurisdiction with the maturity, skill and dedication to host major events.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut’s superb performance at the games reflects well on our youth and the communities who support them to the hilt.
I want to take a few moments to name those residents of Iqaluit who took home Ulus.
Gold Ulu winners were: Daniel Young in Inuit Wrestling; Nick Dunphy, was a double gold winner in Speed Skating; Aqpik and Luc Peter in Speed Skating; Kyle St. Laurent in Speed Skating; and Peter Gilhuly in Speed Skating as well.
Silver Ulu winners were: Susie Pearce, who won three Ulus in Inuit and Traditional Games; Daniel Young in Wrestling; Luc Peter, won three silver Ulus in Speed Skating; and Nick Dunphy also won a silver medal in Speed Skating.
The Midget Hockey team members include: John Donovan, Jonathon Flaherty, Mark Eetuk, and Qavavou Mikijuk.
Bronze Ulu winners included Nick Dunphy and Luc Peter in Speed Skating.
Mr. Speaker, each and every participant in the games was a winner and I ask all members to join me in congratulating our athletes, our coaches, our organizers, and our volunteers for a job very well done.
Member’s Statement 018 – 1(6): Stevie Amarualik of Resolute Bay – Four Ulus
I would like to welcome you all to Iqaluit and to the chambers.
We will be holding our proceedings for the next few weeks.
I rise today to talk about Stevie Amarualik from Repulse Bay, who last month took home three Ulus.
There were approximately 13 people who won gold and he got three of those.
Stevie Amarualik is from Repulse Bay and we extend our congratulations to him.
Also for the bronze, I’m not sure what they call it in Inuktitut, but he did get a bronze.
So Stevie Amarualik took home four Ulus, three gold and one bronze.
If the kids had the facilities I’m sure that a lot more would participate in these types of competitions.
Stevie Amarualik did well and I would like you to help me congratulate Stevie Amarualik for taking home those Ulus.
Member’s Statement 019 – 1(6): Dog Mushing Race – Clyde River to Pond Inlet
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to talk about an event that happened last week.
When I travelled home from Iqaluit and got to Clyde River, I packed my camping equipment and was able to spend some time with dog mushers that were travelling to Pond Inlet from Clyde River.
They said we were starting to lose our tradition of dog mushing, but now it’s starting to come back and they talked about what kind of support the government would be able to give to dog musher’s in communities so that this sport is kept going in our communities.
I was very proud Mr. Speaker, especially with the 71 year old individual who was participating.
Their dogs were very well trained and they were able to travel 50 miles in just a few hours.
I noticed even their dogs were enjoying the trip.
As a Member of the Legislative Assembly I am very proud that this sport is continuing in our communities.
Member’s Statement 020 – 1(6): Gratitude to the Minister of Health
Mr. Speaker, I read in the paper about the health centre in Pond Inlet and a proposal was put out that the minister was seeking contractors to work on the health centre in Pond Inlet.
I would like to thank the minister for advertising the start of the new health centre.
Member’s Statement 021 – 1(6): Gratitude to Members for Support
I rise today to express my appreciation to my colleagues here with the passing of my dear sister.
I also want to express my family’s appreciation for the support that we received from all during our time of need.
Member’s Statement 022 – 1(6): Drum Dancing Event in Repulse Bay
Mr. Speaker, I rise today and I am glad that we are here again and we will be sitting for about three weeks.
We see a lot of sporting activities happening in our communities and this is very helpful to improve health.
There was drum dancing activity in Repulse Bay and I encourage people to get into drum dancing as we need to keep it alive.
The community of Repulse Bay enjoyed the drum dancing festival.
So I am expecting to see these kinds of activities happening in my community and in other communities.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 023 – 1(6): Cape Dorset Pee Wee Hockey Team
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and good afternoon colleagues.
There was a group of peewee hockey players here from Cape Dorset just recently and they are very capable because they learned from the best.
They were able to play hockey with members from Ottawa.
There were participants from a lot of the communities in this area.
From Cape Dorset there was Noah Parr who got MVP twice, Ottokie Qimirpik, who was the goalie and also received an MVP award and the Captain Joe Jaw Salomonie, See Qiatsuq, Mapalu Adla, Niviaqsie Niviaqsie and members from Ottawa.
It is my sister Alasuaq Akesuk’s birthday and I would like to say happy birthday.
Member’s Statement 024 – 1(6): Hockey Tournament in Hall Beach
I think there are a lot of sporting activities happening this month and there was a hockey tournament in Hall Beach and I am glad to say that Hall Beach got the gold.
It took them awhile to get an arena and they are now capable players.
They could probably even take on Montreal now.
I am simply happy for them.
Speaker: Mr. Irqittuq I think that belongs to the Montreal Canadians.
Under item 3.
Mr. Kilabuk you have a Members’ Statement.
Member’s Statement 025 – 1(6): Pangnirtung Athletes at 2002 AWG and Sporting Events
Mr. Speaker in Pangnirtung we also had a sporting event. From Pangnirtung we had people come to Iqaluit to play hockey during the Arctic Winter Games. Brian Alivaqtaq who plays in Midget hockey also played very well.
His name kept coming up because he is very good in hockey.
I think all the communities have said how proud they are of their communities’ participation in the Arctic Winter Games.
It is very noticeable because they are very capable.
Brian Alivaqtaq was playing hockey recently here in Iqaluit and got a bronze in the Toonik Tyme hockey tournament.
I also played golf with Minister Kattuk, Premier Okalik and Minister Picco.
Perhaps next year during Toonik Tyme you’ll have to practice lots because I was the winner in that event.
Member’s Statement 026 – 1(6): Fifty Ulus Won by Nunavut During AWG
We were very proud of the Arctic Winter Games Nunavut athletes.
There were 50 medals that the Nunavut athletes took home.
I am very proud that we were able to bring home 50 medals from the Arctic Winter Games.
The past three months have gone very fast and it is already time to get back into the House.
Just to let you know, I recently had surgery done and I am doing well in case you were concerned.
Are there further Members’ Statements?
Mr. Picco. I didn’t see you there.
Member’s Statement 027 – 1(6): Iqaluit Street Names
Mr. Speaker first of all I would like to say that Minister Kilabuk played a fantastic game of golf during the Toonik Tyme tournament and indeed he only missed by one point winning free tickets to Ottawa.
Over 100 people participated, he was a very good golf player.
He failed to point out that he only beat me by 80 points or something, so I was pretty close.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this week I attended a public meeting here in Iqaluit held by the City Council with Premier Okalik to name the Iqaluit streets.
First of all Mr. Speaker, I believe the work by our Council to date has been very good.
However, I raised several concerns at that meeting with the absence of roads and streets named for any women as well as concerns raised by some of residents about particular names for streets.
For example Igunaq Street comes to mind.
Mr. Speaker, in 1995 as part of our campaign, the Iqaluit for Capital campaign, our slogan was Iqaluit for all of Nunavut.
I feel that more effort could have been made in naming streets representing some of our Nunavut communities here in Nunavut’s capital.
For example incorporating a Kugluktuk Drive or Igloolik Street would have demonstrated our status as the capital of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I think also traditional Iqaluit Inuit names for our various parts of our community and roads could have been incorporated.
I look forward Mr. Speaker to seeing some of these recommendations, and other recommendations made by the Premier and other people at the public meeting, being incorporated into the street naming project.
If not we will move on to Item 4.
Mr. Speaker it gives me great pleasure, Mr. Speaker, to introduce some people in the gallery today.
First of all I would like to take this opportunity to introduce to the gallery and to the people of Nunavut, the new Assistant Deputy Ministers of the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Abraham Tagalik and sitting next to Mr. Tagalik is the new Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit coordinator for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Andrew Tagak.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome them to the Gallery.
Speaker: Welcome to the Gallery and to the government.
I would like to recognize a constituent of mine, the other half of Ken MacRury, Sheila MacRury who are very good constituents of mine in my riding.
So welcome to the Gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize today in the gallery a couple of people that worked in education for years and that I’ve known from Rankin Inlet as well as here in Iqaluit.
One is Mr. Lou Budgell.
He’s the President of the Federation of Nunavut Teachers, and also his partner, Dominique Wielgosch, who works for the IDEA here in Iqaluit.
I’d like to welcome all those people that haven’t been identified.
Question 010 – 1(6): Gasoline Testing Taking Place in Warmer Weather
I have a question for the Minister responsible for Petroleum Products about the testing that occurred in Rankin Inlet recently.
The testing that is being done right now, we support the testing but the weather is changing and it’s getting warmer so perhaps the testing will not give us a very good result because it’s not that cold anymore.
When it was in the colder months it was okay to test it but right now it’s starting to get warmer.
The hunters in Nunavut had problems with their snowmobiles in the colder weather.
So what are you going to do for those people that had problems with their snowmobiles in the colder months?
The gasoline testing that we have been doing has been going on for a little while now.
What we are doing right now with the two skidoos in Rankin Inlet is testing for differences.
When the testing is over, we will find out what the results are and testing will be completed at the end of this month.
To the question of the member, I will let the members know and the public know what the results are, but at this time I can’t really say exactly what the results will be.
Yes, I understand your response but because of the weather conditions right now in the spring time I feel that with the warmer weather now that the testing will not be adequate.
Are you going to get adequate results in this warmer weather?
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): The first tests I mentioned that we did with the two skidoos was done with untreated gas compared to treated gasoline. The other testing that we did was a different test with the untreated gas and treated gasoline.
They said to us that in Kivalliq and Kitikmeot they were just comparing the untreated gasoline and treated gasoline.
That’s the testing that we did.
From Rankin Inlet to Repulse Bay, what we did was we let the skidoo travel about 800 miles with untreated gasoline and treated gasoline.
So we don’t really have any results to date but even though it’s warmer weather we still feel that the testing that we did will probably provide positive results.
Question 011 – 1(6): Testing of 1999 Kitikmeot Gasoline
Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Public Works and Services.
In the Minister’s Statement he talked about Kitikmeot being included in the testing.
In 1999, we received a gas resupply.
Is the minister’s department going to do some testing on the gas that was originally shipped over there?
I think it was 1999.
Is there going to be testing on that?
If I could make it clear to the member, in my statement I said that we’re not going to be doing any testing in the Kitikmeot but we’re going to be using the gasoline from the Kitikmeot Region.
We are doing this because we’re going to be comparing gasoline from an American source and a Canadian source.
So, that’s why we are going to be using Kitikmeot gasoline and we are testing two snowmobiles by having the machines run over a long distance to test the gasoline.
I just want to add a supplementary to Mr. Iqaqrialu’s question.
At that time in Kitikmeot we had bad gasoline and we found out that the gasoline that we got at that time was not adequate for cold weather.
I feel that, along with the Baffin’s gasoline and the Kitikmeot’s gasoline, I think that the testing will be inadequate because of the warmer weather.
They should have been doing testing in the colder weather.
Perhaps your department could do some more testing in the colder weather, next winter, again to find out about the gasoline in Nunavut.
Just a reminder in the supplementary to get to the questions.
We have not decided whether we’re going to be doing more testing next winter.